"Miss Aida, they won't actually start fighting, will they?" Nakamura asked nervously, sensing tension in the air.
"Idiot," Aida Yayoi replied, exasperated. "They're all smart kids—they're just competing for attention."
Having reported on high school basketball leagues for years, Aida understood these young players perfectly. The bigger the stage, the more likely some would try to show off.
Kainan's newcomers were clearly eager to impress, but Shohoku's three freshmen were equally formidable. The audience didn't care about motives—they just knew the upcoming game would be thrilling. The previous block and alley-oop had already promised excitement. Yet even now, the King of Kainan seemed slightly off his usual form.
"Damn it, Rukawa Kaede, you…!" Kiyota, frustrated by his failed display, glared at Rukawa Kaede, who remained calm and indifferent.
"Hmph! Serves you right! Who told you to act wild?" Sakuragi hopped around, mocking him mercilessly.
But secretly, he was thrilled—this was the perfect golden opportunity to show off.
"Idiot, who told you to come over?" Maki intervened, swiftly punching Kiyota on the head and tugging his ear.
"My apologies, I'll take him back," Maki said, addressing Nango.
Nango smiled faintly, feigning sincerity. "Not at all. Consider it a friendly spar."
After exchanging smiles, Maki led Kiyota away.
"Alright, everyone, gather up. The game is about to start." Akagi, satisfied that his side hadn't suffered any losses, didn't interfere further.
"It looks like Kainan isn't that impressive after all."
"Maybe Shohoku can win this game easily."
The Sakuragi Gang whispered among themselves, convinced the Kainan players looked unremarkable. Even in terms of physique, they seemed weaker than Shoyo and Miuradai. From this perspective, Kainan didn't appear as terrifying as Haruko had warned.
Haruko herself wasn't unusually worried. With two tickets to the Nationals available, Shohoku had room for error.
The teams gathered at center court. Akagi and Takasago fixed their eyes on the ball in the referee's hand.
Kiyota whispered behind Rukawa Kaede, "I was just careless earlier. Don't get too smug."
Rukawa Kaede ignored him, ready to run and score at any moment. Akagi, unusually excited, seemed almost frantic with anticipation.
The referee tossed the ball high, and as it began its descent, Akagi and Takasago leapt simultaneously. The taller, long-armed Akagi overpowered Takasago, tipping the ball to Nango.
Maki didn't contest, allowing Nango easy possession. By the time Nango looked up, Kainan's defense was already set.
"As expected—they came prepared," Nango murmured.
Kainan had deliberately allowed Shohoku the first possession, planning to observe and adjust. In high-level matchups, strategy begins from the very first second.
Nango dribbled, scanning for an opening. Seeing Akagi ready and in prime form, he passed. Maki tried to stop it, but couldn't.
Akagi boxed out Takasago, who strained every muscle to interfere. The two pressed tightly against each other.
Choosing brute strength over skill, Akagi pushed Takasago down, turned, and made a layup.
"Beep! Red Team number 4, offensive foul!"
Akagi froze, stunned. He had scored, but the referee called a foul. Reluctantly, he raised his hand.
"Damn it, Takasago…" he muttered, annoyed as he ran back on defense.
Takasago ignored him entirely—everything was going according to plan.
"Are they trying to limit Akagi with a flop?" Nango thought, sensing something off.
The crowd murmured in confusion. Takamiya whispered, "I didn't expect Gorilla to foul so quickly. Was he too excited?"
Noma scratched his head. "First time seeing this, maybe."
Kainan attacked. Maki glanced at Kiyota, who eagerly called for the ball.
"Idiot, stick to the game plan," Maki complained inwardly.
Takasago ran from the paint to set a screen for Maki. After passing Nango, Maki drove straight at Akagi, pressing firmly without dodging. The two moved into the restricted area, and Maki positioned himself to draw a foul.
"No way!" Akagi tried to block him.
"Oh no!" Nango realized instantly what Kainan was doing.
But it was too late—the two had already jumped.
"Captain! Maki is trying to draw a foul. Don't fall for it!" Nango shouted.
Maki smirked mid-air. "Clever, but too late."
Akagi's hands couldn't stop the shot.
"Beep! Red number 4, shooting foul!"
Maki had deliberately exposed the ball, inducing the foul.
"Excellent, Maki! With this, we've got the upper hand!" Kiyota cheered, pulling Maki up.
Maki adjusted his jersey, pressing Kiyota's head lightly. "Did you completely forget our pre-game strategy?"
Less than a minute into the game, Akagi had two consecutive fouls. Shohoku had no choice but to substitute him to protect their core player.
"Beep! Shohoku calls a timeout!" Coach Anzai stood, glancing toward Kainan's bench.
Coach Kouzu, calm and collected, fanned himself leisurely. "No matter how strong those freshmen are, they're still first-years. Remove Akagi from the court, and we gain the upper hand."
Nango walked to the bench, eyes flicking to Hainan. He sighed. "The shrewd Kouzu truly lives up to his reputation…"
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