Chapter 016
Murasakibara immediately corrected Senko Middle School's coach: "No, Ranki-chin joined first-string a month ago. He's also a first-string member."
A tall player around 180 centimeters emerged from behind the group—Kenichi Okamura stepped forward and spoke with obvious irritation: "I remember that Teiko Middle School's official roster has other players. Why are only you two from the starting lineup? Why didn't that Nijimura guy come? And are these really your full-strength members?"
Looking at Kenichi Okamura, Murasakibara had to admit the guy was somewhat distinctive—that W-shaped chin looked rather comical. Akai Sakura responded apologetically: "Captain Nijimura and the others are handling challenges from other schools, so they couldn't make it. All the third-year seniors have retired, and many second-years have as well. Currently, Teiko Middle School doesn't have many first-string members remaining, so aside from Murasakibara and Ranki, all our other players are from second-string. I'm also the second-string manager."
"What?!" Kenichi Okamura immediately flared with anger upon hearing this: "Damn it! You're seriously underestimating us!"
Even Senko's coach looked displeased. While this was just a practice match, sending only two first-string members with the rest being second-string felt incredibly arrogant.
Murasakibara studied Kenichi Okamura with mild fighting interest. Anyone could see that within this entire basketball program, only Kenichi Okamura was remotely decent. Most other players stood around 170 centimeters, with many not even reaching that height. Only Kenichi Okamura had a frame somewhat comparable to Murasakibara's.
"It's just a practice match anyway—let's start quickly," Murasakibara said, looking at Kenichi Okamura with growing competitive interest. "You're supposed to be the strongest player in your basketball program, right? That's what Akashi-chin told me."
Hearing Murasakibara's words, Kenichi Okamura's expression darkened: "Seems like we're being completely underestimated. In that case, I'll show you brats the consequences of looking down on us."
"Oh, is that so? Then bring it on!" Murasakibara remained completely unperturbed by Kenichi Okamura's threatening words. While the guy had comparable height, Murasakibara didn't believe he could lose to him—he'd never lost a basketball game since he started playing.
After changing into team uniforms, Akai Sakura looked at the players who had assembled for the starting lineup. The primary force would still be Atsushi Murasakibara, followed by Ranki, while the three second-string players would mainly provide support.
"While the opposing basketball program has remained relatively unknown, that third-year named Kenichi Okamura does seem somewhat challenging to handle. Please take care of this, Murasakibara-kun."
"No problem—just pass me the ball, and I'll never lose to them," Murasakibara replied with characteristic lazy confidence.
After entering the court, the referee announced: "Starting lineup for Teiko Middle School: Number four, center, Atsushi Murasakibara; number twenty-nine, power forward, Ranki Yun; number twenty-two, small forward, Dai Kuroki; number twenty-seven, point guard, Masa Nakamura; number forty-five, shooting guard, Sanki Ono."
"Starting lineup for Senko Middle School: Number four, power forward, Kenichi Okamura; number eight, small forward, Shokita; number twenty-two, center, Kumazawa Oda; number thirteen, point guard, Masao Keisa; number twelve, shooting guard, Rinichi Narisawa."
"Both teams, please line up."
"Let's have a good game!" both sides called out in unison.
Murasakibara looked at Kenichi Okamura, who was positioned for the jump ball, and asked with playful curiosity: "Eh, aren't you a power forward? Why are you doing the center jump? Don't you guys have a center over there?"
He glanced at Senko's 176-centimeter center and added with mild sarcasm: "Oh, I see—it's because he's too short, right?"
"Stop acting so smug, first-year brat!" Kenichi Okamura immediately bristled at Murasakibara's words.
The referee tossed the ball upward, and Murasakibara jumped well above Kenichi Okamura's reach. Watching his opponent strain with maximum effort, he commented playfully: "Well then, this ball belongs to us." He tipped the ball directly to Ranki.
'He jumped so high!' Kenichi Okamura thought with internal shock, but the ball had already reached Teiko's side. He immediately shouted to his teammates: "Stop this possession first!"
"That's assuming you can actually stop it," Ranki looked at Kenichi Okamura, who had moved to defend him, and sneered. "Let me see how strong your school's basketball really is."
Kenichi Okamura didn't respond. Before the game, his coach had explained that Ranki's strength was secondary to Atsushi Murasakibara as a threat. With two second-years assigned to watch Murasakibara, he only needed to shut down Ranki.
Ranki attempted several breakthrough moves but found himself consistently thwarted by Kenichi Okamura, unable to find any defensive weaknesses. Looking at his opponent's impressive physique—clearly taller than himself yet equally fast—Ranki glanced toward Murasakibara and sneered: "Are you guys seriously underestimating Atsushi? If you're defending him, don't you think two people is a bit insufficient?" With that, he passed the ball directly to Murasakibara.
The moment Murasakibara received the ball, his two defenders—Senko's center Oda Kumazawa and small forward Shokita—immediately converged on him. Murasakibara looked at Senko's center with internal contempt: 'How short! What kind of center is that short?'
"Don't even think about it, Atsushi Murasakibara!" Senko's center and small forward rushed forward aggressively.
Murasakibara's brow furrowed slightly as he spoke with calm disdain: "Seriously, why do you guys try so hard? It's obviously impossible to stop me, but you insist on making these pointless efforts."
"What did you say?!"
Ignoring the outburst, Murasakibara simply executed a jump shot. The opposing center watched Murasakibara's movement with shock: 'This guy's form is so quick! Damn it! He's not even showing any sign of strain—is he completely looking down on me?'
"Damn it!" Oda Kumazawa jumped with desperate effort, only to discover that Murasakibara's height made the shot completely unreachable. He could only watch as the basketball arced through the air and swished through the net.
Score: 2-0, Teiko Middle School leading by one basket.