"Murasakibara, what do you think…? Never mind!"
Looking at most of his players with expressions of "I don't really understand, but this game feels incredible" Coach Masako Araki shook her head, then turned her gaze back to Murasakibara Atsushi.
But before she could finish speaking, she smacked her forehead, realizing she'd just asked a rather silly question.
After all, with Murasakibara's personality, he could play a game just fine. But asking him to analyze the situation? That was clearly asking too much.
Araki tapped her forehead, feeling a bit of a headache coming on.
As a former national women's team player, Araki's perspective was roughly on par with the coaches of Kaijo, Tōō Academy, Shutoku, and Seiho.
And because of that, she knew just how intense Seiho and Tōō Academy's second-half duel had been.
To put it bluntly: the second half of this game had completely surpassed the level of high school basketball.
This was why most Yosen players were utterly confused after watching the replay.
For one, the footage alone could only show so much.
For another, the level and concepts involved in this match were far beyond what high school players should comprehend.
Especially that monster from Tōō Academy.
Even Araki, as a former national player, had never seen anyone like Aomine Daiki before.
Someone who could open the door to the [Zone] purely by will, it felt like a dream.
"'Animal Instinct' and the [Zone]… no wonder he's from the Generation of Miracles. He's on a completely different level from previous opponents!" Araki murmured, frowning.
"And that Seiho monster… where did he even come from? I never heard of him in middle school… Murasakibara, do you know Seiho's number 11?"
To be honest, Araki only asked Murasakibara on a whim. She never expected an actual answer.
Not because of anything else, Murasakibara might have great physical talent, but his brain was entirely focused on basketball. In everyday life, he was a complete airhead.
Even if he had faced Seiho's number 11 before, he'd probably have forgotten by now.
Yet, unexpectedly, Murasakibara gave a positive response.
"Huh? You mean Asuka? I know him!"
He held a bag of chips, speaking in his usual dazed tone.
Araki froze. "Asuka?"
"Yeah! Asuka is really strong. So even if Aomine lost to him, I wouldn't be too surprised."
Really strong?
The Yosen players all exchanged terrified and bewildered glances.
Although they had often heard Murasakibara talk about other Generation of Miracles members, this was the first time they'd heard him speak so highly of someone.
Even Araki silently drew in a sharp breath.
"Murasakibara, be honest. You didn't… lose to Seiho's number 11 before, did you?" Araki asked.
Murasakibara paused mid-motion, gripping the chip bag tightly, and a childlike, stubborn expression appeared on his face.
"No way I lost to that guy! I was just… slightly suppressed."
Hiss~~
This time, all Yosen players collectively inhaled sharply.
They didn't believe Murasakibara's "slightly suppressed." They knew his stubbornness too well, he'd never admit to losing if it weren't clear-cut.
Araki drew a deep breath, then roared: "You idiot! You big idiot! Why are you only telling me this now?!"
The Yosen players were almost stunned by Araki's sudden outburst.
Murasakibara, the culprit, remained as dazed as ever. "Huh? But I didn't know Asuka joined Seiho! He's not even part of our Teiko team."
His answer was too reasonable; it almost made Araki choke on her words.
"But don't worry, Coach. I won't lose in tomorrow's match."
Her fists clenched.
The anger she had just suppressed surged up again at Murasakibara's words.
"Idiot, fool, you dummy… this isn't just your own game. Seiho's number 11 is different, he can pass! What if tomorrow, he doesn't go one-on-one with you?!"
Just mentioning it made Araki's temper rise uncontrollably.
Like the coaches of Shutoku and Tōō Academy, Araki could tolerate Murasakibara's lone-wolf personality… until someone like Akashi Asuka, an outsider, appeared.
"Any other intel on Seiho's number 11? If there is, now is the time to say it…"
Murasakibara: "Uh~~ doesn't seem like there is."
The night passed quickly.
The next morning, the semifinals between Seiho High and Yosen High officially began.
Since Seirin High's training camp had ended, they had all gone home after watching the previous day's match.
Shutoku's players returned to spectate live, while Kaijo's Kise Ryouta, ever the busybody, dragged Yukio Kasamatsu along to watch.
After all, Japan was small; unless the distance was extreme, traveling between prefectures by train took less than two hours.
And it was still summer vacation.
"Huh? Isn't this little Midorima? You came to watch too?" Kise spotted Midorima Shintaro's back and greeted him excitedly.
Why was he here?