BEEP~~~
The referee's whistle signaled the end of the first quarter.
The score: 20–18. On paper, Seiho and Yosen were still neck and neck.
But from the start of the second quarter, the balance began to shift…
SWISH!
Right after the second quarter began, Akashi and Murasakibara faced off on the perimeter. Suddenly, Akashi jumped for a fadeaway three-pointer. The ball lightly brushed the net and dropped cleanly into the hoop.
23–18.
Yosen quickly responded with a basket of their own.
Akashi and Murasakibara engaged under the rim, neutralizing each other, while Okamura Kenichi seized the chance for a mid-range jumper from just outside the paint. Despite both being defensive specialists, Yosen's attack within the paint still had the edge.
23–20.
Seiho immediately countered.
Kasuga Ryuhei dribbled to the three-point line. Fukui Kensuke expected him to drive, but Kasuga instead launched a three-pointer.
"Three-pointer?… No, the rebound!"
Fukui spun around and shouted a warning.
In truth, the warning was almost unnecessary. Anyone watching could see the trajectory, this shot wouldn't go in. But as Yosen's big men positioned for the rebound, Akashi had already leapt ahead of everyone.
The timing seemed off; it was far too early for a rebound.
But Okamura, recalling their prior encounters, knew Akashi wasn't just physically gifted, his skills were top-tier nationwide. A mistake like that was impossible.
After eliminating errors, only one explanation remained:
"This isn't a rebound, it's an alley-oop…"
From the ball leaving Kasuga's hands to approaching the hoop was under a second. Okamura could process the entire sequence almost instantaneously, even shouting a warning, but still, he was a step too slow.
Akashi caught Kasuga's pass midair and drove straight to the hoop.
Murasakibara, with his superhuman reflexes, reacted at the last moment, leaping to block the dunk.
BOOM!
Once again, two "beasts" collided. The scene mirrored the opening quarter almost perfectly, but now, the roles had shifted, and the outcome changed slightly.
Murasakibara held grudges. But few could earn his ire. Akashi was clearly one of them, their rivalry traced back to middle school. Otherwise, with Murasakibara's personality, he wouldn't even remember Akashi's name at first sight.
This time, seeking revenge for the opening play, Murasakibara went all out, veins bulging on his forehead, his expression twisted with intensity.
Yet even that couldn't stop the basketball from pressing toward the hoop…
"Impossible…"
Feeling his hands gradually being pushed back for the first time, Murasakibara's eyes widened in shock.
Previously, when his dunk was blocked, he hadn't thought Akashi was stronger than him, after all, many factors influence a block. Adjusting the angle of force can easily stop a stronger opponent.
But now, he clearly felt it: he and Akashi were locking strength head-on. And he… was losing.
"This can't be…"
CRASH!
After what seemed like a prolonged struggle, but was really just an instant, Murasakibara was flung backward in front of countless spectators.
Akashi's muscular, veined arms slammed the ball into the hoop with immense force.
BOOM!
The specially reinforced hoop held… but the frame, shaken violently, collapsed onto the court.
THUD~
The edge of the backboard hit the floor, shattering the tempered glass into crystal fragments. Murasakibara and Akashi had already moved away.
The arena fell silent for the third time.
No one could have anticipated this, just as no one anticipated two hoop-tearing monsters in the first place.
The organizers backstage were dumbfounded.
"Waaa~~~"
Moments later, the stands erupted in shocked cheers.
"Even the backboard fell?"
"Unbelievable strength… are they really high schoolers?"
"This is the third hoop they've destroyed in this game! Truly monsters!"
The organizers' concerns were needless. On live broadcast, such incidents only fueled excitement, boosting viewership instead of harming it.
"Use all your strength, Murasakibara. You should understand… the opponents you've faced before aren't even in the same league…" Akashi looked down at the knocked-back Murasakibara, his tone cold and provoking.
This kind of provocation was tactical.
Seiho hadn't used much strategy against Yosen, unlike with Tōō Academy, there were no "intelligence experts" or "scheming glasses guys."
Yosen was an old powerhouse with solid fundamentals; elaborate tactics weren't necessary.
Moreover, Akashi already had a superior method for handling Yosen…
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Completed version available on Patreon.com/Veltoria