The Yokonan players slumped onto the bench, sweat running down their faces. A few leaned forward with their elbows resting on their knees.
Manabu glanced around the bench before looking toward the court.
Kogure leaned back slightly, his hands tucked into his jacket pockets.
Twenty-five to eighteen... Toshigawa really did a number on us.
His gaze settled on Tetsuo, who sat on the opposite bench, taking a sip of water.
What will you do, Coach?
Haruko walked over and stopped in front of Tetsuo.
She held out a towel.
Tetsuo blinked before accepting it. He wiped the sweat from his face.
"Great work out there, Coach."
The corners of Haruko's mouth lifted slightly.
Tetsuo looked up at her.
So she's still calling me that, huh...
He lowered the towel and released a slow breath.
"Thank you," he said.
Haruko's cheeks turned slightly red.
"It's...nothing."
"Wait... where's my towel? Why is he the only one getting one?"
Noboru doubled over, wheezing as he struggled to catch his breath.
"Um..."
Haruko stepped back, waving her hands in front of her.
"It's not like that! I'll get one for you too."
"Don't bother, Takahashi," Nanaho said.
"Huh? But why?" Haruko asked.
"He's just being dramatic. The towels are right over there."
Nanaho pointed toward the stack of towels nearby.
Noboru clicked his tongue.
"Tetsuo is the best. He really surprised me."
Hayato chugged his water, the plastic bottle crinkling in his grip.
"You can say that again."
Takahiro wiped his brow with the edge of his jersey.
"Great work out there, everyone. That was a strong first quarter."
Nanaho stepped in front of the team, her clipboard tucked against her hip.
"You really changed the pace of the game, Tetsuo."
She smiled.
"Thank you," Tetsuo replied.
Her gaze shifted to Noboru.
"Takemoto, you look exhausted."
She crouched slightly to meet his eyes.
"Well, of course I am! You had me running the entire quarter!"
"We've still got three quarters left, so hang in there."
Nanaho patted his shoulder.
Yukio glanced at Nanaho, a small smile forming on his lips.
Nanaho sure is in a good mood.
His gaze shifted to the scoreboard. His fingers tightened around his water bottle.
Toshigawa's basketball isn't dead yet. I'll show you, Seiji.
On the Yokonan bench, Coach Arimoto sat with his eyes closed. He inhaled slowly through his nose before exhaling through his mouth. A vein throbbed at his temple.
Here it comes...
Kayano and Kogure exchanged uneasy glances.
"I'm beyond disappointed in you. Five whole minutes... and you couldn't score a single point! You just stood there and let a team with more freshmen than regulars push you around!"
His grip tightened around the clipboard. The plastic creaked under the pressure.
Several players lowered their heads, avoiding his gaze.
Come on, Coach... That's going to be the second clipboard today if you break it.
Kayano glanced at the clipboard.
Arimoto turned toward Manabu.
"Manabu, you let one player shut you down completely. And the rest of you just stood there and watched!"
Yanagi's shoulders shook.
He got you right there.
Manabu gritted his teeth.
Arimoto rose from his seat and folded his arms.
"Do you honestly think we can make it to the Inter-High playing like this? If you can't even beat Toshigawa, then what chance do you have against the other teams?"
"Coach."
Kayano rose to his feet, slipping off his jacket before tossing it onto Yanagi's lap.
"What is it, Kayano?" Arimoto asked.
"Do you mind if I play in the second quarter? I'll take Eiji's place."
Arimoto raised an eyebrow before letting out a short grunt.
"Fine. Take over the game, but don't make the same mistakes as your teammates."
Kayano adjusted his jersey.
"Relax, Coach."
He stretched one arm above his head.
"This game's in the bag."
Manabu stared down at his trembling hands.
That bastard... How did he manage to take the lead from us all by himself? I couldn't even get past him.
A sharp whistle rang through the gym.
Sneakers squeaked against the hardwood as the players got to their feet and began stretching.
"Just stick to the defensive formation and plays we discussed," Nanaho said.
"Yeah!" the team answered in unison.
"Noboru..."
Nanaho stepped in front of him.
"You're sitting this quarter out. Shino's going in."
"What?! No way!" Noboru jumped to his feet.
Nanaho placed a hand on her hip.
"Don't argue with me. You're exhausted, and we need you later. So sit this one out."
"But even if Katsuragi goes in, it won't make a difference. He'll just hold us back!"
Noboru clenched his fists at his sides.
Shino's eyes widened.
Nanaho's eyebrow twitched.
"That's enough! One more word out of you, and you're sitting on the bench for the rest of the game."
Noboru flinched and raised both hands.
"Okay, okay! I get it! I'm sorry!"
Shino walked toward the court, his head lowered.
Maybe he's right. What can I even do?
"Hey, Shino!"
Shino looked up.
"Come on. Let's win this!" Hayato held out his fist.
Shino bumped it with his own, a faint smile appearing on his face.
That's right. I can't let what he said get to me. I'll do whatever I can to help us win.
"Substitution, Yokonan!" the referee called.
Kayano adjusted his jersey and stepped onto the court.
"Finally, I get to join the fun."
I knew he'd make his move sooner or later... but I didn't expect him to put Kayano in this early.
Nanaho watched Kayano take his position.
No... they'll be fine. We still have the lead.
Hayato tightened his headband, a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.
So he actually put Kayano in. This should be fun.
Manabu passed the ball to Kayano.
Kayano caught it and began dribbling. He sent the ball between his legs, then swung it behind his back as he advanced up the court.
Hayato stepped forward to meet him, lowering his stance. His fingers flexed as he watched Kayano's movements.
I have to be careful. Unlike Eiji, he's calm with the ball and has much better handles...
He shifted his stance, keeping one hand low and the other raised.
Kayano continued dribbling in front of him, switching the ball between his hands.
Hayato held his ground. Sweat ran down the side of his cheek.
Then Kayano suddenly burst forward.
His sneakers squeaked against the hardwood as he changed direction.
Hayato's eyes widened.
Kayano had already dribbled past him.
How...?
Kayano drove toward the basket.
Yukio moved to cut him off as he approached the rim. He jumped, stretching one arm high.
But Kayano flicked his wrist and sent a sharp bounce pass beneath him .
Ryuu caught the ball in stride.
He took off, pulling both arms back before slamming it through the hoop.
SLAM!
The rim rattled as the ball dropped through the net.
The crowd erupted, their cheers filling the gym.
"Nice play, Takeshi! Keep it up!" a Yokonan student shouted, waving both arms from the sidelines.
I knew it. That's why they call him the Mind of Yokonan. He's not just good at dribbling. He knows how to read the court and find openings.
Nanaho bit her fingernail.
On the next possession, Takahiro drove toward the basket. With a defender blocking his path, he lowered the ball and sent a pass between the player's legs.
Yukio caught it beneath the basket, his back pressed against Ryuu's chest.
He shifted his weight to the right.
Ryuu stepped across.
Yukio pulled the ball back and turned left.
"Damn it!"
Ryuu stumbled, his feet scrambling against the hardwood.
Yukio spun past his shoulder and pushed off the floor.
Yukio flicked the ball off the backboard.
It dropped through the net.
Kayano caught the ball again and began dribbling up the court.
Hayato slid in front of him, lowering his stance. His chest rose and fell with each breath.
I have to stop him...
"You won't get past me as easily as last time!"
Kayano smiled.
Is that so?
He dribbled the ball between his legs before turning into a spin. Hayato shifted sideways, cutting off his path.
But halfway through the turn, Kayano slipped the ball behind his back and pivoted in the opposite direction.
Hayato's foot scraped against the hardwood as he tried to turn.
Kayano burst toward the basket.
The crowd stirred, murmurs spreading through the bleachers. Yukio tensed beneath the rim, planting his feet wide. His eyes moved between Kayano and Ryuu.
Kayano gathered the ball and extended his arm toward Ryuu.
Yukio lunged sideways.
But Kayano pulled the ball back.
He rose into the air and flicked his wrist.
Swish.
"Nice one, Kayano!" Eiji shouted from the bench, springing to his feet.
Nanaho brought her fingers toward her lips. Her teeth caught her fingernail as she watched Hayato retreat down the court.
Hayato can't keep up with Kayano... This is bad.
Should I switch his matchup and have Tetsuo guard Kayano? No... then who's going to cover Manabu? Yukio's already occupied with Ryuu, and I can't afford to double-team Kayano either.
All I can do now is put my faith in him.
Hayato gritted his teeth and shifted his weight to the left before crossing to the right.
Kayano mirrored his movements.
Hayato swung the ball behind his back, trying to get past him.
Slap!
Kayano knocked the ball away.
Hayato's eyes widened.
Kayano scooped up the loose ball and pivoted toward the opposite basket.
"Let's put some points on the board! Show them why we're Yokonan!"
"Yeah!" his teammates echoed.