"We're finally here. Hopefully, we didn't miss out on anything good."
Kanae stepped through the front gates of Yokonan High. She adjusted her glasses and took a quiet breath.
"Yes! I'm so tired. Why did it take so long?"
Airi's shoulders slumped.
"Well... we wouldn't have been late if a certain someone had actually listened to my directions instead of wandering off to take pictures and getting lost."
Yuri slipped a hand into her jacket pocket.
"Yokonan is really huge, isn't it?"
Airi raised her camera and snapped several pictures in quick succession.
She turned around, taking in the school grounds. Her shoes scuffed against the pavement as she spun.
A butterfly drifted past.
Airi stopped and followed it with her eyes, taking a step in its direction. She bumped into Yuri's shoulder.
Yuri sidestepped.
"Hey, watch where you're going."
"Sorry."
"Teehee!"
Airi stuck out her tongue.
"That's not cute," Yuri said.
"I wonder where their basketball court is."
Kanae glanced around the school grounds. Her attention settled on a Yokonan student sitting on a nearby bench, drinking milk through a straw.
She approached him and stopped in front of the bench.
"Excuse me."
The student paused and looked up at her.
"Do you know where the basketball court is?"
The student pointed toward the main building.
"It's straight through there. Just go around the side, and you can enter through the side door."
Kanae nodded.
"Thank you."
"Let's go," she said, turning toward the others.
The student watched them leave.
"Basketball, huh..."
He leaned back against the bench and glanced up at the sky.
Toshigawa's players slumped onto their benches. Sweat clung to their jerseys, and the occasional pop of a water bottle opening came from the sidelines.
Nanaho leaned over and patted Shino on the back.
"See, Shino? I told you you'd get the hang of the game. You even scored some points!"
She smiled at him.
"Good work."
Shino lowered his head, his cheeks turning slightly red.
"Y-You really think so?"
Noboru clicked his tongue.
"It's not like it's anything special. He only scored two points."
Nanaho turned toward him.
"Aww, someone's jealous. Don't worry, you've still got plenty of time to shine too, Noboru."
Noboru clenched his jaw. A vein throbbed near his temple.
I have to score more points. I can't be on the same level as that amateur.
"At this rate, we might actually win this," Takahiro said.
"No. We're going to win."
Yukio's reply drew the others' attention.
Hayato stretched both arms above his head.
"That's right, Captain! We won't settle for anything less than a win!"
Haruko watched them, a smile spreading across her face.
They're only a six-player team. And yet...
Her eyes shifted toward the scoreboard.
They're nine points ahead of Yokonan High, one of the top basketball schools.
She clasped her hands in front of her chest, her fingers pressing together.
And it's all thanks to everyone's efforts.
Nanaho clenched her fists.
Forty-eight to thirty-nine... We're up by nine points. With just twenty minutes left, we can do this!
"There you guys are! I've been looking everywhere for you."
Nanaho froze.
No way...
She turned toward the voice.
What is Yamaoka doing here?
Her mouth twitched.
"Kanae? What are you doing here?"
"Isn't it obvious?"
Kanae folded her arms.
"I'm here to gather information about the basketball team... for the newspaper."
"Wow, you guys aren't messing around! You're actually up by nine points against a team like Yokonan?"
Yuri glanced toward the scoreboard.
"Not bad..."
"Come on, everyone! Get up! I want to take some pictures of you!"
Airi raised her camera.
"Can't you see we're trying to focus on our game? Buzz off!"
Noboru waved her away.
"Shoo! Shoo!"
Nanaho jabbed him lightly in the shoulder.
"Hey! Cut it out!"
"Ow! That hurt, goddammit! I've still got a game to play, you know!"
Noboru rubbed his shoulder.
Nanaho smiled at him.
"Then it's a good thing we have six players now, isn't it?"
She turned toward Kanae.
"Sorry about that, Kanae. Everyone, go ahead and take some pictures. We've got around eight minutes before the game resumes, so we should be fine."
Kanae stepped aside and gestured toward Airi.
"Thank you. Alright, everyone, stand in position one at a time while Airi takes your pictures."
One by one, Airi photographed Yukio and the rest of Toshigawa's basketball team. She adjusted the camera, checked the screen, and took a few more shots before lowering it.
"These came out pretty good. That should do it for now."
Yuri reached over and took the camera from her.
"Lend me this."
She turned toward Shino.
"Wait you're Shino, right?"
"Y-Yeah, that's me."
Shino glanced at the camera in her hands.
Yuri tilted her head, a small smirk appearing on her face. She reached out and took his hand.
"Great! Come with me. Could you stand over there? I want to take a few more pictures of you."
"O-Okay... B-But why me specifically?"
Shino blinked.
"Oh, no particular reason."
Yuri chuckled.
Coach Arimoto stood with his arms crossed, watching the players on the court.
"Good work out there, Kayano. It wasn't perfect, but at least you managed to put some points on the board after getting overwhelmed earlier."
Kayano wiped the sweat from his brow.
I was aiming to tie the game, but my efforts alone won't be enough. I hate to admit it, but Toshigawa is actually a good team...
Coach Arimoto pointed toward the court.
"Kogure, you're going in. Take over this game for me."
His gaze shifted toward the Toshigawa bench.
"This team was interesting, but I've seen enough. It's time to crush them from the start."
I underestimated that girl's ability as a coach. She's still just a high school student, but I shouldn't take her team lightly. If we keep playing like this, we could actually lose.
His fingers curled against his arm.
We need to put an end to this. No more giving them chances.
Kogure threw off his jacket and bounced on his heels.
You did it, Yukio… You got Coach to put me in. This should be fun.
He rolled his neck, then swung his arms to loosen up.
Coach Arimoto narrowed his eyes.
"Do I have to tell you what to do?"
The corners of Kogure's mouth lifted.
"Come on, Coach. Have some faith in me. I'll score thirty points and make up for everyone else's mistakes."
A student in the bleachers jumped to their feet.
"Whoa! Kogure is coming in?"
A soccer player pumped his fists.
"About damn time! Hurry up and put Toshigawa Academy in their place!"
A girl in the crowd screamed.
"Kogure-senpai! I love you!"
More cheers followed.
"Kogure-senpai, do your best!"
Nanaho's mouth fell slightly open.
"Here he comes… Yokonan High's ace, Kogure Kobayashi."
Yukio clenched his jaw, narrowing his eyes.
This game's going to change from here on out.
He gestured for everyone to gather around him.
"Nanaho, everyone. I have a plan. Come here."
Nanaho crouched beside the others, leaning closer as Yukio explained.
"Wait… That actually might work. It's a good suggestion."
Hayato shook his head.
"No… It won't. As good as the plan is, we're talking about Kogure here. But it's the only way we'll be able to keep up with them in points."
Takahiro scratched his chin.
"So you want me to guard their small forward, Ryuu, right?"
Yukio met his gaze.
"Yes. He may have a stronger build than you, but he's around the same height as me. He shouldn't be too hard to handle. Trust me."
"I'll have to guard Kogure. I played alongside him in junior high, and my older brother was the only one who could stop him from scoring. That guy's unstoppable… but I'll figure something out."
Nanaho noticed Yukio's hands trembling.
"Tetsuo, continue denying Manabu the ball. Keep him away from it. Don't worry about helping on defense. I'm counting on you."
Tetsuo nodded.
"Hayato, I know it'll be tough, but you need to handle Takeshi Kayano," Yukio said.
"I knew I'd have to face him one way or another… Don't worry. I got it."
Hayato nodded.
Nanaho's sharp voice cut through the huddle.
"Noboru, have you rested enough yet?"
Noboru stretched, swinging his arms above his head.
"I wasn't even tired in the first place. I'm raring to go!"
Nanaho brushed her bangs aside and clapped her hands once.
"Good. Let's go for it, everyone. End this game with no regrets."
"Right!"