Swish!
Spring Sun Ryuhei's reaction was still a step too slow. By the time he caught up to Mibuchi Reo, the ball had already left the latter's hand, flying in a perfect arc before sinking cleanly into the hoop.
Three-pointer.
19:31.
The gap widened again.
Yet even though he scored, there wasn't the slightest trace of joy in Mibuchi Reo's expression.
"'Void' didn't work? That's impossible…!"
His pupils trembled, his shaken emotions laid bare for all to see.
Mibuchi Reo possessed three special shooting arts:
The sky-piercing fadeaway, "Heaven's Shot."
The foul-inducing drive, "Earth's Shot."
And the most devastating of all,
The shot that temporarily paralyzed defenders, "Void Shot."
He had already displayed Heaven and Earth earlier in the match, both producing excellent success.
So when those two were eventually read and shut down, he saved his final technique, his trump card, to finish things decisively.
But the moment he used it for the first time…
It was countered.
A result he had never once experienced before.
An unsettling premonition crept up on him, cold, sharp, and undeniable.
The game pressed on.
Akashi Asuka was now pouring his full power into defense, greatly raising Seiho's defensive wall, and visibly driving down Rakuzan's scoring efficiency.
However, Seiho's offense dropped even more sharply in return.
Minute by minute, the score gap continued to grow…
============
Third Quarter, 4:37 remaining.
Seiho 25, Rakuzan 44.
A difference of 19 points, dangerously close to 20.
The noise in the audience had grown noticeably quieter.
Anyone could see it clearly now:
Seiho was drifting like a small boat on a raging sea. It could still float, for now.
But if Rakuzan sent just one more crashing wave, the entire vessel could flip at any moment.
Kise Ryouta exhaled softly.
"The next possession is going to be critical."
Midorima Shintarou nodded.
"That's right. There is a world of difference between 19 points and 20. Even if Seiho has a plan, once that mental barrier is crossed, the pressure becomes incomparable."
And of course, Akashi Seijuro saw this more clearly than anyone.
He understood.
Seiho must defend this next score.
Which meant he needed to break them.
He also understood that with Akashi Asuka guarding him, breaking through by himself was exceedingly difficult.
If retreating for the sake of winning was required, then he would do so without hesitation.
Therefore, the attack was entrusted to the "Uncrowned Kings."
Nebuya's power on the inside was effective, but Asuka was there now. That option was discarded.
Mibuchi's threes were dangerous, but the pressure against him was rising sharply. A misread here could be fatal.
Which left only one option,
The thunder beast.
Whoosh!
The ball found its way into Hayama Kotaro's hands.
"Persistent, aren't you? Still not giving up?"
Hayama grinned, flashing his sharp canine tooth.
Normally, Tsugawa would fire back instantly, talk trash for the sake of pride, if nothing else.
But this time,
He said nothing.
His eyes were calm, cold, focused.
The sudden chill shot down Hayama's back. His advancing step paused for just a fraction of a second.
============
"Again!" Momoi clenched her hands.
"That's already the third time Hayama has stopped like that. Every time before danger hits, he reacts in advance. It's like he's, predicting the future."
She paused.
"No… not predicting. Sensing it early."
A realization struck her like lightning.
She turned sharply toward Aomine.
"A-Da… does that mean he has that as well!?"
Aomine scratched his head lazily.
"Probably. Only Animal Instinct explains it, doesn't it?"
============
Boom!
The surge of threat didn't stop Hayama for long, he exploded forward again, five-finger Lighting Dribble, lightning cracking through the air, echoing even in the stands.
This time, he used everything he had.
Lightning flared behind him as he tore past Tsugawa's side,
But lightning comes fast…
and vanishes just as fast.
In an instant,
The lightning went out.
And standing in front of him again, arms spread wide, was Tsugawa.
As if he had teleported.
"No way… this guy, "
Hayama sharply switched hands and direction, Lighting Dribble allowed instantaneous shift without losing speed,
But no matter where he dodged,
No matter the angle,
Tsugawa was already there.
Attached to him like a shadow.
"Impossible! I refuse to lose to him!"
"Wait, Hayama! Don't force it!"
Mibuchi's tone tightened, he knew that look too well.
But it was too late.
Fueled by frustration and pride, Hayama charged straight through Tsugawa.
BEEP!
"White No. 7, Offensive foul!"
Offensive fouls are normally not a big deal.
But this one was different,
Because this was Hayama Kotaro's fourth foul.
One more… and he would foul out.
=============
Completed version available on Patreon.com/Veltoria