Immediately after, a shadow fell over Sendoh Akira.
Sakuragi Hanamichi stood before him with his arms folded across his chest, nostrils flared toward the sky, staring down at Sendoh with his chin raised high.
"Heh, heh, heh… Mop-head!"
"So? Have you finally witnessed the power of this genius?"
"That 'combination move'—did it scare your legs weak?"
Sakuragi looked unbearably smug, as if he had just dropped 100 points by himself in the game that had ended moments ago.
Sendoh looked at the red-haired goofball in front of him, and the smile in his eyes became a little more sincere.
He took the initiative and extended his hand.
"Yeah. I was definitely surprised."
"Sakuragi, your athletic ability is practically monstrous."
"That kind of jumping power… and that burst of explosiveness at the very end…"
Sendoh paused for a moment, his gaze turning slightly more serious.
"If you can train your fundamentals well—learn how to truly play basketball…"
"Then maybe the next time we meet…"
"You'll become the opponent who gives me the biggest headache."
"Work hard at it, genius."
Those words were like a high-dose stimulant injection straight into Sakuragi's bloodstream.
His face instantly turned bright red, as if steam were about to burst from the top of his head.
He grabbed Sendoh's hand and shook it up and down violently, nearly ripping the arm out of its socket.
"WAHAHAHAHA!"
"So you think so too?!"
"You really do have good taste, mop-head!"
"Don't worry! Next time, this genius will make you lose even worse!"
Sendoh forced a bitter smile as he finally pulled his hand back, feeling as if his arm no longer belonged to him.
His gaze shifted backward, preparing to shake hands with the next player.
That was Shohoku's No.16—the most mysterious player on the entire court… the one he couldn't see through at all.
However
Sendoh's outstretched hand froze in midair.
Because there was no one standing in front of him.
Or rather… no one standing at all.
On the broad back of Akagi Takenori, something dark and shapeless was clinging like a lump.
Makino Juro was hanging onto Akagi like a koala, his arms wrapped around Akagi's neck, face buried in the captain's jersey, breathing evenly.
"Hu… hu…"
A small snot bubble inflated and shrank with every breath.
The entire gym collapsed in disbelief.
The players from Ryonan High School nearly had their eyeballs pop out.
"He… he fell asleep?!"
"At a time like this?!"
Koshino Hiroaki pointed at Makino Juro with a trembling finger.
"That guy who just made the game-winning three-point play… is sleeping now?!"
Akagi's face was filled with black lines, the veins on his forehead throbbing wildly.
With one hand supporting Makino Juro's thigh to keep him from sliding off, he gritted his teeth and explained:
"Sorry… this guy…"
"He's out of battery."
"He's the kind of creature that automatically shuts down once his physical activity exceeds the limit."
Sendoh watched the scene.
The expression on his face shifted from shock… to helplessness… and finally turned into a soft chuckle.
He withdrew his hand and looked at the unconscious figure sleeping on Akagi's back.
"What a… impossible guy to figure out."
"Akagi, your Shohoku team this year is really strong."
"Whether it's that rookie Rukawa Kaede… or this guy…"
"…Makino Juro."
"And of course, that red-haired genius too."
Sendoh turned around and waved without looking back.
"See you at the prefectural tournament."
"Next time…"
"Ryonan won't lose again."
The Next Day — Morning
The entrance of Shohoku High School was bathed in dazzling sunlight.
Students walked into campus in small groups.
Without exception, every conversation revolved around yesterday's practice match.
"Hey, did you hear? The basketball team beat Ryonan!"
"No way—that Ryonan? The Final Four team?"
"Why would I lie?! I heard it was a buzzer-beater!"
Right in the middle of this energetic atmosphere—
THUD!
A dull impact sound mixed with miserable screams shattered the peaceful morning.
Under the cherry blossom tree at the school gate, the four members of the Sakuragi Army were piled on the ground like a stack of fallen dominoes, clutching their heads.
"Hanamichi! What the hell was that for?!"
Takamiya Nozomi held his swelling bump, tears welling up.
"That hurt like hell! Were you trying to kill us with that headbutt?!"
Okusu Yuji rubbed his head in pain.
Sakuragi stood before them, backpack slung over one shoulder, face full of rage.
"You bastards!"
"Were you laughing at this genius yesterday?!"
"I heard you! You were saying I was scared of losing!"
"I'm the hero who defeated Ryonan! The secret weapon!"
"You dare mock a hero? Prepare to die!"
Sakuragi lowered his head again, ready to unleash another "Genius Headbutt."
Mito Yohei quickly dodged and waved his hands in surrender, a helpless smile on his face.
"Misunderstanding! It's all a misunderstanding, Hanamichi!"
"We were cheering for you!"
"Cheering?"
Sakuragi paused mid-motion, staring suspiciously at Yohei.
"Of course!"
Yohei stepped forward, patting Sakuragi on the shoulder while suppressing a laugh.
"Think about it—you played your first ever game and already beat someone at Sendoh's level."
"We were just saying that, as expected of Sakuragi Hanamichi, you always create miracles."
"Even if your posture was a bit ugly… your fouls a bit excessive… and you got dunked on pretty badly…"
"Hm?" Sakuragi's eyes narrowed dangerously.
"Cough! Anyway! We're proud of you!" Yohei quickly cut himself off.
Sakuragi's expression instantly shifted from storm clouds to sunshine.
The ferocious face from moments ago bloomed into a giant chrysanthemum-like grin.
"WAHAHAHAHA! So that's what it was!"
"You should've said that earlier! You made me waste my energy!"
"That's right! This genius is the man who creates miracles!"
Standing at the school gate with his hands on his hips, Sakuragi let out his trademark maniacal laughter.
Passing girls glanced over—
then quickly ran away as if they had seen a lunatic.
Just as Sakuragi was completely immersed in his self-admiration—
A towering figure suddenly blocked the path.
The man wore a judo uniform, wooden sandals on his feet, standing at the school gate like an iron tower.
Captain of the Judo Club—
Aota Tatsuhiko.
He looked at Sakuragi, holding a photo in his hand.
It was a picture of Akagi Haruko.
"Sakuragi."
Aota's voice was deep and powerful.
"I knew you'd react like this."
"You lost miserably yesterday, didn't you?"
He slipped the photo back into his pocket, wearing an expression that clearly said I knew it, and spoke earnestly:
"Basketball is such a soft sport. It doesn't suit you at all."
"Only judo is the true romance of men!"
"I heard you guys went to Ryonan yesterday. You must've been beaten so badly you ran back with your tails between your legs."
"Akagi must've been crying in the locker room again, right?"
"Come on, Sakuragi! Stop wasting your talent!"
"Join the Judo Club! We'll conquer the nation!"
Aota stretched out a large hand, intending to grab Sakuragi's shoulder.
But this time—
Sakuragi didn't dodge.
He didn't get distracted by the photo either.
He simply stood there… and slowly put away his grin.
Those eyes that usually looked so scatterbrained now shone with a light that had never appeared before.
"I think…"
Sakuragi spoke.
Aota blinked. "Hm?"
"You've got one thing wrong."
Sakuragi pointed a thumb at himself, the corner of his mouth curling into an extremely confident grin.
"We won."
"Shohoku beat Ryonan."
"And this genius made a huge contribution."
Aota froze completely.
"You… you won?"
"That perennial bottom-ranked basketball team beat Final Four Ryonan?"
"You're joking… right?"
Sakuragi burst into laughter.
"WAHAHAHAHA! This genius never jokes!"
"Basketball's actually pretty interesting!"
"Especially the moment when you slam the ball violently into the hoop!"
"That feeling…"
"…is way better than beating someone up!"
Looking at Sakuragi's excited expression, Aota's heart suddenly skipped a beat.
Oh no.
This kid…
has really fallen in love with basketball. 🏀