Sunday.
Clear skies stretched endlessly overhead without a cloud in sight, while a gentle Level 3 breeze drifted through the city. Today, the arena was lively. No, not just lively. It was absolutely packed.
The seats had been completely filled thirty minutes before the game even started, and security personnel had already pulled safety barriers across the hallways. Spectators who arrived late had no choice but to turn around and go home to watch the livestream.
Compared to yesterday's Round of 16 matches, this game had become the most anticipated Winter Cup matchup so far because the teams about to face each other were the reigning champions, Fukuda Sogo, and Yosen High, home to one of the Generation of Miracles, Murasakibara Atsushi.
"Wow! So many people! It's so lively!" Satsuki Momoi widened her eyes as she stared at the sea of spectators. "Are this many people really here to watch Shogo-kun and Fukuda Sogo?"
Imayoshi adjusted his glasses and smiled. "Of course. Fukuda Sogo is one of the favorites to win the championship."
Aomine Daiki let out a low snort. Looking at the crowd, even Momoi felt as though she were watching a professional game.
Turning curiously toward him, she asked, "Dai-chan, between Shogo-kun and Murasakibara-kun, who are you rooting for?"
Aomine folded his arms. "No idea. I haven't seen Murasakibara in a long time. No clue how strong he's gotten."
Momoi blinked. "You don't think Shogo-kun will win?"
Aomine smirked. "I kinda hope Murasakibara teaches that arrogant idiot how to behave."
Momoi froze. "Dai-chan, so you're saying Shogo-kun might lose?"
"Maybe." Aomine shrugged. "The opponent is Murasakibara, after all."
No one nearby continued the topic because none of them truly understood Murasakibara Atsushi. All they knew was that he was the terrifying center of the Generation of Miracles, the absolute king of the paint.
==========
On another side of the arena, Shutoku had arrived early and already occupied seats in the audience. Takao immediately leaned over.
"Shin-chan, who do you think wins?"
Midorima pushed up his glasses. "Both."
Takao blinked. "...What?"
"I'm optimistic about both. Shogo is terrifying. Murasakibara Atsushi is terrifying too."
Takao tilted his head. "Why's Murasakibara terrifying?"
Midorima glanced at him. "If you'd read the previous match reports, you'd know Yosen shut one of their opponents out completely."
Silence followed.
Takao's mouth dropped open. "My God! Seriously?!"
Midorima merely glanced at him lazily. He truly couldn't be bothered with this clueless partner anymore.
Shutoku captain Otsubo Taisuke crossed his arms. "But Haizaki is still terrifying too. His Pillage is basically impossible to deal with."
Midorima remained silent because he understood Haizaki's strength, probably better than anyone. But whenever he thought about Murasakibara's monstrous physique, his unbelievable reflexes, and the fact that no one truly knew how much he had improved, even Midorima couldn't say with certainty who would win.
Either result would make sense. Because every member of the Generation of Miracles was still growing.
Midorima quietly shifted his gaze. Not far away sat Seirin High. After a week of recovery, Kuroko Tetsuya and Kiyoshi Teppei looked mostly recovered.
Among the crowd, Kagami Taiga stood out immediately. He looked more confident, sharper, and far more oppressive than before.
"Kuroko-kun," Aida Riko suddenly spoke. "Can you tell us more about Murasakibara?"
Kuroko blinked. "Murasakibara-kun? As a person... I actually like him a lot."
Riko's eye twitched. "I'm asking for basketball information!"
Kuroko tilted his head. "Oh. Coach, you should ask more clearly next time. If you aren't specific, I won't know what you mean."
Riko felt a violent urge rise from deep inside.
If you keep talking, I swear I'll smack you...
After a long pause, Kuroko finally spoke. "If we face Murasakibara-kun, and we can't break through his defense... we can't win."
Everyone immediately became serious. "What do you mean?"
Kuroko looked toward the court. "Murasakibara-kun's strength, jumping ability, and reaction speed... all of them are top-tier. Considering everyone from the Generation of Miracles has improved..."
He paused briefly. "The height he can reach... definitely won't be lower than Kagami-kun."
Hissss...
Everyone inhaled sharply.
This was Murasakibara Atsushi? That sounded horrifying.
Even Kagami frowned.
Jump as high as me...?
=========
Meanwhile, Kaijo and Rakuzan couldn't be found among the audience because they had already occupied the upper walkways overlooking the arena.
On Kaijo's side, Kise Ryouta leaned over the railing. "We got here too late. No seats left. Still, why are there this many people?"
Kasamatsu immediately glared at him. "We know it's Haizaki and Murasakibara's match. I'm asking why we arrived so late."
Kise laughed awkwardly and scratched his head.
Nearby, Hayakawa Mitsuhiro suddenly shouted excitedly, "I know! Kise ran all the way here! He's training his stamina!"
Silence instantly fell over the group.
Then:
SMACK!
Kasamatsu's hand slammed into Kise's head. "ARE YOU STUPID?! What if you got injured?!"
Kise laughed nervously. "Haha... It's fine. I paid attention."
Even Kasamatsu fell silent after hearing that because everyone knew the truth. Ever since joining Kaijo, Kise had trained beyond his limits every single day. The burden of Kaijo seemed to rest entirely on that first-year's shoulders.
A trace of sadness lingered among the team. Because against teams that possessed Generation of Miracles members, they always felt as though they were holding Kise back.
No matter how hard they tried, no matter how desperately they improved, the gap never seemed to disappear.
Directly opposite them stood Rakuzan. Akashi Seijuro personally led the team. Wearing a red-and-white jacket, he stood overlooking the arena below.
"I don't remember last year's Winter Cup being this lively."
Mibuchi Reo laughed. "Well, ever since Captain and the other Generation of Miracles members entered high school, the entire basketball scene exploded."
Akashi didn't answer. Instead, his eyes slowly swept across the audience. Only after locating every person he wanted to see did he finally look away.
Nebuya narrowed his eyes. "Akashi. Between those two... who are you betting on?"
Akashi answered calmly. "Before a match ends, victory and defeat cannot be decided. I won't choose."
Elsewhere throughout the audience sat players from countless schools. Kirisaki Daiichi. Seiho High. Teams from all over the country.
Everyone had come. Everyone was waiting.
=========
On the court below, arena staff completed the final cleaning preparations. Then the speakers suddenly came alive, and a sweet female announcer's voice echoed throughout the building.
Instantly, the noisy crowd quieted.
She began reading the match rules and regulations. Then she announced the schools participating today.
And finally, the warm-up session.
The battle was about to begin.
=============
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