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The second quarter began quickly.
Kise returned to the court, much more composed than before.
He wasn't one to give up easily.
The stronger the opponent, the more excited he became.
He had already experienced Hayama Kotaro's strength.
However, compared to Aomine, Hayama was still far inferior.
If Hayama Kotaro didn't have that strange dribbling technique, Kise could definitely go toe-to-toe with him.
'If... if I could use that move too, then…'
Thinking this, a different light began to shine in Kise Ryota's eyes.
He knew very well where his strength lay. It was his ability to learn quickly.
Hayama Kotaro's technique wasn't complicated; he understood it clearly. He just didn't know if he could successfully use it.
Thinking it, he acted.
Since Teiko started in the first quarter, Fukuyama was awarded the first possession in the second quarter.
Hayama Kotaro dribbled the ball across the center line. He merely glanced disdainfully at Kise Ryota.
Hayama Kotaro attacked from both sides, changing direction, switching hands, and trying to break through. However, all his attacks were neutralized by Kise Ryota.
Hayama Kotaro couldn't help but admire him.
If he didn't possess his signature Thunder Dribble, the outcome against Kise Ryota would be truly uncertain!
'Did this guy really only start playing basketball in the second year of middle school?' He couldn't help but have some doubts.
If he really started playing basketball in the second year of middle school, then Kise Ryota's talent must be...
Hiss...
That's terrifying to think about! Why are all the talented players concentrated at Teiko Junior High? How come they're so lucky?
He cursed inwardly, but his hands didn't stop moving.
Three fingers, like steel clamps, pounded the basketball again and again.
Across from him, Kise Ryota stared intently at Hayama Kotaro, not missing a single detail.
Zzzzt…
A yellow flash streaked across the court.
Hayama Kotaro vanished from Kise Ryota's sight once more.
Entering the paint, a layup, a score.
21 to 20.
Kise Ryota's expression was calm as still water, his resolute eyes revealing unwavering determination and persistence.
Hayama Kotaro looked puzzled because he hadn't seen the anger and frustration on Kise Ryota's face.
He frowned slightly, sensing something was off, but couldn't quite put his finger on it.
Teiko inbounded the ball.
The basketball returned to Kise Ryota's hands.
Kise Ryota, once again, chose to go one-on-one.
A keen observer would notice that Kise Ryota's dribbling was now much more relaxed than in the previous quarter.
He attacked from both sides, changing direction, switching hands, and breaking through.
The series of movements was exactly the same as Hayama Kotaro's earlier actions.
"What?" Hayama Kotaro's eyes widened, his face filled with disbelief.
Fukuyama and the others also gaped in astonishment. At that moment, their minds were racing.
Kise Ryota's actions surprised everyone.
However, the result made everyone's lips twitch.
Just as Kise Ryota was about to imitate the Thunder Dribble with three fingers, the basketball suddenly slipped from his grasp for some unknown reason.
The basketball bounced off Kise Ryota's leg and rolled out of bounds.
Seeing this, a sigh rippled through the Teiko bench.
Meanwhile, a sigh of relief came from the Fukuyama bench.
They had thought Kise Ryota would use their captain's Thunder Dribble next.
If that were the case, it would be too much.
Hayama Kotaro also breathed a sigh of relief.
After all, the Thunder Dribble was something he had gritted his teeth and trained hard for, sweating profusely.
With the ball out of bounds, it was naturally Fukuyama's turn to inbound the ball.
The basketball was passed to Fukuyama's power forward.
However, facing the already dominant Aomine Daiki, he had no confidence whatsoever.
Before he even had a chance to warm up the ball, he immediately passed it to his own center.
Fukuyama's center, facing Murasakibara Atsushi's formidable defense, was sweating profusely.
He still had a lingering fear from that opening jump ball!
Restricted and unable to move freely, he was constantly squeezed out of space by Murasakibara Atsushi.
"Pass the ball…" Sensing the situation was dire, Hayama Kotaro immediately started running, waving his arms and shouting at his own center.
Kise Ryota was hot on his heels, trying to intercept the pass before Hayama Kotaro could get it.
However, he was a step too slow. The ball eventually landed in Hayama Kotaro's hands.
The two ended up in a stalemate, until Hayama Kotaro used his Thunder Dribble to successfully break through Kise Ryota's defense once again.
Hayama Kotaro dribbled directly to Teiko's basket, jumped, and shot.
Swish…
The ball went in.
21 to 22.
"Kise, don't try to play one-on-one. If you're not confident, remember to pass the ball to the others," Akashi couldn't stand watching Kise any longer and reminded him.
Knowing he was in the wrong, Kise lowered his head and admitted his mistake. "I know! I'm so sorry."
Aomine also spoke up, "Our score has now been overtaken by the other side."
"I'm really sorry, but I've figured it out. Believe me, I'll be fine soon," Kise said helplessly.
"Kise, you're so lame!" Hearing Murasakibara's teasing, Kise's heart was completely shattered.
Midorima, on the other hand, said nothing; he glanced at Kise, then pushed up his glasses and walked away.
Kise Ryota felt like a wronged and abandoned little wife, filled with self-blame, pity, grievance, and helplessness.
Damn it…
Kise Ryota gritted his teeth and looked at Hayama Kotaro.
It's all this guy's fault.
If it weren't for him, he wouldn't be blamed by everyone.
The game changed.
Akashi dribbled forward, his eyes catching Kise waving at him for the ball.
He hesitated for a moment, then finally passed the ball.
Kise, receiving the ball, glanced gratefully at Akashi.
Then he looked resolutely at Hayama Kotaro ahead.
His eyes were filled with intense fighting spirit and a determination to defeat his opponent.
His footwork was smoother than ever before.
His hands swung back and forth, the basketball dancing in his grasp.
"This time, I will definitely beat you."
As he spoke, Kise Ryota lowered his center of gravity, and his hand, which had been dribbling the ball, instantly transformed into three fingers.
Thump... thump... thump...
The deafening thumping sounds echoed in everyone's hearts.
Hayama Kotaro's pupils contracted, staring at Kise Ryota as if he'd seen a ghost.
The sound, and the way Kise Ryota dribbled the ball—there was no mistake, it was his Thunder Dribble.
Even before he started dribbling, the prelude was exactly the same as when he used the Thunder Dribble himself.
'How is this possible?' A storm raged within Hayama Kotaro, his previously calm face now clouded with resentment and confusion.
Sizzle…
A flash of yellow lightning disappeared. Hayama Kotaro's pupils widened instantly. Kise Ryota before him had actually vanished.
The people in the Teiko rest area also perked up. A single thought flashed through their minds simultaneously:
Could it be that the imitation was successful?
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