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The news of Teiko's championship victory spread like wildfire.
All sports magazines and newspapers were filled with photos of the Generation of Miracles.
The overwhelming news coverage was like a series of heavy hammer blows to the hearts of all the junior high school basketball players and coaches.
Because they knew that the Teiko players still had a year before graduation.
This meant that for the remaining year, Teiko would undoubtedly be everyone's nightmare.
Meanwhile, the name "Generation of Miracles" truly spread throughout the entire basketball world.
That night.
Teiko Middle School teachers' office building.
Coach's office.
The assistant coach stood respectfully before Shirogane Kozo's desk and said, "Finally, this can be considered over!"
Shirogane Kozo, sitting in his executive chair, responded to the assistant coach's words, "Ah, yes."
"Nijimura and the other third-year students have retired, but there's nothing to worry about. As long as the so-called 'Generation of Miracles' are still around…"
Before the assistant coach could finish, Shirogane Kozo interrupted him.
"It's hard to say!" Shirogane Kozo frowned slightly, then spoke. "I'm actually quite worried. Their abilities are too strong—Akashi, Aomine, Murasakibara, and Midorima. To integrate such a team, you have to do a good job of supporting them."
The assistant coach was taken aback, then asked doubtfully, "Coach, what about Ryu? You forgot to include him."
Ahem…
Shirogane Kozo coughed twice, then shook his head slightly.
"Ryu is different from the others. Although he's also called part of the Generation of Miracles, he's very different from the other four. I felt a pure love for basketball from that kid. Someone like that won't feel lost about the future."
"Compared to Ryu, the situation of the others is what we need to care about."
The assistant coach said, "But the others also love basketball! Like Aomine, his love for basketball is second to none."
Shirogane Kozo shook his head.
"Ryu's love for basketball is different from Aomine's; there's a fundamental difference between them. Aomine loves basketball because it brings him joy and satisfaction. But Ryu's attitude towards basketball is like friendship. Whether he wins or loses, is happy or sad, he shares it all with basketball. It's pure; nothing can affect his initial passion for basketball."
That's right, that was the impression Ryu left on Shirogane Kozo during the finals.
It was the first time he'd met a player like this.
At first, he thought Ryu had entered the Zone, but after three quarters, he knew it wasn't that.
Although he didn't know what had happened to Ryu, he wouldn't pry into other people's secrets; on the contrary, he would wholeheartedly support him.
The assistant coach spoke up, "As long as the coach is here, I believe any problem can be solved..."
Before he could finish speaking, he heard a thud.
He looked up and saw Shirogane Kozo lying motionless on the ground.
Several days later.
Teiko Middle School.
Class 2D.
Ryu watched the setting sun gradually fade outside the window.
He had decided to submit his withdrawal application to the basketball club after school today.
Although he was reluctant, he had no other choice.
The finals had made him realize that his choice was correct.
That sense of clarity, that joyful initial feeling, had given him a sense of elevation.
Basketball—Ryu didn't actually like it; he had basically never played it before.
But it was precisely because of this that, when he let go of everything inside and faced basketball with his most primal passion, he unintentionally achieved success.
Looking at the completed withdrawal application on the table, the reluctance in Ryu's eyes gradually disappeared, leaving only relief, longing, and anticipation for the future.
After the tournament, the basketball club resumed its usual rigorous training.
These past few days, Ryu had been training with everyone as usual.
Although it was expected, what was bound to happen still happened.
Murasakibara's strength had increased dramatically, making him somewhat arrogant and conceited.
He had already argued with Akashi several times.
Midorima was still as meticulous as ever, doing everything with perfect precision.
However, Ryu could see that his skills had improved even more.
As for Aomine, it seemed he hadn't been seen training since the tournament.
Kise and Kuroko were still as well-behaved as ever.
Looking at his teammates who had been with him for two years, a touch of sadness inevitably appeared in Ryu's eyes.
Ring ring ring…
The bell rang, signaling the end of class.
Ryu put his resignation application into his backpack, then slung it over his shoulder and walked out of the classroom with Karupin.
He went straight to Gymnasium Number One.
As soon as he entered, he saw everyone gathered around the edge of the court.
Their eyes were all fixed on the court, on two players facing off.
Ryu looked over and saw Akashi and Murasakibara in a duel.
He frowned slightly.
'So it's come to this after all.'
'Ryu…'
Momoi Satsuki rushed to Ryu's side.
She no longer showed the joy and cuteness she usually displayed when she saw him.
She looked so helpless.
Upon seeing Ryu, Momoi Satsuki could no longer hold back her tears, and they fell.
She wiped away her tears and pleaded with Ryu, 'Ryu, please stop them! I don't understand why the team has become like this. Everyone is different now. I really don't know what to do.'
Waaah…
Seeing Momoi Satsuki's anxious and helpless appearance, Ryu reached out and gently patted her head.
"Momoi, some things can't be stopped just by trying."
As he spoke, Ryu turned his gaze to the court.
"Stopping them is easy, but that could very well worsen their relationship, which would be counterproductive. It's better to let them settle things with a win; that way, at least they can stay on the team and play together."
Hearing Ryu's words, Momoi Satsuki opened her mouth, but didn't know what to say.
She silently lowered her head, murmuring sadly, "Is it really impossible to go back?"
Ryu's eyes were also filled with complex emotions.
He truly didn't want to see the team become like this.
But what could he do?
He had tried to persuade Aomine.
Persuading someone like Akashi?
Don't be silly, persuading him is less effective than just beating him into submission.
As long as these two were on the team, the team was destined to fall apart.
But none of this mattered to him anymore.
He could only silently say to everyone in his heart:
"See you in high school, everyone."
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