I want to reach 20 paid subscriptions on Patreon this week to complete this novel, as it has been over a month since the last subscription.
patreon.com/ayan41x
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Off the court.
Seirin.
Rikkai.
Both teams are present.
The match is about to begin.
Whistle...
With a loud whistle, the referee tossed the basketball high into the air.
As one of the "Uncrowned Five,"
Teppei Kiyoshi was the first to touch the ball.
Thud...
With his deliberate tap, the basketball fell into his own half of the court.
The Seirin players began their runs.
The basketball landed in an empty space.
However, the instant it touched the ground, Kuroko suddenly appeared.
With a swing of his arm, he successfully swatted the ball away.
The basketball shot like an arrow towards Junpei Hyuga, who had run to the three-point line at Rikkai.
Thud…
The basketball landed precisely in Junpei Hyuga's hands.
Before the Rikkai players could react, Junpei Hyuga aimed, bent his knee, and shot—all in one fluid motion.
The basketball traced a beautiful arc and landed steadily in the basket.
3-0.
Seirin scored the first basket.
At this point, less than five seconds had passed in the game.
Everything happened too fast.
Seirin's rapid coordination truly caught Rikkai off guard.
Even the spectators on the sidelines were caught off guard.
Looking at the scoreboard, 3-0.
The Rikkai players finally had to believe that Seirin had just scored.
"What kind of teamwork was that? So fast!"
The Rikkai captain's eyes were filled with shock.
He had never seen such rapid teamwork before.
Offense and defense changed hands.
Rikkai gained possession.
In the stands.
Alex exclaimed in amazement at Seirin's attack.
"Wow! What exquisite teamwork! Was that boy who passed the ball? That's amazing."
Hearing her words, Ryu smiled and said.
"Yeah, he's a player who specializes in passing."
Huh?
"Cool Ryu, do you know that boy?"
Alex asked.
Ryu nodded.
"Ah, yes, I know him. That guy was my teammate in middle school."
"I see!"
Alex was somewhat surprised.
"I never imagined that my middle school teammate from Ryu would be on the same team as my apprentice! What a coincidence!"
Heh...
Ryu chuckled.
"You could say that!"
...
On the court.
The Rikkai point guard charged forward with the ball.
Before he even reached half-court, Kuroko's figure silently appeared behind him.
He reached out and swung his hand.
With a snap, The basketball was successfully swatted away.
At the same time, The Rikkai point guard suddenly felt his hand go empty, losing control of the ball.
His pupils contracted, and he looked at his palm in surprise.
His hands were now empty; the basketball was nowhere to be seen.
He turned his head and saw Kuroko, who had appeared behind him seemingly out of nowhere.
'When did this guy appear behind me?'
The basketball landed in Kagami's hands.
The instant he received the ball, Kagami dribbled towards Rikkai's basket.
His speed was like a rocket.
Rikkai desperately tried to recover and defend, but they were always far behind Kagami.
Kagami dribbled directly into the paint.
Facing an empty basket, Kagami jumped and slammed it in.
Clang…
The rim wobbled, the backboard trembled.
Seirin scored 2 more points.
5-0.
"Well done…"
In the stands.
Alex exclaimed excitedly.
...
The game continued.
Rikkai served.
This time, Rikkai was much more cautious on offense.
Rikkai's center successfully dribbled across the center line.
However, when he tried to continue his attack, he was blocked by Teppei Kiyoshi.
Knowing he was no match for him, he decisively chose to pass.
However, the basketball had just flown from his hand when an unexpected incident occurred.
Kuroko suddenly appeared, blocking the passing path.
He swung his arm wide, his palm striking the basketball forcefully.
Bang...
A dull thud echoed throughout the arena.
The basketball flew like a cannonball over Rikkai, heading straight for the basket.
Seeing this, the Rikkai players immediately started running back.
But just as they were running, a fiery red figure flashed past them like a streak of light.
It was Taiga Kagami.
Damn it.
The Rikkai players knew they were in trouble.
But there was nothing they could do.
Kagami quickly reached Rikkai's basket, crouched down, pushed off the ground, and leaped into the air.
Floating in mid-air, Kagami stretched out his arms and successfully caught the speeding basketball.
Kagami turned to face Rikkai's basket.
His muscles bulged, he gripped the ball with both hands, and slammed it into the hoop.
Bang…
The deafening sound echoed throughout the arena.
A series of shouts and cheers erupted from the stands.
"It was an alley-oop dunk..."
Listening to the roar of the crowd, Alex exclaimed in admiration.
"Oh... I never imagined the basketball atmosphere in Japan was so passionate. This really exceeds my expectations."
Ryu chuckled.
"This is only the round of 16. If you want to experience the atmosphere, there will be even more people in the quarterfinals."
"Oh... Is that so? Why wait until the quarterfinals?"
Alex asked curiously.
Ryu thought for a moment, then explained.
"Because 7 out of the top 8 teams nationwide have a chance to win the final championship."
Upon hearing this, Alex's eyes widened, and he said in disbelief.
"Oh my god! Really? Now that you mention it, I can't wait to see it!"
Ryu said with a smile.
"Your apprentice should be able to explain this to you."
Theoretically speaking, the Generation of Miracles are all favorites to win the championship, without a doubt.
No one knows what amazing things these guys will do.
Of course, this includes Ryu.
Toho Kotei Gakuen, Rakuzan, Too, Yosen, Shūtoku, Kaijo, Seirin.
These 7 teams, without exception, all have members of the Generation of Miracles.
In the Japanese high school world, Ryu really couldn't think of any team that could compete with them.
Suddenly, the name of a school popped into Ryu's mind.
Fukuda Sogo Academy.
'Shogo Haizaki…'
He quickly shook his head.
Time ticked by.
The difference in strength between the two sides was obvious.
Seirin had been dominating Rikkai from the start.
Rikkai called two timeouts, but it was still too late to turn the tide.
Until halftime.
The score was temporarily set at 35-19.
A double-digit difference.
This was even without Seirin going all out.
...
Alex said to Ryu with a smug look.
"Ryu, how did my student perform? Wasn't she amazing?"
Seeing her expression, Ryu was speechless.
How much do you look down on Japanese basketball?!
"Alex!"
Ryu said meaningfully.
"Is this your first time watching a Japanese high school game?"
Alex nodded.
"Yes, this is the first game I've ever watched in Japan."
Just as I thought.
Ryu looked at her and said.
"Perhaps you could go check out other venues; maybe you'll find a surprise!"
"A surprise?"
Alex's eyes lit up.
"Oh, I love surprises! Your suggestion is great; I'll go watch. Will you come with me?"
Ryu shook his head.
"I can only watch this one match with you; I have my own matches to play next!"
Hearing this, Alex feigned disappointment.
"Oh, that's a real shame."
Ryu watched her feigned grievance, his lips twitching involuntarily, thinking to himself.
'This girl, she really knows how to act. It's a waste of her talent if she doesn't go into acting.'
Beep…
The second half of the match quickly began.
Same as the first half.
Even though Rikkai changed their strategy in the second half, they were still no match for Seirin.
The previously unknown Seirin team was now gradually revealing its ferocious fangs.
At the start of the second half, Seirin scored consecutively, taking a 9-0 lead over Rikkai.
A 25-point difference sealed the game.
Seirin called a timeout, substituting Kagami and Kuroko for bench players and first-year students.
Riko Aida's plan was simple: to use this opportunity to give the team some experience.
Kagami and Kuroko had no objections.
Although their ace player was substituted, three starters remained on the court.
The momentum of the game continued to tilt in Seirin's favor.
The lead grew from 25 to 30 points.
Finally, Riko Aida substituted all her starters, replacing them with her reserves.
Rikkai, already demoralized, found themselves evenly matched against Seirin's reserves.
Although they managed to catch up with a few balls, it wasn't enough to change the outcome of the game.
Whistle...
The final whistle blew.
The final score was 117 to 82.
Seirin defeated Rikkai by 30 points.
...
Ryu stood up from his seat.
"The game's over, so I'll be going now."
"Eh, leaving so soon?"
Alex looked at Karupin in her arms with a hint of reluctance.
Ryu smiled slightly.
"Yes, I have another game later, so I need to go prepare."
"Um..."
Alex hesitated for a moment, then cautiously asked.
"Won't you have time to take care of it while you're playing?"
As she spoke, she even puffed out her chest, gesturing to Karupin in her arms.
"What do you mean?"
Alex continued.
"It's Karupin! You have a match, right? Then let me take care of Karupin for you! I'll return him to you after your match."
"You mean this? Uh… this…"
Ryu hesitated, looking at Karupin.
Karubin transmitted his voice.
"It's alright, go ahead! Even from the stands, I can absorb the energy dissipating from the arena. I can take this opportunity to try and absorb some energy from this woman's body as well."
Hearing this, Ryu had nothing more to say.
As long as Karupin didn't stray from a safe distance, it was fine.
He wasn't worried about Karupin getting lost.
"Alright! Then I'll leave Karupin in your care."
With that, Ryu turned and walked towards the entrance of the passage.
Watching Ryu's departing figure, Alex chuckled and murmured.
"What an interesting boy."
She teased Karupin with her delicate hand.
"Don't you think so, adorable Karupin?"
Karupin stared with dead fish eyes, muttering to itself.
'I am the noble Lord Karupin, you ignorant human, you'd better behave yourself.'
Although it thought this, the way its eyes narrowed didn't show any reluctance.
Alex glanced at the Seirin team celebrating below, then patted Karupin in her arms.
"Now that we've finished watching Kagami's match, let's go watch the others!"
She stood up, still holding Karupin, and headed towards the other matches.
Ryu returned to the Toho Kotei Gakuen Academy's locker room.
Opening the door, he saw his group.
"Ryu, you're back."
Kamimono and the others greeted him.
Ryu smiled and nodded at them.
"Yeah! I went to watch Seirin's match."
Seeing that only Ryu entered and Karupin was nowhere to be seen, the Toho Kotei Gakuen Academy members weren't surprised.
They were already used to Karupin's occasional disappearances.
They always thought Karupin was a very magical cat.
It could understand human speech, didn't run away, and often did some incredible things.
Squeak…
Just then…
The locker room door opened again.
Kazama Kouki walked in.
"Coach..."
Ryu and the others greeted him
Kazama Kouki nodded.
"It's almost time, get ready to go!"
The words were simple.
There was no pre-match encouragement, no instructions or strategies.
Everyone was used to the coach's hands-off approach.
Kamimono stood up and said loudly.
"Then, let's go."
With that, the members of the Toho Kotei Gakuen Academy walked out of the locker room together, heading towards the match venue.
On the other side.
In the Kaijo locker room.
Genta Takeuchi said to everyone with a serious expression.
"I won't say anything more, it's up to you now."
Yukio Kasamatsu took a deep breath, then shouted.
"Let's go."
The group from Kaijo responded in unison, and then walked together out of the changing room.
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I want to reach 20 paid subscriptions on Patreon this week to complete this novel, as it has been over a month since the last subscription.
patreon.com/ayan41x