The entire Nihashi team began to doubt their very existence. Faced with the overwhelming domination of Teikō's five players, their morale plunged straight to rock bottom once again.
At that moment, Nihashi's center stepped forward.
"Everyone, don't lose heart. The score gap isn't that big yet. If we just give it everything we've got, we can pull it back!"
After encouraging his teammates, the Nihashi center decided to take a possession himself to try and save the team's momentum.
Once the Nihashi point guard brought the ball past half court, he immediately fed it to the center, who was fighting for position in the paint.
Putting all his strength into it, the Nihashi center forced his way to two points right over Atsushi Murasakibara's head.
That basket, however, completely enraged Murasakibara.
In the possessions that followed, he became terrifyingly active, repeatedly hammering the rim on offense. He utterly crushed the Nihashi center and was just as ferocious on defense, constantly swatting away Nihashi's attacks.
He single-handedly held Nihashi scoreless for a full three minutes. The few points they eventually managed to get came only because their shooting guard had no choice but to force up a desperate shot from two steps beyond the three-point line.
Yet it was precisely that desperate attempt that seemed to give Shintaro Midorima a new idea.
...
The first quarter came to an end.
The score had climbed to an outrageous 38–18.
A full 20-point lead.
The massive gap plunged the Nihashi team into utter despair.
The first to completely lose hope was their small forward. After being broken through again and again by Miyamoto Tokima as easily as crossing a street, his mentality had already collapsed.
"We can't beat them. Who could beat that bunch of freaks? If this keeps up, the gap will only get bigger!"
His face was filled with despair as he shook his head repeatedly, muttering to himself.
The others didn't refute his words. Instead, they sank just as deeply into hopelessness.
The Nihashi coach tried both encouragement and harsh words, desperately attempting to rekindle his players' fighting spirit—but it was all in vain.
Not a single player managed to pull themselves together. Every one of them was trapped in a vortex of despair, unable to escape.
Seeing this, the coach flew into a rage and shouted,
"If you're going to keep playing like this, then all of you get out of here!!!"
He had thought his scolding might snap them awake. Instead, the small forward only grew more despondent.
"What else can we do? We just can't beat them."
The coach felt so angry he was about to black out. Pointing at the small forward's head, he roared,
"Get out! Get out right now!!!"
The small forward suddenly jumped to his feet, his expression twisted with emotion, and shouted back,
"Fine! I'll leave! I didn't even want to play anymore anyway!!!"
With that, he stormed off alone toward the players' tunnel, heading back to the locker room.
Watching his retreating figure, the coach felt a surge of fury rush straight to his head. He pointed after him, his mouth opening as if to say something—
But the words caught in his throat and never came out.
In the next instant, the coach completely lost consciousness and collapsed.
"Coach!!!"
"Medics! Medics!!"
The Nihashi players shouted frantically as they called for the medical staff.
...
Over on Teikō's side.
Miyamoto Tokima and the others were still chatting and laughing when they suddenly heard a commotion from the Nihashi bench. Turning their heads, they saw the Nihashi coach being carried away.
"What happened?"
Daiki Aomine asked in confusion.
Miyamoto Tokima shook his head, indicating he had no idea.
Shuzo Nijimura and Coach Shirogane stood up and walked over toward Nihashi. Satsuki Momoi also got up and followed to see what was going on.
Kōzō Shirogane said, "Wait here for a bit. We'll go ask what happened."
Miyamoto Tokima and the others nodded and continued discussing the game.
"By the way, Midorima, that shot you made earlier was insanely accurate."
Daiki Aomine slung an arm around Shintaro Midorima's shoulder as he praised him.
Shintaro Midorima calmly slapped Aomine's hand away, adjusted his glasses, and said,
"I merely did everything within my power."
Aomine clicked his tongue, finding Midorima's rigid personality painfully boring.
He turned and wrapped an arm around Miyamoto Tokima, lowering his voice with a sly grin.
"Hey, Tokima, do you still have any of Maki Horikita's photo books?"
Ever since Miyamoto Tokima had given Daiki Aomine a Horikita Maki photobook, Aomine had become completely obsessed with them, constantly coming to Miyamoto Tokima to ask about more.
Miyamoto Tokima looked utterly speechless. Thinking about Maki Horikita in the middle of a game—Aomine really was hopeless.
"No. And you should cut back on that stuff. Looking at it too much isn't good for you."
"Huh? Tokima, you're really no fun."
Aomine said gloomily.
Veins practically popped on Miyamoto Tokima's forehead as he slowly said,
"Recording."
The instant Aomine heard that word, he straightened up, his attitude changing completely.
He quickly moved behind Miyamoto Tokima and started massaging his shoulders.
"Tokima, how's that? Feeling good?"
"Mm, not bad. A little to the left."
"Got it."
"Right side."
"Got it."
"Use a bit more strength."
"O-Okay… okay!!"
Aomine gritted his teeth and suddenly put more force into it, clearly trying to get some petty revenge.
Miyamoto Tokima seemed to sense his thoughts and started to say,
"Reco—"
That instantly drew the attention of Seijuro Akashi and the others.
"Tokima, what were you just saying about recording?"
Before Miyamoto Tokima could reply, Aomine hurriedly cut in with a forced smile.
"Nothing, nothing. Tokima didn't say anything. You must've misheard."
"Right, Tokima?"
Still wearing that fake smile, Aomine gently continued kneading Miyamoto Tokima's shoulders.
Enjoying the massage, Miyamoto Tokima nodded in satisfaction.
"That's right, Akashi. You misheard."
Seeing this, Seijuro Akashi didn't pursue it further and went back to discussing something with Shintaro Midorima.
Once everyone's attention had shifted away, Aomine drooped his head and whispered near Miyamoto Tokima's ear,
"Tokima… about that recording…"
"Reco—"
"No, no, no! Don't, don't!"
Aomine hurriedly covered Miyamoto Tokima's mouth, nervously glancing around.
"Daiki, what are you doing? Why are you covering Tokima's mouth?"
Satsuki Momoi suddenly appeared beside Aomine, asking in confusion.
Aomine let out an awkward laugh.
"Nothing, nothing. We're just messing around."
"By the way, Momoi, what's going on over at Nihashi?"
Aomine asked.
Seijuro Akashi and Shintaro Midorima also turned their gazes toward Satsuki Momoi.
Before she could answer, Atsushi Murasakibara spoke up first.
"Hey, Tokima, what are we eating tonight?"
"We'll see later. I don't know yet."
"Ah… but I'm really hungry."
Shintaro Midorima sighed, black lines practically forming over his head.
"Murasakibara, could you please wait until Momoi finishes speaking?"
Atsushi Murasakibara nodded blankly and fell silent.
Watching the scene unfold, Satsuki Momoi smiled softly to herself.
They really do get along so well.
...
Happy New Year to all my readers!
Wishing you good health, peace of mind, and a year filled with positive energy and strength.