The coach patted Kotaro Hayama on the shoulder and spoke earnestly,
"Kotaro, let's end it here for this game."
Kotaro Hayama looked up in disbelief.
"Coach… w-what did you say?"
The Fukuda players also stared at the coach in shock, speaking up one after another,
"Coach… you're telling us to give up the game?"
The coach sighed helplessly.
"Yes. There's no hope left in this match."
Kotaro Hayama's face darkened. He bit down hard on his lip, fists clenched so tightly that his fingernails dug into his palms.
Ignoring the others trying to persuade the coach, he stood up alone and walked toward the exit.
Fukuda's point guard stopped him.
"Kotaro, where are you going?"
Kotaro Hayama sidestepped him and walked straight ahead without looking back.
"To the bathroom."
Coach Fukuda watched Kotaro Hayama's retreating figure, clenching his fist.
Don't blame me, Kotaro. You really can't afford any more injuries.
…
In the bathroom.
Kotaro Hayama entered an empty stall. Unable to suppress his emotions any longer, he began pounding the wall furiously.
Damn it! Damn it! Damn it!!!
Why—why?!
Why can't I be stronger?
Why can't I use Four Fingers?!
If I could use Four Fingers… would the coach… would he have made us give up?
Kotaro Hayama blamed himself for everything. He felt that if he were just a little stronger, maybe the coach's decision would have been different.
Knock knock knock…
"Kotaro, are you in there?"
Knock knock knock…
"Open the door, Kotaro. I know you're inside. The game isn't over yet—let's face it together, okay?"
Knock knock knock…
"Open up, Kotaro."
Knock knock knock…
The point guard's voice came from outside. Kotaro Hayama, completely dispirited, pushed the stall door open.
He looked up at him, his voice heavy with sorrow.
"Hotani… am I… really that weak…?"
"If… if I were just a little stronger… maybe… maybe it wouldn't have…"
Before he could finish, tears began to fall.
Seeing this, Hotani quickly pulled him into a hug.
"How could that be, Kotaro? Without you, we'd have no chance of winning at all."
"The game isn't over yet. Even if the coach has given up, we can't give up."
Kotaro Hayama looked up at Hotani, his expression complicated.
"Hotani…"
Then he wiped away his tears, flashed his trademark smile, and said firmly,
"You're right, Hotani. The game isn't over yet. I won't give up!!"
Hotani smiled brightly and nodded.
"Yeah, Kotaro. Together!"
Their hands clenched tightly together.
…
Halftime ended, and both teams returned to the court.
Because Daiki Aomine had activated Animal Instinct for the first time and burned through a massive amount of stamina, Coach Shirogane kept him on the bench.
Shuzo Nijimura took his place.
Before taking the court, Kotaro Hayama gathered the Fukuda players together.
"Everyone, the game isn't over yet. Don't give up. Let's give it everything we've got until the end—even if we lose, we won't regret it!"
The Fukuda players nodded heavily, fire reigniting in their eyes.
Coach Fukuda watched them, his eyes glistening with tears, but he didn't stop them.
Just before they stepped onto the court, he said softly,
"Everyone… be careful."
The players nodded and returned to the court.
The game resumed. Fukuda ball.
Hotani brought the ball past half court and quickly passed it to Kotaro Hayama.
Facing Miyamoto Tokima's defense, Kotaro Hayama didn't call for a screen. His eyes sharpened as he took a deep breath.
Miyamoto Tokima looked puzzled.
Huh? No screen?
Kotaro Hayama exhaled deeply. His right hand began pounding the ball, yellow light rippling from his body as a presence similar to Daiki Aomine's gradually emerged.
"W-What…? Th-this is Aomine's…!"
Shintaro Midorima felt that presence and showed a shocked expression. He hadn't expected Kotaro Hayama to possess Animal Instinct as well.
Sensing the animal presence, Miyamoto Tokima frowned slightly and grew more serious on defense.
Kotaro Hayama felt the changes surging through his body.
So this is Animal Instinct?
This feeling… it's… incredible!!
He felt his instincts and speed sharpen dramatically, as if immense power filled his entire body.
Thud! Thud!! Thud!!! Thud!!!! Thud!!!!!
The thunderous dribbles echoed through the gym. Kotaro Hayama's gaze hardened. He spread four fingers on his right hand and shouted,
"Four Fingers!!!!!"
Kazz!!!
In an instant, Kotaro Hayama turned into a yellow flash, bursting past Miyamoto Tokima on the right.
Miyamoto Tokima reacted immediately and shifted over. Kotaro Hayama's pupils shrank.
He… caught up?!
This is Four Fingers!!
Kotaro Hayama hadn't expected that even with Animal Instinct activated, combined with Four Fingers Lightning Dribbling, he still couldn't completely shake Miyamoto Tokima.
But with the arrow already loosed, there was no turning back. Gritting his teeth, Kotaro Hayama forced a sudden change of direction without slowing down.
Huh?
Miyamoto Tokima froze in surprise. He hadn't expected Kotaro Hayama to ignore the strain on his body and force such a violent change of direction.
Breaking free, Kotaro Hayama charged toward the basket. In midair, he dodged Atsushi Murasakibara's block and finished with another acrobatic layup.
After landing, Kotaro Hayama lifted his leg slightly. Aside from some weakness, there was no serious issue, and he turned back on defense.
"Tch."
Atsushi Murasakibara landed with a scowl. Being scored on repeatedly by Kotaro Hayama put him in a foul mood.
Possession changed.
Seijuro Akashi brought the ball over half court and passed it to Shuzo Nijimura, letting him run the offense.
Shuzo Nijimura blew past Fukuda's power forward and rose for a shot near the free-throw line.
No—!
Suddenly, a chilling sensation of being targeted by a beast surged through Shuzo Nijimura's mind.
He tried to pull his shooting hand back, but the ball was already released—it was too late.
Damn it!!!
The next moment proved his instincts right.
A figure shot out from his side, leaping high into the air and violently swatting the ball away.
SMACK!!!