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Chapter Twenty-One: Change
Evenly matched!
Not Shohoku versus Ryonan—but Sendoh Akira alone matching up evenly against Shohoku's trio of Akagi Takenori, Rukawa Kaede, and Sakuragi Hanamichi!
"Sendoh's actually this strong?" Yagami felt shocked. His impression of Sendoh, while formidable, hadn't reached this level.
By all logic, Sendoh and Rukawa's scoring abilities should be comparable, with Sendoh only holding advantages in playmaking and leadership.
But reality told a completely different story!
What Yagami didn't know was that this style represented Sendoh's most comfortable rhythm.
As a first-year, Sendoh had used this exact approach against Shohoku, dropping 47 points in a single game. Only after losing in the prefecture's Final Four did he realize this style couldn't carry Ryonan further. After his "fishing enlightenment," he transformed into the player Yagami knew.
But that didn't mean Sendoh's supremely gifted scoring ability had disappeared.
He'd simply been waiting—waiting for someone who could share the burden of carrying Ryonan forward.
Ryonan 45 - 39 Shohoku
The second quarter ended with Shohoku still down six points.
The third quarter began with Rukawa benched by Coach Anzai. Throughout the entire first half, he'd matched up against either Yagami or Sendoh, then joined Sakuragi in full-court pressure—his stamina depleted far beyond normal game levels.
When he came off at halftime, his legs trembled uncontrollably.
Coach Anzai knew the outcome was decided. He'd seen what he needed to see, so despite the fifteen-minute halftime break, he kept Rukawa on the bench.
"Damn fox, I knew you'd drag us down," Sakuragi taunted mercilessly.
Rukawa said nothing, his gaze fixed on Ryonan. He'd etch those two names—Yagami Sorato and Sendoh Akira—deep into his heart.
"Gorilla! With Rukawa useless now, it's up to us to win this game!" Sakuragi shouted, seemingly oblivious to the actual game situation.
"Right!"
Akagi responded gravely. Ryonan proved far stronger than imagined, but Shohoku wouldn't quit. Even if they lost today, they'd return stronger next time!
Without their absolute perimeter scoring threat, Shohoku's offense became noticeably labored.
Meanwhile for Ryonan, freed from double teams, Sendoh's approach actually became more reasonable. After reconnecting Ryonan into a cohesive unit, their scoring efficiency skyrocketed.
Seeing Shohoku fall further behind in the third quarter, Sakuragi grew impatient. His defense became overly aggressive with frequent fouls, and he quickly fouled out with his fifth.
Watching this unfold, Yagami completely lost interest in re-entering the game.
Ryonan 92 - 58 Shohoku
Sendoh led the team to a final 34-point margin, exceeding Coach Taoka's assigned target.
"DAMN IT! DAMN IT! DAMN IT!"
Sakuragi roared in frustration, ultimately forced to accept reality.
"Coach Anzai! Thank you very much for your guidance!" Despite Ryonan's dominant victory, Coach Taoka showed no trace of pride or arrogance facing Coach Anzai.
"Coach Taoka, you've found yourself another excellent prospect this year."
"Not at all—you have as well." Coach Taoka finally smiled. "Setting aside how polished Rukawa-kun's offense already is, even Sakuragi-kun will definitely become an outstanding player with proper training."
"Ho ho ho, then we'll take our leave." Coach Anzai maintained his perpetual smile, seemingly unaffected by the loss.
"Looking forward to facing you again in the preliminaries!" Coach Taoka bowed slightly once more.
On Shohoku's return journey, Sakuragi kneaded Coach Anzai's chin complaining. "Damn it... Old man, it's because you didn't put me in earlier! If you'd deployed your secret weapon sooner, we wouldn't have lost so badly!"
"YOU IDIOT! WHAT ARE YOU DOING TO THE COACH?! STOP IT!" Akagi roared from the side.
"Ho ho ho, Sakuragi-kun, don't worry." Coach Anzai chuckled. "There will be plenty of opportunities ahead."
Kaijo High School.
"STOP HIM!"
At his teammates' shouts, Kagami Taiga burst toward Kise Ryota beyond the three-point line and elevated for the contest.
Just stop this one shot.
And victory belongs to Seirin!
WHOOSH!
"What? Even the final possession he..."
Kasamatsu Yukio caught the pass and rose from beyond the arc.
SWISH!
Nothing but net.
TWEET!
Game over.
Kaijo 100 - 98 Seirin
"Whoa, your shot was money today, Kasamatsu-senpai!" Kise said with a playful grin.
"Beautiful pass!" This time Kasamatsu didn't resort to violence, gently fist-bumping Kise. "Thanks for trusting us at the critical moment."
Kise froze. "What's with you, Kasamatsu-senpai? You're being kind of gross."
SMACK!
Kasamatsu delivered a palm to his head without hesitation. "Next time we face Ryonan, we absolutely cannot lose."
"Obviously!"
On the other side of the court, among Seirin's players, Kuroko Tetsuya gazed at Kise with confusion. More than losing the practice game, what puzzled him was that Kise seemed... somehow different from before.
"Surprising. Your Gemini sign had the worst fortune today, yet you still managed to win."
Kise shut off the faucet and lifted his dripping face. Behind him stood Midorima Shintaro with meticulous posture, clutching a bizarre frog plushie.
"Lately I seem to keep getting cornered at the sink after games," Kise thought.
"Midorimacchi," he turned around with a surprised smile. "Why'd you come all the way to watch my game?"
"After all, someone became the first member of the Generation of Miracles to lose to another school." Midorima adjusted his glasses, tone flat yet sharp. "Though I predicted this outcome long ago."
"Yeah, yeah." Kise smiled helplessly, wiping his face with a towel. "At least this is our first meeting since graduating from Teikou. You could be less cold."
"I'm simply stating facts." Midorima paused. "However, based on today's game, your condition seemed acceptable."
Kise raised an eyebrow, surprised to hear something positive from him.
"Kise," Midorima's tone suddenly grew serious. "Did your change stem from losing to Ryonan?"
"Entrusting the game-deciding shot to someone else—that's completely unlike the choice the old you would make."
"Eh, is it that obvious?" Kise scratched his cheek, tone somewhat complicated. "I just... made what I thought was the best choice to win the game."
"I see." Midorima's tone remained flat. "Regardless of whether it's good or bad, at least you've learned to think strategically."
Kise found himself speechless. Having a pleasant conversation with this guy seemed impossible.
"Setting that aside, aren't you going to talk with Kurokocchi?"
"No need. Besides, Momoi should be consoling him."
"Hm? Momoi's here too? Then Aominecchi is also?" Kise hadn't expected so many familiar faces to appear after his loss to Ryonan.
"Aomine's also in Kanagawa, however," Midorima paused slightly, his lenses catching the light, "I suspect he's probably gone to find those two who defeated you."
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