In the spectator stands, someone finally voiced the question that had been bothering everyone.
"Captain, isn't No. 11, Kuroko Tetsuya, supposed to disappear? Then why are they able to catch him every time he goes for a steal?"
"Catch him?" Haizaki tilted his head slightly. "Hmm... I guess you could call it that."
Suzuran Karasu blinked. "What does that mean?"
"Yeah, I don't get it either."
Haizaki froze for a moment and glanced at the rest of Fukuda Sogo. Every single one of them wore the same puzzled expression. After organizing his thoughts, he finally began explaining. "From beginning to end, Kirisaki Daiichi's players never actually knew when Kuroko would disappear. They kept putting out bait instead, baiting him over and over, deliberately luring him into going for steals."
He paused and looked toward the court. "Most of their passes happened between Hanamiya Makoto and Yamazaki Hiroshi. Their goal wasn't scoring. It was making Kuroko intercept." Everyone stared at him quietly as Haizaki continued, "The other Kirisaki players kept watching Hanamiya and Yamazaki instead of watching Kuroko. The moment Kuroko disappeared and reappeared, they could instantly tell where he'd show up. So they weren't observing Kuroko directly. They were observing him indirectly."
Silence lingered for a moment before someone suddenly exclaimed, "Ohhh..." Expressions of realization spread across Fukuda Sogo's players. So that's what happened. No wonder.
At the end, Haizaki casually added, "Honestly, Hanamiya is a pretty excellent commander."
Kimura immediately looked disgusted. "That creepy bastard counts as a great leader?"
Haizaki shrugged. "For victory, using every available method is still something worth respecting." He glanced toward his teammates before adding, "The real question is whether your hearts are broad enough to accept methods different from your own."
========
Back on the court, without Kiyoshi Teppei, one of the Uncrowned Kings, and without Kuroko Tetsuya, the Phantom Sixth Man, Seirin had been completely suffocated under Hanamiya's Spider Web. Even Kagami looked isolated, as though his connection to the team had been severed. Powerless. Alone. Under that oppressive rhythm, the second quarter finally came to an end.
BEEEEEEP!
Seirin 28 : 46 Kirisaki Daiichi
An eighteen-point gap. A crushing advantage. The players returned to their locker rooms for the ten-minute halftime break before the third and fourth quarters.
========
In Tōō's section, Imayoshi narrowed his eyes while staring at the empty court. "Eighteen points... how exactly is Seirin supposed to come back from that?" Compared to before, Hanamiya had become even more ruthless, even more cunning, and far more experienced.
Aomine lazily crossed his arms. "Eighteen points isn't enough. As long as Tetsu and that blockhead get through this... they still have a chance."
Momoi immediately turned toward him. "Tetsu-kun still has a chance?"
Aomine nodded. "Yeah, and a pretty big one."
========
Seirin Locker Room
The atmosphere was suffocating. Heavy. Depressing. No one spoke. Kuroko sat motionless, his eyes empty and unfocused, as though his mind had drifted far away. At this moment, Kuroko Tetsuya had begun doubting his basketball for the first time ever.
Not doubting a play. Not doubting a match. Not doubting teammates. He was doubting himself, doubting his basketball from its very foundation. Is my basketball really this fragile? Can it really not survive hardship? Can I only grow like a flower inside a greenhouse, protected from wind and rain? What is my basketball? Why is it so weak? Why...?
=========
In another section of the audience, Takao lazily stretched and started chatting with Midorima.
"This really crushes your confidence." He scratched his cheek and laughed bitterly. "My physical ability's a lot better than Kuroko's... but I know it's still my weakness. So all I can really do is play point guard. I don't dare challenge stronger players head-on." He shook his head. "I guess that's the tragedy for guys like us."
Midorima adjusted his glasses. "You're already impressive."
Takao blinked. "Impressive?" Then he laughed loudly. "Not even close. If it weren't for these eyes of mine, people like us wouldn't even fit competitive basketball. We'd just be playing around. Playing pretend."
Midorima looked at him seriously. "Don't underestimate yourself. You're very good. You're a late bloomer."
"Haha..."
Takao laughed, but Midorima's eyes had never once looked at him. His gaze remained fixed on Seirin's tunnel entrance. Perhaps those words... weren't really for Takao. Perhaps they had been for Kuroko all along. Too bad Kuroko couldn't hear them.
Midorima suddenly remembered Seirin's practice match against Kaijo in Kanagawa. Back then, when Kise Ryouta accidentally knocked Kuroko unconscious with an elbow, Midorima had understood something. Kise saw it. Haizaki saw it. Aomine saw it. They all saw Kuroko's fatal weakness instantly.
But none of them had chosen to exploit it. They fought Kuroko head-on. Normally. Respectfully. But Hanamiya... Hanamiya wasn't that kind of person. What will you do, Kuroko? Face your weakness? Run away? Or collapse completely?
The ten-minute break ended quickly, and both teams returned to the court. But Seirin's lineup had changed. Kiyoshi still hadn't returned from the infirmary, while Kuroko still sat silently on the bench, motionless and lost somewhere inside his own thoughts.
Kagami had already stepped onto the court. Then suddenly, he turned around, walked back, and stopped in front of Kuroko. Without speaking, Kagami reached out and placed his hand on Kuroko's head.
"Get some rest." His expression was serious. "We'll wait for you."
That was all. No emotional speech. No dramatic encouragement. No comforting words. Just: We'll wait for you. Simple. Direct.
Kagami turned around and walked back toward the court. No Kiyoshi in the paint. No Kuroko on the perimeter. Now, Seirin could only rely on him. Kagami slowly inhaled, and a powerful aura suddenly erupted around him. Wild. Untamed. Ferocious. His Animal Instincts awakened.
==========
In the audience, Aomine smiled. There it is.
On another side, Midorima's eyes flickered with envy. Meanwhile, Haizaki turned toward his teammates. "Open your eyes." A grin spread across his face. "The show's starting."
BOOM!!
Kagami received the basketball, then charged. One player. Two players. Three. He tore through Kirisaki Daiichi's defense completely by himself, charging straight through their formation.
Then...
BOOM!!!
The basket exploded beneath a one-handed slam. For a brief instant, it almost sounded as if a tiger's roar echoed across the arena. At that moment, Kagami Taiga stood above the court, dominating it. Hanamiya's Spider Web could stop passes, but it couldn't stop a monster charging alone.
Hyuga, Izuki, Koganei, and Mitobe all stared at Kagami with widening eyes. Hope. They finally saw hope. Maybe the score difference wouldn't keep growing. Maybe... just maybe... they still had a chance.
On Seirin's bench, Aida Riko watched quietly. Then she smiled.
"Go. Our ace it's time for you to carry the banner."
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