Off the court.
The players from Rakuzan High School sat on the bench, recovering their strength.
Chihiro Mayuzumi stiffly turned his head and glanced at Seijuro Akashi. When he saw that Akashi was still sitting with his head lowered, saying nothing, disappointment settled over him.
Chihiro Mayuzumi slowly lowered his head and said with resentment in his voice:
"So we still can't win?"
Everyone turned to look at Chihiro Mayuzumi and saw him sitting on the bench with his head lowered, staring at the floor, his tone extremely heavy.
"Why? I gave everything I had just to win."
"I gave up my happiness, abandoned my true self, and became your shadow, all for a championship. All so we could win."
"But... but now you're telling me we're going to lose?"
Chihiro Mayuzumi suddenly raised his head, a slightly crazed smile appearing on his face as he roared:
"Then what was the point?! What was the point of giving up everything to become a shadow?!"
Everyone from Rakuzan fell silent, not knowing how to answer.
They all knew how much Chihiro Mayuzumi had sacrificed for the team.
Chihiro Mayuzumi was different from Tetsuya Kuroko. Their nature and personalities were fundamentally different.
Just as Tetsuya Kuroko had said, Chihiro Mayuzumi was not suited to being a shadow at all.
Tetsuya Kuroko became a shadow because he liked being a shadow. He liked the feeling of supporting others from behind.
Of course, there was another reason. Tetsuya Kuroko's physical ability simply did not allow him to become a suitable light.
But Chihiro Mayuzumi was different. His personality was never suited to being a shadow in the first place. For him to become one, he had to abandon his own personality and habits.
Forcing a teenager to suppress his personality and habits just to become a shadow.
It was like forcing a hot-blooded, spirited boy to become a flattering opportunist.
The price he had to pay for that was enormous.
No one from Rakuzan knew how to respond to Chihiro Mayuzumi, and the atmosphere sank for a moment.
Just then.
"Senpai Mayuzumi."
Seijuro Akashi's voice slowly rang out. Everyone from Rakuzan turned to look and saw Seijuro Akashi slowly stand up.
For a moment, they all froze.
Seijuro Akashi's appearance had not changed, but the feeling he gave them was as if he had become a completely different person.
At that moment, Seijuro Akashi's eyes had turned crimson. His gaze was gentle, and there was a soft smile on his face, giving off a warmth like a spring breeze.
Chihiro Mayuzumi froze as well. He stared blankly at Seijuro Akashi and unconsciously said:
"You... who are you?"
When those words came out, Seijuro Akashi smiled and said gently:
"Me? I'm Seijuro Akashi, Senpai Mayuzumi."
Chihiro Mayuzumi fell silent as he looked at the Seijuro Akashi before him, someone both familiar and unfamiliar.
Seijuro Akashi did not blame him. Instead, he walked up to Chihiro Mayuzumi, then apologized sincerely.
"I'm sorry, Senpai Mayuzumi."
Chihiro Mayuzumi's pupils trembled violently, and he unconsciously took two steps back.
Was... was this still the Akashi he knew?
Chihiro Mayuzumi had never imagined that the proud Seijuro Akashi would one day apologize to him.
Reo Mibuchi and the others were also stunned. They had never seen Seijuro Akashi like this before.
Seijuro Akashi did not mind Chihiro Mayuzumi's reaction and continued:
"What I did before was wrong. For that, I sincerely apologize to you."
"In the rest of the game, I won't ask anything more of you, because you've already done enough. Now, all you need to do is return to your true self, and then..."
At this point, Seijuro Akashi revealed an extremely warm smile.
"Enjoy this game."
At that moment, everyone from Rakuzan High School froze completely, disbelief written all over their faces.
They looked at Seijuro Akashi, their hearts trembling.
Was this... really Seijuro Akashi?
It was as if... he had become a different person.
Seijuro Akashi did not mind their reactions, because he knew that a sudden change in personality was something others would naturally struggle to adjust to.
So he smiled and said:
"Everyone, it's time to take the court."
Those words finally pulled everyone back to their senses, and they stepped onto the court.
The moment he stepped onto the court, Seijuro Akashi looked down at the floor, then lightly tapped it with his foot and murmured with a smile:
"I'm finally back on the court. This time... I won't run away again."
Seijuro Akashi slowly raised his head, his gaze fixed directly on Miyamoto Tokima.
"Tokima..."
On the court.
Rakuzan High School's ball.
Eikichi Nebuya held the basketball, looking at Seijuro Akashi with some hesitation.
Even now, it still felt unreal to him.
Seijuro Akashi, who had always been incredibly proud, had suddenly changed as if he were a different person. It was honestly hard for him to get used to.
Seeing this, Seijuro Akashi smiled faintly and said:
"Nebuya, pass me the ball. Let's work together and face our opponents."
Eikichi Nebuya snapped back to his senses, shook his head, then passed the basketball to Seijuro Akashi.
'Whatever. If he's changed, then he's changed. Anyway, Akashi like this actually feels pretty good!'
Seijuro Akashi caught the basketball and slowly advanced.
After reaching the frontcourt, Miyamoto Tokima crouched slightly, waiting for Seijuro Akashi's attack.
But Seijuro Akashi did not attack right away. Instead, he looked at Miyamoto Tokima, then smiled gently.
"Long time no see, Tokima."
Miyamoto Tokima froze for a moment, then met Seijuro Akashi's crimson eyes.
The moment their eyes met, Miyamoto Tokima knew that the gentle Seijuro Akashi had returned.
Immediately, Miyamoto Tokima smiled and said:
"Long time no see, Seijuro."
Seijuro Akashi dribbled the basketball as he began chatting with Miyamoto Tokima.
"It really has been a long time. Back then, I chose to run away because of my own weakness."
"But now, I won't."
"Because... I'm not a coward!"
At this point, Seijuro Akashi's expression turned serious, and his eyes filled with fighting spirit.
"Tokima, I understand now. In this world, victory isn't the only thing that matters."
"There are some things even more important than victory!"
Hearing this, Miyamoto Tokima smiled and said:
"Looks like you've finally figured it out, Seijuro."
Seijuro Akashi nodded and said:
"Yes, I have. I also know that with my own strength, I can't defeat you. Even if I use the strength of everyone else on Rakuzan, I still might not be able to defeat you."
"But I won't give up!"
"I'll give it my all to face you!"
...
...
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