Chapter 145: Even Just Once
The final buzzer sounded.
Watching Yagami Sorato and Sendoh Akira celebrate with excited high-fives, the Sannoh players stood in stunned bewilderment.
What had Ryonan just done?
Four three-pointers in the final minute?! Erased a seven-point deficit to reverse the game?
Ryonan 104, Sannoh Industrial 103.
"National High School Comprehensive Athletic Meet Basketball Competition, Court A semifinal victor—"
"Ryonan High School!"
"Is it really over?" Fukatsu Kazunari murmured. The feeling was like suddenly waking from an unrealistic dream.
At this moment, no one cared about his verbal tic. When even Sannoh's notoriously composed captain felt this way, the other players' states were obvious.
What's more, in that final minute, only Fukatsu Kazunari had scored Sannoh's four points.
"Why did he pass?" Sawakita Eiji stood frozen in place, his gaze confused as he looked at Yagami Sorato.
Logically, after the pick-and-roll switch, Sawakita should have rotated to Sendoh Akira. But in that moment, he'd clearly felt Yagami Sorato's determination to hit the game-winner.
He wouldn't pass.
Couldn't possibly pass.
Just stop this one shot, and Sannoh would win.
Sawakita had noticed Yagami's eyes. His gaze hadn't left the rim for even a second—his entire focus clearly absorbed by scoring.
"How could he possibly pass? And with Sendoh right there?"
Wait. Sendoh was right there?!
Sawakita's head snapped toward Sendoh Akira. He recalled the final eight seconds, Sendoh's conversation during Fukatsu-senpai's free throws—Yagami Sorato had probably planned that final possession from the start.
"That guy—!"
"Let's go." Kawata Masashi showed no expression, patting both teammates.
"Thank you for the game!!"
After both teams bowed, Sannoh's players walked toward the tunnel in silence.
Sawakita Eiji, twenty-five minutes played, finished with thirty-five points, one assist, two steals, one block.
Fukatsu Kazunari posted twenty-two points, fifteen assists, two steals.
Kawata Masashi recorded twenty points, eighteen rebounds, four assists, four blocks.
Matsumoto Minoru had eighteen points and one block.
Sannoh Industrial's players had performed fine. They were still the powerful Sannoh. It's just that a new team in Japanese high school basketball was advancing toward the throne.
Yagami Sorato finished with forty-five points, six assists, three rebounds, one steal.
Sendoh Akira had twenty-nine points, eighteen assists, one steal.
Fukuda Kicchou posted fourteen points, four rebounds.
Uozumi Jun recorded ten points, fourteen rebounds.
As the game ended and time passed, spectators watched the player stats on the arena's electronic display. Only then did it truly sink in—the three-time defending champion Sannoh Industrial had actually fallen in the final four.
This year, a new face would definitely claim the national championship.
"OHHHHH—!!!"
"Ryonan! Ryonan!"
"Sendoh! Sendoh!"
"Yagami! Yagami!"
"Thank you all for your support!!"
After the entire Ryonan team bowed to the stands, they turned toward the tunnel, still carrying their unsubsided excitement and exhaustion.
Seeing this, Aida Yayoi snapped her notebook shut efficiently, grabbed her professional camera, and called urgently to the still-dazed Nakamura Heisuke. "What are you standing around for! Keep up!"
Nakamura fumbled to gather the scattered equipment, looking up in surprise. "Senpai, did we... did we schedule a post-game interview with Ryonan in advance?"
A wave of admiration rose in his heart. Had Aida-senpai foreseen Ryonan's victory before the game even started? That kind of foresight was incredibly professional!
"Of course—we didn't schedule anything!" Aida Yayoi kept moving, glancing back at him with matter-of-fact tone. "But what's our relationship with Ryonan? We're not like those outside media waiting in line to apply for interviews."
"Huh?" Nakamura grew more confused, jogging to catch up while clutching the tripod. He ventured tentatively, "Could it be... our magazine sponsors Ryonan High School?"
"Don't be ridiculous!" Aida Yayoi had already reached the tunnel entrance. She turned slightly, speaking quickly. "Ryonan and us are both from Kanagawa—we're family!"
She paused, then added, "Plus, I'm the older sister of today's victory hero!"
"..." Nakamura was instantly speechless. Hikoichi had indeed hit a crucial three-pointer, but he'd only made that one three all game, and was one-for-three shooting. Calling him a "hero" seemed like quite a stretch.
Still, having learned to read the room, Nakamura kept his internal criticism to himself. He just nodded vigorously, hugged the equipment tight, and quickened his pace to follow Aida Yayoi's retreating figure.
"Coach Taoka, what made you refuse to give up when trailing by seven in the final minute, boldly employing full-court press and three-point tactics?"
Aida Yayoi's arrival only made Hikoichi a bit embarrassed, but this reporter had definitely helped Ryonan considerably with data collection and game footage. So Coach Taoka decided he'd do the interview first, letting the players rest and change clothes before coming out.
"Until the final buzzer sounds, the game isn't over." Coach Taoka angled himself toward the camera in what he considered a handsome pose.
"Before the final possession, the teams were tied, yet Sendoh still chose the intentional foul strategy. Was that planned in advance?" Aida Yayoi asked professionally.
Planned my ass!! Coach Taoka's brain had nearly short-circuited then. The optimal play was clearly trying to steal and counter, with defending to force overtime as the backup. As for intentionally fouling—if he'd had a timeout left, he definitely wouldn't have arranged that!
"Ahem, that was naturally part of the plan." Coach Taoka said without the slightest blush. "However, the specific details involve tactical secrets, so it's not convenient to reveal them."
"Ah, I see, I understand!" Aida Yayoi nodded. As one of Kanagawa's renowned coaches, Coach Taoka really did have some trump cards up his sleeve.
After interviewing the old man—no, after interviewing Coach Taoka, Aida Yayoi rushed to interview Sendoh Akira and Yagami Sorato.
Nakamura Heisuke had never seen his senior smile so happily during an interview.
"Final question, Yagami." Aida Yayoi looked at him seriously. "Today you went five-for-six from three-point range, clearly with excellent touch. But at the final moment, why did you choose to pass to Sendoh?"
Actually, Aida Yayoi wanted to ask if it was because he'd missed the crucial game-winner against Touou that caused this change in Yagami. But seeing his innocent face, she felt such a question might be too cruel.
"Oh, I was thinking that if Sendoh-senpai had an open look, I'd pass to him. If not, I'd shoot it myself." Yagami answered concisely.
"Hm? That simple?" Aida Yayoi could hardly believe it.
"Yeah. Either way, you just throw the ball out and wait for it to drop through the net."
"..."
If she hadn't seen his completely serious expression, Aida Yayoi would definitely think Yagami was messing with her.
Surely there couldn't be a generation gap between her and today's high schoolers, right?
Two PM. The Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium's noise hadn't subsided. The match between Kyoto's Rakuzan High School and Akita's Yosen High School was about to begin.
"My muscles are still trembling. Feels like my whole body got disassembled." Ikegami Ryoji grimaced while rubbing his calves.
"Tomorrow's game is in the afternoon. Looks like we caught a bit of a break." Sendoh Akira smiled.
Regardless of which team won the afternoon game, Ryonan would have half a day's extra rest compared to them.
Of course, one night's time was already enough for this group of teenagers to become lively again. Compared to the previous format with two games in one day, this was already relatively humane.
"Focus up. The finals won't be any less intense than today. One game left until final victory—absolutely can't get careless." Coach Taoka's voice carried from the front row.
"Yes!!" The Ryonan squad responded.
"This is the first time since that day that Murasakibara's faced Akashi again, right?" Aomine Daiki's expression was unreadable.
"I heard Akashi told Murasakibara not to play..." Momoi Satsuki said hesitantly. "But it looks like Murasakibara-kun didn't listen."
"Heh, Akashi's too self-centered." Aomine said. "Murasakibara has his own path to walk. Whether it's Sannoh or Ryonan, they're both opponents he wants to beat."
"Even if the person standing in front of him is Akashi—"
"But Murasakibara will have trouble winning, won't he?" Momoi looked worriedly at the court.
"...Who knows." Aomine leaned back in his seat, eyes closed.
While the spectators murmured, both teams had finished warmups.
"Please treat us well!"
The referee's whistle blew. The game began.
Rakuzan's starting lineup: point guard Akashi Seijuro, 173cm/64kg; shooting guard Mibuchi Reo, 188cm/74kg; small forward Hayama Kotaro, 180cm/60kg; power forward Mayuzumi Chihiro, 182cm/69kg; center Nebuya Eikichi, 190cm/94kg.
Yosen's lineup: point guard Fukui Kensuke, 176cm/67kg; shooting guard Himuro Tatsuya, 183cm/70kg; small forward Liu Wei, 203cm/87kg; power forward Okamura Kenichi, 200cm/95kg; center Murasakibara Atsushi, 208cm/99kg.
The jump ball was never in question.
Murasakibara Atsushi didn't even jump at full strength. Just using his height and wingspan, he casually tipped the ball toward his own end.
Fukui Kensuke controlled the ball and pushed forward. Facing Akashi Seijuro's defense, he appeared extremely cautious, immediately passing to wing player Himuro Tatsuya after crossing halfcourt.
Himuro caught it against Hayama Kotaro's defense. Two between-the-legs dribbles, then a sudden pull-up jumper.
Beautiful form, perfect arc.
"Swish!"
Three-pointer good! Yosen struck first.
Rakuzan 0, Yosen 3.
"That guy's got decent form." Aomine had one eye half-open at some point.
Possession changed. Rakuzan on offense.
Akashi Seijuro controlled the ball past halfcourt. His speed wasn't fast.
However, when Fukui Kensuke stepped up to defend, Akashi simply executed a between-the-legs dribble, then broke left without warning.
"Really troublesome..." Sendoh murmured with his chin in his hand.
Akashi Seijuro's first-step explosiveness far exceeded what his speed suggested. Fukui had clearly predicted the direction, but still fell half a body behind on the first step, completely beaten after three strides.
Akashi penetrated inside the arc. Murasakibara's defensive shadow already loomed over him.
Murasakibara's defensive range was the most exaggerated in this entire Inter-High. He stood near the free throw line yet seemed to radiate coverage over the entire paint.
Akashi's speed didn't change. While driving, he suddenly whipped the ball to the right corner.
There, Mibuchi Reo had just used Mayuzumi's screen to shake Liu Wei. Catch, rise, release.
One fluid motion, fast as lightning.
"Swish!"
Three-pointer answered!
Rakuzan 3, Yosen 3.
"Even Akashi didn't directly challenge the paint with Murasakibara there. Yosen clearly studied Rakuzan too—having the height-advantaged Liu defend Mibuchi's threes while Himuro guards Hayama..." Yagami Sorato observed the matchups.
Honestly, though Yosen's average height nearly crushed Rakuzan's, he still instinctively felt Rakuzan held the advantage.
However, possession changed. Yosen on offense.
Perhaps because his opponent was Akashi Seijuro, Murasakibara wasn't as lazy as during practice games. From the opening tip, he actively participated in offense.
After receiving Fukui Kensuke's pass, Murasakibara bulldozed toward the basket like heavy machinery. Without even jumping at full strength, he could slam the ball through.
"BOOM!!"
Rakuzan 3, Yosen 5.
"Damn it!" Nebuya Eikichi glanced at Akashi Seijuro, noticing his expression hadn't changed. He just muttered once, grabbed the ball and inbounded from the baseline.
Over the next several possessions, the game entered a tug-of-war.
Yosen decisively executed an inside-focused strategy, constantly feeding Murasakibara Atsushi.
Murasakibara displayed terrifying dominance in the paint. Whether facing Nebuya Eikichi alone or double-teams from the helping Hayama Kotaro, he used height and power to score easily.
On Rakuzan's end, Akashi Seijuro commanded the overall game.
He wasn't obsessed with personal offense, instead using precise passing to constantly manipulate Yosen's defense. Mibuchi Reo and Hayama Kotaro fired repeatedly from mid-range and beyond, with even Mayuzumi Chihiro opportunistically hitting a mid-range jumper.
Seven minutes into the first quarter, the score stood:
Rakuzan 15, Yosen 17.
Rakuzan's ball.
Mibuchi Reo caught Akashi's pass on the left wing, used a pump fake to get Liu Wei airborne, then brought the ball back down before truly rising for the second attempt!
"Tch!"
"Smack?!"
Despite biting on the fake, Liu managed to contest the shot on an incomplete second jump.
"With Mibuchi's height, hard to imagine him getting bothered like this on the perimeter." Imayoshi Shoichi laughed gleefully. Touou had suffered plenty dealing with this issue.
"Clang!"
The ball hammered off the back iron.
"Rebound!"
"Smack!"
No suspense whatsoever.
Murasakibara Atsushi jumped seriously at full strength, snatching the ball directly over Nebuya's head.
Yosen fast break.
Fukui Kensuke caught it and pushed. The instant Akashi caught up, he passed without hesitation.
Himuro Tatsuya received on the perimeter. Hayama Kotaro had already recovered.
"I've been wanting to face you guys."
Himuro used a rhythm change fake, creating strong drive deception. The instant Hayama's weight shifted, Himuro used a step-back to create massive separation.
"Whoosh!"
"Swish!"
Three-pointer good!
Rakuzan 15, Yosen 20.
Yosen opened the first gap!
"Aka-chin, if you don't start getting serious, I'm going to win this game without mercy." Murasakibara couldn't help saying.
"Atsushi, I never thought I'd hear those words from you." Akashi Seijuro looked at him calmly. "But even that time, you still couldn't win..."
"Even just once."