The fourth quarter began, and Seirin High launched a full-scale counterattack. Every player came alive, their energy and excitement palpable.
The reason? They had deciphered the foundation of Seiho High's defense, predicting their movements and reading the direction each player would go before it even happened.
Seiho still had scoring ability, but with their formation exposed, mistakes started creeping in. Seirin chipped away at the lead, point by point.
Midway through, Kuroko Tetsuya was subbed in, strengthening Seirin's offense.
Tsugawa Tomoki was sent to guard him, partially limiting Kuroko's passing—but Kuroko still managed to execute a few of his signature plays.
Although Kuroko relied on his vanish-assist and visual misdirection, in the crucial moments Tsugawa saw through his intentions, forcing Kuroko to find alternative passing lanes.
The match was intense, the players' mental clash resembling a battlefield—either you die, or I live.
The crowd cheered, chants echoing as both teams fought fiercely.
As the game neared its end, the atmosphere thickened. Even the six watching in the stands felt the tension, their eyes glued to the court, missing nothing.
Then, as the final whistle blew, Hyuga Junpei sank a three-pointer—a buzzer-beater!—securing Seirin's victory and their advancement to the next round.
The six in the stands exhaled in relief. The tension of the final quarter had left them speechless.
Seirin's win marked another step forward for the new Light and Shadow duo in the national tournament.
At that moment, Shimizu Rena took out her notebook and addressed Haizaki Shogo seriously:
"Shogo-kun, according to the current schedule, if Seirin beats two ordinary teams next week, the week after that they'll face our Fukuda Sogo."
Shogo froze. Aomine, Kise, Momoi, and Kasamatsu also went silent, all processing the news.
After a long pause, Shogo said, his voice low and confident:
"Can't wait! Light and Shadow together—I hope they give me a good show."
The game ended, and the spectators began to disperse. Shogo headed back to Fukuda Sogo with Rena, while Momoi and Aomine returned to Tōō Academy.
Kise and Kasamatsu were leaving when they ran into Midorima Shintaro, also coming from the game.
"Hey, you came to watch too, Midorima."
"If you can come, why can't I?"
"But didn't you have a game? How come you're here?"
"The first three quarters were enough—the other team collapsed. I came to see Kuroko's last quarter."
"I see… thoughts?"
"Nothing much. The new Light is too weak."
"At first I thought so too, but Kagami and Kuroko together created something amazing!"
Kise and Midorima exchanged a few words before parting ways—Midorima had to return to his team.
"Was that another Generation of Miracles-level player?"
"Yes, Midorima Shintaro. His three-point accuracy is hopelessly precise."
"Time to step up training. They'll be our next opponent."
"Exactly what I was thinking!"
Kise briefly explained Midorima to Kasamatsu, and the two left the gym.
Meanwhile, Shogo and Rena returned to Fukuda Sogo. Seeing the team's joyful faces, Shogo walked up to ask:
"How'd it go? Who shined the most?"
"Captain, every player scored double digits. Pretty great, right?"
…
Shogo wanted to retort: Not you guys—your opponents were weak. But now wasn't the time to argue with teammates; he had to report to Coach Ichiro Kudo.
"Shogo-kun, how was the game?"
"Rena-chan, you tell them."
Rena opened her notebook, organized her words, and spoke. The team quieted down, eager to hear the intel she gathered.
"The up-and-coming Seirin High sank a three-pointer to defeat the King of the North. Seiho High—the 'Strongest Defense of Tokyo'—lost."
"The King of the North lost?"
"Seiho lost?"
"Impossible…"
"The manager said it. What's impossible?"
"Another king falls?"
"The era's changing…"
Rena's words ignited the team into chatter.
Veteran players from second-year up knew Seiho's reputation as a nightmare in the Tokyo district. Now they had lost, unable to advance to the national tournament.
When the discussion quieted, Rena delivered the final bomb:
"Seiho's starters were even stronger than last year, including the new talent Tsugawa Tomoki—but they still lost.
Seirin now has two special first-year players: Kagami, a Generation of Miracles-level player recently returned from the U.S., and the phantom sixth man from Teiko Junior High's Generation of Miracles era."
The teammates gasped—what?! Two Generations of Miracles-level players? A black horse even stronger than ours?
Before anyone could react, Rena dropped another bomb:
"According to the schedule, if we beat two ordinary teams next week, our first match the week after will be against Seirin High."
Even Coach Kudo frowned at this news.
Shogo stood up, lazily stretching, and said:
"Don't get scared. Leave the Generation of Miracles to me. The rest… can you crush them?"
Seeing Shogo's confidence, the team regained courage. Yeah! We have our captain and Shogo—they're Generation of Miracles-level! What's there to fear?
The atmosphere brightened again.
After the victory, the team went out to celebrate at a family-style buffet, feasting heartily.
=======
That night, Shogo, stuffed and dozing on the train, accompanied Rena home.
"Shogo-kun, Seirin High was really strong today. Every player was focused and resilient, never showing the slightest hesitation."
"Strong? Only because they haven't faced a bigger hit yet."
"True… if they faced someone at your or Aomine-kun's level, what would happen? I want to see that outcome."
Squinting, Shogo reached out and ruffled Rena's long rose-red hair, voice low and husky:
"Want to see it? I'll show you exactly the view you're hoping for."
After dropping her off, Shogo slung his sports bag and basketball over his shoulder, walking home slowly beneath the night sky.
Along the way, faint sighs escaped him.
"Just two more weeks… Kuroko Tetsuya, Kagami Taiga… I can't wait. I really want to crush you!"