The second half of the game was a different story, and it was a slugfest from the beginning. Proclamations flew around with each play, and the crowd turned quiet as the game unfolded with such an intensity that it was hard to believe that the purpose of the game was to deepen friendships with new students.
“Haa… haa… haa… haa”
We could hear the ragged breathing of the players as they moved around without stopping for a second, not to mention kneeling down.
“Ai-chan… Kaede… hang in there… !”
“Considering the time remaining… it’s going to be tough if we don’t make a decision here.”
Otsuki placed her palms together as if praying and stared at his coat, while Shinji was next to her with his hand on his chin as he calmly analyzed the war situation.
There were only three minutes left. The score was 42 to 40, and our class was losing. Shinji was right, if we didn’t score at least two goals in this attack, we would lose the game.
On the other hand, if Yui-chan and her team could overcome this attack and get the ball in their hands, they could take more time to attack, and if they were able to increase the gap, they would be able to see the back of victory. Therefore, this was the time when both teams must exert their strength.
“As expected of someone with national experience. Yui-chan’s pressure on Nikaido-san is the tightest it’s ever been.”
“If we can defend this place, we’ll suddenly have an advantage. This is the crucial point, Nikaido, Kaede.”
Nikaido repeatedly took shallow breaths trying to rein in her breathing as she carried the ball. Yui-chan, standing in front of her, was ready to intercept the ball with her hands outstretched as if to say she won’t let it escape. It was too far from the goal she set to attack on her own, and there was no place for her to pass the ball since the players were marked, including Kaede, the scorer.
Then, Yui-chan and her team made another move to win the game.
“Double team here!? Oh, no! We’re in trouble! Ai-chan’s surrounded!!”
Otsuki-san screamed in pain. She double-teamed Nikaido, something she had never done before. The defense against the offense was so aggressive that I could feel her obsession to get the ball.
For the other side they were in desperate straits. Even if one was the ace of the basketball team, who had been running around the court in all directions and playing a lion’s share of the game, one cannot break through more walls at the end of the game when one’s energy runs out. In fact, although she was moving forward she was being driven to the edge of the court. It seemed impossible. I’m sure everyone thought so too. But—
“—Don’t lose, Nikaido!!”
A fearless smile appeared on her face, and Nikaido’s engine instantly swung to its maximum. With the ball at her disposal, Nikaido took fine steps back and forth, left and right, as if dancing slowly yet steady. And then, at the mercy of her movements, Yui-chan and the others left an opening
“We’re through! Keep going, Nikaido!!”
She did a quick roll turn and crashed through the wall between them, and Nikaido went straight for the goal. The other players rushed to block her path to prevent her from doing so. The victory was decided when this chance was created.
“—I’ll take care of the rest, Kaede.”
A precise pass to the outside. What awaited her was the trump card of our class, which was second to none in comparison to the ace of the basketball team.
“Yes, I’ve been entrusted with this task.”
Kaede shoots in. The line was a three-point zone that turned this phase upside down in a single blow. In silence, the ball left her hands, formed a beautiful parabola, and went through the net as if it were being sucked in.
Thump, thump, thump… and the ball rolled to the ground.
42 vs. 43.
The game was turned upside down.
“””Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa. ！！！！”””
The loudest cheer of the day echoed through the gym. I let out a yell as well, and Otsuki-san was so happy that she hugged Shinji.
“Switch! I’ll protect you!”
Despite the excitement of the crowd, Nikaido, Kaede and the others standing on the court were not relaxed, and Yui-chan and the others’ will to fight had not yet disappeared.
“Come on, Nikaido! Kaede!”
I gave them one last cheer. Otsuki-san and Shinji followed suit, and the crowd started cheering for them like a dam breaking through with the force of water.
Then the whistle sounded to end the game with the score as it was.
The final, the most heated match ever, ended in a 42-43 victory for the second year,
The second half of the game was a different story, and it was a slugfest from the beginning. Proclamations flew around with each play, and the crowd turned quiet as the game unfolded with such an intensity that it was hard to believe that the purpose of the game was to deepen friendships with new students.
“Haa… haa… haa… haa”
We could hear the ragged breathing of the players as they moved around without stopping for a second, not to mention kneeling down.
“Ai-chan… Kaede… hang in there… !”
“Considering the time remaining… it’s going to be tough if we don’t make a decision here.”
Otsuki placed her palms together as if praying and stared at his coat, while Shinji was next to her with his hand on his chin as he calmly analyzed the war situation.
There were only three minutes left. The score was 42 to 40, and our class was losing. Shinji was right, if we didn’t score at least two goals in this attack, we would lose the game.
On the other hand, if Yui-chan and her team could overcome this attack and get the ball in their hands, they could take more time to attack, and if they were able to increase the gap, they would be able to see the back of victory. Therefore, this was the time when both teams must exert their strength.
“As expected of someone with national experience. Yui-chan’s pressure on Nikaido-san is the tightest it’s ever been.”
“If we can defend this place, we’ll suddenly have an advantage. This is the crucial point, Nikaido, Kaede.”
Nikaido repeatedly took shallow breaths trying to rein in her breathing as she carried the ball. Yui-chan, standing in front of her, was ready to intercept the ball with her hands outstretched as if to say she won’t let it escape. It was too far from the goal she set to attack on her own, and there was no place for her to pass the ball since the players were marked, including Kaede, the scorer.
Then, Yui-chan and her team made another move to win the game.
“Double team here!? Oh, no! We’re in trouble! Ai-chan’s surrounded!!”
Otsuki-san screamed in pain. She double-teamed Nikaido, something she had never done before. The defense against the offense was so aggressive that I could feel her obsession to get the ball.
For the other side they were in desperate straits. Even if one was the ace of the basketball team, who had been running around the court in all directions and playing a lion’s share of the game, one cannot break through more walls at the end of the game when one’s energy runs out. In fact, although she was moving forward she was being driven to the edge of the court. It seemed impossible. I’m sure everyone thought so too. But—
“—Don’t lose, Nikaido!!”
A fearless smile appeared on her face, and Nikaido’s engine instantly swung to its maximum. With the ball at her disposal, Nikaido took fine steps back and forth, left and right, as if dancing slowly yet steady. And then, at the mercy of her movements, Yui-chan and the others left an opening
“We’re through! Keep going, Nikaido!!”
She did a quick roll turn and crashed through the wall between them, and Nikaido went straight for the goal. The other players rushed to block her path to prevent her from doing so. The victory was decided when this chance was created.
“—I’ll take care of the rest, Kaede.”
A precise pass to the outside. What awaited her was the trump card of our class, which was second to none in comparison to the ace of the basketball team.
“Yes, I’ve been entrusted with this task.”
Kaede shoots in. The line was a three-point zone that turned this phase upside down in a single blow. In silence, the ball left her hands, formed a beautiful parabola, and went through the net as if it were being sucked in.
Thump, thump, thump… and the ball rolled to the ground.
42 vs. 43.
The game was turned upside down.
“””Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa. ！！！！”””
The loudest cheer of the day echoed through the gym. I let out a yell as well, and Otsuki-san was so happy that she hugged Shinji.
“Switch! I’ll protect you!”
Despite the excitement of the crowd, Nikaido, Kaede and the others standing on the court were not relaxed, and Yui-chan and the others’ will to fight had not yet disappeared.
“Come on, Nikaido! Kaede!”
I gave them one last cheer. Otsuki-san and Shinji followed suit, and the crowd started cheering for them like a dam breaking through with the force of water.
Then the whistle sounded to end the game with the score as it was.
The final, the most heated match ever, ended in a 42-43 victory for the second year,
