Chapter 56: I Have Buffs

“Referee Yamada.”

Hearing someone call his name, the referee turned toward the voice in confusion.
When he realized it was a player from Teikō Middle School, he visibly froze.

“Student, you… know me?”

Miyamoto Tokima laughed lightly and praised him openly.
“Of course. Referee Yamada is known for being fair. I’ve always remembered you.”

Yamada paused in surprise. This was the first time a player had ever said they recognized him. In the past, players in the arena couldn’t even remember his name—some couldn’t even remember his face.
During games, they usually complained nonstop about the referees’ whistles instead.

“What’s going on, Yamada?”

The other referee thought something had happened and walked over to ask.

Yamada shook his head. “Nothing. Just chatting with this player.”

“Chatting? With a player??”

The other referee looked Miyamoto Tokima up and down with a puzzled expression. This was the first time he’d ever seen a player come over just to talk to a referee.

Miyamoto Tokima smiled calmly.
“That’s right, Referee Okuyama Shuzan. I just came to chat.”

At those words, Yamada became even more confused. He pointed at Okuyama Shuzan and asked,
“You know Okuyama Shuzan too?”

Okuyama Shuzan was just as baffled. He couldn’t recall ever having any interaction with Miyamoto Tokima.

Miyamoto Tokima kept smiling, his tone gentle.
“Of course I know you both. You’re both extremely fair referees, and you even call each other brothers in private. To be honest, I really admire that kind of brotherhood. If possible, I’d even like to invite you both out for a meal someday.”

Okuyama Shuzan and Yamada exchanged a glance. This was the first time a player had not only called them by name, but also knew about their relationship.

What did that mean?
It meant this player had paid real attention to them—otherwise, he couldn’t possibly know these details.

And since he understood them so well, the praise coming from his mouth had to be sincere.

When Miyamoto Tokima called them fair referees, a feeling of long-lost recognition burst forth in both of their hearts.

In the past, they were either cursed at by players or scolded by coaches. Being acknowledged like this all of a sudden made them genuinely happy.

Okuyama Shuzan and Yamada both broke into wide smiles and spoke at the same time.
“Uh… your name is…?”

Miyamoto Tokima replied calmly,
“I’m Miyamoto Tokima. Just call me Miyamoto.”

Okuyama Shuzan muttered under his breath,
“Miyamoto Tokima? Miyamoto… wait… could it be…”

He suddenly turned to look at Yamada. Seeing the same look of shock on Yamada’s face, he instantly understood.

Both Okuyama Shuzan and Yamada hurriedly smiled, their expressions a bit awkward.
“Miyamoto… are you a player from Teikō Middle School too?”

Miyamoto Tokima nodded, a trace of confusion in his voice.
“Yes, I’m a starting player for Teikō. Why do you ask…?”

Yamada and Okuyama Shuzan couldn’t stop smiling. After exchanging a look, Yamada spoke quickly,
“Don’t worry, Miyamoto. I’ll referee this game fairly and impartially. I guarantee you’ll be satisfied.”

As he spoke, Yamada patted his chest in assurance.

Okuyama Shuzan wasn’t about to fall behind.
“Miyamoto, just play boldly. I know Meisei Middle School’s reputation. Don’t worry—I’ll stay fully focused today and make sure you don’t get hurt!”

Yamada added immediately, unwilling to be outdone,
“Same here!”

In truth, referees in Japan weren’t particularly professional. Most of them were just trying to make a living, and the rules themselves had noticeable flaws. Unless it was an especially important match, referees rarely officiated with full seriousness.

As a result, many small fouls went unnoticed. This loophole was exploited by Makoto Hanamiya, which was why so many injuries occurred during games.

You might think referees would become more careful after incidents like that—but not really. Their usual mindset was simple:
The pay is already low. Why work so hard?

If a player gets hurt, what does that have to do with me? I don’t even know you. Why should I increase my workload for a stranger?

On top of that, players rarely tried to get to know referees, and often insulted them instead. That only made referees even less willing to officiate seriously.

But now, someone different had appeared—Miyamoto Tokima.
For certain unspeakable reasons, and because he not only knew Yamada and Okuyama Shuzan but had also taken the time to truly understand them, their attitudes changed completely.

They decided to keep their eyes on Miyamoto Tokima at all times.
The moment a Meisei player committed a foul on him, they would blow the whistle without hesitation.

...

“Beep! Both teams, assemble!”

Yamada blew his whistle, signaling both sides to line up at center court and face each other for the pre-game exchange.

“Please take care of us.”

Players from both teams greeted one another.

Meisei’s small forward looked at the Teikō players with a crooked grin, mockery flashing in his eyes.

The moment Daiki Aomine saw that look, anger surged up inside him.

A hand suddenly pressed down on his shoulder.

“Aomine, calm down. We’ll settle it after the game.”

Aomine took a breath, steadied himself, and replied,
“I know.”

Makoto Hanamiya stared at Miyamoto Tokima with a vicious expression, his thoughts impossible to read.

After the greetings, both teams moved into position for the jump ball.

With Shintaro Midorima sidelined due to a left-hand injury, the shooting guard position was taken by Daiki Aomine. The lineup was: point guard Seijuro Akashi, small forward Miyamoto Tokima, power forward Shuzo Nijimura, and center Atsushi Murasakibara.

Yamada carried the ball to the center circle and glanced sideways at Miyamoto Tokima.

Don’t worry, Mr. Miyamoto. Your safety is on me.

Whoosh!

Yamada tossed the ball into the air.

Atsushi Murasakibara and Kentaro Seto jumped at the same time. As expected, Murasakibara tipped the ball back into Teikō’s half.

The instant the ball left Yamada’s hand, Miyamoto Tokima sprinted toward the opposing frontcourt.

Seijuro Akashi caught the ball after the tip and fired a long pass with pinpoint accuracy straight into Miyamoto Tokima’s hands.

Miyamoto Tokima caught it cleanly, took two explosive steps, and leaped up, slamming the ball hard into the rim.

Boom!!!

Teikō Middle School scored first.

“Teikō! Teikō! Teikō! Teikō! Teikō!”

The crowd roared Teikō’s name again and again, as if cheering for an absolute ruler.

Possession switched.

Makoto Hanamiya dribbled past half court, his eyes dark as they locked onto Seijuro Akashi. He licked his lips and suddenly drove to the right.

Akashi followed instantly, extending his arm to disrupt the dribble.

Seeing Akashi reach in, Hanamiya’s lips curled into a sinister smile. He quickly transferred the ball from his right hand to his left, then swung his now-free right arm outward, striking directly at Akashi’s extended hand.

Akashi’s expression changed, his movements freezing for a split second.