Chapter 86: Teikō Takes the Court
Just as the crowd was still buzzing with conversation, the crisp sound of a basketball swishing through the net rang out.
Swish!
The spectators were drawn by the sound and turned their heads toward the court.
“Midorima’s still shooting!”
“That’s right—he still hasn’t missed a single shot. He hasn’t lost yet.”
“Are you idiots? No matter how you look at it, Midorima already lost. Even if he goes one hundred for one hundred, Miyamoto is more than thirty shots ahead of him.”
“Shut up, you morons! Say one more word and I’ll tear you apart!”
Shogo Haizaki turned around and angrily shouted at the noisy crowd, signaling them to be quiet.
The spectators immediately shut their mouths. On the court, only the sound of the ball brushing through the net remained.
Miyamoto Tokima and the others also looked toward Shintaro Midorima.
Seeing Midorima continue shooting, a smile appeared on Seijuro Akashi’s face.
‘Midorima… you still haven’t given up.’
Swish! Swish! Swish!
Eighty-nine… ninety… ninety-one…
Shintaro Midorima kept releasing the basketball in his hands, his hair already soaked with sweat.
When he reached his ninety-third shot, he paused, took off his glasses to wipe away the sweat, then continued shooting.
Ninety-seven… ninety-eight… ninety-nine… one hundred!
Shintaro Midorima released the final ball, his eyes locked on the hoop as the ball flew through the air. Only after it passed cleanly through the net did he finally let out a breath and slump down onto the floor.
At this moment, Shintaro Midorima felt completely drained, as if half his body had been emptied. One hundred shots under extreme concentration had left him both physically and mentally exhausted.
At the same time, he glanced toward Miyamoto Tokima and couldn’t help but think to himself:
‘Tokima’s physical conditioning… it’s truly monstrous.’
Kōzō Shirogane’s smile finally broke through completely.
‘Two of them! Two sharpshooters!’
Seeing the coach beside him smiling like a madman, Shuzo Nijimura subtly took a step back.
Miyamoto Tokima walked over to Shintaro Midorima, reached out, and pulled him up.
Supporting him, Tokima helped him toward the bench. Midorima leaned on Tokima’s strength, moving forward step by step.
“Tokima… I lost…”
“Don’t worry about it. You didn’t miss a single shot.”
“Hah… of course… I followed fate and did everything I could. I lost this time, but next time, I’ll definitely beat you.”
Miyamoto Tokima helped Shintaro Midorima sit down on the bench. Meeting Midorima’s determined gaze, he nodded.
“I’ll be waiting.”
...
Time passed quickly, and the day of the National Tournament finals soon arrived.
Teikō Middle School vs. Rakuzan School.
The arena was packed to the brim—not only with spectators, but also with coaches and players from various schools. All of them were here for one reason: to gather intelligence.
After all, today’s champion would undoubtedly be the strongest opponent everyone would face next year. No one wanted to miss this opportunity.
Rakuzan School’s players entered the court first. The moment they stepped inside, the stands erupted into cheers.
“Rakuzan! Rakuzan! Rakuzan!”
“Reo! Reo! Aaaaah!”
“They’re here—Rakuzan School!”
The crowd’s excitement surged.
Coaches from other schools began explaining Rakuzan’s lineup to their players.
“That’s Rakuzan’s ace—‘Yasha,’ Reo Mibuchi.”
A coach pointed toward Reo Mibuchi on the court.
After seeing him, one player whispered in confusion, “He kind of looks like a girl…”
On the court, Reo Mibuchi calmly tied his shoelaces with a faint smile.
A first-year substitute couldn’t help but marvel,
“Reo-senpai… this… this is way too many people.”
Reo Mibuchi spoke lightly,
“It is the finals, after all. Don’t be nervous. Just treat it like a normal practice game.”
The first-year glanced around again, the shock on his face not diminishing in the slightest.
“They’re coming! Teikō!!!!!!”
Someone suddenly shouted from the stands.
Everyone’s attention instantly turned toward the Teikō players’ tunnel.
The Teikō players stepped out one by one.
“Teikō! Teikō! Teikō!”
“They’re here! Teikō!”
“That presence is insane! It’s hard to believe they’re all first-years!”
“Aaaah! Magic Cube! Tokima, I love you!!!”
Kōzō Shirogane led Miyamoto Tokima and the others onto the court step by step. The entire Teikō team radiated an oppressive, almost terrifying aura.
Miyamoto Tokima walked side by side with Satsuki Momoi behind Kōzō Shirogane.
Seijuro Akashi and Tetsuya Kuroko followed behind Tokima, chatting amicably about something.
Atsushi Murasakibara trailed behind Akashi, looking like he still hadn’t fully woken up.
Beside Murasakibara was Daiki Aomine, who looked around with curiosity.
“So amazing… this is the finals?”
Standing next to him was Shintaro Midorima. His left hand was wrapped in the bandage Miyamoto Tokima had given him. He adjusted his glasses and spoke calmly, expression unchanged.
“After all, this is the final match of the National Tournament.”
At the very back were Shogo Haizaki and Shuzo Nijimura. Nijimura smiled as he looked at the familiar court and sighed with emotion.
“The finals… this atmosphere brings back memories.”
Haizaki yawned as he slowly followed everyone onto the court.
“So sleepy.”
Hearing that, Nijimura immediately swung a fist at Haizaki’s head.
“Who told you to stay up all night on the internet yesterday?! And you still dared to do that before the finals!”
Haizaki grabbed his head, hissing in pain.
“Tch! With Tokima around, how could we lose? Besides, weren’t you online too?!”
Nijimura’s veins popped as he gritted his teeth.
“I! Was! Not!”
“Then why did you find me at the internet café so late?!”
Nijimura let out a sigh.
“Because I had just come from the hospital.”
Haizaki froze, his tone turning concerned.
“You were injured?”
Nijimura shook his head, ending the topic there.
Haizaki took the hint and didn’t press further, though a trace of guilt appeared on his face.
A first-year reserve from Rakuzan swallowed nervously as he looked at Teikō’s imposing presence and muttered,
“So this is Teikō… what terrifying pressure…”
Reo Mibuchi’s smile faded as his gaze fixed on the Teikō players. He noticed that those walking at the front were all unfamiliar faces—and they all looked very young.
‘All first-years? Kiyoshi was right… just their presence alone is terrifying.’
Among the sea of colorful hair, Reo Mibuchi spotted Miyamoto Tokima’s jet-black hair. His eyes locked onto Tokima as a thought surfaced in his mind.
‘So this is the “Magic Cube,” Miyamoto Tokima… Kiyoshi…’
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