WILDCATS 67 – VORPAL 65
The noise no longer sounded like cheering.
It sounded like pressure.
Like the deep roar inside a tunnel before a train arrives.
Shoes shrieked against hardwood. Jerseys clung to skin. Breath came in visible bursts of effort. Every player on the floor had crossed the line where stamina turned into willpower.
Miho stood with arms folded at the Wildcats bench, eyes razor-focused.
"…So you're adapting to instinct."
His gaze tracked Ethan like a targeting system.
"Interesting."
Vorpal ball.
Evan inbounded fast to Ethan.
No wasted seconds.
No reset comfort.
Just flow.
Ethan caught and immediately felt it
The defense had changed shape again.
Not tighter.
Smarter.
Jason guarded Evan higher now. Luc pinched the wing. Miguel shaded Brandon early. Thiago stayed deeper than before.
And Ikinawa
Ikinawa wasn't fixed anywhere.
He floated between responsibilities like a free radical.
