Thump... thump... thump...
The basketball bounced rhythmically under Ake's palm, each hit like a hammer striking Miyagi Ryota and Mitsui Hisashi's hearts.
But Ake didn't try to break through them.
Instead, he suddenly took two steps back.
Both Miyagi and Mitsui froze.
That step-back came out of nowhere. It didn't look like he was setting up a penetration at all.
Just as they instinctively stepped forward to close in, their feet halted.
Their eyes widened at the same time, disbelief written all over their faces.
Ake, after backing up, didn't even continue dribbling.
Instead—clap—he pressed the ball to his chest with both hands.
Under the stunned eyes of everyone in the stadium…
Ake simply lifted the basketball— and aimed at his own hoop.
Miyagi's brain nearly short-circuited.
"Hey! What are you doing?! That's your own basket!!!"
Mitsui was equally stunned.
He had been playing ball for years, and not once had he seen someone purposely shoot at their own hoop.
While everyone was still trying to process what was happening…
Ake flicked his arm lightly.
No power, no tension, almost casual— yet the ball flew straight toward the basket.
A gentle arc traced through the air…
And the ball dropped cleanly through the hoop.
For a moment, the entire stadium fell into a suffocating silence.
Thump… thump-thump… thump-thump-thump…
The dull sound of the ball rolling echoed louder and louder as the silence deepened.
Eventually, the stadium became completely still.
Only the lonely thump-thump of the ball rolling across the floor remained, each tap striking everyone's chest.
Time itself seemed to stop.
The spectators…
The players from every school…
Coach Anzai and Shohoku's bench…
Coach Taoka and Ryonan's bench…
The reporters…
Even the referees…
Everyone stood frozen, their minds like a computer that just crashed.
After who-knows-how-long, someone finally snapped out of it.
In the stands—
Kiyota Nobunaga was the first.
He blinked hard, rubbed his eyes, then pointed at the court, voice cracking:
"H-He… what is he doing?! Has he gone crazy?!"
Even the usually loud Kiyota sounded lost, his arrogance wiped clean by confusion.
Next to him, Jin Soichiro frowned deeply, eyes locked on Ake.
"An own goal? But… it didn't look accidental."
He had seen flukes.
But someone deliberately aiming at their own hoop?
Never.
Hanagata Toru's glasses reflected the court lights as he stared.
"An own goal?"
Fujima Kenji finally stirred from his shock, muttering:
"No… he aimed before he shot."
Shohoku's bench—
Ayako stared blankly.
"What is he thinking…? This is an official game…"
Kogure pushed his glasses up, completely bewildered.
"To do that… in a real match… It's unbelievable."
Even Coach Anzai looked puzzled.
He had never seen anything like this.
Ryonan's bench—
Their confusion was far worse.
Shohoku was stunned by the absurdity.
Ryonan was stunned because it was their captain who did it.
Coach Taoka was rooted to the spot. His expression shifted from shock to total confusion.
Just moments ago, he was thinking of calling a timeout, waiting for Ake to stabilize the team.
Instead… Ake stabilized the scoreboard by scoring for Shohoku.
"What on earth is he thinking…?" Coach Taoka gripped his fists so tight his knuckles turned white.
"C-Captain Ake…"
Aida Hikoichi's head was spinning.
Press area—
"What is he doing?! This is a game!"
Aida Yayoi shouted, eyes wide.
She had covered countless matches, but she had never witnessed something this outrageous.
Rukia wasn't any better.
Her eyes never left Ake.
"Ake-kun…" she murmured softly.
She also had doubts.
But she didn't think he was crazy.
She believed he must have a reason.
The entire arena's gaze locked onto Ake like a spotlight—confusion, shock, disbelief all layered in their eyes.
Meanwhile, Ake himself walked calmly toward the Ryonan players, expression unreadable.
He stood before them silently, his mismatched eyes fixed on them.
His gaze wasn't sharp, nor was he releasing pressure on purpose.
Yet it felt like a heavy stone pressed on Uozumi and the others' chests.
"Ake…"
Koshino lowered his head, unable to meet his eyes.
The others were the same.
Seeing this, the court fell silent again.
Just as everyone was still reeling from his bizarre shot, they now witnessed something even more unbelievable—
Veteran players bowing their heads before a first-year.
Maki Shinichi and Fujima Kenji felt the impact most.
As seasoned captains, they knew better than anyone the weight senior players carried in a team.
Even they had to show respect to their seniors.
But here…
Ryonan's seniors lowered their posture before a rookie.
The players in the stands were stunned.
The coaches courtside straightened upright, eyes wide.
Even Coach Anzai adjusted his glasses, quietly impressed.
"I didn't expect his influence on the team to be this great…"
On the court—
Ake scanned the players, his tone cold and sharp:
"Since when did I say you could relax? The game isn't over."
He paused, letting his gaze settle on each face.
"Just because we have a big lead, you've forgotten your urgency?"
"Letting the opponent catch up by a few points and immediately falling apart—doesn't that prove how complacent you've become?"
He swept his gaze over them again.
"If the score were close, I doubt you'd look this pathetic."
Uozumi, Koshino, Fukuda, and Sendo clenched their lips shut.
They didn't argue. They couldn't.
He was right.
Then Ake spoke again:
"If that's the case, it's better if the score isn't too far apart. Maybe it'll clear your heads."
Shame filled their expressions.
But then Ake's tone softened, and he smiled faintly.
"Of course, deep down, I still believe— with all of you here, we won't lose."
Their eyes trembled.
The guilt in their hearts mixed with warmth from being trusted.
Their agitation faded.
Their confusion cleared.
Their fighting spirit reignited.
Across the entire stadium, jaws dropped again.
Even Maki and Fujima stared, stunned.
"You've got to be kidding me…"
Kiyota whispered.
"He's just a first-year, but he acts more like a coach…"
"That's not it," Jin Soichiro said solemnly. "Look at their faces. They've completely calmed down."
Fujima felt a chill.
"This guy… is dangerous."
This was the first time Fujima Kenji felt true crisis from Ake.
Before, he believed Shoyo could deal with Ryonan no matter how strong they were.
But after witnessing this—
He finally understood why a first-year could become Ryonan's captain.
On the other side—
Coach Anzai watched quietly, admiration in his eyes.
He nodded gently.
"This young man is truly exceptional."
And he wasn't alone.
Even veteran reporters felt the same.
Aida Yayoi stared at Ake, eyes sparkling.
"So that's Ryonan's first-year captain… He's incredible."
The game resumed.