Chapter 019: Don't dream, next time, the winner will definitely be me
Thump~
Thump~
Thump~
The ball, having fallen swiftly from the air into the net, bounced on the floor after passing through the center, its frequency increasing from long intervals to rapid bounces!
Following that drumbeat... the hearts of everyone from Iwai Junior High uncontrollably accelerated!
120 to 118!
They lost!
Once Hoshiumi Mì's game-killing three-pointer went in, there were only 2 seconds left in the game. Then, as expected, at the moment the game ended and the whistle blew, the entire Iwai team held their breath, frozen in place with expressions of disbelief.
From leading by 20 at the start of the second half... to defeat at the end of the game.
And even... a buzzer-beater!
Such an absurd scene had played out right before their eyes!
The guy who orchestrated this tragedy, it was no exaggeration to say he did it all by himself!
Kamomedai's number 12.
Hoshiumi Mì!
At this thought, a chill uncontrollably ran down everyone's spine. In their pre-game prediction, Iwai was the hunter, and Kamomedai was their prey. However, no one had anticipated that everything they had done, such a huge lead, would be erased by one person's sudden appearance in the second half.
Reality was the complete opposite of their pre-game prediction...
Kamomedai's number 12 was the hunter, and Iwai was the prey he had set his sights on.
...
Playing the full time, excluding rest periods, that number 12 had only used a little over a quarter?
Kamomedai Junior High... how could they be so ruthless.
To be able to endure a 20-point deficit in the first half and only let this secret weapon on the court in the second half, were they not afraid of failing at all? Were they so certain that number 12 could turn the tide in the second half?
Off the court.
Countless thoughts flashed through the Iwai Junior High coach's mind, but unfortunately, all his brainstorming yielded no clues from the expressionless face of Nakama Sho.
The Iwai coach: "..."
This guy... he had thought that for this year's Iwai, discovering a player like Tsugawa was quite rare.
He didn't expect... the unremarkable Kamomedai to be hiding an ace-level player like that!
He was certain that strength of the level of number 12 could not have been a sudden burst. He heard he was a second-year, which meant he had been hidden for the entire last year, cultivated until now before being revealed.
It was clear they were planning to make a big move this year.
Their goal, without a doubt... was the second seed to the nationals, besides Teiko.
It was also the only precious ticket in the Tokyo district!
..................................................................................
While the Iwai coach's mind was going wild with speculation.
On the court.
The Kamomedai players swarmed around Hoshiumi Mì, high-fiving, patting his shoulder, and hugging... they crowded together, shouting and jumping with excitement, celebrating this hard-earned victory to their hearts' content!
On the other side, Iwai.
Tsugawa Tomoki, whose defense had been demolished by Hoshiumi Mì in the second half and who had the game-winning three shot over him at the crucial moment, sat瘫 on the floor with empty eyes, his head hanging low. Having personally sent victory away, his hands couldn't stop trembling. Beside him, the team's ace, Mitsubayashi Koji, was not in a much better state. As the team's ace, his offense in the second half had been completely snuffed out by Hoshiumi Mì, almost as if he were invisible. At this moment, he was equally disheartened.
The Iwai basketball club member who had also served as the referee, under these circumstances, no matter how bitter he felt, could only bite the bullet and go through the motions.
"Game over..."
"Iwai Junior High versus Kamomedai Junior High."
"The score is 120 to 118, Kamomedai Junior High wins."
With the announcement of the game's result, a roar of cheers surged through the Kamomedai gym. The Kamomedai players all raised their arms and shouted. Ouboki Taro once again excitedly hugged Hoshiumi Mì, jumping up and down with excitement and saying, "Hoshiumi, we won! Thanks to your crucial three!"
"That's right!"
"And Araki's steal!!"
Araki Daisuke was completely dazed at this moment, thinking to himself, just now... I did great!
The Kamomedai players crowded together, savoring the fruits of their hard-earned victory.
A moment later.
Everyone's emotions slowly calmed down.
The Iwai players went to shake hands with the Kamomedai players one by one.
Mitsubayashi Koji, as the captain, first shook hands with Imamatsu Shinshu, then walked up to Hoshiumi Mì. Having lost his pre-game arrogance, for a moment, he didn't know what to say.
In the end.
He just sighed.
"Your defense is impressive."
On the other side, after shaking hands with Imamatsu Shinshu, Tsugawa Tomoki also walked over with red eyes. Everyone could clearly feel Tsugawa's defiant fighting spirit.
"Hoshiumi Mì, I'll remember your name!"
"Next time..."
"Next time, I'll definitely shut you down!"
His gaze met Tsugawa Tomoki's, then went past him, quickly taking in the various downcast, frustrated, and other expressions. Some of these gazes, the moment Hoshiumi Mì looked at them, would turn into evasive, timid, or defiant stares.
Hoshiumi Mì: "..."
So this is victory...
Instantly captivated, Hoshiumi Mì felt exceptionally exhilarated.
He turned his head back.
He looked directly into Tsugawa Tomoki's eyes.
"Don't dream~"
"Next time..."
"The one who wins will definitely be me!"
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