Chapter 003: Nothing But Net!
The game whistle blew again!
Seiei Middle School executed a beautiful give-and-go, effortlessly scoring two points.
The point difference instantly widened to 23 points.
Ōdai immediately organized a counterattack.
Seiei Middle School's shiny-headed Blad Tomoki stuck to Mirai like glue.
The coach had assigned him to guard this number 12, and he was determined to prove himself—to ensure this guy couldn't score a single point!
Tomoki chattered incessantly, trash-talking nonstop, but Mirai paid no heed. Following the coach's tactical setup, he deftly used a screen to shake free and received the ball steadily at the top of the key.
The opponent's defensive footwork was swift, closing in aggressively!
Mirai had only a split second to release the ball!
Without the slightest hesitation!
He slammed on the brakes!
Leaped into the air!
Raised his arm to aim!
Flicked his wrist with force!
Release!
All in one fluid motion!
The entire sequence flowed seamlessly; even under pressure, his shooting form remained rock-steady!
Whoosh~!
The ball grazed past Tomoki's desperately outstretched fingertips, soaring through the air and tracing a brilliant orange arc under the dome's fluorescent lights!
Swish~!
A white wave instantly bloomed from the center of the net!
Nothing but net!
Clean and crisp!
Mirai retracted his right hand, glanced at Tomoki, and unconsciously clenched his fist, a faint smile curling at the corner of his lips.
It was different now!
The feeling was completely transformed!
With the so-called 'Almost Never Airballs' boost, his shooting touch felt incredibly natural—the moment the ball left his hand, he knew it was going in!
Was this what it felt like to be a super shooter?
At that moment, the ace player on Seiei Middle School's bench couldn't help but glance at Mirai, who, in turn, inadvertently caught sight of Buzzcut Bro on the opposing bench. Seeing this, Tomoki on the court immediately trailed behind him like a shadow, still chattering away: "Hey! Your opponent is me! Don't get the wrong guy!"
Mirai didn't even bother to look back, simply shrugging casually~
....
By now, thanks to Mirai's four precise three-pointers, the point gap had narrowed to just 20 points. The drop from 30 to 20 felt like it happened in the blink of an eye!
On the sidelines, Ōdai's players stood up excitedly, thinking that even if they were to lose today, the spectacle of Mirai draining four threes in just a minute and a half was thrilling enough!
Next possession.
Seiei Middle School was visibly rattled by Mirai's shooting.
Their offense clanked off the rim.
Ōdai counterattacked, and as soon as Mirai crossed half-court, he decisively called for the ball. His performance had already won over his team's point guard, who naturally passed him the ball.
Seiei's Tomoki shadowed him again, but Mirai used a teammate's screen to dribble sideways, creating a step of separation as his defender was completely sealed off.
He was still a full meter and a half beyond the three-point line!
If he continued dribbling, Tomoki's sticky defense would close the gap in an instant.
He didn't have time to overthink it!
Brake!
Aim!
Flick the wrist!
Release—all in one motion!
Swish!
Another three-pointer, clean and sweet!
Point difference: 17 points!
Whoa~!
The remaining spectators in the arena erupted in deafening cheers. Though only three minutes remained and a 17-point deficit seemed nearly impossible to overcome, this substitute's rapid-fire succession of five three-pointers had ignited everyone's passion!
"Is this guy for real?!"
"Who is he? How have I never seen him before?"
"Hoshiumi Mirai, a second-year student..."
"Didn't we see him on the bench last year?"
This three-pointer—taken from beyond his usual range with deliberate distance—sent Mirai's adrenaline surging. His confidence soared with exhilarating intensity. Of course, this wasn't baseless euphoria; the perfect tactile sensation during his shooting motion genuinely made the basket feel as vast as the ocean, where every shot would obediently find the net.
On Seiei's bench, their ace watched with blazing eyes, his competitive spirit unusually ignited. He yearned to take the court and challenge this remarkable player, but when he glanced at the coach, the latter subtly shook his head.
With victory all but secured and their strengths adequately demonstrated, there was no need to send him back in.
...
Next possession.
Seiei Middle School executed a tactical play and answered with a three-pointer of their own, restoring the lead to 20 points.
Ōdai's turn on offense.
As soon as Mirai crossed half-court, he raised his hand to demand the ball again!
Tomoki had wisened up this time, positioning himself a full meter beyond the three-point line before Mirai received the pass, completely sealing off his shooting space.
Mirai dribbled expertly in place, and Tomoki, seemingly interpreting his poised control as 'hesitation', immediately grew animated again!
Clap! Clap! Clap!
He slapped his hands provocatively, taunting:
"Come on!"
"Try shooting another one if you dare!"
Such trash talk was meant as psychological poison.
Shooting, especially from long range, tests mental fortitude most of all. The slightest fluctuation in focus alters form and rhythm, dooming the shot to fail.
Hearing this, Mirai couldn't help but chuckle softly. Then, instead of advancing from his spot a meter outside the three-point line, he dribbled backward—two full steps!
His positioning...
He was practically retreating toward the half-court line!
In that moment.
Both Tomoki on the court and every spectator in the stands were stunned speechless!
"He... he's gathering the ball?"
"Huh? From there?!"
Before the words fully landed.
Mirai had already leapt gracefully into his shot!
His heels nearly brushing the half-court circle, he instinctively put extra force into his wrist flick from such distance. His body leaned slightly forward as he jumped, and his release point was lower than usual!
But...
Even with the adjusted shooting form.
Even as the ball was still arcing through the air.
He had already spun around fluidly, turning his back to the basket, raising his right hand high to flash the classic three-point celebration gesture!
Simultaneously.
The ball traced an impossibly long, perfect rainbow arc across the sky. A full second after Mirai signaled the three, it descended like a precision-guided missile—whistling down to slam decisively through the net!
SWISH!!!
Nothing but net!