Chapter Fifty-Two: Kanagawa's Three Great First-Years
With only three minutes remaining in the game, the score stood at Ryonan 97 - Shoyo 90.
Playing it safe, Coach Taoka still substituted in Uozumi, who carried four fouls.
"Another incredible guy has appeared in Kanagawa..."
In the Kainan players' section of the stands, the atmosphere grew somewhat heavy.
The "guy" Maki referred to obviously meant Yagami Sorato, who'd repeatedly changed the court situation.
"Didn't expect Ryonan's recruit to be this amazing," Jin Soichiro's face carried admiration. "Looks like the strange feeling I sensed watching Ryonan and Shohoku's practice game came from him."
"Nobunaga, are you still Kanagawa's top recruit?" Kainan's power forward Muto Masaru teased.
"We haven't faced each other yet. Who's stronger isn't certain." Kiyota Nobunaga said. "I'm being very objective—lately I only acknowledge myself as one of Kanagawa's three great first-years to outsiders."
"Who are the other two?" Jin asked curiously.
"Yagami Sorato, Kise Ryota, Rukawa Kaede—doesn't seem like you have a spot in the top three, Nobunaga." Muto counted on his fingers.
"We just haven't faced each other yet!" Kiyota nearly jumped up like his tail had been stepped on. "That was just me being modest! If we really played, Kanagawa's number one first-year would definitely be me!"
"Hahaha..." Surrounding teammates burst into good-natured laughter at his reaction.
"Besides, they can show off now only because their opponents aren't strong enough yet. If I went out there—" Kiyota continued muttering unconvinced.
"Nobunaga!" Maki interrupted.
Though not raising his volume, the seriousness in his gaze made Kiyota instantly fall silent. "Looking down on opponents—this mentality doesn't deserve to be called a Kainan player."
"Yes! Sorry, Maki-senpai!" Kiyota's neck shrank, realizing his mistake.
All Kainan players firmly believed their team was Kanagawa's strongest. This was the confidence belonging to champions.
Yet respecting every opponent, never underestimating any challenge due to arrogance—this was the foundation keeping Kainan standing strong for so long.
At this moment, Kainan's coach Takato Riki fanned himself with a paper fan, walking unhurriedly to the players' side.
He glanced at the score, then swept his eyes over Shoyo making their final struggle on court, couldn't help sighing: "Looks like Fujima's era will probably end here."
"Then," Takato snapped his fan shut with a "clap," his tone becoming unquestionably certain, "our next round opponent will be this completely renewed Ryonan!"
"Tweet!"
No miracles occurred in the final minutes.
Ryonan 106 - Shoyo 96
Ryonan secured victory without major scares, advancing to Kanagawa's top four!
"Thank you for the game!" Both teams lined up to bow.
Shoyo's players, especially the third-year starters, could barely suppress their emotions, all breaking into tears.
Tears mixed with sweat, sliding down these young players' faces.
This Shoyo's starting lineup centered on third-years. This loss meant their final high school summer, their final chance to challenge the national Inter-High tournament, ended abruptly at this moment.
Coach Taoka didn't immerse himself in victory's joy. He walked straight toward Shoyo's rest area, finding Fujima Kenji whose eyes reddened yet still tried maintaining composure.
"Fujima," Coach Taoka's voice was much gentler than usual. "Your basketball path remains very long. Players possessing both brains and technique like you are extremely rare. Don't lose passion for this sport due to high school wins and losses."
Fujima took a deep breath, raising his head, making his voice not tremble: "Yes... Thank you for your guidance, Coach Taoka."
Watching Shoyo players supporting each other, silently departing, Taoka felt complex emotions arise.
If Fujima could have focused on his player role earlier, if Shoyo's basketball team had an experienced coach... perhaps Ryonan's game today would have been won with much greater difficulty.
His gaze withdrew, landing on Ryonan players celebrating at center court—landing on young faces full of talent and future like Sendoh and Yagami.
"Precisely because of this," Taoka thought silently, "as coach, my responsibility is paving the road for them, guiding them toward higher stages, absolutely not letting similar regrets happen to my players."
"Everyone worked hard!"
After the game, Ryonan players gathered again at Uozumi's family sushi restaurant, victory's joy overflowing on all faces.
"Yagami, thanks for stopping me in time this time." Uozumi said seriously. "As captain, I absolutely won't make this kind of foolish mistake again—won't let emotions control games again."
Saying this, he drained his juice in one gulp.
"...Why tell me this?"
Yagami felt somewhat awkward thinking about it. Besides, with Uozumi's explosive temper that ignited at the slightest spark, future incidents seemed pretty hard to avoid.
"Mm." Yagami lowered his head, vaguely responding, avoiding the other's burning gaze.
However, in other Ryonan players' eyes, Yagami simply glanced at Uozumi, then nodded lightly.
"Whoa, he's brave!"
Aida, completely oblivious to the atmosphere, said carelessly from the side: "Uozumi-senpai gets angry so easily, he'll definitely still—"
"Whoa, even braver here!"
Before Aida could finish, Uozumi's thick arm locked around his neck. His remaining words turned into muffled struggling sounds.
"Hahaha..." Koshino laughed while pushing a plate of sushi toward struggling Aida, helping him out: "Just eat something. You talk too much."
After the players' horseplay, borrowing from Uozumi's self-reflection, players also fell into introspection.
This game, Ryonan's interior was severely limited. Ikegami shot only 3-for-8, scoring 6 points. Defensively he struggled even more—facing those tall, long-armed Shoyo opponents, he really struggled to effectively contain them.
Fukuda's offensive efficiency also dropped dramatically, scoring only 14 points the entire game.
Players each had thoughts. Aida's heart felt even more mixed. He rejoiced in the team's victory but still felt a trace of loss and sadness at no playing opportunity.
"Don't rush." Yagami picked up juice to clink Aida's cup. "First work toward becoming Ryonan's number one shooter."
"Understood!" Aida nodded seriously. After all, Sorato's suggestions were truly useful!
"You two, I heard everything!" Koshino stood up. "Ryonan's shooter should be me!"
"I won't lose either!" Uekusa wasn't backing down.
Victory's cheers hadn't yet faded, but clear recognition of their own shortcomings had already become this Ryonan's motivation to continue forward.
May 31st, Shohoku High School defeated Miuradai without suspense, a blowout victory locking down the final top-four spot.
At this point, Kanagawa's top four teams were all born:
Kainan, Ryonan, Kaijo, Shohoku.
During this period's schedule, three first-year super rookies, with their dazzling performances, had deeply imprinted themselves in all spectators' minds:
Court Commander, Ryonan High School's Yagami Sorato
Perfect Imitator, Kaijo High School's Kise Ryota
Offensive Kaleidoscope, Shohoku High School's Rukawa Kaede
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