Bang.
Bang.
Bang.
Akashi dribbled steadily, his expression calm, heterochromatic eyes meeting Shinichi Maki's unwavering gaze across the court.
No trash talk.
No unnecessary movement.
Yet the air between them felt heavy, as though even the lights above had slowed.
Both teams' starters instinctively turned their attention toward center court.
For a brief moment—
Time itself seemed to stretch.
Then Akashi moved.
Bang—
His wrist snapped, the ball shifting from right to left. His center of gravity dipped, his left foot probing forward, selling a sharp left-side drive.
Maki reacted instantly.
The moment the ball switched hands, he exploded laterally, lightning-fast, arms spread wide as he sealed off the lane.
But Akashi didn't stop.
Before Maki could settle—
Bang—
The ball snapped back to Akashi's right hand. His weight shifted again, footwork crisp and fluid, the fake so clean it looked like the defense was about to be torn open.
Maki's eyes sharpened.
Without panic, he slid again, cutting off the right side, maintaining the perfect distance—close enough to pressure, far enough to react.
The balance was immaculate.
Just as everyone thought this chess match would continue—
Akashi suddenly dropped his stance.
His right foot stabbed forward, shoulder dipping as if to force his way through.
Maki instinctively retreated half a step, hands lowering slightly to brace for contact.
Then—
Akashi pulled back.
"Hm?!"
Maki's heart skipped.
In an instant, nearly two meters opened between them.
A trap.
But it was already too late.
Akashi's wrist had coiled with power.
Without hesitation, he fired a low, skimming pass—
Straight between Kiyota Nobunaga's legs.
Bang!
The ball kissed the floor, rebounded sharply—
And landed perfectly in Sendo's hands.
"What—?!"
Kiyota froze.
By the time he realized what had happened, Sendo was already gone.
Sendo exploded forward, white jersey streaking across the court like an arrow loosed from a bow.
"Damn it!"
Kiyota roared and chased, but Sendo's acceleration was merciless.
Muto Tadashi lunged in from the wing.
Sendo shifted slightly—just enough.
Muto was shaken off.
In seconds, Sendo was inside Kainan's defense.
Takasago was still recovering.
The paint was empty.
Sendo rose lightly, ball in his right hand, wrist cocked for a layup—
Then—
Takasago burst in from the side.
His long arm swept toward the ball.
Everyone held their breath.
Blocked?!
At the last possible instant—
Sendo twisted midair.
His wrist snapped back, pulling the ball behind his body, momentum carrying him sideways—
And he flicked it out.
A layup turned pass.
"What?!"
Takasago landed in disbelief.
The ball flew out—
Slap!
Koshino Hiroaki caught it cleanly beyond the arc.
No hesitation.
He raised the ball to shoot.
Jin Soichiro closed fast, arm lifting to contest—
And then—
Koshino smiled.
The ball dropped.
His knees bent—
And he drove.
"What—?!"
Jin's pupils shrank as Koshino blew past him, fingertips brushing only fabric.
"I'm not just a shooter," Koshino muttered, excitement flashing in his eyes.
He surged into the paint and leapt, both hands cradling the ball—
But—
Whoosh!
Slap!
A powerful hand came down from behind.
The ball smashed into the backboard and flew loose.
"Tch…!"
Koshino landed hard, fists clenched in frustration.
He spun—
And froze.
Shinichi Maki.
"When did he—?!"
Maki had already turned away, eyes tracking the rebound.
Takasago and Muto charged in.
The ball was theirs—
Or so it seemed.
A white figure exploded upward from the side.
Wind rushed.
Akashi.
His right hand secured the ball midair.
Using his momentum, he flicked his wrist—
The ball arced softly.
Swish.
The net whispered.
Ryonan 2 — Kainan 0
The gym erupted.
"Akashi—! Akashi—! Akashi—!"
Maki landed, staring at Akashi's calm expression.
"…He followed me?"
No.
His brows tightened.
"…No. He was waiting."
Realization struck.
Did he expect the block?
Did he plan the putback from the start?
Impossible.
…And yet.
In the stands—
"Did you see that?" Mitsui gaped.
"He didn't look like he was assisting at all," Miyagi nodded sharply.
"That's… way too far ahead," Kogure murmured.
Across the court—
Fujima smiled faintly.
"He absolutely could do that."
Hanagata adjusted his glasses.
"Maki won't let this go."
Switch of possession.
Kainan's ball.
As expected—
Maki took it himself.
Akashi stepped in immediately, arms spread, stance low, eyes locked on Maki's wrist.
Maki shifted left.
Right.
The ball danced between his hands, feints layered atop feints.
Akashi didn't bite.
His footwork mirrored perfectly.
"…So the rumors are true," Maki thought.
No opening.
Then—
Maki dropped his shoulder.
He drove straight in.
Muscle met muscle.
Akashi slid back half a step.
In that instant—
Maki whipped a pass outward.
Jin Soichiro was already there.
Catch.
Before Koshino could close—
Jin snapped the ball inside.
Kiyota Nobunaga cut silently into the restricted area.
Catch.
Sendo lunged—
Blocked.
Muto Tadashi planted himself like a wall.
Pick and roll.
Too late.
Kiyota launched.
The entire gym stared.
At 178 centimeters—
He kept rising.
Higher.
Higher.
Then—
Boom!
The ball was slammed through the hoop.
Ryonan 2 — Kainan 2
The crowd exploded.
Kiyota landed, brushing off his hands, chin raised.
"Dunking isn't just for tall guys."
"Hahahahaha!"
Ryonan's faces darkened.
"This brat—" Koshino snarled.
"So annoying," Fukuda muttered.
"More arrogant than Sakuragi," Uozumi growled.
Sendo smiled faintly.
"…Interesting."
Akashi didn't even look at Kiyota.
To him—
That dunk was nothing more than data.