In the middle of a basketball court, five boys could be seen gasping heavily for air. It was the semi-finals game between Tachibana Private High School and Tenshu High School. The five boys gasping for air belonged to the Tenshu High School students who were doing everything they could to hold on to the game. On the opposition was a calm figure in Kei who was partly analyzing the game on the court up to this moment in the middle of the fourth and final quarter.
'Hmm… This game is closer than I thought.' Kei thought while looking at the scoreboard.
'TACHIBANA 82 – 77 TENSHU'
'Well, they're not considered the third seed for nothing.'
As the Tenshu point guard was about to dribble in, Kei instantly tipped the ball cleanly out of his hands at the exact moment that he was about to start dribbling before grabbing the ball on a fast break to finish it off with a simple layup.
"What the hell is with these seedless monsters?!"
In truth, the players on the Tachibana side were playing less aggressively compared to a few days ago when they played against Tenko High School, the second seeds. Kei had told them to focus more on defense for the current game knowing that Tenshu High School were known for their aggressive offensive plays. Hence, Kei had the team focus on counterattacking as the source of their points.
"I'm starting to see how Tenko lost to them. What the hell are they on?!"
"Slow offense! Draw them out slowly!"
The match continued for around 3 more minutes in the game time before Tenshu players started running out of energy. Another reason Kei had the team play so defensively was because aggressive teams would always run out of energy very easily, especially when they get caught on the fast break.
'TACHIBANA 91 – 82 TENSHU'
When the referee blew the final whistle, the boys from Tachibana all cheered in happiness as they had progressed to the finals for the first time in the history of their school. The players then proceeded to line up in front of each other to thank each other for the good game and to the referee as well. When the referee finally let them disperse, the Tachibana boys continued their celebrations in the changing room, all except one who walked up to them.
"This is not the time for celebrations yet." Kei said as the boys' celebrations came to a stop.
"There is no use in celebrating if we haven't won anything. Do it after we win the finals, alright?!"
The boys nodded in agreement and in unison. They had come to respect Kei and at the same time fear him. It was a known fact that Kei was a strict leader but they could also no longer refute having the first-year as their captain anymore as he had managed to do the impossible in just his first year at the school.
"Alright, we have a one-day break before the finals that happens the day after tomorrow. I will let you all have the day off tomorrow from training but we will still be meeting in the morning for a strategy discussion, okay?"
"Yes!"
"Well then, off you go."
As the players all left for the team bus, Kei sat down as he could finally catch his breath. As he was finally having his moment of peace, Yanagi-sensei and Azusa walked into the room.
"Not leaving with the team again?"
"My house is near anyways."
"Haah… Well, first off, I would like to congratulate you on making it to the finals. However, this is not the time to be taking things easy, all right?"
"Shouldn't you be saying that to the others?"
"Ahahaha! If you could still reason with me like that then I guess I was worried for nothing. Alright then, I will leave you to it."
As Yanagi-sensei left, Azusa proceeded to sit down beside him.
"Kei-kun, you should really stop doing this, you know?"
"Hmm?"
"You think they hate you, don't you? That's why you've been going home alone and not with the team, right?"
"What are you talking about—"
"Your house is way further than where the bus takes us, don't try and lie."
"…"
Kei looked away trying not to let Azusa get a read on him, but it was really just fruitless to do so. In truth, his house was closer to the school that the bus was going to take him than if he were to go home on his own.
"Why do you always have to do this?! Don't you know you're hurting yourself more than you're hurting everyone else?!"
"…Azusa…"
"Can't you at least rely on one of us?! I really don't understand what goes through that thick skull of yours!"
"…"
Azusa proceeded to storm out of the room leaving Kei sitting there thinking to himself. After thinking to himself for a while, he proceeded to stand up and exited the changing room. When he reached the front entrance, a familiar face stood in front of him.
"Thank you for your hard work." Mai said as she gave him her usual smile.
When he heard her words, Kei tried his best to give her a smile but even Mai could tell that he was exhausted, not just physically but mentally as well, but decided against saying anything.