Seirin players observed their opponents, Too Academy, with serious expressions on their faces.
"...We should've expected this."
"True. It's unlikely that we're that famous..."
"...I thought they were cheering for us. Seems like Too Academy is quite the crowd favorite..."
The freshmen let out sighs of realization.
Aida dismissed their conversation with a shake of her head, saying, "Alright, everyone, time to focus!"
Hyuga and Kiyoshi followed suit, removing their jackets. Kagami had already taken off his, and his gaze was fixed on Aomine across the court.
Aomine's expression remained calm, but his eyes betrayed a hint of excitement. Kagami sensed the challenge, fully aware that Aomine had grown even stronger since their last encounter.
Yet, instead of being discouraged, Kagami felt invigorated. He, too, had undergone significant improvements. The stage was set for an intense showdown.
Kuroko picked up on Aomine's changes, saying, "I didn't sense much off the court, but once we're on it, his aura felt more intense..."
His expression shifted to seriousness, realizing Aomine had become even more formidable.
Turning to his team, Kuroko managed a light smile, thinking, "...Nevertheless, this time, we're not going to be defeated."
As both of the team went up to the court to line up for the opening formality, Aida smiled as she sensed confidence oozing from every single one of them.
"...They looked especially dependable today," She spoke with a smile on her face.
The stadium buzzed with excitement as the anticipation for the game reached its peak. The crowd's collective cheer echoed through the air, a symphony of enthusiasm that permeated every corner of the arena.
However, the jubilant cheers abruptly hushed into a sudden quiet as the attention of the entire crowd shifted towards a particular gate in the audience seating area.
Seirin High and Too Academy sensed this as they had instinctively followed the gaze of the crowd and turned their eyes towards the same gate.
There, emerging through the gate, was the team that had dominated their first round of the Winter Cup. The sudden appearance of these formidable figures created a ripple of murmurs among the spectators.
"...They're not leaving yet?" A sense of intrigue colored the whispers that spread through the stadium.
"As expected, seeing them up close does give me goosebumps!".
"...That's right! As expected of Fukuda Sogo!"
The murmurs swirled through the crowd, now tinged with admiration for Fukuda Sogo and his team.
The atmosphere was charged with anticipation as the audience, still in a collective quiet, watched Tsuna guiding his team to a reserved section of empty seats.
"...What's going on? Why is this whole section empty?"
Ogiwara inquired, eyeing the vacant seats.
Nijimura chuckled, glancing at Tsuna before explaining, "We reserved the entire section..."
"...Seriously?"
Ogiwara's expression shifted to one of surprise.
"...Why are you so shocked? It's a usual move for our Captain," Ishida remarked, shaking his head.
Haizaki and Mochizuki joined in with Ishida, nodding in agreement.
Ogiwara chuckled awkwardly, remembering the luxurious accommodations they'd been treated to. It wasn't exactly a shocker, considering their captain's style, and he sighed in acknowledgment.
Back during the Interhigh, Tsuna had managed to secure an entire resort owned by his family for the team. This time around, despite having a spacious residence in Tokyo, he chose a five-star hotel chain also owned by his family.
"Yeah, I guess I was a bit slow," Ogiwara admitted as they all settled into their seats, eyes on the ongoing game.
Meanwhile, on the court...
"What a flashy move..." Aomine scoffed, observing the spectacle.
Kagami shook his head in agreement as he approached Aomine. Despite their rivalry, he couldn't deny that Aomine had a point.
As Kagami arrived in front of him, Aomine sensed something familiar.
He had felt it before, but experiencing it up close on the court solidified Aomine's certainty that Kagami's current power had reached that of the Generation of Miracles.
"...You've gotten better, huh?" Aomine remarked slowly before chuckling. "You might just be the perfect warm-up before I take on that flashy guy in the audience."
Kagami scoffed and smirked in response. "No, you're the warm-up for me. I'm the one facing that guy!"
"Hmm, interesting..." Aomine raised an eyebrow, his gaze sharp, and Kagami met it head-on.
"...I knew he improved, but is this level of improvement even real?"
Wakamatsu couldn't help but widen his eyes a bit at Kagami, who seemed to emanate an intense presence.
Watching them face off, it felt like witnessing a clash between two predatory beasts.
"...Aomine," Kuroko's voice cut through the tension, and Aomine turned to face him as Kuroko approached, standing beside Kagami.
Aomine remained silent, meeting Kuroko's gaze as the latter spoke, "...This time, we won't lose!"
Aomine couldn't help but smirk at Kuroko's determination. "Alright..."
"...Then, let's settle it once and for all, Tetsu!" Aomine declared confidently.
The intensity of their confrontation radiated a palpable pressure that every player on the court could feel.
Imayoshi adjusted his glasses, sensing the tension in the air. He exchanged a handshake with Seirin's captain, standing before him.
Wearing a polite smile, Imayoshi spoke in a friendly tone, "Let's have a good game..."
Hyuga responded with a firm nod, saying, "Yeah, let's have a good game."
"...He's a lot different than the last time we met." Imayoshi slightly widened his eyes, noticing the change in Hyuga.
He chuckled to himself, thinking, "I guess he has grown mentally as well. He's more of a captain than before, interesting..."
Despite having Seirin's data from Momoi and being aware of their improvement, experiencing it on the court was an entirely different matter.
"...This is going to be a really tough game, huh?" Imayoshi mused, glancing at the rest of the Seirin players.
"This would be a tough game, huh?"
Nijimura's voice cut through the ambient noise of the stadium as he sat beside Tsuna. The rest of the team occupied the row behind them, their demeanor a mix of nonchalance and casual observation.
The atmosphere shifted as Nijimura continued with a chuckle.
"Still, is this a coincidence, or did you do this intentionally, Tsuna?"
Tsuna shook his head at Nijimura's question.
As he felt a piercing gaze from the audience seats directly across from their section, his attention turned toward Rakuzan High. "You know I don't take care of the details, don't you..."
The noise from the crowd dimmed as Tsuna's gaze locked onto Akashi's.
"...Quite a coincidence. Don't you think, Seijuro?"
Tsuna commented casually on the situation. The moment hung in the air, charged with a subtle intensity, and Tsuna responded with his trademark smirk.
---
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