"Whoa! What on earth?"
"Isn't that Midorima's three-pointer!?"
"Wow, Kise Ryota from Kaijo High is an unbelievable player!"
"Let's go, Kaijo!!"
As they witnessed Kise's remarkable feat, the crowd erupted in exclamations and whispers. Their excitement escalated as the game unfolded with even greater intensity than they had anticipated!
"...even Midorima's three-pointer as well, huh?"
Nijimura muttered tensely, beads of sweat rolling down his face as he observed Kise, who didn't even watch the ball, immediately turning, just like Midorima always did.
Right after Kise made the three-pointer, the second quarter ended with Fukuda Sogo still in the lead at 52 - 40.
Despite this, the mental state of Kaijo High players was at an all-time high, given what Kise had just pulled off.
Their expressions brightened with this unexpected turn of events, a newfound confidence coursing through their veins. The belief that they could still turn the game around and emerge victorious filled the air.
A stark contrast in expressions painted Fukuda Sogo's players as they gazed grimly at Kise's figure. With the thirty-minute break between halves, they slowly made their way off the court.
Despite their outwardly grim appearance, their mental resilience remained unshaken.
As they headed toward the bench to collect their belongings before heading to the changing room, they noticed Haizaki standing still with a dark expression. Confusion swept through the team as they exchanged glances, wondering about the sudden change in Haizaki's demeanor.
Ogiwara couldn't help but frown. He approached Haizaki, calling, "Haizaki? Hey, buddy, we gotta leave..."
Haizaki didn't respond, lost in his thoughts until he was jolted back to reality by Ogiwara tapping his shoulder.
"Uh, oh, right..." Haizaki responded absentmindedly, prompting Ogiwara to look at him with a concerned expression.
Something was clearly amiss with Haizaki, and as his best friend, Ogiwara felt an urge to do something. However, he found himself at a loss, unaware of the specific problem Haizaki was grappling with.
"...Is it because of Ryota Kise?" Ogiwara couldn't help but wonder if that was the case, considering Haizaki had some unresolved issues with the guy.
As Haizaki began walking out of the court following the others, Ogiwara walked alongside, stealing glances at Haizaki's darkened expression.
As they entered the changing room, Haizaki walked in, and Ogiwara followed closely behind. However, Ogiwara was halted by a hand on his shoulder. He turned to find Nijimura gesturing for him to come closer, whispering something urgently.
Upon hearing Nijimura's words, Ogiwara's eyes widened in surprise, and concern etched his features. Despite this, he nodded determinedly in response.
Alexandra was conspicuously absent, and Tsuna assumed she was enjoying the activities around the gymnasium, given the numerous stalls and people selling various items.
Glancing at his team, Tsuna chuckled softly.
Despite the seemingly unfavorable situation, their eyes gleamed with an even fiercer light, radiating heightened excitement.
However, Haizaki was in a completely different mental state, utterly crushed by Kise. The atmosphere around him conveyed a palpable sense of despair.
Tsuna shook his head lightly before speaking, "...Well, we won't change any of our strategy for now. I'm sure you wanted this too, a taste of facing a formidable opponent, right?"
Nods rippled through the team, and smiles broke across their faces, bringing a sense of satisfaction to Tsuna.
"Alright then, we have a long break ahead. Feel free to do whatever you want around the gymnasium. Just make sure to return ten minutes before we head back to the court. Meet here in this room."
As Tsuna continued, the room filled with the sounds of scattered chatter among the team.
"Should we go grab some drinks?"
"Sure, I'm sure there should be a vending machine around..."
The team exchanged casual banter before deciding to leave the room.
Just as Ogiwara was about to exit, he cast a glance at Haizaki, who remained lost in his thoughts.
Ogiwara shook his head before asking, "...Are you going to give up now?"
The chattering abruptly ceased as everyone turned, their expressions shifting to surprise.
Stopping in their tracks, they couldn't help but watch the unfolding scene in front of them as a tension hanging in the air.
"...What did you say?"
Haizaki opened his mouth, his words carrying a threatening tone. However, Ogiwara remained unfazed, sighing with a seemingly disappointed expression that only fueled Haizaki's growing anger.
"I saw Kise crushing you so badly, so I wonder if you wanted to give up..."
Ogiwara's words, essentially rubbing salt in Haizaki's fresh wound, made him snap. Haizaki propelled himself forward, grabbing Ogiwara by the collar, his gaze ablaze with anger.
Before he could act on his rage, a powerful punch landed on his face, sending him crashing into the locker before tumbling onto the ground.
Staring up at the culprit, Haizaki spat in anger, "Nijimura, you motherfucker! What the hell do you think you're playing at!"
"No violence is allowed in front of our Captain..." Nijimura said calmly as if he hadn't just broken his own rule.
"Real hypocrite, aren't you!"
Haizaki leaped to his feet, launching an assault on Nijimura.
Nijimura shook his head slightly, effortlessly evading the punch directed at his face before countering with a swift kick that sent Haizaki crashing back to the ground.
If Haizaki had been in his right state of mind, he wouldn't typically retaliate, fully aware that he stood no chance against Nijimura since their middle school days.
Much less now, with Nijimura having acquired proper martial arts skills under Sebas.
It seemed as if Haizaki was courting his own demise.
However, consumed by frustration and teetering on the brink of emotional breakdown, he kept pulling himself up, engaging in a futile fight, only to be repeatedly beaten black and blue.
After a relentless struggle, Haizaki reached a point where he could no longer fight back.
He lay helplessly on the ground, the others watching the distressing spectacle wincing in pain and shaking their heads at the gruesome scene.
Ogiwara approached Haizaki, who sharply turned toward him with the wariness of a cornered beast.
Ogiwara released a sigh, his words carrying the weight of their shared history, "We've been through a lot, Haizaki. I've seen how hard you've worked to improve. Besides our Captain and Vice-Captain, you're the toughest person I know..."
Haizaki's expression remained unchanged, but he listened as Ogiwara pressed on, "...plus, losing to Kise was just a little bump in the road!"
These words stirred a boiling anger within Haizaki's heart. He didn't see losing to Kise as a minor setback, and he didn't care if it objectively was.
It was a matter of his pride.
Haizaki wanted to prove Akashi wrong, but the harsh reality seemed to crush that aspiration.
"We went through tougher times back in the States! This much was nothing! I know you probably never thought of me as a friend, but to me, you're my best friend, Haizaki...."
"...If you just quit now after all that, it would be disappointing."
Hearing these words caused Haizaki's body to flinch involuntarily.
However, Ogiwara didn't witness this as he left the room. The others followed suit, unable to bear witnessing any more of Haizaki's pitiful state.
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