In stark contrast to the lively atmosphere surrounding Fukuda Sogo, Kaijo High's mood took a downturn as they made their way through the corridor.
The pathway stretched ahead, dimly lit and solemn, guiding the defeated Kaijo High team away from the jubilant cheers of the crowd, leaving only the lingering echoes of their recent loss to Fukuda Sogo.
"..."
Silence enveloped them.
The once-anticipatory air now hung thick with frustration and sadness, each player trudging forward, burdened by the weight of disappointment.
Their expressions contorted in mixed emotions, a struggle to mask the disappointment and despair etched on their faces.
Tears welled up in Kasamatsu's eyes, unable to be contained even after he had maintained a professional demeanor while congratulating Tsuna earlier.
The impact of the defeat hit Kaijo High harder than they had anticipated, the weight of it settling heavily in the hallowed corridors.
They had been so close to securing a ticket to the semi-finals!
Still, they remained incapable! They were just too feeble!
The atmosphere shifted abruptly, a somber mood replacing the once jubilant cheers that had echoed through the arena moments ago.
A dense silence settled in, a striking contrast to the excitement behind them.
With each step through the corridor, the echoes seemed to magnify the team's collective disappointment.
In a choked voice, he uttered, "I want to win. I want to win so bad..."
"...with everyone!"
His words lingered in the air, cutting through the heavy silence.
The vulnerability in Kise's voice resonated with every member of the team. His voice echoed through the silent corridor, making their chests feel stuffy.
Kasamatsu opened his mouth, but after a moment of hesitation, he gritted his teeth and closed it again.
He could only look at Kise sobbing bitterly...
...and frustratedly.
"..."
Silence enveloped the corridor, each player absorbing the weight of unspoken sentiments. A prolonged sigh resonated as Takeuchi silently observed his team, feeling the weight of failure as their coach.
Back in the gymnasium, the arena buzzed with jubilation, yet Seirin High sat amid the cheering crowd with their expressions grim.
The defeat of Kaijo High against Fukuda Sogo cast a shadow over their impending semi-final match.
"...."
The awareness that Fukuda Sogo would be their opponent in a few days lingered heavily in the air.
Hyuga sighed, shattering the oppressive silence.
"Let's get out of here..." he muttered, weariness evident in his voice.
Even with more games scheduled after Fukuda Sogo vs. Kaijo High, no one argued about leaving early.
Whether it was Shutoku High's game or Rakuzan High's, it didn't hold much significance as their own opponent had already been determined.
In unison, they rose from their seats, quietly filing out of the arena.
The memories of Fukuda Sogo's formidable performance lingered in their minds like a haunting refrain.
Especially Tsuna's surprising prowess that he briefly showcased a while back played on a loop in their thoughts.
They were well aware of King of Kings being a formidable team from the start, evident by their Interhigh triumph this year.
Despite recognizing the strength of their opponent, Seirin High was confident in their own improvement to confront them.
They even perceived Fukuda Sogo as their most significant challenge yet.
However, the revelation that Tsuna surpassed even the Generation of Miracles left them shaken.
As they moved in silence, the impending challenge weighed heavily on their minds.
The thought of confronting the King of Kings in the semi-finals was daunting, and almost unconsciously, they found themselves arriving at a building.
The group had been walking for nearly half an hour, and an unspoken tension lingered with each step.
As they looked up at the towering building of apartment, the reality of their upcoming battle weighed heavily on their minds.
Breaking the silence, Izuki suddenly mumbled, "Fukuda Sogo, huh? We're up against the King of Kings in a few days..."
His words hung in the air, mirroring the collective apprehension felt by the team.
Amidst the heavy atmosphere, Kagami couldn't help but feel a twitch at his lips.
Pointing at his teammates, he couldn't contain his exasperation, "Why are we coming to my place!?"
The unexpected outburst briefly disrupted the solemn mood, eliciting a few chuckles from the weary Seirin High players.
"Well, we sort of ended up at your place without thinking too much. It's just the closest spot we know."
Kiyoshi scratched his head awkwardly.
"I suppose that can't be hel—"
Kagami closed his eyes and sighed, understanding the situation. His words hung in the air as his eyes shot open. Veins pulsed on his temples, frustration clear in his voice as he erupted, "Why are you guys barging in already? Show some respect! Wait for the owner to let you in, you reckless bunch!"
Kagami shook his head in disbelief.
The audacity of everyone, acting like they owned the place, caught him off guard. They were already streaming in as if it were a free-for-all.
Still, they seemed to ignore him as Kagami massaged his temple exhaustedly, and he found himself sitting on the floor as the others occupied the sofa in his living room.
Aida chuckled, attempting to ease Kagami's tension. "Ahaha, don't worry about it, Kagami..."
But Kagami's displeasure lingered, leaving Aida to scratch her head awkwardly. She stood up, determination lighting up her expression. "Well, to make up for it, I'll cook you guys some dinner!"
The announcement startled everyone in Seirin. Kagami immediately swallowing his displeasure and quickly approached Aida.
"Coach, please don't. You already put in so much effort for us," Kagami urged, gesturing for Aida to stay seated.
"I'll take care of the cooking. It's the least I can do as a good host."
Aida blinked in surprise.
"Eh? Are you sure?"
She scratched her head, turning to Kagami for confirmation. The others chimed in enthusiastically, offering their support.
"Of course, Coach! Kagami's taught us a thing or two in the kitchen. He's practically an expert!"
"Yeah, trust him. We've got this covered!"
"Absolutely, just relax and let Kagami handle it."
"Yeah, Coach, I've got this. Please, sit down and wait patiently."
Kagami felt his lips twitching, hearing these guys encourage him to cook even after they crashed into his place without his permission was making him feel like smacking them in the head.
However, it was for his survival! He couldn't let Aida cook at all costs!
"Well, alright then..." Aida grumpily settled back into her seat.
Little did she admit, she was secretly excited about indulging in Kagami's cooking. After all, he had proven to be a better chef than her.
Without much waiting time, the meal Kagami had cooked was finally ready. Everyone couldn't help but gulp their saliva upon seeing the delicious spread on the table.
"...Dive in."
Kagami grumbled as everyone immediately started filling their plates and stuffing their mouths with the tasty food.
He sighed at the scene, grabbed a plate, and got some food on the table before stuffing it into his mouth. However, he immediately frowned, sensing that something was amiss, before excusing himself to go to the toilet.
However, as he finished his business, his head started spinning, prompting him to wobbly find himself back in the dining room. The lights were dim, and everyone had passed out, which made him pale.
"...What in the world?"
"Huh? Is everyone asleep already?"
A soft voice, making him shiver, was heard. Kagami turned toward Aida, who was holding a lot of supplements in her hands, innocently sprinkling some on the food.
In Kagami's point of view, her innocent act looked like the devil's work.
He felt his sight darkening as he mumbled, "...Fucking witch!"
Thud! Kagami collapsed onto the floor and slipped into unconsciousness.
"Oh? Kagami's out too? I was hoping for someone to chat with. Tough luck..."
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