Even if Shōgo-kun goes all out, he still can't win. Sigh!
As Shintarō guards Shōgo, Ryōta, who has the ball, hits a three-pointer. The score continues to reverse and expand.
Taking the basketball from Arata once again, Shōgo remains unconcerned about the expanding score.
From the frequent three-pointers shot by Ryōta, it can be seen that Teikō's goal is clear. They want to use three-pointers to open up the point difference and establish the outcome.
However, it's no longer Shintarō defending against the shots. Instead, it's Ryōta.
And once Shōgo goes back to defend against Ryōta, it will release Shintarō, the 'cannon' of the team. Teikō Junior High is posing a challenge for Shōgo.
Since Teikō can't stop Shōgo from scoring, they can only compete in points and use the point difference to secure victory. This is Coach Shirogane's basketball style: victory is everything.
And indeed, it's quite effective. Fukuda's score is being pulled apart point by point, and their hope for victory is fading.
From this moment on, the hope for Fukuda's victory is completely extinguished, starting with Ryōta's three-pointers.
"Whistle!"
The sound of the whistle rings out, marking the end of the entire match. Fukuda Junior High versus Teikō Junior High, with a score of 78-86.
Taking big gulps of air, Shōgo looks at his teammates, who are standing, hands on knees. He shakes his head, feeling somewhat unsatisfied.
Indeed, there's a lingering feeling of dissatisfaction with this match. But a game is a game, and losing is losing.
He, Shōgo, can handle losing!
The players from both teams, having just finished the match, line up facing each other, bowing, and then shaking hands to show sportsmanship.
Shintarō, still wearing his glasses, is in front of Shōgo. He extends his large hand with a tinge of regret.
"It's a bit regrettable, but congratulations on your three-peat!"
"It is a bit regrettable!"
Shintarō, adjusting his glasses, also expresses a sense of regret. Shōgo can't quite decipher the meaning behind Shintarō's 'a bit regrettable.' Is he referring to Shōgo leaving Teikō Junior High? Or is it that neither of them gave their all, and that's what's regrettable?
Shaking his head, Shōgo continues and approaches Atsushi.
"Atsushi, let's compete again next time. I didn't have much fun this time."
"Next time? Next time, I'll crush you, Shōgo!"
"Haha!! I'm looking forward to it!"
Next up is none other than Tetsuya, who is significantly shorter. Looking at Tetsuya's somewhat blank expression, Shōgo extends his right hand.
"Little Tetsuya, how does it feel to be unsealed?"
"Shōgo-kun, did that person abandon everything?"
Shōgo is taken aback, then nods and remains silent. Of course, he knows to whom Tetsuya is referring to; the captain of Fukuda Junior High, Arata.
Both Tetsuya and Arata are similar types of players, but Tetsuya's traits are more unique, more distinct, and more useful than Arata's. Hence, Tetsuya appears to be more powerful.
As he walks away, Shōgo is approached by Ryōta.
"Shōgo-kun, you don't need to..."
"No need to console me, Ryōta-chan. I'm not disheartened, nor am I disappointed."
"Then, Shōgo-kun, why do you seem so down?"
"Sigh! Ryōta-chan, you know, today on the court, only three people from the Miracle Generation showed up. Daiki and the captain, Seijūrō, didn't appear."
"So, Shōgo-kun, are you feeling down because they didn't show up?"
"Yeah! The two strongest players didn't show up, but that's fine. There's still hope in the future."
"Shōgo-kun, that number 15 from Teikō Junior High, he's a bit strange."
"The guy with blue hair?"
"Yes, him."
Shōgo, uncharacteristically without any mischievous intentions, gently pats Ryōta's hair and says, as an airplane flies overhead.
"Ryōta-chan, you'll understand later. I won't tell you the story of Little Tetsuya today, I'll leave you in suspense. Consider it a surprise."
Ryōta blushes slightly as she gazes at the extraordinary Shōgo in front of her. She feels that Shōgo is emitting an indescribable charm.
Walking side by side, a boy and a girl, teenagers, head towards the next tram station beneath the blue sky and white clouds as birds fly overhead.
This beautiful scene puts a period on Shōgo's middle school basketball league, though the result isn't quite beautiful. Nevertheless, he doesn't feel regret. Shōgo personally witnessed Teikō Junior High's three-peat.
It's as if fate has its ways. Even the newly emerged Shōgo couldn't stop Teikō's era, the era of miracles.
...
Teikō Junior High, inside the classroom.
A person playing both sides of the board, Seijūrō, who's playing chess alone, picks up the chess piece with a general's mark on it, ending the game.
...
At the tower, a place with an unknown name
With closed eyes, basking in the sun and wind, Daiki slowly opens his eyes and mutters to himself.
"Shōgo's words... he probably didn't lose too disgracefully!"
Indeed, Shōgo didn't lose disgracefully.