The kids behind him surged forward, holding the trophy high and jumping with all their might.
The victors' revelry was never too much.
Off to the side, the dejected members of Class 16 who had been soundly defeated watched from a corner, green with envy.
Runners-up for two consecutive years.
Last year, they had collapsed in the final moments.
This year, they were on the verge of victory, only to be thwarted by a super coach.
And for their senior year, there were no more matches.
So, for the second time, they had become mere backdrops in the gymnasium…
One of them who had been a starter for two years straight couldn't hold back any longer, covering his face with one hand as his eyes reddened.
Then the tall No. 34, a fan of the Letter Brother, who had a sense of morality and shame that was science fiction to his idol, stepped forward and put an arm around his teammate's shoulder, "It's okay, you played really well."
"Let's get out of here."
