The match was ending soon and class 10 gained more momentum as the score gap gradually closed.
The strong combination of Amami-san and Arae-san cornered Umi and her teammates to the point that they could only desperately defend.
Barely six minutes passed and all the members of class 11 were out of breath and sweating buckets. Even though it was class 10 who constantly went on the offensive, they looked way better than class 11. The mental strain of constantly being on the back foot probably got to them.
Class 10's attacks were relentless, even when class 11 finally scored a point, either Amami-san or Arae-san would score a three-pointer on the next possession.
The 30 point gap shrunk at a fast pace and finally…
"Amami!"
"Yes!"
After receiving a pass from Arae-san, Amami-san broke away from class 11's defenders and made a layup from an awkward spot. Then, class 11 received another foul because they were getting impatient. Another free throw for class 10.
Obviously, they scored this one too.
'29 to 38… A single digit difference…'
'Time is running out, but maybe…'
'I'm not dreaming, right?'
The mutterings of the crowds were getting louder.
Everyone now expected for a great comeback.
"Two minutes left… Just three more three-pointers left and we're done. I thought this would be difficult, but it's actually doable, huh?"
"Then what are we waiting for, Nagisa-chan? Let's do it~"
"Like I said, stop calling me Nagisa… But, sure, let's do it."
"Mm~"
Then Amami-san thrusted her fist toward Arae-san.
"…What?"
"Huh? It's a fist bump."
"Why?"
"It's a good luck charm."
"I don't need it, just get back to your position."
"No. I'll stay here until you do it."
"This girl… Ugh, you're so…"
She was grumbling, but she still thrusted her fist toward Amami-san's anyway. Their fists touched slightly.
"…Only this once, okay?"
"Thank you~"
"Jeez, why are you so…"
Can I say this again? What a tsundere.
I was worried about them before the match started. Who knew that their relationship would get better during the match itself.
It would be perfect if Arae-san were to apologize and give Amami-san an explanation about her past actions, but I wouldn't put money on it.
Anyway, class 10 was now in peak condition.
Meanwhile, class 11 looked gloomy.
"Nakamura-san, that made how many fouls?"
"Four. One more and they'll get two freebies."
"I see… This is rough."
"Yeah. We're in the lead, but it feels like we're the one who's getting slaughtered."
"Right. We can't do much either. If we try to change our strategy now, they'll just take advantage of it and beat us completely…"
"Like you said, this is rough."
"Mm… But still, we have to hold on."
They still kept their heads high, but it was obvious that they were on edge.
I cheered them on inside my heart.
However, Umi made a decisive mistake.
"Ah, the ball!"
When she was dribbling slowly into the opponent's side, the ball suddenly hit her foot.
And somehow it rolled toward Amami-san.
"Amami, here!"
"Nagisa-chan!"
There was no way they would miss that chance. Receiving the ball from Amami-san, Arae-san shot and scored another three-pointer.
'Six points left!'
'C'mon, almost there!'
'Go! Turn the tables on them!'
No one expected the gap to keep shrinking.
"Hey, Asanagi Umi."
"…What is it, Arae Nagisa?"
"Isn't basketball fun?"
"Fuck you…"
Arae-san whispered a taunt to Umi when she passed by her.
The situation was completely reversed from the first half.
If it was any other person, they would be completely swallowed by the opponent's momentum at this point and had probably given up already. But she was my girlfriend and she wouldn't yield from this much.
"It's fine, this is still doable… One minute to go and six points… If I tried that I would get… One foul… Anyway, I just need to hold on…"
"…Asanagi-chan?"
"Ah, sorry, I was talking to myself. I'll make up for my misplay, okay?"
The mistake she made seemed to awaken something within her and all the tension she had disappeared. She was already planning something.
She turned her gaze toward me and tried to reassure me that everything was fine.
Well, if that was what she thought, I'll just put my trust in her.
"Sorry, everyone! But, we are running out of time, so let's give it our all!"
"Roger!"
"It's a-okay, Asanagi-chan~"
"We'll get them next time!"
With Umi's voice as a cue, class 11 scattered through the court.
Now it was Amami-san who stood in front of Umi, who was about to go on the offensive.
"…We'll settle everything now, Umi."
"Yes. Our match back then, we'll settle it now."
After two long weeks of preparation.
Finally everything will end today.