Every second felt like an eternity as the game clock ticked down to three minutes. The score, 31-26, flashed brightly on the scoreboard, but Seiryuu High's players were barely hanging on.
Fatigue clung to their every move, dragging them down with each breath. Even as they huddled together, Sota could feel the weight of exhaustion pressing in on everyone. Muscles ached, lungs burned, and the once-rapid-fire communication between teammates had slowed to tired nods.
Seiryuu needed to keep possession. It was the only way they could grind these last minutes out and secure the win. But Tsubasa High had caught on. They could see it in Seiryuu's sluggish steps, their heavy breathing—it was the smell of weakness, and Tsubasa was ready to pounce.
