On the Kamata West bench:
"Shit! We're getting humiliated on our own home court!" One of the twins kicks a water bottle across the floor.
"Coach! Let them do that thing! We need that extra moral boost, we can't go to nationals with this kind of score at home!" The team captain clasps his hands together, looking up at the coach, alongside the rest of the bench.
The coach runs his hand through his hair, looking a bit flustered. "Alright, alright. You can go a bit overboard with it."
The team's morale, which had been defeated moments ago, shifts dramatically. It's as if they've already won the game. The buzz is audible throughout the gym.
On the Sekiro bench:
"Alright, you guys are killing it. They're too scared to attack on Akira's side, they can't score on our strong side, the offense is solid, you're all doing great." Coach says while tossing water bottles to everyone. "Now, for the second half, Hiroshi stays in, Kazuya, you're in."
Kazuya starts shaking his leg, excitement building. "Yes, sir!"
"Daichi, you're doing great on defense, but let me know if you're getting tired."
"Got it!"
"The rest stays the same, keep your focus, anything can happen—"
The loud, euphoric cheers from the Kamata West bench suddenly interrupt Coach Yamamoto, who is caught off guard by the shift in atmosphere.
Something's off... I thought they were going to pull some bullshit at us, but they're just provoking us with childish taunts like they did in the beginning?
Akira remains too focused to notice the change in mood on Kamata West's bench.
The whistle blows, signaling the end of the break. As Kamata West takes the court, the coach glances sideways, giving the twins a serious look.
"The ankle twist... You guys promise that was unintentional, right?"
The twins smile innocently. "Of course! We'd never do that on purpose!"
The game resumes, and Daichi has the ball, facing one of the twins on defense. He easily dribbles around him, using his body to shield the ball. Just as he's about to make a layup—
Whistle.
"Foul! Number 72!"
"What?! Are you kidding me?!"
A grin spreads across the twin's face. "Playing like a bull, this isn't a wrestling match, fatty."
"Fatty?! Are you out of your mind?!"
Hiroshi holds Daichi back. "Let's go."
There it is, that wasn't a foul, but he fell with perfect precision... So now they're playing dirty.
The possession goes to Kamata West, and they once again attack the strong side. One of the twins tries to drive past Daichi, but Daichi blocks his path. As soon as the player makes contact, he dramatically falls backward, hitting the floor.
"Foul! Number 72 again!"
"Are you blind or dumb, ref?!"
"Technical foul! Number 72, third foul!"
Daichi clenches his fist, his face bright red with frustration.
The assistant referee signals, and Kenta enters for Daichi, who walks off the court muttering curses to himself.
"We've taken out their defense..." one of the twins says.
"Now we just need the offense," the other completes, eyes now on Akira.
I'm not falling for this ridiculous trick.
Both free throws go in.
Sekiro High 24 - 4 Kamata West.
"We turned a score like this around against Shoei, just stop the blonde kid, and we'll finish them!" The team captain claps, hyping up the team.
"Yeah! Let's go!"
The crowd roars, sensing the momentum shift toward Kamata West.
Kazuya has the ball now, with Akira being double-teamed. It's almost too easy for him to take the three-pointer. It's as if Kamata West believes he can't score from there.
"Let's see about that..."
Without even jumping, Kazuya shoots. His form is flawless, a result of intense and extensive practice. But luck isn't on his side. The ball hits the rim and bounces up. Mitobe fights for the rebound and grabs it.
"Foul! Number 8!"
Mitobe points to himself with a sad expression.
"Hey, ref! What kind of shady call is that?!" Koganei shouts from the bench.
"Technical foul! Number 6!"
"Wait, what?!"
Coach Yamamoto starts scribbling notes on his clipboard, clearly irritated.
The possession goes back to Kamata West due to the foul. Kazuya, covering Hiroshi, stands firm on the strong side of the defense. One of the twins quickly realizes how small Kazuya is, and when his brother drives into the paint, he takes a three-pointer over Kazuya.
"No!" Kazuya jumps, tipping the ball with his fingertips, slightly altering its trajectory.
The ball hits the rim and bounces up, and by some twist of fate, it falls in.
Sekiro High 24 - 7 Kamata West.
"Thanks for the help, shorty!"
Kazuya grits his teeth in frustration.
The ball never reaches me... I need to stop their momentum.
On the next possession, Akira moves toward Kazuya, almost ready to receive the ball at point guard. One of the twins stares him down, challenging him in a one-on-one.
"You're mediocre, you won't be able to stop me with those cheap tricks."
Akira sways side to side, and in just two quick shifts, he breaks the defender's stance and breezes past him, with no chance for the twin to even touch him.
"Bro!"
The other twin steps in front, ready to defend.
He thinks I need to get past him? I don't need to touch him to score.
Akira leaps from the middle of the paint, spinning in mid-air as he completes a 360-degree layup, bypassing the twin in an elegant, twisting motion.
The crowd, which had been backing Kamata West, quickly turns to support not just Sekiro High, but Akira specifically. The two twins are left sprawled on the floor, unable to keep up with Akira.
"Too small."
Akira looks down at them, an air of superiority in his gaze.
Sekiro High resets on defense, but the twins argue between themselves before continuing the game.
"Hey. I'm tired. Let's ruin this guy."
"Yeah. He deserves it, maybe the coach won't like it."
"Who cares? I just want him to stop with that smug grin."
"Let's go."