Chapter 98: Chapter 98 : VS Senshinkan High VII - The End of the Game
"Woah, they are incredible…."
Back to Seirin's bench, three players who were punished because of their slack attitude on the court earlier saw with astonished expressions how hard the bench units play. Even though it was not their first time to be benched, this was their first time observing their teammates from outside of the court, and it sure gives them a new perspective on the game.
"Yeah, they are really incredible." Riko nodded her head, agreeing with the statement. "Compared to you, they have different challenges, coming out of the bench. Unlike you all who formed the team, or Kagami-kun with his enormous talent that could allow him to be on the first team right after he joined, Fukuda and Kawahara are just rookies, and they didn't have too much opportunity to play before. So, they would never take this chance for granted and will show their best to convince me for more minute plays in the future."
Izuki, Kagami, and Kiyoshi who heard that explanation nodded their heads silently, seeing the two first-years in a new light.
"As for Koganei-kun….." Riko paused for a second. "How hard do you think it would be for him to see his position was snatched by a first-year? Even though it was Kagami who did it, it still hurts his pride, you know? That's why he would run like crazy every time I give him a chance to play."
Now, it is Kagami's turn to be uncomfortable. However, seeing his discomfort, Riko just waved her hand nonchalantly.
"I said it not to make you feel bad, Kagami-kun. I just want to make sure you know, that there are people who work harder than you who still eyeing your position. If you take your opportunity for granted and slack off, they would thrive over your struggle in the future. Remember, hard work beat genius when the genius didn't work hard."
"Yes, Coach!"
Unknown to those four though, the last quote hit Kuroko harder than anything he had experienced before. When he heard what Riko said, he couldn't help but reminisce about his journey from Teiko until he arrived at Seirin.
At first, he was just like Kawahara and Fukuda, a rookie who didn't have a chance to shine. No, he was worse. At least, Kawahara and Fukuda had solid basics when they joined the team. But it changed when Akashi found out about his unique talent. And since then, no matter which team he joined, he would always have a chance to play due to his unique play style.
'Did I take every chance I got before for granted?'
Yeah, Kuroko could feel it. Since he was instructed by Akashi to stay invisible on the court, he had never thought about training harder to improve himself. After all, no matter how good he could improve, Akashi would only use his misdirection ability, right?
That's why, even though having been played with a group of monsters, his basic skill is still stuck on the same level. His stamina is not improving at all, and he somehow loses his motivation to get better. Even when Riko asked Furihata to train him in his basic skill, he only did it because of the order, not because he wanted it.
When he thinks about it now....
"No!" Kuroko shook his head firmly. "I cannot be like this forever! I don't have monstrous talent like my former teammates, so if I don't want to be better, what would my future be?"
And THIS was the time when Kuroko vowed to himself, he would work harder than everyone else. And in the future, he would also say that this was the time when Kuroko feels he was born once again, seeing the world in a different light.
Yeah, this was the time when the new Kuroko was born, and only time could tell if he could be successful or not.
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Out of all the Seirin players on the court right now, Hyuga is definitely the most mentally stable one. When they held the momentum, he keeps his composure well, not overly happy or enthusiastic while reprimanding his teammates not to underestimate their enemy. And when the worst come and they got punished, he didn't get too depressed, knowing that it was indeed their fault and they deserved it.
That's why even though the main rosters were punished, he is the only one who Riko trusts to be on the court, leading the bench unit to finish the game.
It doesn't matter whether Furihata could do it alone or not. The fact is, the moment his foot landed on the court, he knows what is his role as the captain. It is to keep the stability of the team, not letting them get too hyped or too depressed when something went overboard.
That doesn't mean he didn't enjoy the game though. Even though he didn't show it, he is probably the one who enjoyed this game the most, especially with his teammates right now.
'It should be like this.' The Megane senpai muttered inwardly. 'Basketball should be played like this.'
There, he could see his teammates shouting at each other, running and looking for opportunities, and trying their best to hustle every ball available. There is no sign of laziness here, just pure hard work and passion for basketball. Honestly, it reminds the captain of the team's state last year.
'Last year, even though we were just rookies, we played like a bunch of mad men, never stopped running and always hustling every ball. But this time….'
When he remembered how Izuki, Kiyoshi, and even Kagami got lazy in defense and let their opponents do whatever they wanted in front of them, not only in this game, but even when they did before that, Hyuga shook his head slightly.
'Maybe it is good for them to see their kouhai played like this. It will be a huge slap on their faces. If they didn't feel anything wrong after seeing this, then they didn't deserve the position on the team…'
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It was almost the end of the game, but Riko still didn't show any sign to put back her main players to the court. Not only because their lead is enough, but it also puts the main rosters under pressure as they feel that Riko gave the bench unit more opportunity compared to their past games. If things go like this in the future, no one knows who will get benched by the coach in the future.
Of course, the happiest because of this decision are Kawahara and Fukuda. In total, they played almost full two quarters in this game, the longest they have ever gotten since they joined the team.
"It is good to play like this…" Fukuda sighed after completing another layup to widen the gap. "Do you think my performance is good enough to impress the coach?" Hearing that question, Kawahara also turned around to Furihata, waiting eagerly for his evaluation.
It is no secret that among all the first years on the team, Furihata was Riko's favorite. Not only because of his strong ability, but his calm demeanor and high basketball intelligence also make Riko feels comfortable enough to approach him when she needs a discussion friend. That's if both Fukuda and Kawahara thought they impressed Furihata, it would give them hope about getting more minutes to play.
Realizing their intentions, Furihata's mouth twitched a little, but still answered their question.
"Well, if I was Riko-senpai, I would be a fool to not give you more chance in the future. BUT!" Seeing the brightened eyes of the two players in front of him, Furihata feels the need to say one more thing. "Don't think it would be easy. After all, you still have to compete with the like of Tsuchida-senpai, Kiyoshi-senpai, Mitobe-senpai, and even Red in positions four and five. If you didn't show any improvement, it would be hard to grab that position from them."
Hearing the last part, their shoulders slumped, a bit depressed when thinking about their future chance.
"You are right," Kawahara spoke dejectedly. "Aaargh! Why is the competition in that position so hard?! Even the small forward is always occupied, either by Kuroko-kun, Hyuga-senpai, or Koganei-senpai. I chose this position because I thought it would be an easy competition, goddamnit!"
"Hey, don't think about that!" Hyuga who heard his kouhai's complaint chimed in. "As long as you did your best, Riko would definitely notice your effort. Just look at Koganei. Even if his talent is not so good, he still got a lot of opportunities, and I assure you, it is not because he is in his second year. If that is the case, he would be the starter rather than Kagami-kun, right?"
Koganei who was mentioned by his captain nodded. "Yeah, that is right. My talent in basketball is just ordinary, and I believe it would be no time until one or even both of you to be better than me. But as long as I didn't stop running on the court, I believe I am still valuable enough for Riko-chan, and that is enough for me."
Furihata couldn't help but sweatdrop when he heard how Koganei called his coach. If she heard about it, there is no doubt Riko would hit Koganei straight to his head. Fortunately, Koganei is smart enough to do that in secret.
Meanwhile, Fukuda and Kawahara pondered for a moment, seeming to be enlightened by their senpai's wisdom. Seeing their determined eyes, Hyuga couldn't help but let out a small smile on his face.
"Good! I like your eyes! For now, though, let's end this game first!"
"Yes, Captain!"
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Oda took a glance at the scoreboard outside of the court. It was 75 – 58, still for Seirin's lead. With only a few minutes before the game ends, he has no doubt that their chance is already closed for this game. That doesn't mean he would stop running though.
"Everyone, hold your head high!" He clapped his hands hard, gaining his teammates' attention. "I know we don't have any hope to win this game. But, should we go back in shame? Do you want to leave this court with regret, that you didn't do your best here? Do you want to feel like that?"
Honestly, it was not an original speech. Instead, it was his senpai's speech last year when they were on the verge of defeat against Rakuzan in the national tournament. Several players who were on the team last year like Negi and Saki also noticed that, but they choose not to speak anything about it.
And just like last year, this speech was quite effective, as Oda still could see the light in his teammates' eyes.
"THIS! Is not the first time we got eliminated, and this would not be the last time too! My question is, will you make this game your most shameful one by giving up? Or are you going to fight with me until the end?"
Now, all the Senshinkan players looked at each other with different eyes, full of determination.
"Good!" Oda nodded, satisfied with their reactions. "I know we have no chance to win this game. But, let's end it and get out of this place with our heads held high! Let's keep our dignity here, because we are SENSHINKAN! AND WE WOULD NEVER GIVE UP UNTIL THE END!"
"YES, CAPTAIN!"
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And true to his words, even though their chance to chase the score is almost impossible, Senshinkan didn't stop running until the end.
"Captain, here!"
"Narita, back down! Be careful with the shoot!"
"Saki! It is a bait! Switch! Watch the sideline!"
"Negi, protect the rim! Don't let them score easily!"
*SLAP!*
"YEAAAAAAH!!!! NICE BLOCK, NEGI!!!!"
It was two minutes before the game ended, when Senshinkan finally managed to stop Seirin's offense once more time. Fukuda who was the latest victim of Negi's block couldn't help but shake his head.
"Even though they don't have a chance they are still running until the end. Incredible."
Koganei and Hyuga who heard that nodded in agreement. "Yeah. But that is Senshinkan for you. They are infamous for their 'never give up' spirit. As long as the game is still running, no matter winning or losing, they would never stop doing their best. An admirable attitude."
"That's why, we should do our best too, to give them honorable death. God knows they deserve it."
And Hyuga meant it. Even though they were humiliated by Senshinkan for almost 100 points, in his eyes, it was still an honorable loss. He would be insulted more if they treated Seirin last year as a garbage game.
And just by his little reminder, Fukuda and Kawahara also nodded their heads, showing their seriousness in this situation.
"We understand, Captain!"
And just like that, even though it was less than two minutes before the game ended, the intensity of the game is still quite high.
"Don't stop running, Hara!"
"Furihata-kun, screen! Left!"
"Got it! Don't worry!"
"Yeah, nice steal, Furihata-kun!"
"Damn! Defense!"
*Splash!*
"Yeaaah!!! Nice three, Captain!"
Even though Senshinkan players are still running hard until the end, it was a futile attempt, as they couldn't even close the distance to one digit. And when the time is finally up,
*FWEEEEEE*
With the sound of the horn could be heard loudly by all the people in the Tokyo Gymnasium, the game between Senshinkan and Seirin is finally over with Seirin coming out as the winner.
Senshinkan High 65 – 79 Seirin High
And the most important thing, Seirin advanced to the National Tournament!
Author note :
Sorry, this chapter will have a time skip, as I didn't have any good idea of how I should prolong this game. I hope you can understand and still enjoy it.
NEXT CHAPTER: AKASHI & THE MYSTERIOUS OLD MAN
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-Zeta Faes-
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