As the halftime whistle blew, the field fell into a brief lull, the intensity of the first half giving way to a temporary reprieve. Seiryuu High's players, drenched in sweat and with exhaustion etched on their faces, trudged off the field. The half-time break was a welcome relief, a chance to regroup and catch their breath. The cacophony of cheers and groans from the stands faded into a distant hum, replaced by the softer sounds of strained conversations and heavy footsteps.
Kaminari, who had been sidelined with cramps, now limped over to his teammates with a determined glint in his eyes. Despite the evident pain in his stride, a fierce resolve overshadowed his discomfort. "I'm fine," he declared, his voice hoarse but firm. "I'll be back in the game. We need to push through, no matter how tough it gets."