Bab 163: Chapter 163: Warming up!
"Oh, you will be playing against Nakamiya South High, right? How's your preparation going?"
Switching the topics, Momoi inquired about the upcoming match out of curiosity.
Aida sighed before she flashed a confident smile, "Well, we've observed their play for some time. We should be fine..."
The members of Seirin nodded in agreement as they wore smiles that reflected their assurance in the preparation.
Yet, Momoi, with her keen eyes, sensed a subtle difference in their confidence. Her mind grappled with the thought, "It's good to be confident, but..."
Her contemplation lingered as an uneasy feeling crept in. Examining the expressions of Seirin players, Momoi pondered, "...Why are they letting their guard down like this?"
Aomine also seemed to notice this as he briefly glanced at them before refocusing on the court and scoffing.
Kagami frowned as he noticed Aomine's expression. He opened his mouth to question, but before he could, the crowd erupted into cheers as Fukuda Sogo and Yosen High stepped onto the court.
"Wow! Look, they're coming out!"
"Come on! I'm so eager to see them play!"
The stadium hummed with excitement as both teams stepped onto the court.
Caught up in the fervor, Kagami redirected his focus to the unfolding spectacle on the court.
Back on the court, both teams lined up, engaging in the customary pre-game formalities. As the ritual concluded, the players dispersed to commence their individual warm-up routines.
Amidst the buzz of activity, Tsuna took a moment to approach Murasakibara, who stood tall, his demeanor suggesting a disinterest that barely masked the excitement bubbling within his pupils.
Tsuna couldn't help but notice the subtle glimmer in Murasakibara's eyes, prompting a small smile.
"Don't disappoint me later, Atsushi..." Tsuna's words were deliberate and carried a note of expectation.
Murasakibara responded with a tone that mirrored annoyance, akin to that of a displeased child, "As if I would lose."
Tsuna chuckled in response, his gaze then shifting to Nijimura. With a pointed gesture, he continued, "Shuzo would be marking you, and he is pretty strong. You don't need to hold back, Atsushi..."
"Hold back? What do you mean?" Murasakibara tilted his head in confusion, his towering figure giving off an air of innocence.
Tsuna shook his head, almost expecting Murasakibara's lack of awareness. It was typical of him not to delve into deeper thoughts, and Tsuna recognized this trait well.
"You'll know soon enough," Tsuna replied mysteriously.
Murasakibara frowned, his annoyance evident as he clicked his tongue.
"...You've never changed," he grumbled. The cryptic nature of Tsuna's words was something Murasakibara had grown accustomed to.
"Hahaha, as expected, you guys seemed pretty close..." Okamura approached the duo with hearty laughter, breaking the momentary seriousness as he remarked with his laughter resonating in the air.
Tsuna simply shrugged, a lighthearted smile playing on his lips.
"Well, I've said what I wanted to say," Tsuna addressed Murasakibara, his gaze sincere. He then turned to Okamura, extending his hand for a handshake, which Okamura firmly accepted.
"Let's have a good game!"
"Hahaha, sure! Let's have fun!" Okamura reciprocated with a jovial spirit.
With that, Tsuna rejoined his team, leaving Okamura to return to Yosen High alongside Murasakibara, the friendly atmosphere lingering as both teams prepared for the upcoming clash.
As the two teams geared up for the imminent showdown, Nijimura approached Tsuna with a questioning look etched on his face.
"What were you two talking about?" Nijimura inquired, curiosity evident in his tone. Tsuna responded with a light chuckle, injecting an air of mystery into the conversation.
"I told him not to hold back..."
Nijimura couldn't hide his surprise at Tsuna's directness. "You're directly telling him that?"
Tsuna's nonchalant shrug betrayed a hint of amusement. His eyes flickered towards Murasakibara on the opposing side as he continued, "...Even if I said it directly, he was still confused."
"...Really?" Nijimura raised an eyebrow in disbelief. Glancing at Murasakibara, he shook his head.
Reflecting on Murasakibara's exceptional talent, he thought amusedly, "I suppose God decided to balance the scales by granting him talent alone, without throwing in the brainpower."
"Alright, team! Let's dive into our usual warm-up sets!"
"Noted, Captain!"
Tsuna's voice resonated through the team, eliciting a resounding shout in response.
True to their routine, Fukuda Sogo did their usual warm-up, a series of basics such as shooting, passing, and dribbling.
However, each movement was executed with meticulous precision and intense focus, showcasing their commitment to the fundamentals.
Yosen High, on the other hand, engaged in their own warm-up regimen.
Okamura wore a serious expression as he watched Fukuda Sogo's warm-up unfold.
"They're only doing the basics, but their focus is terrifying," he remarked, a bead of sweat forming on his brow.
Liu was standing beside him as the guy nodded in agreement.
Although Fukuda Sogo appeared to be practicing the basics, the intensity emanating from each player during the execution of movements and shots sent shivers down the spines of their opponents.
Araki, the coach of Yosen High, nodded approvingly at Fukuda Sogo's warm-up routine.
The focused and intense execution of fundamental basketball skills, including shooting, passing, and dribbling, impressed her.
"Executing the basics with such precision and concentration is the essence of a proper warm-up," she remarked.
Although seemingly simple, the intense focus during these foundational drills served multiple purposes.
It not only honed the players' technical skills but also sharpened their mental acuity and coordination. The repetitive nature of these exercises ensured that each player's movements became sharp, fostering muscle memory crucial for a basketball game's fast-paced and dynamic nature.
Additionally, the intense focus required during the warm-up created a mental zone, preparing the players for the challenges ahead and instilling a sense of unity within the team.
Murasakibara, in the midst of his warm-up routine, grumbled as he glanced across the court at Tsuna. "...I'm not planning on losing this match."
"You seem particularly fired up today, Atsushi. It's nice to see this side of you," Himuro remarked with a gentle smile.
"Fired up? Me?" Murasakibara scowled at the notion.
Considering himself to be more on the lazy side, the idea of being excited wasn't something he was accustomed to, and he didn't appreciate the suggestion. He let out a gruff noise of annoyance.
Himuro simply shook his head, smiling at Murasakibara's reaction.
Turning his attention to the other side, where Fukuda Sogo was engaged in warm-ups, Himuro's amiable expression shifted into one of seriousness.
He acknowledged their strength as he had witnessed their triumph in the Interhigh, even if he wasn't present in person. The recording of their final match against Rakuzan High had left an impression on him.
Recalling the Opening Ceremony yesterday, Himuro's thoughts deepened.
"Feeling it in person, especially on the court, gives me goosebumps," His gaze sharpened as he observed each player on the court.
Himuro sensed the tangible improvement in Fukuda Sogo since the Interhigh.
Despite acknowledging their strength, his eyes held an unwavering confidence as he smiled.
"...This match will be exciting!"
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