章 17: Seize the Win
Everyone stared in shock at Shiro, their faces pale. The intense, overwhelming energy radiating from him was terrifying.
"Damn... Why do I feel like Shiro's animal instinct is even stronger than mine?" Aomine muttered, utterly puzzled.
"Incredible! Is this Shiro's true potential?" Akashi voiced the question on everyone's mind.
"Hahaha, we've really struck gold! To unlock such Animal Instinct this early—within just his first year of junior high—means Shiro's dominance will cast a long shadow over every other school for the next three years!" Coach Shirogane was secretly ecstatic, grinning ear to ear.
A first-year with such raw talent—unlocking their "Animal Instinct" this soon—was truly unheard of.
"No doubt about it," Akashi added thoughtfully. "That crazy alley-oop dunk just now wouldn't have been possible without tapping into his Animal Instinct!"
Shiro's breathing steadied, and the overwhelming aura around him slowly dissipated. The terrifying mental image of the giant shark that had loomed in everyone's minds began to fade like a mirage.
"Shiro! That Animal Instinct of yours—was that really it? That was insane!" Aomine sprinted over, his face full of excitement.
Akashi and the others looked on, eyes filled with curiosity.
Shiro gave a slight nod, his expression calm and unaffected, as if what had just happened was no big deal.
"That's awesome... When will I awaken mine?" Aomine murmured, a hint of frustration creeping into his voice. Shiro was advancing so fast, while Aomine felt stuck.
Seeing Aomine's disappointment, Shiro's expression grew serious. He patted his shoulder reassuringly. "Don't worry, Aomine. Trust yourself. It won't be long before you awaken yours."
What Shiro didn't say aloud was, 'After all, you were always the first of the Generation of Miracles to bloom'
The game resumed, and Shiro took control. With the ability to switch his Animal Instinct on and off at will, no one could stop him. He tore across the court like a runaway horse, unstoppable.
As the momentum shifted, it became clear that victory belonged to Teiko Junior School.
Despite their exhaustion, the players from Shoei Junior High refused to give up. Even knowing defeat was inevitable, they fought to the very end, determined to lose with dignity.
In the final moments, Shiro sealed the game with a jaw-dropping deep three-pointer from way beyond the arc.
Swish!
The ball sliced through the net cleanly, igniting a wave of cheers from the crowd.
After the game, Shiro jogged over to Kiyoshi, clapping him on the shoulder. "Kiyoshi, I admire your team's grit. You never gave up, no matter what. But this game is over. I look forward to our next battle"
The buzzer sounded. The scoreboard froze at 99–56, Teiko Junior High had secured a decisive win over Shoei Junior High.
In Shoei's locker room, the air was heavy with defeat. Heads hung low, and frustration was etched on everyone's faces.
Their point guard broke the silence. "I'm sorry, Kiyoshi. We let you down. If it weren't for us holding you back, we could've gone much further..."
But Kiyoshi shook his head firmly, giving his teammate a supportive pat on the back. "Don't say that. We're a team—without you, I wouldn't have made it this far. There's no such thing as one player carrying the whole squad. And honestly... I could've done better, too"
He grinned warmly. "But hey, we put up one hell of a fight, right?"
Hearing Kiyoshi's words, his teammates lifted their heads. Determination reignited in their eyes.
"Yeah! Next year, we'll come back stronger!" they declared in unison.
Watching them, Kiyoshi smiled, his heart full of pride and gratitude.
"That's right. Next year, we'll fight again—and we'll be better" he said, his voice brimming with resolve. The energy in the room shifted, their spirits rising with a shared sense of purpose.
"Shiro! We did it again!" Momoi beamed, handing a water bottle to Shiro as he rejoined his teammates on the sideline.
"Yeah. Everyone did great today" Shiro replied with a nod. His eyes gleamed with confidence. "But remember, our goal is the national championship. No slacking off."
Hearing this, the other players couldn't help but smile. With Shiro leading them, winning the national title didn't seem like a dream—it felt like a promise.
"Alright, alright. Since you're all so fired up, I won't say much. But don't forget—our next game is the day after tomorrow, so I want everyone back at the gym tomorrow for a light practice" Coach Shirogane said with a sly grin.
"Ahhh, come on, coach! Give us a break!" the team groaned in unison, as if they'd just been sentenced to torture.
Suddenly, Aomine's eyes lit up, and he turned to Shiro. "Shiro, let's have a one-on-one tomorrow! I've gotta unlock my Animal Instinct too!"
Shiro laughed, rubbing his forehead in exasperation. "You never change, do you?"
But before they could discuss further, Coach Shirogane's voice cut in sharply.
"Listen up, all of you! From now on, no more full-on one-on-ones. That's an order!"
"What?! Why?" Aomine protested, eyes wide with disbelief.
The rest of the team exchanged puzzled glances. Aomine looked like his dream had just been shattered.
Only Shiro, after a moment of reflection, nodded in understanding.
"Kids, you're still in junior high. Your bodies aren't fully developed yet. If you push yourselves too hard now, you could suffer injuries that'll affect your future" the coach said solemnly. "I won't let you risk everything for one pointless game. I want all of you to have long, bright careers ahead of you"
The seriousness in the coach's words resonated with everyone. They realized that he wasn't just being strict—he was looking out for their futures.
Aomine clenched his jaw, frustration lingering on his face. But after a moment, he exhaled deeply and gave a reluctant nod.
Seeing this, Shiro grinned and clapped Aomine on the shoulder.
"Don't sulk. When we get to high school, we'll have our showdown. Just wait a little longer"
"Yeah... High school it is!" Aomine's mood shifted instantly, a confident grin spreading across his face. "And you're paying for food, remember!"
The whole team burst into laughter at Aomine's sudden change of attitude.
With that, they headed back to the locker room, their spirits high as they prepared for whatever challenges lay ahead.
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