Chapter 53 More Than Just Winning
Exclamations of surprise rang out, the excitement exceeding all expectations.
The referee blew the whistle for injury.
The next second, Kanon and Ayako arrived at the scene carrying a medical kit.
The entire Shohoku team anxiously surrounded him, even Sakuragi, who usually didn't get along with him, was extremely nervous.
Hua Yin remained silent for a long time this time. She quickly picked up medical gauze and used it to cover the wound on his forehead.
Her gaze was fixed intently on him.
Looking at the person so close to him, Rukawa Kaede saw the worry that he couldn't suppress in her eyes. He said softly, "I'm fine."
Hana paused, then gave a dry "hmm".
The bloodstains before my eyes were shocking.
Her eyes felt a little sore.
I feel really upset.
Back at the rest area, Hana silently treated his wounds.
Out of concern for Rukawa's safety, Coach Anzai decided to make a substitution, "Kogure, go warm up."
"yes!"
Hana lowered her eyes.
Rukawa Kaede tensed his jawline, clenched his fists at his knees, veins bulging on the back of his pale hands, his eyes revealing unwavering determination and anxiety.
Don't change the person! Don't change the person! Don't change the person! Don't change the person! Don't change the person! Don't change the person!
Every athlete cherishes the opportunity to play and is unwilling to be substituted.
After applying the sterile dressing and wiping away the remaining disinfectant from his forehead, Hana put down the cotton swab and said sincerely, "Coach, please don't change the person."
Everyone looked on in surprise; this was the first time Hanon had said no to the coach.
Coach Anzai glanced at the two of them and laughed, "Oh ho ho ho... then I'll leave it to Rukawa. Kogure, you can continue to rest."
A blazing light ignited in Rukawa Kaede's eyes, and scorching, fiery sparks danced endlessly in his heart.
She was like his little fairy, showering him with light and easily making all the anxiety in his heart disappear.
Even though he didn't say anything, she could understand him.
It entered his heart so gently yet forcefully, a fatal feeling that came unexpectedly, gradually eroding him deeper and deeper.
She ruffled his hair and said, "Keep it up."
The voice was soft, yet powerful, striking straight to his heart.
During this time, both sides adjusted their tactics.
Hanon, holding her tactical board, said:
"Shohoku is indeed very strong, but Shohoku is strong enough to defeat them. I'm not just asking for a win, but a resounding victory, to give you a great start on your road to the championship."
The Shohoku team was stunned, their eyes blazing with fierce fighting spirit!
Hanon: "Don't wait until the Shohoku team is exhausted before attacking. Now is the time to show your true strength."
The five tigers looked serious and solemn.
Kanon looked at Akagi and Sakuragi: "If we want to launch a fast break, we'll have to rely on your defense and rebounding."
Sakuragi: "Leave it to the genius!"
Akagi regained his senses and took a deep breath: "No problem!"
This concerns the national competition; he absolutely cannot fail!
Hanon: "Mitsui-senpai, keep up your strengths on the perimeter. Don't worry, your touch will come back sooner or later."
Mitsui clenched his fist: "Good!"
Hanon: "Rukawa, if necessary, you can choose to attack individually."
Rukawa Kaede: "Mm!"
Kanon: "Miyagi, you need to be faster, and..."
The boys gathered around her, listening attentively.
Seeing the tense atmosphere, Ayako put her arms around Kanon and Haruko and joked, "Do you know what Fujima is most famous for?"
What is it?
Ayako: "You'd never guess—it's his beauty! They say Fujima is the most handsome man in Kanagawa Prefecture."
Everyone from Shohoku looked over in unison.
Fujima sat there quietly, his chestnut hair falling gently, his pure and beautiful eyes and brows exuding unparalleled elegance.
Miyagi paused in her act of stuffing her clothes, secretly annoyed.
A grown man with such fair and delicate features, wouldn't Ayako's attention be drawn to him?!
He immediately felt a sense of crisis!
No way! Ayako is his! Kanagawa's best defender is his too!
Haruko cupped her flushed face in her hands, "So that's really true..."
Sakuragi was consumed by jealousy, his eyes blazing with fury. It was bad enough that there was a vixen here, but Shohoku also had a despicable substitute!
Ayako nudged Kanon: "Kane-chan, what do you think?"
Rukawa paused slightly as he adjusted his wristband.
He was only slightly concerned—
What if Kanon thinks Fujima is prettier?
She casually shifted her gaze to Fujima, her eyes circling him several times.
Hanon smiled and said, "The prefectural flower is Fujima. As for the prefectural hunk, Rukawa is undoubtedly the one."
Everyone's attention returned to Rukawa Kaede; there was some truth to that...
Rukawa Kaede belatedly realized that not only his face, but also the roots of his ears and his restless fingertips were slightly itchy.
Akagi stretched out his hand and shouted, "Alright! Time is running out, everyone give it your all!"
In the blink of an eye, all the team members formed a circle.
Only Kanon and Rukawa were left standing there dumbfounded.
Sakuragi turned around: "Sister, come quick!"
Hanon walked over with a smile: "You're here."
She placed her hand on Ayako's hand and body, and everyone looked at Rukawa Kaede.
Rukawa Kaede's gaze shifted slightly downwards—
She placed her well-defined knuckles on the back of Hanon's hand, making it appear as if she were completely enveloping that hand.
Akagi looked down at everyone's hands clasped together, paused for a few seconds, and then said, "One, two, three—"
"We are the strongest!"
Back to the game.
Fujima received the pass, quickly overtook Mitsui who came to help defend, stood at the three-point line, and with a light leap, a beautiful three-pointer swished through the net.
【Fujima! Fujima! Fujima! 】
Hanon, Ayako, and Haruko looked at Fujima.
Rukawa, Miyagi, and Sakuragi were furious—they were absolutely enraged!
Akagi and Mitsui were completely bewildered. "Why did these three idiots suddenly get so worked up?"
Offense and defense shift.
Rukawa Kaede charged into Shohoku's paint with lightning speed, and Miyagi tossed the ball to him without hesitation—
Rukawa, who received the ball, didn't stop. He faked a move that left the defender behind and leaped high into the air—
The flower-shaped shot, delivered to help on defense, swung his arm to block the shot—
His sharp, fox-like eyes could only see the basket; he was almost suspended in mid-air.
In an instant, the ball was retrieved—
Change actions —
Layup -
Goal!
Upon landing,
The lighting and sound were just right.
Rukawa Kaede gently flicked the stray hairs from his forehead, his short, dark hair gleaming with a faint sheen.
Wow!! So cool!
[Rukawa Kaede! LOVE Rukawa Kaede!]
It was a really beautiful layup, and all the girls in the stadium screamed like crazy, almost lifting the roof off the stadium.
Next, Rukawa Kaede remained aggressive, soaring for a dunk and pulling up for a jump shot... The entire arena ignited by his spectacular performance.
Mitsui was exhausted, panting heavily with his tongue lolling out. He awkwardly placed his hand on Rukawa's shoulder: "Rukawa, were you just given a stimulant? Aren't you tired from all that?"
He really is a demon of attack!
He racked up points in just a few minutes, fully demonstrating his unparalleled skill.
It was like they were playing house with Shohoku. Shohoku almost scored zero points, and the only basket they managed to score was by Fujima with great difficulty.
Rukawa Kaede pulled up his jersey collar, wiped the sweat from his face, and briefly looked at a certain spot, causing Rukawa Mei to almost faint.
His tone was completely flat as he replied to Mitsui, "It's because your stamina is too poor."
Mitsui looked furious, clenching his fists: "What did you say? Say it again!"
Rukawa Kaede's voice was cold and sassy: "You're weak!"
Mitsui suddenly pounced on Miyagi, crying, "Waaah, Ryo, he bullied me!"
Miyagi pried his hands apart: "How disgusting!"
The game continues.
Upon seeing Hanagata's retreating step, Miyagi immediately deduced his opponent's move.
As Hanagata took a step back and jumped, Miyagi immediately stepped closer and then leaped high into the air.
Raise both hands to make a blocking motion —
Its right hand, outstretched in a five-claw shape, reached out in front of the flower-shaped eyes.
Hanagata was startled by the blindfolded defensive move, his rhythm was disrupted, and he subconsciously raised his shooting point.
"Bang!"
The sound of hammering iron.
"--rebound!"
Hanagata felt a sudden panic when he saw Sakuragi appear behind him without him noticing.
Sakuragi and Hanagata jumped simultaneously, their arms outstretched towards the basketball—
Sakuragi's fingers touched the basketball, causing it to bounce higher and change direction. Hanagata's figure slowly descended, but then he saw that red jersey flash past his eyes and continue upward!
Then, Hanagata watched as he caught the ball steadily in his arms, and as it landed, it had already been passed to Miyagi.
[Hikoichi: Sakuragi jumped twice in a row!]
[Uozumi: This guy's explosive power is terrifying!]
Coach Taoka: How is this possible!
Sendoh curled the corners of his mouth: Sakuragi is really interesting...
Kiyota gritted his teeth: That red-haired monkey!
[Amu thought to himself: Sakuragi Hanamichi, the genius... he really does have something.]
Once again, Hanagata was struck by Sakuragi's prowess and snapped out of his shock, immediately chasing after him to defend.
Mitsui received Miyagi's pass at the top of the arc, made a slight adjustment, jumped, and shot.
The basketball traced a perfect arc—
"Whoosh~"
Hollow-core netting.
Mitsui smiled smugly at Rukawa, "My stamina is still great!"
Rukawa Kaede gave him a beautiful back of his head—Idiot.
Fujima catches the ball and runs quickly.
Miyagi put all his effort into it, weaving between two opposing defenders to intercept and steal the ball in one fluid motion!
The movement of shifting his center of gravity with the ball was too fast. Not only did the spectators on the field not see it clearly, but even Fujima, whose ball was stolen by Miyagi, didn't react in time. The ball was already out of his control.
Oops!
Even though Fujima responded promptly and gave chase, it was too late.
[Miyagi's speed is amazing!]
Taoka just stared at Miyagi's back, secretly cursing, "Damn it! Why doesn't Miyagi come to Ryonan!"
Shohoku used their smaller size to exploit their mismatch advantage.
After a simple combination between Miyagi and Akagi, Miyagi used his smaller stature and agility to score a layup.
Sakuragi excitedly ran over and high-fived Miyagi: "That's awesome! Ryo!"
Mitsui ran over too: "Good shot!"
Miyagi was also thrilled. This was just the beginning; just wait and see! Fujima!
The roles of offense and defense are reversed.
Having exhausted himself, Fujima missed another three-pointer.
Akagi grabs the rebound, and Shohoku launches a fast break.
Mitsui received the ball, completely ignoring Hasegawa's defense, calmly jumped, and gracefully made the three-pointer.
With his health nearly depleted, Mitsui's fighting power was fully awakened.
Coach Taoka: Shohoku's tactics consist of fast breaks and relentless rebounding.
[Uozumi: The entire Shohoku team is too fast. It's hard to imagine that they're still so energetic after playing for so long.]
—Except for Mitsui.
On the other hand, Shohoku had exhausted too much energy earlier, and the players on the court were tired and their reactions were obviously slower. Fujima dribbled to the top of the arc - but no one on either side could quickly come up to screen for him.
[Sendoh: Shoyo is completely unable to keep up with their pace.]
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