The air fell silent at that moment.
Masaaki Nakatani wiped the sweat from his forehead and gave an awkward smile.
"Huh? Okay, doctor, I will remind Midorima."
Kazunari Takao looked just as embarrassed.
"I did not expect Shin-chan to have that kind of habit."
Even Miyamoto Tokima was stunned.
What is that supposed to mean?
Shintaro Midorima's lower back hurts because he did that too much?
Seeing that everyone had misunderstood, the doctor quickly explained:
"No, that is not what I meant. I mean he should cut back, because that kind of activity can affect the recovery of his lower back."
Hearing this, everyone let out a sigh of relief.
Masaaki Nakatani burst out laughing.
"I see."
Kazunari Takao also smiled in relief.
"I knew it. Shin-chan would not be like that."
Miyamoto Tokima felt a bit awkward. For a brief moment earlier, he had already thought about how he would tease Shintaro Midorima in the future.
After confirming that Shintaro Midorima was fine, the three of them went into the ward to check on him.
After learning the result of the match, Shintaro Midorima did not show much sadness.
He calmly congratulated Miyamoto Tokima and did not dwell on the match.
Miyamoto Tokima knew very well that Shintaro Midorima was just a stubborn tsundere.
He looked indifferent on the surface, but inside he was probably deeply upset.
He was definitely going to brood over it late at night.
After chatting briefly with Shintaro Midorima, Miyamoto Tokima left the hospital.
Kirisaki Daiichi was still waiting for him.
How could the celebration start without the main figure present?
Shintaro Midorima looked out the window, his thoughts drifting far away.
'Winter Cup...'
...
The celebration banquet was held at Miyamoto Tokima's villa.
He did not actually live there.
When Makoto Hanamiya heard the villa was vacant, he immediately asked to borrow it for the celebration.
In fact, Makoto Hanamiya had already started preparing the celebration during the semifinals.
No other reason. Just confidence.
The members of Kirisaki Daiichi had already arrived at the villa ahead of time, waiting for Miyamoto Tokima.
Miyamoto Tokima soon arrived at the entrance.
The moment he got there, he sensed something was off.
Something was very off.
A celebration banquet, yet it was so quiet.
Anyone would think the villa was empty.
Naturally alert, Miyamoto Tokima became cautious. He looked back every few steps as he entered.
He even picked up the anti-theft stick by the door and swept it along the ground, worried something might be hidden there.
Maintaining his guard, he made his way to the main door of the villa.
There was no ambush along the way.
That made him start to doubt himself.
Was he overthinking it?
Impossible. Absolutely impossible.
They must be trying to lower his guard, then ambush him inside.
With that in mind, Miyamoto Tokima slowly opened the door like a thief and scanned the living room.
After confirming there was nothing unusual, he tiptoed inside.
He carefully checked every possible hiding spot.
After inspecting multiple places and finding nothing, Miyamoto Tokima scratched his head in confusion.
"Huh? What is going on? There is no ambush?"
Suddenly, voices came from outside the door.
Miyamoto Tokima immediately rushed over and pressed his ear against it.
"I have to say, winning the championship really feels amazing."
"Of course. It is the national championship."
"By the way, Hanamiya, what did you buy?"
"None of your business. You will eat it later anyway."
"How can you talk like that?"
"That is just how I talk. What, Haizaki, want to argue with me?"
"You..."
Click.
Satsuki Momoi opened the door and screamed.
"Ah!"
Makoto Hanamiya and the others heard it and thought she was in danger. They rushed over immediately, all on guard.
"What is wrong, sister-in-law?"
Satsuki Momoi patted her chest, took a couple of breaths, then said angrily:
"Tokima. Why did you scare me?"
Miyamoto Tokima scratched his head awkwardly.
"Sorry, Darling. I did not know you were outside. Did you not say you would wait for me in the villa?"
Satsuki Momoi puffed her cheeks and said:
"We ran out of ingredients, so we went out to buy more."
Makoto Hanamiya gave a wry smile.
"Tokima, I was worried the ingredients bought in advance would not be fresh, so I only prepared the atmosphere and not the food."
Miyamoto Tokima did not care about that. He only cared about what Satsuki Momoi had just said.
"So you are saying... you were all out just now?"
Murasakibara slowly ate chips and mumbled:
"Yes, Toki-chin. What is wrong?"
Miyamoto Tokima froze.
So that means...
He had been on guard this whole time...
For nothing.
Oh god.
Seeing his expression, Satsuki Momoi asked worriedly:
"What is wrong, Lai Lai? Are you feeling unwell?"
Miyamoto Tokima waved his hand, looking uncomfortable.
"I am fine. My body is fine. My head is not."
...
After that small episode, the celebration gradually began.
It had to be said, Makoto Hanamiya had decorated the backyard very well.
He even brought nightclub-style lighting.
Makoto Hanamiya took out a microphone and tapped it twice.
"Ahem, ladies and gentlemen, let us celebrate winning the Summer Cup national championship."
"Now, let us get excited."
As he spoke, he switched on the DJ setup beside him and started playing DJ.
One hand scratched back and forth while the other was raised, waving to the beat.
Upbeat music began to fill the air.
Kentaro Seto stood beside him, copying the exact same moves.
Miyamoto Tokima stared at them, completely dumbfounded.
What are you two even doing?
He turned to Shogo Haizaki in confusion.
"Haizaki, Hanamiya and Seto..."
Shogo Haizaki looked embarrassed and spoke hesitantly.
"Tokima, it's not like I didn't tell you. I only found out yesterday."
"Hanamiya and Seto set up some kind of DJ equipment at home."
"They even learned all of this online."
Tokima immediately caught the key word.
"Online?"
Haizaki nodded.
"I think it was from… TikTok or something…"
Tokima went completely numb.
It's over. Brainrot got them.
Just as he was still trying to process it, a familiar beat suddenly dropped—
"I'm good, yeah, I'm feelin' alright…"
?
That's it.
They're gone.
Completely gone.
...