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Three days later.
For the high school basketball world of Japan, it was a special day.
No basketball enthusiast could ignore anything related to the "Generation of Miracles." Word spread quickly, and groups of friends gathered at the designated gymnasium.
The sign for Toho Kotei Gakuen vs. Shutoku High School stood prominently at the entrance.
Players from Seirin, Kaijo, Too, Yosen, and Rakuzan also entered the arena, ready to watch today's game.
Inside the gymnasium, the stands were packed, almost overflowing.
The perimeter outside the court was also filled with reporters from various sports newspapers and media outlets.
Everyone awaited the start of the match.
The players from Toho Kotei Gakuen and Shutoku High School were on high alert in their locker rooms, waiting for the game to begin.
In the Shutoku locker room, everyone had changed into their jerseys and put on their shoes.
Everyone's expression was extremely serious as they constantly adjusted their mindset.
Shutoku's coach, Nakatani Hitoshi, addressed his players loudly. "The match strategy will remain as planned yesterday. Their players are no pushovers, so don't be careless. If you have an opportunity, pass the ball to Midorima and try to widen the score gap first."
He then turned to Midorima Shintaro and asked, "Midorima, how confident are you in dealing with that Ryu?"
At this, everyone's gaze turned to Midorima.
Midorima replied while unwrapping the bandages from his left hand, "I don't know. Ryu is an anomaly, a variable. His strength can't be overcome by simply defending. Although, according to today's 'Good Morning' fortune telling, Cancer is second." He paused, then looked at the nearly life-sized plush toy dog lying to the side. "I've prepared today's lucky charm, so it will complete my fortune."
Takao asked wryly, "And what's with your lucky charm today? It's a bit too big!"
Midorima replied without turning his head, "Because today's opponent is Ryu. If the lucky charm is too small, the boost to my luck might not be enough."
"Uh…" The locker room fell silent.
They didn't know what to say.
Who knew if his shooting really had anything to do with these lucky charms?
Meanwhile, in the locker room of Toho Kotei Gakuen, Ryu and the others silently went about their business.
Some changed clothes, while others stretched.
After changing into his jersey and shoes, Ryu sat on the bench, stroking Karupin repeatedly.
Perhaps because of Ryu's presence, or perhaps due to their strong personalities, the others didn't show the tension of facing a formidable opponent.
Time passed by, minute by minute.
Kazama Kouki checked the time, then stood up and said to everyone, "It's almost time. Time to go out onto the court."
Everyone got up and left the locker room, heading towards the entrance of the court.
The same was true for the Shutoku team on the other side.
Click…
Amidst the clamor of the stadium, the doors to both teams' tunnels opened.
"Look, they're coming out!"
"It's Toho Kotei Gakuen! And that's the team that defeated the Generation of Miracles, the school that also boasts a 'Generation of Miracles' level player, this year's dark horse, Toho Kotei Gakuen"
"The last match against Kaijo High School was absolutely amazing! I'm really looking forward to this Miracle showdown!"
"Let the match start already! I can't wait!"
The audience cheered loudly, discussing and anticipating the game.
The players from the other schools sat up straighter, their eyes darting between the Toho Kotei Gakuen and Shutoku High School players emerging from the tunnels.
On the other side, Momoi Satsuki looked expectantly at the two teams below. "Dai-chan, you're here too! I thought you'd stay at school and sleep!"
Aomine Daiki glanced to the side and replied, "Stop nagging. I just came to check it out because I was bored."
'Though he says that, he's actually quite interested!' Momoi covered her mouth and chuckled, not calling him out.
Next to Too was the Kaijo group. Kise Ryota saw Aomine and Momoi and greeted them. "Aominecchi, Momocchi, you really came to watch the match between Ryucchi and Midorimacchi."
"Yeah," Momoi cheered in response. "After all, it's Ryu and Midorima. I'm sure they'll have a great match!"
Kise agreed. "Yeah! It's really something to look forward to! But..." His tone shifted, and he looked at Aomine. "Aominecchi, who do you think will win?"
...
Whistle...
With the referee's whistle, the match officially began.
Both sides gathered in the center of the court, tense atmosphere permeated the entire court.
Ryu and Midorima locked eyes. After a long silence, Midorima finally spoke. "I didn't expect us to be facing off so soon."
Ryu remarked with a touch of emotion, "Yes. Although I've considered the possibility of us becoming rivals in the future, I never imagined it would be this soon."
"You disappeared for a year and became even stronger than before, but so have I. Although my Cancer zodiac sign is ranked second today, I've prepared today's lucky charm to boost my luck, so I won't lose to you."
Ryu smiled slightly after hearing Midorima's words. He looked at him and asked, "I have a question for you." After a pause, Ryu continued, "You must be hiding something, right?"
Ryu's words made Midorima's pupils shrink, but he quickly regained his composure. "And you? You're the one who's best at hiding things among us!"
Midorima neither admitted nor denied it, but instead countered. Hearing this, Ryu smiled.
Midorima's words meant that his guess was correct; the other party was indeed hiding something.
Ryu looked at Midorima meaningfully and said, "I didn't deliberately hide anything. I just did what was necessary to secure my victory." After saying that, Ryu Welfare added, "I'm really looking forward to it!"
After that, the two didn't speak again.
The referee came to the center of the two teams and blew his whistle.
Beep…
At the same time the whistle blew, the basketball was tossed high into the air by the referee.
The instant the basketball reached its highest point, Kamimono and Shutoku's Taisuke Otsubo jumped almost simultaneously.
Two tall figures stretched out their long arms to slap the basketball.
Thwack…
Thwack…
Two crisp sounds, one after the other. Two large hands firmly clamped the basketball between them.
'Evenly matched?' Everyone had this thought. But they were ultimately wrong. The previously evenly matched situation quickly changed.
As Kamimono and Otsubo Taisuke began their descent, Kamimono's large hand, which had been touching the ball, suddenly pressed forward forcefully.
Otsubo Taisuke felt an immense force from the ball, causing his hand, which had been gripping the basketball, to be pushed back.
Otsubo Taisuke was shocked; he hadn't expected his opponent to be so strong.
Just as the two were about to land, Kamimono had completely gained the upper hand, pinning Otsubo Taisuke's hand down.
Taking advantage of this opportunity, Kamimono swung the ball to the side and passed it to Kugawa.
Kugawa caught the ball and, without hesitation, drove straight towards Shutoku's basket.
A sinister green glint flashed in Midorima's eyes.
He moved swiftly, blocking Kugawa's path.
Seeing the approaching Midorima, Kugawa didn't stop either.
He too possessed his own pride. Facing Midorima Shintaro, the No. 1 shooter of the "Generation of Miracles," he naturally wanted to test his skills.
Thump... thump... thump...
Reaching his opponent, Kugawa began switching hands, changing direction, and then attempting a drive.
However, he couldn't break through Midorima's defense. Midorima was like a leech, always sticking to him, impossible to shake off.
'I never imagined this guy wasn't just a great shooter; his defense is equally impressive,' Kugawa thought to himself in amazement.
Midorima's green eyes flashed behind his glasses, and then he swiftly made a steal.
Snap...
The crisp sound made Kugawa's heart skip a beat.
He looked at his hand; it was now empty—the basketball was gone. A cool breeze blew by as Midorima swept past him.
But just as Kugawa turned to help defend, he froze.
He saw Midorima already holding up the basketball, aiming at his own basket and shooting.
The basketball flew into the air like a cannonball, then fell diagonally, passing perfectly through the net and creating a beautiful splash.
0-3.
Shutoku scored first.
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