Chapter 111 - Finals: #8 (2/2)
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Shun looked at the time on the scoreboard and saw that time there was time left for only one play.
He looked at the score and saw that they needed three more points for a fifteen point lead on Teiko.
He turned to Sora, who had the ball and raised his hand to his c.h.e.s.t level to ask for the ball.
Sora looked at Shun and passed the ball, as he had done so far in this quarter.
Shun sprinted to the basket. He had to do this every time to evade the double-team from cornering him. And, as every time, Aomine came in Shun's path.
Shun did a fake-spin to the left but pivoted to the left.
Aomine wasn't fooled and moved to the right.
Shun was able to process this information with his phenomenal reflexes and pulled back immediately.
Aomine wasn't expecting that, his weight slipped to the left, and he stumbled to the ground.
Aomine cursed as he tried to get up, but he was too late, and Shun was already away from him.
Aomine: ”Shite!”
Shun didn't slow down and made his way to meet his second adversary.
Akashi took a deep breath as he saw Shun coming towards him.
Akashi: 'I have to stop him, or else we will be behind by at least fourteen points.'
Shun stepped into Akashi's range and did a double behind-the-back change, and threaded the ball between his legs.
With the ball in his left hand, Shun pulled a stiff-leg crossover to the right and made Akashi slip, and break his ankles.
Shun then pulled a classic Akashi and stopped there. From just beside Akashi, he pulled up for a mid-range jump shot and made the shot.
The buzzer went off, indicating the end of the first half of the game.
Shun walked to the bench slowly while catching his breath after an action-packed first-half.
Shun: 'The pace was faster than I imagined it would be, but thankfully we were able to remain in the lead.'
Shun glanced at the scoreboard and saw the score for the first half.
The score was 63-49 in Tokiwadai's favor.
Shun managed to stop Teiko at twenty-four points and managed to score thirty-two points on his own.
With Mibuchi's five points, Tokiwadai scored thirty-seven points in this quarter.
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Akashi stood up and silently walked to Teiko's bench.
He received a towel from Satsuki and dr.a.p.ed it over his head. With his face facing downwards, he sat on his seat.
In his mind, his previous exchange with Shun repeated over and over again.
Akashi: 'I(ore) tried everything.
I tried to increase the team's offense by passing the ball perfectly.
I let Kuroko remain on the court to free up Midorima.
I cut off Kageyama's teammates to slow him down.
I increased the defense on him to slow him down.'
The chaotic thoughts churned in his mind, slowly taking over him.
Akashi: 'Nothing worked. He found a way to deflect every single one of my schemes.'
The game played in his mind like a film. He recalled what Shun showed on the court.
Akashi: 'He was using copied moves on the court. They weren't as good as ours, but somehow he was using them better than us.
HOW?!'
The darkness became more and more prominent.
Akashi: 'Now, we are behind fourteen points behind them. Catching up that gap against Kagayama Shun will be extremely hard.
Will we lose?'
A memory of his father telling him about the duty of his family surfaced.
「A member of the Akashi Household can't lose. It is not in their destiny to face defeat. We are always the victor...」
Akashi: 'Am I going to LOSE?'
Something opened its eyes in a dark corner of Akashi's mind. It felt that its time had come.
As Akashi was drowning in the thoughts of defeat, a voice echoed in his mind.
#%&*: 'If you can't defeat him, then I(boku) will secure the victory.'
In the recess of Akashi's mind, a hand grabbed him and pulled him into the shadow.
Akashi saw another Akashi pull him into the shadow, and then stepping into the light.
The 'other' glanced behind him to see Akashi and spoke.
'Other': ”You stay here. I(boku) will show you the meaning of strong.”
Akashi looked at the 'other' him, and willingly sat on the pedestal in the shadow, and saw the 'other' stepping into the light.
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Teiko was talking among themselves how to handle Tokiwadai in the second half.
Midorima noticed that Akashi hadn't said a word since the first half had ended.
He called out to Akashi but didn't get an answer.
Midorima felt confused and extended his hand to shake Akashi.
Midorima: ”Akashi.”
Akashi turned his face, and Midorima got a glance at Akashi's face.
Midorima froze still when he saw Akashi's expression behind his towel.
Midorima saw the coldest look he had ever seen on Akashi's face. The emotionless eyes that looked like extremely deadly.
Midorima: ”A-Akashi, are you fine?”
Akashi pulled the towel from his head and straightened up in his seat.
He turned to Midorima and replied.
Akashi: ”Hmm... Ah, yes. I(boku) am fine.”
A faint smile appeared on Akashi's face as he continued.
Akashi: ”I have never felt better.”