Chapter 174 - Farewell (2/2)
He looked at Shun and spoke.
Mibuchi: ”I will leave the playmaking to you.”
Shun saluted and said.
Shun: ”Roger.”
Aone nodded to show affirmation.
Mibuchi smiled and finished.
Mibuchi: ”There is nothing else to say, let's go out there and win.”
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The three-person team completely dominated all the five-person teams.
Mibuchi shot like a demon. He didn't care if he had enough space to shoot or not. If he got the ball, he would shoot.
Whenever Mibuchi missed, Aone would be there to get the rebound.
The silent center would jump for rebounds and jump for blocks.
Other teams would've to deploy two members to handle him. Only Hyakuzawa was able to contend against Aone.
Shun, too had fun in the games.
He made lob passes for alley-oops. Set up screens for Mibuchi to shoot off. He made trick passes to confuse the opponents on who was going to score.
He helped out Aone by boxing out the rebounding competition.
As Mibuchi was handling the outside, Shun shot from the mid-range. He would unexpectedly charge to the basket and would finish at the basket.
The three-person team didn't lose once and scored twenty-plus points in every quarter-length stretch they played in, and in defense, no team was able to score more than five-points against them.
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At the end of the day, Shun looked at both of his seniors and addressed them.
He turned to Mibuchi and spoke.
Shun: ”Mibuchi-senpai.”
Mibuchi turned to look at Shun.
Mibuchi: ”Hmm? What is it, Kageyama-chan?”
Shun stood up with his back straight and started.
Shun: ”Mibuchi-san, when I entered the first-string, you were the first person to talk to me and show me around.
When I first saw your shooting style, I was mesmerized. Even before you developed your third shot, your style had amazing diversity.
I based my style on your style, and I learned how to look for empty spaces to ask for passes to shoot.
Playing under your captaincy was also a p.l.e.a.s.u.r.e. I don't think I can raise morale as well as you can. Plus, you were able to keep everyone in line quite easily.
I learned a lot under you, and for that, I am thankful.”
Mibuchi smiled but didn't say anything.
Shun turned to Aone and talked to his silent senior.
Shun: ”Aone-san, from day one, you never refused whenever I asked you to help me practice.
To date, you help anybody who would ask for it. You would always stay late and help by playing defense.
You were the one who taught me the importance of persistence and team play.
You always gave people the facts without adding any filters. I could always depend on you when asking for feedback.
For the team, you changed your playstyle without a single complaint.
It was because of you that none in the team hesitated to take shots, as they knew that you would be there to get the rebound.
If I ever needed to intimidate the other team, I just needed to pass you the ball, and you would do the job.”
By this time, all first-year and second-year members were standing behind Shun, and the third-year members joined Mibuchi and Aone.
Shun took a deep breath, did a ninety-degree bow, and spoke.
Shun: ”Thank you for always being there to help!”
Behind Shun, all members followed with the same deep bow and yelled in unison.
All: ”THANK YOU!”
The seniors didn't say anything in response and led by Aone, they just stepped forward, and one by one hugged their juniors.
Behind Shun, Yuki caught Kaitani in the corner of his eyes. He turned to Kaitani and said.
Yuki: ”You are crying?”
Kaitani was startled and turned away from Yuki and spoke in a hurried voice.
Kaitani: ”No! Of course not. What nonsense you are talking about! You are the one who is crying.”
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Just like that, the third-year members of Tokiwadai Middle School Basketball Club finally withdrew from the club.
And, just like that another year, came to an end.
From that end began a new beginning and the start of Shun's third year of Middle School.
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End of Volume Two.
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