Stealing Spree

Chapter 2825: Rematch (2)

With the game starting, our attention soon turned to what was happening on the court. The first few minutes went smoothly. The attack and defense of both teams were on par, but Hirari High held a slight advantage.

Nonetheless, despite them going on a deficit in the first five minutes, Kawakami-senpai and the rest of the seniors remained in their top form. It was as if my motivation earlier stuck to them. They’re not letting Hirari High dominate them.

”Come on, girls! Push back!” Kawakami-senpai shouted, her voice cutting through the noise of the opposing crowd.

She currently had the ball as they traveled down the court after Hirari High scored another one.

With Kanno-senpai moving inside, Kawakami-senpai faked left before slipping the ball to her in a sharp bounce pass that bypassed Hirari High’s defense.

The captain of the opposing team was quick on her feet due to Sakuraba Mikan’s reaction time, who shouted, ”Watch the passing lane!”

However, Kanno-senpai had already pivoted into her signature lay-up that made use of her height, preventing the opposing player from blocking her shot.

The ball bounced on the rim twice before slipping in, earning cheers from our side. The scoreboard flipped to 14-10 in favor of Hirari High.

For the next five minutes, the lead of Hirari High didn’t go up. Kawakami-senpai and the seniors always had an answer, even if they failed at the defense.

Soon enough, even the crowd of Hirari High watching from the stands held their breath as the intensity of the match started to rise.

On our side, the duo of Kawakami-senpai and Kanno-senpai continued the trend of inside shots. On their side, Sakuraba Mikan and her friend, the sharp-eyed transfer student shooting guard with highlights on her hair whose name seemed to be Takamine, immediately pressed the counter.

Sakuraba Mikan sliced through our defense with a quick cross-over that left one of our second-years stumbling. She dished it out to her friend in a no-look pass that showed the chemistry they built from countless practices.

The transfer student rose for a clean mid-range jumper. And...

Swish!

It went in without even touching the rim. From that showing, the Hirari crowd erupted as they’d just won the whole prefectural tournament.

Still, our girls didn’t flinch. Kawakami-senpai clapped once and barked, “Reset! We’ve got this! Remember what Onoda-kun said.”

Kanno-senpai nodded as she immediately dashed, shifting into position for the inbound.

The seniors looked fired up. My earlier words must’ve sunk in deeper than I thought, especially that part about turning the boos into fuel. Every time the home crowd roared against us, our side answered with louder determination on the court.

Satsuki squeezed my hand under the bench, “Idiot Ruki. You really got them moving like that, huh? They’re not backing down at all. Kawakami-senpai’s playing like she’s possessed. And Kanno-senpai... she was more aggressive to get under the basket.”

Ria interjected. She was still in that mature-analyst mode, but her intelligent eyes sparkled with mischief as she watched the play unfold. “Dumb-senpai’s motivation is always effective. Aren’t you fired up too, Sister Satsuki?”

“I am. But this idiot needs to always be reminded who he belongs to. Tell me, what did they ask for earlier?”

This girl... So, she really wanted to hear the details, huh? So much for her suggestion.

I let out a soft chuckle just to tease her further while keeping my eyes on the court.

That earned a harder squeeze on my hand and the girl turned my head to her direction, “Tell us, idiot!”

Ria couldn’t help but giggle at that, which got the attention of Ryouko-san, who was sitting next to her.

With three pairs of eyes waiting for my answer, I shrugged and told them the truth.

“Nothing. Just words. Oh, and a quick hug for morale. Nothing you three need to get jealous over. Besides, you’re the one who suggested it to them, Satsuki. Payback for yesterday?”

She huffed, but the corner of her mouth twitched like she was fighting a smile. “Hmph. Maybe. But if they start asking for more ‘motivation’ at halftime, I’m dragging you to the side door myself and getting my motivation from you. Sorry, Ria-chan, even if it’s your birthday, I’ll be sneaking him away.”

Ria giggled softly as she shook her head in amusement. “Un. I don’t mind, Sister Satsuki. Dumb-senpai already pampered me earlier with Sister Eimi. Besides, I like watching Dumb-senpai motivate the whole team. He would never do that before his change.”

Satsuki’s reaction to that was a nod before glaring at me and then whispering, “Un. He’s so different from the stories he kept telling us. It’s not... bad.”

The game continued, and the scoreline evened out at some point.

However, there was a trigger that somehow changed the momentum on the court.

It was after Sakuraba Mikan successfully stole a ball and drove it to the basket herself. It went in, of course. But she took the opportunity to flash a grin at me as if taunting me to take up the reins again and come up with a strategy for the team.

I pretended not to notice and just continued cheering from the side.

I caught her pouting and huffing as she stole another ball, which eventually started the shift. No one could stop her from once again taking over the game like what I witnessed back then.

And just like that, the first half was almost over.

Two minutes left and Ryouko-san called for a timeout.

At this point, Hirari High’s lead went up to 14 points, and the crowd of Hirari High became even louder, drowning our girls’ frustrated huffs.

”Idiot, aren’t you going to say something?” Satsuki squeezed my hand tightly as the girls trudged back to the bench, their shoulders slumped beneath the weight of the scoreboard.

”Dumb-senpai, the buff you gave them wore off,” Ria murmured against my shoulder, her analytical gaze tracking Kawakami-senpai’s stiff posture as she wiped sweat from her brow. ”Their morale’s crumbling. Not to mention, those above were too loud.”

“Yeah, the crowd’s getting to them,” I admitted quietly. It’s my fault, I guess? I should’ve acknowledged her smug look earlier.

Or not. It didn’t matter if I did or not. That girl was just that capable. And paired with her friend, who could basket three-point shots from any angle, the second half would undoubtedly turn into an uphill battle.

Before Satsuki and Ria could reply, I stood and clapped once, gaining everyone’s attention.

I thought they would look defeated, but the team snapped to attention faster than I expected. Kawakami-senpai shot me a grateful look as they went over.

At the same time, murmurs started coming from the Hirari High crowd.

“Who’s that?”

“Their coach?”

“No. That busty teacher is their coach. But that guy... how is he alone in the sea of flowers! I’m envious!”

“Shut it. But isn’t our Mikan also looking at him?”

“Oh? Really? What the hell? Our sweet, sweet Mikan, staring oddly at a guy? Shouldn’t she be snobbish? I tried to confess to her, you know? I got rejected before I even got to say a word.”

The guy’s voice was so loud that it eventually earned him unfriendly gazes from everyone around him.

Meanwhile, I ignored that idiot and focused entirely on the team. While the other members started giving them towels and drinks, I stood in front of Kawakami-senpai and Kanno-senpai, who were still catching their breath.

Their faces were flushed, but their eyes remained sharp. They’re not giving up yet. And they’re waiting for my input.

“Senpai,” I started, “You’re letting them dictate the pace. That’s their game, not yours.”

Kawakami-senpai wiped her forehead with the back of her hand, exhaling sharply. “Easy for you to say, Onoda-kun. That Takamine, she’s everywhere. And Sakuraba... She’s reading our plays before we even make them. I think we should’ve called for a timeout or a substitute halfway through that. Now, we’re down a lot of points again.”

”Indeed. But hear me out first, alright? 14 points, huh? Isn’t that the same deficit you faced back at the Interhigh championship? It’s nothing. Besides, Eguchi-sensei didn’t call for a timeout because all of you were still doing so well on the court.” I paused for a moment to gauge their current state.

”Perhaps their loss back then got that point guard fired up but I could tell how different she was back then. Nonetheless, didn’t you also practice hard these past few weeks in preparation for the Prefectural Tournament? Hirari High is not a wall. They’re a stepping stone.”

Kanno-senpai let out an exhausted sigh. ”Onoda-kun, you’re not the one getting your ankles broken by Sakuraba’s crossovers.”

I grinned. ”No, but I’ve observed her enough and figured out how to counter her.” Leaning in, I lowered my voice. ”She favors her right side on drives. Watch her left foot. When she plants it hard, she has already decided how their offense will go. And Takamine? 8 in 10, Sakuraba will pass to her. Just put two bodies on Takamine when Sakuraba has the ball.”

Kawakami-senpai’s eyes widened slightly before narrowing in focus. ”Huh? Didn’t you see how quick that girl is?”

”I know. Tell her about me, but don’t mention my name. Hopefully, there will be a reaction.” I smirked before shifting my gaze to Sakuraba Mikan across the court.