Stealing Spree

Chapter 2832: Second Half (2)

As the game continued, exhaustion gradually caught up with both teams. They started making mistakes, letting the ball slip from their hands as they received a pass or did some complicated dribbling. Nonetheless, that didn’t diminish the intensity of the game.

For the next eight minutes, the lead of Hirari High kept returning to two. But at the same time, our team couldn’t get a lead higher than 1 before Hirari High could take it back again.

When the last five minutes ticked on the clock, I asked Ryouko-san to call the last time out, to give the girls a chance to breathe while I tweaked their strategy in order to win the game.

The girls jogged over. Their chests were heaving as their jerseys stuck to their bodies because of sweat.

Their faces were already flushed but their eyes were still burning. No one looked defeated. Tired, yes. Frustrated, definitely. But not yet broken.

The benchwarmers immediately stood up, giving them their seats in order to rest their legs.

However, they ended up sandwiching me between them. Satsuki at my right and Kawakami-senpai at my left.

Well, that’s how I arranged it.

“Thirty seconds to breathe. Then listen.”

I started as I grabbed the small whiteboard someone had already wiped clean and started drawing again.

“Last five minutes. They’re definitely going to protect the lead and extend it by turnovers. Don’t overstay on our frontcourt regardless of whether the shot is going in or not. You need to match their pace in tightening our defense after a play.”

Then I drew a few circles on the board. “Since we’ve used your heights for a lot of plays by now, Kanno-senpai and Satsuki, Kawakami-senpai will continue funneling the balls to either of you. But instead of passing to each other to fully take advantage of being taller than them, I want you to focus on finding someone else to pass to or drive it for a layup.”

“Got it!” Kanno-senpai loudly assented.

“This is also to prepare you two from playing separately. Satsuki is supposed to be a substitute for your center, after all. Don’t push yourself too hard, senpai. The same goes for you, Captain. You also have a sub from the second-year seniors.”

Kawakami-senpai gave a short, tired nod. Sweat dripped from the tip of her nose but she didn’t bother wiping it. Her eyes were locked on the little whiteboard as if it were the only thing keeping her upright.

“Understood.” Kawakami-senpai gave a short, tired nod. Sweat dripped from the tip of her nose but she didn’t bother wiping it. Her eyes were locked on the little whiteboard as if it were the only thing keeping her upright.

”Alright. Next. I doubt they’ll pivot to another playmaker. Sakuraba’s value is just that high, and with her competitive spirit, she won’t let herself take a backseat in securing their victory. If Takamine doesn’t get subbed out this time, focus only on her when they have possession.”

Kawakami-senpai wiped her mouth with the back of her wrist, nodding once more. “Okay. Lock Takamine. Force Sakuraba to carry everything herself.”

“Exactly.” I tapped the red dot representing Sakuraba one last time. “She’s incredible, but she’s still human. Make her work for every bucket. If she beats you one-on-one, fine. She’s earned it. But don’t let her funnel more points to her friend.”

Satsuki let out a short, tired huff that was almost a laugh. “You’re basically telling us to strangle their rhythm until they both choke on it.”

“Pretty much.” I grinned as I met her eyes. “That’s all. Take a deep breath before coming back to the court.”

With that, I handed the whiteboard to the other first-year student and then grabbed a towel from the tray to help Satsuki wipe the sweat off her back.

Some of the audience who were keeping an eye on us couldn’t help but jeer at that blatant display. But well, who cares, right?

Ryouko-san gave my shoulder a quick squeeze as she passed. “Nice work, Ruki.”

Orimura-sensei snorted from the side. “Don’t get cocky, shameless brat. They still have to execute.”

I just smiled. “Of course, they will.”

One by one, the five girls stood up.

Satsuki lingered a second longer than the others.

She didn’t say anything at first. She just looked at me with her resting grumpy pout that wasn’t grumpy at all anymore.

Then she leaned in and whispered.

“If we win this... you’re rewarding me extra tonight. No excuses.”

I raised an eyebrow. “I thought the storage room was enough motivation.”

“That was maintenance.” She poked my chest once. “I want the full celebration package. Understand? I’m going home with you.”

“Crystal clear.”

Her lips curved up in satisfaction. After that, she turned and jogged out to join the others.

The buzzer echoed and the play soon resumed.

4:45. The score was once again tied by Kawakami-senpai’s mid-range jumper. The ball cycled back to her, and no one was around her.

58-58.

4:01. Hirari High managed to score after back-to-back misses from both sides.

60-58.

3:45. Kanno-senpai successfully made a three-point play when she was fouled during her layup. Her free throw almost missed though, causing the Hirari High-dominated audience to cheer. When it ended up dropping into the basket, they got silenced.

60-61.

The clock ticked down to 3:12 when Sakuraba finally cracked from the strategy I devised.

She tried forcing another drive to her favorite side, but Kawakami-senpai slid her feet and stayed low, forcing Sakuraba to pick up her dribble early.

The second she did, Kanno-senpai rotated over like a closing gate and stripped the ball clean with one long arm.

The crowd groaned in unison as the ball bounced forward.

One of the second-year seniors was already sprinting to the ball. Takamine was right on her heels.

Once she scooped it up, she flung it behind, which Satsuki caught.

She took two large strides and exploded off her right foot at the free-throw line. Sakuraba and Takamine lunged desperately but they both came up short.

And that’s another score.

60–63.

Ria actually let out a sharp, triumphant “Yes!” and immediately covered her mouth like she’d broken character.

Nagisa, up in the stands, had both hands pressed to her cheeks. I caught her eyes for half a second; she looked equal parts stunned and proud, like she still couldn’t believe the version of me she was watching now.

Yep. I figured out that she was secretly cheering for my success rather than her school’s basketball team.

With the lead flipped, the remaining time became even more intense as though they were in an official tournament.

Sakuraba and the entire Hirari High desperately called for plays in order to erase that 3-point lead. But their reckless attempts to drop a three-pointer beyond the arc cost them another two points.

By the time the last minute ticked on the game clock, our team successfully maintained the lead, and the Hirari High girls began running out of juice.

Of course, aside from Kanno-senpai, who looked like she was still filled with energy, everyone else was already sluggish.

But it’s amazing how the light in Sakuraba’s eyes remained optimistic.

On their last ball possession, she ran back all by herself and dropped a three, bringing down the lead to two points.

But with only two seconds left in the game clock, Kawakami-senpai turtled up as soon as the ball was passed to her from outside.

Sakuraba Mikan also gave up at that point, accepting their loss.

BZZZT!

Final Score: 67-69

Our side erupted.

The small pocket of supporters from our school jumped to their feet, screaming like they owned the place. Meanwhile, the Hirari crowd sat in stunned silence for a full three seconds before someone started clapping, shouting, “Great game. You all did great!”

Soon, the entire gymnasium erupted in applause. Their congratulations were directed to both teams as they started wishing for their success in the upcoming prefecture-level tournament this summer.

Right. This practice game was all in preparation for that. And since they’re going to represent our city, everyone would be supporting both schools.

Across the court, I saw Sakuraba Mikan walking back slowly. She’s staring at the scoreboard like it personally betrayed her.

Takamine walked over and draped an arm around her shoulders. Whatever she said made Sakuraba’s shoulders slump for half a second before the orange-haired girl shook her head sharply and forced a bright, competitive grin.

Then, she glanced back, her gaze landing straight across at me.

No smirk this time.

Just a long, unblinking stare that seemed to say: This isn’t over. Next time I’m getting your number too.

Alright. I made up that one. But it was probably not far from that, right?