As soon as Takeuchi gave the order, the entire Kaijo team snapped back into focus. Nobody dared slack off anymore — mess around now and they'd really be running suicides after the game.
But while Kaijo got serious… Yosen completely fell apart.
Caught off guard by the sudden barrage of three-pointers, Yosen scrambled into a wide-spread defensive setup, trying to shut down Kaijo's shooters from running wild beyond the arc. But with no Murasakibara holding the paint, that spread defense left the inside completely wide open.
Under Kota's playmaking, Kaijo repeatedly cracked Yosen's defense. The score gap only grew wider and wider.
Sitting courtside, Araki was practically stomping holes into the floor. She burned a timeout and absolutely roasted her players. But deep down, even as she yelled, she knew the truth — with Murasakibara, it was maybe winnable. Without him? Kaijo and Yosen weren't even playing the same sport at this point.
Frustrated beyond belief, Araki decided the only thing left to do… was mentally blame Takeuchi.
"Oh, so when I told you not to go full tryhard, you really went and didn't hold back, huh?"
Kota sighed. He had been planning to secretly slow the pace down a bit, let Yosen lose with some dignity. But nooo... Takeuchi went and gave the 'no mercy' order. Who would dare slack off now? Honestly, with EQ this bad, no wonder she decked you and ghosted you. Heck, even Kasamatsu's social skills are better — and that guy talks like a grumpy grandpa.
Meanwhile, Kasamatsu himself was hyped out of his mind — pounding his chest and yelling like a maniac. Ever since the Generation of Miracles popped up, every game had basically turned into him getting bullied in the paint. But today? No Generation of Miracles on the court. For whatever reason, even Kise wasn't being aggressive on offense. Kasamatsu was finally the centerpiece of the attack. For the first time ever, the tactics were built around him. The man was living the dream.
Yosen's bench could hear Kasamatsu's primal screams echoing across the court. Araki's glare turned so sharp you could've shaved ice with it. First, she death-stared Kasamatsu… then shifted it straight to Takeuchi.
A drop of cold sweat slid down Kota's forehead. Yeah… never mind what he said earlier. Honestly, Kasamatsu and Takeuchi are neck-and-neck when it comes to having the social IQ of a rock.
"Ugh... My stomach kinda hurts. Kasamatsu-senpai, can you handle the playmaking for a bit~?"
In the end, Kota decided to do Takeuchi a favor and give him an out. He actually liked the coach, after all.
Kasamatsu nodded. He got the hint. With Kise still on the court, there was no way Yosen was staging any miracle comeback.
Kota got permission from Takeuchi and casually hummed his way off the court. Sure, he technically was going to the bathroom… but between you and me? Yeah, he had zero plans to come back. No way was he risking Takeuchi forcing him back into the game.
As he walked, half-thinking about what he'd do after ditching, the other half was still wondering why Murasakibara hadn't shown up. He strolled his way to the bathroom... only to spot someone at the sink.
A red-haired shorty.
Kota blinked.
"Man, even middle school kids are dyeing their hair these days? This world's nuts… Wait. Red hair?"
He spun around in shock. Sure enough — it was Akashi.
Akashi stood at the sink, back turned. Not that it stopped him from speaking.
"Is there a problem? Do you know me?"
Kota swallowed nervously but forced a smile.
"Who doesn't? The famous captain of the Generation of Miracles — Akashi Seijuro himself."
Akashi paused mid-handwash. Slowly, he turned around — one eye crimson, the other golden.
"Bro's out here not just dyeing hair but rocking colored contacts too?"
Kota mentally snarked.
"Say that out loud and this lunatic might actually kill me."
"By the way" Kota asked as casually as possible, though tension prickled his skin, "any idea why Murasakibara didn't show up today?"
Akashi dried his hands, voice cold and mechanical.
"Why ask me?"
Before Kota could answer, Akashi continued,
"Murasakibara couldn't beat your team anyway. Yosen was destined to lose today."
Kota frowned slightly but kept his tone light.
"Huh. Should I take that as a compliment?"
Akashi didn't respond — his face flat, unreadable. Honestly, kinda like Kuroko, though at least Kuroko had the decency to come off like a human being.
"Sure" Akashi said after a pause. "For a mere mortal, you've done well."
"Mere mortal?"
Kota's smile finally cracked. Yeah… he was starting to figure out what Akashi came here for.
"But this is where it ends"
Akashi continued.
"You won't win the championship. Your next opponent… is me. In the Interhigh, how much help can you even offer Kise? I've already seen it. You've hit your limit. There's no future growth for you."
His left eye shimmered — that golden pupil dilating. The sheer pressure he gave off was suffocating. Kota could barely breathe.
"Man… didn't think the big bad captain of the Generation of Miracles would resort to trash talk,"
Kota scoffed.
"Honestly? Kinda lame."
He slapped his own shoulder like brushing dust off.
Stepping right up into Akashi's space, he glared down at the shorter boy.
"Still… gotta admit. Your trash talk works, shorty."
...
"Thanks for the game"
Game over.Final score: 113-69. Kaijo wins.
Kise wiped the sweat off his face and glanced around.
"Huh? Where's Kota?"
Kasamatsu also scanned the gym.
"Said his stomach hurt. Went to the bathroom."
"Bet that guy already ditched and ran home"
Kise grumbled. Honestly, if Kota hadn't bumped into Akashi, that's exactly what would've happened.
"Who says I ran home?"
Kota's lazy voice echoed from the distance.
"Where the heck did you run off to, Kota?"
Kise asked.
Kota paused for dramatic effect… then shrugged.
"Oh, y'know. Had a fight with God."
Kise clicked his tongue.
"Tch. Liar."
"Man... that little gremlin's nuts. Almost gave me a free plastic surgery..."
Kota muttered internally.
"Didn't know my 'Danger Sense' skill could work like that..."
Just a few minutes earlier, in the bathroom—
When Akashi heard the word "shorty" his face darkened. From God-knows-where, he pulled out a pair of scissors and lunged straight for Kota's face.
Kota's jaw dropped.
"Bro, WHO walks around with SCISSORS?!"
As the blade came flying at him, a notification pinged in his head:
Talent Activated: Danger Sense.
In that instant, time practically slowed down. Kota tilted his head just enough to dodge, then lashed out with a flying kick toward Akashi's gut.
Unfortunately, Akashi hopped back, dodging it.
"You…"
Akashi's usually expressionless face actually twitched in confusion. His Emperor Eye had predicted a clean slash across Kota's cheek — just a warning shot. But somehow… Kota avoided it.
Wiping his face with a shudder, Kota snapped back,
"Shame, huh? If you were a bit taller, you might have reached me."
Akashi's gaze sharpened. Nothing pissed him off more than short jokes.
"Hmph. Fine. I'll let you off this time. Consider it a reward for dodging. But when we meet on the court… I'll make you kneel."