The clinic was quiet.
Dirga, Horizon's ace, lay asleep on the examination bed. Still, unmoving—
As if all the fury and fire from the Toyonaka match had burned out of him completely.
Outside the room, Horizon's players were spread across the clinic floor—
Exhausted, asleep in chairs, against walls, some even on the ground.
Their jerseys still half-drenched in sweat, shoes kicked off, breathing heavy.
They were waiting.
For him to wake up.
In the corner sat Coach Tsugawa, Sayaka, Ayaka, and Takeshi-sensei, Dirga's uncle.
Even Aoi, Toyonaka's manager—and Dirga's cousin—was there.
No rivalry now. Just family. Just people who cared.
Takeshi-sensei finally broke the silence.
"So… how is Dirga?"
The doctor looked up from the monitor, speaking low.
"Stable. But he needs rest. His muscle fibers are at critical fatigue, and his vitals show extreme physical stress. He pushed himself far beyond normal output."
"I see," Takeshi-sensei nodded. "Thank you, Doctor."
