On the sideline, Kaito stepped forward.
Didn't ask this time.
Didn't clench his fists.
He just said it.
"Three minutes."
Coach Tsugawa turned to him.
The crowd behind them didn't exist.
Only the silence between words.
"Two minutes thirty."
"Don't break."
Kaito nodded.
…
Next possession—Horizon tried to answer.
Dirga cut baseline—
Pulled the defense down like a gravity well.
Kicked it out to Rei.
Rei faked right—drove left.
Sharp. Convincing.
Aizawa read it, curled into the cut.
Dump-off—
Tipped.
Sho. Fingers just enough.
Ball popped loose—
Fast break.
Eiji pushed.
Dirga backpedaled—full sprint into control.
But he wasn't the target.
Taniguchi caught it in motion.
Pump.
Dirga reacted—
Jumped—half-second late.
Mid-air dish—
Taniguchi dumped it mid-glide.
Sho.
Layup.
63 – 60.
The crowd rumbled.
Not a roar.
But something worse.
A build.
"Kurotsuki's finding momentum! That's five straight points—Sho's presence is anchoring this floor!"
