Seirin had won.
But Kiyoshi Teppei was still injured.
Compared to the original storyline, however, it was only a twisted ankle. Though it meant he would miss the Tokyo district league finals, it wasn't as bad as needing surgery and being limited to just one year of basketball.
That day, after the match ended
On the hospital bed, Kiyoshi and Hyūga sat together and talked at length.
They talked about…
The rooftop.
Where Kiyoshi had declared that Seirin would reach the nationals and aim for number one in Japan.
They talked about…
The shadow of Teiko that Kiyoshi still hadn't been able to walk out from under.
And also…
The truth Hyūga pointed out—that the one who least believed Seirin could become number one in Japan was
"It's you, isn't it?"
"Tch!"
Standing by the window, Hyūga Junpei wore a cold expression, but deep down, because he had already recognized Kiyoshi as a comrade striving for victory, he couldn't help but cheer him on.
"There's still time."
"Seirin…"
"We've only just begun."
"No matter what happens, at least for these three years of high school, as long as we play as many games as possible, and keep winning until the very end—that makes us number one in the nation, doesn't it?"
"Che!"
"What's there to be afraid of?"
"Basketball…"
"…isn't one-on-one!"
"In a one-on-one or two-on-two, I know the view from the very top is something we could never reach. But… we're not alone. We've got teammates our age, and in the future, there'll be strong newcomers too. If everyone works hard together and keeps growing stronger…"
"In three years' time"
"As one team, one unit, maybe we'll be able to see that view on the other side."
Kiyoshi Teppei froze for a moment when he heard this, then suppressed the emotions welling up inside and muttered softly, "That's something Shigure would say…"
"…"
"…Not entirely."
"Either way…"
"I'll believe in it and keep playing. Whether or not you believe Seirin can become number one, it doesn't matter. This club was built by you. You have to keep walking with us."
"Mm…"
"I'm the captain. Just follow me!"
"So hurry up and come back."
"You big idiot."
Even though Hyūga ended up cursing him in Haizaki Shōgo's tone, after hearing those words, Kiyoshi couldn't help but think back to many things.
His past at Shōei Middle School.
They hadn't been arrogant like the powerhouses, and they hadn't slacked off in training.
But… no one had truly believed they could defeat Teiko.
At Seirin, though
As he played alongside everyone, he felt it more and more. It wasn't just the vow they had shouted on the rooftop forcing them forward. It was because of Hyūga's presence…
And
Because basketball was fun. Because of that joy, everyone was genuinely playing to become number one in Japan.
Meeting you all…
I really am so glad.
"Ah."
"You're right, Hyūga."
"I'm sorry…"
"Then…"
"Wait for me, just a little. I'll be right back."
At that, Hyūga shoved his hands into his pockets, stared straight ahead at the sunset, and pretended not to see the glimmer in Kiyoshi's eyes, while suppressing the tremor in his throat.
"You don't need to apologize, you big idiot."
"We…"
"We're teammates."
Outside the door
Kuroko Tetsuya and Haizaki Shōgo, who had been exchanging glances with Aida Riko, both showed different reactions upon hearing those words.
In the end
As Riko pushed the door open and went inside, the two boys quietly walked away.
On the way
"How should I put it… they really are a team, huh, Haizaki? I think they've poured all of themselves into basketball. They genuinely love the game."
"…It's nice, isn't it?"
"I couldn't help but think that just now."
Haizaki only curled his lip at Kuroko's words.
"That idiot Kiyoshi won't be playing anymore. Say goodbye to the Tokyo district title."
"Hmph!"
"Anyway…"
"Seirin's got nothing to do with me from here on out."
Walking beside him, Kuroko thought about Haizaki's reactions to Seirin today—whether back in the stands or following them here to the hospital
As always, his words never matched his feelings.
When it came to being tsundere, Haizaki might even be worse than Midorima.
But still
Just like Haizaki said, this summer, without Kiyoshi-senpai, Seirin's run would end here.
And as they expected, afterwards, lacking their iron-hearted core, Seirin did make it past Kirisaki Daiichi to enter the league finals
But against the Big Three, they suffered crushing defeats one after another.
In the end, they stopped at fourth in Tokyo.
Meanwhile
Teiko, as always, dominated with terrifying point margins and claimed their ticket to Nationals. Far away in Kanagawa, Kaijō also advanced to the Interhigh, setting a historic record for Kanagawa's largest victory margin.
…
And so
Time flew by.
The summer Nationals finally reached its last day. Two semifinals and the final would all begin and end today.
The first semifinal was between the other two teams in the Final Four, excluding Teiko.
Among them
Was Meikō Junior High, the team Ogiwara Shigehiro—Kuroko's cherished friend—played for.
In the end, Meikō won by a single point.
"The game is over!"
"Meikō Junior High advances to the finals…!!"
At the sound of the announcer, the players of Meikō leapt high into the air!
Among them, Ogiwara Shigehiro pumped his fist and shouted. In the final year of his junior high career, he had finally made it this far!
I did it, Kuroko…!
At last, it's time to fulfill our promise!!
"So the finals are against them, huh. They don't seem that strong… kind of a shame~~" Kise Ryōta sighed and complained.
Murasakibara Atsushi muttered carelessly, "Eh~ Doesn't matter, does it~~?"
"There's nothing to regret," Midorima Shintarō cut Kise a sharp glance, arching his brow slightly. "There are only two games left. It will all be over soon."
And after that
It would finally be the stage of high school.
Kise pouted. "But this is the last one for the third-years, y'know. It should've been a strong opponent, that would've made for better memories later…"
As he spoke, something suddenly occurred to him, and his expression lit up. "By now, I'm already recognized as part of the Generation of Miracles, right? In the interviews, so many reporters are saying that~"
Wham!
Haizaki yanked his leg back after kicking Kise flying and sneered. "You? Generation of Miracles? Not even close, Kise Ryōta."
"Haizaki!"
Kise, furious, immediately started bickering with him.
"You yap way too much, Kise~~"
Murasakibara frowned, pushing Kise away from him—mostly because he was interfering with his snacks.
On the other side
After their win, Meikō didn't hurry to leave the court.
"The next semifinal is about to start. Let's witness the strength of the strongest—Teiko!"
END OF CHAPTER
CROWN BEFORE THE MIRACLES
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