We are finally here. Hopefully, we didn't miss much of the action," said Kanae.
"Well, we wouldn't have if a certain someone had listened to my directions instead of following her own," Yuri muttered to herself.
"Yokonan is really huge, isn't it?" said Airi as she took a picture.
"Yes, it is. I wonder where we can find their basketball court. Let me ask around," said Kanae as she spotted a Yokonan student sitting alone on a bench.
"Good afternoon. I'm here on business today, so I'll make it quick. Can you please show me where the basketball court is?" asked Kanae.
"It's in the main building. Just walk straight from here until you reach the third turn on your right, then you'll be there."
"Thank you. Follow me, Yuri, Airi, and get your cameras ready. This is going to be one of the best newspapers we have ever made," said Kanae, smiling.
After the second quarter, everyone was exhausted, breathing heavily as they gathered on their benches.
"See, Shino? I told you you're doing well. You just started to understand the game, and you put up some points. Great work, keep it up," said Nanaho as she patted him on the back.
"Y-you really think so?" asked Shino, smiling happily.
"It's not like it's anything special. He only scored two points, so stop praising him," scoffed Noboru.
"Aww, someone's jealous. Don't worry, you have plenty of time to shine too, Noboru," said Nanaho teasingly.
"I have to score more points. Can't be on the same level as that amateur," Noboru thought to himself, clenching his fists.
"Yukio, Hayato, we might actually win this," said Takahiro, eyes gleaming with excitement.
"No, we are going to win this," said Yukio with confidence.
"Yes, we won't settle for a loss," added Hayato.
"They're so amazing. Despite being a six-player team, they are leading Yokonan High, one of the top schools in basketball. Tetsuo really is something—he's in a league of his own," thought Haruko as she stared at Tetsuo, impressed by his play style.
"We are leading forty-eight to thirty-nine, and with just twenty minutes remaining, we can do this," Nanaho said to herself, determined.
"There you guys are! I've been looking everywhere for you," said Kanae as she walked toward their bench.
"Kanae? What are you doing here?" asked Nanaho.
"We're here to gather information about the basketball team to write our newspaper," Kanae replied.
"Wow, you guys aren't messing around! You're up by nine points against a team like Yokonan?" said Yuri, surprised but impressed. "It wasn't a total waste to come here, then."
"Come on, everyone! Get up! I want to take some pictures of you," said Airi with her sweet voice.
"Can't you see that we're here concentrating on our game? Buzz off," said Noboru rudely.
"I'm sorry about that, Kanae," said Nanaho as she punched Noboru on the shoulder.
"Ouch! That hurt, goddammit! I still got a game to play, you know!" said Noboru, rubbing his shoulder.
"Then it's a good thing we have six players now, isn't it?" said Nanaho. "Everyone, go take some pictures. We have around eight minutes before the game resumes, so it shouldn't be an issue."
"Thank you! Alright, stand in the spot one by one as Airi takes your pictures," said Kanae.
One after another, Airi took pictures of Yukio and the rest of Toshigawa's basketball team.
"That will do for now," said Airi.
"Lend me the camera," said Yuri as she took it from Airi. "You're Shino, right?"
"Y-yes, I am," said Shino nervously.
"Could you stand back over there? I want more pictures of you."
"O-okay… B-but why me specifically?" asked Shino.
"Oh, no particular reason," said Yuri as she chuckled and dragged him to a good spot.
"Great work out there, Kayano. Not the best results, but at least you made them score some points after that huge shutdown they got," said Coach Arimoto.
"I was aiming to close the gap in our points, but my efforts alone won't be enough to do so. I hate to admit it, but Toshigawa actually has a team," said Kayano.
"You're right. Kogure, you're going in. Take over this game for me. This team was quite the shocker, but now I'm certain they won't have a counter for this," said Coach Arimoto.
"I underestimated that girl's ability as a coach because she was just a high school student in my eyes. We better not take them lightly anymore, or we'll definitely lose. It's better if we crush them entirely," Coach Arimoto thought to himself.
"You did it, Yukio! You got Coach to put me in—great job!" said Kogure as he started stretching.
"Do I have to tell you what to do?" asked Coach Arimoto.
"Come on, Coach, give me some credit. I'll ensure that I score thirty points to make up for the others' mistakes," said Kogure confidently.
"No way!! Kogure is coming in?" said a Yokonan student.
"About damn time. Hurry up and put Toshigawa Academy in their place!" said a soccer player.
"Kogure-senpai!!!! I love you!" shouted a girl from the crowd.
"Kogure-senpai, do your best!"
"Kobayashi-kun, be sure to beat them!" said Eiji.
"It's Kogure—the love of my life!" squealed a girl as she fainted.
"Here he comes… Yokonan High's ace, Kogure Kobayashi," said Nanaho, her expression darkening.
"This game is going to be difficult from here on out," Yukio thought to himself.
"Nanaho, everyone, I have a plan. Come here," said Yukio as he gestured for them to huddle up.
"Wait… That actually might work. It's a good suggestion," said Nanaho, nodding.
"No, it won't. That's the only way we'll be able to keep up with them, though, in terms of points," said Hayato, skeptical but aware of their options.
"So you want me to guard that big guy over there, right?" asked Takahiro.
"Yes. He may be bigger in size than us, but he's around the same height as me. He's not hard to handle—trust me," said Yukio.
"I'll have to guard Kogure. I played alongside him in junior high, and trust me when I say this—my big brother was the only one who could stop him from scoring. That guy is unstoppable… He's an offensive machine," said Hayato grimly.
"Tetsuo, I want you to lock down Manabu. Focus on keeping him away from the ball. Don't worry about supporting us on defense," said Yukio.
"Yes, I'll try not to," said Tetsuo.
"Hayato, I know it will be tough, but you'll have to find a way to handle Takeshi Kayano," said Yukio.
"I knew I had to face him one way or another, but don't worry—I'll figure something out," said Hayato confidently.
"Noboru, you rested enough yet?" asked Nanaho.
"I wasn't even tired in the first place. I'm raring to go!" said Noboru as he stood up and stretched.
"Good. Let's go for it, everyone. Let's end this game and have no regrets," said Nanaho, her eyes burning with determination.