Chapter 149 – Look at Me

After a short break, the second half began.

So far, the score was 2-30 with class 11 leading by 28 points. Most people would think that this game was pretty much over, but none of the members of class 10 looked gloomy.

"Amami, if you see a chance to score, take it, don't think too much about it. You'll play a big role in the second half."

"Got it, but first, we have to defend."

"Let's go."

Class 11 would have first possession for the second half. The point difference was large, so not only did they need to catch up, they also had to defend well so the gap wouldn't increase.

Currently, the ball was in Umi's hands.

"Everyone, don't rush in and keep calm. We're ahead, so if we run the clock more, we'll win."

It looked like they would play less aggressively this time, which was understandable. At the end of the day, as long as they were leading, they would win. They didn't even need to focus on scoring anymore.

With Umi and Nakamura-san in the lead, they were passing the ball around the perimeter.

They could waste most of the shot clock before taking a shot right before their time was up. But of course, class 10 wouldn't just sit around and watch them stall.

"Yo."

"…As expected, you're coming for me, huh? Also what's with that hairstyle? Are you in your serious mode or something?"

"Nope, my bangs are in the way. You think I need to be in my serious mode to deal with you?"

"Grr… I shouldn't bite."

Like in the first half, Arae-san walked up to Umi, but unlike before, she tied her hair into a ponytail. 

She looked different from back when she was in middle school. Both her hair color and length were different, but she exuded the same atmosphere as her middle school days.

"C'mon, just give me the ball. Don't waste your breath, we'll win in the end anyway."

"That's my line! Hah!"

The showdown between those two finally started. Arae-san moved in between the gaps of Umi's movements to steal the ball from her while Umi avoided her attempts by a paper-thin margin. The sparks flying between them were greater than the first half.

"Here, Asanagi-chan!"

"Got it, Nakamura-san!"

Umi couldn't even take a step forward because of Arae-san's strong defense and passed the ball to Nakamura-san– but the ball went in a completely different direction.

In the direction of the ball, Shichino-san was there– But she failed to receive the ball.

A member of class 10 stole it from right under her nose.

"Eh?!"

"Woah, I actually got the ball, let's go!"

"Stop dawdling and pass the ball!"

"Eh, A-Ah yes, here, Yuu-chan!"

"Okay!"

Then she passed the ball to Amami-san, who received the ball at the opponent's three point line.

No one was in her way and she shot from there.

"Please, go in!"

The ball went through the hoop after a couple bounces on the rim.

The score was now 5-30.

"…I did it! Nagisa-chan, did you see? I did it! Three points!!"

"Yes yes, just get your ass back here quickly."

"Jeez, let me celebrate a little!"

After that little quip, Amami-san returned to her team's position and together with the rest of the team, they went on the defensive. Their coordination was off due to lack of practice, but they should be able to make up for it with their momentum.

"…Sorry, Nakamura-san. They took a closer look at me than expected."

"It seems so. They probably read your habits, Asanagi-chan. You always looked at me whenever you made a feint pass like that. They were watching you closely while you were occupied with that wheat gyaru."

"I knew it… Arae Nagisa…"

I didn't even notice she had that habit. Well, to be fair, it was hard to see it from the sidelines, but Arae-san had been facing her since the first half, she was bound to notice some things.

The correct thing for Umi to do would be to fix that habit, but that would definitely make some of her movements turn awkward. If she couldn't adapt to it quickly during the duration of this match, she wouldn't be able to use that feint again.

Did Arae-san predict that this would happen? I didn't expect her to be this sly.

"Don't worry Asanagi-chan, there's still time. Let's not get impatient."

"Mm… If we get impatient, we'll just play right into their schemes, huh?"

She said that, but she kept looking at the time.

There seemed to be nothing wrong with her expression, but I felt a bad premonition.

And then it happened.

"How's that, trash?"

"Ugh…"

At first, Umi could keep up with Arae-san, but gradually, she lost her momentum and the latter stole the ball away from her. It seemed like Arae-san had completely understood Umi's habit.

"Go, Nagisa-chan!"

"Wait, me? …Well, fine."

Thanks to cooperation between Amami-san and Arae-san, class 10 scored yet again.

The game went on and halfway through the second half, the score was 15-35. The gap was still large, but if class 10 kept this pace, there was a possibility that they could catch up.

'You can do this, class 10!'

'Seven more three pointers, you got this!'

Since cheering for the underdog was more appealing in this kind of situation, most of the audience were cheering on class 10.

The cheer gave Amami-san even more momentum.

"Whoops, I won't let you pass, Yuu-chan."

"…I'll break through!"

Amami-san fired a hook shot from there since Nakamura-san had driven her into a corner due to their difference in height.

Well, that was what it looked like for most people there, but to Umi, Nitta-san and I, that shot wasn't a shot made out of desperation.

After all, this was Amami-san we were talking about. She took the shot because she knew it would go in.

Swoop!

"Oi, oi…"

Someone from class 11 muttered that as the ball rolled over the edge of the rim and went into the hoop.

And then.

"Defensive foul, team 11."

"Eh? I touched her a little, but I didn't pull her though? …No way…"

Next to Nakamura-san who looked dissatisfied with the referee's judgment, Amami-san stuck her tongue out mischievously.

I see, so she planned this too.

This way, not only would they get three points from that shot, they would also get a free throw.

Naturally, they scored on the free throw, adding another point for them.

The score was now 19-35.

"What do you think, Nagisa-chan? Wasn't I amazing?"

"…Just so-so. If you failed that shot, I would smack you."

"Since I didn't fail, what will you do?"

"Nothing."

"Eh?? C'mon, at least pat me in the head~"

"What are you, a dog?"

"Umi said that to me a lot, hehe…"

"Tch… I don't need to know that."

She clicked her tongue, but I didn't know if she did it because she found Amami-san annoying or because Amami-san indirectly compared her to Umi. Though she didn't seem to be hating Amami-san as much, I guess she was starting to fall for her charms.

For a second there, I saw Arae-san's past self in Amami-san.

…They might be similar, but I sure as hell wouldn't try to get along with Arae-san.

Anyway, I'm concerned about Umi.

"Asanagi-chan, here."

"Thank you, Shichino-san. They have the high ground now, but we shouldn't get impatient…"

"Right! We'll wait for them to get carried away and strike them! So, for now, let's wait and take it slow."

"Jeez, your words are more persuasive than mine, Nakamura-san… As expected of the number one student."

"Nakamura-san, will you run for the student council president? The teacher asked you to do it, right?"

"No, I'm not interested in a position of power~"

"That's the Nakamura we all know and love~"

Class 11 seemed to be as relaxed as ever even in this kind of situation. They wouldn't break down easily it seemed, so it was all up to class 10 to push things through.

"Do your best, Umi…"

I started this whole thing, but whenever Umi's gaze met mine, there was not a hint of anger there.

'Look at me.'

She mouthed that to me and I nodded at her before moving closer to the court.

Four minutes left before the second half was over. I wanted to give her as much support as I could during this time.