NOBORU TIES THE GAME

"Coach, I'm back from the light jogging exercise with the first years," said a Yokonan student standing at two hundred and one centimeters tall. "Oh, Keichiro, welcome back," said Coach Arimoto. "Keichiro, thank God you're back," said Eiji.

Keichiro then slapped him in the head. "Ouch, that hurts! What was that for?" "That's Captain to you, first year. Don't you dare cross the line," said Keichiro in a rough tone. "Yes, Captain!" shouted Eiji, frightened. "Where are the first years?" asked Coach Arimoto.

"They are stretching outside now. Do you want me to call them?" asked Keichiro. "No, that won't be necessary. Wait, you guys are playing a practice match, against which school?" asked Keichiro curiously.

"What the hell is going on? How are the scores so close if Kayano and Kogure were playing? The team they are up against must be tough," said Keichiro to himself as he checked out the opposition. "What? This team only has six members? So how the hell did this happen, Coach?" asked Keichiro furiously.

"Don't ask me. They truly disappointed me today. If it wasn't for Kogure and Kayano, we wouldn't even score this much. It's thanks to them why we are in the lead," said Coach Arimoto.

"I see, this is quite a shocker. I'll sit down and watch this match. I really need to see what's so special about this team," said Keichiro as he took a chair and sat down.

"So what will you do, Captain? I thought you would join the game," said Eiji.

"There's no way I'm playing this game. I only finish what I start. You guys will just have to man up, take over, and win it for yourselves," said Keichiro sternly. "But, what if we lose? What if we don't win?" "There's no room for failure at Yokonan. We'll win, I'm certain of that."

"So, Yukio is still at Toshigawa, huh? Well, that somewhat explains why our team is having difficulties maintaining the lead," said Keichiro to himself. "Looks like Keichiro is back. Is he going to play?" "No, I doubt it. Knowing him, he won't finish another man's job."

"Keichiro Yamada, captain of Yokonan High and the starting center. If he were to join now, we'd definitely lose," said Nanaho to herself. "That guy is huge. Is he part of their team?" Haruko asked, with a surprised look on her face.

"Listen, everyone. These are the final and most crucial moments of the game, and we are down by three points. We will receive the ball at the start of the quarter, so we must use this to our advantage and try to take the lead. I know that it's tough and all of you must be tired, but I want you to fight with all your might until time runs out. Let's give it our all and beat Yokonan!" shouted Yukio. Everyone responded with a resounding "Yes!"

"You can do this, everyone. I believe in you," said Haruko to herself. "Come on, guys, this victory will be the one that counts. Please win," said Shino to himself.

At the beginning of the fourth and final quarter, Yukio inbounds the basketball to Hayato. Hayato dribbles the ball to the other half of the court.

He was immediately met by Kayano, who stepped up to guard him. "Not this time, Kayano, I'll pass you for sure," said Hayato as he crosses to the left, which Kayano reacted to. However, Hayato shifts his body to the right, allowing him to get by Kayano.

Kayano, surprised, quickly tried to chase him down. As soon as he got close, Hayato used his momentum against him by spinning out of his way. "No way, when did he find the time to get so technical? Wasn't he in the hospital for a long time?" thought Kayano to himself, shocked.

Hayato then shoots a wide-open floater, and the ball swishes through the net.

"Whoa!!! He went head to head against Kayano, one on one, and he scored," said a student.

"Nice shot, Hayato! That's the way," said Nanaho.

"Alright, everyone, let's stop their offense," said Hayato, and everyone shouted "Yes!"

On the next possession, Kayano dribbles the basketball up court, and Hayato immediately steps to guard him. Kayano tries to shake him off with his dribbling skills. He crosses between his legs and then, with agility, changes his pace. However, Hayato stood firm and stayed in front of him.

"Looks like their point guard is giving his all. There are only a few players that can hold their own against Kayano, a prodigy and master at his role on our team," said Coach Arimoto to himself.

"Not bad, Hayato, if you're going all out, then so am I," said Kayano, smiling.

Kayano crosses through his legs continuously, confusing Hayato on where exactly he is going. Immediately after, he freezes and changes his pace, exploding to the rim. "God damn it," thought Hayato to himself.

Kayano took his two steps and went for a layup. However, to everyone's surprise, he was blocked from behind by Tetsuo. The whistle blows, indicating that a foul has occurred.

"Foul, reaching from behind, black number eleven," said the ref.

"That was the right call, Tetsuo. Let him shoot some free throws," said Nanaho to herself. "That's his first foul all game; he's really good," said Haruko to herself.

Kayano shoots his first free throw, which swishes cleanly through the net.

"Ensure that you make the other one," said Kogure.

"Hey, Captain, Takahiro, Tetsuo. Brace yourselves for the rebound; he'll definitely miss," said Noboru boldly.

"What did you just say?" asked Kayano.

"I'd advise you to shut your mouth with that dumbass free throw form you got," said Ryuu. "I don't argue with people who get dunked on," said Noboru.

"If you haven't realized, this game isn't about you. You are trash. The main players on your team aren't even trash-talking as much as you. All you're doing is barking when you can't even bite, so stay quiet. I'll show you who's trash," said Noboru as he prepared to run.

Kayano shoots the second free throw, and to everyone's surprise, the shot misses. Trusting that his teammate would get the rebound, Noboru ran to the other hoop. After Yukio and Kogure competed in the air for the rebound, Tetsuo's reach exceeded theirs, and he grabbed the rebound.

Immediately after, he passed the basketball to Noboru, who scored a layup.

"Nice one, Noboru, and good quick thinking, Tetsuo. Get back on defense," said Yukio.

"That was more than just quick thinking, it was complete trust. Number eleven knew that he would run, while that number ten trusted that his teammate would grab the rebound. They're not bad at all," said Keichiro to himself.

"Looks like Toshigawa caught up again. The score is all tied up. This is crazy," said a student.

"That number eleven reminds me so much of someone, but who? I can't remember," said Aoi to herself.

"They did it. The game is leveled, sixty-eight to sixty-eight. Just hold on a little bit longer, everyone," said Nanaho as she crossed her fingers.