HACHIOJI ACADEMY VS MISONO GIRL'S JUNIOR AND SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL

As the bus took off from Hachioji Academy for a practice match, Haruko inhaled and exhaled deeply, trying to shake off her nervousness.

"Why are you acting like this is your first game? There's no need to be nervous about it, Haruko," said Kotone.

"She has every right to feel that way. I mean, we are facing the school that ranked fourth last year—Misono Girls' Junior and Senior High School," said Sayaka.

"That's true. However, let's not forget that she was trained by a hottie from Toshigawa on how to play. So I have no doubt in my mind that we'll win this game," said Kotone confidently.

"As long as we all play like we do in practice and follow Coach Maeda's instructions, we will be alright," said Suzume.

"You're right. We should do just fine in this match," said Sayaka.

"Aren't you supposed to be our captain? Show a little backbone, will you?" said Kazue, giving Haruko a weird look before sighing.

"I wish you were here to watch this, Tetsuo, but that's very unlikely. So I'll just have to win and tell you the good news," Haruko thought to herself.

"Alright, ladies, go ahead and get ready. We're here," said Coach Maeda.

"Here goes nothing. Just remember what Tetsuo taught you, and you'll be fine," Haruko told herself as she took a deep breath.

As the girls from Hachioji Academy stretched, the senior players noticed that most of the first- and second-year players were nervous.

"Except for the rest of us and Kazue, everyone seems to be on edge, and the match hasn't even started yet," said Sayaka.

"Well, that was expected since most of our bench is made up of first- and second-years," said Suzume.

"To be honest, worrying about the game will do us no good, so we will have to lead by example," said Kotone as she stretched.

"Maeda-senpai, it's been so long," said a woman who looked to be in her mid-twenties.

"Yamaoka, right? I didn't know you became a coach as well," said Maeda, surprised.

"Yes, I just recently started. The coach wanted to focus on the high school team, so he needed some help. I am the assistant coach for the senior team and the coach for the junior team," said Coach Yamaoka.

"Oh, I see."

"I hope your girls brought their best because if they didn't, they won't stand a chance. Our team is pretty strong," said Coach Yamaoka confidently.

"We'll see about that," replied Coach Maeda.

"Alright, everyone, let's warm up," said Haruko, and everyone responded with, "Yeah!"

As the girls lined up for warm-ups, Haruko passed the basketball to Suzume, who dribbled to the rim and scored a layup. Next in line, Sayaka passed the ball to Kotone, who also scored a layup. A first-year passed the ball to Kazue, who scored another layup.

As the ball bounced on the ground, Kazue noticed a group of girls walking in.

"They're here—Misono Junior High," said Sayaka.

"That's Chizuru, their best player—the one with blonde hair. Be on the lookout for her, everyone," said Suzume.

"Yeah, definitely. I heard she was good enough to play on the high school team. She even trains with them," said Sayaka.

"Come on, everyone. Don't mind them. Let's just focus on our warm-ups," said Haruko.

"So, Chizuru, what do you think of Hachioji Academy?" asked a girl from the opposing team.

"I did a little research on them. They dropped out in the second round last season, so there's no need to worry. We've got this game in the bag," said Chizuru.

"Alright, let's start the game," said Coach Yamaoka.

"So the starting lineup is me, Kotone, Suzume, Sayaka, and Kazue. Let's do this," Haruko thought to herself.

The whistle blew, and the ball was tossed up. Kotone easily won the tip-off. Suzume caught the basketball, but as soon as she turned, Chizuru was already in a defensive stance, waiting for her. Suzume signaled for a screen from Kotone, who executed it well. Suzume then drove and passed the basketball to Kazue, who shot a layup that swished.

"Nice one, Kazue," said Sayaka.

A girl from Misono dribbled the basketball upcourt while another set a screen for Chizuru.

"I have a bad feeling about this," Haruko thought to herself as the ball was passed to Chizuru.

After receiving the ball, Chizuru shot a three-pointer that swished.

"Nice shot, Chizuru," said her teammate as they high-fived.

"A three right off the bat? This girl is good. However, we are not as hopeless as last year," said Suzume as she looked at Haruko.

After Suzume dribbled upcourt, she signaled for Kotone to set a screen for Haruko, who sprinted into an open area. Suzume then passed the basketball to Haruko.

"Remember how he shot that shot, how authentic and smooth his rhythm was. Shoot the ball exactly how he showed you," Haruko told herself as she shot a three-pointer that swished.

"Nice shot, Haruko!" said Sayaka as she gave her a big hug.

"Yeah, great work," said Kotone.

"Well, what do you know? They're better than I anticipated," said Chizuru.

"Oh, not bad, Maeda. Your team is not bad at all," said Coach Yamaoka.

"That's it, girls. Show them what we're made of!" said Coach Maeda with a smile.

On the next possession, a Misono Junior High player scored a layup. Immediately after, Kotone scored a layup.

Chizuru dribbled the ball upcourt as her teammate set a screen for her. Utilizing the screen, Chizuru shot a three-pointer that swished.

After beating her defender, Suzume shot a two-pointer, but Chizuru managed to block it. Chizuru then dribbled to the hoop and scored a layup.

Bringing the ball up once more, Suzume was confronted by Chizuru, who easily stole it from her with minimal effort. Kazue ran back on defense in an attempt to stop her. Chizuru went up for a layup as Kazue attempted to block her from behind.

The whistle blew as Kazue made illegal contact, and the ball swished.

"Foul, orange number five. Basket counts—one free throw," announced the referee.

"I told you, didn't I? Hachioji Academy is nothing compared to us," said Chizuru with a smile.

After everyone lined up, Chizuru took her free throw, and it swished, putting Hachioji behind by six points.