Chapter 81: Too Academy vs Kaijo High

As Momoi returned to their assigned changing room, she found Aomine already there. She scolded him for causing her concern, but he simply chuckled, mentioning that Kise could be entertaining to play against, so he didn't want to be late.

The coach of Too Academy let out a sigh of relief. With Aomine on their side, they felt confident about securing a victory. He urged them to prepare as he said, "Alright, let's get ready. The game is starting soon, and we can't afford to be late to the court."

Motivated by their coach's words, the members of Too Academy nodded and started making their way to the court, ready to face their opponents.

As both teams arrived at the court, the atmosphere was electric. The crowd erupted with enthusiastic shouts and deafening screams.

Their excitement was palpable, and the fervor was almost tangible as they eagerly anticipated the match. The spectators couldn't contain their enthusiasm, and the air was charged with the energy of their anticipation.

"Wow, a match between two Generation of Miracles!" Kiyoshi said, his gaze scanning the stadium enthusiastically.

"The crowd's really pumped..." Koganei agreed with a nod as he looked around.

Seirin was hunting for available seats, and Koganei's eyes widened as he pointed out, "Hold on, isn't that Fukuda Sogo over there?"

The rest of the team turned their attention to where Kiyoshi was gesturing, spotting Tsuna and his crew nearby.

Looking at Kiyoshi's excited expression. Hyuga adjusted his glasses, clearly skeptical. He began, "...You can't be suggesting we sit with—"

"Let's go sit with them. I'm sure there are plenty of seats."

But before he could finish, Kiyoshi intervened with a broad smile, interrupting protests.

Without waiting for others to chime in, he strode to Tsuna's group and greeted them, "Hey there! I thought you guys had a game today. Why are you guys still here?"

This sudden arrival drew the attention of everyone from Fukuda Sogo to Kiyoshi.

Observing Kiyoshi's friendly approach, Hyuga sighed resignedly before joining him. Kagami and Kuroko shared a look and, with a shrug, followed suit. The remaining Seirin team couldn't object, so they joined Kiyoshi.

Meanwhile, Nijimura gazed back at the courts where Kaijo and Too finally started the game. He responded, "We're up next after these folks..."

Izuki, curious about the situation, pointed to the adjacent court and asked, "Why aren't both games happening simultaneously?"

Nijimura, equally puzzled, looked at Tsuna for an answer. However, Tsuna did not seem to want to answer.

Nijimura could only scratch his head and responded, "I'm not entirely sure about the details, but perhaps your coach has more information on this."

Aida pondered momentarily, her hand gently supporting her chin as she replied, "Well, I'm not entirely sure if my guess is spot on. But it seems like the committee aims to showcase both matches equally..."

"...If they ran both games simultaneously, fans might get too engrossed in the Generation of Miracles showdown and overlook the other match."

Glancing over at Tsuna, who appeared quite laid-back while watching the game, Aida elaborated, "So, they wanted the audience to split their focus evenly, especially with Fukuda Sogo's newfound recognition."

The story of an underdog rising to glory has always been a beloved tale for people of all ages. It's a narrative that resonates deep within us because it encapsulates the human spirit's triumph over adversity.

The audience revels in watching a determined individual or team overcome the odds and achieve greatness, making it a story worth cherishing.

In addition to the emotional connection, this fascination has a practical aspect. Those involved in the entertainment and media industry recognize that these stories are not only heartwarming but also lucrative.

Such stories can capture the public's attention, draw more viewers, and ultimately increase profits. This dual significance, blending the emotional and the practical, makes underdog tales a cherished commodity in the world of entertainment.

Kagami, puzzled by the complex discussions, chose to ignore it. He scratched his head as he turned to Kuroko for some clarity.

He asked, "Kuroko, who do you think will win?"

Kuroko remained silent as his attention was fixed on the ongoing match.

As the first quarter ended, Kise and his team at Kaijo managed to keep Aomine and Too Academy in check, leading to an unexpected advantage for Kaijo. The turn of events surprised the spectators.

Even after witnessing the intense match, Kuroko was uncertain about the outcome. He confessed, "I'm not sure. This is the first time I've seen two Generation of Miracles competing in an official game."

However, he drew from their past at Teiko to provide some insight.

"Back during our days at Teiko, Kise never managed to win a single one-on-one against Aomine," Kuroko revealed.

This revelation left the Seirin players in contemplative silence.

Following that, Kuroko shifted his gaze to Tsuna, fully aware of Aomine's history of engaging in one-on-one duels with him.

Kiyoshi suddenly inquired, "Hey, Kazama. Who do you think will come out on top in this matchup?"

Tsuna glanced at Kiyoshi briefly before returning to the game as the second quarter had begun.

As the game played out, Tsuna shared his thoughts, saying, "Kise doesn't stand a chance unless he's overcome his limitations and can mimic Aomine's moves."

Kagami appeared surprised and asked, "Really? Kise is strong, though. Can he even copy Aomine's moves?"

Meanwhile, Haizaki stood to the side, wearing a scornful expression.

"Hah! It's just not possible," he muttered under his breath, his gaze locked on Kise, who was giving his all on the court.

He couldn't help but feel annoyed, remembering how Akashi had shattered his pride, thanks partly to Kise's appearance. "Trying to mimic that guy's moves is like asking for trouble."

Tsuna observed Haizaki's biased opinion but kept his thoughts to himself. He knew that Haizaki was the sort of person who only changed his mind when confronted with undeniable evidence.

And it wasn't like Haizaki's point of view was completely unfounded.

Observing how Aomine managed to swing the game back into Too Academy's favor, Tsuna explained, "Well, it's theoretically possible, but imitating Aomine's style puts immense strain on your body, especially if you're not accustomed to it..."

On the court, Kise found himself defending against Aomine, who wore a cocky smirk as he taunted Kise's captain, "Look at that, quite the dependable senior you have there."

Kise's face tensed up at Aomine's comment, and the latter persisted with his taunting.

"If you can't take me on alone, you're relying on your team, huh? You're getting more like Tetsu, Kise..."

Aomine maintained his dribble, evading Kise's defense while needling him, to which Kise retorted, "Well, I can appreciate Kuroko's mindset, I guess..."

Aomine attempted to keep Kise under pressure, but Kise surprised him by closing off all openings. With determination in his eyes, Kise inched closer, intensifying the pressure on Aomine, and boldly declared, "I don't care... My only goal is to defeat you..."

Aomine's smirk grew even wider in response.

"Hah, you're a real comedian!"

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