Nationals 3rd Placer Match vs Seiho

Now it was the 3rd placer match against Seiho, who lost against Kamata West, they were overwhelmed by the 'genius twins' who continued to pester them on defense and made Seiho afraid against fouls as they are famous for "flopping".

Seiho was beaten by Kamata West in a close fight of 79 to 77.

As Hanabira team was stretching and shooting in the shootaround, one player was missing and was just sitting aimlessly, at the captain's handshake Teppei told Hideki "Hey Hideki-san, let's have a fun game." Hideki shrugged it off and said "Okay" Teppei was worried and said "Your grandfather will be out at you after the game" Hideki again said "Okay, just let the game end fast please."

On Shoei's bench, Ryoma was worried that Hideki was not himself, he may have broken down after the match yesterday against Teiko so when he got to shake his hand he said "Hideki-kun, please at least play this game for us, and wallow in tears later." Hideki flinched but just said "Okay gramps, I'll try"

At the tip-off, Coach Yoshida wanted Hideki to do it but saw his captain not being himself and told the rookie center he'll still do it.

To which he lost, Teppei's experience prevailed and tipped the ball to his teammate and then they scored the ball effortlessly as Teppei dished the ball to his teammate after a shot attempt. What's worse was it was Hideki's man.

On offense Hanabira wanted to let Hideki do his thing, but, what he was constantly doing was chucking up mid-range jumpers. Some got in and some didn't.

This continued as the Hanabira players battled it out with their defense and dysfunctional team captain. They managed to hang on and the first quarter ended with 24 to 19 with Shoei in the lead. All of this 19 points were from Hideki just chucking the ball in random jumpers, 3 threes and the rest are mid rangers.

On the second quarter, it continued and Shoei adjusted to defending Hideki more and let Teppei handle him, nonetheless, Hideki continued to throw the ball to the basket, letting his body turn on auto pilot mode on his jump shots, Teppei was able to disturb it and it caused Hideki to miss some shots.

The second quarter ended with 51 to 41 with Shoei in the lead.

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At the locker room, Coach Yoshida wanted to talk to Hideki but was beat to the punch bu Shogo Aoki, literally, the teenager punched Hideki. Hideki wanted to retaliate but was held back by his teammates, while none held Shogo back as he said "Hey you depressed bamboo stick as a captain, this is your vice-captain speaking to ya." 

Aoki continued to speak in a loud voice and said "I thought you're the team's leader, why do I have to pick up your slack? I thought you're better than Teppei Kiyoshi and he is your vassal?"

Aoki continued to rile up Hideki and the captain then shouted "Hey! What was that for? I was playing the game, what do you want me to do?"

Aoki then shouted back and said "We want you to be yourself! The team won't function if you continue on that path of self-destruction."

Then Renji walked up to Hideki and said "Captain, we are sorry for yesterday, we gave up as we were getting destroyed. But we need you right now to win this match for us."

Hideki then said "Oh you're sorry now? Where were all of you when I needed you the most? Why didn't I feel that yesterday?" Then Hideki put his hand on his chest and said "And now you want to win now with an easier opponent?" Hideki then sat back to his chair and said "Now try to win it for me, I don't want any part of this anymore. Now I give up on you."

Coach Yoshida had enough but he saw Assistant Coach Suzuki and Tanaka-sensei holding him back and said "Yeah, let's do what he said, don't let your emotions control you sensei" Tanaka-sensei said "Yes, I agree. We still have a game to win."

Coach Yoshida commanded his players out of the locker room and back to the court, when he saw Hideki not leaving his chair, he sighed in resignation and also left the room. 

As the team got back to the court, Hideki remained unmoved and sat there silently. Then the buzzer for the third quarter sounded and he heard the door open.

It was Momoi who entered the room, she sat beside Hideki, Hideki didn't budge and said "I thought you're at the half time shootaround?" Momoi said "It was done a while ago, I saw you not with your team. What happened?"

Hideki just shrugged and said "I give up, they gave up on me yesterday and now I am letting them feel what I saw yesterday against you."

Momoi sighed and said "I know what happened yesterday was bitter, but you have to let it go. I know what happened was out of your control." Hideki chuckled and said "Yeah what happened to Aomine was out of control, he shot the lights out and I can't stop it" Hideki then looked at Momoi's shocked face and said "As I said Sa-chan, I'm really sorry, with the hope you had on me yesterday, it got lost and I ain't trying to find it today."

Hideki again was solemn and said "I thought I would be able to match against them. But alas, it was all for naught. I think it's better if I stop all of this madness"

Momoi held Hideki's hand and said in a loud voice "But, I still believe in you Hidekin!" 

Hideki was shocked to hear that from Momoi and he looked at her seemingly starting to cry. Not wanting the girl to cry he answered "But…" Momoi interrupted him and said, "No buts Hideki!"

Momoi then said "The man I love, loves playing basketball and is having fun, not this depressed, disheveled piece of player who isn't playing for fun but just to finish everything and wrap it all up! You are just playing out of tune today!" 

Hideki then slowly got his fire back and said, "Wait what did you say?"

Momoi answered his question "You are playing out of tune today?"

Hideki shook his head and said "Not that, the other one"

Momoi then blinked her eyes, backtracking her statements and asked "That I love you?"

Hideki was now shocked and asked "So can you go out with me?!"

Momoi now was shocked at Hideki and said "You only heard that?" 

Momoi sighed and said "Yes"

Hideki looked at Momoi and his face got closer.

Momoi knew what was happening next and put a finger on Hideki's lips.

She then said "But first. You have to win your match first Hidekin, that's an order from your future girlfriend!"

Hideki stood up quickly and said "Yes maam!" 

Momoi said "Promise me that"

Hideki nodded and ran towards the court.

Momoi was giggling and stood up to go to the Teiko seats.