Chapter 256: Shut to the Desperate

The gym buzzed with the squeaks of sneakers on the shiny floor, and Kagami stood in the middle, holding the ball, feeling the tension of the basketball game.

Kagami's chest heaved with anticipation as he surveyed the court, seeking an opening in Tsuna's formidable defense.

With a determined glint in his eye, he took a deep breath, attempting to quell the fiery turmoil of thoughts racing through his mind.

Without hesitation, Kagami initiated his first move, crossing over to the side with a lightning-quick step. However, Tsuna seemed to effortlessly mirror Kagami's every move.

Frustration etched onto Kagami's face, he stepped back, reassessing his strategy.

Undeterred, Kagami attempted a different tactic.

He spun his body around, pivoting to the opposite side, hoping to outmaneuver Tsuna. Yet, despite his efforts, Tsuna's defense proved unyielding, forcing Kagami into another sidestep to evade an imminent steal.

"Ugh, this is frustrating!" Kagami couldn't help but swear out loud, feeling the pressure of the game.

As the game pressed on, Kagami felt a sense of powerlessness seeping in. His teammates, scattered across the court, mirrored his frustration.

They longed for victory, but Fukuda Sogo's dominance hung over them like a dark cloud.

In a moment of sheer despair, Kagami found himself surrendering to Tsuna's defense. The ball was swiped from his hands, and Tsuna surged forward with astonishing speed.

As Kagami sprinted after Tsuna, a surreal scene unfolded within his mind.

He found himself standing in front of enormous doors, seemingly a gateway to his own subconscious. With determination burning in his eyes, Kagami attempted to force the doors open, but they remained stubbornly shut.

"Why? Why won't it open?"

Kagami shouted in frustration, desperately wanting to break through.

He knew he had the trigger to open it up. But, for some inexplicable reason, the doors resisted his efforts.

"Fuck, this is my only way to make some changes!"

"Goddammit!" Kagami cursed frustratedly.

He forcefully leaped into action, attempting to block Tsuna's layup from behind.

However, his teammates' faces twisted with concern, and Hyuga shouted, "Kagami! No!"

Kagami's eyes widened in realization as his body collided with Tsuna's mid-air.

Tsuna furrowed his eyebrows before he reacted. He slightly adjusted his body mid-air and released the ball just as the collision occurred.

This made everyone in Seirin look at him in shock once again, seeing how fast he reacted.

"...He's inhumane."

The ball sailed through the air, bouncing off the rim before gracefully circling the basket and finally dropping into the net.

The referee's whistle pierced through the gym, signaling a foul against Kagami.

Desperation etched across Kagami's face as he grappled with the consequences of his actions. With a frown, Tsuna looked at Kagami, shaking his head in disapproval.

Tsuna executed it flawlessly with one free throw, compounding Kagami's frustration.

Amid the audience, Aomine furrowed his eyebrows while observing Kagami's expression. He muttered disapprovingly, "That idiot..."

"...He's never gonna crack that door if he keeps acting dumb," he added.

Wearing a puzzled expression, Kise tilted his head and inquired, "Why's that? Wasn't he able to just stroll through the door whenever he wanted?"

From what Kise could remember, Kagami had no trouble opening the door effortlessly, knowing the key to unlock it.

"You fool, this is a whole different ball game," Midorima chimed in with a scoff, emphasizing the distinction.

Aomine nodded in agreement with Midorima's assessment, causing Kise to pout.

He grumbled, "Then why? Tell me, please..."

Back in the day, Kagami effortlessly swung open the door, fueled by sheer excitement to confront a formidable adversary.

However, Kagami's initial enthusiasm waned when Tsuna gradually shrouded Seirin in despair, leaving them with no option but to await their impending demise.

The mounting frustration of his teammates began to grate on Kagami's nerves, and he reached a point where he couldn't stand to witness their struggles any longer.

Unfortunately for Kagami, the doors didn't operate based on his emotional state.

"The door won't budge open for those in the grip of desperation," Aomine declared, his gaze fixed on Kagami's visibly distressed expression.

He sighed, empathizing with the palpable desperation etched on Kagami's face.

Seemingly powerless to alter the course of the game, his teammates faced a crushing defeat.

The only glimmer of hope resided in that elusive door, the prospect of turning their dire situation around. However, Kagami's desperation to access it unwittingly became a hindrance.

Understanding the emotional struggle Kagami faced, Midorima took a moment to silently survey Tsuna's form.

A shiver ran down his spine, prompting the thought, "Is this also part of his calculations?"

"..."

Little did Midorima realize, that Tsuna found himself at a loss for words as he observed Kagami's desperate attempts to pry open the door.

"I expected more from him," Tsuna silently thought, quashing Kagami's endeavors once again.

The momentum swiftly transitioned as Tsuna skillfully dribbled the ball forward, with Kagami in hot pursuit.

Tsuna spared a glance at Alexandra, her expression betraying concern.

He sighed, muttering, "...Consider this a favor, Alex."

He understood that Alexandra's affection for both Himuro and Kagami resembled a maternal love for her children. Yet, despite the familial bond, they appeared more like siblings than a mother-son duo. It was the encompassing warmth of Alexandra's motherly love that embraced both Himuro and Kagami.

Tsuna abruptly decelerated, giving Kagami the chance to close the gap. Kagami wasted no time and aggressively pressed on with his defensive maneuvers, his instincts fully engaged to counter Tsuna's every move.

"I'm disappointed, Taiga..." Tsuna's words rolled off his tongue slowly, catching Kagami off guard.

His eyes widened in surprise at the unexpected statement.

"What did you say?"

Kagami couldn't help but feel an immediate surge of rage.

Nevertheless, Tsuna appeared undisturbed as he abruptly altered the pace of his dribbling. Kagami struggled to keep up, yet he doggedly shadowed Tsuna's every move purely on instinct.

"I said you're disappointing..." Tsuna continued, further stoking the flames of rage in Kagami's gaze.

Unfazed, Tsuna pressed on, "You boasted about defeating me, but now you're desperate, like a beggar..."

Kagami was taken aback by this unexpected accusation.

As the words settled, Tsuna smoothly shifted to the right with Kagami in tow, before he suddenly stepped back. Kagami was caught off balance and could only gaze up at Tsuna's icy stare as he fell down the court.

Tsuna's voice resonated, "Kneel for me, calm your damn head, Taiga. Don't disappoint me any longer..."

Without a moment's hesitation, Tsuna swiftly released the ball from his position.

He didn't bother to watch its trajectory as he smoothly turned away, the distinct swish echoing through the air as the ball effortlessly found its way through the net.

"..."

Kagami stood there, staring at Tsuna's retreating figure in disbelief.

Oddly enough, the tension in Kagami's body seemed to dissipate, replaced by an air of self-loathing.

He muttered, almost to himself, "...I'm such a disappointment, huh?"

The conclusion of the second quarter arrived promptly, and Seirin's teammates rushed to assist Kagami, questioning his well-being. However, Kagami remained silent, fixating on the scoreboard.

"..."

The numbers on the board for the second quarter painted a bleak picture. Fukuda Sogo was dominating, leading with a staggering 56 - 11.

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