Chapter 40

(3rd person POV)

Just like that, a few minutes passed, and Takao and Midorima had already finished their warm-up routine. Coach Nakatani signaled for the acting referee to start the game.

At the start of the game, Ichigo won the jump ball, so this time the senpais took possession at the start of the second quarter. The game resumed as Miyaji Kiyoshi inbounded the ball to his brother, Miyaji Yuya, who was still acting as the point guard for their team.

This time, with Takao and Midorima joining Ichigo's team, Takao was put in his natural position as the point guard. Since Ichigo was already positioned as the center of the team, Midorima was slotted in as the power forward in defense, as he was the tallest on their team. However, in their offense, he could still play in his natural position on the wing.

Miyaji Yuya crossed half court, surveying the floor and signaling for a play. Takao, who was guarding him, didn't rush to pressure him. While Takao's focus was on Miyaji Yuya, thanks to his Hawk Eye ability, he could still see some of the other players around the court from the corner of his eyes.

Although Takao didn't know where the play was going, his Hawk Eye gave him a clear vision of what the players were doing on the court. Although he couldn't see everyone, he could still estimate where the opposing players were located.

Takao noticed that Yuya was going to pass the ball to Otsubo, who was posting up in the paint against Ichigo. Takao positioned his body to block the passing lane, preventing the ball from being passed inside to Otsubo. Although he didn't steal the ball or force a turnover, it was still a great defensive play as he disrupted their intended play.

With their planned play falling apart, Yuya had no choice but to regroup and rethink their offensive strategy. Realizing that their original plan was no longer viable, Yuya decided to face Takao alone without running a new play. To make this happen, he gestured for his teammates to clear out and create space for him to go one-on-one with Takao.

Yuya took his time, carefully dribbling the ball at a slow pace while assessing Takao. Observing this, Takao adjusted his position by squatting down and lowering his center of gravity. He did this to ensure that Yuya wouldn't easily surpass him if he decided to make a sudden burst towards the basket.

Noticing Takao's defensive stance, Yuya decided to forgo any fancy moves and instead relied on his height and strength advantage over Takao. With sheer force, Yuya charged towards the basket, using his larger and taller physique to overpower his defender.

With his larger and taller physique, Yuya effortlessly carried his opponent into the paint, pushing through the defense without much resistance. Although Takao attempted to keep up, he could only cling to Yuya's side as Yuya powered his way inside.

While Takao was still clinging to him, Yuya quickly sidestepped to the left as he approached the basket. This unexpected maneuver caught Takao off guard, putting him in a disadvantageous defensive position. Consequently, Takao's momentum worked against him as he stumbled slightly, making it difficult for him to keep up with Yuya, who passed to his left.

Yuya managed to escape Takao's defense and found himself open near the basket, with only Ichigo and Midorima standing ahead of him. With one swift step, he positioned himself perfectly and gathered the ball, ready to make his move.

As Yuya prepared to go for a shot, both Ichigo and Midorima, who were attentively watching his every move, reacted instantly. They leaped into the air and raised their hands, forming a formidable barrier to block Yuya's attempt.

Undeterred by the tough defense in front of him, Yuya stayed calm and composed. With excellent skill, he performed a double clutch maneuver, skillfully escaping the outstretched hands of Ichigo and Midorima. In a quick motion, he switched the ball to his left hand, positioning himself for a reverse layup.

Caught by surprise, Midorima and Ichigo could only watch as the ball gently kissed the glass and smoothly rolled off the edge, before gracefully dropping into the net.

As Yuya lands, a satisfied smirk spreads across his face. It's the first time he feels truly comfortable. Playing as the point guard, he couldn't play with the same level of comfort as when he was a small forward.

But on this play, even though it's just one instance, he's still satisfied that he managed to position himself comfortably in the game. What's more, he scored against the two obnoxious prodigies, especially Ichigo, who was really getting on his nerves.

As he turned around to witness the reactions of Midorima and Ichigo, and perhaps playfully tease them, he realized that they had no response to his move. Midorima hurriedly made his way to the opposite end of the court to resume the offensive, while Ichigo promptly passed the ball to Takao for an inbound play. Recognizing that his seniors were lagging in their defensive positioning, Takao swiftly advanced towards the basket.

Caught off guard momentarily, Yuya and the other senior players hastily sprinted across the court to defend. However, Takao, who had already surged forward, gained an early advantage and was rapidly closing in on the basket.

The two Miyaji brothers, Kiyoshi slightly in the lead, were the first ones to retreat on defense. Their target was Takao, who was heading towards the basket. Recognizing that Takao was nearing the basket, they accelerated their pace in an attempt to make a dramatic chase-down block.

Meanwhile, Takao noticed that he had a clear path to the hoop, so he decided to reduce his speed momentarily for a layup. However, this temporary deceleration enabled the Miyaji brothers to close in on him. Just as Takao leaped to take his shot, they jumped simultaneously to block his attempt.

Unfortunately for their opponents, Takao had planned this move strategically. Just as they leaped to block him, he swiftly passed the ball outside to the corner in the waiting hands of Midorima Shintaro, the most lethal shooter on their team.

Despite having limited playing time together, they had already developed a basic understanding of each other's style on the court. Seeing Takao's position near the basket, Midorima smartly positioned himself in the corner, ready for a three-pointer in case Takao decided to pass the ball out. They were perfectly aligned for a successful pass and shot.

With no defenders in sight, Midorima takes his sweet time, carefully positioning his feet before launching his trademark high-arcing shot. He doesn't even bother looking to see if the ball goes in. Instead, he casually strolls to the opposite end of the court, ready to resume his defensive position.

Seeing him already getting back on defense, the players, and even Coach Nakatani, were not surprised, as he had already pulled off this stunt in their last game. Just as they expected, the ball swished into the basket as Midorima made his shot.

With Midorima wide open, everyone anticipated his shot to be successful. Takao, closely trailing behind him, commented, "Shin-chan, as always, your shot was flawless."

Upon hearing Takao call him Shin-chan, Midorima became irritated, displaying a visible tick mark on his forehead. "I've told you before, don't call me that. We aren't close. And regarding my shot, it's simply expected," he replied while adjusting his glasses using his left hand.

The game continues as Yuya crosses the half-court line. Maybe feeling confident about his matchup against Takao, he doesn't call for a play, signaling his team to clear out and give him space. Seeing this, his teammates did not object as they give him room to go one-on-one with Takao.

Takao, recognizing Yuya's isolation play, immediately lowers his center of gravity in preparation to defend. Perhaps aware of his disadvantage, Takao leans more towards the right, leaving a small space for Yuya to take the left side, counting on Yuya not being comfortable going left.

Yuya, observing Takao giving him space to drive left, gladly takes it, bursting past Takao's defense. However, this time Ichigo is ready for his drive as he quickly positions himself in front of Yuya.

Caught off guard by Ichigo getting in front of him, out of pure instinct, Yuya pulls the ball back towards his right hand to keep it away from Ichigo. However, it's an error on his part as he forgets that Takao is still closely following on his left side.

Takao, noticing Yuya pulling back the ball to his right, immediately seizes the opportunity for a steal, poking the ball out of Yuya's right hand. The ball gets loose as Takao pokes it out of Yuya's hands, and it lands in the hands of Ichigo.

As Ichigo picks up the ball, he rushes to the other side of the court, with Takao closely following, and Yuya chasing them. With Ichigo dribbling the ball, Yuya catches up to him as he sprints.

Seeing Yuya on his side, Ichigo passes the ball behind his back to Takao. Yuya, realizing Ichigo's pass, shifts his focus to Takao.

But just as Yuya is about to get in front of Takao, he sees Takao pass the ball high towards the basket. Yuya turns around to witness Ichigo soaring, catching the alley-oop pass from Takao, and dunking it with power.