Chapter 257: A Plan!

The halftime break draped a temporary hush over the court.

Both teams retreated to their respective changing rooms. Yet, as Seirin stepped into theirs, a palpable gloom settled among them.

"..."

The unexpected dominance shown by Fukuda Sogo lingered, casting a shadow over the Seirin players.

The echoes of Fukuda Sogo's formidable strength reverberated in the silent room. They hadn't anticipated Fukuda Sogo being this overpowering.

Given their prior showings in this tournament, the game's dynamics occasionally shifted, only to be promptly countered by Fukuda Sogo.

"Is this the first time they've truly buckled down since the beginning of the game?" Hyuga pondered aloud, struggling to decipher the unfolding scenario.

"..."

His words lingered in the air, disrupting the prevailing silence.

Frustration welled up among the Seirin players.

Kiyoshi clenched his fists tightly, unable to shake off the haunting memory of Nijimura's relentless defense that left him feeling completely overwhelmed.

"It's almost like when I faced Murasakibara back then..." Kiyoshi's thoughts drifted to a similar experience during his middle school days.

The realization hit him...

...Murasakibara, now even stronger with his true potential unleashed, would likely overpower him easily since Nijimura himself couldn't keep such a beast in check.

The mental image of being overwhelmed without a chance to maneuver gnawed at Kiyoshi's determination.

"..."

Aida's frustration was clearly visible. She gritted her teeth, grappling with the burden of their predicament.

Her mind toiled tirelessly to discover a solution.

The sensation of being a puppet, manipulated by Tsuna, left her feeling completely helpless. Every time she could see one step ahead, Tsuna seemed to navigate hundreds more effortlessly.

Feeling powerless against such a formidable adversary, tears welled up in Aida's eyes.

She carried the weight of responsibility for her team's struggle, and with a heavy heart, she whispered, "...I'm sorry, everyone."

The sense of helplessness lingered in the air as she grappled with the inability to find a way out.

"..."

A profound silence enveloped the room, the complex expressions on everyone's faces reflecting a mix of sadness, anger, frustration, and...

...an undeniable sense of defeat.

Watching the scene unfold, Kagami could only observe in silence.

His heart was burdened by the weight of his team's growing frustration.

The urge to speak lingered on his tongue, yet he found himself speechless, the echoes of Tsuna's words from the second quarter resonating in his mind.

"Damn it!"

Suddenly, Kuroko's curse shattered the silence, leaving everyone wide-eyed in shock.

It was the first time they had heard such language from the usually reserved blue-haired player. Yet, as their attention shifted to Kuroko's face, they saw a vulnerability on the verge of breaking.

"I just really wanna win with everyone," Kuroko muttered, laying out all the feelings in the room.

"But going up against Kazama, it just feels kinda impossible."

His honesty mirrored the collective sentiment, casting a somber atmosphere over the room.

However, a fierce gleam ignited in Kuroko's eyes, "But we can't let this be our loss! I'm not even crazy about winning anymore, but we can't go down like this! We worked damn hard, gave it our all, sweated and bled to get here! Winning might not happen, fine. But I won't accept losing like this!"

"I love playing basketball with everyone in Seirin. That's why..."

Kuroko's voice quivered, a sob held captive in his throat, yet his words reverberated within each soul present.

"I just don't want any regrets," Kuroko's words hung in the air.

Every gaze in Seirin widened at his impassioned words, a profound realization sweeping through the team, dispelling the oppressive heaviness that had settled within them.

Kiyoshi couldn't help but chuckle, tears welling up in his eyes. "Kuroko's right, guys. Let's keep going and not leave any regrets."

Their expressions brightened after Kuroko's sincere words, awakening them from their despair.

Hyuga, too, had tears in his eyes as he clumsily tried to wipe them away.

"Never thought I'd see Captain crying. We should've taken a picture..."

Koganei's cracking voice, mixed with tears, filled the air, eliciting chuckles from everyone as they looked at Hyuga, shaking their heads.

Hyuga's hand met Koganei's head with a resounding smack, accompanied by a gruff remark, "Quit blubbering like a toddler, you idiot..."

"..."

Despite nursing his throbbing head, Koganei persisted in shedding tears reminiscent of a child, rendering the others momentarily speechless.

"...Thanks, Kuroko."

"Hmm?"

Everyone turned to look at Kagami, who suddenly grabbed Kuroko by the shoulder. Kagami looked especially solemn, causing them to tilt their heads in confusion.

"Because of you, I've figured it out..."

Kagami spoke those words before sitting in silence, taking a deep breath. His gaze burned with an unwavering resolve as he mumbled, "...I won't let you down again, Kazama."

Everyone couldn't help but be taken aback by Kagami's current demeanor. Moreover, Kagami appeared completely absorbed in his own thoughts. However, there was an undeniable sense of determination emanating from him.

Aida couldn't help but mumble, "He feels reliable..."

Wiping her tears, she shook her head before speaking, "...I'm not certain if this is feasible, but we're left with no other alternative at this moment anyway."

Aida turned to Kuroko, and he responded with a nod, as if already aware of what needed to be done, a conversation they had likely already shared.

"...I'll be back in the court for the next half," Kuroko declared and dropped a revelation that left everyone taken aback.

Kiyoshi's countenance turned grave as he inquired, "Do you have a plan?"

Kuroko responded with a decisive nod.

"Alright, we'll put our faith in you..." Kiyoshi ceased further questioning, folding his arms and casually leaning against the wall.

"I was originally about to make a request to Kagami, but observing him in this moment..."

Kuroko trailed off, diverting his attention to Kagami, who was wholly engrossed in his own world. A smile played on Kuroko's lips as he remarked, "It appears there was no necessity for that."

"Does this involve Kagami?"

Izuki inquired, to which Aida affirmed with a nod, "Absolutely. Kagami is going to play a pivotal role in bringing Kuroko back into the game..."

"...Our strategy is straightforward," Aida's voice cut through, prompting everyone to listen intently.

She continued, "We're planning to ignite a brilliant light that shines so intense that anything else will be forced into the shadows, reduced to mere silhouettes."

Her declaration resonated with fierce determination, her eyes ablaze with unwavering resolve.

The break time had come to an end, signaling the return of both teams to the court. Fukuda Sogo navigated the corridor, making their way toward the playing area.

"Are you worried?"

Tsuna inquired of Alexandra, who wore a concerned expression.

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