Chapter 75: Teppei’s Inside Game
Atsushi Murasakibara hadn’t expected Teppei Kiyoshi to have a reliable shooting touch.
The possession switched—Teikō Middle School’s ball.
After dribbling past half-court, Seijuro Akashi once again passed to Atsushi Murasakibara. Using sheer strength, Atsushi Murasakibara backed Teppei Kiyoshi down and powered the ball into the basket.
Teppei Kiyoshi cursed under his breath—freak—then quickly inbounded.
The Shōei point guard brought the ball over half-court and passed it to Teppei Kiyoshi near the free-throw line. This time, Atsushi Murasakibara closed in immediately, leaving him no room to shoot.
With his back to Atsushi Murasakibara at the free-throw line, Teppei Kiyoshi’s eyes sharpened. He suddenly spun to the right, pushing forward with a left-hand dribble while using his right arm to shield the ball, knocking away Murasakibara’s reaching hand.
Atsushi Murasakibara stayed glued to him, refusing to give up his defensive position.
Entering the paint, Teppei Kiyoshi raised his left hand high, setting up a hook shot.
Seeing that, Atsushi Murasakibara planted his feet and leapt straight up.
Midair, his expression froze.
Teppei Kiyoshi hadn’t jumped at all—he’d only lifted his arm to sell the hook fake.
As Atsushi Murasakibara descended, Teppei Kiyoshi pulled the ball back, switched it to his right hand, and softly hooked it into the basket.
Once again, Teppei Kiyoshi scored over Atsushi Murasakibara with pure post technique.
“Another basket! ‘Iron Heart’ is as terrifying as ever.”
“Teppei’s post skills are probably unmatched in junior high. They’re way too polished.”
“Yeah, I still haven’t seen anyone in middle school with better inside technique than him.”
The crowd buzzed, marveling at Teppei Kiyoshi’s interior play.
...
On the court, as Atsushi Murasakibara landed, his entire aura shifted.
From calm to scorching.
Seijuro Akashi knew exactly what that meant—Atsushi Murasakibara was angry.
On the next possession, Akashi once again fed him the ball. Without anyone realizing it, the game had turned into a one-on-one duel between Atsushi Murasakibara and Teppei Kiyoshi.
Catching the ball, Atsushi Murasakibara unleashed everything. His violent aura flooded the entire paint.
Teppei Kiyoshi felt that oppressive presence crash into him. His expression tightened. He took a deep breath and braced himself.
BANG!
A massive force slammed into him. Teppei let out a muffled grunt as he was driven back a step. He inhaled again, held it, and prepared for the next impact.
BANG!
Another collision. Teppei grunted again, his feet sliding back two full steps.
The space under the basket opened completely.
With rage etched across his face, Atsushi Murasakibara turned, rose high, and threw down a two-handed dunk.
The backboard shuddered violently, the rim rattling with a pained clang.
Teppei Kiyoshi clutched his chest, thinking, That power is insane…
...
Back on offense, Teppei Kiyoshi received the ball and once again faced Atsushi Murasakibara at the free-throw line.
Knowing full well he couldn’t win a strength contest, Teppei didn’t force it.
He dribbled right, driving hard. Atsushi Murasakibara stayed with him. Suddenly, Teppei pulled the ball back—then exploded right again.
Atsushi Murasakibara tried to follow, but felt as if someone had blocked his path.
Lowering his gaze, he saw Shōei’s power forward smiling faintly.
Teppei Kiyoshi burst into the paint, where Shuzo Nijimura stepped up to help.
Facing an old rival, Shuzo Nijimura smiled.
“Yo, Teppei. Long time no see.”
Teppei frowned slightly but didn’t reply. He stepped in with his left foot, used his body to seal Nijimura, and lifted his right hand for a hook shot.
Shuzo Nijimura clicked his tongue. “Hey, hey—this is how you greet an old friend?”
Only after the ball dropped cleanly through the net did Teppei respond.
“Long time no see, Nijimura.”
Nijimura rolled his eyes. “So now you remember to say hello?”
Teppei scratched the back of his head awkwardly and laughed.
“Sorry, Nijimura. It is a game—I can’t afford to lose focus.”
Shuzo Nijimura suddenly gave a strange smile. “Is that so?”
Whoosh!
A sharp rush of air cut through the court.
Teppei spun around—and saw the ball already in Miyamoto Tokima’s hands.
Miyamoto Tokima didn’t hesitate. Facing an empty frontcourt, he tossed the ball off the backboard with his left hand, then soared up, caught it with his right, and smashed it through the hoop.
A self alley-oop dunk!
The arena exploded. The crowd roared, chanting Miyamoto Tokima’s nickname.
“Magic Cube! Magic Cube! Magic Cube!”
“That’s ‘Magic Cube’ Miyamoto Tokima! That dunk was pure art—I could watch it forever!”
“Miyamoto, I love you! I want to have your babies!!!”
Satsuki Momoi glanced toward the screaming girl and puffed out her cheeks in jealousy.
Miyamoto Tokima jogged back upcourt awkwardly. No matter how many times he heard it, the nickname “Magic Cube” still made him uncomfortable.
Teppei Kiyoshi turned stiffly toward Shuzo Nijimura.
“You were talking to me just to set up that fast break?”
Nijimura waved his hands frantically. “No, no! I was really just catching up! That was all the underclassman’s idea—I had no idea! Don’t blame me, okay?”
With that, Shuzo Nijimura quickly ran off to pick up Shōei’s power forward on defense.
Teppei sighed, smiled helplessly, and prepared to attack again.
The Shōei guard crossed half-court and passed the ball back to Teppei Kiyoshi.
Facing Atsushi Murasakibara head-on, Teppei took a deep breath and drove right.
Atsushi Murasakibara stayed tight, shadowing every step.
Suddenly, Teppei came to a hard stop, twisted his wrist, and fired the ball to Shōei’s shooting guard.
Atsushi Murasakibara froze for a split second—he hadn’t expected the pass.
Teppei didn’t stop moving. He sprinted ahead of the shooter and set a solid screen.
The Shōei shooting guard seized the opening and cut left.
Daiki Aomine tried to follow, but was checked by Teppei’s screen.
The shooting guard rose with the ball, ready to fire.
Atsushi Murasakibara rotated instantly, leaping high and extending his right arm, completely sealing off the shooting lane.
The shooting guard stared at him in disbelief. How can he jump that high?!
After holding off Daiki Aomine, Teppei Kiyoshi sprinted into the paint.
Aomine reacted a beat too late.
Teppei raised his right hand and shouted, “Here!”
The shooting guard snapped a bounce pass inside. Daiki Aomine lunged, stretching out his left hand to intercept—
Too late.
The ball skimmed past his fingertips and landed squarely in Teppei Kiyoshi’s hands.
“Nice pass!”
Author's Note
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