Chapter 85: The Three-Point Shootout
Two first-team reserves carried over two large baskets of basketballs for Miyamoto Tokima and Shintaro Midorima.
The scene immediately drew Seijuro Akashi and the others, who all moved closer. Nearly everyone training in the gym gathered around as well, eager to watch this three-point contest.
Daiki Aomine’s eyes lit up with excitement.
“Tokima and Midorima’s three-point shootout? I can’t wait!”
Seijuro Akashi nodded.
“Yeah. I’m looking forward to it too.”
Satsuki Momoi held her notebook in her left hand and a pen in her right, ready to record everything at a moment’s notice. Shogo Haizaki also came over, stopping at the sideline to watch as a spectator.
Atsushi Murasakibara sneaked toward the bench. After glancing back and confirming the coach wasn’t looking, he quickly opened his backpack and pulled out a bag of potato chips.
Just as he was about to open it, a voice suddenly sounded behind him.
“Murasakibara!”
Atsushi Murasakibara stiffened and slowly turned around, trembling.
“C-Coach…”
Kōzō Shirogane looked at him sternly.
“Murasakibara, trying to sneak snacks again?”
Murasakibara puffed out his cheeks and answered honestly,
“Coach… I’m hungry…”
Seeing his aggrieved expression, Kōzō Shirogane sighed helplessly. He took out the bag of chips he had confiscated earlier and handed it back to him.
“You haven’t even finished this bag yet. There’s no need to open a new one. Don’t waste food.”
Murasakibara’s eyes lit up instantly. He nodded repeatedly, took the chips, and ran toward Miyamoto Tokima, clearly planning to eat while watching.
Seijuro Akashi was momentarily surprised when he saw Murasakibara return with the chips. But after noticing the coach crouching down to help Murasakibara zip up his backpack, he chose not to say anything.
...
The half-court where Miyamoto Tokima and Shintaro Midorima were competing was already completely surrounded. Everyone in the gym was eagerly anticipating the three-point shootout.
“Miyamoto and Midorima’s three-point contest—so exciting.”
“Who do you think will win?”
“No idea. Both of them are insanely accurate. We won’t know until they actually compete.”
The crowd buzzed with discussion, making guesses about the outcome.
Miyamoto Tokima picked up a basketball and smiled at Shintaro Midorima across from him.
“Ready, Midorima?”
Shintaro Midorima hugged the ball to his chest and replied seriously,
“I’m ready.”
Shuzo Nijimura stepped between them with a whistle in his mouth, raising his right hand high.
“Positions! Ready!”
As Nijimura called out, Shintaro Midorima steadily adjusted his breathing. He had been looking forward to this three-point contest for a long time.
‘Today’s lucky item is chopsticks. I stepped into the gym with my left foot first. I tied my right shoelace first. Cancer’s fortune is first, Aries is third. Destiny is on my side. Do everything I can.’
Shintaro Midorima focused completely, waiting for the whistle.
Shuzo Nijimura swung his raised hand down sharply and blew the whistle.
“Beep!”
The instant Shintaro Midorima heard it, he bent his knees, generated power, and released the ball with his left hand. His form was flawless.
The basketball soared into the air, tracing an absurdly high arc.
Just as Shintaro Midorima was about to grab his second ball, the sound of the net rang out.
“Swish!”
As the swish echoed, murmurs spread through the crowd.
“No way, Miyamoto’s shooting speed is way too fast.”
“Yeah, Midorima’s ball is still in the air, and Miyamoto has already released his second shot.”
“Is he just throwing them out randomly? Shooting that fast—won’t his accuracy drop later?”
“I don’t know. Let’s keep watching.”
...
On the court, Shintaro Midorima’s pupils widened. His mouth fell slightly open, his face filled with shock.
Because just as he was about to pick up his second ball, Miyamoto Tokima had already started shooting his third.
Midorima was stunned by Miyamoto Tokima’s shooting speed and froze for a brief moment.
“Midorima!”
Daiki Aomine suddenly shouted.
Only then did Shintaro Midorima snap back to his senses. He quickly adjusted his mindset and resumed shooting at his own pace.
One… two… three… four…
After making thirty consecutive shots, sweat began to form on Shintaro Midorima’s forehead.
Meanwhile, Miyamoto Tokima continued shooting steadily at his own rhythm, without a single sign of perspiration.
Thirty-one… thirty-two… thirty-three…
When Shintaro Midorima reached his sixty-fourth shot, Miyamoto Tokima suddenly stopped.
Midorima initially thought Miyamoto had simply run out of balls and didn’t pay much attention. But when he saw Miyamoto Tokima walk off the court, he froze.
Not just him—the entire crowd froze as well.
“Did Miyamoto finish already? Why did he leave?”
“I don’t know.”
“Ask someone—Midorima hasn’t even finished yet.”
Everyone’s gaze shifted to Satsuki Momoi, who was keeping score. Shintaro Midorima’s eyes followed.
After recording the final number, Satsuki Momoi spoke up.
“Miyamoto is done. Current results: Miyamoto—100 shots, 100 makes. Midorima—63 shots, 63 makes.”
The entire gym fell silent.
After a long pause, the noise suddenly exploded.
“He finished already? How was he that fast?!”
“Not just fast—Midorima was only at sixty-three, and Miyamoto was already done!”
“One hundred shots, one hundred makes! Even standing under the basket, I couldn’t do that!”
“So this is the ‘Magic Cube’? That’s terrifying.”
Daiki Aomine ran over to Miyamoto Tokima in excitement, laughing loudly.
“Tokima, you’re insane! Midorima only got to sixty-three!”
Shogo Haizaki walked over with an expression that said just as expected.
“Tokima, you’re amazing.”
Atsushi Murasakibara paused mid-bite, then quickly recovered. He walked over and held out the chips.
“Tokima—want some?”
Miyamoto Tokima smiled and waved him off.
Only then did Murasakibara continue eating.
Shuzo Nijimura stood beside Kōzō Shirogane, muttering in disbelief,
“One hundred shots, all made… Is that really something a human can do?”
Kōzō Shirogane’s smile never faded as he quietly watched from the sidelines.
Seijuro Akashi was still in shock, almost unable to believe what he had heard. As the astonishment faded, concern surfaced in his eyes as he looked toward Shintaro Midorima.
On the court, Shintaro Midorima stood motionless, clutching the basketball. His pupils were dilated, his body completely frozen, as if his soul had left him.
‘I… lost…’
Author's Note
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