Chapter 188

This was the first time this year they had felt the joy of victory, because their opponent was equally strong.

And on the other side of the court, the Bai Shui Hall group could hardly hide their disappointment—especially Yukimiya Kazuma, who had prepared so much, only to lose the rematch again.

Even though he understood in his heart that the gap in strength between the two sides was understandable.

Still, deep down, he couldn't accept the loneliness of defeat.

Even...

It was etched into his bones.

Yukimiya Kazuma: "We lost..."

This is what defeat is, 677.

Ha...

He couldn't tell if it was from his overdrawn stamina or something else, but in any case, an indescribable pain crept up faintly from his chest.

It seemed he couldn't calmly wait for the whole team.

However...

This is part of basketball too, isn't it.

Precisely because of this, the next time he could fight with even greater passion.

Breaking free from Momoi Mayuki's Facing Qingfeng, who had been quietly keeping an eye on Yukimiya Kazuma the whole time, saw the other walking toward him and couldn't help but rein in his rare victorious mood.

Because in the other's eyes at that moment...

This guy...

"Qingfeng."

"It's you guys again... who won."

"Congratulations."

"..."

The members of Bai Shui Hall and Teikou all instinctively looked this way.

Yukimiya Kazuma turned to look at Akashi Seijuro, "Akashi, let's play again next time. Be prepared from now on—the winner won't always be you."

Akashi's expression flickered with a complex hesitation for a moment, but he quickly recovered, "Don't be too arrogant, Yukimiya."

I see.

I accept this challenge.

In the blink of an eye.

The season of graduation had arrived.

After attending the graduation ceremony held by the school, Yukimiya Kazuma went to the basketball club, because there was also a graduation ceremony prepared here for the third-year members.

Yukimiya Kazuma was the last to arrive. He had just gotten there when he saw Takefuji Masaki and Liang Huayin explaining basketball club matters to the underclassmen.

Many people's eyes were red—clearly they had just been crying.

"Yukimiya, perfect, it's your turn, the 'ace' of Bai Shui Hall." Coach Xinsongzhi patted Yukimiya Kazuma on the back and whispered, "Say something encouraging."

Yukimiya Kazuma walked over, and immediately, the gazes of a group of young underclassmen landed on him in unison.

The second-year starters who had fought alongside him on the court: Teruyama Daisuke and Kasuga Yuji.

First-year Hiiragi Moto Shinsuke, who still hadn't gotten a chance to play all year.

And many other substitutes on the bench.

Everyone looked at Yukimiya Kazuma with burning eyes.

Without a doubt.

Everyone respected the other two third-years, but toward Yukimiya Kazuma, it was pure worship.

Almost single-handedly, he had led the Bai Shui Hall basketball club from an unremarkable team to the No. 2 seed in the Tokyo district, and to runner-up at the national tournament.

And what got their blood pumping most was Yukimiya Kazuma's battle against the Generation of Miracles.

Bai Shui Hall had lost, but their senior hadn't.

The underclassmen believed this firmly.

At Bai Shui Hall, the name 'Yukimiya Kazuma' had already become legend itself. Even though they fell just one step short, everyone already believed.

Miracles were possible.

"Um... I don't really have much to say. What needed to be said, Captain Takefuji should have already said it. That guy, as captain, is pretty reliable."

"I can only say..."

"Bai Shui Hall from now on is in everyone's hands."

"However..." Yukimiya Kazuma suddenly thought of something, and his tone abruptly shifted, "You bastards are really lucky~ The Generation of Miracles and all that, they're all going up to high school with me~"

"You guys won't fail to win the championship like this next year, will you?"

"Huh? No way, right?"

"No way, right?"

Teruyama Daisuke: "Senior... when you get to high school, please don't lose to them."

Yukimiya Kazuma: "I'm talking about you guys!"

Kasuga Yuji: "Senior, when you get to high school, help me kick my big brother's butt hard!"

Yukimiya Kazuma: "..."

Changing the subject, huh?

After leaving the gymnasium.

Yukimiya Kazuma, Takeno Masaki, and Liang Huayin, the three of them, walked aimlessly around the campus.

"Where are we going next? Have you decided on which school?"

"Mm."

"It's already decided."

Liang Huayin spoke up: "I'm going to the new school where my uncle teaches. Although we'll still play basketball in high school, the focus will be mainly on academics, um... just treat it like a regular club activity."

After the All-Japan tournament, Liang Huayin's original plan to stop playing basketball after entering high school had clearly changed.

Yukimiya Kazuma nodded, then looked at Takeno Masaki: "What about you, Masaki?"

Takeno Masaki said calmly: "Although I really want to tell you that wherever you go, I'll follow, but... my grades don't allow it, and my strength hasn't reached the level where top-tier schools would offer me a spot."

"I'm so envious of you. Not only has your basketball skill improved dramatically, but your grades have become so good too..."

"The most infuriating thing is that you don't even need grades; the high school basketball coaches coming to recruit you recently have lined up in our gymnasium!"

"Tsk~"

Takeno Masaki paused for a moment.

"I'll probably go to A-Liang's school."

"As for the new school..."

"The grade requirements aren't high either."

Yukimiya Kazuma rolled his eyes at Takeno Masaki, looking at the other's height of 193 centimeters, which was clearly still growing: "There must still be schools recruiting you, right?"

Takeno Masaki shook his head: "Anyway, if I can't be on the same team as you, I don't believe anyone else can defeat the Generation of Miracles, so the recruitment offers from other schools don't make much difference; I might as well go find A-Liang."

"Alright."

Yukimiya Kazuma extended his fist, smiling and saying:

"In that case..."

"I hope we all have a bright future in high school."

Seeing this, Takeno Masaki and Liang Huayin were both slightly stunned, but soon they smiled along and raised their fists to meet his.

"That's great."

Watching the two's nearly synchronized movements, Yukimiya Kazuma suddenly said with a tinge of envy: "I envy you; you can still play basketball together in high school."

"Don't say things that make people jealous anymore, Kazuma."

"The schools recruiting you are all top-tier powerhouses..."

"I want to go too."

"Speaking of which..."