Kyoto Dome – Semi-Final 2
The roar had barely settled from the previous game when the announcer's voice thundered again:
"Next match: Neo Tokyo Elite vs Hokuto Spirit Academy!!"
Two powerhouses. One ticket to the final.
Mei leaned forward in her seat, still breathless from Riku's victory. But now, her eyes locked on a different figure—
Rei Kenzai, captain of Neo Tokyo Elite. Cold. Precise. The boy with the sharpest eyes in Japan.
And on the other side—
Jin Arata, Hokuto's explosive guard, known for his unpredictable, wild style.
And their captain—
Akashi, tall, calculating, a ghost-like presence that moved like wind and struck like thunder.
First Quarter
Tip-off.
Rei stepped into the center ring, facing Akashi. They didn't speak—but the tension between them buzzed like a storm.
Jump ball—Rei won it with ease.
Neo Tokyo wasted no time.
Rei passed to Jin, who rocketed down the sideline, crossed over mid-court, pump-faked, and shot a high arc three.
Swish.
Hokuto answered with a cold, methodical drive by Akashi—sliding through defenders like mist.
Score after Q1: Neo Tokyo 19 – Hokuto Spirit 16
Second Quarter
Hokuto's strategy unfolded: relentless switching defense. Every time Rei touched the ball, two defenders crashed him.
But Rei wasn't shaken. His eyes scanned the court like a machine.
"No wasted motion," Mei murmured.
Quick give-and-go with Jin—cut to the lane—backdoor layup.
But Akashi returned fire. Fadeaway jumper. Swish.
Jin tried to force a dunk, but Akashi read it—steal.
Fastbreak—Hokuto slam.
Halftime: Neo Tokyo 35 – Hokuto Spirit 34
Third Quarter
The third was a chess match.
Rei began showing why he was feared: not with speed—but with control.
One dribble. Step-back. Three-pointer—nothing but net.
Then he called an iso—faced Akashi alone.
Crowd fell silent.
They clashed.
One crossover. Another. Rei pulled up.
Akashi blocked it—no, almost—the ball bounced off rim—Jin rebounded—putback dunk!
Mei gasped. "They're monsters…"
End of Q3: Neo Tokyo 53 – Hokuto Spirit 52
Final Quarter
The air turned heavy.
Jin went wild—no-look passes, behind-the-back floaters. He scored 7 in two minutes.
But Akashi stayed calm. A corner three, a pickpocket steal, then a clean alley-oop assist.
Two minutes left. Tied: 67 – 67
Timeout.
Rei stepped into the huddle. "Final play. No mistakes."
Inbound—ball to Rei.
He dribbled… slowed the pace.
Ten seconds.
He faked a screen, split the double, dashed to the paint.
Akashi followed.
Final moment.
Rei rose.
Akashi jumped.
They met in the air—
Contact.
The ball arced—
Swish.
Buzzer.
Final Score: Neo Tokyo Elite 69 – Hokuto Spirit Academy 67
Rei landed and stood still. He didn't shout. He didn't smile.
He just looked at Akashi, who nodded in silent respect.
Jin ran up and shouted, "Finals, baby!!"
Mei, from the stands, gripped her scarf tighter.
The final was set.
Sakura High vs Neo Tokyo Elite.
Toma and Riku vs Rei and jin
And Mei's heart beat louder than ever.
Kyoto Dome – Finals
The entire arena vibrated.
National TV cameras. Floodlights. Tens of thousands in their seats.
Announcer's voice boomed like thunder:
"The Grand Finals! Sakura High vs Neo Tokyo Elite!!"
Mei stood in the crowd, hands clasped over her scarf. This was it.
The moment Riku had promised.
The kiss… the win… everything depended on this.
Opening – Tip-Off
Center court.
Toma stepped in, towering with quiet strength.
Opposite him stood Rei Kenzai—his stare like a frozen lake.
Jump ball.
Airborne clash.
Smack—Toma wins it.
Riku caught it mid-air—spun mid-dribble—floater!
2–0. Sakura starts first.
First Quarter
Jin Arata came in wild.
His first touch—crossover, fake, behind-the-back pass—Rei for three. Bang.
Toma gritted his teeth. "They're fast."
But Sakura wasn't backing down.
Toma set a hard screen—Riku slipped behind—cut, layup, foul, and-one.
Mei whispered, "He's not hesitating anymore…"
Rei responded with terrifying precision—every move calculated, clean, like clockwork.
He dissected Sakura's zone.
End of Q1: Neo Tokyo Elite 21 – Sakura High 19
Second Quarter
The pace exploded.
Jin and Riku clashed—pure instincts vs raw skill.
One play—Jin stole Riku's pass and threw a no-look alley-oop.
Next play—Riku returned fire: spin move, step-back jumper—net.
Toma began reading Rei's movements—anticipating screens, breaking rotations.
Toma blocked Rei's pull-up.
Fast break.
Riku charged—slam dunk.
The dome shook.
Mei stood, breath caught. "Fly, Riku…"
Halftime: Sakura High 42 – Neo Tokyo Elite 40
Third Quarter
Neo Tokyo Elite turned cold and brutal.
Rei activated his "Zone."
No wasted motion.
No expression.
Just precision.
Three-pointer. Intercept. Drive. Mid-range pull-up.
Ten straight points.
Sakura looked rattled.
Timeout.
In the huddle, Toma growled, "We're not just playing for a trophy. We're playing for him."
He looked at Riku.
"You lead. We follow."
Riku stood, breathing hard.
Then he smiled.
"I'll carry you there."
They stepped back on court.
Riku took control—slowing pace, adjusting tempo. He used misdirection, hesitation dribbles.
One fake. Two defenders jumped. Pass to Sota—corner three!
Then Riku snatched a rebound—coast to coast drive—slam dunk.
End of Q3: Neo Tokyo Elite 63 – Sakura High 61
Final Quarter
Everything was on fire.
Riku's legs were trembling. His fingers numb. But his eyes were focused—on Mei, on the dream, on the promise.
Jin unleashed his fury—twisting, leaping, defying logic.
Riku matched every point.
Toma and Rei brawled for rebounds, trading body blows like gladiators.
One minute left. 74 – 74.
Final play.
Sakura's ball.
Riku dribbled up. Time slowed.
Rei stepped in front. Their eyes locked.
"I won't let you win," Rei said.
"You already lost," Riku replied. "Because I'm not alone."
He passed to Toma—fake screen.
Riku cut.
Ball back—one step.
Fadeaway.
Rei leapt.
Release.
The ball soared—spinning—burning through the air—
Swish.
Buzzer.
Final Score: Sakura High 76 – Neo Tokyo Elite 74
The crowd erupted.
Sakura's bench stormed the court.
Riku fell to the floor, chest heaving.
In the stands, Mei's tears fell silently.
the scoreboard glowed with victory.
Toma stood at center court, sweat still dripping from his brow, the golden trophy glinting in his hands.
The crowd quieted as he stepped up to the mic. Behind him, Riku leaned on Sota, smiling faintly. Mei stood just off-court, hands over her heart.
Toma took a breath.
"We weren't supposed to make it here. Not against monsters like them."
He paused, voice steady, but filled with emotion.
"We're not the biggest. We're not the fastest. But what we have… is heart. Brotherhood. And Riku."
He looked back, and the crowd followed his gaze to the boy who changed everything.
"He gave us belief. He carried us. And tonight—we didn't just win a game. We proved that fighting together, believing in each other, means more than talent alone."
He raised the trophy high.
"This is for Sakura High. For our city. For the ones who never gave up."
The crowd erupted.
Riku looked down, blinking fast. Mei smiled through tears.
And in that moment, beneath the falling confetti and blinding lights, the legend of Sakura High was born.
The trophy sat quietly on the dining table, catching the warm glow of the ceiling light. Riku collapsed onto the couch, muscles aching, head tilted back.
Footsteps.
He turned.
Mei stood at the doorway, holding a towel and water bottle.
"Idiot," she whispered, walking over and placing the bottle in his hand. "You overdid it again."
Riku gave a tired smile. "Worth it."
He closed his eyes, exhaling.
Mei sat beside him, gently wiping the sweat from his neck. Her hands paused on his jaw.
Then…
Riku opened one eye. "So… about that promise."
She looked away, cheeks pink. "You remembered?"
He leaned closer, eyes half-lidded, lips just a breath away.
Mei didn't stop him this time.
But just before their lips touched, she whispered, "You earned it."
Their kiss was soft, slow