Neo Tokyo National Cup – Day 3
Block A – Match 3
Sakura High vs. Hakodate Blizzards
The court buzzed with murmurs. Fans leaned forward, holding their breath. Everyone knew—this wasn't just a game. This was chess with sneakers.
Under the court lights, the Blizzards lined up like statues of ice.
Koji stood still at half-court, his cold eyes locked on Toma.
"You lead with fire," he said flatly. "We only need frost to put it out."
Toma adjusted his armband, gave a half-smile. "Then let's see if your ice survives the storm we bring."
Coach Yamada placed a hand on Riku's shoulder before tip-off. "It won't be about speed or power today. It's about who adapts fastest."
Riku nodded, tapping his temple. "Already running Phase 9."
Tip-off.
Ryo vs. Kei.
A clean leap—Blizzards win it.
Immediately, Kaito set the tone—sliding into tight lanes, feeding Koji, who sliced through Daichi and dropped the first two points like a blade.
2-0 Blizzards.
"They're reading everything," Yuta murmured. "Even our screens."
"They're freezing our rhythm," Daichi growled. "We need heat."
Toma answered next play—blazing drive, sharp eurostep past Nobu, rising—
And SLAM!
Tie game.
The crowd roared.
But the Blizzards stayed quiet. Cold. Calculated.
Soma locked Yuta like a shadow. Ryo swatted Kei's hook shot like a father rejecting his son's dream.
"They don't overextend," Riku observed mid-dribble. "They… wait."
Then he grinned.
"Perfect."
He faked a pass to Daichi—Kaito bit.
Behind-the-back bounce to Yuta, wide open.
Splash. Three.
Toma raised his fist. "Let's melt them."
But Koji answered instantly. Steal from Toma. Breakaway. Layup.
12–11 Blizzards. Halftime.
Backstage, Coach Yamada calmly sipped tea.
"We're not behind," he said. "We're observing."
Riku cracked his knuckles. "They don't adjust. They only react. Time to break the pattern."
Second Half – Tension Builds
Kei, often overlooked, exploded in the third quarter—two blocks on Ryo, then a tip-in dunk over Nobu. The bench leaped.
Meanwhile, Riku fed Daichi twice in the paint after luring Kaito out with decoy screens.
Toma hit a cold fadeaway jumper on Koji.
Koji blinked. For the first time, just once, his lips parted in… surprise?
Final minute. 58–56 Sakura High.
Kaito motioned. The Blizzards ran their ice-cold play. Koji cut baseline, passed to Soma.
Three-point attempt—
Riku tips it.
Toma grabs the ball.
Fast break—Toma to Riku—no-look to Yuta—
BANG. Three.
61–56. Game.
The crowd erupted.
Toma fell to his knees, breathing hard. Asahi jumped into his arms, eyes wide.
"That last shot… I couldn't breathe…"
Mei hugged Riku from behind.
"You're genius again."
Riku just smirked, voice calm.
"Phase 9 complete. Sakura rises."
Commentator 1 (Kenji Tanaka):
"Ladies and gentlemen! If you're just tuning in, welcome to madness on the hardwood! Sakura High just did the unthinkable—they broke the Blizzards' legendary defense! 61–56! Coach Yamada's squad proves they aren't just adaptable—they're deadly under pressure!"
Commentator 2 (Mika Arai):
"I'm still shaking, Kenji. That final sequence? Chef's kiss! Riku—absolutely filthy. His court vision? I swear, it's like he's controlling time. And don't even get me started on Yuta—the silent sniper. Three threes in the second half, all cold-blooded."
Block B Second Match
Shibuya Strikers vs Nagoya Phoenix
Novel Format
The stadium buzzed with anticipation as the second game of Day 3 tipped off. Bright lights, booming cheers, and camera flashes turned the arena into a spectacle fit for legends.
Shibuya Strikers—the fan-favorite team that played like street performers with precision—stepped onto the court in sleek white and gold. At the center of it all stood Rei Shindo, charismatic as ever, waving to the roaring crowd with confidence in his eyes.
Across them, Nagoya Phoenix entered with deadly calm. Their crimson uniforms symbolized focus and fire. Captain Ayumu barely acknowledged the crowd. His eyes? Locked in.
First Quarter
Leo launched into his signature freestyle dribbles, twisting and spinning past defenders. He no-look passed to Kira, who drained a three from deep.
"Boom! That's Striker basketball!" shouted the announcer.
But Nagoya didn't flinch. Minato responded with cold, calculated setups, moving the ball like pieces on a chessboard. Ayumu slipped through a screen and nailed a mid-range jumper. Smooth. Simple. Effective.
Second Quarter
Saku tried his flashy eurostep, but Genji saw it coming—charge foul! The momentum swung.
Nagoya ran tight plays. Taku's awareness on rebounds and kick-outs gave them second chances. Kazuki hit a corner three, then stole the ball and slammed it, shocking even Rei.
But Rei wasn't done. With 10 seconds left in the half, he broke through two defenders, spun mid-air, and laid it in with grace.
"This kid's made of silk and fire!" the commentator shouted.
Halftime Score: 37–35 Nagoya Phoenix
Third Quarter
Shibuya came out blazing. Kira hit two threes in a row, jawing at Ayumu. But Minato calmed the Phoenix, threading passes through tight gaps. Taku set brutal screens, freeing Ayumu again and again for mid-range daggers.
Rei tried to rally his team, but Phoenix's tactical execution was too clean.
Fourth Quarter
Down 6 with four minutes left, Rei roared.
"Let's go! For the crowd! For the Strikers!"
A huge dunk from Naoto. Leo's trick lay-up. Kira with a transition three. They tied it 64–64.
Final minute. Minato faked right, passed left. Ayumu, wide open—three! Bang! 67–64.
Last possession. Shibuya down 3. Leo dribbled wildly, passed to Rei—he rose from the logo—blocked by Taku! Buzzer.
Final Score: Nagoya Phoenix 67 – Shibuya Strikers 64
Commentator (Mika Arai):
"Shibuya flew high, but Nagoya clipped their wings. That was pure basketball IQ vs raw talent—and today, brains won."
Commentator (Kenji Tanaka):
"Respect to Coach Inoue. Ayumu's leadership and Minato's vision made the difference. Shibuya Strikers were flashy—but Phoenix came out fireproof."
Crowd:
Mixed emotions—shock, awe, and applause. Shibuya still stole hearts, but tonight... Nagoya claimed the win.
The stadium lights dimmed one by one as the third day of the Neo Tokyo National Cup drew to a close. Sakura High had just survived a suffocating defensive war against the Hakodate Blizzards. The final score was low, but the tension had been sky-high.
Toma had led the team with steady drives, late-game clutch rebounds, and—most importantly—that final fadeaway jumper that sealed the game.
Now, he stood alone in the corridor outside the locker rooms, the murmur of the crowd slowly fading behind the stadium walls. He stared out through the tall glass panels, watching the sun dip behind Neo Tokyo's skyline.
Footsteps.
Fast. Familiar.
"Asahi?" he whispered, turning just in time.
She ran toward him, past reporters, past security—her bag barely holding to her shoulder. Without a word, Asahi wrapped her arms around his torso, pressing her face into his jersey, which was still damp from the game.
"That last shot…" her voice was muffled, trembling, "…I couldn't breathe…"
Toma froze—then relaxed. He slowly returned her embrace, his chin resting on her hair. The stadium lights above cast a golden glow across them.
"You always say that," he murmured.
Asahi looked up at him, eyes bright with unshed tears. "Because you always leave me breathless."
He couldn't help the smile that broke across his lips. His fingers reached up, gently tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear.
"Did you watch the whole game?" he asked.
"I never look away," she whispered. "Not when you're on the court."
For a second, nothing moved. The city beyond the glass was a blur, and all that mattered was this moment between them.
Toma lowered his head, their foreheads brushing. "I play for a lot of reasons… but the biggest one's standing right in front of me."
Asahi stood on her toes, eyes closed, and kissed his cheek softly.
"I'm proud of you, Toma," she said. "Not because you win. But because you never lose sight of who you are."
The sound of sneakers echoed nearby—Riku, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed and a teasing grin on his face.
"Phase 7," he said under his breath. "Love secure."