Chapter 242 - Confrontation
(1)
My heart was pounding.
How would they stand against opponents who were all tall players exceeding 2 meters?
The jump ball is thrown.
Two players leap.
The jumping power of Japan National Team's number 6 is incredible.
He competes with the opposing center who exceeds 2 meters.
The one who picks up that loose ball is Katagiri-senpai.
I was watching in the audio-visual room. Everyone from the Basketball Club, both boys and girls, lets out a cheer.
Katagiri-senpai's movements are fast at times like this.
However, the opponents' retreat is also fast. They meet Katagiri-senpai with a 1-3-1 zone.
Senpai calmly sinks a 3P.
They switch to defense.
The Japan National Team defends with a 1-2-1-1 zone.
The one defending at the top is Katagiri-senpai.
The opposing number 4 attacks from the top.
Had they not studied Katagiri-senpai's game?
He tries to throw a pass to the post, but senpai leaps high and cuts it off.
Faster than he lands, Katagiri-senpai passes to the Japan National Team's number 4 behind him.
And as soon as he lands, he penetrates into the opponent's court.
As if he had read that, number 4 receives the pass and immediately passes it out. Was his name Sawa-senshu?
Upon receiving the pass, he immediately sinks a 3P.
After that, the opponent switches to an attack from the side.
However, they chose the wrong side.
The one meeting them is number 7, Minami-senshu.
While Minami-senshu's defense does not reach the level of Katagiri-senpai, it is solid.
He passes to the opposing number 7 player who has cut in.
The one suppressing that number 7 is number 6, Musashi-senshu.
While they are struggling to attack in front of Musashi-senshu's defense, Sawa-senshu's steal from behind is successful.
Then, he passes to Katagiri-senpai, who had crossed the half-line again, and without hesitation, he sinks a 3P.
Katagiri-senpai touches hands with Sawa-senshu and immediately gets into defense.
The opposing number 8 puts the ball into the post from the side and sinks a shot by brute force.
However, without flinching at such a shot, Katagiri-senpai immediately executes a fast break and sinks a 3P.
In the blink of an eye, the point difference widened to 10 points.
Such an exchange continued, and the first quarter ended with the Japan National Team in the lead at 30-12.
As expected, they have to stop Katagiri-senpai's 3P.
No matter how many attacks they successfully execute, he relentlessly widens the gap.
"It's shudder-inducing to think about when Toya becomes the enemy. It's almost like you'd need to have one person on Toya at all times. No, would one person just be shaken off?"
Tasuku gives his impressions.
A player who can reliably take 3 points without even entering the inside is nothing but a threat.
Everyone else was also giving their own impressions.
While they were saying that, the two-minute interval ends.
The opponent's attack is the same as before, putting the ball inside and forcing their way in.
The defense changed.
They solidify the post with three people and put two on Katagiri-senpai.
That defense does not work.
Have the opponents not studied the Japan National Team at all?
Sawa-senshu sinks a 3P.
The shootout continues.
They assign one marker to Sawa-senshu.
Katagiri-senpai becomes less guarded.
Katagiri-senpai cuts in.
The pass is delivered to Katagiri-senpai.
Katagiri-senpai leaps.
Toya turns past two people attempting to block, evades the block, and sinks a dunk.
The shootout still continues.
Against South Korea, which has many tall players, it can't be helped that they lose in the inside.
Losing is inevitable, but the defense succeeds a few times.
In contrast, the Japan National Team sinks 100% of their shots.
Far from shrinking, the point difference was widening.
The second quarter ends.
They enter a 15-minute break.
"The opponents haven't studied the Japan National Team,"
Kira-senpai points out. I thought the same thing.
"They might implement countermeasures in the second half,"
I said.
"If it were you, Sakurako, how would you handle it? Against the Japan National Team."
"Let's see..."
I thought.
South Korea's offense is set.
It's just that their defense is like a sieve.
No matter what defensive countermeasure is used, Katagiri-senpai and Sawa-senshu cannot be stopped.
If so...
"Perhaps apply a man-to-man press and anyway prevent senpai from shooting 3Ps. It's no good if he's allowed to shoot 3Ps freely. Because Katagiri-senpai will sink them 100% of the time. It can't be helped if they score in the inside in exchange. South Korea has offensive power too. I think the only countermeasure is to wear down senpai's stamina and aim for a decrease in his shooting ability."
"Even with man-to-man, Toya wouldn't stop, right?"
"That's why with a press, you can make him move even more. If his stamina is exhausted, his concentration will also drop. If that happens, the Japan National Team's scoring power will decrease."
"I see, but you've realized that strategy would also have little effect, right?"
When Tasuku says that, I smile and nod.
"He's trained his physicals thoroughly. It won't drop that easily."
"The fact that an all-court man-to-man press doesn't work on Toya was already proven when he played against the Medical School..."
Kira-senpai says.
"That's true. To the point where he's called an ace-killer... let's see. I think it would stop if there were about two of the Japan National Team's Minami-senshu."
"Sakura, how do you predict the second half?"
"I think it will become a slow-paced development. The opponents will likely implement countermeasures against 3Ps from fast breaks."
There was one more anxiety factor.
Senpai, please be safe...
However, the anxiety was hit perfectly.
(2)
"Toya-kun is amazing, isn't he?"
Yukari-san said.
Right, right?
"At this rate, it doesn't look like Japan will lose. If they don't stop Toya-kun, the point difference will just keep opening,"
Yui-san says.
"Carelessness is forbidden, you three."
"Ah, Sakoshita-san."
It's the reporter from OS.
"The South Korea National Team wouldn't just stay silent and let Katagiri-kun do as he pleases. In the second half, they'll try to stop him no matter what."
"How?"
I was asking. For some reason, I have a bad feeling.
"I can't put it into words well, but I have a bad premonition. I hope it's just groundless worry. You must not forget that the opponent is South Korea."
What does that mean?
The players return to the court.
The third quarter begins.
The jump ball was, as expected, equal.
Toya-kun tries to pick up the ball.
Then, a South Korea National Team player tackles Toya-kun's back with incredible force.
Toya-kun falls.
After that, another South Korea National Team player collapses on top of the fallen Toya-kun.
"Toya-kun!"
Furthermore, the player who tackled him steps on the foot of the fallen Toya-kun, picks up the ball, and begins the attack.
The coach protests, but the referee ignores it.
I wonder if they don't understand Japanese?
The game clock stops when the opponent's shot is successful.
Toya-kun finally stands up and starts running.
Was the way his foot was stepped on bad?
Is he okay?
Toya-kun plants the foot that was stepped on firmly on the court to check it, then participates in the attack. Three defenders attach themselves to Toya-kun.
When Toya-kun tries to run, they do whatever they want, pulling his uniform or kicking his legs repeatedly.
When he falls because his arms or legs are pulled, they stomp hard on Toya-kun's back.
...This is basketball, right?
While Toya-kun is being crushed, Aoi-san aggressively attacks to score.
But...
Pee!
"Black number 10, foul!"
Aoi-san was called for a foul.
That was a foul by the defense who forced their way in, wasn't it!?
The Japan National Team's coach protests. The interpreter also desperately appeals to the referee. However...
Pee!
"Technical foul!"
This is too unreasonable!
Booing erupts from the Japanese side's cheering section.
However, the referee does not care in the slightest.
But Japan was not just watching with their fingers in their mouths.
Toya-kun desperately shakes off the three markers and sinks 3Ps from a position closer to the half-line than the 3P line.
He does not let the point difference shrink.
Even then, the South Korean players were landing knee strikes and doing whatever they pleased.
The incident happened when Japan was on defense.
The player Toya-kun was marking suddenly swings his elbow.
It hits Toya-kun's face directly.
As the opposing player sinks a 3P, the Japanese coach takes a timeout.
Toya-kun had a nosebleed.
Toya-kun is substituted with number 14, Aida-senshu.
"It's started after all. This is the South Korean way,"
Sakoshita-san says.
Sakoshita-san had heard rumors beforehand.
South Korea has a temperament of being abnormally concerned about Japan.
That's why she had also watched the practice match between Toya-kun and the Universiade representatives.
That's why they proposed an exchange match before the Lee Sang-baek Cup.
The reason was to crush Toya-kun in advance.
This is so unfair...
"It's probably their national character. That they don't want to lose to Japan."
"To want to win even by using cowardly methods, they're out of their minds!"
"I wonder if Toya-kun is okay?"
Morishita-san hugs my shoulder.
A match like this isn't even a match.
However, the South Korean rough play continued after that.
Not just rough play. The referee's favoritism is also terrible.
However, my anger was light compared to that of the players.
(3)
Before entering the fourth quarter.
"Azuchi and Kakitani, get ready,"
the coach instructs.
"I can go in too."
"Instructions came from the head coach. Toya is not to be used in this match."
"No way..."
"I judge it the same way. In a mere strengthening match like this, I can't let you do something that might affect your career as a player."
"I'm fine if it's an injury. The nosebleed has stopped too."
"Your leg was hit, wasn't it?"
"I just twisted it a little."
"Yuichiro! Check Toya's leg."
"Understood. Come on, Toya, take off your basketball shoes."
I hesitated to take them off.
"Take them off quickly! Even if you do that, the coach's decision won't change!"
When Yuichiro says that, I take off my basketball shoes.
When I take off my socks, it had turned red.
Cold spray is immediately applied.
"There's 10 minutes left. Let's use the point difference earned from the outside to escape to the end."
"If it's from the outside, I'm fine too."
"Enough already! Toya! This isn't an official match or anything! Save this frustration until May!"
Until May, which means...
"Tomorrow's match is..."
"Regardless of the state of your injury, I'll have you rest. Don't worry. I'll keep a seat ready for you at the Lee Sang-baek Cup. I'm repeating myself, but it's the head coach's decision."
I was stunned.
I can't play in tomorrow's match.
He tells me to hurl today's anger into May.
In that match, we somehow won by utilizing the point difference I had created.
(4)
After the match ended, I appealed to the head coach during the meeting.
However, the head coach shook his head.
"The only thing I can do is make sure you make your official match debut safely."
"But the opponent in May is also South Korea, right! If so, doing it now or doing it in May is the same!"
"True, in that case, you'll have to wait until the Universiade. The Association says they will officially protest today's match. The referees at the Lee Sang-baek Cup aren't South Korean, so you don't have to worry."
There was nothing I could do.
Is my world match debut going to end in such a pathetic state...
"Yuichiro, how is Toya's leg?"
"It's nothing major. He just twisted it a bit. However, it's better to stop him from playing in tomorrow's match."
"I see..."
The head coach is thinking about something.
"Kazuto. Can you go out as SG in tomorrow's match?"
"I can't move like Katagiri, but I can do it."
"Then, I'll leave it to you."
"Yes."
It was close to a death sentence.
The one who patted my shoulder as I stood there stunned was Yuichiro.
"Tomorrow's match is impossible, but if there's a match the day after, you can play!"
When Yuichiro says that, I look at the head coach's face.
"It depends on the situation of tomorrow's match... but if the rough play continues, I won't put you in. I have to send you safely to the Olympics strengthening. You're an adult now. Please understand the circumstances."
"...I understand."
"Don't worry, I'll show you that we can win tomorrow's match."
That one word from Kazuto gouges my chest.
They can win even without me.
Doesn't that mean my drop from the starting lineup is as good as decided?
"Then, please approach tomorrow's match carefully as well. Dismissed."
As he says that, everyone leaves the meeting room.
In the midst of that, Yuichiro called me back.
"I have something to talk about."
Airi was waiting outside the meeting room.
"Toya-kun, are you okay?"
Airi asked worriedly.
"Airi, actually..."
"Are you his girlfriend?"
Yuichiro interrupted my words.
"I am, but...?"
"Can I borrow Toya for a bit tonight?"
"I don't mind... but did something happen?"
"It's nothing. I just have something I want to talk about."
"I understand. Well, Toya-kun, see you tomorrow."
Airi returned to her room.
"Come to my room."
Yuichiro guided me to his room.
(5)
What Yuichiro showed me was a single DVD.
It was the state of today's match.
"Is there nothing you notice upon watching?"
"...Nothing?"
It's no different from a usual match.
"Exactly. It's a match as usual. Just that the opponent is resorting to rough play."
"What about it?"
"You don't get it? It means that's how much the opponent values you! They probably thought they couldn't lose? There have been tight marks until now, but you've never been targeted for crushing this blatantly, right?"
Well, now that he mentions it...
Though if asked if that can be called a mark, I have grave doubts.
"That's South Korea. They're fighting with the prestige of their country on the line. They believe they absolutely must not lose to Japan."
"Even so, that doesn't mean it's okay to play rough, right?"
Besides, if it's a match like that, it makes me want to play even more out of spite, doesn't it?
"In an official match, it wouldn't go this far. Other teams wouldn't be this blatant."
"So, what do you want me to do?"
"Take better care of yourself! You're not a player who should be broken in a place like this. Realize that you're the Japan National Team's final weapon. Your position won't be shaken just because you were left out of the starting lineup in a strengthening match like this."
Final weapon, huh...
"To be honest, I'm frustrated too. I told you I was left out due to repeated injuries, right? You still have a chance. You're being cherished. You're being valued. Don't overdo it."
That's right...
Take care of yourself.
Something everyone in Watanabe's group has told me.
"That's enough, rest well today. Ice your leg and go to sleep."
"Yeah, I got it."
Saying that, I return to my room.
Kazuto was fiddling with his smartphone in the room.
"Ah, you're back. What did Yuichiro say?"
"That since I'm the National Team's final weapon, I should take better care of myself."
"...I think so too. No one can imitate Toya's play. It can't be suppressed with ordinary play. That's why I think they took such a forced measure."
"If I'm afraid of injury, I can't even enter a match, can I?"
"True, there might be people who wish for you to get injured. There might be people who think their turn will come."
"If that's the case..."
"Toya, do you have experience as a benchwarmer?"
"No?"
"Then it's a good experience. It's good to taste it once. It's good to experience for yourself with what eyes you gaze at the five people standing on the court."
"Maybe so."
At that moment, someone knocked.
"Maybe it's Tosaka-san."
"Maybe it's Morishita-san."
Neither was correct.
No, it would be more correct to say Aida-kun was correct.
Airi and the head coach came to the room.
"...You might have heard plenty from Yuichiro already, but..."
"I heard the talk about resting tomorrow."
"Eh? Toya-kun can't play? Is something wrong?"
Airi is surprised.
"Yeah, my ankle, a little."
"Are you okay!? Will it heal?"
"I'm okay, it's a light injury."
"Thank goodness~"
"It was my error in judgment. Actually, there were staff members who questioned this exchange match. I should have preserved Toya until the Lee Sang-baek Cup. My apologies."
"It's not something for the head coach to apologize for. I was just naive."
"I said that to suppress everyone's agitation, but..."
"Does that mean I should rest for the third match too?"
"I'd be grateful if you could understand."
I somehow knew.
"The formation doesn't work without you. There wasn't time to train Kazuto. You will definitely play in the official matches."
"...I understand."
"I'd be grateful if you understand. That's all. Kazuto, come here for a second."
"What is it, Aki-niisan?"
Huh? What did he just say?
"He's the head coach's older brother, Aida-kun."
Was that so...?
"Show a little understanding. Toya, I'll give you 10 minutes."
Saying that, the head coach and others left the room.
"Toya-kun, is your leg okay?"
"It's just as I was told earlier."
"...That's a shame."
"Sorry, even though you came all this way to watch."
"No, but please don't overdo it. I was talking with the head coach earlier."
"With the head coach?"
"Yeah, that Toya-kun's spot as an Olympics representative is already confirmed. That's why he can't let you get injured in a place like this."
I see, Olympics representative confirmed.
"I really can't overdo it then."
"That's right, because it's not just Toya-kun's problem anymore."
"As for me, I would have been happy if I were the only one you belonged to."
"You say such happy things."
Right now, only Airi's smile is my support.
It's frustrating, but I'll endure for now.
I hear a knock on the door.
Has 10 minutes already passed?
When I open the door, Aya is standing there.
"I have something to talk about, is that okay?"
Aya says, glancing at Airi.
"Ah, I'll head back to my room soon."
Saying that, Airi returned to her room.
I let Aya into the room.
"What's the talk about?"
"It's about Kazuto."
What happened to Kazuto?
"That guy is..."
"?"
"The one who won and avoided further matches with me..."
"...So that's how it was."
"Don't you lose."
"...I understand."
"That's all I wanted to say, sorry for the intrusion."
"It's fine."
"Then, see ya."
Saying that, Aya left.
Don't lose... huh.
Even now, while I'm like this, everyone must be continuing to fight.
It seems the time has come to face the position I'm in.
I can't lose.
I'll do what I can do now.
Right now, that's healing my leg.
I watch the DVD I borrowed from Yuichiro.
I watch the whole sequence of the South Korea match.
Next time I do it, I won't lose.
I'll find even one weakness.
Kazuto returns.
When Kazuto notices the DVD, he laughs.
"I'll settle it tomorrow."
"Yeah, be careful of contact play."
When Kazuto went to sleep, I slept too.