Chapter 251 - Winter Night of Dawn
(1)
When I wake up in the morning, I leave the room, leaving Yuichiro as he is, still asleep.
As I leave the hotel, a few people are jogging.
I call out to one of them, Masato.
"Yo."
"Oh, Toya. Morning."
I run alongside Masato.
"It's finally today, huh."
Masato speaks to me while running.
"Yeah."
"How's your condition?"
"I'm dying to play."
"Don't worry, your turn will definitely come."
"I hope so."
What I'm worried about is whether he'll say he won't play me again because this isn't an official match.
I need to make my presence felt during the morning practice.
The other players feel the same.
I can't afford to lose.
Once I finish jogging, I grab breakfast.
After eating, I board the bus and move to the arena.
We practice using the second court.
What the University coach told me:
Just keep moving and go receive the passes.
Evade the opponent's defense to become free, receive Masato's pass, and quickly find an open teammate to pass to.
If the defense can't keep up, take the shot decisively.
Just keep moving and appeal to the coach.
Then, the coach spoke these words:
"Don't rush it, Toya! It'll be a problem if you're out of stamina already!"
And so, I was taken off the court.
"That's not like you, Toya. Why are you in such a rush?"
Yuichiro says.
"...Weren't you the one who told me not to think that a spot in the starting lineup is always open for me, Yuichiro?"
If that's the case, I have to make my appeal.
"You might even get injured during practice, you know? You're simply over-rushing. Just practice as you always do."
When the morning practice ends, we eat lunch and have a meeting.
Finally, today's starting lineup is announced.
I was listed in the starters.
I breathe a sigh of relief.
Masato pats my shoulder.
"See, I told you not to worry," Masato says.
There is time until the match.
What should I do? Should I practice? Should I rest?
"Toya, come with us for a bit."
Masato and the others call me.
I follow them.
What lies ahead is today's arena.
Cameras are being installed, and the venue is being set up.
"Gets your blood pumping, right?"
"Yeah."
I'm playing here today.
My heart pounds.
My tension is rising.
"Calm down, it's not like this is your first time playing in a match, right?"
Aya says.
"Well, it's the second time, so it can't be helped. I didn't bring Toya here to put pressure on you. Remember the width of this court well."
"Yeah."
"Make it so you can imagine it at any time. The court is this wide. You're allowed to run wild freely on this wide court."
"I understand..."
"Shall we head back soon?"
Saying that, we return to the waiting room.
People meditating, people reading books, people moving their bodies. There are all sorts of people.
I also sit on the bench and quietly close my eyes. I imagine the scenery of the court I just saw. Then, the movements of the opposing team I saw on DVD, and how I should deal with them. I imagine it.
The coach enters the waiting room.
Everyone stands. Unaware, I was alone in my own world.
"Toya, it's your turn."
Masato hits my head.
I stand up.
"Now then, let's show them the strength of the new team."
As the coach says, he touches the staff member and leaves the waiting room.
(2)
"Yo, I just arrived."
I had noticed the car had been stopped there for thirty minutes.
"I'm coming down now."
Leaving the apartment, I knock on the passenger side door of his car.
"Now then, where shall we watch it!?"
"I wonder."
Although I said we'd watch it in the car, there's nowhere to park.
With my house, I don't know when my parents might come.
If that's the case...
"Do you live alone?"
"I do, but?"
"How about watching it at your place?"
I thought to myself that I had made a bold statement.
"That's no good. I can't invite a woman I've only been dating for a short time to my house."
He's considerate in strange places.
"No need to worry. I don't think you'll do anything."
"Then let's buy lunch at the convenience store first."
Saying that, he bought various things at the convenience store: side dishes, rice balls, cup ramen, snacks, juice, and tea.
His house was near the local university.
A two-story wooden apartment.
His place was on the second floor.
I was stunned looking inside.
There were many ornaments, but they were organized neatly.
It seems he cleans frequently.
He turns on the television. Just then, the pre-match scene was being broadcast.
"If it's Toya-senpai, he's definitely in the starters, right?"
"Yes."
I've never seen Toya-senpai's play, but...
If I told my parents I went to visit a man living alone, what would they think?
They would surely put even more pressure on me.
But the Watanabe group says it's okay.
Now is the time for me to change.
Determined, I stepped into his house.
He spreads the things bought at the convenience store on the table.
"Haruna, which do you want, rice balls or sandwiches?"
"Either is fine."
"Then, I'll take the cutlet sandwich and a rice ball... ah."
He stands up and brings a glass from the kitchen.
"You'll need something to drink, right?"
"I bought bottled tea, so I'm fine with that."
"Got it."
As we are eating lunch, Katagiri-san enters the court.
He was doing something strange.
He crouched on the court, placed his hands on the floor, and prayed.
After that continued for a few seconds, Katagiri-san entered the court.
Katagiri-san's opponent is tall.
Will it be a contest?
Anyone who has seen Katagiri-san's matches would know there's no problem, right?
But for me, it's the first time.
Having finished his cup ramen, he goes to throw away the trash.
It seems he sorts it properly.
The two of us are alone in his room.
I feel rushed in this space, a first in my life.
However, he watches the match regardless of such things.
Has he never felt nervous?
Or is he used to it?
Anxiety.
Am I just one of his playmates?
He has no way of knowing my feelings as he watches the match.
"It's starting."
Two players stand in the center of the court.
The referee holds the ball.
The white uniforms are Japan. The blue uniforms are Taiwan.
The referee throws the ball up.
The tall Taiwanese player tipped the ball to his teammate.
(3)
I headed to Emi-san's villa in my own car.
I head toward the audiovisual room.
Everyone was gathered.
When the television was turned on, the match was already on the verge of starting.
"It looks like Toya was put in the starters!"
Kanna said.
Everyone gave me a seat in the front row.
Toya-kun practicing shots is shown on screen.
White uniform with number 15.
Toya-kun seems to be mindful of the opponent.
He shoots while looking at the opponent's court.
The fact that they're going in is amazing.
What's the logic behind that?
And when practice ends, they gather on the bench.
"It's finally time,"
Umi-chan said.
First, the names from the Japan representative are called.
Toya-kun was called second.
Toya-kun's behavior is strange.
Before entering the court, he crouches and touches the court.
What happened?
Don't tell me he's injured at this point?
Such anxiety crosses my mind.
After that, he entered the court as if nothing had happened.
Is it some kind of charm?
When they line up, they shake hands.
Then they take their positions.
Toya-kun's opponent is taller than Toya-kun.
Well, it's rarer for someone to be short.
The person challenging for the jump ball is also shorter on the Japan representative side.
The jump ball is thrown.
The match begins.
(4)
I was practicing shots.
The opponent's center is really tall.
The area under the goal will be tough.
"Toya, concentrate on your shot practice!"
Even if I don't look at the goal, it's not like it's moving, so it'll go in, right?
Come to think of it, was there a basketball game where the goal started moving?
I was practicing shots while thinking about such things.
The boosters of both teams begin to sing their cheering songs.
Strangely, there was no nervousness.
The arena was filled with strangers, but just as Masato said, I close my eyes and imagine a wide court with no one there.
There, I imagine the development of the match against the Taiwan team.
I could feel myself entering my own world.
"It's Toya time."
Masato says.
We gather in front of the bench.
"The key to victory is whether we can play our own basketball. Don't get swallowed by the opponent's pace."
"Yes, sir!"
"Now then, go win!"
"Hell yeah!"
After shouting, we sit on the bench.
First, the names are called from the Japan side.
My name was called second.
When entering the court, I lightly touch the floor with my hand.
I can hear a stir in the venue. However, I have a firm image of the court. I'm okay. I can do it today.
I enter the court.
Once ten people are gathered, we shake hands with the opposing players.
Then we take our positions.
The opposing player's center is tall; seeing it in person makes that very clear.
The jump ball is thrown.
The opposing center leisurely passes to a teammate.
When the opposing point guard receives the pass... they don't go for a fast break.
We set up a zone.
At the same moment the opposing center enters under the goal, the point guard throws the ball to the center.
In that instant, I jump and cut the ball.
It's a tactic often used by teams with a tall center.
After cutting, I evade the opposing PG and enter the opponent's court with a dribble.
I sink a 3P with a high-speed motion.
Cheers erupt from our boosters.
The opponent enters their own area slowly.
The opposing PG sends a pass to the side.
But I see right through that too.
I'm concentrated today.
I immediately cut, dribble, and sink a 3P.
"Nice shot."
I touch hands with Masato and get into defense.
The opponent aims for the side from the start.
It's the standard method when facing me.
But Yusuke and Masato are on both sides.
They probably judged that a pass from above is impossible.
The opponent sends a pass to the center with a bounce pass.
The opposing center receives that pass, turns, and sinks a dunk.
At that moment, Aya is blown away.
"It's impossible to stop me."
Was he saying something like that?
Aya was called for a foul, two points were taken, and then one more point was taken with a free throw.
When the ball is passed to Masato, the opponent greets us with a zone.
Masato grins and passes the ball to me.
Upon receiving the ball, I sink a 3P before the opponent can jump to block.
Instructions fly from the coach.
"Don't jump to block forcibly. Defend aggressively so they can't throw it."
The opponent's attack is extremely simple.
Pass to the center and sink the shot.
They steadily take 2 points.
The coach probably hated the idea of jumping to block forcibly and giving up a count-one-shot.
The opponent held the pace of the match.
They took points steadily at a slow pace.
However, the opponent's miscalculation was that if they let me shoot a 3P, it would definitely go in.
The zone expands.
A characteristic of the opponent's defense.
When I try to shoot, rather than jumping to block, it looked as if they were aiming to block my vision to make me miss the shot.
But my release point is high, and I reach the release point faster than anyone. Even if my vision is blocked, I can grasp the position of the goal.
Just as I imagined before the match.
I'll say it again, the goal doesn't move.
I sank fifteen 3Ps in the 1st quarter.
The point difference widened all at once.
2nd Quarter.
The match consists of four quarters, with each quarter lasting 10 minutes.
After the 2nd quarter, there is a 15-minute break.
Also, after one quarter, there is a 2-minute interval.
In that 2nd quarter, the opponent changed their defense.
A man-to-man defense was attached to me, and the remaining four solidified the area under the goal.
Perhaps it was a blessing that I didn't play much in the South Korea match, but they didn't seem to have researched my play.
My 3Ps won't stop just because one person is man-to-man.
The opponent's attack was still reliant on the center as usual.
However, we cannot stop the opposing center.
The opponent's defense changes further.
"Spread out more! I'm enough on my own under the goal!"
The opposing center probably shouted something like that.
A style that thoroughly prevents 3Ps from being shot.
Even so, Masato passes the ball to me.
A zone cannot stop my 3Ps.
As if mocking them, my 3Ps keep going in.
3 points and 2 points, the gap only widens.
The opposing coach is shouting something.
The defense changed again.
A man-to-man half-court press.
Two people attach to Masato, and one to me.
Masato passes to the open person, Aya (Hikaru).
As Aya tries to make a layup, the opposing center jumps.
Anticipating that, Aya sends the ball to me in mid-air.
I jump from the free throw line. The opposing center is amazing. He immediately jumps to block me.
I rotate my body, switch the ball, and evade the center.
Then I sink a dunk.
The boosters go wild.
It seemed to be a shock to the opposing center.
After that, the opposing center's movements lacked brilliance.
It would be fine if he just missed shots, but he also accumulated fouls.
By the time the 2nd quarter ended, the opposing center had three fouls.
If he gets one more foul, aggressive play will become difficult.
Because if you get five fouls, you're ejected.
The first half ended with a massive lead for the Japan representative.
(5)
"Toya has no rivals!"
That's right!
Everyone watching the match was excited.
Kazuto-san said before.
That Toya-kun's play is the kind of opponent one least wants to face.
"I never thought he'd evade that huge player and dunk,"
Watanabe-kun says.
Height difference doesn't matter to Toya-kun.
Because he has extraordinary jumping power and body balance.
"But if we don't stop the opponent's big guy, won't we just keep taking attacks?"
"That's the strategy,"
I explain to Emi's question.
"What do you mean?"
"For Japan, a seesaw game is ideal. Toya-kun will definitely sink 3P shots, so as long as that's not stopped, the point difference will widen even in a seesaw game. And..."
"And?"
Akira-san asks back.
"The opposing center seems shaken because Toya-kun sank a dunk on him. His shooting percentage has dropped and he's getting fouls. If he gets two more fouls, he's ejected. He can't play as aggressively as in the first half."
The TV commentary was saying similar things.
"At this rate, the training camp will also serve as a victory party!"
When Ai says that, Watanabe-kun says, "That's true."
"But... there won't be any rough play like with Katagiri-senpai last time, right?"
Umi-chan says.
"It'll be fine, it's a home game this time. And the referees are from a third country. They'll call fouls fairly."
Only South Korea in the world plays such barbaric matches.
When Ai says that, Umi-chan seems relieved.
"Now we just have to pray that Katagiri-senpai doesn't get injured."
"There might be substitutions in the second half. If he gets injured here, it wouldn't be a joke."
Mirai-san and Ai talk like that.
"The second half is starting,"
Tange-sensei says.
Looking at the TV, the players came out to the court in a stream.
(6)
"As expected, Toya can't be suppressed by just one man-to-man,"
Akai-senpai says.
We were watching, having borrowed the University's audiovisual room.
"For Katagiri-senpai, we have to attach two or three layers of defense. We have to press aggressively. If he gets past them, it's as if he's unmarked."
"But the Japan representative isn't just Toya alone,"
Tasuku says.
"Everyone, please watch the match carefully. This is the ideal game development using Katagiri-senpai."
"The 3rd quarter is starting,"
Toma-senpai says.
Looking at the TV, the players returned to the court.
The jump ball is thrown.
The match development tilted toward Japan immediately after the start.
The player who received the ball stood on the 3P line and hurriedly shot a 3P.
Even though the Taiwanese center hadn't yet taken the rebound position.
The 3P misses.
The Taiwanese center hurriedly tries to pick up the rebound.
However, he is blocked by the Japan representative's box-out and cannot go for it.
Peep!
"Blue number 4, foul!"
With this, the center got his fourth foul.
The pace tilted toward Japan.
The center's return is slow.
In the meantime, Japan decides a fast break.
The attack is also slow for the center.
Did he move too much in the first half?
His footsteps are heavy.
When it comes to this, Japan also becomes superior on the inside.
Without any scoring from the opponent, it becomes a one-sided game for Japan.
Japan piles up points as they please from the inside and outside.
As expected, Japan's attack cannot be stopped by man-to-man.
More importantly, the key man, the center, cannot participate in the game.
The Taiwan team, who thought it was okay to miss shots because the center was there, probably felt mental pressure and their shots don't go in.
The one who decided the match was, as expected, Katagiri-senpai.
Receiving Sawa-senshu's floating pass in mid-air, Katagiri-senpai performs an alley-oop.
A dunk was decided, aiming over the opposing center.
"Blue number 4, foul! Ejected!"
The opposing center sinks to the spot.
Katagiri-senpai looked down at the center and said something.
After that, they carry out a one-sided match against the Taiwan team, who are without their key player.
Sawa-senshu also lightly evades double teams and passes.
When the inside is solidified, Katagiri-senpai sinks 3Ps one after another.
The opposing coach takes a timeout but cannot find a breakthrough, and as a result, it became a great victory for Japan.
"Is there a way to stop Toya?"
Tasuku says.
"I can't say there isn't. The world is wide. I think we should also assume a match where a player who can stop Katagiri-senpai appears. That's probably why they used the 4th quarter to confirm various formations."
"I see."
"In this match, each country will likely place their attention on Katagiri-senpai. He will surely be marked. They will likely devise countermeasures."
"I suppose so."
"Well, regardless. When Toya comes back, we've got to throw him a victory party!"
Toma-senpai says.
"That's true."
But as the manager, I still have things to do.
Finding the senior's flaws in this match and giving him advice.
He seems to have no flaws, but the play at the end looked sloppy.
His concentration has clearly broken.
When the senior enters the Zone, he has no rivals. But when that breaks, he suddenly becomes sloppy.
It sounds good to say he has room in his play, but it's simple negligence.
Also, maintaining mentality when the senior is suppressed.
Mood swings might be Katagiri-senpai's flaw.
I wish there were a way to train that.
Coach Higashiyama will probably think of something.
My load has become lighter.
That might be a good thing for the team.
But there was an indescribable feeling of emptiness.
(7)
The smartphone rings.
It's a message from the Watanabe group.
"The Japan representative won."
Katagiri-senpai is as expected.
"Over here."
Harada-san is calling.
Komatsu-ishi's grave is standing.
For now, I put my hands together and pray.
After that, I wash the grave, decorate it with the flowers I bought, light the candles, and offer incense.
"...He was a rough and bold person. He would exhibit works in various competitions and snatch up awards. Thanks to that, our company was in a frantic state."
"...I see."
"The work he left behind will also be finished soon. Once that's over... I thought I'd go to be with him."
I became anxious. Don't tell me she's still thinking about that...
"Satoru-san, he is my new partner. I'm not alone anymore. There's someone to protect me, so I'm going now. Thank you for everything until now..."
Saying that, Harada-san puts her hands together.
"Please sleep in peace. I'll be okay."
I stood still for a while.
Two people praying, wearing black suits.
Excuse me, I'll take care of her from now on.
I prayed so.
"Now, shall we go?"
"...Yes."
I tidy up the bucket and get in the car.
Looking at the grave, I noticed something.
There were no traces of anyone coming to visit.
"I married him immediately after graduating from university. I was alone, having lost my parents early. He picked me up when I was at a loss. He was strongly opposed to marrying a woman whose origins were unknown. He ran away from home. Since then, he's been estranged from his family."
"The President had a hard time too."
"Manabe-kun..."
The President said, looking at my face.
Why did she suddenly become formal?
"Setting aside the company, why don't you stop calling me 'President'?"
"Ah, sorry. Harada-san."
"Is that not right either? Because you won't be 'Harada' soon, right?"
"Eh!?"
Does that mean...?
"I have to go greet your parents too... but before that, there's something to do."
Is it okay for such a happy thing to happen?
"...Are you still not going to say it?"
"...Please marry me."
"...Yes. Then from now on, please call me Satomi."
"I understand."
"Are you holding back because I'm older? You don't have to be so formal. This is private."
"...Ah, I get it."
"Sorry for being such an old lady."
An old lady? She's still in her 20s, right?
"The ceremony, let's see... I'd like to have it around winter."
Was she always this bold?
She's the kind of person who exposes herself once she opens up.
"Can't you wait until I graduate from university?"
"If I wait that long, I'll really become an old lady."
Saying that, Satomi laughed.
I'm glad I saved money.
After that, I stopped by my parents' house to greet them.
My parents were taken aback since I came in mourning clothes.
"It's a cheeky request, but please take care of me."
"W-we look forward to working with you as well."
The parents are the ones who are nervous.
After that, I changed clothes, went to Satomi's house, Satomi also changed, and we went to buy rings.
I'm glad I saved money.
That night, the two of us had a modest celebration.
And so, I received a spare key to her house.
I was permitted to enter and leave her space freely.
(8)
Everyone was excited about the match.
"You did it, Toya, you were a huge success!"
Masato said to me.
"I got good passes. I couldn't afford to miss... and besides."
"And besides?"
"The tension of being chosen was incredible. I couldn't miss. I couldn't make a mistake."
"For someone feeling pressure, you seemed to show quite a bit of composure,"
Yuichiro says.
"I'd like to give you a thorough lecture later... but after this is the press conference and the celebration party."
Yuichiro says and laughs.
"Come on, hurry up and change and rush to the venue!"
As Yuichiro says, everyone began to change.
The press conference.
First, the coach is bombarded with questions.
"The current team's potential is not just this. I believe it's my role to bring that out."
"Does that mean you'll get even stronger?"
"I hope to bring the peak to the Asian Championship. Though I think it'll be tough for the Universiade members."
"The MVP this time was Katagiri-senshu, but?"
"That's right, his 3Ps are already a threat. We cannot leave them alone."
"May I ask Katagiri-senshu a question?"
The staff says, "Please go ahead."
"You played the full game for the first time this time, how was it?"
"I'm glad I could fulfill my role."
"Your thoughts on winning the MVP?"
"I'm happy."
"Your future goals?"
"The Lee Sang-baek Cup at the end of May. I definitely want to be in the starters."
"You've been selected for the selection, then?"
"That's what I've heard."
"Good luck."
After that, questions went to other members, but all of them were questions involving me.
The dinner.
A buffet-style party.
Alcohol is also permitted.
I concentrated on eating, though.
"Katagiri-senshu, do you have a moment?"
Yes?
Looking, the opposing center was standing there.
I spoke with him through an interpreter.
"He's asking what you said when he was ejected."
Ah, that?
"I said, 'Basketball isn't something you do alone, you know?'"
The interpreter speaks.
He was laughing.
"He says, 'You've got a lot of nerve saying that after dominating the game by yourself.'"
His talk continues.
"He says, 'It won't go like this at the Asian Championship, so be prepared.'"
"Tell him I'm looking forward to it."
The interpreter speaks.
He grins and asks for a handshake.
I shake hands with him.
He departed.
In his place, Sakoshita-san came.
"Sorry to interrupt, but could I interview you?"
"I spoke about most things at the conference, though?"
"I've been watching, but do you have no intention of turning pro?"
"...Right now, I'm very busy with university life."
"And after that?"
"...I'll decide then."
I kept the promise with everyone hidden.
Because I thought it wasn't something to be said yet.
"How did it feel to go up against the world's powerhouses?"
"As expected, there was pressure, right?"
"...I'll give you my honest opinion."
I wonder what it is?
"What you're lacking. That's a sense of tension. Your play is becoming very sloppy. It might be because there's nothing to stop you. You have to play while thinking about what happens when countermeasures are taken."
Is she trying to say it's become one-man play?
"But you've become more aggressive than before. That's a good trend. But you think there's no player who can stop you. Aren't you convinced of that?"
"That's not the case, though?"
"Don't be conceited, and keep putting in effort from now on."
Saying that, Sakoshita-san departed.
It's no use thinking too deeply about it.
For now, let's eat.
As soon as the dinner ended, I headed for Haneda Airport.
I made it just in time.
When I arrived at the local airport, a large number of reporters were gathered.
Pushing through them, Airi was standing there.
"Welcome back."
Airi said that, took my hand, and started running.
After loading the luggage in the car, I sat in the passenger seat.
"Sorry, I drank alcohol."
"Ye~s, I'll deliver you safely."
Saying that, Airi began to drive.
"Toya-kun, you were cool today."
"Really?"
"Yeah."
Enduring the sleepiness, I listened desperately to Airi's talk.
"It'll be tough on TV again from tomorrow, huh."
"I'm used to it already."
"That's true. It's happened many times already."
"Airi is the one who'll have it tough."
I said that and laughed.
"Why?"
"Because you've gone and said you're my girlfriend."
"Ah, that's right. I can't let my husband be embarrassed!"
I think you don't need to think that far.
"You can play in the second half, right?"
"Well, I think I'll have to do some adjustments."
"That's true, you're going to the training camp, right?"
"That's the plan."
"I'm looking forward to it."
Upon returning home, I delivered souvenirs to Airi's house and then went home.
After giving souvenirs to my parents and taking a shower, I returned to my room and lay down on the bed.
Fatigue hit me all at once, and I fell fast asleep.
Poke
Did I do something bad?
"Give me attention for three days' worth~"
It seems my match isn't over yet.