Chapter 265 - Song Of Joy
(1)
The ringtone of my smartphone sounds.
"Airi?"
"Mm, good morning, Toya-kun."
I look at the clock. Isn't it quite early?
"Where are you now?"
"I'm just about to head over there with Ishihara-kun and the others."
"Airi, I told you the game time, right?"
Isn't it a bit too early?
"I thought I might be able to see you before the game... was that a no?"
"It's fine, but what's up?"
"I thought I'd give Toya-kun a little charm."
"A charm?"
"Yeah, I made it in a hurry last night!"
"Thanks. Well, I'll call you when I arrive."
"Ah, okay. See you."
When I hang up the phone, Tasuku is awake.
"You have a kind girlfriend every single day."
"I guess."
"Is this kind of exchange ending today, then?"
"It's not the end. There are still league games left. And there's next year, too."
"I suppose..."
The ringtone of my smartphone sounds.
"How long are you going to keep relaxing! If you don't hurry, breakfast time will be over."
It was a message from Sakura-san.
"Shall we hurry?"
"Yeah."
We arrived at the restaurant.
I chose and picked up some food and sat at the table.
Sakura-san was at the table.
Sakura-san told Tasuku to hold out his arm.
When Tasuku held out his arm, something was tied around it.
A misanga.
"This is for today's prayer for victory."
"Thank you."
Looking closely, all the other players were wearing misangas too.
"Sakura-san, where's mine?"
"There isn't one."
Sakura-san said it as if it were only natural.
"I'm the only one without one?"
"Of course. Ah, by the way, Akai-senpai, Toma-senpai, and Kira-senpai don't have them either."
"Eh, but they were wearing them?"
"That's... because their respective girlfriends gave them those, right?"
Ah, so that's what she meant by the morning charm.
"I see..."
"Once you're satisfied, hurry up and eat and get ready. You can at least support the girls for today!"
"I guess that's true."
The women's basketball team came to watch every single game.
I might as well watch them for the last time.
When we arrived at the venue, the game had already started.
A fierce offensive from the start. And aggressive defense.
"If they can maintain that defense for 40 minutes, they'll be number one in Japan."
That was exactly the state they were in now.
A defense that kept the first quarter's points conceded to a single digit.
And a flowing fast break from a steal. Tactics for when the fast break was blocked.
A one-sided development continued.
We watched it.
"They must have been practicing that against the opponent."
Shinji said.
"It really is amazing, now that I think about it. The women's team."
"They practiced against people like that. There's no way we'll lose. Let's go with confidence!"
When Shinji said that, everyone nodded.
Just then, Airi's voice called out, "Toya-kun~ there you are."
"It's been a while~"
"Have you been well? Where are the others?"
"They said they're saving seats."
"I see."
"Toya-kun, hold out your arm."
Yes, yes, the misanga, right? I know... wait, this is way too thick!
"Airi, this won't break."
Are you telling me to lose?
"Because Toya-kun's goal isn't just this tournament, right?"
"Well, that's true."
"So I thought it would be a problem if it broke too easily, so I tried making it thick♪"
"Well, Toya's wish isn't going to come true that easily then."
Tasuku looked on and laughed.
(2)
We enter the waiting room.
I visualize as I always do.
However, everyone else seems to be somewhat nervous.
If we win, it's the championship.
If we lose, it's runner-up.
If we're going to do it, we want to win.
That feeling makes everyone stiff.
Even Sota, the mood maker, is quiet today.
It's not good to face a game in this atmosphere.
How should I loosen the tension?
Even Sakura-san is nervous.
"Everyone, even if we lose, we're still runners-up. We can go home with our heads held high. We've come far."
"Wait, Katagiri-senpai, don't say things that are bad luck!"
Sakura-san said.
"Toya, don't think about losing starting now."
Shinji also spoke.
"Everyone is stiff. We'll lose like this."
When I said that, everyone became even more tense.
"...Visualize. Visualize ourselves playing the game on the court, and what kind of plays the opponent will make."
When I said that, everyone visualized.
"Imagine ourselves sharing the joy of winning."
Everyone seemed to be visualizing. It became completely silent.
"Even if we get beaten a bit on the inside, I'll keep piling up points—it's our usual winning pattern."
I wonder if they were able to visualize it in their minds?
"Sota, you've grown in this tournament. Be aggressive like yesterday and lead everyone."
Sota nodded.
"Shinji and Kyota. I won't let anyone say our inside is weak anymore. We can sufficiently oppose the opponent's center. Decide the game with Shinji's alley-oop."
The two of them nodded.
"Yuki and I will stir up the opponent's defense. The inside will naturally scatter. If it's two-on-one, there's no way we lose."
Yuki looked at me.
"It doesn't matter what kind of attack the opponent makes. If we bring it to a shootout as usual, we have the advantage."
"What's the basis for saying that?"
Tasuku said.
"The opponent will likely underestimate us, thinking we're a lower-ranked team. If we hit a 3P first, we'll have the advantage. I trust you two and will shoot 3Ps without hesitation."
"You're putting pressure on us."
Kyota laughed. Seeing that, I was satisfied.
"That's how it should be. If you get timid, you'll be replaced by Tasuku, okay? Tasuku is an all-rounder."
"Toma-senpai, if we win, you're coming to the after-party."
Sakura-san finally spoke.
Everyone laughed.
"The manager gave us permission! Let's party hard next Friday night!"
Shinji said.
"We're all set now."
When I said that, everyone nodded.
"The women's basketball team won!"
A first-year student arrived.
"Well, shall we go celebrate?"
Everyone left the waiting room.
"Katagiri-senpai, thank you. I didn't know how to address them either."
"I'm counting on your usual calm instructions."
"Yes!"
While walking through the corridor, we encountered the women's basketball team.
"Shinji, if you make it this far, it's a couple's victory!"
"I know."
"Sota-kun. Do your best, just be your usual self."
"Roger that."
"Kyota-san, please support everyone with your usual aggressive play."
"Yeah."
"Everyone! For Sota's sake, let's win and go to a mixer with the women's team."
"Hell yeah! I'm fired up!"
When Sota shouted, everyone laughed.
When we entered the court, Fukuoka University was practicing.
They were projecting an atmosphere of composure.
I wanted to give them some kind of declaration of war.
Then, when Sota held the ball, he said "Shinji!" and threw the ball in front of the goal.
Sensing the intent, Shinji caught the pass in mid-air and completed an alley-oop.
The venue erupted.
Kyota, who received that ball, sent a pass to me.
Receiving the ball, I jumped from the free-throw line and completed a dunk.
Our boosters erupted.
And so, we finished practicing.
"Everyone, this is just a passing point. The goal is league conquest."
"Yes, sir!"
"I have nothing more to say to everyone. If we can play our own basketball, we should be able to win. I won't let them call it Katagiri-kun's one-man play. Have confidence."
"I won't let them say the inside is weak either. It's okay. Believe in yourselves."
When Coach Higashiyama and Sakura-san spoke, everyone formed a huddle.
"Let's win and drink some delicious sake!"
"We'll win for Sota's sake!"
"I'll be sending passes without mercy! If you can't catch them, you're being substituted!"
"I know, I know."
"Well, shall we go win?"
"Hell yeah!"
After everyone pumped themselves up, we were called one by one.
We were called first.
Then the opposing team entered.
We faced the opposing team.
They were looking down on us. We couldn't afford to lose.
Everyone took their positions.
The jump ball was thrown.
The opponent's number 4 leisurely sent the ball to a teammate.
When the opponent's PG held the ball, Sota took the defense.
The opponent's PG was observing the situation, but suddenly threw the ball to the high post.
When the opponent's number 4 received the ball, he took it straight to a dunk.
Kyota, who had entered to block, was blown away.
"It's impossible to stop me, no matter how many people you put on me."
Number 4 was saying that.
But Kyota didn't care about that and switched to offense.
"Yuki!"
Sota, who received the ball, passed it to Yuki.
The fast break was successful.
However, the opponent attacked leisurely.
Is the attack left to number 4?
Number 4 cut in again.
Number 7 passed to number 4.
But I stole it.
Confirming that Sota had received it, I immediately ran to the opponent's side.
Sota's pass flew.
I immediately shot a 3P.
It went in.
We deployed a zone defense.
The game proceeded according to our intentions.
While taking the opponent's attacks, we went for points reliably.
The first quarter ended with us in the lead.
"Good, this is the ideal game development. Frustrate the opponent more and put pressure on number 4."
The coach gave brief instructions.
"We've entered the usual winning pattern. The pattern of hitting 3Ps even if we're being shot at. If we can keep this up, we can win."
Sakura-san also said.
The second quarter began.
They probably have confidence in the area under the goal, and they probably don't know the terror of our outside shooting accuracy.
The ball came to me easily.
I decided them without mercy.
In contrast, the opponent's attacks were also becoming patterned.
They were perfect prey for a steal.
The point difference only continued to widen.
The opponent's camp finally started to move.
Timeout.
The point difference had widened to double digits.
When the timeout ended, the attack changed.
The opponent also started shooting from the mid-range.
They probably figured that even if they missed, number 4 was under the goal, so it wouldn't be a problem.
However, the defense didn't change.
The semi-finals were almost tougher than this.
If they're going to let me shoot unmarked, I won't hesitate.
The coach also moved, the first member change.
Yuki and Tasuku swapped.
Attack thoroughly from long distance.
That must be the instruction.
We hit 3Ps thoroughly and pushed the point difference further.
Sota also scattered passes to the right and left, aiming for 3Ps.
Fast attack versus slow attack.
We held the pace.
The opponent's defense finally changed.
"I'm enough on the inside by myself! Guard the 3Ps!"
The opponent's number 4 said that.
Let's take the bait.
I cut in.
Seeing that, Sota sent a pass.
Receiving the pass, I leaped.
The opponent jumped to block.
I dodged it and completed a dunk.
If the defense spreads to the outside, attack the inside.
Just as those words said, we thoroughly targeted the inside.
When the opponent's defense clumped in the middle, we aimed for 3Ps again.
The second quarter ended with the one-sided game development remaining.
(3)
"Toya-senpai is seriously amazing!"
Haruto-kun is excited.
"The opposing team didn't mark our university at all, right?"
Watanabe-kun said.
"Well, they were a weak team."
Emi said.
"At this point, it should be fine."
If Kimoto-senpai says so, it's probably fine.
"Carelessness is still forbidden. They might target Katagiri-kun from next time."
Kana said that. But it's okay.
"Toya-kun isn't something that can be stopped just because one person marks him. Even two can't stop him. By the time they realize that, it's already too late for the opponent. That's the winning pattern for Toya-kun's team."
As I explained, everyone nodded.
Emi and Watanabe-kun were on the phone.
Watanabe-kun asked me.
"Are Tosaka-san and the others free this weekend?"
"I don't have any particular plans?"
"Then it's fine. Let's throw a victory party."
Everyone got excited.
Emi finished the phone call.
"...It seems it succeeded. It seems we were able to intercept properly."
"Oh!"
Makoto-kun was surprised.
"Apparently, they took photos and intercepted and recorded using the bugs we set up in advance."
"Bugs... did you even manipulate the seats?"
"We had the staff hold them. Since we have photos, it was a piece of cake."
"Senpais are seriously amazing!"
The third quarter began.
They came at Toya-kun with a double team from the start.
However, the current local university isn't just Toya-kun.
There's also Tasuku-kun.
Tasuku-kun decided a shot.
It seems the opponent's number 4's legs are giving out.
His return is slow.
The coach seemed to make a gamble.
He took Tasuku-kun out and put Aoyama-kun in the middle.
Aoyama-kun decided shots from the mid-range without mercy.
And the defense switched to an all-court press.
Toya-kun took the opponent's number 7.
I feel sorry for number 7 being marked by Toya-kun, but Toya-kun is first-class at defense too.
At times, they were hit with 8-second violations, and then steals. The point difference widened further.
Even if they double-teamed, Toya-kun's drive couldn't be stopped.
And Toya-kun shot 3Ps using his left arm, which he had acquired in practice.
A 3P shooter who can use both arms is practically cheating.
Unable to keep up with the fast game development, number 4 was clearly exhausted.
And when Toya-kun cut into the inside, four defenders attached to him.
As if mocking them, Toya-kun sent a pass.
When Kira-kun received the pass, he completed a dunk just like that.
Unable to keep up with that speed, the opponent's number 4 was called for a foul.
"Don't jump in knowing it's a foul, you'll get injured," Kira-kun said.
Number 4, shocked by that play, lost his brilliance and was ejected in the fourth quarter after receiving 5 fouls.
Fukuoka University, having lost its main axis, disintegrated.
It closed with an overwhelming victory for the local university.
"We did it! We're the champions!!"
We shared the joy with everyone.
The people from the women's basketball team were crying too.
When Toya-kun and the others came in front of the spectator seats, they bowed.
"Congratulations!"
Everyone sent words of praise.
Voices of joy could be heard.
The players proceeded to the award ceremony just like that.
When Kira-kun received the trophy, he held it high.
The arena was enveloped in enthusiasm.
(4)
"Good work, everyone. You fought well for 40 minutes."
Coach Higashiyama was speaking.
"Everyone, truly, good work."
Sakura-san was speaking while crying.
"Tasuku, go comfort her."
Sota said.
"I'll do that when we get home."
When Tasuku said that, Sakura-san's face turned bright red.
"Please don't make fun of what people are saying!"
When Sakura-san said that, everyone laughed.
Leaving the waiting room, we joined the women's basketball team.
"We did it, Shinji!"
"Thanks, Natsumi."
"Sota-kun, good work too!"
"Thanks, Marina!"
"Kyota... good work."
"Good work to you too."
When we left the arena, fans were crowding around.
"Katagiri-senshu, please give me an autograph!"
"Me too!"
The ones who pushed those fans aside for us were the members of Unity.
"Hurry up and get on the bus."
When Watanabe-kun said that, everyone got on the bus.
Then, we returned to the local university.
My smartphone is ringing.
Looking, it's from Airi.
"I'll be waiting at the university."
"Got it."
Saying that, I must have been tired. I slept on the bus.
When I woke up, it was dusk.
We'll arrive at the university soon.
When we arrived at the university, we disbanded for the day.
As I got off the bus, Airi's voice called, "Toya-kun."
Turning toward the voice, Airi was standing there.
"Go on. You're going to be kind to your girlfriend today, right?"
When Tasuku said that, I ran over to Airi.
"Toya-kun~"
Airi hugged me.
"Did you come alone? It's dangerous."
"I was fine~"
When Airi pointed to the shade of a tree, a woman in a black suit was standing there.
"Well, shall we go home?"
"I'll drive today."
"Yes, yes."
With Airi driving, when we returned home, my parents welcomed us.
"Good work, Toya."
"I've prepared a feast for today."
"Let's have a celebratory drink! I've invited Tosaka-san's place too."
That day became a banquet.
When the banquet ended and I took a bath, I returned to my room.
It's been a while since I've been back.
I lay down on the bed.
I fell asleep just like that, but...
Poke
"You said you'd keep me company tonight."
That's right.
"Airi, come here."
"Mm."
Airi also entered the bed.
"Good work~"
"Thanks. Thanks for the support, Airi."
"No problem."
Airi hugged me and I accepted it, and just as I was about to accept Airi's selfishness.
The ringtone of my smartphone sounded.
"I thought we said we'd do this tomorrow~"
While Airi complained, she picked up the smartphone, and Airi's movements froze.
"Toya-kun, this is bad!"
"What happened?"
Airi showed me the smartphone.
"Haven't you had contact from Ichinose-san? Apparently, she hasn't returned yet."
"Did you contact her?"
"That's the thing, I couldn't get through..."
"What happened to Honoka?"
Airi's face was pale.
"It's okay. She's just a bit late returning..."
The smartphone rang again.
It was from Ichinose-san.
"I want to make a deal. You know the contents even if I don't say them."
For a moment, time stopped.
I hugged the trembling Airi.
"The deadline is next Sunday. I'll contact you later regarding the location. I'm treating her properly, so don't worry."
Saying that, a single image was sent.
An image of Ichinose-san being kept in confinement.
The ringtone of my smartphone sounded.
"Toya! Bring your smartphone and come to the family restaurant right now. Bring Tosaka-san too!"
"The deadline is a week away, there's no need to panic, right?"
"You said it yourself, didn't you? 'Don't let the hunter become the hunted.' For now, I want to put in my virus protection app."
"Got it!"
When I hung up the phone, I told Airi.
Airi and I changed clothes and waited for a ride.
Emi-san came to pick us up.
"Get in!"
When we got into Emi-san's car, Ishihara-kun moved the car.
"I didn't think they would target Ichinose-san."
Ishihara-kun said.
"Shouldn't we tell the police?"
"If we do that, various things will be bad. First, they'll probably demand a Wizard."
When Airi said that, Emi-san answered.
When we arrived at the family restaurant, it had become a situation where the entire Watanabe squad had gathered.
When Makoto saw us, he first prompted us to take out our smartphones.
And when Makoto's app was installed, a virus check was performed.
Apparently, we were still safe.
"I thought they'd get in using messages," Makoto said.
"I want to consult on what to do from here..."
Watanabe-kun said.
"You have no intention of complying with the deal, right?"
Emi-san said.
"However, we also want to ensure Ichinose-san's safety."
But Emi-san said.
"No need to worry. I've already read all of the opponent's hands."
Eh?
"It's late today. Katagiri-kun must be tired too. Let's make it tomorrow. Yes, I wonder if the family restaurant is fine again."
"That's fine, but is Ichinose-san okay?"
I was asking Emi-san.
"I told you. I've read the opponent's hand. They won't do anything rough first. I'll settle it by the day after tomorrow at the latest."
"I'm asking you too. Please save Honoka."
Nakajima-kun bowed his head.
"Don't worry. I've also grasped where she's being confined."
Huh?
"If we send in soldiers, we can rescue her immediately."
Akira-san also said.
"Then, why aren't you doing it right now?"
I was asking the obvious.
"I don't want to reveal our hand. Until the time comes. It's pitiful for Ichinose-san, though."
"You'll say it, right? 'Don't show your trump card first; if you show it, have an even deeper trick up your sleeve.'"
Emi-san and Akira-san said.
"That Warlock of the opponent isn't much either. I thought they'd at least hack using our accounts, but there's no trace of it."
"Isn't that just simply erasing the traces?"
I tried asking Makoto.
"That's not it. Our server's security has a characteristic. It's designed so that you can intrude to a certain extent."
That's no good.
"In exchange, it's a system that automatically tracks access logs. And it's designed to strip most permissions before they reach the next firewall."
...Just how much did you study?
"Also, automatically infiltrating Trojan horses and such."
"By tracking the access logs Makoto-kun recorded, I've grasped the approximate scale of the Egoist crowd. They're already naked. The remaining thing to do is... dragging the true identity of God into a public place..."
"Is there some problem?"
I asked Emi-san.
"The opposite. I grasped it properly today. I've also taken evidence. The reality of it is interesting. I'll talk about that tomorrow."
"Then, tomorrow at this time at the family restaurant. Everyone, stop acting alone! Haruto, make sure you send Shiratori-san all the way home!"
"Roger that!"
"The other side has finally become desperate. The real battle starts from here!"
"Oh!"
And so, for today, we disbanded.
"Emi, is Honoka really okay?"
Airi is worried.
"She's fine. We're at the stage of confirming whether there's an intention to negotiate on this side. They won't use rough methods."
"I see~"
"I'll talk about it in more detail tomorrow."
Saying that, she sent us home and left.
When I unlocked the lock and was about to enter the door, I felt a strange presence.
Instinctively, I pushed Airi into the entrance and closed the door.
Flash!
I knew a flash had gone off.
I apprehended a man with a camera just before he climbed into a car.
"Toya-kun!?"
"Airi, don't come out! Call Father!"
"Got it!"
Father came out.
"What happened, Toya! Who is that man!?"
I handed the camera the man was holding to Father.
"Also, check if Airi's figure is reflected."
Father operated the camera and shook his head.
"It's okay, she's not reflected."
"Just in case, delete all files."
Father operated the camera and deleted everything.
"Are you an Egoist too!?"
"I'm just a Bone!"
"Like I care! Father, call the police!"
"Got it."
Father instructed Mother to call the police.
"So, who are they? The Egoists."
"They're an organization hostile to us."
"Are you involved in troublesome things again?"
"I'll talk in detail after the police arrive."
Soon, the sound of a patrol car was heard.
I also appeared at the police station and was made to give a statement.
I returned around dawn.
"Toya-kun, you should sleep a little."
"No, I'll stay awake like this. School starts today, right? In exchange, please spare me the jogging."
"Got it~, but don't overdo it."
"I know."
It seems it's true that the Egoists have become desperate.
It seems it will still take some time before I can hear the Song of Joy in the true sense.