Chapter 286 - Andante Cantabile
(1)
Asian Championship Finals.
We face the game wearing black uniforms.
A large crowd fills the arena.
I close my eyes and visualize the court... It's okay, I can do it today too.
The opposing team is already on the court practicing.
We also do shooting practice.
After practice, we gather at the bench.
We can participate in next year's Tokyo Olympics as the host nation, but it's been nearly 50 years since we actually competed in the Olympics.
If we can't win here, my dream won't matter anyway.
"Just like I said yesterday. Play your usual basketball and you'll win! Go win."
We form a circle.
"If we win today, Toya, I'll treat you to whatever you want to eat."
Masato says.
"Then how about I treat myself to some Peking duck?"
"Don't you not know any other Chinese dishes, Toya?"
"I at least know that hiyashi chuka isn't a Chinese dish."
And I don't want to eat anything too gross either.
"Well, I'll make sure to eat enough to break Masato's wallet."
Aya says.
"Then let's win!"
"Ooh!"
Players are called onto the court one by one.
When I'm called, I high-five everyone and enter the court.
As I enter the court, I make sure to lightly touch the floor.
It has no particular meaning.
Just a kind of superstition.
Everyone takes their positions.
The jump ball is tossed.
The opponent's long-armed player #7 taps it first.
I and Masato block player #4 who catches the ball.
Player #7 comes to receive a pass.
The pass goes to player #7,
and he charges in with a dribble.
Then he makes a high-position hook shot.
It's our turn to attack.
Player #7 guards me.
I receive the ball and take a fadeaway 3-pointer with an ultra-quick motion and high trajectory.
But player #7's reach is longer than expected, and it's easily blocked.
I then guard player #7, but due to his long reach, even high dribbles become low-position dribbles, and I can't go for the ball.
Maybe I was panicked from having my 3-pointer blocked. When I stubbornly try to steal, he passes to another player.
We fall behind by 4 points.
But Masato's face still shows composure.
"Calm down, Toya!"
I hear the coach's voice.
Masato passes the ball to Aya, Goromaru, and Yusuke under the basket.
Did he give up on outside attacks?
If this continues, I have no purpose here.
I desperately shake off player #7's mark and receive the pass to shoot a 3-pointer, but even arriving late, I can't escape the block shot from player #7's height and long reach.
When offense becomes erratic, I try to make up for it with defense but make mistakes.
Unable to break the combination of opponents #4 and #7, the seesaw game continues.
This isn't our usual pattern.
Our pattern is a seesaw game via 3-pointers that naturally opens up the point difference.
The initial 4-point gap remains open. The first quarter ends.
"Calm down, Toya... We're changing defense. Full-court press man-to-man..."
My mark is player #4.
I confirm it firmly, and the second quarter begins.
The game development doesn't change. Still a seesaw game.
I can't steal well.
My attacks don't land either.
I was panicking.
And panic leads to mistakes.
I attempt a reckless block shot against player #7, get called for a foul, and it's a count-one free throw.
We concede 3 points.
Then a whistle blows.
A substitution for the Japanese national team. I'm replaced by Yoshiaki.
I can still do it!
I protest, but the coach gestures for me to get off the court quickly.
As I sit on the bench, Kazuto next to me says, "Watch the game carefully."
Yoshiaki takes over guarding #4.
Yoshiaki defends solidly.
The opponent struggles to attack.
Player #7 runs to receive the ball, drives, and makes the shot.
On the other hand, for Japan's attack, Masato sends sharp passes under the basket and scores.
Probably because player #7 isn't under the basket. Under the basket isn't much of a threat.
"Did you watch the DVD properly yesterday? I told you, didn't I? Don't forget during the game. Stay calm."
Yoshiaki steals and goes for a fast break. For the first time, we close the gap.
"Let me say it clearly. You might not have noticed because it's man-to-man, but that #7's position is basically center. You can tell from his offense. So their inside is weak. That's where to strike."
I understand what Kazuto is saying well. I thought I understood...
"Toya, you failed to land attacks and got flustered, making mistakes even on defense. That's not the usual composed Toya. Yoshiaki can hold him off. If it's you, Toya, you can completely stop that #4."
Defense, huh...
"Toya's misunderstanding. Our pattern isn't about building a lead with 3-pointers; it's about creating rhythm from turnovers via Toya's steals."
Indeed, from Yoshiaki's steal. The attack lands and gradually closes the gap.
"One more thing: watch #7 closely."
As Kazuto says, I watch #7 carefully.
Whether jumping for a block, a layup, a hook shot, or a dunk, he's not jumping that high.
Was I fooled by his height and long reach?
"...Probably he's moving around that much. His movement should decrease further in the second half. That's when to make our move."
The coach says.
"I've said it many times: calm down, Toya. Coolly watch the opponent's movements and habits from outside the court and drill them into your head."
Told by the coach and Kazuto, I closely observe the opponent's movements.
...Their attack is one-dimensional.
Player #7 just goes to get the ball, receives it, and shoots using his height and reach.
I visualize carefully.
I piece together the opponent's movements and how to overcome them. The fragments are gathered. Now I just need to assemble them...
"We have to win the gold medal at the Olympics, right? This is no time to stumble. Don't rush. Let's go slowly and steadily."
Kazuto says that and smiles.
The second quarter ends with us closing the gap to 2 points.
(2)
"I can't believe Toya got pulled out."
Tasuku was surprised. I don't think it's that surprising though.
Katagiri-senpai's offense isn't working, so he's panicking even on defense.
Probably what he feared most.
That is, Katagiri-senpai being stopped.
The most confused is Katagiri-senpai. So he was pulled once. As if to tell him to calm down.
"Sakura seems to understand the reason, but could you explain it so we can understand?"
Watanabe-senpai said.
I explained.
"Katagiri-senpai is panicking. If he can't win here, there's no next time. There's no point in just participating as the host nation. So he feels he has to win. But his attacks aren't landing, so he's flustered."
"Are you saying he got replaced because he was beaten by that big man?"
"No. Katagiri-senpai's offensive power is nothing to scoff at, but even more threatening is his defensive ability that has crushed all opposing aces. But because his offense isn't working, he's panicking and losing himself even on defense."
"So you're saying the #5 who came in later is better at defense?"
Emi-san said.
"If it's the current Katagiri-senpai, then yes. But if he gets back to his usual self, he could easily stop that #7."
After all, he once matched up against the world's best shooting guard.
"Isn't that a bit biased? Their heights and arm lengths are totally different!"
Kiritani-senpai said.
"Senpai has jumping power that doesn't lose to that. Probably when the decisive moment comes, they'll send Katagiri-senpai in."
"Let me ask you, Sakura: when is that decisive moment?"
Ai-san said.
"Didn't you notice? It might have been too overwhelming to notice, but the opponent's offense and defense are only functioning with that #4 and #7."
That's probably because the Japanese national team is shutting them down well.
"What does that mean?"
Kanna-san said.
"That #7 has an above-average movement volume. And from his build, he was probably a center originally. They assigned him man-to-man just to crush Katagiri-senpai. He's definitely going to get tired in the second half. That's the decisive moment."
"So they'll throw Toya at him then?"
Kanna-san said, and I nodded.
"What the Japanese national team and our university have in common is that it all comes alive from Katagiri-senpai's steals, block shots leading to turnovers and fast breaks. Everyone focuses on Katagiri-senpai's flashy plays, but the important thing is his defensive ability."
"As expected of you, Sakurako, having watched Toya all this time."
"Stop making misleading statements, Tasuku!"
"What kind of misunderstanding?"
Tasuku laughs.
I said nothing and waited for the third quarter to begin.
(3)
Toya-kun was taken out.
Is he not playing anymore in this match?
It's not an injury, right?
Toya-kun on the bench seems somewhat irritated.
Kazuto-san is calming him down.
I don't know what he said to Toya-kun, but Toya-kun seems to have settled down.
He's looking into the court seriously.
The second quarter ended.
Japan is closing the gap by 2 points.
Japan always scores first, but China is strong after all?
"That was an obvious attempt to crush Toya-kun."
Yui-san said.
"That person normally guards under the basket, I think. They're using him against Toya-kun just to block his 3-pointers."
Because if they want to sap Japan's offensive power, they can't let Toya-kun shoot freely.
Does that mean Toya-kun is unusable in this game?
"No, Airi-chan. The cost of trying to crush Katagiri-kun is huge. They've been moving that massive body around that much. His legs must be taking a toll. In fact, he's barely jumping anymore."
Doing both offense and defense alone is tough.
"Aya and the others were making easy shots."
Yukari-san said.
"The rest is up to Toya-kun. Whether he notices that or can reclaim his play is the key to the game. The ace of the Japanese national team is unmistakably Toya-kun."
Yui-san said.
Don't rush, Toya-kun.
Just play as if walking slowly, singing.
Let go of unnecessary tension, okay? That's when you're amazing, Toya-kun.
The third quarter began.
Toya-kun was still on the bench.
As Yui-san said, #7's movements have become sluggish.
Even when jumping, he barely leaves the ground.
He's covering with his huge body and long arms, though.
Making layups without jumping is unfair.
In contrast, Japan easily piles on points with fast breaks from Sawa's quick passes.
China uses slow offense, waiting for #7 to get under the basket.
The Japanese national team's coach didn't miss #7's legs stopping.
He sends Toya-kun back onto the court.
He consults with Minami.
Japan seems to have gone on the offensive.
Minami takes #4, and Toya-kun takes #7.
At a glance, it's a mismatch.
Toya-kun alone is playing a strange defense.
Ah, I've seen this defense before.
A defense that positions himself between #4 and #7.
It's the defense the local women's university basketball team used.
Player #4 finds it hard to pass to #7.
Player #7 approaches #4 to receive directly, but Toya-kun blocks it.
Player #4 passes to another player, but Sawa cuts it.
The Japanese national team starts running all at once.
A pass goes to Toya-kun.
Player #7 guards him... waiting for that?
As soon as #7 gets into defensive position, Toya-kun goes into his shooting motion.
Player #7 jumps.
Toya-kun's fake.
Toya-kun dives into his space and blows past him in one go. Player #7 chases.
Toya-kun's Air Walk lands.
With this, they catch up.
China resumes the game immediately.
Toya-kun finally seems to have remembered his play.
He jumps higher than anyone to catch a high lob pass.
After landing firmly, he runs into the enemy territory.
His dribble is fast, as if he rested slowly.
Player #7 rushes back.
But Toya-kun slams on the brakes.
Player #7 can't stop his momentum.
His legs seem to have given out.
As if mocking the falling #7, Toya-kun shoots a 3-pointer.
It goes cleanly in.
That shot decided the game.
Japan, who took the lead in the third quarter, continues fast breaks without mercy in the fourth quarter.
Player #7 can barely stand.
As expected, stopping Toya-kun alone is impossible.
Toya-kun slips past #7, who just stands with arms up to defend.
The Chinese team finally pulls #7 out.
From there, it's the usual pattern.
Japan shoots freely from inside and outside.
And China, having lost their main offensive weapon, stalls.
When it ended, it was a landslide victory.
The Japanese national team boosters erupt.
We also stand up and applaud.
Then we hug and share the joy.
"Japan really won!"
"Amazing!"
"We did it!"
The three of us celebrate.
Congratulations, Toya-kun. You've taken another step closer to your dream.
(4)
"Everyone, good work for now."
The coach says.
"There are a few points to reflect on, but you all probably know them. Apply them to your future training."
"Yes, sir!"
"Congratulations. Rest well tonight... is what I'd like to say, but..."
"There's a press conference, so please handle that."
A staff member says, and everyone moves.
After the press conference ends, we didn't even need Masato to treat us.
Chinese food is laid out.
I eat incessantly. The press keeps photographing me nonstop.
Nothing can stop me...
Poke
...There is.
"Don't you have any sense of embarrassment or looking pathetic?!"
Airi is standing there.
"...Congratulations. I was worried because you got pulled out midway... but you were cool at the end."
"Thanks."
"Well, I guess your late-game performance made up for your first-half blunders?"
Masato said.
"Maybe it can't be helped since there was no one to stop you, but you need to be more aware of that from now on."
"Good work to you too, Masato."
"Well, it was easy because everyone moved for me."
"Masato is good at working people hard."
Aya said.
"Aya, instead of just drinking, eat a little. It's bad for your health!"
Yukari-san says.
"I know, I know..."
"Hey, since we're here, how about a commemorative photo?"
When Yui-san says that, everyone agrees.
The process of taking that photo is also thoroughly recorded by the press, though.
"Can I ask Katagiri player a question?"
It's the OS journalist.
I gladly accept.
"I heard a rumor that you've been scouted by pro basketball but turned them down. Is that true?"
She goes for that, huh.
"...I've asked them to keep it on hold for now."
"Why? I don't think you'll get a better offer."
"Right now, I want to focus on winning the gold medal at the Olympics."
"That's a big statement."
"Well, it's a promise."
"A promise?"
"Toya-kun's dream is to reach the top of the world."
"The top of the world!?"
When Airi says that, the journalist is surprised.
Well, it can't be helped.
"...The road is tough. America won't let their guard down next time."
"I know. But I have my teammates, so it'll probably be okay."
"The top of the world... Have you thought about beyond that?"
"Huh?"
"After reaching the top of the world, do you have a next goal?"
"That is..."
I'm at a loss for words.
I can't say it yet. If I do, I'll be opposed.
"Well, that's fine. I look forward to the continuation."
"...Thank you."
"Then, have a wonderful time tonight."
Saying that, the OS journalist leaves.
What awaits beyond the top of the world.
I was interested in that.
I started basketball because I wanted to see it.
After that, I want to live leisurely.
But I still can't tell anyone about that.
One more year.
No one knows what lies beyond.
"Walking slowly..."
Airi suddenly says.
"Singing with a rich expression... just hum slowly as you walk, as you wish, Toya-kun."
"...Yeah."
I truly feel that having Airi as my fiancée is a blessing.
Airi understands me.
I have to understand her too.
I pat Airi's head.
"I'm glad I got a good bride."
"Hehe~"
We celebrate victory in a foreign land, and tremble with joy.