Chapter 32: Drive & Shot

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Translator: Soafp

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“Are they really doing this…?”

“A 1-vs-1 right in the middle of the gym? Both of them look like they have zero intention of losing.”

“But there’s no way Kagura-chan can beat Tachibana-senpai…”

“No, no, it’s Kagura Shinomiya, you know? She's said on TV that she’s good at sports, so if you think she’s just some celebrity, you might get a rude awakening.”

The chatter of the students spread across the gym.

A crowd naturally formed around the two, and there were even people holding up their phones, ready to record.

In the center of the court, Kagura smiled confidently as she watched Aoi.

“You haven’t forgotten the terms of the challenge, have you?”

“Of course not. If I win, Kagura-san will do whatever I say. If you win, though…”

“Then, you’ll do one thing I ask, right, Hajime?”

“There’s no way Hajime would agree to something like that.”

“Heh, will you say that after I win?”

Kagura lightly twirled a strand of her hair around her finger, giving Aoi a provocative smile.

“Don’t worry, if I win, I’ll make sure Hajime properly agrees.”

“…Don’t get cocky.”

Aoi slammed the ball into the floor, causing the spectators around to murmur in excitement.

“The rules are first to three points. No excuses, this is a real game!”

As soon as the match began, Aoi moved swiftly.

“She’s fast!”

“Tachibana-senpai really is the ace…!”

Aoi was fully focused, her movements blurring as she attacked. With quick dribbling, she kept Kagura on her toes, then took advantage of a momentary opening to charge toward the basket.

“First point, in!”

“Well, that's impressive.”

Kagura said casually, shrugging with a confident smile.

She received the ball and slowly began dribbling, her gaze fixed on Aoi.

“Now, it’s my turn.”

In the next instant, Kagura faked a sharp move, appearing to lose her balance for a split second.

“Chance!”

Aoi immediately lunged at her. But this was all part of Kagura’s plan.

With quick reflexes, Kagura regained her balance and suddenly changed direction, leaving Aoi behind, and made a graceful jump shot.

“Ugh, she read me…”

“One-vs-one, huh?”

“But I'm still at an advantage. I won't let you pass so easily next time!”

Aoi tightened her focus and switched to offense. But slowly, Kagura started reading Aoi’s moves and gaining control of the pace.

The score was tied at 2-2.

“This… I can’t tell who’s going to win…”

“Wait a minute, Kagura Shinomiya is actually really good at basketball?”

“I've never seen Tachibana-senpai so serious before… this is intense.”

The students held their breath, completely captivated by the game.

“Last point…”

“This is where it's decided!”

Aoi suddenly accelerated.

Kagura stood her ground, calm and composed, but Aoi used her speed to cut sharply toward the basket.

“If I get this under the hoop…”

But Kagura's eyes were cool and focused, following Aoi's every move.

“I see, you're going for a forceful approach, huh?”

In the next moment, Kagura took a step back.

“Huh?”

The spectators, including Aoi, all felt a momentary sense of unease.

In a 1-vs-1 basketball game, it's almost unheard of for the defender to back off like that.

But that “unease” threw Aoi off rhythm.

“…!”

The moment Aoi hesitated, Kagura didn't miss the chance.

She made it seem like she was backing off, then in the blink of an eye, lunged forward.

“Damn—”

She cut the ball.

Without hesitation, Kagura rushed toward the basket, but Aoi immediately chased after her.

“I'm definitely stopping this!”

Then, just as Kagura entered her shooting motion—

“…Nah, I changed my mind.”

Kagura grinned mischievously, stopping her shooting motion halfway and causing Aoi to fly past her.

“Wha…?!”

Aoi completely missed.

Taking advantage of that split second, Kagura made a graceful shot, sinking the ball.

“Score!!”

The ball swished through the net.

“No way… she got me…”

Aoi clenched her fist, frustrated.

“That last fake… that was unfair…”

“Unfair? Basketball isn't just about technique, it's a sport that also requires smarts.”

Kagura said with a confident smile, spinning the ball on her finger.

“Alright, that makes me the winner.”

“Ugh…”

Gasps and murmurs of surprise came from the spectators.

“Kagura Shinomiya is amazing…!”

“I can’t believe Tachibana-senpai fell for the fake…”

Aoi glared at Kagura, her frustration clear on her face.

“Well, as promised… Hajime has to do what I ask, right?”

“…Whether Hajime will agree to it is another story.”

“Heh, that's where my skills come in, isn't it?”

Kagura smiled provocatively, then turned on her heel and walked away.

Aoi bit her lip, still clearly dissatisfied, but unable to say anything further.

“I won't lose next time…!”

Clutching the ball tightly, Aoi muttered, her frustration still evident.