The Almighty Chuunibyou Expert

"Don't be afraid, stay confident. Fear only magnifies the enemy's strength."

A hand patted his shoulder. The speaker was the vice-captain, Hiiragi Gosho.

"They do possess an extraordinary trait right now, but we still can't possibly lose to them, because they... Next, we'll use Tactic Number 3."

Hiiragi Gosho's expression had returned to normal as he began to analyze the current situation.

After his reassurance, the other members of the Basketball Club quickly regained their spirits and began to fight back.

They had let their guard down earlier by not taking the girls seriously, which created openings, but now, by following proper procedures, the outcome was completely different.

One-on-one, individual containment.

Even with the boost of the 'Zone', Takanashi Rikka and the others, based on surface data, were only barely comparable, even Fujiwara Chika, who had the strongest physical abilities.

Therefore, in this situation, even with the second-tier 'Zone' ability of telepathy, they couldn't achieve a breakthrough.

After all, the physical size difference between the two sides still existed; they couldn't overcome the zone of extended reach.

At the same time, the Basketball Club members were too embarrassed to use rough tactics to steal the ball. If any accident happened, their personal reputation would plummet to rock bottom, ending their lives.

Because of their reservations, their strength couldn't be fully displayed.

Consequently, the initial battle situation wasn't very clear, and it entered a stalemate.

"What should we do?"

Nibuya Morika, holding the basketball, looked left and right, searching for a passing opportunity.

But such chances were fleeting. She could only rely on instinct to gamble. If she gambled correctly, there was a chance to score, but if she gambled wrong and the opponent got the ball, it was almost a guaranteed point loss.

They had almost no ability to intercept or block shots.

Thus, the back-and-forth, turn-based game continued on the court.

10 to 9.

20 to 15.

35 to 23.

But as time passed, the score difference gradually widened.

The first half ended just like that.

Compared to the Basketball Club's high spirits, the girls' stamina was depleted much more severely. They were almost drenched in sweat, nearing their limit.

If they hadn't instinctively used the 'Breathing Technique' taught to them by Hasegawa, they wouldn't have been able to last this long.

So, what should they do next?

The current situation had become precarious!

38 The legend of absolute invincibility~ shall never be broken!

Entering halftime.

"It's no use after all, is it?"

"The physical difference between boys and girls is just too great."

"It's already good that they could fight to this extent."

"They've already tried their best, but they just can't."

"Although the boys have some reservations, Fujiwara-san and the others' performance has completely conquered me. If we disregard height, they could play women's basketball!"

"What nonsense are you talking about? What kind of status does Fujiwara-san have?"

"Ah, right. It doesn't seem very appealing."

Seeing this, the audience present, as well as the students watching the live broadcast, expressed their regret.

It was normal for them to lose; it would be strange if they won.

Being able to contend on the court at the beginning had already amazed them.

"So, what should we do next? Fujiwara-san and the others seem to have run out of stamina."

"Hasegawa is too bold! If he could cooperate with everyone, perhaps the situation would already be a huge advantage!"

"Fujiwara-san and the others being so strong probably has something to do with Hasegawa. He can be so confident, perhaps because he's certain that the combined strength of the Basketball Club is no match for him alone."

"How is that possible! That's too exaggerated!"

Listening to everyone's chatter, Eriri's initial excitement gradually cooled down.

"Izumi, everyone is trying so hard, and you're still so lax! If you can't win, then go commit suicide as atonement!"

She complained inwardly, having been conquered by the girls' performance.

In the locker room.

"I can't do it anymore! I can't! I can't stand it anymore~!"

Fujiwara Chika lay on the cushion, flailing her limbs like a child.

"Hoo~ It looks like we've reached our limit."

Nibuya Morika buried her head, the ponytail she'd tied for the match now undone. Her brown hair cascaded down like a waterfall, damp and possessing a messy beauty.

"The Thunder Hammer User… won't just end here… end here, death…"

Dekomori Sanae, covered by a towel, her voice gradually weakening.

"The magic in the Human World is just… pant… too thin. Even a little intense exercise puts a heavy burden on the body."

Similarly, Takanashi Rikka, whose physical abilities were weaker, was already tired and sitting on the floor. She pressed her hands against the cushion, still panting heavily.

"Sigh, we just can't win if it's only us,"

Fujiwara Chika suddenly calmed down.

"Why do I feel a bit unwilling to accept this right now?"

Nibuya Morika bit her lip and muttered to herself.

The atmosphere in the locker room dropped to freezing point for a moment.

As the break time was about to end, the girls walked out of the locker room.

Not far from the entrance, someone was standing in the sunlight, bathed in a holy radiance, as if a god of the Human World was inspecting his kingdom.

"Sage."

"Sage-sama!"

"Izumi-chan."

"Hasegawa."

Amidst four different calls, Hasegawa Izumi's features gradually came into focus.

"I'm sorry, Izumi-chan, I think this is all I can do."

Fujiwara Chika apologized.

"It's fine."

Only his calm voice could be heard.

"Next, I'll step in!"

On this turbulent battlefield, the storm boy makes his entrance.

Meanwhile.

The atmosphere in the Basketball Club's locker room was no less tense.

Although they had reservations, the score was still too glaring for them.

The opponent's strength wasn't that great; they shouldn't be this far behind.

"Vice-captain, what are you thinking about?"

Kato cautiously asked, noticing the vice-captain's silence.

"I'm worried about that Hasegawa."

Hiiragi Gosho said frankly.

As soon as he said this, everyone felt inexplicably guilty.

They all understood that the man hadn't even made a move in the first half, and they were already in such a predicament. They couldn't even imagine what would happen if he appeared.

In their psychological expectations, Hasegawa's strength was at least greater than the captain's.

After all, the physical abilities Hasegawa had shown before were exaggerated, not to mention his skills. The basketball skills he learned from being taught by girls were also a testament to that.

"Don't worry. In the first half, those girls basically used up all their stamina. They definitely won't be able to sustain an intense battle in the second half. So, it'll be pretty much as we expected. If five people are playing against one, the advantage will be ours, no matter how you think about it."

Hyuga Konji quickly reassured everyone.

"The captain is right. How can we be afraid before we even fight? Let's fight first!"

Hiiragi Gosho extended his hand.

Everyone glanced at each other, placed their hands on top of his, and encouraged themselves together: "Let's go!"

Before the break time ended, the Basketball Club members re-entered the gymnasium. Coincidentally, the Far East Magic Society also just entered from the other side. Their eyes suddenly met.

At the same time, BGM started playing in the venue.

"Let the legend of absolute invincibility~ never be broken!"

"I must fight, my way~!"

"if im ever gonna get back, get back, get back~"

The tense emotions and the imminent situation.

As the battle song played, their blood boiled even more.

"Who's playing the music?"

"What song is this? I've never heard it before."

"You know, it actually sounds pretty hype."

"This is the victory song!"

The other students who had just re-entered the stadium looked confused.

This was, of course, the version that Hasegawa Izumi had asked Asahi Shizuku to play earlier, his own rendition.

"Hasegawa...! Hasegawa...! Hasegawa...!"

The cheers at the start of the second half were deafening, truly a case of "many calls for one."

Eriri's cheers were also secretly mixed in.

Now, they were all waiting for a miracle!

He returned to the court.

At this moment, no more words were needed.

Only the outcome of this match would determine who the true winner was!

Because they had lost points in the first half, the Far East Magic Society had possession of the ball in the second half.

And the one to serve, he handed it to Chika, whose physical abilities were the most outstanding.

At this point, everyone in the Basketball Club tensed up.

"Beep~!"

With the loud whistle, Fujiwara Chika passed the basketball to Hasegawa Izumi through a silent exchange of glances.

Soon, the person dribbling the ball had reached the center of the court.

This time, it was Hyuga Konji's turn to guard the man in front of him.

"Here it comes...!"