Everyone's doubts (II)

The feeling of being completely controlled frustrated him even more than losing the game. It was as if a huge rock weighed on his chest, leaving him unable to breathe.

What made him blame himself even more was that his missed shots at crucial moments, and even his passing errors, had given Ryonan opportunities to counterattack.

The gap gradually widened with each exchange of offense and defense.

In the stands, the Shohoku players kept their eyes fixed on the courtside scoreboard. Different expressions crossed their faces as they looked at the numbers, 42–32.

Kogure Megane adjusted his glasses, a hint of emotion in his voice as he looked at the score and murmured, "So the gap widened after all?"

Mitsui Hisashi raised an eyebrow and said matter-of-factly, "We knew it would turn out this way from the start, didn't we?"

Miyagi Ryota picked at his ear, shifted his gaze from the scoreboard to Miura Ryoukai, who was standing on the court with his head lowered, panting, and asked curiously, "Daiei Academy's number ten is one of this year's super rookies, just like Liu Chuanfeng, right?"

Ayako nodded, took out the notebook she carried with her, and flipped through it before confirming, "That's right. He's one of the five super rookies. He put on an impressive performance in the Osaka qualifiers."

"How does he compare to Rukawa?"

Miyagi Ryota pressed.

At his question, Ayako tilted her head and considered it before answering uncertainly, "I'm not really sure. They've never played against each other, after all. But judging from Guo Zhongshi's performance, I think Liu Chuanfeng should be a little stronger."

Hearing them discuss him, Liu Chuanfeng merely stared with his trademark dead-fish eyes and said nothing. Yet a voice almost seemed to drift past.

*Do you really need to ask something