Ryonan's players listened to Chi Tong's words and nodded in agreement. They wanted to say something in response, but the serious, heavy atmosphere from earlier had not fully faded, and it felt as though something were lodged in their throats, leaving them speechless for the moment.
Just then, Sendoh's gaze inadvertently swept toward Mingpeng Industrial's bench across the court, where he happened to see the Mingpeng Industrial High School players lowering their heads as they headed inside.
Mori Zhongkuan, the last to enter the tunnel, suddenly stopped before crossing the threshold. He whipped his head around and looked toward Ryonan's bench, his already fierce eyes blazing with defiant anger, as though he wanted to pin his gaze there. Sento withdrew his eyes and slowly walked to Chi Tong's side, a knowing smile in his voice as he reminded her, "Looks like the second half won't be easy."
As he spoke, he tilted his chin toward the tunnel entrance, clearly referring to Mori Zhongkuan's provocative stare.
"Yeah."
Chi Tong nodded lightly, her voice as calm as ever.
Although she did not turn to look toward Mingpeng Industrial, she had already clearly felt Mori Zhongkuan's scorching gaze, practically overflowing with undisguised hostility.
Chi Tong said, "That's something for the second half. There's no use thinking too much about it now. Before that, we should head back to the locker room, recover our strength, and get ourselves into the right condition."
Hearing that, Sento's smile deepened, and his tone relaxed.
"That's true." In the press area, Mukai Yayo stared intently at the bright red 41:41 on the electronic scoreboard and could not help exclaiming softly, "I never expected the first half to end in a tie!"
She unconsciously rubbed the strap of her camera between her fingers, her face full of surprise.
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