Hisashi Mitsui clenched his fists, sweat seeping from his forehead again, but his eyes remained fixed on Ryota with an all-or-nothing resolve.
"I know Sannoh is strong! Terrifyingly strong! I also know my stamina... has always been a burden. But!"
He practically roared, "Ryota! Listen to me! In today's game!
Unless I'm too exhausted to get back up! Unless I collapse on that court! Otherwise, I will never stop running! Not for a single step!"
Hisashi Mitsui drew a deep breath, calming his surging emotions. He looked at Ryota with blazing eyes, his seriousness and pleading greater than ever. "Ryota, please! Today... pass me the ball more!
No matter where I am! Whenever there's a chance! Trust me! As long as I have a breath left, as long as I can still lift my arms, I'll put that damn basketball through the hoop!
I... will never let you guys down! I'll never waste this last chance!"
The sea breeze stirred their hair. Ryota Kudo looked at this upperclassman who had endured so much, yet now burned with a fighting spirit hotter than flames, and felt a powerful sense of kinship and respect rise within him.
He nodded firmly. Their eyes met, and no further words were needed; a weighty trust had been placed and a promise made.
"All right! Mitsui! I'll pass you the ball! Until you can't shoot anymore!"
They jogged side by side a little longer, discussing tactical details and the defensive strategies their opponents might use.
Only when daylight had fully broken and more pedestrians began appearing on the streets did Ryota say goodbye to Mitsui and return to the hotel.
After another hot shower and a change into a clean, fresh uniform, Ryota Kudo felt his physical excitement settle into a more concentrated form, while his