Chapter 2
Over here, Ryui!
Basketball Court
I know, don't hafta tell me...!
He used the backboard to pass the ball!?
…Fuu…!
(Then… That move…!)
WOAHHHHH!! Breaking past him with a Shammgod!? Raito-san’s cracked! That was sick!!
(Wait, wait… Isn't this playing out exactly as it did in Patibato??? That’s insane! This is a little too hype…!?)
G-Go…!
Raito-san and co!! Congrats on your miraculous BIG WIN in the third match tooooo!
Haah… Thank you, Akuta-kun.
We could hear everyone cheering loud and clear during the game.
Ani-sama totally outplayed the other team with that magnificent ball handling! You looked just like the protagonist of a sports manga! So cool~!!!
Thanks, Toi. I could fight through thousands of games with just your smile cheering me on.
Well, watching a bunch of adults desperately chase after a ball was pretty entertaining, I’ll give you that.
Hah? What’dya say???
Haha.
Oh, right. Aren’t you all getting hungry? We’ve got some time before the next match, so maybe we should grab something to eat…
AH! What ‘bout that thing, Ushio? That thing you were making earlier! You gonna bring it out or what?
Eh…
Oh? Did you make something for us?
………Here.
Woah! The honey lemon muffins from the other day. Didn’t expect ‘the day’ to come so soon.
Wow, they look delicious! Do you mind if I take one?
…Well, that’s pretty much why I made them.
In that case, I’ll gladly take you up on your offer. Let’s dig in.
Munch munch…
Mm, this is…!
Fluffy wheat dough that reminds you of pure white cumulus clouds! The fragrant, juicy lemon flavor blends perfectly with the mellow honey…
This is truly a magnificent contrast of flavors that’s overflowing with vitality and born from nature itself…!
The gentle sweetness is seeping into my tired body, comforting it while also rousing my fighting spirit for the next match…. If this isn’t a culinary cheer song, then what is!?
Exactly! Just one bite, and I feel my energy coming back already! With this, I’ll be ready to move perfectly in the next match….!
You’re all exaggerating.
If you don’t want your share, I can take it home, Ryui-san.
…….Didn’t say I didn’t want ‘em.
Alright. Once Ryui finishes eating, we’ll start getting ready for the next match.
You just had my muffins, so don’t make me regret coming to watch.
Of course. After receiving such a delicious treat, we’ve got no choice but to give it our all.
We’ll win and prove that you’re the fourth player who holds the team together.
!
Alright, let’s go.
Do your best, everyone!
………
(...Well, I guess this kind of thing isn’t so bad once in a while.)