Chapter 7: Ogiwara Seihiro's Premature Collapse
With Mitsui Daichi's three-pointer, the entire Mingguang Middle School basketball team undoubtedly realized the stark difference in their hard power. The opponent could easily score points with the most basic moves, but no matter how they attacked, they would be stifled by Teiko's defense.
Especially for the captain and center of the Mingguang team who was directly confronting Shion Atsushi in the interior, almost all of his moves were met with an impenetrable block. No matter how much he dribbled, Shion Atsushi remained a towering, unyielding presence. Whenever the center thought he had a chance to shoot or score, Shion Atsushi's relentless hands would crush his hopes.
On Teiko's offensive end, Shion Atsushi never even ventured to attack, always stationed beneath his own basket. However, even with a five-on-four defensive advantage, Mingguang could not halt Teiko's scoring. Whether it was Teiko's small forward or point guard, they could consistently find the net.
Even Aomine Daiki, who had been the most dominant scorer in the first half, hadn't even received the ball recently. And when Teiko's point guard received the ball, the Teiko players were already beginning their coordinated retreat to their defensive positions.
Faced with such blatant dominance, the students of Mingguang Middle School were consumed by anger, desperately wanting to play in their own style to shatter Teiko's ironclad defense. However, no matter how fiercely they sought openings and created space, Teiko's players were always the fastest to intercept and compensate, shutting down every potential scoring opportunity.
Observing the widening chasm on the scoreboard, a sense of despair washed over everyone from Mingguang Middle School. Simultaneously, the two mischievous members of Teiko Middle School initiated their own peculiar bet. Aomine Daiki and Haizaki Shogo huddled together, their whispers punctuated by furtive glances towards Ogiwara Seihiro.
Just as Mitsui Daichi was about to receive the ball from Shion Atsushi, coach Shirogane Kozo called a timeout. As the players left the court, Aomine Daiki and Haizaki Shogo approached Akashi Seijuro, their voices animated with a shared plan. But Akashi simply looked at them, offering no response.
Just when the two thought their scheme had failed, Shirogane Kozo announced another substitution, replacing Mitsui Daichi and sending Akashi Seijuro back into the fray. Akashi, adjusting his wrist brace on the sidelines before re-entering the game, finally spoke a few words to Aomine Daiki and Haizaki Shogo.
A surge of excitement propelled the two onto the court, while Mitsui Daichi, who had just come off to rest, shook his head, having overheard their intentions. He considered their plan an insult, yet he understood the harsh reality of basketball: strength dictates respect. Only through overwhelming power could one avoid such humiliation. Otherwise, one was left to endure the sting of utter defeat. With this sobering thought, Mitsui Daichi cast a look of pity towards the players of Meiko Junior High School. Nijimura Shuzo, standing beside him, seemed to sense Mitsui Daichi's gaze and remarked, "That's right. A significant gap in fundamental strength cannot be overcome by mere technique, unless the disparity between them and us is minimal."
Mitsui Daichi, who had practiced kendo since childhood, deeply understood this principle. "One force can break all laws" was a timeless truth. When one possessed sufficient power, all schemes, tricks, and tactics employed by the weaker opponent would crumble. This was the undeniable reality of the strong facing the weak.
In the eyes of the powerful, the efforts of the less capable were often seen as insignificant. However, Mitsui Daichi felt a pang of sympathy for their opponent, particularly for Ogiwara Seihiro. Perhaps it was because Ogiwara seemed to tread the same path of fundamental basketball skills as he did.
Unlike his teammates, who, despite starting with the basics, possessed the inherent potential and talent to transcend them, Ogiwara appeared to rely solely on the foundational skills. Even Midorima Shintaro, who had diligently practiced the basics alongside him, possessed a natural soft touch that Mitsui Daichi envied.
Mitsui Daichi's journey was different. He had immersed himself in basic basketball training since his youth. Even his current integration of kendo into basketball was built upon an exceptionally strong foundation. And Mitsui Daichi's foundation was unique; it encompassed not just basketball skills but a holistic training of body, mind, and technique. In essence, if he could truly unleash his full potential, Mitsui Daichi's abilities might reach an unprecedented level. This was the very aspect of Mitsui Daichi that Akashi Seijuro found so perplexing.
To Akashi, all other players were relatively transparent and predictable. However, his one-on-one duel with Mitsui Daichi had revealed a profound ignorance. Despite Mitsui Daichi's insistence on using basic skills, his execution seemed to defy Akashi's understanding of those fundamentals.
Watching Ogiwara Seihiro struggle on the court, Mitsui Daichi sighed softly. He excused himself to Shirogane Kozo and Nijimura Shuzo, claiming the need for some fresh air, and left the basketball hall of Meiko Junior High School. Standing outside, Mitsui Daichi gazed up at the sky, lost in thought.
"Ding! Sensing the host's confusion, issuing the first mission!"
"The mission is as follows: Understand yourself and find your own basketball philosophy!"
"Mission completion reward: Mitsui Hisashi's basic skill training unlocked."
"Penalty for mission failure: The system disappears and the host will forget everything about basketball."
Mitsui Daichi, who usually regarded the so-called system as a mere gauge of his own abilities, was startled by the sudden voice in his mind. He muttered to himself, his eyes clouded with confusion, "My own basketball philosophy?"
As the system had stated, Mitsui Daichi had never truly found his direction in basketball. He had initially believed his goal was simply to unlock Mitsui Hisashi and perhaps communicate with him, but upon the system's activation, there had been only silence, no feedback.
Compared to his teammates, Mitsui Daichi lacked a burning desire to dedicate himself fully to basketball. While he had acknowledged liking it since his rebirth, this liking felt multifaceted and undefined. This resulted in Mitsui Daichi playing basketball almost as an exercise, devoid of any concrete aspirations.
Aomine Daiki's ambition was to become the strongest player. Akashi prioritized victory above all else, while Midorima Shintaro adhered to the philosophy of doing his utmost and accepting the outcome. Even Haizaki Shogo harbored a similar goal to Aomine. If there was anyone seemingly without a clear objective, it might appear to be Shion Atsushi.
However, Mitsui Daichi knew that his teammate, who often appeared silly and naive, would never willingly surrender in basketball or in the pursuit of victory, regardless of his casual remarks about disliking the sport.
In contrast to Mitsui Daichi, almost everyone around him possessed a defined goal or ideal. But Mitsui Daichi did not. It was as if he had never truly contemplated his own direction or philosophy since he first picked up a basketball.
Especially after witnessing the stark disparity in strength between his team and their opponents this time, Mitsui Daichi felt a profound sense of disorientation. If asked who the strongest player on their team was, almost everyone would point to Mitsui Daichi, whose skills were remarkably comprehensive, each movement executed with ultimate precision.
Yet, it was precisely these individuals with seemingly complete mastery who were most susceptible to losing their sense of purpose. After a prolonged gaze at the sky outside the hall, Mitsui Daichi returned to the stadium. By the time he re-entered, only ten seconds remained on the clock. The opposing team's players now wore expressions of utter dejection.
Mitsui Daichi's eyes fell upon the scoreboard: 66-6, the home team's score preceding the visitors'. The starkness of the numbers was a brutal reality for every member of the Mingguang team. Even Ogiwara Seihiro, who had initially burned with the desire to prove himself, now stared at the scoreboard with vacant eyes.
A heavy silence blanketed the stadium. Aomine Daiki, having regained possession of the ball, dribbled it listlessly in place, his face betraying a lack of satisfaction. Only as the final seconds ticked away did he half-heartedly toss the ball towards the opponent's basket. It sailed over the rim and landed on the ball rack behind it.
Seeing Ogiwara Chenghao, his energy and spirit completely extinguished, muttering about abandoning basketball, a sudden clarity illuminated Mitsui Daichi's mind. A sentence echoed within him, a voice ancient yet imbued with profound kindness: "Never give up until the last moment of the game. Once you give up, the game will end early."
This resonated deeply within Mitsui Daichi, dispelling his confusion. Yes, faced with such a crushing score, anyone might succumb to despair, as Mingguang had. But basketball was a game of miracles. One could never surrender easily. If he were to give up on basketball so readily, what else might he abandon in the future?
Just as Aomine Daiki was about to boast about his performance to Mitsui Daichi, something unexpected occurred. Mitsui Daichi walked directly towards Ogiwara Shigehiro. The players on the opposing team, assuming Mitsui Daichi had come to mock their fallen comrade, immediately surrounded Ogiwara, glaring menacingly at Mitsui Daichi.
But Mitsui Daichi's words stunned everyone. "Never give up until the last moment. Once you give up, the game will end early. Don't give up! We are here, waiting for you to defeat us." These words caused Ogiwara Chenghao, who had been on the verge of tears, to slowly lift his head and meet Mitsui Daichi's gaze.
In Mitsui Daichi's eyes, Ogihara Shigehiro saw a flicker of fire, the kind of unwavering passion that could only stem from an extreme love for basketball. This rekindled Ogihara Shigehiro's spirit. He wiped away his tears and shouted with newfound resolve, "Line up! Salute!" Then he stood tall and saluted the Teiko players.
Even as Teiko prepared to depart, Akashi and the others sensed a palpable shift in Ogiwara Shigehiro. His aura now mirrored Aomine Daiki's intensity. If Aomine was a seasoned black panther, then Ogiwara Shigehiro was like a newly born lion, full of raw potential.
All these changes in their opponent were a direct result of Mitsui Daichi's words, who now walked ahead of his team with a newfound purpose. At this moment, Mitsui Daichi radiated an almost palpable energy, his presence strikingly impactful. This left Akashi and the others in a state of bewildered curiosity. They couldn't decipher what had transpired within Mitsui Daichi.
As Mitsui Daichi walked with invigorated steps, a familiar voice echoed in his mind.
"Congratulations to the host for successfully defining himself and unlocking the character of never giving up. Unlocking the basic skill training of Mitsui Hisashi."
But Mitsui Daichi paid no heed to these words. He was completely absorbed in the profound changes he felt within himself. The transformation was undeniable, as if an indomitable spirit had awakened within him. He would never again yield easily in basketball. As long as even the faintest glimmer of hope remained, he would seize it as his opportunity.
This newfound resolve brought a crystal clarity to his mind. All the basic ball skill training that had previously yielded no significant results now began to show subtle yet promising changes, fueled by his altered perspective.
Upon returning to school, Mitsui Daichi immediately requested a leave of absence. Ignoring the invitations from Aomine Daiki and the others, he returned home early and called his grandfather.
"Hello! Who is this?"
"It's me, Grandpa!"
"Ah, Daichi, what's wrong? Why did you think of contacting Grandpa?"
"Grandpa, I've decided that I will never give up playing basketball!"
As soon as these words were spoken, Saito Yunyou on the other end of the phone fell silent. A quiet understanding passed between them across the distance. Finally, Saito Yunyou sighed, a hint of relief in his voice, "Daichi! Grandpa and your mother have always been worried about you because you behave too maturely, whether in basketball or kendo."
"It is because of your maturity that I have always been afraid that you would lose your direction for some reason. But hearing your call today makes me feel relieved. My grandson is truly amazing. If you like it, just go for it. Just like you said, don't give up!"
Saito Yunyou's words warmed Mitsui Daichi's heart. He knew that he had exhibited an unusual maturity since childhood, learning things with remarkable speed. Even now, his father had begun to gradually entrust him with family matters, which he had politely declined.
After the game today, witnessing the struggles of their opponent, Mitsui Daichi had finally realized a fundamental truth: he simply loved basketball, and it was his deepest passion. For the sake of basketball, he should harbor no other considerations, just as he had seamlessly integrated kendo into the sport.
At this moment, a voice intimately familiar to Mitsui Daichi resonated within his mind.
"You finally understand?"
"Are you Mitsui Hisashi?"
"Yes, I have always been here, but for certain reasons, you needed to understand your own heart. As expected, you did not disappoint me."
"I'm sorry that I momentarily considered giving up basketball because of my current strength."
"But you overcame that, didn't you? Now that you've made up your mind, pursue it wholeheartedly. Remember, no matter the circumstances, never abandon basketball. This has always been your true desire, hasn't it? Even if you are strong now, you must remember that others are also growing."
"Yes!"