"If you ask me, I still think Midorima's gonna win."
Kise rubbed his chin, still convinced that Kagami wasn't strong enough.
"I think it's gonna be Tetsu."
"Why? Come on, it's obviously Midorima. Kagami's not at that level yet. Besides, Cancer's horoscope is ranked number one today!"
Momoi and Kota both glanced at Kise like he'd grown a second head. Was this guy seriously this obsessed with horoscopes now?
"What about you, Kota? Who do you think will win?"
Momoi asked curiously, genuinely wanting to know Kota's opinion.
Kota scratched his nose.
"If I remember correctly... in the original story, Kuroko won, right?"
"I'm betting on Kuroko."
Hearing that, Momoi smiled triumphantly and even shook her fist at Kise, showing off like she'd just won the lottery.
"Whatever. Truth is always in the hands of a wise few"
Kise shrugged dramatically.
Inside Shutoku's locker room
"Man, didn't even get time to rest before the next game... How much do we actually love basketball?"
Takao yawned and stretched lazily. He turned to Midorima with a grin.
"Well, at least this is interesting. You get to play against your old teammate, huh?"
Midorima adjusted his glasses with a cold snort.
"I don't need you to remind me."
But despite his words, a slight smile tugged at the corner of his mouth.
Takao caught it and nearly laughed.
"This green-haired tsundere... just admit you're happy already."
Inside Seirin's locker room
"Put your jackets on, don't catch a cold. Stretch more. Get your amino acids in to recover. And don't forget to eat something!"
Riko was currently massaging Hyuga's shoulders while yelling at the team like a drill sergeant.
"I'll give everyone a massage. Shoes off, let's go!"
Hyuga chuckled, secretly enjoying the moment.
"What kind of coach does this? Where else do you get a coach who literally massages the players herself?"
Noticing Hyuga's gaze, Riko raised an eyebrow.
"What?"
"Yeah, it's a lie if I say I'm not tired... but thanks to you, I think I can push through one more game."
Riko nodded, then turned to help the next player—only to find Kagami leaned against a locker, fast asleep.
Izuki chuckled.
"Coach... should we wake him up, or...?"
Veins popped on Riko's forehead. Just as she opened her mouth to yell, Kuroko popped out of nowhere like a ghost.
"Let's not wake him," Kuroko said seriously. "Kagami isn't just sleeping. I believe... he's strategically storing energy for the next game."
Riko facepalmed. "Sleeping makes your muscles stiff! Ugh, forget it, not my problem anymore!"
"I'm going to the bathroom."
"Oh? I'll come too!"
Izuki followed Kuroko out.
...
As luck would have it, Takao had just finished in the restroom and was washing his face. When Kuroko walked in, Takao spotted him in the mirror.
"Yo! What a coincidence."
Kuroko turned to look at him, face as deadpan as ever. "Hello."
Takao grinned as he walked past Kuroko, giving Izuki a glance.
"Oh, senpai's here too? Bathroom buddies, huh? Anyway, let's have a good game out there."
And with that, Takao walked out like it was the most normal sentence ever spoken.
Izuki blinked, stunned.
"Wait... he noticed Kuroko walking behind him? This guy's built different..."
...
"Ten minutes until the match starts."
"Alright, let's go."
Ōtsubo glanced at Midorima, who was still sitting.
"Midorima?"
"...Sorry, captain. You go on ahead."
Ōtsubo nodded without questioning him and left.
"Hey, Kagami... it's time."
In Seirin's locker room, Kuroko gently woke Kagami up. Kagami slowly opened his eyes.
"Kuroko... and his new light—Kagami."
Midorima took a deep breath.
"I practice my shooting every single day without missing once. I never skip a single training session. I even take care of my fingernails meticulously to avoid affecting my shots. Today's horoscope says Cancer is number one. Plus, I have today's lucky item — Tanuki. Right shoe tied first... Everything's prepared."
Midorima stood up and walked out.
"Took you long enough. The others already left."
Takao leaned against the wall, hands in pockets, head tilted.
Midorima adjusted his glasses.
"Let's go."
...
"Honestly, not many people expected Seirin to make it this far."
"Beating Seiho was an upset, sure. But to us, it doesn't matter if the opponent is Seiho or Seirin. Whether it's a lion or a rabbit, a tiger only has one job — to crush them completely like we always do!"
"YEAH!!!"
Meanwhile, at Seirin's side...
Hyuga sighed like his soul had left his body. "Man, I'm dead tired..."
"I've been complaining since this morning. Two games in one day, both against strong schools... When we were playing Seiho, I was already thinking, 'Ugh... there's another one after this...'"
"But hey, it's just one more game. Don't give me any of that 'save your energy' nonsense. Stay sharp. There's only one thing to do—fight until the final whistle!"
"YEAH!!"
....
In the stands...
"Wow... both sides have so much energy" Momoi marveled.
Kota nodded.
"Shutoku won their first game easily, so they've got the stamina advantage. But Seirin's fighting spirit hasn't dropped one bit."
Meanwhile, Kise was still fiddling with his radio, muttering,
"Weird... I swear it works like this... Ah! Got it!"
"Today's horoscope: Cancer ranks number one. But be careful of Leo — the ferocious lion might steal Cancer's luck!"
Kota froze.
"Wait... that kinda sounds... accurate?
Seirin... does Seirin even have a Leo...? He shook his head. Whatever. But I do remember Shutoku lost to Seirin in the original story. So when I heard Cancer's ranked first and Aquarius—Kuroko's sign—is ranked dead last... yeah, astrology's a scam.
...Or is it?"
Kota stared at Kise's radio, suddenly deep in thought.
"Should I... start learning this horoscope stuff too...?"
....
"Players, line up for greetings."
"Let's have a good game!"
"I didn't expect you to make it this far, Kuroko."
Midorima walked over, surprisingly initiating the conversation.
"But this is the end of the line. That whole 'if we work together, we can beat anyone' thing? Fantasy. It doesn't matter how small or unknown your school is."
Kuroko listened carefully, expressionless as always.
"Let me show you just how dumb your choice was."
Midorima adjusted his glasses sharply. He'd clearly never gotten over Kuroko choosing Seirin over his old teammates.
"Midorima... no one knows whether their life choices are right or wrong. But I will correct you on one thing."
"Seirin may not be famous... but we're not weak."
"We won't lose. We'll beat you."