Chapter- 52

　The game went on like that, and at the end of the first quarter we were winning by about 15 points. But Kana seemed a little impatient. Isn't this the kind of game where we can win if we keep going like this?

　As expected, in the second quarter, the pace gradually became unstable and mistakes increased. …I see! Almost everyone on our side had been running for 10 minutes and then the same person came out again. It was natural that they were tired. Perhaps the other team knew this, because they focused on defending Goda-san, who had replaced Rie, and it was difficult to score points.

　And so the second quarter ended. We were down by three points. And then the 15-minute interval. Before I knew it, I was running. There was no need to ask why. I couldn't just stand there when I saw Rie praying desperately on the bench, looking like she was in pain.

　"...Rie!"

　"Huh?... Mamoru, you? Why?"

　"Why? Because Rie looked like she was in pain?"

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　"...Seriously...Idiot."

　Rie said this with a blush on her cheeks. However, she quickly calmed down and looked around at her teammates. Then, with just one word, she raised their morale.

　"Everyone, let's win!"

　"Of course! Then..."

　"...Yeah. Let's go then."

　There was no sense of despair that we were going to lose. We knew that if we didn't give up, we would have a chance, and we decided on a strategy to seize that chance.

　And so, the third quarter began with renewed enthusiasm. Rie continued to play mainly by passing the ball around on the bench. And thanks to their efforts to keep the score gap as low as possible, the score ended at 10 points. And then the final fourth quarter. It was time for Rie, who was the trump card remaining!

　"Let's make a decision, Rie!"

　The ball soon reached Rie. She received the pass from a little further towards the center and shot from there. The ball shook the goal net quietly, and the whole stadium fell silent. After a moment of silence, a rain of applause poured down like a dam had burst.

　Before I knew it, I had stood up. But I didn't stand out. Was it because everyone else was standing up as well? Or was it because I was too moved to notice anyone else?

　The match got heated from there. If you stay close to defend, afraid of Rie's shot, she will dribble past you, and if you move away thinking that the super long shot was just a fluke, she will shoot without hesitation.

　The others are also at the limit of their physical strength, and are doing their best to block the opponent's three-point shot. So, if we score three points, the opponent scores two. With one minute left, the opponent has the ball and is down by two points. If they lose this, it will be very tough, but if we can get the ball now, we can see a comeback. ... Do your best, Rie!!