The Game (Finale)

My nails had vanished. The game really was that tense. The score was 45-38 in favor of the teachers. I really don't get basketball that much, but I knew Natsuki and her team were struggling.

It looked like it was over, but the team took another break. From what I could see, Natsuki was saying something to the team and they seemed really thrilled by it. The whole team felt extremely motivated somehow, even after a grueling session just before. Did they have an ace up their sleeve?

Before I could even grasp what was happening, I saw Natsuki come out on the court. With her tall stature towering over her teammates, she looked extremely focused.

She put her hand on top of Asuka's shoulder, and whispered something to her. Asuka looked extremely happy and enthralled by all of this. Seems like a spur-of-the-moment decision to include Natsuki in the fray.

"But why..."

This was not the only question that was swirling in my mind, but the one I wanted the answer to most. One look at her smiling face, and I could understand that this was what she wanted. But I couldn't seem to come to terms with it.

"And what if..."

The game resumed, and it looked like Natsuki was not in her original attacking position but acted as a connector of sorts. Asuka was originally in this position, but she had shifted to attack in her place. Both of them were in sync, as they bulldozed over the strong defense of the teachers' team. The score kept ticking upward until it was almost level.

Just then, I heard loud cheering from my left side. I turned around to see Kokoro on her feet, with her hands on the railing cheering with her heart out.

"GO NEE-SAN!"

Ten seconds to go, as the ball kissed the ground, and landed back in Natsuki's hands. Fifteen feet to go. I could feel a hint of hesitation, as she stood at her location for a moment.

Instantly, she made a beeline for the enemy's defense, covering a lot of ground as her speed increased. The crowd roared in response. She jumped and made the shot, as the timer ran out. The ball made a beautiful parabola before she landed back on her feet. It was clear who the crowd wanted to win.

But what about me?