Kuroko: Mahoraga - Chapter 32: One Question. Time to Draw! (Patreon)

After the game, the players gradually returned to the locker room.

Masato came back a little later than everyone else.

The moment he pushed the door open, several teammates sprayed water at him.

He had expected something like this and did not bother dodging.

Within seconds, the celebration had left him almost completely soaked.

Amid the chaos, he spotted Ishida having more fun than anyone.

“Haha! The MVP’s back! Get him!”

“Keep going! Don’t stop, don’t stop...”

Ishida shouted at the top of his lungs, getting everyone else even more worked up.

Masato grinned when he saw how excited he was.

Ignoring the water flying at him, he lunged forward, caught Ishida, and snatched the bottle from his hand.

“Don’t spend all your energy on me. You played pretty well today too.”

Then he poured the water straight over Ishida’s head.

Even that did not feel like enough.

Kenji, standing nearby, immediately understood what was happening and handed Masato another bottle.

“Come on, everyone. Join in.”

Masato kept Ishida pinned in place while calling the others over.

A moment later, Ishida was drenched from head to toe.

...

After fooling around for a while, everyone changed and got ready to leave.

Even so, they were all still basking in the joy of victory.

It was obvious that such a dominant win had changed the entire team’s mentality.

The mental block that had weighed on Kawari Basketball for so long had finally been shattered.

And everyone knew who deserved most of the credit.

Ever since Masato joined the club, they had been able to feel themselves improving day by day.

Before this, they had not played any real games, so there had been nothing concrete to compare themselves against.

Now, after this victory, everyone understood one thing.

Their run toward the National Tournament might actually become something special.

Once they realized that, their attitude changed completely.

Before, they had never really had a chance.

Now that one was right in front of them, every player wanted to grab it.

That was especially true for the third-years, who would soon be dealing with high school admissions and the next stage of their lives.

If they could achieve something at the National Tournament, it would help open more doors for them later.

Coach Nakamura noticed the change in his players too.

His many years of experience told him that a team reaching this kind of mental state was rare.

Pleased, he addressed everyone.

“A big win in our first National Tournament game is worth celebrating.”

“Dinner’s on me tonight!”

The locker room had never really calmed down in the first place, and that announcement sent the atmosphere soaring all over again.

“Yes!”

“That’s what I’m talking about! Coach is treating!”

No one wasted any time.

After leaving the locker room, Masato stopped by the restroom while the rest of the team headed to the parking lot.

...

Elsewhere, Masami Ishihara was leaving the arena with frustration written all over her face.

She had been ready to do almost anything for an exclusive story.

Unfortunately, enthusiasm alone could not overcome reality.

As an intern, she did not have the credentials to enter the restricted area.

Tournament staff stopped her outside the players’ tunnel, leaving all the questions she had prepared trapped in her head.

With no other option, she had to leave.

Still, Masami refused to give up. She pressed her lips together, thinking desperately of another approach.

Then an idea struck her, and she looked toward the parking lot.

“Of course! Why am I being so stupid? I can just wait for them in the parking lot!”

Her eyes lit up so brightly that she nearly jumped in excitement.

A second later, though, her expression tightened.

She had already wasted too much time.

“Crap. I hope I’m not too late!”

Masami broke into a run, silently praying that she had not missed her chance.

...

After using the restroom, Masato headed for the parking lot.

By the time he reached the team bus, everyone else was already aboard and seated.

He was just about to climb on when a breathless female voice came from behind him.

“Hello! Could you wait a second?”

Masato turned around.

A tall, attractive young woman with long, straight black hair was looking at him expectantly.

She was still breathing hard, clearly having run all the way over. The motion made the front of her blouse rise and fall noticeably, drawing more attention than she probably intended.

“Hello. My name is Masami Ishihara.”

“I’m with the media. Congratulations on the win!”

She rushed through the introduction before Masato could say anything.

“Thanks, but we need to leave.”

Masato tilted his chin toward the bus to show that everyone was waiting for him.

“I won’t take long. Just one question.”

“Are you Masato Kumoi from Teiko Middle School?”

“I am, but let me correct you. I’m with Kawari now.”

Masato raised an eyebrow.

He had always known people would eventually find out about his transfer. What he had not expected was for someone to notice him in the very first qualifying game.

After receiving confirmation, Masami wore an expression that practically said she had known it.

Her curiosity was impossible to hide.

“Then why did you transfer? Was there some reason behind it?”

Masato stepped onto the first stair of the bus.

“That’s your second question.”

He did not answer directly. He only smiled at her.

From the moment he left Teiko, the story of why he transferred was no longer entirely his to control.

Once he started producing results and attracting more attention, that would become even more true.

Masato knew exactly how the media worked. When there was a story that could generate attention, people would speculate and sensationalize it however they could.

Not that he particularly cared.

Everyone was waiting for him, and he was not going to hold up the entire team over an interview.

Masami watched as the bus drove away, a smile slowly appearing on her face.

She had already gotten what she wanted.

Sometimes, an unclear answer was better than a direct one.

It left room for a reporter to work.

Masami already knew exactly what kind of article she wanted to write.

...

Coach Nakamura kept his promise.

He led the whole group to a yakiniku restaurant for dinner.

It was actually the first team meal he had ever organized.

He had considered doing something like this before, but the team’s results had been so poor that the idea had always died before it went anywhere.

This time, everyone mixed together easily around the tables.

They obviously could not drink alcohol, but the youthful energy of a group their age made the entire dinner lively enough on its own.

“Well? Tell me straight. Was I awesome today or what?”

Ishida was completely fired up. With an arm around one of the younger players, he started bragging without restraint.

“Those dunks were insane. Who wouldn’t lose it watching that?”

He chewed on a piece of grilled meat, grease shining around his mouth.

“Munch, munch... Only thing missing today was some girls in the stands!”

Seeing how pleased with himself Ishida was, Kenji deliberately cut him down a little.

“Then you should really thank Masa. Without those passes, I don’t think you would’ve looked nearly as good.”

Ishida was not embarrassed in the slightest.

“Obviously! That’s what happens when your bro is this good!”

His smugness faded a little as he looked at Masato more seriously.

“Masa, I know I’ve said it a bunch of times already, but I’ve gotta say it again. You’re freaking incredible.”

Masato shook his head with a laugh.

It was obvious Ishida was still riding the high of finally settling an old score.

After sitting around with the others for a while longer, Masato decided to leave early.

His thoughts had already returned to the system mission, and his mind was no longer on dinner.

He said goodbye to everyone and headed out first.

...

Once he got home, Masato could not hold back any longer.

He immediately summoned the system.

“Draw!”

The familiar visual effects appeared before him once again.

The wheel spun faster and faster as one dazzling ability after another flashed by.

Eventually, the pointer slowed and came to a stop.

Masato hurriedly looked at where it had landed.

A rush of joy surged through him.