The shift in the game wasn't something that slowly happened over the course of the third quarter. It was sudden and in their faces, and Midorima wasn't afraid to admit that Shutoku was completely unprepared for it. It was like before, Takao dribbling the ball up, when he passed to Midorima. Ishimura had cut into the balls path, passed it off to Jo who hurled it down the other side of the court to Takami. The latter managed to shoot a three pointer before Shutoku even registered what happened.
Every time Takao, or anyone, would attempt to pass to Midorima, Ishimura would cut in and steal the ball. It was only Midorima though, she would completely leave a ball if she was within reach for anyone else. Midorima found himself scowling quite angrily at the player, who would only grin happily back at him.
Shutoku still managed to score points in the third quarter but with Takami and Jo easily scoring three point shots between them, and Midorima being effectively cut out of the game because of Ishimura, the gap in the score was closing quickly. By the end of the third quarter, there was only twelve point difference, with Shutoku sitting on seventy eight and Iwozuka on sixty six. The match had quickly turned around and Shutoku couldn't seem to bring themselves to match the girls.
"I don't understand," Takao complained before he started chugging on his water. Katsumi had wondered over during the quick break between quarteres. Midorima couldn't take his eyes of Iwozuka. The game they played was completely and utterly unorthodox.
"I warned you about not playing their game," Katsumi scolded but it was directed more towards Takao than anyone else. Miyaji was staring at Ishimura, his eyes narrowed and complaining how he wanted to run her down with Kimura's pick up. Midorima didn't care about his Senpai's chattering, he was watching Jo. The centre, compared to the rest of her team, looked tired. She was rubbing her right shoulder and sitting down on the bench while the rest remained standing.
"We didn't!"
"You did. You slowed down your game because they did and now you can't pick yourselves back up." Takao opened his mouth to object before closing his mouth, frowning. None of them had realised it, especially not at the time, but looking back they could see. The girls, by doing hardly anything in game, had brought the game to a slow pace which Shutoku followed without a second thought. Takao realised by the end of the first half they were just jogging around the court, but when the girls shifted their position they ran, keeping their heart rates up. They forced Shutoku into a lull.
"You have an idea Katsumi?" Otsubo asked. His face was flushed, irritated that the game had turned around so quickly. It wasn't just the block on Midorima that was giving them trouble, Jo standing guard near their hoop proved to be a difficult block. It was even worse when Shira dropped back and helped defend, the two were hard to get pass.
"You have to find a way to get the ball to Midorima and match their shots. If you can't do that, you have to find a way to get Jo out of the way."
"How do you suggest we do that, offer her a magazine?" Takao scowled. Katsumi smacked him on the upside of the head before nodding over to her.
"She's already tiring herself out. Full court throws use a lot of her energy, and she's coming forward to take three pointers as well when Takami is blocked. Jo won't be holding out much longer, her movements will become sluggish and you'll be able to get around her."
"We have fifteen minutes."
"Are you giving up on me, captain?" Katsumi challenged. Otsubo stood, shaking his head and smiling defiantly. His eyes flickered to the score board, grinning. Katsumi knew what was going through his mind, there's still a gap, there's still a chance. Katsumi looked to Iwozuka and blew her whistle, calling the players back onto the court. Before she stepped out Nakatani cleared his voice, calling her back.
"You've played this team before."
"Yes Sensei, every year for as long as I can remember."
"Tell me truthfully, who do you think will win?" Katsumi chewed on her lower lip, looking back to Iwozuka and Shutoku. Her eyes narrowed in on Meyer, who was standing on the court nearest her brother, stretching out her arms. She swallowed before looking back to Nakatani who was waiting patiently for her answer.
"Truthfully Sensei," Katsumi hesitated, thinking about her words. She let out a sigh, rubbing the back of her neck and breathing deeply. "Iwozuka aren't trying all that hard."
...
The fourth quarter began with Katsumi blowing her whistle harder than before. Shutoku were the first to score but Iwozuka recovered quickly. Jo didn't cover the whole court in one throw though, instead she passed it to Meyer. The girl stayed in one place for a few moments, tilting her head to the side and surveying the court before her. Takao was trying to cover her, but she bounced the ball behind her and out of his reach. Then she was gone.
She suddenly burst to the left, moving around Takao like he wasn't a threat at all. She dribbled straight down the centre of the court, bypassing Miyaji by mere centimetres, barely moving out of the way and catching him completely by surprise. She crossed the centre line and continued, only to be blocked by both Otsubo and Kimura. Meyer, who had been running almost at a complete sprint, stopped right in front of the pair suddenly. Before they had a chance to try and react, she bent her knees and shot up into the air with a hard jump.
Katsumi had never seen Meyer jump from the side, and it was only know that she wasn't trying to defend her did she realise exactly how high Meyer could get. It was something that caught both Otsubo and Kimura completely off guard as well, but not so much as when she pulled her hand back and delicately shot a three point basket almost completely by the centre line. She landed with a heavy thud and was already running back, already prepared to go on the defense. Iwozuka seemed well aware of Jo's state of tiring, so Shira and Meyer seemed to hang back a lot more than in the first three quarters. That didn't effect their flow though.
Midorima was still cut off from his team. Takao had tried some sneaky passes, but Ishimura intercepted every one. Midorima hadn't even come close to touching the ball in the last quarter and a half, and to say he was becoming irritated was a grievous understatement. Every time she darted in front of him he felt his chest swelling with anger and he started biting his tongue so he wouldn't completely snap at her or say something foolish.
By the time the match had reached five minutes to go, Iwozuka had pulled completely around and were leading by twelve points. Otsubo was getting frustrated, Miyaji was threatening to throw pineapples at Takao and Midorima, and Kimura was offering to lend him his pick up. Even Takao was getting fired up about the girls, but there was nothing they could do. He continued to pass to Midorima occasionally, but this was becoming few and inbetween.
Midorima didn't take his eyes off his friend, hoping to be able to drop Ishimura and get a shot from Takao. The moment appeared quickly. Ishimura seemed distracted by Hotaru and Takao noticed this as well. He passed the ball back to Midorima, hoping to get a three point shot in. They still had time to turn this around. Midorima saw the ball soaring towards him and he felt a swell of excitement grow in his chest, though he wouldn't admit it. He could kill for one more shot in the game.
She appeared out of no where. He heard her yelling at Hotaru and then she in front of him, the tiniest amount of space between the two as she snatched the ball before he could. He didn't mean to, he meant to bite back his tongue and accept it but his body reacted without him letting it.
"Will you stop stealing my balls?" Midorima growled but it was loud enough for everyone near them to hear. Takao's eyes grew wide as he processed what had been said, Shira raised her eyebrows as though she was thinking something that couldn't be said, but Ishimura just turned slowly to look over her shoulder. The glint in her was indescribable, but the smirk was much like Takao's. Midorima grimaced, already knowing that he had just done something he really shouldn't have.
"I don't know if you've noticed Carrot-Chan, but you haven't had any." Takao smacked his hand over his mouth, bending over slightly to keep his laughter contained. Otsubo turned to the side, biting his lips to hide his smile. Miyaji cracked a grin that surpressed his laugh. The girls were not so kind. Shira snorted, covering her face and turning around in a poor attempt to mask her outburst. Meyer burst into giggles, bending over and trying to catch her breath between each outburst. Takami smirked but her laughter could be heard in her throat. Only Ishimura and Jo weren't laughing, Jo because she hadn't heard and couldn't be bothered trying to figure out what was happening, and Ishimura because she was smirking so hard in daring Midorima to say or something else.
Midorima's ears grew slightly red as he straightened his back. He felt embarassed though he didn't know why, but he heard the Shutoku female team burst into laughter behind him. He suddenly felt like he wanted to get off the court, something that had never occurred to him before. Glowering at Ishimura, he turned on his heel and with his head held high, Midorima effectively ran away.
"Shin-Chan where are you going?"
"Come on Carrot-Chan don't be like that, please!" Ishimura called out after him. Midorima turned, completely prepared to accept an apology, but that glint in her eye hadn't disappeared. She was still holding the basketball, which she reached out towards him, still smirking. "If you come back I'll give you your balls."
Midorima scowled, evacuating the gym and leaving the match unfinished. Ishimura shrugged, turning to Otsubo who was standing closest to her, passing him the ball quickly. He was knocked back a few steps.
"Guess that's a forfeit," Jo yawned from the end of the court. Miyaji growled, ready to chase Midorima down but the look on Katsumi's face made him stop. her jaw was clenched and she was watching Meyer carefully. The latter had stopped her giggle fit rather effectively after Midorima had stormed out and was now glaring at Ishimura's direction. Even Shira looked slightly unimpressed, though she still found the comments hilarious.
"Guess so," Otsubo muttered, looking down to the ball in his hands. The girls cleared from the court, but Katsumi stepped forward, grabbing Meyer's arm and turning the captain around to face her. Takami slowed down her walk, watching the pair carefully, and it wasn't long before everyone else in the gym noticed the look on Katsumi's face. She looked angry, still gripping tight on Meyer's arm.
"Is there a purpose to why you are holding me?" Meyer questioned, tilting her head to the side. Katsumi growled under her breath, throwing Meyer's hand down. Whatever she wanted to say drowned in the sound and she turned away from Meyer, looking towards her own team. They too were looking at the girls but they seemed unimpressed.
"Meyer, let's go," Ishimura demanded, rubbing her stomach. It had decided to make a guest appearance and the noise it was emitting was growing louder and louder. Meyer hesitated, still looking at Katsumi, but returned to her team nonetheless. Takami hovered near Katsumi, frowning, but she trailed dutifully after her captain.
