Chapter 49

The three-on-three settles in Team Red's favor, and the victors pick Bachira as their prize. As Rin's group walks off, Bachira lingers without expression, then challenges Isagi to come reclaim him if he truly wants him, pledging loyalty to his so-called monster. Isagi and Nagi drop to the two-versus-two floor, where Nagi floats the idea of resting, only for Isagi to refuse, insisting there is no room to relax. Isagi frets that another loss would see Nagi chosen and himself discarded, calling himself useless on his own. Nagi snaps, grabbing Isagi's hair and warning that this attitude will corrode his ambitions.

Their quarrel spirals into ideals and their absent partners. Isagi jabs that Nagi is powerless without Reo, and Nagi fires back that Isagi leans just as hard on Bachira. Shoving Nagi off, Isagi furiously accepts the point and vows to stand alone. Nagi then reaches a key insight: the shrunken pitch and smaller squads make each individual act far more decisive than the first selection, where one creator who turns nothing into something could carry a team. Isagi agrees that survival now hinges on winning duels. When Nagi asks how to shed his frustration, Isagi answers that only victory does it, and just then Baro strides through the doors hunting strong opponents, prompting Isagi to set his sights on beating him head to head.

Bachira is drafted onto Team Red, separating him from Isagi. Nagi and Isagi advance into the two-on-two stage and clash over their dependence on Reo and Bachira. Isagi resolves to challenge Baro in a one-on-one showdown to prove he can stand alone.

Known as After the Parting (Betsuri no Atosaki), this is the 49th chapter overall and the ninth in Volume 6 within the Second Selection Arc. Its content spans Episodes 13 and 14 of the anime.