Even Sakuragi Hanamichi stood frozen in shock.
The gym had fallen silent, the only sound the echo of the basketballs that Qing Junce had just effortlessly dunked — two of them, back-to-back — leaving everyone stunned.
Up on the second floor, Sakuragi's gang, who had slipped in at some point, witnessed the whole thing. Their jaws hung open, just like the rest.
As the silence dragged on, Qing Junce turned to Kaede Rukawa.
"Wanna keep going?" he asked calmly.
Rukawa snapped out of his daze. Though frustration flickered in his eyes, his fighting spirit only grew stronger.
He wasn't the type to give up so easily.
Just as he was about to respond, a familiar voice called out across the gym.
"Looks like everyone's here. Ohohoho~"
All eyes turned.
Coach Mitsuyoshi Anzai stood on the sidelines, wearing his usual warm smile as he stroked his round chin.
"Coach Anzai," the team greeted in unison.
Sakuragi was the first to approach him — loudly and without an ounce of restraint.
He clamped one hand onto Anzai's belly, and the other onto his chin.
"Pops! You're finally here! Look — Rukawa and that Junce guy took over the court for a one-on-one! What kind of team allows selfish punks like that, huh? Kick them both out and leave the spotlight to the real genius — me!"
BAM.
A massive fist dropped onto Sakuragi's head.
Akagi Takenori retracted his arm, fuming. "I'm terribly sorry, Coach. I'll discipline him properly."
"Hohoho~," Coach Anzai chuckled gently, waving it off. "No need, Akagi. Let it go."
Akagi bowed. "Yes, sir."
Coach Anzai cleared his throat. "Now then — I actually came to make an announcement."
Everyone quieted down instantly.
"I've arranged a practice match for the team."
The air shifted. Everyone stood a little straighter.
"Our opponent will be... Ryonan High."
The name struck the gym like thunder.
For a moment, silence.
Then—
"What?! Ryonan High?!" the second and third years shouted in unison.
Kogure's eyes widened. "Ryonan? Can we even compete with them…?"
Ayako nodded slowly. "This'll be a tough match."
Kuwata Toki, a first-year, looked around confused. "Why's everyone reacting like this? Is Ryonan that good?"
Kogure explained, "Last year, Ryonan was one of the top four teams in the prefecture tournament."
That silenced the rookies. They hadn't realized just how formidable the opponent was.
"Alright, everyone — gather up!" Akagi commanded.
Once the team was assembled, Coach Anzai nodded. "Start preparing. Practice hard. Akagi, I'm leaving the training to you."
"Yes, Coach," Akagi said firmly.
Later That Day
Practice ended, and Qing Junce was back to his usual sleepy self, walking off the court with Shimizu Kanon beside him.
"Ahh~" he yawned, stretching. He looked like someone who had just woken from a nap, not someone who'd dominated a court.
Kanon shook her head in exasperation. "Ace, how do you feel?"
"Huh? About what?"
"Your one-on-one with Rukawa!" she said, annoyed. "Could you at least pretend to take it seriously?"
Junce gave a half-smile. "I was a little serious. But that guy's too weak. No need to go full out. And besides..."
He trailed off, then added, "You know my condition. Even if I try, I'm only serious under normal circumstances."
Kanon smiled gently.
She knew exactly what he meant.
His unpredictable, explosive style always felt like it teetered between brilliance and chaos. Every time she saw it, it left her breathless.
"Will you play in the practice match?" she asked.
Qing Junce shrugged. "I don't know. We'll see. It's just a practice match — doesn't really matter."
"Ugh, people are gonna hate you if you keep acting like this."
"Let them."
"You're beyond saving." Kanon sighed exasperately.
As the two walked toward the campus gate, a boy passed by them.
He was short — maybe 165 cm — with bristly hair and a plain, simple look. He wore a school uniform similar to Shohoku's, except the chest bore the word Ryonan.
In his hands was a pen and a notebook, and he appeared to be scribbling something.
The cover had a name: Aida Hikoichi.
He glanced over his shoulder at Junce and Kanon, eyebrows furrowed.
"Huh? I thought I heard someone mention Kaede Rukawa. Must've imagined it…"
Shaking his head, he continued walking toward the Shohoku building.
In the Week That Followed
Coach Anzai's announcement sent the entire Shohoku team into serious training mode.
Every day, under Akagi Takenori's lead, the team trained hard.
Even the first-years kept up, meeting their daily targets.
Of course, Qing Junce, Kaede Rukawa, and Sakuragi Hanamichi — all freakishly athletic — breezed through their workouts.
Akagi was pleased.
Mostly.
There was one issue.
Qing Junce was late every single day.
Not once had he arrived on time since joining the team.
It drove Akagi up the wall.
Several times, he almost exploded — ready to teach Junce a lesson right then and there.
But each time, Kogure Kiminobu stopped him.
Kogure was afraid that if Akagi pushed too hard, Junce might quit — and losing a player like that would be a devastating blow to Shohoku's chances.
On the other hand, Shimizu Kanon was the complete opposite of trouble.
She blended in with the team effortlessly.
Her stunning looks had most of the boys in a daze from day one. But what truly impressed everyone was her basketball mind.
After years of watching Qing Junce play, Kanon had developed a keen eye for the game.
She pulled out detailed files for every team member — notes on their strengths, weaknesses, playing habits, and areas to improve.
Even Coach Anzai was stunned.
Each profile was insightful and precise.
To everyone's shock, she even had one for Coach Anzai himself — though his was more focused on health recommendations.
By the time she finished her analysis, everyone in the gym was speechless.
Kanon had more than earned her place.
She and Ayako split the managerial duties — one overseeing internal operations, the other handling external affairs.
Together, they became the team's dynamic "double flower managers" — the backbone behind Shohoku's growing momentum.