The next day.
Qing Junce's school day began like usual—with long, sleepy hours in class.
By now, the teachers had already given up on managing him. At first, they tried to discipline him, waking him up, scolding him.
But after seeing him fall asleep every single class, they quietly stopped trying.
In contrast, Shimizu Kanon was a model student. No tests had been held yet, but her teachers already agreed she'd likely take the top spot in the entire grade.
What none of them could wrap their heads around was: why did someone so brilliant stick so closely to a guy who just... slept?
Some of the teachers had even called Kanon aside to "gently advise" her.
Maybe she should distance herself from Qing Junce so it wouldn't affect her studies.
She never agreed. Never refused either. She would just giggle softly, offering nothing solid.
Because she knew the truth better than anyone.
Yes, Qing Junce looked like he was always sleeping—but beneath that sleepy face was someone with innate, freakish talent.
If she was born with the gift of intellect, then he was born with the body of a warrior.
Together? They complemented each other perfectly.
Just the thought of it made Kanon's cheeks flush pink.
After School
As usual, Qing Junce and Shimizu Kanon strolled toward the basketball hall.
"Ugh, we're late again," Kanon sighed.
Qing Junce didn't even react. Being late didn't bother him in the slightest.
But then—he stopped.
Kanon blinked. "Ace? What's wrong?"
He was looking off to the side.
Kanon followed his gaze—and saw a group in the shadows near the edge of the courtyard.
Five guys. One girl.
She immediately recognized four of them—Sakuragi Hanamichi's friends: Yohei Mito, Nozomi Takamiya, Yuji Ohkusu, and Chuichirou Noma.
The last two, she didn't know.
"What are they doing?" she asked, narrowing her eyes. "A fight?"
She had done her research. Sakuragi's gang used to be infamous troublemakers. Fights weren't exactly out of the ordinary for them.
Qing Junce didn't answer.
His attention was locked on the unfamiliar guy outside the group.
Short—maybe 170 cm. Pineapple-shaped curls. Flashy earrings. A hard, determined look in his eyes.
Not handsome, but there was something… different about him. Grit.
If Qing Junce remembered correctly…
There was only one person like that in Shohoku: Miyagi Ryota.
"You know him?" Kanon asked.
Qing Junce looked away. "Nope."
Then he turned and continued walking toward the gym.
Kanon squinted, obviously not buying it.
"You're lying," she pouted. "You wouldn't have stopped if you didn't recognize him!"
Qing Junce yawned. "Find out for yourself."
"But I want you to tell me," she whined.
He said nothing.
She grumbled behind him, arms crossed. "Fine! Be that way. I'll figure it out myself. Hmph."
Back at the Corner
Miyagi Ryota noticed them.
More specifically—he noticed Qing Junce.
Yohei turned to him. "That guy just now…"
"You know him?" Miyagi asked.
Even though Junce was standing far away, Miyagi could feel it—like being stared at by a wild beast. That instinctual fear that tightens your chest.
When had someone like that shown up at Shohoku?
Yohei didn't hide it. "I think I do. He's part of the basketball team."
"…Basketball team, huh," Miyagi murmured, deep in thought.
Yohei quickly changed the subject. "Forget what happened earlier. Let's go."
Miyagi stared at him for a long second, then looked away.
"…What's your name?"
"Yohei. Mito Yohei."
"…Miyagi. Miyagi Ryota."
Inside Shohoku's Basketball Hall
"You're late again, Qing Junce!!"
Akagi's roar echoed through the gym.
Nobody flinched. This had become… normal.
Since Junce joined the team, every day started this way.
Kanon stood off to the side, covering her face with mild embarrassment.
Qing Junce scratched his ear lazily. "Geez, you're on time every day, but I don't see it making you guys any stronger."
"WHAT DID YOU JUST SAY?!" Akagi's veins popped.
His fists clenched. It looked like he might actually throw hands.
Kogure jumped in. "C'mon, c'mon, let's just be glad he showed up."
"You spoil him too much, Kogure!" Akagi grumbled.
But even he knew—
Qing Junce wasn't just anyone.
He was Shohoku's ace. Their ticket to nationals.
Still, it frustrated him. Someone with that kind of talent—wasting it by lazing around.
If Junce would just train properly, he'd be unstoppable.
Maybe even… unstoppable enough to fulfill Akagi's dream.
Nearby, Kanon suddenly gasped.
"I remember!"
Ayako blinked. "Huh? Remember what?"
"That boy from earlier—his name's Miyagi Ryota," Kanon explained. "I came across his name when I was going over the team roster!"
"You saw Miyagi?" Ayako said, surprised. "That means his injury's probably healed."
Kanon nodded. "Senior Ayako… that guy…"
Ayako sighed. "He's a handful—but when it comes to basketball? He's good."
"…Really?" Kanon blinked, remembering his height. "Even with that frame?"
Ayako smiled. "You'll see. He'll be back soon. When he does, I'll need your help building a training plan for him."
"Sure! Leave it to me," Kanon replied.
She never judged potential by talent alone.
If a player had something to build on, she'd support them all the way.
The Next Day – At the Gym
The doors opened.
A familiar-yet-unfamiliar figure stepped in.
Miyagi Ryota.
"I'm back," he said simply.
The upperclassmen all greeted him.
The first-years, however, looked uneasy.
"Is that Miyagi?!"
"He looks scary…"
"Hope he doesn't punch us if we mess up…"
Then—
Sakuragi Hanamichi spotted him.
He immediately bristled. "YOU!! You bastard! What are you doing here?! This is a basketball club, not a hangout spot!"
Miyagi stared. "So you're here too, huh?"
He gave Sakuragi a once-over and scoffed. "You joined the team? How'd Akagi let someone like you in?"
"WHAT DID YOU SAY?!" Sakuragi fumed.
This was the same guy who beat him up last time—and now he had the nerve to talk down to him again?
Miyagi ignored him and looked around. "I heard you beat Ryonan while I was out."
Kogure nodded. "Yeah. Thanks to Qing Junce."
"Qing Junce…" Miyagi repeated, mind flashing back to that tall, lazy-looking kid from the day before. That must've been him.
Kogure added, "Now that you're back, our lineup is even better. I really think we've got a shot at Nationals."
Miyagi crossed his arms. "Is that Junce guy really that good?"
Kogure just chuckled. "You'll see soon enough."
Just then, Sakuragi marched over with a basketball.
He and Miyagi locked eyes.
"What? You wanna fight?" Miyagi said.
Sakuragi didn't answer.
Instead, he begun spinning the basketball.
"I'm the secret genius of this team," he said, dead serious.
Miyagi stared at him for a long moment.
"…Are you seriously trying to challenge me?"