Kuroko Tetsuya walked quietly through the bustling school grounds, completely unnoticed by anyone.
In an unoccupied corner, he pulled out a crumpled piece of paper. The handwriting on it was rough but filled with energy:
"Have you chosen a club yet? Of course, I picked basketball! Let's all do our best and meet on the court soon!"
Kuroko smiled faintly. It was a gentle, heartfelt expression.
"Of course, I joined the basketball team," he murmured.
His pale blue eyes sparkled with quiet passion.
He didn't just like basketball—he loved it.
Folding the note carefully, he walked toward the gym with renewed determination.
At the same time, four other boys were heading toward the same destination.
A fated encounter was about to begin.
Elsewhere, Reo Byakuya was having a far less peaceful time.
A crowd surrounded him, chattering nonstop. It was starting to get on his nerves.
"Hey! You were criticizing our plays earlier, weren't you?"
A boy with a sour expression stomped over. He wore the same jersey as the players from the training match earlier.
"Yeah, that was me," Reo replied lazily, unconcerned.
"You little—!"
The boy lunged, grabbing Reo by the collar. His fist raised, ready to punch.
But before he could move, Reo's demeanor changed in an instant.
His half-lidded eyes sharpened, and his voice turned icy cold, like a chill blowing from the underworld.
"If I were you, I wouldn't lift that hand."
A wave of fear struck the boy like a lightning bolt.
His body froze. For a split second, he truly believed that if he punched… he might die.
That fear—pure and instinctive—forced him to slowly lower his hand.
Still trying to save face, he muttered, "Don't you know it's rude to criticize others during a match?"
Reo smirked inwardly.
Around them, other basketball team members looked on, either stunned or confused.
That guy hadn't said anything about being offended earlier. Why start trouble now?
"Let go," Reo said flatly, clearly annoyed at being grabbed.
The boy's pupils shrank. His fear peaked, and his hand instinctively let go. He stumbled backward.
Reo calmly adjusted his collar and sat back down, but the small commotion had drawn attention.
Several basketball club members walked over, clearly not happy.
"Who do you think you are? You're not part of the basketball club, are you?" one sneered.
Reo glanced at him but didn't bother replying.
"Hey! I'm talking to you!"
The boy's tone sharpened. He looked humiliated being ignored in front of others, but he also remembered how the other guy had backed down. Clearly, Reo wasn't an easy target.
Still, this was their turf—the basketball club. He thought that should mean something.
"You came to try out for the basketball club, right?" he asked.
Reo gave a lazy nod.
"Then since you were so confident earlier, I assume you're pretty good."
"Yeah," Reo answered without hesitation. "I'm great."
Silence.
Everyone around froze.
He really said that.
Some upperclassmen chuckled mockingly. Others looked annoyed. This was Teikō's basketball club—saying you're "great" in front of second-string members was like waving a red flag at a bull.
"He's got guts, I'll give him that."
"Or no brains."
Still, among the new students, some were entertained. They were also freshmen, and many felt the upperclassmen were being arrogant.
Even if Reo's words were bold, at least he had backbone.
"Interesting guy," someone whispered.
"Yeah, this might be worth watching."
In Japan, senpai-kouhai hierarchy was strict. Most wouldn't dare challenge an upperclassman openly. But this freshman was stirring things up—and it was oddly satisfying.
Tajima Shota, the second-string member leading the confrontation, looked irritated but also pleased. He saw an opportunity.
"Well then," he sneered, "since you're so amazing, how about a one-on-one? Loser gets kicked out of the basketball club."
Reo sighed.
"Pass. That sounds boring."
"What? Scared?" Tajima said mockingly.
The upperclassmen behind him laughed loudly.
"So he's all talk after all."
"Thought he was something. Guess not."
"Just another loudmouth freshman who doesn't know his place."
"You ever hear the phrase 'strong in mouth, weak in heart'?" one jeered.
Reo rolled his eyes.
These guys… They weren't even on the first-string team, and yet they acted like they owned the place.
If Akashi and the others hadn't enrolled yet, Teikō's basketball club really wasn't all that impressive.
Second and third-stringers strutting around like they were champions—it was laughable.
But when Reo shook his head, the upperclassmen misread it entirely.
They thought he was backing down out of fear.