The gym was louder than Yuuto remembered.
It wasn't a tournament. It wasn't a championship. But it felt like something more.
Because today wasn't just a practice game.
It was his return.
"District Exhibition Game – Sendai High vs. Minami Tech"
Bleachers packed. Cameras on tripods. Local scouts seated quietly in the corner.
Yuuto stood at center court, bouncing the ball slowly, measuring each bounce with his breath.
[Quest Active: "Earn Local Spotlight"]
Objective: Score 20+ Points
Reward: Unlock "Flow Vision"
Progress: 0 / 20
"Yo, ghost," Takeda muttered as he stretched behind him. "Try not to pass out before halftime."
Yuuto didn't respond. He didn't need to.
Tip-off
Sendai High won the jump.
Yuuto caught the outlet and dribbled up the court.
Every eye in the gym followed him.
He saw their whispers. The way the camera lenses followed his steps. He wasn't just a fill-in anymore.
First possession.
He called for a screen. The defense didn't hedge hard still underestimating him.
Yuuto pulled up mid-range and drained it.
2–0.
[Points: 2 / 20]
[Stamina: 96%]
[Confidence: Stable]
Minami Tech retaliated fast a clean corner three.
Yuuto clapped his hands, calling for the ball.
Second possession: iso on the left wing.
Crossover. Jab. Pull-up.
Swish.
4–3.
The bench stirred. Coach Ijima folded his arms, unreadable as ever.
Yuuto's teammates glanced at him differently now.
There was trust a fragile thread forming.
Then it happened.
Late in the first quarter, a player checked in for Minami Tech.
Tall. Sharp eyes. Confident stride.
Yuuto froze mid-dribble.
That face.
Kengo Hayashi.
They had trained together once when Yuuto was still a prodigy. Back when people believed he'd be the youngest in Japan to go pro.
Kengo had been a bench player then.
Now?
Captain of Minami Tech.
And judging by the look in his eyes, he remembered everything.
"You finally crawled out of that hole," Kengo said during a free throw timeout.
Yuuto didn't reply.
"I'll make sure you crawl back."
Second Quarter
Kengo was long, fast, aggressive.
On Yuuto's first possession against him, he stripped the ball clean and scored on the break.
Then again.
Then again.
Three straight turnovers.
[Confidence: Faltering]
[System Warning: Aggressive Defense Detected]
Optional Skill: "Composure Under Pressure" Activated
Boost: Focus +5%, Turnover Resistance +8%
But Yuuto was rattled.
The whispers returned.
"He's choking…"
"Same old Yuuto…"
He shook his head, gripping his knees. Sweat dripped down his chin.
Timeout. Coach Ijima grabbed him by the shoulder.
"You want to play scared?" he snapped.
Yuuto looked up, eyes blazing.
"No."
"Then go show me something. Or I'm pulling you."
[System Trigger Available]
Activate "Flow Vision"?
Cost: 20% Stamina
Duration: 60 seconds
Yes
No
He tapped Yes.
[Flow Vision Activated]
The world slowed.
Breathing patterns, shoe squeaks, hand twitches all became vivid.
He saw Kengo lean just slightly left.
Yuuto feinted right, slipped under, and elevated.
Contact he twisted mid-air.
Off the glass.
And one.
The gym roared.
[Points: 7 / 20]
[System Buff: Active – Reaction +12%, Focus +15%, Timing Window Expanded]
Kengo: Shocked
Team Morale: +10%
Next play.
Yuuto intercepted a pass mid-flight. Dashed coast-to-coast.
Behind-the-back move. Step-through layup.
9 points.
["Flow Vision" – 30 seconds remaining]
He took the next possession in rhythm.
Crossover.
Pull-up three.
12 points.
["Flow Vision" – 10 seconds]
One final move.
Kengo pressed up high.
Yuuto dribbled low, faked a pass
Then flipped the ball behind his back, twisted into a fadeaway jumper.
Buckets.
14 points.
Flow Vision ended.
The gym was in chaos.
Even the scout in the corner was scribbling furiously.
Halftime
Yuuto collapsed onto the bench, chest heaving.
Takeda stared at him. "...Who the hell are you?"
Yuuto just smiled faintly.
Second Half
Coach Ijima didn't even look at his clipboard.
"Kai run the offense. Play smart. Don't force it. But if you see daylight, take it."
Yuuto nodded.
He didn't rush. He played with purpose.
An assist. A corner jumper. Two free throws.
18 points.
Then Kengo fouled him hard on a drive. Yuuto crashed to the floor, pain flaring in his knee.
The gym fell silent.
He lay there, staring at the lights.
[System Alert: Joint Shock Detected]
[Activating: Knee Stabilization + Pain Suppressant Boost]
Mobility Reduced: -10%
Shot Accuracy Stable
Recommended: End Game Early
Override Prompt: Continue Playing?
Yes
No
Yes.
He stood.
Walked to the free throw line.
The gym held its breath.
First shot swish.
19.
Second shot,bounced in.
20.
[Quest Complete: "Earn Local Spotlight"]
Reward Unlocked:
New Active Skill: "Flow Vision" System Update: Crowd Performance Rating
New Quest Available: "Go Viral"
Get clipped and shared by a scout, journalist, or reporter Reward: Unlock "Clutch Presence" Aura
Final Score: Sendai High 72 – Minami Tech 66
Yuuto finished with:
22 points 4 assists 2 steals 1 bruise on his knee And a room full of stunned players and curious scouts
After the game, as players packed up and media took interviews, a girl approached him.
Dark hair. Press badge. Smartphone and notebook.
"You're Yuuto Kai," she said.
He blinked.
"Who's asking?"
"I'm Asuka Tanaka. School newspaper... and a freelance sports blogger."
Yuuto raised an eyebrow.
She smiled. "And I want to tell your story."