The gym felt different today.
Not heavier.
Not louder.
Just… sharper.
Like the air itself knew today would decide whether they could survive Hakuro Academy—or get swallowed whole.
The lights buzzed overhead. The polished floor gleamed like a battlefield waiting for blood. Sweat from the morning's conditioning still clung faintly to the air.
Yuuto tied his shoes in silence.
He could feel it.
Everyone could.
Today… they would test the system that was supposed to keep them alive against Ryu Kazen.
Marcus walked past him, slapping his shoulder.
"You ready, point guard?"
Yuuto exhaled slowly.
"Yeah… I think so."
Shunjin cracked his knuckles.
"Think so? You better know so."
Daniel didn't say anything—just adjusted the tape on his wrists and locked in.
Daichi bounced lightly on the balls of his feet.
"Bro, I'm… kinda nervous."
"Good," Coach Takeda's voice thundered across the gym.
"Nervous means you understand the stakes."
