"To think you scored a layup on me... not bad. Keep it up."
Regaining his composure after Shoichi's drive, Akagi broke into a rare smile and offered the younger player genuine encouragement.
His reaction drew stunned looks from Kogure and the others. They exchanged confused glances.
They'd assumed Akagi would be furious—after all, Shoichi had just scored on him. But instead of anger, Akagi offered praise?
It didn't make sense.
Noticing their baffled expressions, Akagi immediately guessed their thoughts. His face turned serious.
"Shoichi's one of our players now. The better he gets, the stronger Shohoku becomes. Why would I be upset about that?"
Then his brow furrowed.
"You lot, on the other hand—if you keep slacking off, I'll make sure you regret it."
The warning silenced the group instantly. Kogure and the others stiffened, nodding in fear.
After scolding them, Akagi waved his hand.
"Back to practice!"
Hearing this, Shoichi turned and sprinted back on defense, quickly retreating to Shohoku's side of the court.
[Ding! Random Mission Triggered: Before the end of team practice, complete five steals/interceptions. Reward: Behind-the-Back Dribble Technique 'V'.]
"The system really does keep the pressure on."
Hearing the new objective, a faint smile crept across Shoichi's face. His heart surged with anticipation.
It was time to put his new skill "Anticipation" to the test.
"Let's hold this possession. We push hard, and we might just take control from the upperclassmen."
As Akagi and his squad launched into a fast break, Shoichi rallied Kuwata and the others around him, voice sharp and confident.
His words ignited their spirits. Kuwata, Yasuda, and Noma all nodded, adrenaline kicking in.
Off the court.
"Wow, didn't think Shoichi-kun had the guts to say something like that."
Watching Shoichi's handsome, focused face, Ayako grinned playfully. Glancing toward the upperclassmen, she added:
"Wonder how Akagi-senpai feels hearing that. Bet he's eager to get that point back right now."
Sakuragi, who had been silently fuming, suddenly couldn't hold back.
"Ayako, are you seriously still praising that guy?!"
Then he shouted across the court, voice full of irritation.
"Shoichi! Stop hogging the spotlight already! Coach, sub me in!"
Hearing Sakuragi's outburst, Coach Anzai gave him a kind but pointed response.
"Sakuragi, Shoichi's performance so far has been commendable. There's a lot you could learn from him."
Then, with a gentle but shocking declaration, Anzai added:
"By the time we finish our scrimmage against Ryonan… Shoichi might be second only to Akagi and Rukawa in skill."
Ayako and Sakuragi both froze.
They hadn't expected such high praise—not from Coach Anzai, of all people.
Even Ayako, who had always believed in Shoichi, was visibly shaken.
"Coach… but there's only two weeks until the Ryonan match. Can he really grow that much in such a short time?"
"To me," Coach Anzai said slowly, "two weeks may be more than enough."
Then, after a thoughtful pause, he added:
"In all my years of coaching, I've never met a player with more natural talent and potential than Shoichi."
The weight of that statement changed everything.
Sakuragi and Ayako looked at Shoichi again—this time with awe.
If they hadn't heard it directly from Coach Anzai, they never would've believed it.
SMACK!
A crisp sound echoed across the court.
Shoichi leaned forward, his right hand darting out—and picked Kogure's pocket clean.
"Fast break!"
No hesitation. Shoichi transformed into a blur, streaking down the court with the ball.
From the sidelines, Ayako's eyes widened.
"So fast!"
"Get back on defense!" Akagi bellowed, bolting toward the hoop.
By the time he reached the paint, both Shoichi and Rukawa had broken through, each charging in from opposite sides of the key.
Seeing the two first-years close in together, even Akagi felt the pressure.
This duo's sheer speed and control was staggering.
Could he stop them both alone?
Shoichi drove into the lane, no hesitation in his eyes.
He launched upward for a layup.
Akagi's composure finally cracked. Forget Rukawa for now—he had to stop Shoichi.
Yes, Shoichi was technically a beginner—but he wasn't your average novice. The kid could score.
Just moments ago, he'd forced a layup past Akagi's defense. If Akagi let him go now, it would almost certainly be another bucket.
And whether or not Shoichi would pass… was anyone's guess.
"Rukawa!"
Shoichi called out as Akagi moved to block him—and without pause, whipped the ball to Rukawa.
Rukawa caught it clean, leapt high, and slammed it through the hoop.
BOOM!
The gym vibrated with the force of the dunk.
Just like that, the scoreboard shifted:
Upperclassmen 4 – First-years 6.
Everyone watching was momentarily stunned.
The first-years were leading.
But the reason was crystal clear to everyone on the court.
This shift, this momentum change—had started with someone they'd nearly overlooked…
Shoichi.