Yukio passed the basketball to Tetsuo, stepping back quickly into a defensive stance. His sneakers squeaked against the polished court as he shifted his weight forward, knees bent and arms raised.
Tetsuo caught the ball firmly with both hands. The faint thud echoed through the gym. Without a pause, he snapped a pass toward Shino near the wing. The ball cut through the air with a soft whoosh.
As it left his fingertips, he moved into the low post, quick steps against the polished floor, his sneakers squeaking in even rhythm. Yukio followed close behind, eyes narrowing, his body shifting with each of Tetsuo's movements, reading every slight turn of his shoulders.
"Pass it here."
Tetsuo's voice cut through the echo of sneakers and bouncing rubber, steady but firm.
Shino tightened his grip on the ball, a faint squeak sounding as his palm shifted against its surface. He gave a short nod and sent a clean bounce pass back toward him, the ball skimming low across the polished floor before rising neatly into Tetsuo's hands.
Tetsuo turned smoothly, pivoting on his left foot. The soles of his shoes whispered against the floor.
Yukio rose to challenge him, arm stretched high, shadow crossing Tetsuo's line of sight.
With calm precision, Tetsuo lifted into a fadeaway. The ball slipped from his fingertips in a clean arc, spinning backward through the air.
A clear swish followed, echoing softly as it passed through the net.
Yukio exhaled through his nose, eyes narrowing as he watched the net sway.
How did he score from there…? This guy… he murmured, the words barely leaving his throat.
From the edge of the gym, a girl leaned forward, her voice bright with excitement.
"Hey, that's Tetsuo, isn't it?"
Another girl beside her nodded quickly, hands clasped together.
"Mm, that's him."
"Nice shot, Kawaguchi! My name's Harumi Kurosawa from class 1H! Let's hang out sometime!"
Harumi waved both arms high, her bracelets jingling faintly as her voice echoed across the gym.
Beside her, another girl cupped her hands around her mouth.
"Nice shot! That was amazing!"
A third girl leaned forward on the railing, her tone bright and cheerful.
"Keep up the good work!"
Noboru bounced lightly on his heels, impatience flickering in his eyes. His gaze snapped toward the stands, lips curling into a scowl.
Who are those girls…? Why're they cheering for Tetsuo and not me? The thought simmered in his chest, irritation tightening his jaw.
"Looks like Tetsuo's got himself some fans."
Takahiro's smirk widened as he rolled his shoulder, the sound of joints faint beneath the gym's echo.
"Yeah. Guess the match we played yesterday spread through the whole school already."
Hayato adjusted his headband, glancing up toward the bleachers with a faint grin.
Hayato bounced the ball once, the sound echoing sharply, before passing it across to Noboru.
Noboru caught it cleanly, eyes narrowing as he measured the space between them.
Just watch. I'll leave those girls speechless.
His grip tightened around the ball; the squeak of his sneakers cut through the air as he drove forward, steps quick and light.
But Hayato moved first. He dipped low, arms steady, and swept the ball free with a clean tap. The sound of leather skidding broke the rhythm of the court.
"Oi, you ruined my moment, Hayato!"
Hayato didn't answer. He spun sharply, the soles of his shoes screeching against the floor, and sent the ball toward Takahiro.
Takahiro caught it mid-step, momentum carrying him forward.
Shino moved to meet him, feet setting firmly, breath catching in his chest.
He's not much taller… but he's stronger, more experienced. How am I supposed to stop him?
His pulse pounded in his ears as he shuffled backward, eyes fixed on Takahiro's hips, waiting for the first feint.
Takahiro lifted the ball, body tilting as if to shoot.
Shino reacted on instinct—feet leaving the floor, arms rising too fast.
A heartbeat later, he realized the feint. Takahiro slipped past, the sound of his steps cutting clean through the gym's echo.
Under the rim, Tetsuo rose to meet him, arms stretched high, but Takahiro released the ball mid-air with a quick flick.
Yukio darted in from the side, catching the lob smoothly before slamming it through the hoop.
The backboard quivered. The ball hit the floor once—thud—and rolled away as the echo spread through the gym.
From the stands, voices rose in unison, shrill and excited.
"Hamaguchi-senpai, you're so cool! Nice slam dunk!"
A girl leaned over the railing, fists clenched in excitement, her voice carrying across the court.
"Keep it up, captain! I'm rooting for you!"
Another cheered, bouncing slightly on her toes, hair swaying with the movement.
Noboru pinched the bridge of his nose, exhaling sharply.
Even Yukio's getting cheered on… this sucks.
His lips pressed into a thin line, frustration tightening his shoulders.
Tetsuo scooped up the ball and sent it to Yukio. He dribbled forward deliberately, each bounce thud against the polished floor. Tetsuo slid into a low defensive stance, eyes sharp and fixed.
Yukio flicked a pass toward Hayato at the arc. Hayato caught it in stride, bent his knees, and launched a clean jump shot.
The net whispered as the ball swished through, echoing softly in the gym.
What do you think of that shot, ladies?
Hayato's lips curved into a small, self-satisfied grin as he glanced up toward the girls in the stands.
"Who's that guy?"
A girl leaned over slightly, curiosity bright in her eyes.
"I don't know. His picture wasn't in the newspaper."
"Yeah… looks that way. Oh well, not important—just ignore him,"
another girl replied dismissively, tossing her hair over her shoulder.
For some reason… I feel offended by that.
Hayato's lips pressed together, eyes narrowing slightly as his expression darkened.
On the next play, Yukio sent the ball to Takahiro. He drove forward, sneakers squeaking sharply, and finished with a smooth layup. Sweat traced down his forehead as he jogged back into position, breathing even and controlled.
A quick pass from Tetsuo reached Yukio again, setting up another possession. Takahiro cut inside once more, receiving the ball and finishing cleanly at the rim, the net whispering as the ball sank through.
We can't win… they're too strong.
Shino panted, shoulders rising and falling as he struggled to keep pace, eyes flicking toward the faster players.
Tetsuo adjusted his footing, knees bent, arms ready.
They're using your inexperience. It's not impossible, but they have the advantage in strategy.
His voice stayed calm, measured, even as his gaze followed the ball.
On the next possession, Hayato passed to Yukio. Tetsuo shifted forward, arms widening, stance low, ready to react.
A one-on-one with Tetsuo so soon? Let's see what you've got, freshmen.
Yukio lowered his stance, shifting his weight forward as he pushed ahead, sneakers squeaking lightly against the court.
Tetsuo stayed tight, moving his feet in small, precise steps. Yukio spun off his shoulder and rose for a layup, but Tetsuo jumped with perfect timing, slapping the ball off course.
Tetsuo can really jump… If I'm not careful, I won't score a thing.
Yukio landed, knees bending to absorb the impact, eyes flicking back toward Tetsuo.
The ball bounced back into play. Tetsuo sent a sharp pass to Noboru. Shino moved quickly, planting his feet firmly and squaring his shoulders to set a solid screen on Yukio, giving Tetsuo space to cut.
Noboru handed the ball back to Tetsuo on the move. He didn't break stride, launching upward and releasing a three-pointer that sank cleanly through the net with a soft swish.
"Amazing, nice shot, Kawaguchi!"
Harumi's voice rang across the gym, arms waving enthusiastically as her eyes sparkled with excitement.
"Yeah, nice shot!"
Another girl's voice carried from behind Harumi, hands clapped together, eyes wide with admiration.
Noboru gained momentum, sneakers squeaking sharply against the polished floor, and drove down the court. He rose for a quick layup, the ball bouncing softly through the net, narrowing the gap.
Later, Tetsuo pushed toward the basket for a layup, but Yukio timed his jump perfectly, slapping the ball away with a clean block. The leather rattled against the rim before bouncing back.
Yukio pivoted, dribbled to the three-point line, then charged forward, slamming the ball down with controlled authority.
Hayato made a sharp cut, sneakers squeaking, and rose for an uncontested layup. The ball slipped cleanly through the net.
Tetsuo didn't pause. He waited, shifting slightly, coaxing Hayato to relax for just a moment. Then his fingers nudged the ball free, catching it immediately. He stepped back behind the arc, soles sliding softly against the polished floor.
He released the shot. The ball arced smoothly and sank perfectly through the net, the faint swish echoing in the gym.
Nanaho stepped through the gym doors with a soft sigh, the floorboards creaking lightly beneath her.
"I'm finally here, guys. Class was surprisingly boring today… I couldn't wait for it to—wait. Who gave you permission to play games?"
Her voice sliced through the gym, sharp and cold, carrying over the bouncing of the basketballs.
The gym fell silent, sneakers squeaking faintly as everyone froze.
"The captain did."
Noboru jabbed a finger toward Yukio, his words quick and tense.
What a snitch…
Hayato and Takahiro exchanged a brief glance, eyes flicking sharply toward each other.
"We just wanted to keep busy with a friendly three-on-three until you were ready."
Yukio's tone stayed calm, shoulders relaxed as he met Nanaho's gaze.
Nanaho brushed a strand of bangs aside, eyes narrowing slightly.
"I see… well, as long as you can complete my training regimens without complaining, I see no problem."
"Why'd you stop? Tetsuo-kun, play a little more!"
Harumi leaned over the railing, eyes shining with excitement.
"Yeah… keep going, Tetsuo-kun!"
Another girl gripped the railing lightly, bouncing slightly on her toes.
"Quiet… and move out of the way! Can't you see we're busy?"
Noboru's voice was sharp, shoulders tensing as he waved toward the girls.
"How rude! How can you talk to me like that, shorty!"
A girl's face flushed, fists clenching at her sides.
"I dare you to come down here and say that to me, freckles and all!"
Noboru's jaw tightened, words firing out with irritation.
"That's mean… how could you say something like that about her?"
Another girl's grip on the railing tightened, voice trembling.
"Just—"
Before he could finish, Nanaho appeared beside him, her fist striking his shoulder with a sharp thunk.
"Ouch! What was that for?!"
Noboru staggered slightly, rubbing his shoulder, eyes wide.
"Just wait until training starts. You'll regret talking to a lady that way."
Nanaho's gaze was dark, unblinking, and cold.
I'm screwed… this girl is going to kill me for sure.
Noboru swallowed hard, shoulders slumping slightly.
"That was quite the warm-up."
Yukio wiped sweat from his neck with a towel, breathing evenly, shoulders loosening.
"Yukio-senpai… I love you! Please go out with me!"
A second-year girl's voice shrilled from the upper stands, hands gripping the railing tightly, eyes sparkling.
Nanaho's eyebrows twitched. She grabbed a basketball and flung it toward the group with a sharp thunk.
"Hey! That hurt! Why'd you do that?!"
The girl yelped, clutching her shoulder, wobbling slightly.
"I'm going to kindly ask you to leave; if you don't, you'll be spending the rest of the day playing dodgeball with this ball."
Nanaho's voice stayed eerily calm, her face unreadable as she stared up at the girls.
Screams echoed as they all scrambled out of the gym, sneakers squeaking against the floor.
"And she punched me just for setting them straight… serves them right."
Noboru chuckled, shoulders shaking slightly as he watched them flee.
Nanaho exhaled softly, blowing out a sigh, then turned back to the group.
"Alright. After our match against Yokonan, I've worked out what each of you needs to focus on."
Nanaho crossed her arms, eyes slicing over the team as she tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear.
"I'll start with Shino. You did well, even though you're still learning the game. You didn't travel or carry the ball, and your passes weren't perfect, but they were fine. Your defense was decent, and you even managed to score some points."
Nanaho's eyes scanned Shino carefully, voice calm and measured.
"From now on, you'll practice free throws, layups, and mid-range shots, along with the usual drills—dribbling and passing."
Shino lowered his gaze slightly, shoulders tensing, and murmured,
"Th-thank you… I'll do my best."
"Next is Noboru. You understand your role on the team well. You run fast and can make layups in transition, but your endurance isn't enough to keep up in a high-paced game, and you weren't able to play when we needed you most."
Nanaho's gaze swept over him, calm and precise.
"So, I've prepared a training plan just for you. With the track coach's approval, you'll spend an hour after school on stamina training with the girls' track team."
"What… no way! I'm not training with the girls!"
Noboru's face flushed, hands clenching slightly at his sides.
"The boys' track team training is more intense. If you prefer that, I can arrange it."
Nanaho's voice was firm, gaze unwavering.
"I'll stick with the girls' training,"
Noboru blurted quickly, shoulders sagging a little in relief.
"Good. After you finish stamina training, you'll work on shooting, free throws, and then return to dribbling and passing drills."
Nanaho's tone remained calm, scanning the team carefully.
"Takahiro, Yukio, and Hayato—you're all performing well, so I see no issues. You'll continue with the previous training,"
Nanaho stated, eyes calm but sharp.
"Good… that's a relief,"
Hayato muttered, shoulders relaxing slightly, a small smile tugging at his lips.
That doesn't mean we'll slack off. We'll keep working hard to refine our skills,
Yukio thought, gripping the ball lightly as he glanced at the others.
"And finally, Tetsuo. You're skilled at everything, and your play style has no issues. However, you tend to shoot more than you drive. Try to vary your moves so you're less predictable."
Nanaho's gaze lingered on him for a moment, calm but precise.
"Understood."
Tetsuo nodded, shoulders relaxed, eyes steady.