The next day.
Kanagawa Prefecture Gymnasium.
By morning, the square outside the venue was already overflowing with people.
Spectators came and went in waves, all heading toward the same destination — today's Final Four.
It was the start of the semifinal round — the 4-to-2 stage of the tournament.
Four teams remained: Kainan, Shoyo, Shohoku, and Ryonan.
Each would battle for a spot in the finals in a round-robin format, where every victory — and every defeat — could decide their fate.
The attention on today's matches was nothing short of unprecedented.
Morning Match: Kainan vs. Shoyo
Afternoon Match: Ryonan vs. Shohoku
Two games.
Both filled with storylines that had the entire prefecture buzzing.
The first match featured the reigning "King" Kainan, a team that had long dominated Kanagawa, going head-to-head with the second-ranked powerhouse, Shoyo.
A clash of titans — a true test of the King's throne, and a chance for Shoyo to challenge their long-standing rule.
The second match would bring together the year's two biggest sensations: Ryonan, a rising powerhouse with unstoppable momentum, and Shohoku, the season's ultimate dark horse.
One team carried the ambition to conquer.
The other, the potential to shock the world.
It was no wonder today's games drew not only fans and reporters but also coaches and players from every corner of Kanagawa.
Inside the gym, the stands were already packed. The air buzzed with excitement, filled with laughter, cheers, and camera flashes.
Reporters hurriedly set up their equipment, lenses fixed on the players' tunnel, terrified of missing a single moment.
Coaches led their teams into the venue in neat lines, faces stern, eyes sharp. The atmosphere was heavy — everybody knew what was at stake.
Then —
From the tunnel entrance, Ake Ryu appeared, followed by his Ryonan teammates.
In an instant, the noise in the gym shifted.
Spectators froze, turning their heads. All eyes locked on the red-haired captain leading the way.
"Look, it's Ryonan!"
"That red-haired guy — that's Ake Ryu, their captain!"
"He's even more handsome in person."
"Is that really the guy from the reports? The two-time national champion?"
"And behind him — that's Sendo and Uozumi!"
The chatter rippled through the crowd — a mix of admiration, curiosity, and excitement.
Ake, however, remained perfectly calm.
His eyes swept past the murmuring crowd, landing on the court ahead as though the noise around him didn't exist.
His teammates heard the whispers and couldn't help but smile faintly — pride quietly blooming in their chests — though they kept their expressions composed.
Amidst the cheers, flashes, and stares, Ake stepped forward first, leading Ryonan through the aisle toward their seats in the designated rest area.
On the other side of the stands, Shohoku's players had just arrived.
Their gazes met Ryonan's across the court.
Kogure Kiminobu adjusted his glasses, his tone serious.
"Ryonan's here, huh."
Ayako crossed her arms, answering as if it were obvious.
"Of course. When the top two schools in the prefecture are both playing today, there's no way they'd miss it."
Mitsui Hisashi's eyes were fixed on Ake.
The red-haired captain sat quietly, chin resting on one hand, watching the court with a calm, almost lazy expression — like none of this mattered.
Miyagi Ryota clicked his tongue.
"Just looking at him annoys me."
Sakuragi Hanamichi clenched his fists, his blood boiling.
"Ake… Sendoh…"
Memories of their practice match with Ryonan flashed through his mind — Sendo's effortless feints, Uozumi's overwhelming power, Ake's perfectly-timed block that stopped his dunk cold.
He could still remember that helpless frustration — and the calm, composed faces of Ryonan's players afterward.
That memory had been lodged deep in his chest ever since.
Rukawa Kaede, as usual, said nothing.
His sharp gaze cut through the crowd and locked on Ake.
The red hair stood out under the lights; his posture was relaxed, his profile clear and unbothered.
Rukawa watched him for a few seconds — then turned away.
There was no point in staring now. The time for talking would come later — on the court.
The Match Begins
Bang. Bang.
Two heavy iron doors swung open, their dull echo spreading through the gym like war drums.
The noisy chatter instantly dropped to a murmur.
Every head turned toward the player tunnels.
Then —
From one side, Kainan High emerged in crisp white uniforms.
From the other, Shoyo High stepped out in deep green.
The crowd erupted.
"Shoyo! Shoyo! Shoyo!"
Green flags waved across one side of the stands, thunderous cheers shaking the air.
"Kainan! Kainan! Kainan!"
On the opposite side, white banners rose high, some emblazoned with "Kainan Must Win!"
The two waves of sound crashed against each other, rumbling through the entire dome like a storm.
Aida Hikoichi's eyes went wide.
"Whoa! Look at all those cheerleaders!"
Koshino Hiroaki chuckled, arms crossed.
"You get used to it. Kainan and Shoyo are old rivals. Every time they face off in the prefectural tournament, their cheering squads go all out."
Ikegami Ryoji's eyes focused on the court.
"They've played each other every year, but Kainan always comes out on top."
Uekusa Tomoyuki nodded.
"It usually comes down to one thing — Maki Shinichi versus Fujima Kenji."
Koshino sighed softly.
"Yeah. Fujima's been under Maki's shadow for two years now. This is his last year — his final chance to break free."
In the front row, Coach Taoka Moichi sat straight-backed, arms folded across his chest.
His sharp gaze shifted between Maki and Fujima, his brow slightly furrowed.
"The outcome will come down to those two," he thought. "If Shoyo wants to break the 'eternal runner-up' curse and dethrone the King, Fujima has to surpass himself today."
Beside him, Sendo leaned toward Ake, a lazy grin on his face.
"So, who do you think's gonna win?"
Ake didn't hesitate. His eyes stayed on the court as he answered in a calm, decisive voice.
"Fujima can't beat Maki."
His gaze moved like a radar, tracking both captains' movements.
From observation alone, Ake could tell: Maki's physical abilities were superior in every way — stronger, faster, with unmatched stamina.
And in basketball, physical ability often determined just how far a player could grow.
By that standard, Maki's ceiling was clearly higher than Fujima's.
But then Ake added, quietly:
"However… Shoyo still has a chance."
Sendoh's eyes lit up.
"Really? Didn't think you'd bet on the underdog. If Shoyo actually beats Kainan, that'd shock everyone."
Ake shook his head slightly, still watching the players warming up.
"It's not that I'm betting on them. Shoyo's chances are slim — but not zero. It depends on how long Fujima can hold out against Maki."
In his view, the rest of the teams were evenly matched — it was that duel alone that would decide everything.
As the two teams finished their warmups, the gym reached a fever pitch.
"Kainan! Kainan! Kainan!"
"Shoyo! Shoyo! Shoyo!"
The referee raised his whistle to his lips.
Beep—!
The sharp sound sliced through the roaring crowd like a blade.
The ball soared into the air, spinning under the bright lights — the brief glint on its surface marking the start of battle.
The showdown between Kainan University Affiliated High School and Shoyo High School.
The "Battle for Kanagawa's Throne" had officially begun.