Evening – Tenkuu Gakuin Highschool, Matsumoto City
The air inside the court was heavy. Every breath from the players could almost be heard. Sneakers squeaked on the polished floor, and the smell of wax and sweat filled the arena. The crowd leaned forward, expecting something to happen.
The tall blonde guy stood near the three-point line, silent for a moment. His eyes, sharp like a hawk's, scanned the entire defense of Tenkuu. Then he sighed, his hand dropping to the ball. A faint smile appeared.
Suddenly, he dribbled. The ball bounced so fast that the echoes overlapped. Each hit on the hardwood sounded like a gunshot. His hands were a blur.
Shi (Thinking): What, his speed... it's faster than mine!
The audience gasped. The speed, the control, it was unreal.
Yoshito stepped up, lowering his stance, eyes locked.
Yoshito: You cannot shoot or pass the ball, I'm here to defend.
The blonde smirked, eyes gleaming.
???: Oh? Then try keeping up.
He slapped the ball, the sound sharp, and the ball slipped through Yoshito's defense like light. In an instant it was already on the other side of the court, right into the hands of No. 23. The crowd turned their heads in shock. No. 23 jumped, calm and confident, releasing the ball.
Swoosh.
Announcer: Home 2, Visitor 2!
For a second, no one spoke. Then the crowd erupted. Cheers, shouts, confusion.
The blonde turned around, brushing his hair from his face.
Leo: I am Leonard Cross, or also known as Leo, Power Forward of my team named Silver Vortex.
Murmurs spread among the benches.
Oli: Hmmm.
Ryota (Thinking): Silver Vortex? So that's their name. He must be their captain, huh. He's strong, I can sense it. That confidence... he is different, a lot different compared the others.
Reiji: Everyone focus! Don't lose focus!
The whistle blew. Reiji grabbed the inbound pass, dribbled calmly up the court, eyes sharp. He motioned with his hand.
Reiji: Play C, move right!
He passed to Jung. The ball smacked his palms; the defender No. 99 rushed to block him. Jung stepped back smoothly, his shoes sliding a little against the court. His eyes never left the rim.
Jung: I never miss.
The ball left his fingertips clean, spinning with perfect rotation.
Swoosh.
Announcer: Home 5, Visitor 2!
The Tenkuu supporters roared, waving towels, their voices echoing.
Yoshito: Nice one, Jung!
Jung: Focus, don't let your guard down.
The opponents regrouped immediately. No. 56 controlled the ball, eyes darting from side to side before passing to Leo. The blonde took it casually and stopped at half court. He bounced the ball lazily, smiling.
Reiji (Thinking): Why's he just standing there?
Then Leo bent his knees slightly. His wrist flicked. The ball launched high, spinning through the air. Everyone held their breath. The arena fell silent.
Leo: I never miss.
Swoosh.
The crowd gasped in disbelief. Even Tenkuu's bench stood.
Announcer: Home 5, Visitor 5.
Jung comfronts Leo after the shot.
Jung (Thinking): Not bad...Leo.
In the audience, Oliver, seated near the scorer's table, smiled faintly.
Oliver (Thinking): My two teams. Let's see whose will shines brighter.
Ryota dribbled the ball slowly, hearing his own heartbeat pounding in his ears.
Ryota (Thinking): Focus, focus, let's do some play, it is my time to shine.
No. 56 guarded him tightly, footsteps matching his rhythm. Ryota switched the ball between his legs, trying to find an opening. He feinted left, then right. The defender's hand reached out, but Ryota spun behind the back, his shoulder pressing to shield. His hand flicked backward. The ball zipped behind him.
Reiji caught it mid-stride. The Center, No. 16, blocked his way like a tower. Reiji's grin widened.
Reiji: Then I'll just go below.
He tossed the ball under the big man's arm, a perfect alley hoop beneath the defense. The ball curved and slipped through the net.
Swoosh.
Announcer: Home 7, Visitor 5.
The stands erupted again, cheerleaders waving pom-poms high.
Cheerleaders: Go Reiji! Go Reiji! Go Reiji Reiji Go!
A shrill whistle followed.
Announcer: Time-out, Silver Vortex! 7:23 remaining in the first quarter!
Both benches moved instantly. Water bottles clattered. The sound of heavy breathing filled the huddle.
Reiji: Not bad, Ryota. That dribble with pass, that was so cool.
Ryota: Yeah, but it was exhausting. That guy defended well.
Shi: That Leo guy, he's strong. I'm sure this is not his best. We need to be ready, alright!
Across the court, the Silver Vortex huddled quietly. Their players simply nodded. They didn't need words. They already understood the message.
Leo smirked.
Leo: Let's raise the storm, Let's unleash the beast!
When the whistle resumed, No. 23 Shooting Guard walked off, replaced by No. 34. Shooting Guard, The crowd murmured at the substitution. The Tenkuu bench watched carefully.
The ball returned to play. Leo received it near the half line. His body tensed. Then, in a blink, he exploded forward. His dribble was smooth yet brutal, the sound of each bounce echoing like thunder. Behind-the-back, crossover, spin, another crossover, and then acceleration. Ryota darted to stay with him but Leo disappeared for a second, moving like wind.
Ryota: What, where—?!
Before he could react, Leo reappeared near the free-throw line. Reiji stepped in to intercept the pass, but Leo faked, keeping the ball and pulling up in one motion. His wrist flicked, effortless.
Swoosh.
Announcer: Home 7, Visitor 7.
Leo chuckled lightly.
Leo: It's time to unleash the beast.
Yoshito dribbled next, planning to reset their play. He swung the ball toward Ryota, but as soon as it left his hand, a blur flashed between them. No. 34, the newly subbed player, intercepted mid-air, his reaction too fast to follow. He slapped the ball hard toward Leo.
Leo snatched it, spinning smoothly. One dribble. Step back. Release.
Swoosh.
Announcer: Home 7, Visitor 10.
The crowd cheered loudly, some banging the railings.
Announcer: Silver Vortex now leads with 6:12 left on the clock!
Ryota wiped sweat from his face, his eyes focused on No. 34.
Ryota (Thinking): He's this good, even as a bench player? So this is the Vortex, huh... they were just toying with us in the first place.
The next play went quick. Silver Vortex pushed the pace, fast break after fast break. No. 56 cut through the middle, passed to Leo again. This time Leo spun twice, drawing both defenders before bouncing the ball behind his back to No. 34. The SG caught it and shot instantly.
Swoosh.
Announcer: Home 7, Visitor 12! Time remaining 5:43!
The gym shook with noise. Tenkuu's fans were quieter now, their cheers turning into worried murmurs.
Ryota (Thinking): We cannot lose this. No matter what, we fight back.
He stared at Leo. The blonde's confident smile only provoked him more. The atmosphere around him felt heavier, the kind of pressure that crushes weaker players. Ryota tightened his grip on the ball.
Shi: Ryota, keep your head up. This is just the first quarter!
Ryota: Yeah... but we can't give them momentum.
Tenkuu adjusted their defense, trying to slow the pace. Jung called out assignments, Reiji guarded the paint, Yoshito switched screens faster. Still, the Silver Vortex moved like a storm, the ball never staying long in one hand.
Leo dribbled again, showing off. He performed a spider dribble, then a spin, then a single-hand crossover that made the ball vanish between his legs. The crowd gasped every time he moved.
Reiji (Thinking): His control is insane. He's reading every gap before it opens.
Leo laughed slightly as he drove.
Leo: You're too slow.
He faked, pulling Reiji in, then passed behind his back to No. 16, who dunked hard. The rim shook, the sound echoing like thunder.
Announcer: Home 7, Visitor 14!
Tenkuu's bench stood up instantly.
Shi: Come on, we have to respond!
Ryota nodded, exhaling sharply. He dribbled hard toward half court.
Ryota (Thinking): No, this isn't over yet. I'll find a way to break that defense. I'll show him the speed of Tenkuu.
The crowd felt the shift in his aura, the rhythm of his dribble growing louder, faster. His teammates sensed it too.
Reiji (Thinking): That's it, Ryota. Don't back down.
The first quarter clock ticked slowly as the tension grew thicker.
The battle of rhythm had begun — the fast, violent tempo of Silver Vortex against the controlled, focused pulse of Tenkuu.
Both teams stood on opposite sides of the court, sweat dripping, eyes locked. The air buzzed with anticipation.
Announcer: First quarter halfway done! Home 7, Visitor 14!
Leo smirked again, spinning the ball on his fingertip.
Leo: Let's see how long you can keep up, Tenkuu.
Ryota (Thinking): Just watch me.
The whistle blew again. The match was only getting started.
To be continued...