In Japan's high school leagues, every team guarded its own data and strategies with extreme secrecy.
Some schools even went as far as conducting closed-door practices to prevent outsiders from observing their tactics.
And when two schools held private scrimmages, there was a silent understanding that both sides would keep the match results and details confidential. After all, no one wanted their trump cards exposed before official tournaments.
Of course it was still high school sports, not the FBI.
So, as long as neither side revealed the other's key information, everything was fine.
For instance, when Akashi Asuka casually told Aida Riko about today's practice match between Seiho and Shutoku, that didn't really count as a serious leak.
After all, plenty of students from other clubs had been watching nearby anyway. That alone meant both sides had already agreed beforehand that the match didn't require strict confidentiality.
These kinds of unspoken rules were long established among top high schools.
As for whether Asuka's "leak" was even true, well, that hardly mattered.
But when it came to real secrets, Asuka naturally wouldn't say a word.
First, revealing Shutoku's strengths to Seirin High would bring zero benefit to Seiho.
Second, Asuka's relationship with Aida Riko wasn't that close, they had just met at the gym by coincidence. Both were high schoolers and members of their respective basketball clubs, so it was normal to chat a bit when they crossed paths.
Beyond that, though, Seiho and Seirin were still rivals.
============
The next day was Saturday.
After finishing his morning stamina training, Akashi Asuka decided not to do any more practice that day. Instead, he went out to enjoy himself.
Ever since his second year in the previous world, Asuka had learned to enjoy life, or more accurately, to let himself become a normal high school student again.
When it came down to it, whether volleyball or basketball, both were just club activities, an important part of high school life, yes, but not the entirety of it.
Even monsters like the Generation of Miracles, or the most hardworking players from powerhouse schools like Seiho and Shutoku, didn't train every single weekend.
Realistically, taking time off to relax was what any high school student should do.
When Asuka first transmigrated, his nerves and the nature of the "Grind System" kept him in a constant state of tension throughout his entire first year.
But after winning his first championship, he finally understood something.
The system had given him a second life, a chance to do things over.
Hard work was necessary, sure… but if he pushed himself so hard that he forgot to live, then no matter how many times he was reborn, it would all be meaningless.
So that morning, he wandered through the mall, bought a few new clothes, and watched a movie by himself.
After a satisfying lunch, he stopped by a library to rest and read for a while, partly to digest, partly to recharge.
Later that afternoon, Asuka settled into a quiet café, pulled out his laptop, and began writing his novel.
Yes, he still wrote in this life.
Only now, it wasn't for money it was purely for passion.
He carried his notebook everywhere. With his size, whether it was a paper notebook or a laptop made little difference in weight.
Whenever inspiration struck, he'd simply find a quiet corner and write for a while.
"Ring ring ring~~~"
By the time the clock struck three, his creative spark began to fade. Just as he was about to wrap up, his phone suddenly buzzed in his pocket.
Flipping it open, he pressed the answer button. "Moshi moshi~"
"Moshi moshi~ Akashi-kun? It's Iwamura. You live near the XX Sports Complex, right?"
"That's right!"
"Perfect. Here's the thing, today's the lottery draw for the National Tournament preliminaries. The coach originally asked me to go, but something came up. Could you go draw lots for Seiho in my place?"
"No problem, Iwamura-senpai."
"Thanks, I owe you one."
============
The unexpected call slightly disrupted Asuka's relaxing plans,
but he didn't hesitate to accept. He was actually quite curious about how the tournament brackets would turn out.
After hanging up, Asuka packed his things and headed toward the XX Sports Complex.
About ten minutes later, he arrived at the entrance.
By then, several people had already gathered outside. Among them, Asuka spotted two familiar faces,
Otsubo Taisuke and Aida Riko.
"Fancy seeing you here, Otsubo-senpai, Aida-san," Asuka greeted with a friendly smile.
"Oh! Asuka!"
"Huh? Akashi-kun?"
The two turned around in surprise. "You're here for the draw too?"
"Yeah, Iwamura-senpai couldn't make it, so I'm filling in for him."
Otsubo and Riko had already drawn their lots by the time Asuka arrived.
Before long, it was his turn.
Asuka slipped his hand into the lottery box, but instead of immediately pulling out a slip, he deliberately swirled his hand around, mixing the remaining papers until he was satisfied.
Only then did he pick one.
He handed the slip to the staff member with a faint grin tugging at his lips.
"Well then," he murmured softly, "let's see just how big a storm this little butterfly can stir up."
============
Tuesday.
The bracket for the Tokyo Regional Qualifiers of the Interhigh was officially announced.
And when Akashi Asuka saw the matchups, so drastically different from the original timeline, he couldn't help but smile knowingly.
At the same time,
Inside Seirin High's basketball club, Aida Riko gathered everyone with a serious expression.
"Everyone, gather up! The tournament bracket's out!"
"What!? Already!?"
"Didn't we just finish the draw a few days ago!?"
"Come on, show us! What block are we in? Who are our opponents!?"
The team crowded around eagerly, but the moment they saw the sheet, their faces all froze.
At the very top of their bracket, in bold, unmistakable letters, were two characters:
Shutoku.
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