Japan.
Tokyo.
Inside a lavish private club, light crystal chandeliers illuminated a grand banquet hall.
Tonight, the hall was filled with Japan's elite—nobles, powerful businessmen, high-ranking officials, and famous figures from various industries.
It was a true gathering of those who stood at the top of society.
Elegant laughter echoed as guests clinked glasses, their conversations casually touching upon Japan's future—politics, economics, and influence traded like bargaining chips.
In a quiet corner of the hall, Akashi Seijuro sat alone.
His gaze calmly swept across the room, observing the crowd with indifference.
He had attended countless banquets like this since childhood.
He was already numb to the atmosphere.
To be honest, he disliked these hollow social gatherings.
Watching his parents being surrounded by flattering smiles and false admiration, Akashi knew the truth clearly—
All of this existed solely because of the Akashi Family's status.
If they were ordinary people, these same guests wouldn't spare them a second glance.
Though he had lived two lives, the influence of this environment had subtly reshaped his heart.
As the young master of the Akashi Family, he enjoyed privileges and resources beyond imagination.
This was the temptation of standing at the top of the pyramid.
A cold glint briefly flashed through Akashi's heterochromatic eyes before vanishing without a trace.
Just then, a gentle female voice interrupted his thoughts.
"Um… may I sit here?"
Akashi turned his head.
A girl had appeared beside him without him noticing.
She wore a custom-made crimson dress that complemented her slender figure. Long black hair cascaded over her shoulders, the ends softly curled. Her eyes—an uncommon light brown—gleamed like amber beneath the lights.
She looked to be about the same age as him.
For a brief moment, even Akashi was stunned.
In twelve years of living in this world, she was without a doubt the most beautiful girl he had ever seen.
Seeing that Akashi hadn't responded, the girl tilted her head slightly, puzzled.
"Um… is it okay if I sit here?"
Akashi snapped back to his senses and nodded politely.
"Sorry. Please, go ahead."
The girl smiled and sat down beside him.
"Hello," she said cheerfully. "My name is Kamishiro Ruri."
"Akashi Seijuro," he replied calmly.
Her gaze immediately lingered on his eyes.
"Your eyes… they're different colors. Is that natural?"
Akashi nodded. "Yes."
"Wow… that's so cute," Ruri said without hesitation.
Then she glanced toward a group of noblewomen chatting nearby.
"And judging by your hair color, that lady over there must be your mother."
Akashi followed her gaze and quickly found her.
That vivid crimson hair was unmistakable.
"You look about my age," Ruri continued. "Are you also starting middle school?"
"Yes," Akashi replied. "When the term begins."
"Which school are you going to?"
"I haven't decided yet."
Ruri's eyes brightened.
"Then… why don't you come to my school?"
Akashi looked at her in surprise. "Your school?"
She hesitated, her cheeks faintly tinged with red.
"I don't really know anyone there. I'm a little nervous, so I thought…"
Akashi smiled faintly in understanding.
"I see. Then which school is it?"
"Seiyo Middle School," Ruri answered. "It's a noble school in Tokyo."
"Seiyo…" Akashi murmured. "I'll think about it."
He neither agreed nor refused.
To him, the choice of middle school didn't matter much.
Wherever he went, he would join the Basketball Club.
Academics were even simpler—his memory and learning speed made studying effortless.
The only thing that truly concerned him… was basketball.
Although he could crush ordinary players easily, true strong opponents still gave him pressure.
He disliked that feeling.
He disliked anything outside his control.
Time passed in the blink of an eye.
The first day of school arrived.
In the end, Akashi chose Seiyo Middle School.
Not because of Kamishiro Ruri.
It was his family's recommendation.
After his own investigation, he found that Seiyo Middle School was the most luxurious middle school in Tokyo, with top-tier teachers and facilities. Even the club infrastructure was impeccable.
As for the basketball club's reputation—
Akashi didn't care.
As long as there was a court, that was enough.
At the front gate of Seiyo Middle School, Akashi paused.
The sheer extravagance of the campus made even him raise an eyebrow.
"As expected of a noble school…" he muttered.
Before he could even step inside, chaos erupted.
Upperclassmen swarmed the entrance, pulling new students in every direction.
"Join our club!"
"Freshman! Over here!"
"Are you interested in—"
Akashi was stunned.
This scene alone nearly shattered his worldview.
Elementary school had never been like this.
Taking a deep breath, he steadied himself and stepped forward.
Every few steps, someone grabbed him.
Baseball Club.
Martial Arts Club.
Detective Club.
Swimming Club.
Art Club.
Modeling Club.
There were even Male Private Club and Female Privacy Club.
It truly covered everything imaginable.
Finally, Akashi broke free and headed straight for the Basketball Gym.
The gym was as luxurious as the rest of the school.
At the entrance stood a long table, beside it a large sign:
"Basketball Club Recruitment Center."
Akashi approached calmly.
"Hello. I'd like to sign up."
The person behind the table looked up, froze for a moment, then suddenly stood up.
"Welcome! Please—please sit!"
A chair was hurriedly pulled out.
Akashi raised an eyebrow.
"…You seem overly enthusiastic."
The man laughed awkwardly.
"You're the first one this year."
"The first?" Akashi was surprised. "No one else?"
"None," the man sighed. "Our basketball level is… embarrassing. If it weren't for a strong guy who joined last year, we would've disbanded already."
"I see," Akashi said softly.
He didn't mind.
With him here, the club would change—inevitably.
"Kirihara, is there a new member?"
A voice suddenly rang out from behind.
Akashi turned.
The moment he saw the figure walking toward them, his pupils contracted slightly.
A familiar presence from his memories aligned perfectly with the person before him.
So it's you…