Time flowed on like a silent river.
Before anyone noticed, the date had already reached May 19th.
Outside a gymnasium somewhere in Kanagawa, sunlight slanted across the plaza as a low murmur of voices gradually rose.
High above the entrance hung a massive banner.
Kanagawa Prefecture High School Boys' Basketball Preliminary Tournament
Red characters against a white background, solemn and imposing, announcing the beginning of battle.
Because Ryonan had placed in the Top Four last year, even this first preliminary match drew more attention than expected. While many other venues remained half-empty, this gymnasium was already lively.
At a glance, at least seventy or eighty percent of the spectators had come for one reason alone.
Ryonan.
As people lined up to enter, voices rose and fell.
In the distance, a bus slowly approached, the bold words "Ryonan High School" clearly printed along its side.
The moment it came into view, the crowd stirred.
"Look, it's Ryonan's bus!"
"They're here!"
"I came just to see Sendoh—he was amazing last year!"
"I heard they changed captains this year."
"Yeah, supposedly a first-year."
Excited whispers spread like ripples across water.
Yet almost no one noticed—
Off to the side of the main entrance, partially hidden from the noise and light, stood another group.
They wore dark blue warm-up jackets, the words "Kawanobe High School" printed plainly on their chests.
Ryonan's opponent for today.
Cheers for Sendoh, speculation about the new captain, admiration and excitement—all of it washed past them like wind.
They heard everything.
And yet, no one looked their way.
As if they were nothing more than background scenery.
"Hmph."
The tallest boy snorted, hands in his pockets.
His jacket was unzipped, revealing the No. 8 on his jersey.
"What's the big deal? Just a Top Four team."
"Don't be careless."
A calm voice answered him.
The boy wearing No. 6 spoke evenly, eyes steady.
"Ryonan wouldn't have made it that far by luck."
"Heh."
The boy with short, curly hair grinned, sunlight glinting off the No. 7 on his chest.
"Did you hear? Their captain's a first-year. Sounds like a joke."
Before he could finish—
"That's enough."
The voice was low, firm.
The speaker was the shortest among them, the No. 4 on his chest standing out sharply. He looked unremarkable at first glance, but the instant he spoke, everyone fell silent.
Without another word, the Kawanobe players turned and walked into the gymnasium, disappearing into the shadows beyond the door.
Moments later, the doors of Ryonan's bus opened.
Sunlight poured down as players stepped off one by one.
Their movements were unhurried, disciplined—almost ceremonial.
Akashi walked at the front, his red hair glowing faintly under the sun, like embers smoldering beneath ash.
Sendoh followed, hands in his pockets, wearing his usual lazy smile.
Uozumi disembarked last, his towering frame briefly blocking the light as he stepped down, his footsteps heavy and steady.
When they gathered together, an invisible pressure spread outward.
The surrounding chatter gradually died down.
Without anyone saying a word, a path opened through the crowd.
As if an army were passing, and the spectators instinctively made way.
"Just watching them walk makes it hard to breathe…"
"That's Sendoh—he looks even better in person!"
"Uozumi's huge… he's like a wall."
"But who's that red-haired guy at the front?"
"Is that the first-year captain?"
Ryonan's players didn't react.
They passed through the corridor of gazes and whispers, their figures swallowed one by one by the shadows of the gymnasium entrance.
Inside, tension quietly spread across Kanagawa's various venues.
Teams arrived.
Battlegrounds were set.
Time moved forward without mercy.
Ryonan Locker Room
Dim yellow lights illuminated the room.
The air smelled of disinfectant, sweat, and old sneakers.
Aida Hikoichi stood at the front, clutching his worn notebook like a sacred text.
"I've finished investigating Kawanobe's roster."
The room fell silent.
He flipped open the pages.
"Takigawa Mata—point guard, 177 cm, 65 kg."
"Sato Shota—shooting guard, 183 cm, 69 kg."
"Yuta Watanabe—small forward, 185 cm, 71 kg."
"Aoki Kenta—power forward, 181 cm, 68 kg."
"And finally, Yamamoto Itta—center. Over 190 cm. A first-year."
He closed the notebook, exhaling softly.
"That's it?"
Koshino frowned.
"…Yes."
"What kind of scouting is this?!"
Koshino groaned. "That's just basic data!"
Hikoichi shrank back, embarrassed.
"I—I'm sorry… Kawanobe's really far, and time was tight…"
Before the atmosphere could worsen—
"That's enough."
Akashi's voice cut through the room like cold steel.
He leaned against the wall, arms crossed, eyes calm.
"I won't be playing in this game."
The room froze.
"What?!"
Uekusa's voice jumped an octave.
Akashi continued without hesitation.
"Even if we lose."
Silence pressed down heavily.
"If you need me to play just to survive the preliminary round," he said coolly,
"then there's no point talking about the high school league at all."
No one argued.
They couldn't.
Determination slowly appeared in their eyes.
Soon, the call came to enter the arena.
Jackets came off.
Shoelaces tightened.
Eyes sharpened.
The arena lights blazed.
The crowd roared.
First, Kawanobe emerged.
Scattered applause.
Then—
Ryonan.
The reaction was immediate.
"Ryonan—!"
"Sendoh—!"
Cheers surged like a rising tide.
Across the court, Kawanobe's players watched in silence.
Envy burned quietly in their eyes.
If they wanted this stage—
They would have to take it.
On Ryonan's bench, Akashi spoke again.
"Starting lineup."
Everyone straightened.
"Center—Uozumi."
"Small forward—Sendoh."
"Power forward—Ikegami. First half."
"Fukuda. Second half."
"Yes."
"Shooting guard—Koshino."
"Point guard—Uekusa."
He finished, turned, and sat down.
Calm. Unshaken.
As if the game were already decided.
Beep—
The whistle pierced the air.
Ryonan vs. Kawanobe.
The preliminary round had begun.