Normally, in small matches like these, there were no breaks in between.
After all, it was just an intra-team game and didn't last very long.
However, since Coach Shinkawa had already said they could rest, no one raised any objections.
Sitting on the bench, Ueno lifted a hand to wipe the sweat from his forehead, a hint of excitement flashing in his eyes.
The reason for that excitement was the familiar cold electronic voice echoing in his mind once again.
"Monthly check-in is now open!"
"Would you like to check in?"
Without hesitation, Ueno responded internally.
"Check in!"
Ding!
"Check-in successful!"
"Ding! Congratulations to the host for obtaining the Formless Shot talent!"
"Next check-in time: six months!"
Hearing this, Ueno couldn't help but give a bitter smile.
The next check-in was actually half a year away. Even though he'd been mentally prepared, it still felt unpleasant.
Including this one, Ueno had checked in three times.
The first time was during the match against the Generation of Miracles, when he obtained Enhanced ZONE.
The second time was a month and a half later, when he obtained Animal Instinct.
And this third check-in had given him Formless Shot .
Unconventional Shooting—just as the name implied.
It allowed him to shoot however he pleased, without restriction, as long as it wasn't a foul.
This was also Aomine Daiki's signature ability.
Especially when combined with the ZONE, Formless Shot turned its user into a literal scoring machine.
The only downside was that the intervals between check-ins kept getting longer, which left Ueno feeling slightly frustrated.
Sitting beside him, Kurumatani Sora glanced at Ueno and then at the scoreboard, his face full of smiles.
"Ueno, it looks like we're going to win."
"Yeah, we're definitely winning."
Ueno glanced at the score and nodded with a smile as he looked at the happy Kurumatani Sora.
On the other side—
Kyoichi, who had been on Ueno's team, suddenly looked at Shin with excitement written all over his face.
"I remember! I remember now!"
Seeing his excitement, Shin glanced at him briefly, then closed his eyes and continued resting.
Beside them, Kimura Ri wiped the sweat from his face and asked curiously, "What did you remember?"
"Him. It's him."
"Him? I know it's him. But what about him?"
Kimura Ri looked speechless. Getting excited was one thing, but could he at least explain properly?
"Don't you remember when we went to watch the Generation of Miracles' preliminary match? The guy who scored while all their regular members were on the court—that was him. Ueno Juri."
Having finally said it all in one breath, Kyoichi's face was a mix of shock and excitement.
"No wonder I kept thinking Ueno looked familiar!"
At his words, everyone subconsciously turned to look at Ueno resting nearby—and instantly froze.
They remembered it now.
That match which had left them completely awestruck.
The monster who, through sheer strength, scored against the monsters known as the Generation of Miracles.
Especially that moment—breaking through three defenders in a row and finishing with a dunk that made the blood boil.
It was a scene none of them would ever forget.
After all, the Generation of Miracles was a dynasty team that had dominated middle school basketball.
To score against such a team—just how strong did that make him?
As for why they hadn't recognized him earlier, it was simply because time had passed and the memory had dulled.
Now that Kyoichi had mentioned it, everything came flooding back.
Coach Shinkawa, standing nearby, also smiled as he spoke.
"Yes, Ueno is very formidable."
With that, Coach Shinkawa walked toward Ueno, his smile widening.
Leaving Kyoichi and the others stunned where they sat.
"So that's why he's this strong…"
"Yeah, it makes sense now. He's someone who can score against the Generation of Miracles."
"Then why did he come to join us?"
"I don't know."
"Then… is this score because he's been going easy on us? Is there even a point in continuing?"
As Kyoichi finished speaking, everyone subconsciously glanced at the scoreboard—and then back at Ueno.
Their expressions shifted repeatedly.
"This guy… this guy really is a monster."
Coach Shinkawa was extremely pleased. During the match, he could clearly tell that Ueno had been holding back.
"Ueno, Sora—welcome to Todai."
"Coach Shinkawa, we're honored," Ueno and Sora replied as they stood up.
Looking at Ueno, Coach Shinkawa suddenly smiled again.
"Ueno, how about going all out in the second half?"
Ueno was momentarily stunned, then nodded with a smile.
"Yes, Coach."
Tweet!
The whistle blew.
The second half began.
At this moment, Kimura Ri and the others looked at Ueno with far more seriousness than before.
Especially Kimura Ri, who was defending him—his face showed solemn focus, mixed with helplessness and a bitter smile.
Although he didn't fully understand what was about to happen, since the coach had said to go all out, Ueno decided to reveal some of his trump cards.
Besides, it was a perfect chance to test Formless Shot.
Receiving the pass from Kurumatani Sora, Ueno drove straight in. Just as his left foot stepped inside the three-point line, he suddenly stepped back under Kimura Ri's shocked gaze and jumped to shoot.
Swish!
The crisp sound echoed again.
Three-pointer—good!
Kimura Ri could only smile bitterly. How the hell are we supposed to play this?
Stealing Shin's pass with one hand, Ueno dribbled straight toward the basket. When Kimura Ri stepped up to defend, Ueno blew past him with a body feint.
The moment he cleared him, Ueno pulled up and shot.
Kimura Ri had only just turned around when the ball was already soaring through the air.
Swish.
That final sound nearly shattered Kimura Ri's mental state.
Time passed quickly.
The second half ended in the midst of Ueno's one-man show and the numb shock of Kimura Ri and the others.
Tweet!
"Game over. The Freshman Team wins."
There was no suspense at all.
Ueno hadn't even activated the ZONE or Animal Instinct, yet with Formless Shot alone, he crushed the others 107–39.
In just over ten minutes, he scored more than fifty points.
Panting heavily, Kimura Ri bent over with his hands on his knees, sweat pouring down his face. Looking at Ueno—who was only slightly out of breath—he cursed inwardly once again.
"Monster."
Beside him, Shin and the others stared at Ueno with the same thought.
"Truly a monster."
The match ended, and the sky outside gradually darkened.
After Coach Shinkawa left, Kyoichi and the others greeted Ueno and Kurumatani Sora before heading out as well.
As newcomers, Ueno and Kurumatani Sora stayed behind to clean up.
They only left after mopping the court spotless.
But just outside the school gate, they found Kyoichi and the others still waiting, sitting by a flower bed.
"So slow! Hurry up! The captain said he's treating us to yakiniku!"
"Yeah, it's been ages since I've had yakiniku. I'm finally eating my fill."
Seeing them, Ueno and Kurumatani Sora quickened their pace.
"Sorry to keep you waiting, seniors."
"Let's go!"
"Yes."
On the way, Ueno glanced at Miyara Ichi and the others chatting ahead. He then turned to Kurumatani Sora beside him, thought for a moment, and spoke.
"Sora, are you free tomorrow afternoon?"
Kurumatani Sora looked confused. "What's up, Ueno?"
Thinking about his schedule, he nodded. "I think I only have one class tomorrow afternoon."
"If you're free, come somewhere with me."
"Where?"
"Seirin High School."
"Seirin High School?"
"Yeah."
"Okay!"