Tōō Academy.
High above the court, on the spectator stands of Tōō's basketball gym, Aomine Daiki sat with an indifferent expression as he glanced at the uninvited guest beside him.
"What are you here for?" he asked coldly.
Hearing the blunt question, Kise Ryōta didn't get angry at all. He knew Aomine well enough by now. With an easy smile, he waved his hand dismissively.
"Don't be so cold, Aominecchi. We were teammates once, you know."
As he spoke, Kise turned toward the girl sitting nearby and smiled brightly.
"Hey, Momoi-san. I heard you guys are playing a practice match against Tōdai today?"
Momoi Satsuki looked at Kise, clearly happy to see an old friend. She nodded with a smile.
"Yeah. Tōdai High should be arriving soon."
"Then you don't mind if I watch, right?"
Kise's tone was casual, his expression relaxed.
Aomine didn't answer. He simply stood up and walked away, hands in his pockets.
Momoi, however, leaned forward slightly, curiosity sparkling in her eyes.
"Kise, didn't you play basketball with Tetsu-kun and the others the other day? How is he doing? Is he okay? And—" she hesitated for just a second, "—are there any girls chasing after him?"
Faced with Momoi's rapid-fire questions, Kise let out a helpless laugh.
"Yeah, we played a practice match two days ago. Kurokocchi's doing great. His teammates are seriously strong."
As he spoke, Kise suddenly frowned, looking as if he were struggling to say something.
Seeing that expression, Momoi instantly tensed.
"What is it? Don't tell me Tetsu-kun—"
Kise suddenly burst out laughing.
"With his level of presence?" he said between laughs. "Aside from you, Momoi-san, I don't think any girl would even notice him."
Momoi finally relaxed, then shot Kise an annoyed glare.
"Hmph. Watch the game by yourself, then!"
She turned and walked off.
Watching her leave, Kise chose a prime seat and settled down.
Below, the players of Tōō Academy were warming up on the court. Kise's eyes slowly grew serious, anticipation and tension mixing together.
"So… just how strong are you?" he murmured.
...
On the subway.
Yawning loudly, Kagami Taiga scratched his head as he glanced at the boy beside him. He still couldn't understand why Kuroko had dragged him out early just to watch a practice match.
"Kuroko, whose game are we even going to watch?" Kagami asked, sounding half-asleep.
Kuroko Tetsuya held onto the handrail with one hand while calmly reading a book with the other. He turned his head slightly.
"Tōō Academy versus Tōdai High School."
At those words, the drowsiness vanished from Kagami's face. His expression sharpened instantly.
"Tōdai… you mean Ueno Juri?"
"Yes."
Kuroko nodded quietly and returned his attention to the book.
Kagami stared out the window at the scenery rushing past, his jaw tightening.
After losing to both Kise and Ueno before, Kagami had gone out of his way to study footage and information about the Generation of Miracles—and about Ueno Juri in particular.
He knew which schools they had all gone to.
Aside from Kuroko, who had joined Seirin, every one of them had entered a powerhouse school.
Especially Aomine Daiki—the former ace of the Generation of Miracles.
Aomine was strong. Ridiculously strong.
But right now, the one Kagami wanted to defeat more than anyone else was Ueno Juri.
...
On the road to Tōō Academy.
Inside the white bus, Coach Shinkawa leaned against a seat and looked around at the team, his voice steady and low.
"Although today is only a practice match…"
He paused, letting the words sink in.
"If we want to win the Summer Tournament, then sooner or later, we will have a real match against Tōō Academy."
As he spoke, his gaze lingered briefly on Ueno Juri.
For Tōdai to defeat Tōō, there was only one possible path.
Their ace had to defeat Tōō's ace—Aomine Daiki.
"So today," Coach Shinkawa continued, "I don't want to see anyone make mistakes. Understood?"
"Yes, Coach!"
Seeing the fire in their eyes, Coach Shinkawa nodded in satisfaction.
Then he reached down and pulled out a large box from the front of the bus.
"These are your team uniforms. They were finished late last night, so I didn't have time to give them to you earlier."
The moment the box appeared, Ueno and the others lit up.
"Our uniforms?"
"That's awesome!"
Miyara and the upperclassmen were practically vibrating with excitement. Kyōichi even shot to his feet, staring at the box as if it contained treasure.
The uniforms they'd worn before were self-bought—never official Tōdai basketball jerseys.
This was different.
Even Kurumatani Sora's face flushed red with excitement.
Even Ueno—despite his mature mindset—felt his heartbeat quicken.
A basketball uniform meant something.
The moment you put it on, it marked your true entry into the team.
It meant carrying the team's honor. Carrying your teammates' trust.
As the Little Prince once said:
A ritual is what makes one day different from all others, one moment different from all other moments.
Wearing the same colors, they would climb the summit of basketball together.
Sharing glory—and defeat.
Coach Shinkawa opened the box and took out a black jersey trimmed in red, emblazoned with the words Tōdai.
His gaze landed first on Miyara.
"Miyara. Shooting guard. Number eight."
"Thank you, Coach."
Miyara's nose stung as he stepped forward, accepting the jersey with reddened eyes and bowing deeply.
"Kimura Ri."
"Yes!"
"Center. Number nine."
Kimura Ri accepted the jersey with trembling hands, bowing just as deeply, tears welling in his eyes.
Even the bus driver felt his blood heat up, unconsciously slowing the vehicle.
"Muramasa Mae. Power forward. Number eleven."
"Yes! Thank you, Coach!"
"Kyōichi. Shooting guard. Number six."
"Y-yes! Thank you, Coach."
Kyōichi's voice wavered as he bowed, gripping the jersey tightly.
"Shin. Small forward. Number five."
"Yes. Thank you, Coach."
Even Shin—normally expressionless—felt his eyes redden as he accepted the uniform.
"Ueno Juri. Shooting guard. Number seven."
"Yes. Thank you, Coach."
Ueno looked down at the familiar number.
Seven.
The first jersey number he'd ever worn in this world.
His favorite number.
"Kurumatani Sora. Point guard. Number one."
"Yes… thank you, Coach."
Tears slipped free as Sora bowed deeply, droplets falling onto the black jersey in his hands.
Three years in middle school, he'd practiced alone. Always alone.
Now, he wasn't anymore.
He had found his team.
"And teammates to fight alongside."
"Yagami Osaka. Center. Number ten."
"Thank you, Coach."
Due to his height, Osaka had to bend low as he bowed, holding the jersey carefully.
Looking at the excited, emotional players, Coach Shinkawa felt his own chest burn—but his expression remained serious.
"There is no such thing as a dead end," he said firmly. "Every moment is a challenge. Only those tempered by adversity can stand beneath the stars."
"Fight until the final second. Persist until the very last moment."
"We fight. We strive."
"No one can defeat us—except ourselves."
"And in the end…"
"We will be champions."