The plane successfully arrived in Los Angeles.
Just after getting off the plane, a blonde man in a suit and glasses was waiting at the arrival gate.
"These must be Chizuru and Ryusei. Welcome to America. Give me your luggage; I've booked a restaurant, so let's eat first."
Yoshizawa Masako introduced them. "Sorry for the wait, Chizuru and Ryusei. This is William."
"Hello, Uncle William," Chizuru said politely.
Shidou Ryusei simply chewed his gum and nodded in acknowledgment.
Seeing this, Chizuru secretly pinched Shidou's back. Shidou was about to lose his temper when he saw her stern expression and immediately corrected himself. "Hello… Un… Uncle William."
"Alright, get in the car."
At the restaurant, William spoke first. "Chizuru and Ryusei's school has been arranged; they can start tomorrow."
"Thank you so much for the trouble, William."
"It's nothing, just a small matter."
After dinner, William drove them to a luxury residential area in Los Angeles. Before them stood a three-story villa, complete with a swimming pool.
After dropping them off, William returned to the company, leaving the three of them some private space.
William and Yoshizawa Masako lived on the second floor, while the third floor held Chizuru and Shidou's rooms.
Feeling bored, Shidou informed Masako and went out to look for a street basketball court.
Before coming, Shidou had learned about American basketball culture and knew it was strong, so he couldn't wait to see it for himself.
After walking for about half an hour without seeing a single court, Shidou began to wonder if what he'd read was a lie. Weren't street courts supposed to be everywhere? Since he didn't know English, asking for directions felt troublesome. Eventually, he used a translation app and, with the help of an older man's directions, finally found a court.
After warming up, Shidou noticed a blonde, blue-eyed guy dominating everyone on the court.
"Anyone else? Is this all you've got?"
Hearing the provocation, Shidou walked over.
"No way, someone actually dares to challenge Nash? This guy must be crazy!"
"I've never seen him before—he must've just moved here. Nash is going to crush him."
"It's over for this guy…"
Shidou ignored the chatter since he couldn't understand it anyway.
Nash looked at Shidou's appearance and asked, "You want to challenge me?"
Shidou spread his hands to show he didn't understand. Nash interpreted it as provocation and tossed him the ball, signaling him to attack first.
As soon as Shidou got the ball, a familiar comfort washed over him, and a smile curled on his lips. "This feels great."
"Be careful!"
Hearing Shidou speak, Nash realized he was Japanese.
Knowing this, Nash looked down on him even more.
In Japanese, he sneered, "Sissy, basketball isn't for you. Don't expect anyone to hand you tissues when you start crying."
Hearing this, Shidou decided to teach him a lesson.
"Just don't get on your knees and admit defeat later."
Shidou suddenly dropped his left shoulder, his sneakers screeching against the asphalt.
Nash smirked and didn't move—the Demon King's Eye had already read the feint.
Sure enough, Shidou braked with his right foot and changed direction, but instead of driving right, his body twisted into an S-shape as he flicked the ball past Nash with his left hand.
By the time Nash turned to chase, Shidou had already leapt for a finger roll. The ball circled the rim three times before falling through.
1–0.
"What? Is talking big all you can do?" Shidou taunted.
Nash's pupils shrank. "Interesting."
He hadn't expected the opponent to be this skilled.
The spectators gasped.
Nash took possession.
His dribbling hit the ground like hammer blows, forcing Shidou back half a step. The Demon King's Eye captured the smallest movement, and Nash faked right before crossing left.
Shidou chased, but Nash pulled up for a jumper, the ball bouncing off the backboard and dropping in.
1–1.
Nash sneered. "With a vertical like that, you couldn't even reach a supermarket shelf."
Shidou ignored him.
Possession switched again.
Shidou changed his rhythm, faking behind his back before spinning and pulling up for a fadeaway. Nash tried to block, but Shidou adjusted mid-air into a floater that slipped past him.
2–1.
"It seems your skills can't keep up with your mouth."
Nash's expression hardened. "You'll regret provoking me."
Using a rapid crossover, Nash shook Shidou and went up for a floater, but Shidou leapt and barely tipped the ball. Nash recovered mid-air and tipped it back in.
2–2.
"Dammit! So close!" Shidou muttered.
Nash smirked. "Looks like luck isn't on your side."
By now, Nash had dropped his contempt. On American courts, strength was everything.
"Last point."
"Here I come," Shidou muttered.
Outside the three-point line, Shidou stared at Nash's defense, excitement surging through him.
He exploded left. Nash reacted quickly, but Shidou's speed cleared half a body length instantly.
Shidou suddenly stopped, throwing Nash's balance off, then accelerated past him. Nash turned to block from behind.
Sensing danger, Shidou abandoned the immediate shot, accelerated again, and leapt near the free-throw line. Nash jumped to contest.
Mid-air, Shidou twisted his body, turning his back to the basket.
A no-look shot.
The ball flew in a clean arc.
Swish.
Shidou landed, arms spread wide.
"You lost."
Nash stood silent for a moment, then smiled faintly. "Interesting. You're an intriguing opponent."
Shidou shrugged and walked away.
Nash called out, "Hey!"
Shidou turned. "What?"
"Want to get to know each other?"
Shidou had been waiting for that. Truthfully, he liked the blonde bastard in front of him. His win had come partly because Nash underestimated him. If Nash had attacked first, the result might have been different.
Nash crushed his soda can. "Name?"
"Shidou Ryusei," he replied, lying down beside him.
"Interested in joining us?"
"Joining you?"
"Yeah. Besides me, there are four others. We're a wandering streetball team that earns money through street duels."
"Wandering?"
At that word, sadness flickered in Nash's eyes.
"Yeah. We're all from the slums—abandoned, or with parents on drugs. Basketball and street matches with prize money are how we survive without breaking the law."
Realizing he'd spoken carelessly, Shidou hesitated. "Um…"
"No need to apologize. Our lives were decided the moment we were born. I'm used to it."
In a nearby corner, a youth wearing a baseball cap lowered his brim, a faint smile flashing in his ice-blue eyes.
"It seems this new guy isn't boring after all…"