"The Three Kings, our Fukuda Sogo, Kirisaki Daiichi where Midorima Shintaro plays, now Seirin with Kuroko, and Hanamiya's Kirisaki Daiichi… what's going on here?"
"I think it's great. I hope they let me have some fun," Aomine Daiki replied lazily.
Shogo wanted to continue talking, but Satsuki Momoi reminded them: the game was about to start.
"They're on the court warming up already."
Hearing this, Shogo and Aomine immediately shut up. Aomine's gaze fell on Kuroko and Kagami. Honestly, as the new Light and Shadow, he had high expectations for the duo.
Shogo's eyes first landed on a familiar figure—Tsugawa Tomoki. This guy had left a deep impression on Shogo back in middle school. His defense? Even a Generation of Miracles-level player couldn't easily shake him off.
Then Shogo looked at Kuroko and Kagami. Frowning, he asked Shimizu Rena quietly:
"How's it look?"
"Hmm… like a tiger baring its fangs, but far from your level or Aomine's. Not in the same league," she replied.
Satsuki Momoi and Aomine froze at her words, then their eyes lit up, staring at Rena in admiration.
Shogo noticed their blazing gazes, thought for a moment, and finally said:
"Our Shimizu-chan has a special sensing ability, you know!"
After that, Shogo obediently shut his mouth.
It was both an explanation for his friends and recognition of Rena—Momoi and Aomine shouldn't underestimate this girl.
As for what her special sensing ability could do… well, that's Fukuda Sogo's secret weapon. Unspeakable, unguessable.
Warm-ups finished, the players lined up for the salute and jump ball.
Watching the players, Shogo yawned.
"Shimizu-chan, time for our little game!"
"Really? Then I predict Seirin will win."
Momoi and Aomine glanced at Shogo and Rena, puzzled.
"It's simple—we predict the winner. Whoever loses has to give the other a small gift. Satsuki-chan, you can join too. Aomine? Forget it!"
"Hey! Why am I excluded?"
"You admit you're a girl, then you can join too."
"Tch!"
Momoi froze, then smiled, happily agreeing to play Shogo's little game.
"Then, Shogo-kun, I predict Tetsu-kun's Seirin High will win."
"Fine… then I'll pick the King of the North, Seiho High. Remember—loser gives a gift."
"Got it, Shogo-kun!"
The whistle blew—the game began.
Seirin's starting five: Kuroko Tetsuya, Kagami Taiga, Hyuga Junpei (captain), Shun Izuki, Mitobe Rinnosuke.
Opponents, King of the North Seiho High: Iwamura Tsutomu (captain), Kasuga Ryuhei, Tsugawa Tomoki (one of the Rising Stars), Sakamoto Kenjiro, Omuro Giichi.
Right off the bat, Seirin snatched the ball. Kagami drove in for the attack, only to be blocked by Seiho's #10 Tsugawa Tomoki, one of the Rising Stars.
"May… that little buzz-cut guy looks familiar. Where have I seen him?"
"Aomine, middle school league. The one who stopped Kuroko from scoring more than 20 points," Momoi replied.
"Oh, him… this is going to be interesting. If they can't get past him, can they really be the Light? Shogo, what do you think?"
Hearing the two childhood friends chatter, Shogo paused, then said:
"What Light? Spring light? Or bright and shiny light?"
"Uh…"
The three ignored Shogo's nonsense and focused on the game.
Watching Seirin struggle against Seiho's defense, Rena couldn't help but comment.
"Shogo-kun, Seiho's style feels… familiar."
Shogo knew exactly what she meant. The opponent had trained in classical martial arts, and their small, precise footwork evolved into their basketball movements.
"But since it's Rena asking… I have to answer."
"Fencing—small steps."
Rena blinked, then her eyes lit up—she finally understood Seiho's oddity.
"Fencing… small steps?"
Momoi, nearby, overheard and raised a question herself.
"Rena-chan, the rhythm of the small steps in fencing matches Seiho High's current tempo."
"Oh! You didn't know, Rena-chan, but Seiho is a classical martial arts school!"
Rena's face finally showed an aha! expression.
Meanwhile, on the court, the whistle blew. Kagami committed a charging foul.
Aomine muttered lazily:
"Terrible… are they playing without thinking?"
Shogo heard him and added with a smirk:
"Yep, totally brainless. Single-minded! Aomine, finally, something sensible from you."
The girls sitting in the middle groaned at the playful insult.
Rena, sensing the tension, changed the topic.
"Then… why hasn't the great Kuroko Tetsuya done anything yet to help the team score?"
"Rena-chan, look at Seiho's defense… doesn't it feel familiar?"
"Hm?"
Rena turned to the court. Every Seirin player was being tightly guarded.
"Man-to-man extreme defense?"
"Not exactly… but close. They use classical martial arts movement to execute man-to-man and Zone defense, with players helping each other. The intensity… hehe!"
Aomine lazily chimed in:
"Strong defense, indeed. Without powerful offensive strategies, or someone who can read it fundamentally, Kuroko's screwed."
Shogo added, explaining to Rena:
"So even if Kuroko steals the ball, he doesn't know who to pass to. Basically, he's sealed. Man-to-man defense is the perfect counter to Kuroko's style."
Rena finally understood. Aomine sighed:
"In the end… the Light isn't strong enough. Can't penetrate the wall of defense!"
Shogo inwardly thought: This Aomine… even when insulting someone, he doesn't swear. Too damn sharp.