"Match over, both sides bow!"
"Thank you for the game"
"Thank you for the game!"
This feeling… even though I was prepared for it, there's still this unbearable pain in my chest. For the first time in my life… so this is what defeat feels like?
When the whistle sounded, even though Akashi Seijuro had mentally prepared himself beforehand, the moment the result was confirmed, he still felt that unstoppable heat welling up from his eyes.
"Congratulations. This time, the win is yours. But we'll definitely settle this score in the Winter Cup!"
"Ah~~ I'll be waiting for you!"
Akashi Asuka extended his hand and shook Seijuro's. A reporter caught the moment and snapped a picture.
============
Three days later.
Akashi Asuka was floating lazily on his back in the pool, stretching comfortably.
"Yep… summer really is made for swimming."
After winning the national championship, Seiho High spent generously to treat the basketball team to a big celebratory feast. After that, everyone returned home to begin their summer break.
Akashi Asuka also took the chance to properly rest.
Even with the system's help allowing his body to recover quickly, fighting monsters like Aomine Daiki, Murasakibara Atsushi, and Akashi Seijuro back-to-back had placed enormous strain on his mind as well.
"Congratulations on the championship."
A familiar voice came from behind. Akashi Asuka didn't need to turn around to know who it was.
"It's summer break. You're not planning to relax at all? High school summer vacation is precious, you know. If you miss this chance, there won't be another."
"No helping it. With you and the Generation of Miracles blocking Seirin's path, how could we afford to rest?"
"…We?"
Akashi heard the odd phrasing in Aida Riko's tone. Turning slightly, he saw that she wasn't alone, two sweaty high school boys stood behind her.
Hyuga Junpei and Kiyoshi Teppei.
"Oh~ Even this late, you're still training. That's pretty hardworking."
"You're one to talk. You won a national championship, and you still aren't giving yourself even one day of rest?"
Aida Riko narrowed her eyes as she appraised Akashi's body in the water. A string of explosive stat values flashed through her mind, and her expression grew visibly heavier.
As expected… he's improved again since the Interhigh. she thought.
Intense matches are the best, and fastest, way to push a player's evolution.
So before even seeing him, Riko had already expected that after playing against three members of the Generation of Miracles in succession, Akashi Asuka would have evolved significantly.
But even so… she didn't expect his already monstrous physical stats to have grown even further.
Does this monster's body… have no limits?
============
Host: Akashi Asuka
Height: 206.7cm
Weight: 115.6kg
Finishing: Layup 73, Dunk 78, Under-the-Basket Finishing 85
Shooting: Close 78, Mid-range 73, Three-pointer 85
Ball Control: Passing 83, Dribbling 82
Defense: Lateral Quickness 83, Steal 66, Block 88, Rebound 86
Physical: Speed 83, Strength 88, Jump 82, Stamina 85
Reaction: Reflexes 85, Agility 85
Talent Skills:Zone (100%), Animal Instinct: Mammoth, Tai Chi Cloud Hands (30%)
Skills:Fadeaway Jumper 85, Positioning – Unmoving Mountain 87, Ultra-wide Defense
87, Demon King's Domain, etc.
Grind Points: 0
Tai Chi Cloud Hands: A technique that redirects force without direct resistance, applying circular defense and counter-movement.
============
While Riko was evaluating him, Akashi was also checking his newly updated status panel.
Compared to before the Interhigh, his growth was remarkable. Most of these improvements came naturally from intense matches, with only a few high-value points added later with Grind Points.
And these displayed stats were only the surface. What had improved even more was his game sense and combat intuition, things that couldn't be quantified.
"How about it, Akashi-kun? Interested in giving our two 'newcomers' some guidance, as a champion?" Riko asked with a grin.
"Hmmm~~" Akashi stroked his chin thoughtfully.
"Guidance isn't necessary. But since I still have some time, playing a couple of games with you guys isn't a problem."
"Eh? Really?"
Even though she was the one who invited him, Riko was the first to look shocked when he actually agreed.
But it wasn't surprising.
Before, Akashi always refused such invitations, he needed to keep his information concealed.
But now, most of his abilities were already exposed during the Interhigh.
Before the Winter Cup, he needed to develop new trump cards anyway.
So relaxing a little, and playing a few matches with Seirin, wasn't an issue.
"Of course it's real. Give me a moment to change."
With that, Akashi stood up from the pool and headed toward the locker room.
Meanwhile…
Seeing that Akashi actually agreed, Hyuga and Kiyoshi both looked like their souls had just left their bodies.
Hyuga's mouth twitched.
"Hey hey~~ Riko. You're not seriously sending us to deal with that monster, right?"
Riko smiled sweetly.
"Hmm? Why not?"
Hyuga exploded.
"Of course there's a problem! That guy outplayed the Generation of Miracles and won the national championship! How the hell are we supposed to fight him!?"
Riko replied calmly,
"But the match hasn't started yet. How do you know you'll lose?"
Lady, are you kidding me?
Did you already forget how badly we got destroyed by Seiho and Kaijo!?
Hyuga was about to continue complaining but Kiyoshi stopped him.
"Riko… you want us to probe his current level, don't you?"
=============
Completed version available on Patreon.com/Veltoria