"Why?" Liu Yu froze for a moment. "Is it because you don't think I'm good enough?"
"No, no." Tatsuya Himuro explained, "It's because I'm not a starter."
Then, under Liu Yu's stunned gaze, Tatsuya Himuro added,
"I'm a substitute."
"The person who'll actually be matched up against you..."
Tatsuya Himuro trailed off as the image of that invincible figure dominating the court came to mind.
In the end, he gave a helpless smile.
"Never mind. I'd better not say anything."
"I'll see you around."
Tatsuya Himuro turned and left the court with Shogo Haizaki and the others.
Liu Yu was left standing there alone, completely dumbfounded.
What did he just say?
He was a substitute?!
Then who the hell was the starter?!
The host was equally confused.
The new king of the court had just won and walked away?
Then who was supposed to defend the court now?
For a moment, the host and Liu Yu simply stared at each other, neither knowing what to do.
...
Time passed quickly, and before long, the National Tournament bracket was announced.
To everyone's surprise, Kirisaki Daiichi would be playing in the very first game of the tournament!
Their opponent was Jingchuan High School.
It was also worth mentioning that, due to the special circumstances surrounding Kirisaki Daiichi and Teikō High School, the Basketball Association had arranged dedicated training facilities for both teams.
At that moment, inside Teikō High School's training gym, everyone was gathered around Kōzō Shirogane, looking over the tournament schedule.
"Who would've thought?" Ryota Kise said. "Miyamoto and his team are playing the very first game. I wonder if Jingchuan can withstand their offense."
"Not a chance," Daiki Aomine replied without hesitation.
"Since it's the first game, why don't we go watch?" Kotaro Hayama suggested.
Everyone immediately turned toward Kōzō Shirogane, waiting for his decision.
Kōzō Shirogane smiled kindly.
"Let's go. We can all watch together."
The group immediately cheered.
"Yeah!!!"
Kōzō Shirogane watched them with a gentle smile, a wave of emotion rising within him.
It was good to be young.
At the same time, Miyamoto Tokima's image appeared in his mind.
Whenever he thought of Miyamoto Tokima, Kōzō Shirogane couldn't help but smile.
He knew that one of the greatest strokes of fortune in his life had been meeting Miyamoto Tokima.
He was equally honored to have spent a year as Miyamoto Tokima's coach.
And in the twilight of his career, he was grateful to have met this entire group of geniuses as well.
Looking at the happy smiles around him, warmth filled his heart.
Do your best, kids.
The future... belongs to you now.
...
Meanwhile, at Jingchuan High School, a black-haired boy pointed at the schedule in his hands.
"Liu Yu, this is the school that guy you met before attends, right?"
Liu Yu looked at the schedule and nodded.
"Yeah! He said he was a substitute there."
"You've got to be kidding." A boy dribbling a basketball stared at him. "The guy who beat you five to zero is a substitute?"
"I bet he was just hiding how good he really is. He claimed he was a substitute, but he's probably one of their actual starters!"
Liu Yu said nothing.
He thought that was entirely possible too.
After all, Tatsuya Himuro's ability had left a huge impression on him.
He simply couldn't believe that someone that strong would actually be a substitute.
Wang Qing, the captain of Jingchuan High School, nodded as well.
"I think Ah Ming has a point. He's probably a starter. Saying he was a substitute was most likely just his way of messing with you."
Liu Yu scratched his head and laughed awkwardly.
"Maybe. I'm not really sure either."
"We'll find out tomorrow, won't we?"
A middle-aged man walked in as he spoke.
The moment everyone saw him, they called out,
"Coach!"
The coach casually raised a hand.
"Cut the act. Don't think I don't know what you brats call me behind my back."
Everyone laughed awkwardly.
The coach didn't seem to care. He turned toward Liu Yu.
"As for the guy you mentioned, we won't know the truth until we play them tomorrow."
"But just to be safe, get plenty of rest tonight and give it everything you've got tomorrow."
"We know nothing about their strength, so prepare yourselves for a tough game!"
"Remember, our goal this year is the championship!"
Everyone nodded firmly.
"Yes, Coach!"
"Yes, old coach!"
"Yes, old geezer."
...
Silence.
The coach slowly glanced at Ah Ming before pointing at him.
"After tomorrow's game, you're staying behind to run fifty laps."
You called me an old geezer?!
It was bad enough saying it behind my back, but you actually said it to my face?!
You ungrateful brat!
Fifty laps for you!
Ah Ming immediately broke down.
"No! Coach!!!"
The coach ignored him completely and walked away without looking back, as though his mind had been firmly made up.
The others looked at Ah Ming sympathetically before offering their condolences.
"Godspeed, warrior!"
Liu Yu patted Ah Ming on the shoulder and spoke earnestly.
"Tomorrow, I'll..."
"Really?" Ah Ming looked deeply moved. "I never thought you'd actually run all fifty laps with me! Bro, seriously, you really are my brother! Brothers forever, right here in the heart!"
"What are you talking about?" Liu Yu stared at him in surprise. "I'm supervising you tomorrow. If you skip even one lap, I'm telling Coach!"
"And since you brought it up, here's one for you. Brothers forever, right here in the heart. If you ever need me, call me. I won't pick up!"
With that, Liu Yu walked away without a care in the world, leaving Ah Ming frozen in place.
A moment later, Ah Ming's furious roar echoed through the gym.
"LIU YU! FUCK YOU!!!"
...
The next day, the first match of the National Tournament officially began.
Kirisaki Daiichi versus Jingchuan High School.
Spectators gradually filed into the stands, ready to watch the game.
And there was no denying it.
There were a lot of girls in the audience!
On the court, Jingchuan High School had arrived early and was already preparing to warm up.
"They're still not here?" Liu Yu muttered as he looked toward Kirisaki Daiichi's empty side of the court.
"They'll probably be here soon. Let's warm up first," Captain Wang Qing said before turning away and starting his warm-up.
Liu Yu stopped thinking about it and joined the rest of the team.
Jingchuan High School had only been warming up for about two and a half minutes when a sudden commotion erupted from the stands.
"They're here! They're here! Holy crap, why are they so tall?!"
"I know, right?! Wait... holy shit! Girl, look! The guy in front is so handsome!!!"
...