During his year in America, Shidou Ryusei faced countless opponents. Under a scientific training regimen, he maintained maximum physical training every day, and his diet was perfectly tailored to his body. As a result, his physical abilities improved by more than just one level.
More importantly, Uncle William was wealthy—the training expenses for that single year alone exceeded one hundred thousand US dollars.
Because of this, Ryusei planned to have Jack arrange a comprehensive physical assessment and set up a corresponding training plan once he returned to Japan.
Walking to the Kaijo High School teaching building, he leaned against the window of Class 2-A, waiting for Chizuru to finish class.
That was the advantage of being a basketball recruit: no need to worry much about academic grades, just play basketball well and tuition was waived.
Seeing Ryusei leaning by the window with his delinquent-like aura, Chizuru almost pretended not to know him.
However, many girls in her class were staring at him.
Standing at 190 cm tall, with pink-gold hair and wheat-colored skin, Shidou gave off a rebellious yet handsome vibe.
Ryusei pulled a lollipop from his pocket and put it in his mouth. Because of intense training, he had developed the habit of carrying candy for quick energy.
"Eh? Little Shidou?"
Ryusei turned and saw Kise Ryota again. Hearing the nickname instantly annoyed him.
"What do you mean 'Little Shidou'?"
"Ah? Don't you think it sounds nice?"
Kise stepped back slightly, raising his hands defensively.
"You're not allowed to call me that anymore."
"Why?!"
"Because I said so."
Kise hesitated. "Then how about 'Little Pink'...?"
Ryusei seriously felt like opening Kise's head to see what was inside.
"Just call me by my name."
"But that doesn't sound intimate, does it?"
"Are we even that close?"
"Don't be like that—we're teammates now! But… why are you here in the second-year wing?"
"I'm waiting for someone."
Kise's eyes lit up. "What a coincidence, me too! Who are you waiting for? Maybe I know them!"
Before Ryusei could answer, Shidou Chizuru walked out carrying her books. Seeing Kise, she greeted him politely.
"Hello, I'm Shidou Ryusei's older sister, Shidou Chizuru. Are you Ryusei's friend?"
Kise introduced himself enthusiastically. "I'm Little Shidou's teammate and friend, Kise Ryota!"
"Oh, I know you. Please take care of my Ryusei."
Kise nodded rapidly in agreement.
At that moment, a blonde girl approached them.
Kise waved her over.
Ryusei and Chizuru turned at the same time.
Sure enough, she had the same hair color as Kise, and she was very pretty.
"Eh? Sakurana?"
"Chizuru!"
Before Kise could introduce them, the two girls had already recognized each other.
"Oh, I forgot to introduce her. This is my older sister, Kise Sakurana."
Ryusei nodded in greeting.
Sakurana looked at them curiously. "Chizuru and I are seatmates, so you guys are…?"
"It's just a coincidence. Shidou Ryusei and I are teammates in the basketball club."
Sakurana quickly understood.
Soon after, the four of them headed home together.
Unexpectedly, Kise and Shidou turned out to be neighbors.
That night, Kise told Momoi that Ryusei had joined Kaijo.
Upon hearing this, Momoi immediately called Aomine. When Aomine learned that Ryusei had returned and joined Kaijo, he became excited.
After all, back then, the only one who could go one-on-one with him was Shidou. Now he wanted a rematch even more.
Momoi then asked Kise to invite Shidou to meet up.
Wearing slippers, Kise went next door and rang the Shidou residence doorbell.
Chizuru opened the door and invited him in.
"Sister Chizuru, where's Little Shidou?"
"He's practicing at the backyard court."
Hearing that Ryusei was still training so late, Kise felt his defeat earlier made complete sense. At the same time, he resolved to train harder and one day return that dunk.
Kise went to the backyard and saw Ryusei's training clothes already soaked with sweat.
"Little Shidou!"
Without stopping his three-point shooting, Ryusei replied, "You'd better have a good reason."
"Momoi invited us to meet tomorrow. What do you think?"
"Momoi?"
"Momoi Satsuki! And Aomine will be there too."
Hearing Aomine's name, Ryusei immediately became interested.
"Sure."
"Great, then I'm heading back."
Ryusei ignored him, and Kise left, going straight to train with weights himself.
---
Early the next morning, Ryusei and Chizuru arrived at Kise's house. Just as they were about to ring the bell, Kise stepped outside.
"Ah~ Is Little Shidou waiting for me? Good morning, Sister Chizuru!"
"Too much talking. Let's go."
Chizuru waved politely, telling Kise not to mind Ryusei's attitude.
The three boarded the tram, arrived in Tokyo, and met Momoi and Aomine.
Momoi waved enthusiastically. "Over here!"
"Long time no see!" Kise greeted them.
"Long time no see," Momoi replied.
"Long time," Ryusei added, unusually polite.
"Shidou! You're too slow!" Aomine said excitedly.
Ryusei handed his jacket to Chizuru. "Let's start."
"My thoughts exactly."
Aomine tossed his jacket onto Momoi's head.
"Honestly, you two start playing the moment you meet!" Momoi complained.
Kise stood aside, eager to see who was stronger now.
"Go first, Aomine," Ryusei said.
"You're still arrogant."
The match started intensely.
Aomine accelerated instantly, but Ryusei spun and blocked his path.
"You didn't slack off," Aomine smirked.
"We still haven't settled things."
Aomine spun and suddenly launched a fadeaway jumper, leaning almost parallel to the ground.
The shot went in.
Ryusei sighed, took the ball, and immediately countered with a lightning-fast release before Aomine could react.
Swish.
"How's that? A reunion gift."
Aomine stared, surprised at Ryusei's new style—simple, efficient, deadly.
"You've grown."
"Again."
Momoi turned to Chizuru. "He's changed a lot."
Chizuru nodded. "Yes… he really has."
Kise watched in silence, realizing Ryusei hadn't gone all out earlier. His confidence took another hit.
Aomine's laziness vanished as he attacked again, twisting mid-air in impossible ways and scoring.
Ryusei grinned. "Playing you is still the most fun."
On the next possession, Ryusei's rhythm shifted unpredictably. A spin, a between-the-legs dribble, and he broke through, scoring again.
Aomine smiled widely. "With you around, things won't be boring."
They kept playing fiercely, the court echoing with dribbles and heavy breathing.
Kise watched them with envy.
He wanted to join—but he knew the gap between them was still enormous.