Saturday. The sky was clear, a perfect expanse of blue stretching endlessly.
Tokyo, Tōō Academy, at the school gate.
A large school bus slowly pulled up, and one by one, a team of tall, sturdy high school students stepped down, followed by two beautiful girls and a middle-aged coach with a crew cut.
It was Haizaki Shogo's team—the Fukuda Sogo Academy Basketball Team—and their two young, stunning managers: Shimizu Rena and Mayuzumi.
"This is Tōō Academy… wow, truly a rising powerhouse. The campus is huge!"
Haizaki, stepping off the bus, ignored his team's guard, Harano Shinichi, sighing like an awestruck elder, and instead walked toward the elegantly poised Satsuki Momoi waiting at the gate.
"Hey, Satsuki!"
"Good morning, Shogo-kun! Call your teammates and follow me, please!"
Momoi greeted Haizaki enthusiastically, but when she noticed Shimizu Rena walking behind him, Haizaki mentally offered himself a moment of mourning.
Ah… so Satsuki is only excited because she saw her best friend Rena!
Haizaki turned back to his group of goofy teammates and called out:
"Hey! Keep up! If you can't, take the bench!"
Hearing his shout, the team erupted in laughter and quickly followed. Coach Ichiro Kudo, composed as ever, walked behind with the other manager, Mayuzumi, at a steady pace.
Inside the gym, Momoi led Fukuda Sogo's group onto the court for introductions.
The players from both schools were initially formal and reserved, but soon competitive bragging and subtle one-upmanship filled the air. Meanwhile, the coaches in the rest area chatted like old friends.
"I remember you were in your school's middle school division, Ichiro."
"I was transferred here this year, just took over, senior Harasawa."
"Hahaha… after all these years, you still call me that? Just Harasawa is fine."
"Harasawa-senpai is still my admired Harasawa-senpai. Why change it?"
"Hahaha… fine, whatever. So? Is Fukuda Sogo strong this year?"
"Terrifyingly strong."
"Really?"
"Yes, senpai, you'll see soon enough."
"I'm looking forward to it! But I'll say this: Tōō is strong too this time. Don't cry when you lose."
"We won't."
After that, led by Momoi, Haizaki and his group headed to the locker rooms.
Meanwhile, the gym floor was being cleared by several first-year students, and the coaches returned to their respective rest areas, waiting for the players to finish warming up.
Momoi and Shimizu also returned to their team's rest area.
In the spectator seats, two tall, handsome figures had already arrived early, seated with a nearly overlooked small figure beside them—Takao Kazunari.
"Midorima, you dragged me here to watch Aomine's practice match… is this fun?"
"The opponent for Aomine's practice match is Haizaki Shogo. Do you think it'll be boring?"
"What?"
"Excited, aren't you?"
"Hmm… yeah, I guess I am. Thanks!"
"You're welcome. Hope it's helpful."
Soon, both teams had changed into their official uniforms and began warm-ups on the court.
Haizaki walked to the rest area to confer with Coach Ichiro Kudo. Being the strongest player on the team, Haizaki naturally took the role of captain, responsible for relaying strategy to his teammates.
"Shogo-kun, go all out in the first quarter. Let the home court owner see our strength… and our sincerity."
"Understood, Coach."
Warm-ups completed, the starting lineups took their positions.
Fukuda Sogo starters: Small forward Haizaki Shogo, center Suzuran Karasu, power forward Kimura Tosho, center Okawa Sawano, shooting guard Mochizuki Kazuhiro.
Tōō Academy starters: Power forward Aomine Daiki, point guard Imayoshi Shoichi, shooting guard Sakurai Ryo, center Wakamatsu Kousuke, small forward Susa Yoshinori.
At midcourt, both teams bowed respectfully, exchanging greetings.
Tōō's starters noticed the average height of Fukuda Sogo—excluding shooting guard Mochizuki, the other four players were all over 188 cm. For high schoolers, the pressure was real.
"Hehe! I've been waiting for this day for a long time, Shogo!"
"Hmm~haha, me too! I'm really looking forward to it!"
In the stands, the previously overlooked Takao finally spoke up:
"Komasa, you guys of the 'Generation of Miracles' are strong, but what's up with that gray-haired guy? Last time I watched him play, he was full of hot air."
"Haizaki Shogo, former starter from Teiko Junior High. Ryouta hasn't won a single match against him yet."
"What? That's strong?"
"Think so?"
While Midorima and Takao were joking around, Kise Ryouta suddenly called out:
"It's starting!"
The two immediately fell silent, eyes glued to the court.
At tip-off, Wakamatsu Kousuke from Tōō and Suzuran Karasu from Fukuda went up for the ball.
"BEEP!"
The whistle blew. Both hands touched the ball, evenly matched.
However, Suzuran Karasu's strength carried the ball toward Haizaki. Just as Aomine advanced to defend, Haizaki sent a powerful pass to the front half of the court.
A figure caught the pass, leapt into the air like a dragon emerging from the sea.
"BOOM!"
A one-handed slam dunk! The scorer was Fukuda Sogo's cutting expert, Kimura Tosho.
The BOOM of the dunk reverberated through Tōō's gym, shaking everyone inside—including Midorima, Kise, and the slightly surprised Takao.
"That's him!"
Takao exclaimed. Midorima glanced at him, voice low:
"You know that guy?"
"Kimura Tosho. One of the Five Rising Stars. Different position than me, but really strong."
"Rising Star?"
Ryouta frowned—he had never heard of these "Rising Stars."
"Hehe… just a few remaining flowers surviving under the pressure of your 'Generation of Miracles.' Don't take it too seriously."
"Speaking of Rising Stars… shouldn't I be the most suitable one?"
Midorima and Takao exchanged glances: How can you call a monster like that a Rising Star?
On the court, Fukuda Sogo cheered as they returned to half-court defense.
Meanwhile, Tōō's captain Imayoshi squinted at the opposing team, analyzing every player before the first possession.
"Hey, hey, hey! Where did Aomine find such a powerful opponent? This looks terrifying!"
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