The next day—Sunday.
Early in the morning, Haizaki Shogo once again set out toward the park, carrying his basketball and dragging along his dog like usual.
He planned to train his body in a quiet corner of the park. After a series of intense "hmph-hah" training motions, he finally felt satisfied.
He continued exercising until around 10 a.m., then slowly walked back to the villa under the sun, with his dog now completely drained of energy.
The moment they returned home, the dog immediately sprinted toward the kitchen in excitement.
It knew the routine well—if it ran there, Shogo's mother would understand he was home and bring out dog food and water.
After a quick shower in the bathroom, Shogo sat at the dining table, greeted his mother briefly, and immediately began his feast.
Afterward, he changed into a gray hoodie, slung a basketball over his shoulder, put on headphones, and left the house.
On the train to the city center, Shogo leaned against the door, listening to soft music through his earbuds while casually spinning a basketball on his fingertips.
There was a calm, almost lazy rhythm to his movements.
By the time he arrived at the gym, Shimizu Rena was already there.
She was rarely dressed casually—today she wore a gray T-shirt and beige cropped pants, carrying a small shoulder bag. The youthful charm in her appearance stood out immediately.
The matching gray tones made them look almost like a couple.
In Shogo's eyes, she looked like she could make one forget to breathe—Garethful, delicate, and quietly captivating.
Without thinking, he walked over and pulled her into a brief hug.
Then, as if nothing had happened, he stood beside her and chatted while waiting for the rest of the team.
Ten minutes before the match, everyone arrived.
Shogo led the team into the gym and toward the spectator stands. The seats were already filling up—especially the front rows, which were completely taken.
They had no choice but to sit slightly further back in the center section for the best viewing angle available.
Once seated, the team gradually settled in.
Shogo had barely sat down when another group in black uniforms arrived.
He glanced at them and immediately recognized them.
It was the Shutoku High School team led by Midorima Shintaro.
Midorima paused for a moment, then walked straight toward Shogo's group.
The reason was simple—this area still had space, and it offered the best view of the court.
"You said Akashi wouldn't be playing… so why are you here watching anyway, Shintaro?" Shogo asked casually.
"Just because he's not playing doesn't mean we can't come," Midorima replied calmly. "We also want to see the gap between the Uncrowned Kings and the Generation of Miracles."
Shogo immediately understood.
It wasn't just Shutoku wanting to see it.
Everyone wanted to see it.
Even his own teammates behind him had come for the same reason.
At that moment, Shimizu Rena suddenly spoke.
"Shogo-kun… look at the opposite stands."
"Hm?"
Shogo raised his eyes.
Familiar faces came into view.
Across the court, the front row was already packed with teams from different schools.
At the center sat Seirin High led by Aida Riko.
To their left was Kaijo High, led by Yukio Kasamatsu.
Kise Ryouta sat among them—already fully recovered after a week of rest.
To their right was Josei High.
Shogo's gaze slowly swept across the entire venue.
So many people had come for this match.
Even television cameras were set up for broadcasting.
The atmosphere in Seirin's section was especially tense.
Koganei Shinji suddenly groaned:
"My half-month allowance… gone just like that!"
Everyone nearby silently agreed.
The accommodation costs for this trip had been brutal.
Only Hyuga Junpei and a few others could tolerate it without complaint.
Meanwhile, Kagami Taiga—being a foreign student—showed no concern for money at all.
Aida Riko then spoke seriously.
"Taiga, pay attention to the Uncrowned Kings. Every single one of them is a genius."
Then she glanced briefly at Kiyoshi Teppei.
"Uncrowned Kings… how do they compare to the Generation of Miracles?"
There was a pause.
"Far behind," Kiyoshi answered calmly. "The difference is huge."
He adjusted his glasses.
"They're still geniuses in their own right… but compared to the Generation of Miracles, it's not even close."
Kagami clenched his fist slightly.
So there's still that much of a gap…
======
Shogo looked around the arena one more time.
This match had become something far bigger than just a regular game.
Everyone was here—for the same reason.
To measure the distance between talent and monsters.
And soon…
The court would answer that question.
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