Time flies, two months pass in the blink of an eye. In the classroom, Haizaki Shogo was buried in his exam paper, writing furiously. This was the final subject of the semester exam. Thanks to his efforts, he managed to finish everything with half an hour to spare. All of it was thanks to Shimizu Rena's god-tier class notes. With that, exams had become effortless for him.
When the bell finally rang, Haizaki walked out of the classroom and waited at the school gate. Soon after, Shimizu Rena appeared in her sailor uniform, walking side by side with him. "I'm sorry, Shogo-kun. I can't see you off at the airport the day after tomorrow. I'm leaving for Australia with my mother tomorrow night."
"Yeah, it's fine. Have fun. Australia's beaches, diving, lobsters, all worth it."
"Hehe! That's exactly what I think too."
That day, he didn't go to the fencing gym or the martial arts hall. Instead, he simply escorted her home. On the way back, he hugged his puppy, rubbing its little head and squishing its soft belly. Still as warm and squishy as ever.
At home, his mother had already packed a travel bag and placed it on the sofa. "I'm home, Mother."
"Welcome back, Shogo-kun. I've prepared your basic necessities. Pack anything else you need yourself."
"Thanks, Mother. I'll handle the rest."
She nodded gently and returned to the kitchen to prepare dinner. Haizaki went to his room, packed a few clothes, checked his passport and visa, then stepped out. Dinner was already served.
"I'm going to eat now, Mother."
"Go ahead."
The sashimi melted in his mouth, tender and fresh with his mother's special sauce. "Your cooking is amazing, Mother." She smiled softly, watching her son eat with satisfaction.
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Two days later, Tokyo International Airport. Haizaki Shogo said goodbye to his brother and boarded a flight to New York. On the plane, he ignored the attentive flight attendants and closed his eyes. Fourteen hours, might as well sleep through it. The plane ascended into a sky filled with cotton-like clouds.
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New York, Queens, near Citi Field. At a private indoor basketball facility, Haizaki followed Nash inside. Nash was dressed in a black base outfit with brown-green trimmed athletic wear.
"Shogo. From here on, you handle things yourself."
"I got it."
Nash had already arranged everything, hotel, meals, training environment. Everything external was perfect. But Haizaki understood one thing clearly: respect in this place is earned on the court. He liked that. Simple. Direct. Brutal.
They entered the gym. A scrimmage was already underway. Nobody paid attention to them. "Go change and warm up. I'll get you into a test game soon," Nash said.
"Alright."
In the locker room, Haizaki looked at a black jersey with the number 9 and brown-green trim. So it starts from this jersey, huh. He changed and warmed up for ten minutes.
"Shogo, what position do you usually play?"
"Small forward."
"Alright. In three minutes, you'll join me and three substitutes for a match."
"Got it."
Nash looked at the court, then spoke quietly. "This place is a paradise for the strong. The stronger you are, the more you get."
"I know what you mean."
Nash nodded.
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Three minutes later. "Let's go."
"Yeah."
Haizaki stepped onto the court with three towering 190cm+ Black players. Immediately, mocking voices rang out. "Oh? New guy. A yellow monkey?"
"Haha, can Asians even play basketball?"
"I'll take him. Let me break him in."
At the other side, members of Jabberwock were already laughing and talking. The ball tipped off. It went to Nick (No. 6), the team's shooting guard. Nick immediately dribbled toward Haizaki. "You yellow monkey. America isn't your place. Go back to Asia." He drove past and scored easily with a layup. "See that? That's talent. That's the difference. Even in 100 years, you can't reach this level." He walked past Haizaki again, still mocking him.
Haizaki didn't react. Instead, he turned to Nash. "Hey, can I do whatever I want here?"
Nash's eyes flickered for a moment. "As long as you don't kill anyone. Do whatever you want."
Haizaki grinned. "Good."
Nick continued shouting insults. "Are you challenging me?"
"Challenge?" Haizaki finally looked at him. "You're not even worth challenging."
"You!"
"I'll make you feel fear."
Nick sneered and attacked again. Another easy score. "See? Weak."
Haizaki glanced at Nash again. "I want his No. 6 jersey. If I beat him, I get it, right?"
"Yes."
Haizaki smiled, a dangerous, delighted smile. Perfect.
Nick stopped in front of him again. "You think you can beat me?"
"You think you deserve my attention?" Haizaki replied calmly.
Nick's face twisted. "I'll make you regret coming here."
Haizaki tilted his head slightly. "Then I'll make you afraid to play basketball."
The air turned heavy. And the game was about to change.
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