A New School Year – Entrance Season
Kaijo High wasn't just a powerhouse in basketball—it also ranked among the top schools in Japan for academic advancement.
"Wow, so many people!"
Yuki Hashimoto stood in front of Kaijo's front gate, staring at the dense crowd of new students. He couldn't help letting out a gasp, his stomach tightening with nervous tension.
Crowds were not his thing.
"What do I do…? Should I just blend in with the mob? What if someone stops me? Why is that security guard staring at me like that? Do I look suspicious?!"
Thanks to his tall build and clean-cut face, Yuki had already drawn plenty of attention—even before stepping foot inside.
For someone with social anxiety, this kind of attention was basically a doomsday scenario.
As Yuki debated whether to leave and come back in the afternoon, a figure appeared and patted his shoulder.
"Yo, you made it."
Yuki's eyes rolled back in shock, and he started tipping straight backward like a felled tree.
"Whoa?! Hey, don't fake an injury on me, man! I'm not paying compensation! I'll call the cops!"
Now it was Kota's turn to panic, quickly grabbing Yuki to steady him. He'd only spotted his "little bro" on the way to school and thought he'd say hello—not send him into cardiac arrest.
Thankfully Yuki didn't actually faint, but there were already plenty of curious onlookers whispering about them.
Recognizing Kota's face, Yuki straightened up and bowed deeply at a perfect 90 degrees.
"Sorry, Kota-senpai! I caused trouble for you!"
"Uh… no need to be that polite. Also, tone down the honorifics — you're making me feel like an emperor."
Wiping imaginary sweat from his forehead, Kota glanced around, then jerked his head toward the gate.
"Come on, I'll take you inside. Which class?"
"First-year, Class E."
Kota nodded and led Yuki into the campus. Even though Kota had only transferred into this world last year, a year was more than enough to get familiar with every nook and cranny of the school.
They passed plenty of students who greeted Kota along the way. As a Kaijo starting player who'd helped win both the Interhigh and the Winter Cup, he was something of a school celebrity — though still a step behind a certain blond teammate.
With Kota paving the way, Yuki's nerves loosened a bit.
He took in the surroundings, watching Kota casually greet everyone they passed, feeling a pang of envy.
"Alright, here we are. Go in and grab a seat."
After weaving through the hallways, Kota finally stopped in front of Yuki's classroom. But Yuki froze in the doorway, too hesitant to step in.
This kid's way too introverted… can't have that.
Before Yuki could react, Kota shoved him into the room.
"Remember to come by the basketball club after class!"
With that, Kota strolled off, hands behind his head, humming a tune.
Yuki stared at his retreating figure, then slowly turned—only to find the entire class staring at him.
Oh no. Big crisis.
He stiffened and bowed again, earning even more puzzled looks from his new classmates.
Before he could figure out what to do next, a teacher walked in and froze at the sight of him bent at 90 degrees in front of the podium.
"Uh… what exactly are you doing?"
Yuki's brain stalled for a second before he realized she was talking to him. He popped upright, turned toward her, and bowed again.
"Sorry!"
The teacher sweatdropped. "Right… maybe just find yourself a seat."
She pointed him toward the back row by the window — probably to match his height.
Moving like a robot, Yuki sat down, and only when the stares faded did he finally relax.
Our little prodigy's first day was… less than smooth.
Ding ding ding!
The end-of-class bell rang.
Since it was only orientation day, the "lesson" had just been everyone introducing themselves—an ordeal that for Yuki was as nerve-wracking as a close basketball game.
Only after the classroom emptied did Yuki slowly get up and peek out into the hallway. With only a few stragglers around, he breathed easier and stepped out.
Oh right—basketball club.
Nodding to himself, he walked through the now-quiet corridor, finally feeling at ease.
Wait… where is the basketball club again?
"Hi, I'm Hiroshi Miyagi, point guard. Nice to meet you!"
"I'm Tsutsui Haru, small forward. Pleasure to meet you!"
"…Ōhara Takumi, center. Good to meet you."
With the last freshman introducing himself, Takeuchi nodded.
"Alright, let's start with a scrimmage. First-years, split into teams and play two quarters."
Hearing this familiar line, Kise — watching from the side — grinned nostalgically.
"Man, brings back memories. We did the same thing last year, right, Kota?"
But Kota wasn't listening. He was scanning the room for someone. Yuki still hadn't shown up.
"What the heck? Did he ditch me? No… knowing him, he probably can't find the clubroom and is too embarrassed to ask."
Before Kota could dwell on it, Kise waved a hand in front of his face.
"Yo, Kota, waiting for someone?"
Kota paused, then said,
"Yeah. You remember that middle schooler we trained with during the national youth team practice?"
Kise frowned, thought for a moment, then snapped his fingers.
"Oh! That kid? You actually got him to come here?"
"Of course. With that much potential, letting him go to any other school would be a waste."
Takeuchi strolled over and waved at them. "Scrimmage is starting soon. Go warm up."
Kota blinked. "Both of us? Won't that be a little cruel to the first-years?"
Takeuchi rolled his eyes. "You're not supposed to go all-out—just don't let the rookies win. We don't want them thinking they run the place."
With Kaijo winning back-to-back Interhigh and Winter championships, the new recruits this year were strong. Still, to Kota and Kise, they were nothing to worry about.
Kise gave a thumbs-up.
"Relax! I'll be a model senpai—just like Kasamatsu-senpai. Minus the scary glares."
Kota just picked his ear. He was more concerned about when his "lost little bro" would show up.
"The first-year team versus the second- and third-years—scrimmage starting!"
The whistle blew.
Scanning the court one last time, Kota still didn't see Yuki. He sighed — well, better get this over with. Senpai dignity was at stake!
Even in a friendly match, Hayakawa was fired up, slapping his cheeks at center court. The first-year center looked genuinely alarmed.
"Cool it, Hayakawa-senpai — you'll scare our adorable kouhai" Kise teased from the wing, a small crowd of fangirls already cheering for him from the stands.
With Kasamatsu and Kobori graduated, Kaijo had filled the starting lineup gaps with solid third-years. Even without their full championship roster, the team still radiated an intimidating presence.
"Whoa, you can tell just by looking—they're strong! No wonder they're back-to-back champs!" one rookie muttered, earning nods all around.
The ref called out, "Jump ball!" and tossed it up.
Hayakawa roared, outleaping the rookie center to tip it back.
Kota caught the ball in the backcourt, loosened his neck, and casually dribbled past half-court.
Against this "rookie squad" neither he nor Kise could be bothered to run real plays.
A quick bounce pass to Hayakawa inside, a hip-check to clear space, and—hook shot, nothing but net.
Two points, Kaijo.
"Yosh!" Hayakawa pumped a fist, high-fiving Kota on the way back.
One assist down, Kota thought lazily. Let's get ten before that kid finally shows up.
Against anyone not miracle-tier, he could play around all day.
Meanwhile, after wandering through what felt like all of Kaijo High…
"Uh, excuse me," a girl said shyly to Yuki, "can I get your contact info?"