Opening Scene — Tokyo International Gym, Late Evening
> The sound of a basketball echoing in an empty gym. One ball. One player.
Knight trains alone. Sweat pours down his face. He drives hard, again and again. Layup. Miss. Rebound. Slam. Miss. He yells in frustration, kicks the ball across the gym.
Knight (internal monologue):
"Why am I still behind… even when I push harder?"
He collapses to his knees, fists clenched.
Flashback: Locker Room, After Kyosho Game
Riku's voice echoes in his head:
> "You're strong, but not the threat."
Maxwell had carried the final play. Again.
Knight (whispers):
"Always him."
---
Morning — Maxwell's Dorm Room
Maxwell sits at his desk, sketching the layout of Kyosho's defense from memory.
Hunter barges in, holding his phone.
Hunter:
"Yo, Max! We're blowing up. That highlight clip from the game? 80k views!"
Maxwell (calmly):
"We haven't won anything yet."
Hunter (grinning):
"Bro, people are calling you 'Ghost Court' online."
Maxwell:
"…Sounds dramatic."
---
Scene — Classroom 2-A, Later That Morning
Knight walks in late, dark circles under his eyes.
Maxwell looks up.
Maxwell:
"You didn't sleep."
Knight (sits down, annoyed):
"Couldn't. Not everyone sleeps like a monk."
Maxwell:
"You're trying too hard."
Knight (sharp):
"Maybe I have to."
The tension is subtle—but real.
---
Meanwhile — Girls Dorm, Rooftop
Airi and Rena sit with snacks, talking.
Airi:
"You ever wonder what Maxwell's deal is?"
Rena (dreamily):
"He's like a riddle wrapped in mystery and dipped in cold."
Airi:
"I think he likes Knight."
Rena (chokes on her snack):
"W-WHAT?!"
Airi (laughing):
"Not like that, dummy. Like… he respects him. But also keeps his distance."
Rena:
"Mm. Classic main character complex."
---
Practice — Afternoon Scrimmage
Coach is running drills. Knight tries to dominate the session. He calls for the ball every time. Drives. Misses. Again.
Coach Rintaro (snaps):
"You're not the whole damn team, Knight!"
Knight (barking back):
"No one else is stepping up!"
Maxwell passes him silently in transition, lands a perfect alley-oop to Hunter.
Coach (calmly):
"Funny. Looks like someone else just did."
Knight throws his jersey down and storms out of the gym.
---
Evening — A Quiet Walk
Knight walks through Tokyo alone. His phone buzzes. He checks it.
> [Message from Sister: "Good luck, big bro. Still my favorite player 💙"]
He softens. Sits at a vending machine. Maxwell appears quietly beside him.
Maxwell:
"I used to think being the best meant doing it alone."
Knight (glances sideways):
"What changed?"
Maxwell:
"…You. And Hunter."
Knight:
"I'm tired of being second."
Maxwell (looks him in the eye):
"Then stop chasing me. Run beside me."
Knight looks stunned. He chuckles bitterly.
Knight:
"You know that sounds like a love confession, right?"
Maxwell (deadpan):
"You're not my type."
They both laugh. The tension breaks.
---
Montage — Training & Healing
Knight passes more during scrimmage. Starts trusting again.
Maxwell starts watching game tapes with the team.
Airi watches Knight from the bleachers… quietly smiling.
Coach Rintaro gives a rare nod during drills.
Riku appears in a TV interview:
> "Tokyo International impressed me. But next round… it's my house."
---
Closing Scene — Rainy Tokyo Night
Maxwell stands under a streetlight alone, rain falling.
He reads an old text again:
> "You're not the one. Stop pretending."
He grips his phone tightly. Eyes glimmer faintly.
Narrator (soft):
> "Even the calmest fire burns somewhere… and every storm begins with a single spark."
---
Episode 4 Ends.
Next Episode: "Airi's Confession"