The gym lights were harsh overhead, buzzing faintly as Coach Ijima read off the starting lineup.
"Kai. You're starting at point."
Yuuto didn't flinch. But his heart thumped against his ribs like it was trying to break free.
He stood. Grabbed his warm-up jersey off the bench. As he pulled it over his head, he caught Takeda grinning.
"Don't choke," Takeda whispered.
"Don't blink," Yuuto shot back.
The starting five walked out onto the court, the echo of their sneakers bouncing off the polished hardwood like a war drum. It wasn't a full crowd today just a home exhibition game against a neighboring school. But Yuuto felt the pressure all the same.
Eyes on him.
Always now.
[System Buff: "Starter's Spotlight" Activated] +5% Performance Rating Under Spectator Conditions Increased Probability of Scout Attention
Across from them, Saitama West's starters stretched and stared. Yuuto scanned their roster. Their PG was short but fast, with a twitchy left hand that kept palming the ball like he wanted to tear it apart.
"Watch #3," Coach said. "He'll go at you early. Don't let him get comfortable."
Yuuto nodded, jaw tight.
Tip-Off – First Quarter
Saitama West won the jump.
Number 3 didn't hesitate. He blew by Takeda on the wing and launched a floater that kissed the glass.
0–2.
Yuuto grabbed the inbound and pushed the pace. The crowd murmured as he crossed half-court, the ball snapping low and quick against the hardwood.
He called for a high screen.
Takeda rolled, but the defense collapsed. Yuuto kept it.
Hesitation dribble. Burst.
He floated into the lane, extended, and dropped it in off the glass.
2–2.
[Points: 2 | Assists: 0 | Stamina: 97%]
"Good read," Coach muttered from the sideline.
Next possession, Yuuto faked the drive and dished to the corner. Matsuda still annoyed from last week's 1v1 reluctantly drained the three.
5–2.
[Assist: 1 | Chemistry Buff Active]
Yuuto glanced toward the bleachers.
Asuka sat near the front, notebook in hand, pretending not to look excited.
Midway Through Second Quarter
It started with a bad landing.
Yuuto went up for a rebound, came down on someone's foot, and his right knee buckled slightly.
Pain shot up his leg like lightning.
[System Alert: Ligament Stress Detected – Minor Shock Registered]
Mobility: -8% Stamina Efficiency: Reduced
[Recommendation: Substitute / Cooldown]
Coach Ijima called for a timeout. Yuuto staggered over.
"You good?" the coach asked flatly.
"Yeah."
"You sure?"
Yuuto looked him dead in the eye. "Let me finish the half."
Ijima paused.
"Three possessions. Then I'm pulling you."
Possession 1
Yuuto stayed low, guarded #3. His stance was tight, footwork clean despite the pain.
The kid tried a spin move Yuuto anticipated it and poked the ball loose.
Steal.
Breakaway.
He looked to pass, saw no one, and took it himself.
Finger roll.
[Points: 4 | Steals: 1]
Possession 2
They ran a double screen up top. Yuuto slipped around, planted, and fired from mid-range.
Swish.
6 points.
His knee screamed in protest.
Possession 3
Final play of the half.
Yuuto called for an iso.
The crowd murmured.
He danced at the top of the keycrossover, hesitation, side step.
Splash. Three.
[Points: 9 | Assists: 2 | Steals: 1 | Knee Status: Aggravated]
Coach called him off.
The bench welcomed him with a mix of claps and side-eyes.
Matsuda muttered, "Showoff."
Takeda said, "You just saved our asses."
Asuka snapped a photo.
He couldn't tell if it was for the blog… or her.
Halftime – Locker Room
Yuuto sat on the edge of the bench, icing his knee. Coach paced.
"You played well," he said. "But this second half? I need smart plays. Not hero ball."
Yuuto nodded.
Matsuda snorted.
Ijima's eyes snapped to him. "Problem?"
"No, Coach."
"Good. Because if any of you think we're not building around chemistry, think again. Kai's earned his minutes. So play like it."
The silence was absolute.
Third Quarter
Yuuto returned late in the third.
Saitama West had rallied. 46–45.
The gym got louder. The crowd felt closer.
[System Prompt: "Clutch Presence" Activated] Opponent Morale: -5% Home Crowd Morale: +7%
He took over like a conductor.
Assisted a backdoor cut. Drew two defenders and dished to Matsuda for a dunk.
They shared a look. Not friendly. But not hostile anymore.
[Chemistry Update: Matsuda – Neutral]
Final minute of the quarter.
Yuuto glanced at Asuka again.
She smiled.
He smiled back, barely.
And then…
He slipped into rhythm.
Flow Vision Available Cost: 15% Stamina Duration: 45 seconds
Activate
["Flow Vision" Engaged]
Time slowed.
Yuuto's awareness expanded. He saw passing lanes before they opened. Felt the defensive shifts before they moved.
Behind-the-back pass to Takeda. Corner three.
Drive-and-kick to Matsuda. Mid-range J.
One final possession.
He split the defenders, pivoted mid-air, switched hands, and laid it in.
[Points: 13 | Assists: 6 | Flow Vision Deactivated]
Fourth Quarter – Final Minutes
Saitama West made a late push.
Down 65–64 with 40 seconds left.
Coach called timeout.
Play was simple: inbound to Yuuto, stagger screen up top, find the mismatch.
He took it slow.
Screen. Switch. Mismatch: a forward too slow on the hedge.
Yuuto attacked.
Cross.
Spin.
Pull-up.
Swish.
66–65.
They got a stop on the next play.
Free throws sealed it.
Final Score: 68–65
Postgame
Yuuto limped off the court, exhausted.
[Match Rating: A+] [System Update: Skill XP Earned – "Clutch Presence" → Level 2] [Team Bond Progress: 32%]
Coach Ijima clapped him on the shoulder. "Keep playing like that, and you'll go further than any of them."
Takeda threw an arm around him. "We might actually win something this year."
Matsuda approached last.
"You're good," he said. "Just don't forget you're still one of us."
Yuuto held his gaze. "Not planning to."
Behind them, Asuka was waiting with her notebook.
He approached, sweat still dripping from his forehead.
"You're really not just hype," she said.
"Not just a blogger, huh?"
She smiled. "Interview after ramen?"
Yuuto blinked. "Is that a date or a trap?"
She raised an eyebrow. "Can't it be both?"
[Bond Progress: Asuka +4%] [New Passive Perk: "Starter's Rhythm" Unlocked] Boosts Court Awareness and Playmaking When Playing Consecutive Quarters
As they left the gym together, Yuuto felt it.
Not just the weight of expectation.
But the momentum of belief.