The court buzzed with nervous energy. Wooden floor polished to a mirror shine. Banners swayed lazily overhead in the humid gym air. Sendai High vs. Rikka Academy not just any game, but a clash between ambition and legacy.
Yuuto stood at the half-court line, rolling his shoulders, eyes locked on the other side. Rikka's warmup was crisp. Calculated. Every player snapped passes and finished layups like clockwork. And standing at their center...
Renji Tsukishima.
[Regional Threat Detected] [Player Analysis: Renji Tsukishima – Rikka Academy Captain / PF – Ranked #12 Nationally]
Stats:
Height: 6'6" Wingspan: 6'10" Vertical: 38" Build: Lean Muscle Explosive
Renji wasn't just another opponent. He was a human blueprint a scout's dream.
Yuuto felt his pulse quicken.
[System Notification] Quest: "Top Dog on the Court" Outplay a Ranked Opponent (1v1 Play Comparison) Reward: Unlock "Zone Trigger" Path
Coach Ijima clapped his hands. "Focus up. They're physical. They'll try to knock us out early. Yuuto control the tempo. This is your game to lead."
Takeda leaned over, muttering with a grin, "No pressure, right?"
Yuuto smirked. "None at all."
Tip-Off
Rikka controlled the jump.
They scored in seven seconds.
Renji caught a lob and flushed it through the rim like gravity bowed to him.
The gym shook.
But Yuuto didn't blink.
First possession: he waved off the screen, isolated up top.
Cross. Stepback. Mid-range pull-up.
Swish.
1–2.
[System Active: Micro-Adaptive Shot Rhythm – Lv. 2] Buff: +8% Shooting Accuracy vs. Longer Defenders
Rikka answered again, but Sendai matched them Yuuto directing traffic, picking his spots.
Flow Vision pulsed in and out, but he saved it.
Then Renji started hunting him.
Possession after possession, he switched to guard Yuuto. His eyes were cold. Analytical.
"He's light," Renji muttered mid-possession. "Not built for this level."
Yuuto grinned. "Then why are you still chasing me?"
Drive. Fake. Behind-the-back pass to Takeda under the rim.
Assist.
Second Quarter – The Clamp Down
Rikka adjusted. They doubled Yuuto hard on every touch.
His teammates hesitated. Turnover. Missed shot. Turnover.
Timeout.
Sendai trailed by 9.
Coach Ijima slammed the clipboard. "Play through him but stop watching him! Kai can't do everything!"
Yuuto's lungs burned. He stared across the court. Renji looked like he hadn't even broken a sweat.
Asuka's voice in his mind: "You got tired of being forgotten."
[System Alert: Override Possible] Activate "Flow Vision Extended"? (Stamina -25%) Duration: 120 seconds
Yes
Flow Vision – Extended Mode
Time stretched. Movements crystallized.
Yuuto read spacing like a composer hears notes.
He attacked. Not with volume but precision.
Pick-and-roll → dime to the corner → 3 points. Steal in transition → eurostep → layup. High screen → snake dribble → foul drawn.
The gap shrank.
Renji glared. For the first time he looked interested.
[Quest Progress: Top Dog on the Court – +32%]
Yuuto checked out with two minutes left in the half. He was gassed.
Coach pulled him aside. "This is what it takes. You still want this?"
Yuuto, breathing hard, nodded. "Every damn second."
Halftime: Rikka 39 – Sendai 36
Locker Room – Halftime Reset
Takeda was pacing. Matsuda massaged his ankle.
Yuuto sat in silence, ice pack on his knee.
[System Perk Unlocked: "Halftime Clarity"] Once per game, review matchup data for insight
Weakness Detected: Renji prefers right-shoulder drives. Hates body contact from smaller guards.
Optional Buff – "Force Contact": Activate? Yes
Buff: +10% Draw Foul Rate, -5% Speed
Yuuto stood slowly. "We take this. Not for pride. For proof."
The room nodded. No claps. No cheers. Just belief.
Third Quarter Collision Course
Rikka pushed hard early.
Yuuto pushed back.
They traded buckets. And elbows.
Midway through the quarter, Renji drove hard and Yuuto slid in, took the charge.
Whistle.
Renji's face twitched.
"Seriously?"
Yuuto stood. "Welcome to my level."
Asuka watched from the baseline, eyes wide, recording everything.
Clip title: "Kai Takes the Charge vs. Top-15 Star"
Final Quarter – 4 Minutes Left
Score: 61–60, Rikka
Yuuto dribbled up. Takeda set a ghost screen. Renji switched.
1-on-1.
Yuuto jabbed, hesitated, stepped into a leaning jumper
Bang.
62–61.
Renji answered with a tip-in.
Back and forth.
Final possession: down 1. 7 seconds left.
Coach: "Kai, your call."
Yuuto nodded.
Inbound.
He sprinted to the left wing. Caught the ball.
Renji closed fast.
Crossover. Spin. He stopped mid-air contactmfloated it high
Buzzer. Ball dropped.
Swish.
Sendai wins: 74–73
Post-Game – Gym Tunnel
Renji approached him.
"You're not ranked."
"Nope."
Renji nodded. "You will be."
He walked off.
Asuka ran up.
"You okay?"
Yuuto leaned on the wall, exhausted.
"I've never felt more alive."
She smiled, brushing hair from her face. "You broke 1,000 followers."
[Quest Complete: "Top Dog on the Court"] Reward: Zone Trigger Path Available
Next Quest: "Enter the Zone – First Unlock" Condition: Full Team Sync + Personal Flow
Yuuto looked out toward the empty court.
This wasn't just about proving he belonged anymore.
This was about taking everything back.
And going further than anyone expected.