[Flashback – A Few Days Ago, Practice]
The squeak of sneakers echoed against the walls as practice ended. Coach Takeda clapped his hands, drawing the attention of the weary team. "Alright, listen up," he said, voice calm but commanding. "I've devised a new offensive plan. This is for dire situations only. Yuuto, you're going on the court as point guard."
Yuuto froze, eyes wide, a mixture of excitement and apprehension washing over him. Finally… finally, a chance to step back onto the court.
Coach continued, pacing in front of the line of players. "Marcus, you'll move to shooting guard. Height advantage. Make the offense lethal in the paint. Shunjin stays where he is. Yuuto, your job is to orchestrate. Not to score… yet."
Yuuto felt a pang of disappointment. Just a passer? I wanted to shine, to dunk, to take over…
