The sharp squeak of sneakers against the polished wooden court echoed through Hachioji Academy's gymnasium.
The overhead fluorescent lights glared down, bouncing off the glossy floor and highlighting the girls as they sprinted back and forth.
A faint tang of sweat clung to the air, mingling with the smell of freshly waxed floors and the faint musk of old basketballs.
Haruko wiped her damp palms on her shorts, the slick floor beneath her shoes making each pivot and stop feel precise and tense.
"Nice work, girls! Keep it up—one more minute to go," Coach Maeda called, her voice firm but carrying a note of encouragement.
She gripped the stopwatch tightly, her knuckles whitening with each squeeze.
The rhythmic thump of basketballs being dribbled echoed around the gym, mixing with the sharp squeaks of sneakers and the girls' ragged breaths, a constant heartbeat under their grueling aerobic drill.
After the timer beeped sharply, Coach Maeda finally nodded.
"Alright, break! Take five, girls."
Her whistle rested against her lips as she scanned the court, watching the girls slump against the walls and bend over, hands on knees, gasping for air.
The sound of heavy breathing mixed with the faint squeak of sneakers sliding to a stop, and a cool draft from the open windows brushed against their flushed skin.
"Yes, Coach Maeda," the girls chorused, their voices ragged and tight.
They shifted on their feet, dragging in deep breaths, shoulders rising and falling rapidly.
A few wiped sweat from their foreheads or rubbed the backs of their necks.
Suzume wiped sweat from her brow with the hem of her jersey, her shoulders sagging slightly as she turned to Kotone.
"She made us run for half an hour straight. Coach is really pushing us today, huh?"
Kotone stretched her long limbs, feeling the tight pull in her muscles, and took slow, measured sips from her water bottle.
She shook her head, letting out a soft exhale.
"Haven't you heard yet, Suzume?"
Suzume blinked, her chest still rising and falling rapidly from the run.
"Heard what?"
"We have a practice match coming up," Kotone said, shifting her weight from one foot to the other as she tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear.
"Coach is preparing us for it. I heard it's against the team that placed fourth last year. They're pretty tough. Considering we only made it to the second round last season… it's going to be a real challenge."
Suzume took a long drink from her water bottle, then wiped the corner of her mouth with the back of her hand.
"Well, we better work hard, then."
Kotone nodded, her jaw tightening slightly as she clenched the bottle in her hand.
"Yeah, no way we're repeating last year."
Haruko sat quietly against the cool gym wall, letting the ache in her legs settle as she tilted her head back to stare at the stark white ceiling tiles.
The dull hum of the ventilation system mixed with distant shouts and sneakers thudding against the court filled the background.
Her fingers absently traced faint scuffs on the floor.
Am I really good enough? Haruko thought, exhaling slowly as her shoulders sagged.
Can I really lead this team to victory?
A heavy weight pressed against her chest.
Leading a team that doubts you, that looks down on you… it was harder than I ever imagined.
"Hey, Haruko, are you okay?"
Sayaka's voice cut through her thoughts. She crouched beside her, eyes narrowed and brows furrowed with concern, the cool gym floor pressing against her knees.
Haruko forced a small smile, though her fingers fidgeted against the hem of her shorts.
"Oh, Sayaka. Yeah, I'm fine. Just… thinking about how I'm going to lead the team to victory. I have to...I'm their captain."
A sharp, cold laugh cut through the air.
Kazue's eyes glittered with scorn as she stepped closer, arms crossed tightly over her chest.
The gym seemed to shrink around her presence, and Haruko felt a prickle run down her spine.
"Lead us to victory? Ha! You can't even make a single basket! Your defense is okay, and sure, you can handle the ball… but scoring's not really your thing, is it? Seriously, what does Coach Maeda even see in you?"
"You—!"
Sayaka sprang to her feet, knees scraping slightly against the polished floor.
Her fists clenched, and her face flushed as she glared at Kazue.
"How dare you talk to Haruko like that, Kazue? Show some respect to your senior!"
"Sayaka, it's fine," Haruko said quietly, resting a hand gently on her friend's arm.
She felt Sayaka's tense muscles beneath her touch.
"Don't waste your energy."
Kazue sneered, taking a step closer. Her sneakers squeaked sharply against the wooden floor.
Kazue leaned forward slightly, voice dripping venom.
"Truth hurts, right? She's not even good enough to be here—let alone captain!"
A second-year girl, standing just behind Kazue, shifted uneasily, her fingers twisting the hem of her jersey.
She avoided everyone's eyes and whispered, "Please… stop."
Kazue turned sharply, the scuff of her sneakers cutting through the gym's hum.
Her eyes narrowed as she glared.
"Our seniors refuse to admit it, but they know. She's not worth it. She should just quit."
"Enough!"
Sayaka's voice cracked, thick with emotion. Her fists clenched so tightly that her knuckles turned white, and her shoulders tensed as she stood rigid.
"If we actually had to play you seniors, we'd crush you just by using a little strategy," Kazue sneered, stepping closer, eyes gleaming with mischief.
"And honestly? We wouldn't even have to guard you, Haruko… Or should I say captain. You'd be more of a nuisance than anything!"
Haruko pushed herself to her feet, the gym floor cool under her palms as she straightened.
Her eyes locked on Kazue's, voice steady and edged with unexpected steel.
"Is that so? Can your words back it up with actions?"
Kazue smirked cruelly, leaning slightly on one leg.
"You're one to talk—you can't even score."
Haruko drew a deep breath, feeling her lungs expand and her chest rise.
"I challenge you to a five-on-five match. Pick any first- or second-years for your team. If you win, I'll give up being captain. But if I win, you will start respecting me—and call me 'Captain.'"
Sayaka's mouth opened, her hands hovering in midair, speechless.
Kazue smirked, shifting her weight onto one foot. Her sneakers squeaked against the polished floor as she leaned slightly forward, eyes glinting.
"Fine by me. Guess we'll see if you can handle more than just passing the ball around."
"Coach," Haruko said, turning toward the woman observing quietly from the sidelines, "I'll be taking a lot of training time for this. Please forgive me."
She brushed a loose strand of hair from her forehead, straightening her posture.
Coach Maeda gave a slight nod, the stopwatch tapping softly against her palm, a small smile tugging at the corner of her lips.
"I don't mind. This is perfect practice for you girls. Though… the part about you giving up captaincy…"
Haruko's shoulders squared, and a confident smile spread across her face.
"Don't worry. I'm planning to win—and teach her a lesson."
"Alright then," Coach Maeda said, shifting her weight slightly.
"The game will be to twenty-one, seniors against juniors. Let's begin."
Coach Maeda tossed the basketball high into the air.
Its leather surface gleamed under the lights as it spun slowly.
Kotone, tall and lithe at 178 centimeters, leapt, fingertips brushing the ball as she snatched it from her junior opponent with ease.
Her chest rose and fell steadily, the rhythm of her breathing steady as she scanned the court for openings.
"Nice one, Kotone! Let's go score some points," Suzume called, catching the ball and weaving it down the court.
The squeak of her sneakers accompanied each swift step.
Kazue's eyes locked on Kotone, narrowing with intensity.
She quickly assigned defenders, whispering sharply to her team, "Alright, everyone, remember the plan," while her fingers drummed lightly against her shorts.
Kotone's eyes narrowed, lips pressing into a thin line.
Double-teaming me, huh? she thought, shifting her weight on her feet.
Sayaka glanced toward Haruko, brow furrowed and shoulders tense.
"Nobody's guarding her? That's… insulting."
Haruko called out, her voice steady, "Pass the ball!"
Her fingers flexed instinctively as she readied herself.
Suzume hesitated for a heartbeat, then passed.
Haruko caught it, feeling the cool texture of the leather against her palms, the ball firm and reassuring in her grip.
The ball slapped against the floor as Haruko dribbled once, her pulse racing with every echo.
A second year lunged in, arms wide, but Haruko sidestepped, heart hammering. For a split second she almost passed—then tightened her grip.
No. This time, I won't back down.
Focus. Don't panic. Remember what he taught you. How he shoots… burn that image into your mind, Haruko thought, shoulders squaring and feet planting firmly on the court.
She lifted her arms and released the ball in a smooth arc, feeling the tension in her muscles ripple with the motion.
Kazue scoffed, shifting her weight and crossing her arms.
"That shot won't go in."
The gym seemed to hold its breath.
The ball swished cleanly through the net, the sharp swish echoing off the polished floor.
Haruko's fingers tingled as she kept her arms raised in follow-through, chest heaving, eyes wide. It went in…
"What? No way—it actually went in!" Kazue exclaimed, eyes widening and fists clenching at her sides.
Kotone blinked rapidly, hands slightly raised.
"Whoa! She actually scored! I didn't think I'd see that happen anytime soon."
Suzume dragged her fingers across the corners of her mouth, trying to mimic a smile.
Her shoulders lifted slightly, stiff at first, then relaxing as the sincerity of her expression shone through.
"Nice shot, Haruko."
Haruko's cheeks flushed, fingers tightening briefly around her wrist. She let out a soft, stifled laugh, shaking her head slightly.
"It's okay… you don't have to force a smile for me. I know you mean it."
"Okay, if you say so," Suzume said, shrugging slightly.
Sayaka's eyes sparkled as she clapped her hands together."Nice shot! That was so cool—I didn't expect it at all!"
Haruko felt a warm spark of encouragement settle in her chest. For the first time, the weight pressing down on her didn't feel so heavy. She could do this—not alone, but with her team.
"Me neither, but… I think I'm starting to get the hang of this."
Kotone jogged up to Haruko, a sly grin on her face.
"Nice shot, girly! You better make more of those to show that brat who's boss!" she teased, giving her a light nudge.
Haruko jogged back alongside her, her jersey clinging to her back from the sweat.
"Right"
From Kazue's side, a teammate muttered under her breath, shifting nervously.
"Eh?! No way… our plan backfired?! Haruko's… actually good?!"
Another added, twisting the hem of her jersey, "It's been days since we last saw her play. No wonder she's improved."
Kazue clenched her jaw, teeth biting the inside of her cheek.
"Heh, don't go getting all excited over one shot! Luck can happen to anyone—just stick to the plan, got it?"
She muttered under her breath, jaw still tight, "That was pure luck."
Coach Maeda's eyes softened slightly as she watched from the sidelines.
Looks like she's finally coming around… Aika would be proud.