Days passed one after another.
Ever since Ake joined the Basketball Club, the entire team had undergone a transformation.
Everyone could feel the difference.
During the practice games, each player noticed their skills improving rapidly—something that had never happened before.
Besides the coach, the ones who felt it most were Kirihara Hayato and Sendoh.
As the team captain, Kirihara was especially sensitive to the team's changes. He noticed it the day after Ake joined: the once-timid substitutes suddenly played with newfound confidence.
Their growth, in turn, lit a fire under the regular players, pushing them to train harder.
The result was a ripple effect—the entire Basketball Club became more competitive and motivated.
Under this healthy pressure, the team's overall strength began to rise at an astonishing pace.
Among all of them, Sendoh stood just below Ake in terms of skill. Naturally, he saw everything.
He realized that when he played with his teammates now, their coordination felt smoother—no longer awkward or disjointed like before.
Sendoh had witnessed every step of the club's transformation.
And through it, he came to understand Ake even more deeply.
He felt shock. Admiration. Respect. And a growing urge to challenge him.
Ake was far more than he appeared—top-tier passing, flawless ball handling, sharp court vision, a brilliant basketball IQ, flexible playmaking, and the ability to execute decisive tactics that left opponents helpless.
All of it made Sendoh think, "Damn… this guy!"
Luckily, such a player was his teammate—not his opponent.
That day, after practice ended, the rest of the team packed up and left the gym.
Only Sendoh and Ake remained, both quietly working on their own drills.
For a while, the gym was filled with the rhythmic sounds of sneakers squeaking, basketballs bouncing, and the dull thud of shots hitting the backboard.
After an unknown amount of time, the sounds finally faded.
Both Sendoh and Ake, drenched in sweat, met each other's gaze.
Sendoh broke the silence. "Wanna play a one-on-one?"
Ake didn't hesitate. "Sure."
Though his main position was point guard, he was never one to back down from a challenge.
Besides, this was the perfect chance to test how far he'd come. And who better to test it against than Sendoh ?
The two took their positions outside the three-point line.
Thump… thump… thump.
Ake slowly dribbled the ball, eyes locked on Sendoh like a hawk watching its prey.
Sendoh crouched slightly, body shifting side to side like a predator waiting for the perfect moment to strike.
Then, without warning, Ake drove to the left.
Sendoh's eyes sharpened—his defense reacted instantly. He slid sideways, cutting off Ake's path.
"You almost had me," Sendoh said with a grin. "But not quite."
Ake said nothing.
Instead, he shifted back, faked a shot, and exploded toward the right.
Once again, Sendoh reacted quickly, blocking his way.
Ake didn't flinch. His expression stayed calm—unbothered, confident.
Then, in a flash, he switched the ball to his other hand and accelerated.
Sendoh's balance was slightly off—his weight still leaning right.
Ake saw his opening and slipped past him like water.
In an instant, he was at the basket.
He went up for a layup—but Sendoh was right behind him, catching up fast.
As Sendoh leapt to block from behind, Ake's motion changed midair. He switched the ball to his other hand and finished with a reverse layup.
The ball dropped cleanly through the hoop.
Landing smoothly, Ake looked back at Sendoh.
Sendoh smiled faintly, eyes burning with fighting spirit. "Interesting."
Then came his turn to attack.
Just like Ake, Sendoh didn't rush. He held the ball in a triple-threat stance, waiting for an opening.
Then—suddenly—he moved.
His speed exploded as he drove toward Ake.
Ake's mismatched eyes narrowed. He slid sideways, reading the movement perfectly, and reached out to swipe at the ball.
"I knew you'd try that," Sendoh said, smiling as he pulled back.
He stepped back sharply, just out of reach.
Ake immediately closed the gap—but Sendoh didn't stop. He rose into a fadeaway jumper.
Ake's eyes widened slightly. Sendoh was taller—just by three centimeters—but with his strong jump, it was enough.
The ball arced high over Ake's hand.
Swish.
It fell cleanly through the net.
Sendoh's grin widened. "I still remember that three-pointer you hit in my face."
Ake sighed inwardly. 'So he's still holding a grudge over that…?'
This guy really was vengeful.
But Ake wasn't one to back down after being provoked.
Just as their duel continued—
The gym door opened.
A graceful figure stepped inside.
It was a girl with a stunning face that could easily turn heads. She wore Seiyo Middle School's JK uniform, her long black hair cascading over her shoulders, the slightly curled ends adding a playful charm. Her light brown eyes shimmered gently.
Rukia.
Ake recognized her immediately—the same girl he'd met at the banquet.
They had met again on the first day of school. When Rukia learned that Ake had actually enrolled at Seiyo, she was delighted.
She had only made a casual suggestion back then, never expecting he'd take it seriously.
Since then, they often talked at school. Their similar family backgrounds helped them grow close, and they soon became good friends who could talk about anything.
When Rukia found out that Ake had joined the Basketball Club, she was surprised—and intrigued.
After all, basketball wasn't yet popular among middle school students. Most had only heard of it or seen it in passing.
Rukia began learning about the sport because of Ake.
The first time she watched him play, commanding the court like a general, she was completely captivated.
His sharp passes, those flawless steals, the confidence in every move—everything about him drew her in.
When she saw him play, it felt as if the entire world revolved around Ake.
Now, seeing him and Sendoh locked in a fierce duel, Rukia was once again entranced.
Her heart skipped a beat.
'He's really amazing…'
The soft blush on her cheeks deepened as she quietly took a seat near the court—unable to take her eyes off Ake.