As soon as the name "Yuuto" came out, the surroundings suddenly fell silent for a moment.
Then.
Seiho students gathered around like they were watching a national treasure.
"Yuuto? The Yuuto who defeated the Generation of Miracles?"
"Yuuto came to our school?"
"For real? Is it the real person?"
Even the recruitment activities of some clubs stopped.
A person's name is like the shadow of a tree.
Yuuto and the Generation of Miracles were absolutely the most famous middle school basketball players of the past three years.
The two duels between them were dubbed the "First Impact" and "Second Impact."
Too chunibyo (middle-school syndrome)?
Japanese people just loved this kind of chunibyo hot-blooded feeling!
"There are too many people here. I'll take you over first."
Tsutomu Iwamura looked at the crowd gathering around, thinking he had underestimated Yuuto's influence, while simultaneously feeling a bit envious.
Isn't this what they, the stinkin' basketball players, pursued?
Using talent and strength to conquer the fans and gain their pursuit and worship.
With Iwamura clearing the way, Yuuto and the others smoothly exited the "encirclement."
"Do you want me to show you around the school?"
"No need. I prefer to explore the unknown myself; that way there's a sense of freshness."
Just like "tasting tea," strangers are always better than acquaintances.
Seeing acquaintances, they know exactly what posture you want with just one look.
Boring.
"Alright then. Don't be late for basketball club activities this afternoon."
"Got it."
Yuuto waved his hand and parted ways with Iwamura, taking the Kasugano siblings to leave together.
"So the name isn't for show..." Iwamura watched his back from a distance.
He hadn't personally witnessed how strong Yuuto was yet.
But that aura—just standing next to him, one could feel it deeply.
It wasn't deliberately displayed, nor could it be imitated.
That was something accumulated only by standing at the peak of the nation, victory after victory.
...
Bidding farewell to Iwamura.
The three came to the class assignment board to find their classes.
Sora got her wish this year, finally being assigned to the same class as Yuuto.
But facts proved.
Whether she was assigned to the same class as Yuuto or not didn't really matter.
First day of school.
Just the very first day.
Yuuto took his gear and ran to the roof of Seiho to sleep.
Sora looked at the empty seat by the window in the back row, clutching her forehead in pain.
"Idiot Yuuto!"
The teacher also had a headache over this student, Yuuto.
Because this student enjoyed privileges; he was a special sports recruit for the school.
The day passed just like that.
Afternoon.
Sora packed up her things, ready to go to the basketball club to report with Yuuto.
She planned to sign up for the Seiho basketball club and become the team manager.
For Sora, the role of team manager was too easy to handle; there was no difficulty at all.
On the other side of Tokyo, at Touou, Ryo Sakurai suddenly sneezed violently.
"Sora, you should go to a club you're interested in."
"Eh?"
"It's about time you accepted this world."
Yuuto stared at Sora seriously, his eyes revealing an unquestionable intent.
Then he smiled and placed his hand on Sora's head.
"Don't worry, I won't go far. I'm right next to you."
It was high school now.
Sora should learn to grow up on her own.
He wouldn't let Sora continue to follow him. This made the latter feel incredibly aggrieved, and also a little lonely.
But her personality refused to admit defeat. Watching Yuuto disappear around the corner, she stomped her foot angrily. "Fine, leave then! It's not like I can't function without Yuuto, baka!"
"Thought I'd get scolded worse than that." Yuuto leaned against the corner wall and smiled. "I'll buy some salmon to take back tonight."
...
Basketball Club.
When Yuuto arrived, the muffled sounds of basketballs hitting the floor were already coming from the gym.
This gym was huge and ancient, full of the atmosphere of the era.
Like Seiho itself, everywhere had a charm of the times, a legacy passed down for a thousand years.
Pushing open the door.
It was a brand new world inside; the equipment was all state-of-the-art.
Whoosh~
The door was pushed open, attracting everyone's gaze. They turned their heads coincidentally.
Then.
"He's here! The Lion of Okukozome!"
"That is Yuuto!"
"So tall, already 1.9 meters right? Taller than the captain!"
"He's the one who defeated the Generation of Miracles and stopped Teiko's three-peat."
"Just looking at him, he feels so strong."
Inevitably, the members began to discuss.
Knowing Yuuto would join Seiho this year, many players had been waiting for a long time.
"Since everyone is here, let's begin."
"All freshmen, assemble."
Tsutomu Iwamura roared, making all the first-years line up.
As a "King," Seiho's basketball club had many members, fully fifty people.
Like Teiko, they were divided into First String, Second String, and Third String.
The First String were the regulars. There were fifteen people on the roster, qualified to play in matches, and were the best players on the team.
The Second and Third Strings couldn't play in matches; they could only strive for opportunities through performance in practice.
Yuuto stood in the crowd, standing out like a crane among chickens.
Tomoki Tsugawa was next to him, wearing a smile that teammates found sunny but opponents found hellish.
"Hello, Yuuto-classmate. I am Tomoki Tsugawa. Please take care of me!"
He looked very excited.
This was a unique guy; compared to offense, he preferred defense.
Yuuto silently activated his [Data Eye], reading Tsugawa's body stats from all aspects.
The five-dimensional stats averaged 85 points.
Strength, speed, muscular endurance were all very balanced.
No wonder he could lock down Kise. His own athletic ability is not bad, and he's a defense specialist.
You have to know.
The national-level Tsutomu Iwamura only had ability values in the low 80s in Yuuto's eyes.
But Tomoki Tsugawa.
He reached an ability value of 85 relying on defense.
In terms of defense alone, Tsugawa's ability probably reached Haizaki's level.
"Just call me Yuuto."
"Okay, hello Yuuto. Please advise me in the future!"
He was really excited.
Because being teammates with Yuuto meant he would have many chances to personally defend Yuuto in the future.
If he could defend against this Lion King...
Just imagining it made Tsugawa tremble with excitement.
"Don't zone out. Introduce yourselves first." Iwamura called out names. "Yuuto, start with you."
"Yes." Yuuto stood straight and said, "I am Yuuto, Seiho first-year. Height 1.93 meters, weight 78 kilograms. Position: Swingman."
He wasn't very high-profile, didn't say things like "I can play all five positions," even though he really could play from player to coach.
However, his very existence was already high-profile.
That unique aura of a strong powerhouse on him made those around him instinctively resist.
Unless he beat them into submission.
...
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