"Since you're all staying for extra practice, I can't fall behind either."
Seijuro Akashi said gently, then placed his hand on Shintaro Midorima's shoulder.
Seeing that both Seijuro Akashi and Shintaro Midorima were joining in, Daiki Aomine turned toward Atsushi Murasakibara, who was still munching on potato chips, his face lighting up.
"Huh? But training is such a hassle…"
Atsushi Murasakibara spoke with a reluctant expression, chips still in his mouth. Even so, he reached out and placed his hand on top of Seijuro Akashi's, adding,
"Let's just say it's for Miyamoto."
Shuzo Nijimura stood to the side, watching the group with a complicated expression. He wanted to reach out as well.
But his father's condition was worsening, and he didn't know how long he could hold on.
"Nijimura."
Kōzō Shirogane understood his difficulty. With a firm expression, he said,
"Follow your own heart. No one will blame you."
Hearing that, Shuzo Nijimura clenched his teeth, as if making up his mind. He reached out and placed his hand on top of Atsushi Murasakibara's.
Satsuki Momoi watched the scene with a sweet smile, deeply engraving this beautiful moment into her memory.
She could feel everyone's happiness and the warm, friendly atmosphere. It strengthened her resolve to join the basketball club and become this team's manager.
She didn't just want to protect this atmosphere—she wanted to be part of it.
Everyone then turned their eager gazes toward the one person who hadn't reached out yet: Miyamoto Tokima.
Miyamoto Tokima looked at them, feeling like crying inside.
Guys… you didn't even ask for my opinion before deciding this.
Are you that afraid I'll get even stronger?
I get stronger by slacking off, not by training!
If you want extra practice, go ahead—why drag me into this?
You train more and bloom. I train more and wither.
We're not the same!
He complained silently in his heart.
Seeing Kōzō Shirogane's kind gaze, along with the expectant looks from Daiki Aomine and the others, Miyamoto Tokima let out a small sigh.
'Training is exhausting…'
He was lazy by nature. Outside of actual games, he rarely wanted to do anything else.
"Miyamoto."
Satsuki Momoi spoke softly.
Miyamoto Tokima turned his head. When he met Satsuki Momoi's equally hopeful eyes, he stopped hesitating.
Fine. I'll risk it for a beautiful girl.
Worst case, I'll fake being sick or slack off during training.
A master in his previous life once said: don't avoid difficulties—there are always more solutions than problems.
With that thought, Miyamoto Tokima reached out and placed his hand on top of Shuzo Nijimura's.
Seeing this, Daiki Aomine and the others all smiled in satisfaction.
They shouted together, "Let's go!"
Kōzō Shirogane watched the scene with deep gratification.
These were future basketball superstars. He had to guide them properly, paving the right path for their growth and future.
After the cheer, everyone went to find Kōzō Shirogane to request extra training, while Daiki Aomine grabbed Miyamoto Tokima and started firing off questions.
Miyamoto Tokima patiently made things up as he answered.
"Miyamoto, how did you enter that No-Self State?"
"I was just thinking about finishing the game and going to eat. Then I entered it."
Hearing that, Atsushi Murasakibara's lazy expression became a bit more serious as he silently resolved to try it himself one day.
"Then Miyamoto, how did you get such a fast shooting release?"
"Simple. Don't think about anything—just throw it."
Shintaro Midorima listened quietly, wondering if he should try this "just throw it" approach later.
Daiki Aomine was thinking the same thing.
If Miyamoto says just throw it, maybe I should do that too—don't shoot, just throw.
The more he thought about it, the more reasonable it seemed. He secretly decided to try this method himself.
Miyamoto Tokima had no idea that the concept of a formless shot had just been inspired by him.
After answering the questions, he turned to Kōzō Shirogane and asked,
"Coach, what was the condition you wanted me to agree to?"
Kōzō Shirogane spoke slowly,
"I want you to not go all out when you play one-on-one against Aomine and the others."
Miyamoto Tokima froze.
Wasn't this something Kōzō Shirogane only asked of Daiki Aomine later on?
Why was he asking this now, in his first year?
Though puzzled, he still nodded and agreed.
Kōzō Shirogane nodded in satisfaction, silently praising Miyamoto Tokima's maturity.
After that, Daiki Aomine came back again.
"Miyamoto, how did you get so strong physically?"
"Easy. Run ten kilometers a day, do a thousand push-ups, a thousand sit-ups, and a thousand squats. Do that and it just happens."
Daiki Aomine committed it to memory, deciding to do it every day from now on.
Shintaro Midorima and Seijuro Akashi did the same.
"Miyamoto, how do you pull off that weird passing style?"
Daiki Aomine continued.
Seijuro Akashi silently gave him a mental thumbs-up.
Aomine really does ask everything for us.
"Simple. Practice passing through small openings every day. Do it enough and you'll get it."
Seijuro Akashi firmly memorized that, deciding to add it to his daily routine.
"Then Miyamoto, how do you manage that skill where it feels like you can see through everything?"
"Simple. Stare at birds in the sky every day. Watch them often."
"As for seeing through things—play more chess. You'll naturally grasp the whole picture."
Everything Miyamoto Tokima said afterward was carefully recorded by Seijuro Akashi, who resolved to train accordingly.
Time passed quickly, and everyone began getting ready to head home.
"Miyamoto, want to walk home together?"
"Yeah, Miyamoto, your place is on the way, right?"
Satsuki Momoi and Daiki Aomine stood at the entrance, inviting him along.
Miyamoto Tokima looked at the two of them, shook his head, and said,
"I still have something to take care of. You go ahead."
They didn't insist and turned to leave.
Only after confirming they were gone did Miyamoto Tokima head out himself.
Behind him, Shogo Haizaki watched his back with a dark expression, then followed.
Miyamoto Tokima deliberately led him toward a quieter area. When they reached a small grove and confirmed no one else was around, he spoke calmly,
"Come out. You've been following me for a while, haven't you, Haizaki?"
"You knew I was following you?"
Shogo Haizaki stepped out from the bushes, his face full of shock.