Ryonan High School Basketball Gym.
On the second-floor stands, three girls hurriedly made their way through the crowd.
Haruko Akagi led the group, panting slightly, wiping sweat from her brow.
"We finally made it! Thankfully, the game's just starting," she said, relief evident on her face.
Matsui shot her a glare, voice dripping with complaint.
"Seriously, it's all your fault for being so clumsy and making us rush after you."
Haruko chuckled awkwardly, cheeks flushed.
"You're saying that again!"
Just then, Fujii gasped and pointed.
"Look over there!"
All three followed her gaze—and instantly, their expressions froze, mouths forming bitter, resigned lines.
At the edge of the stands, three girls stood in perfect formation, dressed in pink-and-white cheerleading outfits so short they bordered on scandalous. Sequined headbands glinted under the lights, exaggerated blush painted their faces, and bright yellow pom-poms swung in unison as they high-kicked and shouted.
"Rukawa Kaede… I love you!"
The chant repeated, hypnotic and deafening, echoing through the entire gym.
"Where did they come from?" Aida Hikoichi muttered, dumbfounded.
As proper high school boys, they knew they shouldn't stare—but they couldn't look away. The girls' moves, the skirts, even the faintest flashes of white legs—it all made hearts race uncontrollably.
Even Akashi glanced indifferently, unbothered. Dedication and perseverance for Rukawa Kaede—it was legendary. No matter the location, these girls appeared like shadows, unwavering.
The game began.
Center jump ball.
Uozumi and Takenori Akagi faced each other, eyes sharp and unwavering.
Akagi's lips curved slightly, a deliberate provocation.
"Hmph… I never thought that after just a few days, you wouldn't even hold your captain's position."
Uozumi snorted lightly, expression calm.
"Even if I'm not captain, dealing with you is more than enough."
Both were pillars of their teams; their pride, probing, and unspoken understanding clashed silently.
Ryonan Starting Lineup:
Center: Uozumi (#5, 3rd year)
Power Forward: Ryoji Ikegami (#2, 2nd year)
Small Forward: Sendoh (#7, 2nd year)
Shooting Guard: Koshino Hiroaki (#8, 2nd year)
Point Guard: Tomoyuki Uekusa (#9, 2nd year)
Shohoku Starting Lineup:
Center: Takenori Akagi (#4, 3rd year)
Power Forward: Rukawa Kaede (#11, 1st year)
Small Forward: Kogure Kiminobu (#5, 3rd year)
Shooting Guard: Tetsushi Shiozaki (#8, 2nd year)
Point Guard: Yasuda Yasuharu (#6, 2nd year)
Beep—the referee's whistle cut through the gym.
The basketball soared above the center circle.
Uozumi and Takenori Akagi exploded upward simultaneously, legs coiling with raw power, bodies leaping like beasts. Fingers reached toward the sky, aiming to claim ownership of the ball.
"They're evenly matched," Ayako whispered, unable to hide her amazement.
Yet in the next instant, Takenori Akagi's fingertips flicked with surgical precision. The ball arced gracefully into Shohoku's backcourt, landing safely in Yasuda's hands.
Shohoku surged forward in a fast break—but Ryonan's defense didn't waver. The formation shifted quickly, rhythm perfectly synchronized.
Uozumi thundered as he returned to guard the basket, towering like a mountain.
"Come on… Shohoku!"
His roar carried power, provocation, and an unassailable aura of authority.
Yasuda's dribble faltered under the weight of the presence.
And then—Tomoyuki Uekusa appeared like a shadow, stealing the ball cleanly from Yasuda.
Yasuda's eyes widened. Uekusa's speed had grown exponentially after their rigorous training; his movements now a seamless blend of explosiveness and precision. Catching up seemed impossible.
Uekusa drove the ball forward, eyes sharp, rhythm controlled. Seeing Kogure block the direct lane, he flicked a perfect pass to Sendoh cutting from the wing.
Rukawa Kaede, like a stalking leopard, closed in, eyes burning with fierce determination.
Sendoh met his gaze calmly, a confident smile playing on his lips. With a flick of his arm, the ball flew across to Ryoji Ikegami, already clear in the paint. He didn't hesitate—dribbled, stepped, and laid up. Swish.
Ryonan 2 – 0 Shohoku.
The bench erupted, cheers like a rising tide. Coach Taoka's lips curved slightly in satisfaction.
Akashi, however, remained motionless, hands crossed, back straight, scanning the court like a hawk. Not a single cheer escaped him—because in his eyes, the game had just begun.
Shohoku countered immediately.
Yasuda pushed the ball into the paint; Takenori Akagi posted up against Uozumi, the two centers locking eyes like colliding mountains.
The gym fell into a tense silence. Uozumi growled, "Takenori Akagi…"
Akagi's eyebrow rose subtly as Uozumi feigned a strong turnaround move. Every spectator braced for a monumental clash of strength.
Then—Takenori swayed with a realistic fake, slipping a precise pass to Kogure outside the three-point line.
Uozumi's pupils contracted. He hadn't anticipated this outside pass from so close.
But before Kogure could shoot—Uozumi moved like a tiger, circumventing Akagi, leaping and slapping the shot away. Slam! The thunderous sound echoed through the gym.
Ryonan's players roared in unison, morale skyrocketing.
Aida reminded calmly, "The ball's still live…"
Rukawa lunged, grabbing the ball for a jump shot—but Uozumi, like a phantom, appeared again, blocking him midair.
The arena erupted.
Shohoku's eyes widened in disbelief. Uozumi, a giant over two meters, moved with the agility of a guard, defending three crucial positions in mere seconds.
Is this Ryonan's true strength?
The crowd held their breath. The game had begun, and the first ten seconds had already shattered expectations.