When the final bell rang, Sakuragi packed his things and strolled toward the gym for practice.
Yohei, meanwhile, headed off to meet the rest of the Sakuragi Gang who were attending Shohoku—going in search of their so-called pachinko romance.
The gym doors were half-open. From inside came the rhythmic thud of basketballs and the shouts of players.
Sakuragi pushed the door open.
Uozumi Jun noticed him first. The captain of Ryonan was already in his training gear; at over two meters tall, he stood out instantly in the crowd.
He nodded at Sakuragi—expression stern, but with a hint of approval in his eyes.
The shock of that free-throw line dunk was clearly still fresh.
Besides the familiar faces, there were a few newcomers on the court. Several first-year players were practicing basic dribbling—awkward, but earnest.
One short boy stood out in particular—not because he was good, but because he was too short. Among a group of basketball players, he looked like a child who had wandered into a land of giants.
The moment he saw Sakuragi, his eyes lit up and he jogged over.
"You're Sakuragi Hanamichi, right? I'm Aida Hikoichi—also a first-year!"
He spoke rapidly, excitement spilling from every word.
"Coach Taoka told me all about you! You're the genius special recruit! Please take care of me!"
Sakuragi looked down at the boy who only reached his chest.
Aida Hikoichi… He remembered that name—the information junkie from the manga, always carrying a notebook and recording data.
Though, to be honest… his sister, Aida Yayoi, that short-haired beauty, was pretty popular with readers who wanted to be his brother-in-law.
"Nice to meet you," Sakuragi replied with a smile.
Hikoichi pulled out a small notebook.
"Coach Taoka said you're a key prospect. By the way, can I record your training data? I'm really into collecting basketball stats!"
Seeing the fire in Hikoichi's eyes, Sakuragi couldn't help but find it amusing.
This kid's love for basketball was pure and genuine.
"No problem," he said.
Just then, the gym door opened again.
Sendoh Akira arrived late, wearing his usual carefree smile. One hand held his schoolbag. When he saw Sakuragi, his eyes narrowed slightly.
"Yo, red-haired rookie," Sendoh greeted casually.
"Hedgehog-head senpai," Sakuragi shot back.
Sendoh froze for a moment—then burst out laughing.
"Hedgehog head? That's pretty accurate."
Taoka Moichi followed soon after. When he saw Sakuragi, satisfaction flashed across his face—before he quickly put on a stern expression.
"Everyone's here? Warm up!"
Uozumi led the warm-up. The team lined up and began with basic stretches.
Sakuragi followed along, feeling the faint soreness as his muscles loosened.
This body was flexible—but not enough yet.
Pro-level flexibility required long-term, systematic training.
After the warm-up, Taoka gathered everyone at center court.
"Today we'll start with a 20-minute intrasquad game. I want to see what the first-years can do."
His gaze swept across the rookies, then stopped on Sakuragi.
"Sakuragi—what position do you want to play?"
The question instantly drew everyone's attention.
With Sakuragi's height and jumping ability, small forward, power forward—center—would all be obvious choices.
After all, Japan's average high-school height is what it is.
But Sakuragi answered without hesitation:
"I want to play point guard."
"..."
Silence.
Uozumi stiffened. Fukuda blinked. Sendoh raised an eyebrow, the smile at his lips deepening.
The freshmen stared at one another, wondering if they had misheard.
"Point guard?" Taoka frowned.
"You're 188 cm. In Japanese high school basketball, that's a huge advantage inside. Point guards are usually the shorter players on the team—"
"I'm playing point guard."
Sakuragi's tone was calm, but absolute.
Taoka searched his eyes for any hint of a joke—there was none.
He was serious.
"Why?" Taoka asked.
Sakuragi thought for a moment, then gave an answer that sounded reasonable.
"I was born for this position."
In his past life, he was a point guard.
Court vision, tempo control, playmaking—these were carved into his bones.
Taoka tried to persuade him gently.
"Sakuragi, listen to me. The perimeter is a small man's game. With your height and strength, you can dominate inside. Look at Uozumi—his presence in the paint—"
"Coach," Sakuragi interrupted, his voice low but clear.
"I want to play point guard."
Their eyes met. After three seconds, Taoka finally gave in with a sigh.
"Fine. We'll try it. But if it doesn't work, you must accept a position change."
"Deal," Sakuragi nodded.
Expressions around them varied.
Sendoh looked thoughtful. He was a small forward who sometimes played point—Sakuragi's choice was… interesting.
Teams were quickly formed.
White Team: Sakuragi Hanamichi, Fukuda Kicchou, Yuradaira (reserve center), Ikegami Ryoji, Koshino Hiroaki.
Red Team: Sendoh Akira, Uozumi Jun, Uekusa Tomoyuki, plus two first-year rookies.
The game began. Sakuragi and Uozumi stood at center for the jump ball.
The "referee"—a third-year substitute—tossed the ball upward.
At its peak, both jumped.
Uozumi touched it first thanks to his height.
But Sakuragi's explosive power was greater. He rose higher, reached later, and flicked the ball midair.
The direction changed—toward the White Team's half.
Koshino caught it, stunned. He hadn't expected Sakuragi to win the tip.
"Pass!" Sakuragi was already at midcourt.
Koshino instinctively threw it.
Sakuragi caught, turned—fluid, seamless.
Red Team's defense set up instantly.
Sendoh stepped forward, standing in front of Sakuragi.
The two faced each other for the first time in real competition.
"Come on, red-haired rookie," Sendoh said, lowering his stance, arms spread.
"Show me what you've got."
Sakuragi dribbled, feeling the ball in his hands.
This past week, he had drilled his fundamentals relentlessly, forcing this body to adapt.
He was still far from pro level—but against Japanese high school competition?
More than enough.
He moved.
No fancy feints.
He turned his back, drove his shoulder into Sendoh, and powered straight through.
"?"
Sendoh hadn't expected something so direct. He planted his feet, ready to hold.
Then he regretted it.
Sakuragi's strength surged like a landslide.
It felt like Uozumi was backing him down.
Shoulders, back, waist, legs—everything fused into a single torrent that crashed into Sendoh's chest.
"Ugh!"
Sendoh grunted, forced back half a step.
That half step was all Sakuragi needed.
He spun, accelerated, and slipped past Sendoh.
The entire sequence happened in a flash.
On the sideline, Taoka's eyes widened.
Inside, Uozumi rotated to help. His massive body formed a wall, sealing the lane.
But Sakuragi didn't stop.
At full speed, he suddenly changed direction—a wide, flowing Euro step.
His body twisted midair, sliding from Uozumi's right to his left.
With a gentle flick of his right hand—
The ball kissed the backboard and dropped in.
2:0.
Sakuragi landed, clapped his hands, expression calm—
as if he had just finished an ordinary layup.
But everyone knew it wasn't ordinary.
He had crushed Sendoh with pure power, then outplayed Uozumi with finesse—
scoring over the team's two aces.
Sendoh stood there, chest still aching.
That strength… it reminds me of Maki Shinichi from Kainan.
No—it was even stronger.
What terrified him more was how it was used.
That wasn't the movement of a rookie.
Uozumi's face grew solemn.
The timing, angle, and flow of that Euro step were flawless.
This red-haired kid… had he really never played before?
On the sideline, Taoka Moichi clenched his fists, hands trembling.
Not from fear—
from exhilaration.
What was he seeing?
A 188-cm high schooler playing like a point guard—
with the power of an inside player, the speed of a perimeter player, and—
that innate court instinct.
"Point guard…" Taoka murmured, wild light flashing in his eyes.
"Maybe… he really can."