Soft music echoed through the classroom as the fourth period came to an end. Two weeks had already passed since the start of the new school term. Students took out their lunchboxes one after another and began eating.
Haizaki Shogo stared longingly at the girl sitting in front of him. As soon as class had ended, she had left the room—and still hadn't returned. More precisely, his eyes were fixed on her lunchbox. He couldn't help but wonder if it contained beautifully shaped rice balls or fresh slices of sashimi.
Why isn't she back yet…?
In the meantime, he ate his own lunch, occasionally glancing at her untouched meal like a starving man trying to remain polite. Only after he had finished did Shimizu Rena finally return to the classroom with a bright smile, holding a large sheet of paper.
"Shogo-kun, sorry to keep you waiting!"
"Heh… haha, I wasn't waiting at all, Shimizu-chan!"
She giggled softly and took her seat, placing her lunch beside his desk before beginning to eat. Before taking her first bite, she handed him the sheet of paper.
"Here. The Winter Cup schedule."
"Winter Cup? The schedule's out this early?"
"Mm-hm. Most matches are on weekends, so the schedule is stretched out. The longest part is actually the regional preliminaries."
Shogo nodded and carefully studied the schedule, searching for Fukuda Sogo's name.
"Shimizu-chan… why can't I find our team? Is there a mistake?"
She swallowed a bite of fish before replying calmly, "Shogo-kun, the top three teams from the Interhigh automatically qualify for the top 32. Since we were champions, we don't need to go through the preliminaries."
Her tone carried a hint of pride. Fukuda Sogo, along with Tōō and Shutoku, had already secured direct entry into the top 32.
Shogo blinked.
Wait… was that always a rule in the Winter Cup?
Sensing his confusion, Shimizu leaned closer and whispered,
"This year is different. Starting from now, the Winter Cup system is changing."
"Different… how?"
"Instead of rewarding only the top three, the top eight teams will now receive special qualification benefits."
Shogo frowned slightly.
She continued in a lower voice, "The Ministry of Education increased funding for sports this year, and the Basketball Association also boosted sponsorship. The top eight schools will receive significantly more resources. That's the real reason behind the change."
Shogo finally understood.
So that's why the gym was renovated during summer…
So that's why new uniforms and shoes were distributed at the start of the term…
It all makes sense now.
So that's how it is…
Shimizu returned to her meal, leaving Shogo to his thoughts. But he didn't care much about the politics behind it. For him, basketball was enough.
He casually scanned the schedule again. With Fukuda Sogo, Shutoku, and Tōō already secured in the top 32, the remaining Tokyo slots would be fiercely contested. Seirin would definitely take one.
As for the other two…
It would likely come down to Seirin and Kirisaki Daiichi under Hanamiya Makoto.
I wonder if they've grown stronger…
Maybe they'll surprise me.
Time was moving fast. Seirin's Kuroko Tetsuya would also enter the top 32 soon, meaning all the Generation of Miracles would finally gather once again.
The unfinished journey was about to continue.
Shogo looked out the classroom window.
Summer was ending.
Autumn would follow.
And after the preliminaries…
The Winter Cup.
The schedule for this year was packed.
"Shimizu-chan, are you performing at the Summer Festival this Friday?"
"No. I've been busy with the basketball club lately, so I don't really do stage performances anymore."
Shogo froze for a moment.
Then a faint warmth spread through his chest.
He didn't know whether she truly loved basketball.
But he knew one thing for certain.
She had joined the club because of him.
If not for him, she would still be the school's shining idol, standing under the spotlight at every school event.
Without thinking, he murmured softly,
"You're really beautiful, Shimizu-chan."
She lowered her gaze shyly and continued eating quietly before looking up with a soft, slightly embarrassed smile.
Shogo stared at the schedule once again.
Time really did pass quickly.
The Winter Cup was already approaching.
And so was the Summer Festival.
========
Summer Festival – Evening
The heat of summer still lingered in the air as Shogo and Shimizu stood together at the school gate, both dressed lightly in summer yukata. Students passed by in colorful outfits, their laughter filling the atmosphere, while the entire campus was scented with sweet festival food.
Before long, the two of them had fully immersed themselves in the lively crowd.
Shogo had already let go of all hesitation.
In his left hand was a chocolate-covered banana.
In his right hand was a grilled beef skewer dripping with savory sauce.
A feast…
He bit into the banana. The sweet chocolate cracked softly before melting into a rich strawberry flavor. Three bites later, it was gone.
Shimizu walked beside him, occasionally handing him more snacks with a gentle smile. After they had toured every stall, she finally turned to him.
"Shogo-kun… will you go with me to the fireworks later?"
"Yeah."
======
Night
The night sky was filled with bursting colors. Students in yukata walked through the crowd, while couples leaned close together to take photos. Fireworks bloomed overhead like flowers made of light and flame.
In that dazzling moment, without any warning, Shogo suddenly pulled Shimizu into his arms.
And spun her once.
Twice.
Around and around beneath the exploding sky.
Everything feels weightless…
Then he stopped.
And kissed her.
BOOM!
Fireworks exploded across the sky, painting the night in brilliant colors as the world blurred into warmth, light, and silence.
For a moment, nothing else mattered.
Only the sound of their hearts and the fading echo of summer.
=============
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