On a new Monday, various high schools across the country gradually received the schedule for the Winter Cup.
At Seirin High, on the rooftop of the main building, Aida Riko stood absentmindedly, letting the warm breeze pass through her ear-length hair as she gazed into the distance where white clouds and birds drifted across the sky. No one knew what she was thinking.
From the side, the normally flat-chested girl somehow looked unexpectedly fragile in this moment. There was a distinctly "girl-next-door" aura about her. In her quiet state, Riko's presence felt even more refined—almost gentle in a way that made her easy to admire.
After a while, Hyuga Junpei, wearing a black school blazer and glasses, arrived on the rooftop and stood beside her, also looking out at the sky.
"Did you check the match schedule?"
"Yeah."
"Even though Fukuda Sogo and Shutoku aren't in the preliminaries, we still can't underestimate teams like Seiho and Kirisaki Daiichi. Especially Kirisaki—they were the ones who knocked us out."
"Don't worry. Last year it was only Kiyoshi carrying the pressure. This year we have Kagami and Kuroko. Trust them."
"Yeah… I trust them too."
"…So, you and Kiyoshi. How's that going?"
"W-what do you mean, how's that going?"
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After sixth period, at the basketball court—
SWOOSH!
The ball sped through the air. Kagami Taiga caught Kuroko Tetsuya's pass and leapt explosively into the air, slamming the ball cleanly into the hoop. He landed heavily, an overwhelming aura of dominance radiating from him, as though something inside him had finally awakened.
Kuroko stared blankly at Kagami in that moment. For the first time in a long while, he could feel it again—the intensity of light.
We will win, Kagami-kun.
Ever since parting ways with Aomine Daiki, Kuroko hadn't felt such a powerful presence in a long time. The heart of a champion began beating once again within his chest.
The rest of the team watched the two of them with renewed energy. They were Seirin's twin pillars, the true foundation of the team. Without them, Seirin would be crushed without resistance against the Generation of Miracles.
But now, seeing Kagami's growth and Kuroko's perfect synergy, everyone couldn't help but smile with anticipation. Even Kiyoshi Teppei, standing beneath the basket, was smiling.
It was clear now—
Seirin High had entered a state where a tiger had been released from its cage.
CLANG!
Kise Ryouta slammed a powerful dunk into the rim and landed effortlessly. Instead of cheers, however, he was greeted by a flying kick from Yukio Kasamatsu.
"Idiot! Don't just casually go all out like that. Save your stamina!"
"Senpai, it's just practice. Is dunking really not allowed? I've got plenty of stamina!"
"That's a foolish mindset. The moment you form habits like that without realizing it, your stamina will drain bit by bit."
"Hehe… got it, senpai."
Kise scratched his head helplessly. Even after being kicked, he felt a strange warmth in his heart. In the end, whether it was his seniors or teammates, they were all worried about his stamina and his safety.
To meet their expectations, Kise trained every day right at the edge of his limits. The results were obvious—he could clearly feel himself improving rapidly. He was getting closer... closer to catching up with the frontliners.
He resumed moving, quickly integrating himself into Kaijo High's system. The sounds of the court gradually blurred into the background, leaving only heavy breathing and the rhythmic sound of sweat dripping onto the wooden floor.
"You're staying to practice too, Murasakibara?"
"Oh, Himuro. You're still here?"
"I figured if you're practicing, I can't fall behind either."
"Then let's train together."
Himuro Tatsuya picked up the ball and looked at Murasakibara Atsushi, who was already waiting in a defensive stance. A trace of envy flickered in his eyes.
Such terrifying talent… and yet he still works this hard.
Himuro dribbled quickly, mixing feints with changes of rhythm, but none of it could break through Murasakibara's defense.
SLAP!
The shot was swatted away cleanly and sent flying out of bounds.
That pressure… that overwhelming presence…
Himuro stared blankly at Murasakibara. Ever since the day they had met, Murasakibara had been changing, growing stronger almost every single day. Now, he gave off a feeling that simply couldn't be overcome. Even compared to Kagami Taiga, the pressure here felt heavier.
"Muro-chin… let's win the Winter Cup together. Let's beat everyone we want to beat."
"Sounds good… but that won't be easy, Muro-chin."
"Not easy? So you're not confident about winning yet?"
"Muro-chin… the Winter Cup isn't just about Kagami or the others you're thinking of. There are more."
"More?"
"Yeah. People who'll make you despair."
Murasakibara said nothing else. He simply picked up the ball and resumed training. Even though Himuro was slightly outmatched, he was still good enough to serve as a practice partner, and that was something Murasakibara appreciated.
At this moment, Murasakibara showed no wild or aggressive aura. He still looked lazy, almost indifferent, but his focus was absolute. Only at certain moments would Himuro feel a terrifying pressure wash over him. Sometimes, he even wondered whether it was simply his imagination.
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Gym
Akashi Seijuro and Mibuchi Reo were training with kettlebells, going through various strength exercises—presses, lifts, throws, squats, and jumps.
"So, Akashi… you're looking forward to the Winter Cup, right?"
"Looking forward to it? No. It's more like… joy. At last, we will reach the final reckoning with them."
"The schedule is out. How are we going to handle the first match?"
"I'll lead the team personally."
"Huh? You're going to lead personally?"
"Yes. From now on, I will personally lead every match."
Hearing this, Mibuchi smiled.
A deep, unmistakable smile of excitement.
Rakuzan's ace captain was finally stepping forward himself. The captain of the Generation of Miracles was returning to the stage.
He remembered last year's national tournament, the overwhelming presence of the Generation of Miracles… and Rakuzan's defeat.
Was this the season of the king's return?
Mibuchi glanced at Akashi, who was still training intensely, and smiled with anticipation.
On the schedule, Akashi Seijuro, Kuroko Tetsuya, and Kise Ryouta did not see Fukuda Sogo, Tōō, or Shutoku listed.
But they all understood.
Those three schools had already become towering mountains, pressing down on every team in the tournament.
Across Japan, every high school basketball team felt the shift.
A storm was coming.
And now, Tokyo's wind had begun to rise.
It began with the first preliminary match:
Seirin High vs. Senshinkan.