Yōsen High Basketball Club.
When everyone realized that those two with colored hair were members of the Generation of Miracles, the gym instantly fell into awkward silence.
Before the coach even arrived, the whole team just stared at each other. After all, those two were… quite something.
One had a bandaged left hand and held a tiny alarm clock in his right.
The other
Stood at 208 centimeters tall. Just standing there gave off an overwhelming presence that made no one dare approach.
And then
When Araki Masako entered the gym carrying her bamboo sword, what she saw were two completely isolated figures: Midorima Shintarō and Murasakibara Atsushi.
Araki Masako's temple twitched as she eyed the two. One fiddled with an alarm clock, the other munched loudly on snacks.
"You two are still the same, huh… those little punks from Teiko~"
Her smile was sharp, more of a threat than a greeting.
Midorima frowned slightly, while Murasakibara continued chewing nonchalantly, each bite crisp and loud.
Step
Step
Under the tense gaze of Yōsen's older members, Araki Masako walked straight up to the two.
She'd originally planned to assert dominance right away—show them her rules from the very first meeting.
But the moment she noticed how much taller and more solid the two had grown since junior high…
Her expression froze.
"...!"
Good grief
Was Murasakibara nearing 210 centimeters already?
Guess all that eating wasn't for nothing.
At the side, Yōsen's captain Okamura Kenichi and vice-captain Fukui Kensuke also approached, their eyes locked on the two new arrivals.
Of course, most of the attention went straight to Murasakibara—he was impossible to ignore.
"...!"
Damn, look at those arms and legs!
They said he just graduated from middle school?
Who would believe that?!
While the Yōsen players gawked at the Generation of Miracles, the rest of the first-year recruits were visibly nervous.
After all, Yōsen High was already a powerhouse in Akita.
Now, with two members of the Generation of Miracles joining, their status was only further solidified.
Even if today was just an entrance trial, facing a school of this level was intimidating enough.
"Hey, how do you think the entrance test will go?"
"No idea…"
"Probably not some basic drills, right?"
"Yeah, not with those two here."
"This is gonna be bad…"
"I can already imagine how pathetic we'll look next to them…"
And sure enough
Their fears proved right.
Araki Masako spun her bamboo sword and called out,
"I know perfectly well what you two are capable of. Your names are famous enough already. But…"
Her tone turned sharp.
"At Yōsen, there are no special treatments, got it?"
Midorima adjusted his glasses.
"Of course. Everything should be decided by strength."
"Good~"
Araki smiled faintly.
"Then here's your test. You and Murasakibara can each pick your teammates—only from the new recruits—and form a team to play a 5-on-5 practice match against Yōsen's starting lineup."
The gym erupted instantly.
"What!?"
"They're going straight against the starters!?"
At her words, every first-year turned their eyes toward the two Teiko prodigies.
Calm, composed, completely unbothered.
Not a hint of nervousness.
Seeing that, a few confident first-years subtly edged closer—hoping to be picked.
There couldn't be a better chance to make an impression.
Meanwhile, among Yōsen's starting members, quiet murmurs began to stir.
A challenge from super rookies on the first day of training
They all knew what that meant.
Fukui shot a teasing grin toward Okamura.
"Hey, looks like you're in trouble~ You might become Yōsen's first captain to lose his starter spot on day one~"
Okamura blinked.
"…Wait, what?"
Then it hit him.
Damn it!
That Murasakibara guy
He was obviously a center, same as him!
As for Midorima, he wouldn't threaten Fukui's position as shooting guard.
Which meant
Among the two captains, only he was in danger.
"Tch!"
"Fukui…"
"Hm?"
"You point guards sure have it easy…"
"Heh~ can't argue with that."
"…"
"Okamura, you're a third-year and you've played center for years… don't lose to him, alright?"
"Yeah… I'll do my best."
Silently, Yōsen's starters stepped forward.
The coach hadn't said it outright, but they all understood the meaning behind this test.
Ever since the rise of Teiko's Twin Stars, the high school basketball world had changed again.
The era that once belonged to Hagioka Kasayuki had ended
and a new one was taking shape.
Interhigh.
National Games.
Winter Cup.
Just like the storm Hagioka once brought to the scene
Teiko's Twin Stars had shaken it even harder.
After all, they were the ones who toppled the Emperor—Rakuzan.
Now, following that display of dominance, other former Teiko players—the Generation of Miracles—had become the hottest commodities in Japan's basketball scene.
Every powerhouse school wanted one.
And now…
Even Yōsen had joined the race.
No one had expected it
But their coach had gone all in.
Not just one miracle, but two—at once.
And judging by the coach's confidence, it was clear
She believed these two could handle anything.
Otherwise, there's no way she'd schedule a match like this on their first day.
The message was obvious.
Even with only first-years as teammates,
these two were believed to have the power to challenge all of Yōsen's starters.
But then again
They were Yōsen's starters.
No matter who they faced, Generation of Miracles or not,
they weren't going to give up their spots that easily.
END OF CHAPTER
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