The sharp squeak of sneakers against the polished wooden court echoed through Hachioji Academy's gymnasium.
The girls sprinted back and forth, their footsteps pounding against the floor.
Haruko wiped her damp palms on her shorts as she pivoted and ran up the court.
Coach Maeda cupped a hand around her mouth.
"Nice work, girls! Keep it up! One more minute!"
She glanced at her watch.
The timer beeped sharply, and Coach Maeda nodded.
"All right, break time! Take five, girls."
The girls slumped against the walls, while others bent forward with their hands on their knees, gasping for air.
Suzume wiped the sweat from her brow with the hem of her shirt. Her shoulders sagged as she turned to Kotone.
"She made us run for half an hour straight. Coach is really pushing us today, huh?"
Kotone stretched her long limbs before taking a sip from her water bottle.
She shook her head and exhaled softly.
"Haven't you heard yet, Suzume?"
Suzume blinked, her chest still rising and falling.
"Heard what?"
"We have a practice match coming up," Kotone said. "I heard we're playing the team that came in fourth last year. They're pretty tough. And considering we only made it to the second round last season, this is gonna be a real challenge."
"Well, then we'd better work hard," Suzume replied.
Kotone nodded, gripping her water bottle.
"Yeah. We're not letting last year happen again."
Haruko sat quietly against the gym wall, tilting her head back as she stared at the white ceiling tiles.
Her fingers traced the faint scuff marks on the floor.
Am I really good enough?
Her shoulders sank against the wall.
Can I really lead this team to victory? It's harder than I ever imagined.
"Hey, Haru, are you okay?"
Sayaka crouched beside her.
Haruko managed a small smile, her fingers fidgeting with the hem of her shorts.
"Oh, Sayaka. Yeah, I'm fine. Just… thinking about how I'm going to lead the team to victory. I have to do it. I'm their captain."
"Ha! Do you hear yourself?"
A girl approached them with her arms folded.
"Kazue…" Sayaka clicked her tongue.
"Lead us to victory? You can't even make a single basket!" Kazue scoffed. "Your defense is okay, and sure, you can handle the ball, but scoring isn't exactly your strong point, is it? Seriously, what does Coach Maeda even see in you?"
"You—!"
Sayaka sprang to her feet.
"How dare you talk to Haruko like that, Kazue? Show some respect for your senior!"
"Sayaka, it's fine."
Haruko gently rested a hand on her friend's arm.
"But, Haruko—"
"Don't waste your energy."
Kazue leaned forward, a smirk tugging at her lips.
"The truth hurts, doesn't it? You're not even good enough to be on this team, let alone be its captain!"
A second-year girl standing just behind Kazue shifted her weight.
"Please… stop. Coach will hear you," she whispered.
Kazue's eyes narrowed.
"Our seniors might not want to admit it, but they know the truth. You're not worth it, Haruko. You should just quit."
"Enough!"
Sayaka's voice cracked as she stepped forward.
Kazue pointed at Sayaka.
"If we actually played against you seniors, we'd crush you with a little strategy!"
"And honestly, we wouldn't even need to guard Haruko. Or should I say, Captain? You'd be more of a nuisance than anything!"
Haruko pushed herself away from the wall and rose to her feet.
She fixed her gaze on Kazue.
"What's that look for? If you've got something to say, then say it."
Kazue rested a hand on her hip.
"Can you back up your words with actions?"
Haruko asked.
Kazue scoffed.
"That's rich coming from someone who can't even score."
Haruko drew a slow breath through her nose.
"Then I challenge you to a five-on-five match. You can pick any first- or second-years you want for your team."
"If you win, I'll give up my position as captain. But if I win, you'll show me some respect and call me Captain."
"Huh…?"
Sayaka's mouth fell open.
"But, Haruko, you can't!"
She turned toward her, her eyes widening.
"Fine by me. Guess we'll see if you can do more than just pass the ball around," Kazue said.
"Coach."
Haruko turned toward Maeda.
"I'll be taking up some of our training time for this. Please forgive me."
She gathered her hair into a ponytail and secured it with a hair tie.
Coach Maeda folded her arms and gave a slight nod.
"I don't mind. This will be good practice for all of you. Though… I'm a little concerned about the part where you promised to give up your position as captain."
Haruko smiled.
"Don't worry. I'm planning to win and teach her a lesson."
"Alright, then. We'll play to twenty-one points. Seniors against juniors. Let's begin."
Coach Maeda tossed the basketball high into the air.
Kotone and a second-year girl jumped for the ball. Kotone's fingertips brushed against its surface as it bounced on the court.
Suzume moved into position catching it.
"Could you not smack the ball so hard?"
She released a slow breath, then began dribbling.
"Let's score some points."
Kazue's eyes locked onto Kotone.
She's going to be a problem.
"Alright, everyone, remember the plan."
"Right!" the other girls responded.
Kazue and another girl moved to either side of Kotone, lowering their stances.
Kotone pressed her lips together.
What's this? Double-teaming me, huh? How interesting.
Sayaka glanced toward Haruko, her brow furrowed.
So that's their plan? They're leaving Haruko wide open?
"Suzume, pass the ball!"
Haruko raised her hands.
Suzume hesitated for a heartbeat before passing.
Haruko caught the ball and dribbled forward. Each bounce echoed through the gym as her pulse quickened.
A second-year girl lunged toward her with her arms spread wide. Haruko crossed the ball to her left and slipped past her.
Sayaka raised a hand as she moved into the key.
"I'm open."
Haruko gathered the ball in her hands. Her fingers tightened around its pebbled surface as Kazue's words echoed in her mind.
You're not even good enough to be on this team, let alone be its captain!
Her gaze flicked toward Sayaka, then back to the basket.
She remembered the days she'd spent struggling to make a shot, the balls that had bounced off the rim, and the frustration of watching everyone else improve while she stayed behind.
No. This time, I won't back down.
Focus. Remember what he taught you. The way he shoots… burn that image into your mind.
Haruko bent her knees and lifted the ball. She extended her arms and flicked her wrist.
Sayaka's eyes followed the ball through the air.
Kazue turned sharply, positioning herself between Kotone and the rim.
That shot won't go in. I'll grab the rebound myself.
Swish!
The ball dropped cleanly through the net.
Kazue's eyes widened.
No way…
Haruko's fingers tingled as she held her arms in the follow-through position.
It went in…
Kotone blinked several times, her hands lifting slightly.
"She actually scored. I didn't think I'd see that happen anytime soon."
She turned and ran back to her half of the court.
Suzume dragged her fingers across the corners of her mouth, trying to form a smile.
"Nice shot, Haruko."
Haruko's cheeks flushed.
She shook her head slightly, a quiet laugh escaping her.
"It's okay… you don't have to force a smile for me. I know you mean it."
"Okay, if you say so."
Suzume shrugged.
Sayaka's eyes sparkled as she clapped her hands together.
"Nice shot! That was so cool!"
"Yeah!"
Haruko turned and lowered herself into a defensive stance, keeping her gaze fixed on Kazue.
That's only the beginning. I'll make her respect me.
On Kazue's side of the court, one of her teammates leaned closer and muttered under her breath.
"Eh?! No way… our plan backfired?! Haruko's actually good?!"
"It's been days since we last saw her play. No wonder she's improved."
Kazue clenched her jaw, biting the inside of her cheek.
"Hey, don't get all excited over one shot! Anyone can get lucky. Just stick to the plan, got it?"
She gritted her teeth.
That was just a fluke. There's no way she learned to shoot like that overnight.
Coach Maeda watched Haruko with a faint smile.
Looks like she's finally coming around… Aika would be proud.