Haruko flicked her wrist as she jumped. The ball spun toward the hoop.
Swish!
"Haruko," Tetsuo said.
Haruko turned toward him.
"What is it?"
"I won't be here tomorrow evening," Tetsuo said.
"Huh? Why?"
Tetsuo held the ball against his hip.
"I have a practice match."
Haruko's eyes widened.
"A practice match? Who are you playing against?"
"Yokonan High."
"Y-Yokonan? As in Yokonan High School?"
Tetsuo nodded.
Haruko stared at him.
"How can you be so calm at a time like this?" she asked.
"I'm not sure what you want me to do."
Haruko's mouth fell open.
"W-Well, I don't know! Aren't you nervous? It's Yokonan High!"
"Should I be?"
Haruko brought her index fingers together and shifted her weight from one foot to the other.
"Um… do you mind if I come watch?"
Tetsuo looked at her.
"Why?"
"Well…"
She caught a loose strand of hair and wound it around her finger.
"Honestly, I'd love to see my coach in action."
Tetsuo's fingers stopped against the basketball.
"Coach?"
Haruko nodded.
"That's right! You're my coach, aren't you? I want to see how you play in a real match."
"If that's what you want. But tomorrow's a school day, so you'd have to skip class to come with us," Tetsuo said.
"Skipping one day won't hurt! Besides, I have a really reliable friend who'll get the notes for me."
Haruko pulled out her phone and checked the time.
"Oh no! It's getting late. I should get going before I get in trouble."
Tetsuo's gaze shifted toward her.
"Why would you get in trouble?"
Haruko's thumb stopped over her phone screen.
"Hehe…"
She rubbed the back of her neck.
"Well… I kind of, sort of… snuck out of the house."
Tetsuo held out his hand.
"Before you go, I want to show you something."
Haruko passed him the ball. He tucked it against his hip and walked toward her.
He placed a hand on her shoulder and guided her a few steps toward the free-throw line.
Her cheeks warmed as she looked up at him.
"W-What are you—?"
"Stand here. On the free-throw line."
Tetsuo released her shoulder and stepped back.
"Try to stop me from scoring."
Haruko swallowed and raised her arms.
"O-Okay!"
Tetsuo bounced the ball against the asphalt.
Haruko kept her eyes on him, shifting her feet as he approached.
He took his first step.
She immediately slid in front of him.
Then Tetsuo planted his foot and changed direction with his next step.
Haruko's eyes widened.
"Huh?!"
She tried to turn, but he was already past her.
Tetsuo gathered the ball and rose toward the basket. It struck the backboard and dropped through the net.
Swish!
Her mouth opened slightly.
"How…? You barely moved!"
Tetsuo retrieved the ball and returned to her.
"It's called a Euro step."
"A Euro step?"
"It's called a Euro step. You change direction between steps to get past the defender."
Tetsuo passed the ball back to her.
Haruko caught it, her lips curving into a smile.
"Thanks."
She turned toward the gate, then stopped and looked back.
"Oh, and don't forget to text me the date, time, and where we're meeting. See you later!"
She raised a hand in a quick wave before heading toward the gate.
Tetsuo watched her leave. His gaze dropped to the hand.
Have I... met her somewhere before?
His fingers curled slightly.
He closed his eyes.
No. That's not possible.
Clap. Clap. Clap.
Tetsuo opened his eyes and turned toward the far corner of the court.
A tall figure emerged from the shadows.
His loose tracksuit jacket hung half-zipped over his shirt, and his track pants gathered around his ankles. A thin pendant rested against his chest, catching the light as he moved. A small stud pierced his ears, and his cream-colored hair stuck out in several directions.
He stopped in front of Tetsuo and slipped both hands into his pockets.
"Well, aren't you the player entertaining a girl out here at this hour? I'm jealous."
Tetsuo remained silent.
He tilted his head and clicked his tongue.
"Why so quiet all of a sudden? Are you afraid?"
He leaned forward.
A sharp glint flashed in Tetsuo's eyes. His face remained still, and his hands hung loosely at his sides.
"Do we have a problem?"
Tadao's mouth tightened. He straightened and took a step back.
"Tch. I'm not here to pick a fight."
He turned toward the opening in the fence.
"During the day, you and your little girlfriend can play here all you want. But after dark…"
He glanced over his shoulder.
This guy… his eyes aren't normal.
He released a slow breath.
"Take this as a warning."
Tetsuo watched him walk through the opening in the fence. He didn't move until Tadao disappeared from view.
Haruko slipped carefully through her bedroom window, her fingers lingering on the sill as she pushed herself inside.
She pulled the window shut slowly.
Click.
A breath escaped her lips.
The moment she turned around, the overhead light flicked on.
Haruko raised an arm to shield her eyes.
Sachiko stood beside the doorway, her arms folded across her chest.
"Where have you been at this time of night?"
Haruko's shoulders lifted slightly. She wrapped her arms around herself.
"Sachiko…"
Her lips parted, but she pressed them together and looked away.
"This has nothing to do with you."
"Of course it does."
Sachiko stepped closer, her socks sliding softly across the tatami floor.
"You're my younger sister. I have every right to worry about you."
Haruko spun around, her fists tightening at her sides.
"If you really considered me your little sister, you should have helped me when I needed you the most!"
Sachiko's lips parted, she lowered her gaze to the floor.
"...I'm here now. But if Mom and Dad find out—"
"Just leave my room."
"Haruko, I—"
"GET OUT!"
Haruko grabbed Sachiko by the shoulders and shoved her toward the doorway. Sachiko stumbled into the hallway before Haruko slammed the door shut.
BANG!
Haruko sank to the floor, her back pressed against the door. Her hands trembled in her lap as she stared at the tatami beneath her knees.
On the other side, Sachiko stood motionless.
Her hand hovered near the door, but she slowly lowered it.
Sachiko swallowed and looked down at her hands.
When did we drift so far apart?
She turned away from the door, her shoulders drooping as she walked down the hallway.
I'm the worst...
Elsewhere, an alarm beeped insistently in the still darkness.
Takahiro groaned and sat up, reaching over to silence it. He rubbed his eyes, stretched his arms above his head, then swung his legs over the side of the bed.
"...So, today's the big day, huh?"
The scent of warm miso soup drifted up from the kitchen below, mingling with the aroma of freshly cooked rice. His stomach rumbled.
Takahiro headed downstairs.
"Mom? You're up early."
"I woke up to make breakfast for you. It's the least I can do before your match."
Takahiro approached the pot on the stove and reached for the lid.
Don't mind if I do.
His mother's hand struck the back of his.
"Be patient and sit down."
Takahiro pulled his hand back and rubbed it.
"Come on... I thought this was my breakfast."
"Then wait until it's ready."
He let out a sigh and leaned against the doorframe.
"So... did Dad say anything?"
"Oh, you just missed him."
His mother carried a steaming bowl of miso soup to the table.
"He said, 'Go give 'em hell!'"
PFFT!
Takahiro burst out laughing.
"There's no way the old man actually said that!"
"Mom, who's this old guy in our kitchen?"
A little boy stood in the doorway, rubbing his sleepy eyes.
Takahiro turned toward him, grinning.
"Chihiro!"
Before he could react, Takahiro reached over and pinched both his cheeks.
"Ow! That hurts! Let go!"
"That's no way to talk to your older brother, Chihiro."
"I get it! I'm sorry!"
"Takahiro, let him go," their mother said.
Takahiro released him.
Chihiro rubbed his cheeks and glared at his brother.
"It's your fault for looking older every day!"
Takahiro raised an eyebrow.
"What was that?"
"Sometimes I mistake you for Dad. Why don't you shave that beard already?"
Takahiro's hand went to his chin.
"What's wrong with my beard? And why are you even up this early?"
Chihiro froze.
Their mother glanced at him, a smile spreading across her face.
"He told me he wanted to see you off before your match. He said he wants you to win."
Chihiro's face turned red.
"I-I didn't say that, Mom!"
"There's no need to be shy, dear."
Takahiro chuckled and ruffled his younger brother's hair.
"Thanks, little man."
"Hey! Stop patting my head! I'm not a kid!"
Chihiro swatted his hand away and hurried toward the table.
Takahiro watched him go, the corners of his mouth lifting.
His mother's laughter filled the kitchen.
Meanwhile, Shino stretched in his room, rolling his shoulders before loosening his arms and legs. Pale morning light slipped through the window.
Yokonan High School, huh?
He clenched and unclenched his hands before reaching for his bag.
I need to be ready. I'll help the team however I can.
He stepped into the hallway and stopped at the doorway to a room.
"Auntie, I'm heading out. Oh, and your breakfast is on the table. Heat it up if it gets cold."
His aunt raised a hand without looking up.
"Yeah, yeah. Be careful."
Shino slipped on his shoes and stepped outside.
"I swear, that kid..." his aunt muttered.
The door clicked shut behind him.
Shino started jogging down the quiet streets, his shoes tapping against the pavement. Each time he exhaled, a small cloud of breath appeared in front of him.
Across town, Noboru lay sprawled across his bed, his mouth hanging open as snores rumbled from his throat.
His alarm clock sat untouched on the bedside table.
At the riverbank, Hayato stretched his arms above his head. The rising sun reflected off the water, its golden light breaking apart with every ripple.
He lowered his arms and stared across the river.
I didn't think I'd see him again so soon.
The corners of his mouth lifted.
This time, I'll win.
He bent forward and stretched his legs before straightening up again.
In his room, Yukio sat on the edge of his bed, curling a twenty-pound dumbbell in one hand while holding an open book in the other.
His phone began ringing on the bedside table.
He lowered the dumbbell and reached for it.
He answered the call.
"Nanaho? Why are you calling so early?"
In another room, Tetsuo sat on the edge of his bed with his eyes closed.
He opened his eyes.
"...It's time."