Naomi stood near the edge of the bleachers, her hand lifted in a small wave toward a player on the other side of the field.
Noboru's chest tightened as his eyes followed her gesture. The faint cheer from the crowd faded in his ears.
She came to see Takumi.
His jaw tensed, breath catching in his throat. Our opponent.
"Rebound!"
Noboru's captain's voice cut through the noise, sharp and commanding. He sprang forward, hands closing around the ball before it could slip away.
"Noboru, catch!" His captain's voice rose again as the ball left his hands.
Noboru caught it mid-step, sneakers scraping lightly against the court. He drove forward and slipped the ball into the hoop with a clean layup.
A teammate's voice came from somewhere near the sideline. "Nice one, Noboru."
Running back on defense, Noboru caught a glimpse of Takumi's cold stare, the corners of the other players' mouths curling in quiet amusement.
Takumi ruled the court—jump shots that never missed, passes that flowed without effort, dunks that shook the rim. Noboru could only stare, his heartbeat growing heavier with every play.
By halftime, the score glared back at him: 62–2.
By the final whistle, it read 104–2.
When the buzzer echoed through the gym, Noboru's knees buckled. He sank beside the bench, sweat clinging to his skin.
At the court's edge, Naomi spoke with Takumi, her smile bright, untouched by the loss.
The sting pressed deep into his chest.
A voice from somewhere distant slipped into his mind. I hate people like you. Don't bother talking to me again. We're through.
He lurched upright, breath rasping in the dark. Sweat traced down his temple as his fist tightened.
It was a dream…
At Hachioji Academy, the morning air carried the faint scent of chalk and floor polish. Students moved quietly through the hallway, their shoes brushing against the waxed floor.
"Good morning."
A girl entered quietly, the faint rustle of her uniform breaking the still air. She lowered herself into the seat, her bag settling against the desk leg.
"Good morning. Did you finish the homework from the teacher?" Her voice was mild, a hint of sleep still in it as she straightened her skirt.
"What? We had homework?"
The boy jerked upright, his chair creaking against the floor. His eyes widened as he leaned forward over his desk, breath catching in his throat.
She flinched, one hand coming up to cover her ear. "Please don't shout like that… you'll make me deaf." Her tone carried mild irritation, though her mouth curved slightly at the corner.
The match yesterday was really something. I can't wait to tell Tetsuo about it.
Haruko walked past the open doorway, a drawstring bag resting against her shoulder. The morning light touched the back of her gym jacket, tracing the white trim with a faint warmth.
But that will have to wait. I need to return these jerseys to the first years. They said they did not want to take them home, because they were too sweaty. In the end, I brought them back and washed all six myself.
Her steps were light but steady as she entered the corridor. The faint scent of detergent lingered on the mesh fabric of the jerseys inside her bag.
Kazue was against the idea from the start. She even tried to make them take their own jerseys home, using a bit of pressure.
The memory returned to her of the locker room after the match, the air still heavy with sweat and tired voices.
Kazue folded her arms, her eyes narrowing as the first years shifted uneasily under her stare.
"You six… honestly. Do you think Haruko is your maid? Take your own jerseys home."
The smallest girl lowered her gaze, fingers twisting at the hem of her shirt. "B-but they smell bad…" Her voice thinned, almost lost in the echo of the locker room.
Kazue's brow tightened. "Then try not to sweat so much next time." Her voice came out sharper than she intended, the sound drawing a few uneasy glances from the others.
"I… I'll wash mine," Yuna murmured, lifting her hand a little. Her shoulders hunched as if bracing for another scolding.
Kazue let out a short breath through her nose. "See? It's not so hard."
Haruko stepped forward with a quiet sigh, placing herself between them. "Alright, Kazue. That's enough. I will take care of it."
"But, Captain—"
"It's alright." Her smile was small, steady. "Next time, we will make sure everyone helps."
The air loosened. Kazue's disapproval still pressed close beside her.
The memory faded, and the sound of footsteps in the corridor brought Haruko back to the present.
Still, as captain, it is my duty to make sure everyone feels at ease with basketball. For now, I am returning the jerseys, going from class to class to hand them back.
Haruko turned the corner and stepped into another wing of the school, her shoes making a light sound against the polished floor.
Meanwhile, in another classroom, Usagi sat at her desk with her elbows resting on the wood. Her fingers pressed lightly against the edge of her pencil case, feeling the fabric give under each touch.
What should I get Tetsuo for our anniversary? It's hard to choose when I don't really know what he likes. He never talks about that kind of thing. I don't know what to do…
Usagi's brows drew together, a faint crease forming between them as she stared down at her pencil case.
A classmate leaned slightly toward her. "You look a bit tense, Usagi. Is something the matter?"
Usagi blinked, realizing her shoulders had grown tight. She lowered them slowly, the movement small but deliberate.
Usagi gave a small shake of her head. "It's nothing serious. I was only thinking about what to get my brother. Today is the second anniversary since we moved here together, so I wanted to find something to thank him for looking after me."
Her fingers brushed the zipper of her pencil case, tracing the edge as she spoke.
Her classmate rested her chin on one hand, a small smile touching her lips. "That's very kind of you. What's your brother's name?"
"His name is Tetsuo Kawaguchi. He goes to Toshigawa Academy."
Did she just say Tetsuo Kawaguchi?
Haruko stopped at the doorway, her hands still over the strap of the jersey bag. The faint rustle of students' voices reached her from inside the room.
Haruko stepped into the room, her grip tightening slightly on the bag strap. "Excuse me… did you just say Tetsuo Kawaguchi?" Her tone stayed even, though something quickened in her chest.
Usagi looked up, her head tilting a little. "Yes, I did. Is there a reason?"
Haruko gave a small shake of her head. "No special reason. We played basketball together once, so I was only curious when I heard his name."
A faint color rose on her cheeks as she lowered her gaze, her palm brushing lightly against the fabric of her skirt.
Usagi's eyes widened slightly. "You're the one who meets him in the mornings to play basketball, aren't you?"
Haruko blinked. "How did you know that… unless—"
"My name is Usagi Kawaguchi. I'm his younger sister."
Haruko gave a small nod, her posture easing. "I see. That explains it. I'm Haruko Takahashi, a third-year. That means I'm your senior."
Usagi leaned forward slightly, her hands clasping together on the desk. "You and Tetsuo are friends, right? Do you know if there's anything he likes? Today makes two years since we moved here, and I want to find something special to thank him."
Haruko paused for a moment, her gaze drifting slightly to the side. "Nothing comes to mind right now… but if I had to guess, it would probably be something related to basketball."
Oh… why didn't I think of that?
Usagi leaned back a little, brushing her bangs away from her forehead.
"I know a shop that sells basketball gear and supplies. If you like, I can take you there after school." Haruko adjusted the strap of the jersey bag on her shoulder as she spoke.
Usagi nodded, a bright smile forming on her face. "Yes, thank you. That would be very nice."
"Good. Let's exchange numbers so I can reach you."
Haruko adjusted the strap of the jersey bag on her shoulder, then took out her phone and unlocked it with a few light taps.
"Alright then. See you later, Usagi."
Haruko gave a small wave as she stepped out of the classroom.
"Yes, see you later, Haruko." Usagi's smile brightened as she lifted her hand in return.
"I didn't know your big brother plays basketball. That's pretty cool." One of the boys leaned slightly over his desk, his tone light with interest.
"Yeah, he really is," Usagi replied, a hint of pride in her voice.
I don't know why, but I feel like I've met that girl before. Her face seems so familiar.
Usagi tilted her head slightly, her gaze unfocused as the thought lingered.