"Um... Rie, what you want to say to me?"
Shino's voice came out soft, carrying a small tremor. His fingers brushed the edge of his sleeve, eyes flicking toward her then away again.
"Uu... mm... erm... eh... train hard and... all the best with your games, Shino!!"
Her words spilled out in a rush as she bent forward, head low, eyes squeezed shut. The air between them went still for a moment. When she lifted her face again, warmth spread faintly across her cheeks.
Shino let out a small laugh, quiet but clear in the air. The sound made her chest tighten, her heartbeat jumping.
His smile was gentle, the corners of his lips soft.
"Yes... thank you. I really needed that."
As he walked away, Yuri let out a quiet laugh, shoulders shaking slightly.
"Wow, I didn't know you two already use first names. I think I gave you less credit than you deserve, Rie."
Rie's face flared red in an instant.
"Why did you do that to me?!"
Her voice rose high and quick as she gave Yuri a light hit, lips pressing into a small pout.
"Cut it out. At least you made a little progress with him. Better than standing around like a stalker."
Yuri's tone was teasing as their steps fell in rhythm, shoes tapping softly on the path back toward the courtyard.
At the field, Noboru bent forward, breath coming in short bursts. Sweat slid down his neck as his palms pressed against his knees.
"I'm impressed you could keep up with our training so quickly."
The girl's voice carried lightly over the sound of wind moving across the track.
Noboru straightened, a grin forming as he puffed out his chest.
"So, you finally see how great I am."
"Please don't make this idiot more proud, okay?"
Naomi crossed her arms, her eyes narrowing slightly.
"He's already too full of himself."
Noboru frowned, his voice quick and sharp.
"Oi, what's that supposed to mean? Who are you calling an idiot?"
"Was I not clear? I said you are the idiot."
Naomi's voice was calm but edged, her arms tightening across her chest.
Noboru let out a short laugh, the corner of his mouth lifting.
"If anything, you're the idiot, Naomi. Always meddling in things that not your business. You want my attention that much?"
"What?! How dare you!"
Naomi's voice cracked through the air, her foot stamping lightly against the ground.
Noboru's grin faded as his eyes shifted toward the schoolyard gate. His posture straightened, the tension in his shoulders changing.
Shino was moving quickly across the path, head lowered, steps firm and quiet.
"Hey, amateur, where you going in such a hurry?"
Noboru's voice carried across the field, loud and teasing.
"I told you before, don't call me that."
Shino's tone tightened, his eyes lowering for a moment. He turned slightly, catching the curious looks from nearby athletes, heat touching his cheeks.
"I'm going to buy drinks for the team."
His steps quickened, the coins in his hand clinking softly.
"Sweet! Get me an apple juice. I'll pay you back!"
Noboru's voice rang out, full of cheer.
"Okay, but you better not be lying."
Shino's reply came quick, a faint edge in his tone before his footsteps faded around the corner.
He jogged fast, coins jingling in his hand. His breath came out in short rhythm as he spoke softly to himself.
"One for me... Takahiro, Hayato, and Liam. I must hurry and go back to training. Little by little, I feel more like basketball player every day..."
His steps slowed, the sound on the path fading. A small smile came to his lips.
I'm glad I came to Toshigawa. I never imagine they treat me like part of team.
But as he turned into a quiet alleyway beside the school, he froze.
Standing there was Makoto, and in front of him, a group of tall boys, older and broader than him.
"I never think I see trash like you in a good school like Toshigawa."
Basara's voice carried a rough edge, the words thick with scorn as his eyes narrowed on Makoto.
Daichi's eyes moved slowly over Makoto, calm and measuring.
"Basara, easy. Don't be rude."
His tone stayed quiet, controlled. He tilted his chin slightly, eyes half-lidded as they fixed on Makoto.
"Still, it's strange. You disappeared after that game, never touched a ball again. Everyone said you quit because you were scared."
He stepped closer, his voice low but steady.
"You really think you can hide here and start fresh? Toshigawa's name doesn't wash that away. Trash stays trash, no matter where it goes."
A faint smirk touched his mouth, more habit than humor.
"I guess some people never stop running."
The air thickened after his words. The others started laughing, the sound bouncing against the narrow walls of the alley.
"This loser quit basketball back in junior high. He wasn't even worth anything. Even Coach Izanagi said the same."
Hidesuke's grin widened, his tone loud and mocking as his hands shoved deep into his pockets.
These bastards — they really annoy me. If it comes down to it, I must fight them.
Makoto's jaw tightened. His fingers closed into a fist at his side, knuckles pale. Breath came in short, measured pulls. His eyes narrowed, a hard, steady focus in his gaze.
"Hidesuke, you play big for three years, but I never see you in the weekly basketball news. Tough to be talentless, right?"
His voice came flat and steady, eyes fixed on Hidesuke.
"What you say just now, punk?"
Hidesuke's voice came rough, the words cutting low. He stepped in close, shoulders tense, his face lowering until their noses almost met. The heat of his breath pressed against Makoto's skin.
"Wait! I don't know what's happening, but please, leave him alone!"
Shino's voice broke as he moved between them. His hands shook, fingers twitching in the air. His chest lifted and fell in uneven rhythm, a tight knot twisting deep in his stomach as his eyes squeezed shut.
Makoto's eyes flicked toward Shino, surprise flashing for a moment before turning back to Hidesuke.
What are you doing here, Katsuragi…?
The words slipped out under his breath. His fists eased a little, tension softening in his knuckles.
"Who's this soft kid? You gonna wet your pants or something?"
Basara's voice came low and cruel, a grin cutting across his face. The others burst out laughing, their rough voices scraping against the warm afternoon air.
"Wait, no freaking way! I recognize this kid. Is that bean sprout?"
Hidesuke's eyes widened as realization hit, his voice rising with disbelief.
"Now that you say it, yeah… it really does look like him."
Basara's grin stretched wider, eyes glinting with mean amusement.
"That pipsqueak you stole that girl from, right, Daichi?"
"You're right. It's him."
Daichi's tone stayed calm, but the edge beneath it was clear.
No way… these guys… my seniors from junior high…
Shino's voice came out thin, barely reaching the air. His shoulders trembled, eyes glistening before the first tears slipped down his cheeks.
All the memories came flooding back — what they had done to him, and the face of the girl he had tried so hard to forget.
"I can't take it!"
His voice broke, the words shaking loose from his chest. His head dropped, breath unsteady, and a tremor ran through his body as his hand pressed tight against his left side.
"I've been taking care of Hana all this time. You don't need to worry about her, bean sprout."
Daichi's tone stayed even, but there was a quiet sting in his words as his arms folded across his chest.
"Wait… you're in training gear? Don't tell me you're still trying to play basketball — in high school, no less."
Hidesuke scoffed, a sharp breath leaving him as he shook his head in disbelief.
"Ha, don't make me laugh. A useless shrimp like you couldn't even handle being a waterboy. You were just our errand boy back then — what makes you think you can join a high school team now?"
Basara's voice rose, rough with cruel amusement.
Shino's breath caught, chest tightening until it hurt. His head lowered, shoulders trembling as he tried to hide the tears tracing down his face. His hands curled into fists at his sides, nails pressing deep into his palms.
Wait… he was that kid they pushed around back in junior high? That quiet, timid one?
Makoto's words slipped out under his breath, his eyes blinking slowly as the realization sank in.
"What's taking Shino so long? My throat's dry, and I'm sweating like crazy."
He looked past the track, but there was no sign of Shino anywhere.
With a small sigh, he started jogging toward the school gates.
Don't tell me he's still at the old vending machine, he thought, glancing down the path as he passed the narrow alley.
"When I see him, I'll—"
Noboru stopped mid-step, his body going still.
"What the hell? They are ganging up on Shino? I won't allow that! Those punks will get it."
His voice climbed as he ran, the soles of his shoes thudding hard on the pavement. Breath came quick and loud, fists clenching as he ran.
"Hey!! What the hell are you guys doing to my teammates, you bastards?"
Noboru's voice rang out, his face set and fists tight at his sides.
"Who the hell is this short clown? And by 'teammate,' you mean this piece of garbage?"
Hidesuke sneered, stepping forward, his movements sharp and aggressive.
"He may be amateur, but you do not call him garbage!"
Noboru's voice came low and harsh as his fist swung, cracking into Hidesuke's cheek.
Hidesuke stumbled back, hand slapping to his face, eyes wide.
"How dare you touch me? You are dead meat!"
Hidesuke's mouth twisted. He wiped blood from his lip with the back of his hand and charged, shoulder driving forward.
"Bring it on, you piece of shit."
Noboru's tone stayed calm but hard, breath coming quick and even, eyes burning.
Hidesuke's strike met Noboru's jaw, impact ringing through the air. Noboru staggered, head snapping, then bent his knees and drove a fist into Hidesuke's gut.
Hidesuke doubled over, breath blasting out of him.
"You little runt—"
Hidesuke drew back his arm, ready to swing again.
"That's enough."
A voice cut through the air, deep and steady, carrying quiet authority that froze the movement mid-swing.
A tall figure stepped forward — easily over six feet, though not the taller than Hidesuke. The air shifted at once, tension drawing tight.
"But Takumi, he threw the first punch," Daichi's voice came low, steady, a hint of protest under the calm.
"Don't reduce yourself to their level. This petty street fight is not worth the trouble. I expected you, of all people, to know that, Captain. You're supposed to be the most rational one here. Besides, you guys are third-years. Act like it."
Takumi's tone cut through the air, sharp and commanding, leaving no space for argument.
No way… that guy's the bastard who crushed my team 104–2 back in junior high. The one who stole all of Naomi's attention from me…
Noboru muttered under his breath, his fists trembling as the words slipped out.
"Come on, come on, guys, let's go," Daichi's voice came quiet but firm, his gaze flicking toward Takumi before turning away.
"Tch… lucky bastard," Hidesuke muttered, shoving his hands into his pockets as he turned his back, shoulders tense.
"Takumi!!"
Noboru called out, his voice cracking slightly. The sound made Takumi pause mid-step.
Takumi turned his head, eyes narrowing.
"Do I know you from somewhere?"
"We played against each other in junior high," Noboru answered, his tone steady though his hands were tight at his sides.
Takumi's gaze lingered for a moment, unreadable.
"Sorry. I don't remember every bug I crush."
With that, he turned and walked away, the others following in silence.
"That bastard! How dare he?"
Noboru hissed, his whole body tense, ready to spring forward.
Makoto stepped closer, his hand gripping Noboru's shoulder firmly.
"Let it go, Takemoto. Now isn't the time."
"But..."
Noboru's voice trailed off, jaw tight, frustration flickering in his eyes.
"Look with your eyes for once," Makoto cut in, his tone low.
He tilted his chin toward the ground, where Shino sat curled up, shoulders shaking faintly.
Noboru's breath hitched as he dropped to one knee beside Shino. His voice came out in a quiet rush.
"Shino… why are you crying? Did they hurt you?"
Makoto lowered himself into a crouch beside them, his expression easing as he looked at Shino.
"It makes sense now… why he kept following me, asking me to join the team. I didn't get it before, but now I do."
His voice dropped, quieter.
"You were part of my old junior high team. Well… not exactly part of it."