The chirping of birds filled the crisp morning air as students streamed through the school gates.
"Hey, Yukio! Wait up!" Takahiro shouted as he wove through a cluster of students and jogged over.
Yukio turned at the call.
"Oh, morning, Takahiro."
"I heard the freshmen and sophomores have gym together first period." Takahiro smirked. "You know what that means."
"Yeah." Yukio drew in a quiet breath. "The perfect chance to scout players... and put together a solid team."
His gaze drifted toward the school building.
"...Then make it to the Inter-High this year."
Takahiro punched his palm with a grin.
"Alright! Let's see what these freshmen can do."
Yukio gave a small nod.
I wonder what surprise is waiting for us today.
I'm looking forward to it.
In the hallway leading to the first year classrooms, Makoto made his way toward Class 1-T.
His messy hair stuck out in every direction, and dark circles lingered beneath his eyes.
He stifled a yawn.
One hand stayed buried in his pocket while the other dragged his gym bag along the floor.
Damn... first period in the morning, and it's P.E. of all things.
His eyelids felt heavy.
I barely got any sleep last night with all that ruckus coming from the apartment next door.
He rubbed the back of his neck as he stepped into the classroom.
At the entrance, Shino stood with his head lowered.
The moment he noticed Makoto, his face brightened.
Just ignore him, Makoto thought as he walked past.
"Um... Kurai, good morning," Shino said.
Makoto came to a stop and looked over his shoulder.
Great...
"What do you want?" Makoto asked flatly.
"I heard we're having a class versus class basketball game during gym today."
Makoto stared at him.
"...And what does that have to do with me?"
"Well... we need five people to play." Shino lowered his voice. "And... as you know, I'm really not good with people."
His fingers tightened around the hem of his shirt.
"You're the only person I've talked to since I started at this school, so... I was hoping you'd fill one of the spots."
He bowed deeply.
"Please!"
The chatter around the classroom faded as several students turned their attention toward the doorway.
A few quiet murmurs spread through the room.
Makoto let out a slow sigh through his nose.
"Okay, okay... jeez." He scratched the side of his head. "Quit making such a big scene out of it. I'll play."
Shino straightened so quickly that he nearly lost his balance.
"Really?"
"Yeah," Makoto said. "Now let's see who else is willing to join."
"There's no need for all that."
A voice came from behind them.
"I'll join."
Both boys turned.
A short student with a confident smirk approached with his hands tucked into his blazer pockets.
"You're Noboru Takemoto, right?" Shino asked, blinking.
Noboru rested a hand beneath his chin.
"So you remembered my name." He smirked. "I'm flattered."
Makoto looked away.
How could we forget? You practically gave a speech during homeroom.
"Thanks for joining!" Shino said. "But we still need two more people."
His eyes drifted around the classroom.
"Don't worry, man. I've got you covered." Noboru raised a hand. "Naomi!"
His voice rang across the classroom.
Several heads turned.
Naomi paused in the middle of stretching at her desk.
She looked over, her eyes narrowing.
"What?" she called back.
"Long time no see." Noboru grinned. "What has it been... two years?"
Naomi squinted for a moment.
"Oh... it's you."
She let out a quiet breath.
"I should've known."
"What's that supposed to mean?" Noboru asked. "Anyway, want to help us fill a spot in the class versus class basketball game? If we're going to win, we'll need someone with your talent."
Naomi shrugged.
Her knuckles popped as she flexed her fingers before rolling her shoulders.
"Ah, sure. Why not?"
A small smile spread across her face.
"Might be fun."
"Okay, so now we need someone with some height..." Noboru scanned the classroom.
"Ah, there we go."
His eyes settled on a tall figure standing quietly near the back row.
"Hey, you in the middle. Kawaguchi, right?"
Tetsuo lifted his head slightly.
Morning light spilled through the windows, casting faint shadows across his face.
He glanced around the classroom before pointing at himself.
"Me?"
"Yeah." Noboru nodded. "Want to join us for the basketball game? We need five people to participate."
"You don't have to do much."
A brief silence settled between them.
"I don't mind," Tetsuo said, his voice low.
"Perfect." Noboru smiled.
"Just stay under the basket and keep your hand up."
He clapped his hands once.
"Alright, we're all set. Let's go!"
Shino watched him with a blink.
This guy makes talking to people look so easy...
His fingers curled lightly against his side.
I wish I could be more like him.
Inside the gym, sneakers squeaked across the polished floor while whistles echoed through the air.
Sophomore students gathered near the far bench and along the stairs overlooking the court, their conversations blending into a steady hum.
"Hurry up, Yukio. The first game's about to start," Takahiro said.
"Give me a minute. I'm almost done," Yukio said as he tightened the knot on his shoelaces.
He pushed himself to his feet and stretched his arms overhead.
His T shirt shifted slightly across his toned frame as his shoulders loosened.
A sharp whistle cut through the chatter.
Students quickly lined up with their classes.
The noise around the gym settled into an uneasy buzz.
"Good, we made it in time." Takahiro looked toward the court, scratching the stubble beneath his chin. "Looks like the first matchup is Class 1-T versus Class 1-H. I wonder who's going to win."
Yukio's eyes drifted across the players gathering near center court before stopping on a familiar face.
Makoto.
"From the looks of it..." A faint smile tugged at the corner of Yukio's mouth. "I'd put my money on 1-T."
So, Makoto's playing...
This should be interesting.
He smiled to himself.
"Is that the freshman you were telling me about?" Takahiro asked.
"Yeah." Yukio nodded once. "Keep an eye on him. He's exactly the kind of player our team needs."
Makoto stood in front of his teammates, letting out another yawn.
"So, for the full ten minutes, we're playing man to man defense," Makoto said. "Everyone sticks to one player and stays on them. Got it?"
The others nodded.
"As for offense..." His eyes moved from one teammate to the next. "Who's confident they can score?"
Naomi raised her hand.
"I may not look like it, but I can make layups and short jump shots."
"Good." Makoto nodded. "I'm counting on you."
Shino blinked.
"Wait... how did you learn to shoot layups? Were you on the girls' basketball team in junior high?"
Naomi smirked.
"Actually, I used to play basketball with the boys in my neighborhood."
She rolled one shoulder.
"After a while, I just picked it up."
"I can make layups too!" Noboru said. "That's my specialty. I never miss."
Makoto turned toward Shino.
"What about you?"
Shino lowered his head.
"You already know I'm not very good at basketball," he mumbled.
Figures...
Makoto shifted his gaze to Tetsuo.
"What about you, Kawaguchi?"
"I'll move the ball around and play defense," Tetsuo said.
Makoto watched him for a brief moment.
"...That'll do."
The ball bounced at center court, each impact echoing through the gym.
"You've got this, Class 1-T!" a girl shouted from the sidelines.
"Do your best, Naomi!" Sachiko called.
Tetsuo stepped into the center circle.
Sachiko's mouth parted slightly.
So he's really playing basketball...
Across from him, the opposing jumper rolled his shoulders before cracking his neck.
"You guys are going down," he said with a smirk.
Makoto stretched his left leg, then straightened.
Maybe I should've taken the jump instead...
His eyes shifted to Tetsuo.
I doubt he even knows the rules.
He let out a quiet breath.
Still... he's got the height advantage.
The referee's whistle shrieked.
The basketball shot into the air.
Both jumpers exploded off the floor.
Tetsuo rose higher.
His fingertips brushed the leather before swatting the ball toward the backcourt.
Makoto stepped into its path and caught it cleanly.
A murmur spread through the gym.
"That's some serious height," Takahiro said, his eyes widening.
"Yeah." Yukio kept watching the court. "That kid can really jump."
"Alright." Makoto dribbled across half court. "Let's take it one basket at a time."
A Class 1-H defender slid into his path.
Makoto lowered his stance.
The ball snapped from one hand to the other as he crossed over between his legs.
His defender hesitated for a split second.
Makoto slipped past him.
Without breaking stride, he fired a chest pass toward the wing.
Naomi caught it in rhythm.
She planted one foot, pivoted around her defender, then drove to the basket.
The ball hit the backboard.
Swish!
The net rippled.
"Nice shot, Naomi!" Sachiko shouted, clapping her hands.
Yukio's eyes stayed on Makoto.
Something feels off...
That pass was careless.
He folded his arms.
Against an experienced basketball player, that would've been stolen.
Makoto turned as he ran back on defense.
For a brief moment, his eyes met Yukio's across the court.
Then he shifted his focus back to the game.
Class 1-H inbounded the ball immediately.
Their guard dribbled up the floor.
Shino stepped forward and lowered his stance.
I'll stop him...
The ball handler clicked his tongue.
He burst toward the lane.
One more dribble.
Then he gathered the ball and floated it toward the rim.
Shino jumped with him, his hand reaching up.
Clang!
The shot struck the rim and bounced away.
A Class 1-H forward snatched the rebound before charging back toward the basket.
"Stay with him," Makoto said.
Shino swallowed.
"Got it!"
He adjusted his footing.
A moment later, a careless pass drifted toward the wing.
Noboru stepped into the passing lane.
His hand shot out.
The ball slapped against his palm.
He pushed it ahead, crossed half court, and finished with an easy layup.
The ball slipped through the hoop.
He landed lightly.
Honestly...
At least make me work for it.
"Nice shot, Takemoto," Naomi said.
Noboru grinned.
"Call me Noboru."
He pointed a thumb toward himself.
"And yeah... that was only natural."
Makoto lunged toward the passing lane, but the ball slipped just beyond his fingertips.
"What a pain..." he muttered under his breath.
He turned in time to see a Class 1-H player rise into a jump shot.
The ball struck the front of the rim.
It rattled against the iron before bouncing high into the air.
Tetsuo extended one long arm.
His fingers wrapped around the ball.
Without hesitating, he sent a pass to Makoto.
Makoto caught it in stride and accelerated down the court.
Two quick dribbles.
A final step.
He laid the ball softly off the glass.
Swoosh!
Sweat glistened across the players' foreheads.
Their breathing grew heavier as they hurried back into position.
"Would you look at that... they stole the ball again," Takahiro said.
A Class 1-H defender clenched his fists.
"I won't let you embarrass us any more!" he shouted.
Quit getting so emotional, idiot.
Makoto let out a quiet sigh as he dribbled near the top of the key.
You haven't even scored a single point.
His eyes swept across the floor.
Tetsuo stood a few steps behind the three point line.
Makoto shifted left.
The defender followed.
In the next instant, Makoto spun to his right and whipped a no look pass behind his back.
The basketball cut across the top of the key.
Heads turned.
Tetsuo caught it cleanly.
He blinked once.
Then he lifted his eyes toward the rim.
His sister's words echoed in his mind.
"Do you miss playing basketball...?"
His gaze lowered.
His fingers settled around the seams.
He bent his knees.
The gym grew quiet.
Tetsuo rose into his shot.
His legs extended.
His elbow straightened.
His wrist snapped forward.
His fingers finished high in the air, holding their follow through.
The ball left his hand.
It climbed high above the court, spinning steadily.
Makoto's eyes widened.
What the...
Why did he shoot from there?
Shino tilted his head back to follow the ball.
The entire gym watched.
The ball dropped toward the rim.
Swish!!
The net snapped cleanly.
Silence washed over the gym.
The basketball struck the floor once.
Thump.
It rolled slowly across the hardwood.
No one moved.
Even the P.E. teacher stood frozen, the whistle still hanging from his lips.