A week later.
The sky was clear, the sun hung high, and the air carried the distinct warmth of early summer.
A luxury car bearing the Ake family crest glided smoothly through the city streets, its tinted windows reflecting the passing scenery.
Inside, Ake leaned lazily against the back seat, his gaze drifting out the window as the world rolled by.
It had been more than ten years since he arrived in this world. Life here had long seeped into his bones — as natural and unremarkable as breathing.
"Where do we go, Young Master?" the driver asked politely, one hand on the steering wheel.
Ake didn't turn his head. His voice came out calm and faint.
"I want to buy a new pair of basketball shoes. Find a shoe store."
He'd been growing lately, and his shoes had started to feel a little tight.
Not long after, the car came to a smooth stop in front of a newly opened sports shoe boutique.
"Young Master, we've arrived. This place just opened — they carry most major brands and have the latest styles."
Ake nodded, pushed the door open, and said casually, "Wait here. I'll go in alone."
"Yes, Young Master," the driver replied, not daring to add another word.
The moment Ake stepped inside, he squinted slightly to adjust to the bright interior lighting.
The store was spacious and modern, rows of shelves neatly lined with sneakers of every kind. The air carried the distinct mix of new leather and plastic.
It wasn't a single-brand store like he remembered from before — more of a premium multi-brand boutique.
According to the Ake family's usual way of shopping, he could've easily told a clerk "Send one of every style to the Ake estate."
Simple. Efficient. Fitting for his status.
But that wasn't his style.
He had the money, yes — but that "I'll take them all" attitude always struck him as empty and foolish.
He preferred to browse, to choose carefully like a normal person.
So he wandered slowly through the aisles, examining each display with sharp, discerning eyes.
It didn't take long for him to decide.
He picked three pairs:
One classic design.
One with the latest trend brand.
And a limited-edition collaboration.
At the counter, he swiped his card swiftly, his movements neat and deliberate.
With three branded shopping bags in hand, he turned toward the exit.
Just as he reached the door, two figures entered the store — one tall, one short.
"I'm exhausted! Why is this place so far away? It'd be great if it were next to Kainan," the shorter one grumbled, panting slightly.
The taller one didn't even look back. "You're the one who insisted on coming," he said flatly.
"Don't be so cold, Captain Maki!" the shorter one pouted. "I came just to keep you company!"
In that brief passing moment, Ake walked right past them, expression calm and unreadable.
He heard their voices clearly. He saw their faces.
He even recognized who they were.
But not a flicker crossed his eyes. No emotion. No reaction.
They simply passed each other — like wind brushing the treetops, leaving no trace behind.
Only after Ake disappeared through the glass doors did the taller one stop in his tracks.
He turned slightly, his gaze lingering on the figure walking away.
"What is it, Captain?" the shorter one asked curiously.
The taller one didn't reply right away. He stared for a few seconds before murmuring, "Nothing… I just thought that guy had a strange aura about him."
"Huh? You mean the guy with the shopping bags?" The shorter one scratched his head, trying to remember. "Did he? He looked totally normal to me."
"Let's go," the taller one said, turning away.
"Hey—wait for me, Captain!" the shorter one yelped, rushing to follow.
Outside the store.
Ake walked straight out, got into the car, and closed the door.
He had clearly heard their conversation when they brushed past him.
Maki. Captain.
The title rippled faintly in his mind, stirring an echo in his memory.
If he wasn't mistaken, that tall man was Maki Shinichi from Kainan.
But to him, they were merely strangers passing by — nothing more.
Vroom—
Suddenly, a sharp roar of an engine shattered the calm of the street.
A motorcycle shot past like a blur, its rider leaving only an afterimage in the sunlight.
Akes gaze followed instinctively, catching the figure through the car window.
Long hair fluttering behind, a striking crimson vest, faded jeans, one hand on the throttle — wild and unrestrained.
It looked… familiar.
His brows furrowed slightly as his eyes followed the speeding bike until it vanished around a corner.
"That direction… Shohoku High."
He leaned back in his seat, his gaze lowering as a faint premonition stirred in his chest.
As if a storm was quietly brewing over Shohoku High School.
But he didn't dwell on it. His face remained calm.
Whatever it was, it had nothing to do with him.
He wouldn't interfere — not just because the people involved were part of the "main cast."
He simply wasn't that idle.
Ryonan High School – Basketball Gym
Even though it was a holiday, the gym was unusually lively.
Thump… thump… thump…
The steady rhythm of basketballs echoed across the court, mingling with the thick scent of sweat and rubber.
Sendoh dribbled up the court, eyes calm, movements fluid.
A quick crossover, a shoulder feint — he slipped past the first defender with ease.
He pivoted sharply, faked another move, shook off the second defender, and leapt.
Clang!
The rim rattled violently as the ball slammed through the net with a clean swish.
"Sendoh's getting even stronger…" Koshino panted on the sidelines, hands on his knees, eyes gleaming. "We might really make Nationals this year."
"Yeah." Uozumi nodded from under the hoop, watching the net sway.
Wiping his sweat, Uekusa glanced around. "Weird. I haven't seen Ake today. That's rare."
Ikegami, tying his shoelaces nearby, chuckled. "It's a holiday. Maybe he's finally taking a break."
"True…" Uekusa nodded. "Still feels strange, though."
He wasn't alone. Everyone in Ryonan felt it too.
Ever since Ake had joined, the gym lights were rarely ever turned off — even on holidays.
He was always the first to arrive and the last to leave.
That relentless persistence hung over the entire team like a silent weight — heavy, suffocating, yet strangely motivating.
Over time, everyone had adapted.
It felt wrong not to be here.
"By the way," Ikegami suddenly said, lowering his voice, "did you hear? Coach went to talk to Fukuda."
The chatter immediately quieted a little.
Fukuda.
The name alone stirred up old memories — the former power forward who had been expelled after clashing with the coach.
"Fukuda, huh…" Koshino frowned. "That guy? He's coming back?"
Ikegami shrugged. "Not sure. But I heard it was Ake's suggestion."
"Oh?" Koshino raised an eyebrow, then smiled faintly. "If it'sAke's idea, it'll probably work out."
He chuckled. "We do need another power forward. Fukuda's impulsive, but he's good. He'd fill a gap in our lineup."
"What are you guys talking about?"
Sendoh walked over, spinning a basketball casually in one hand.
"About Ake," Uekusa said with a grin. "We haven't seen him all day."
"Ake?" Sendoh smirked slightly, an amused glint in his eyes. "That guy… never sticks to the rules."
"Hey—look who's here!"
A deep voice suddenly called from the entrance, cutting through the noise in the gym.
Everyone turned.
A familiar figure stood there — familiar yet somehow distant.
"Fukuda…"
The name slipped out almost in unison.
Speak of the devil.
There he was — Fukuda Kicchou, former member of the Ryonan basketball team.
He stood in the doorway, tall and solid, black pompadour hair gleaming under the lights, his frame rugged and powerful.
With dark-tanned skin, narrow eyes, and a presence that oozed raw energy, he looked like a modern caveman — wild, restless, and proud.
His fingers toyed with the doorframe as his eyes swept across the familiar gym.
A tangled mix of nostalgia, awkwardness, and tension churned in his chest.
He hadn't expected Coach Taoka to visit him personally.
Nor had he expected an invitation to rejoin the team.
It all happened so suddenly.
Before he left, the coach had said something that stuck in his mind.
"Fukuda, the reason I'm asking you to return this time is because Ake suggested it."
"Oh, right — you probably don't know him. Ake is the current captain of Ryonan. Report to him directly when you're back."
Ake ?
Fukuda frowned, scanning the gym for the name's owner.
Sendoh stepped forward first, smiling warmly. "Welcome back, Fukuda."
"Yeah, welcome back." Koshino clapped his hands with a grin.
Ikegami chuckled. "Guess we're teammates again."
Uekusa laughed outright. "Your locker's still there — we never even changed the nameplate."
Uozumi crossed his arms. "If you're free, come practice with us."
Fukuda stared at him in surprise. "You're… not the captain anymore?"
Uozumi just shrugged. "Nope. The new captain is Ake."
"Ake ?" Fukuda repeated, confused. "Who's that?"
"Ake joined this year," Uekusa explained, a hint of admiration in his tone. "You'll meet him tomorrow."
Fukuda froze.
"This year?"
"Yeah."
His eyes widened. "You mean… he's a first-year?"
"Mm." Uekusa nodded simply.
Fukuda's expression darkened. "A first-year? As Ryonan's captain?"
He looked around, expecting disbelief — but all he saw were approving smiles.
Koshino chuckled, patting his shoulder. "We thought the same at first. But once you meet him, you'll understand."
"Yeah," Ikegami added seriously. "He's not normal. The captain's… a monster."
A monster?
Fukuda scoffed, pride flaring in his chest.
A first-year, captain of Ryonan?
He clenched his fists slightly.
When he met this "Ake," he'd find out for himself — just what kind of monster could take his place.