Days passed quietly.
Ever since Akashi joined the Basketball Club, subtle yet undeniable changes began to spread throughout the team.
Many people noticed it.
During intrasquad scrimmages, everyone could clearly feel that their overall level had risen. Plays flowed more smoothly, reactions were faster, and hesitation had noticeably decreased.
This kind of improvement had never happened before.
Aside from Coach Nakamura, the two who felt it most keenly were Kirihara Hayato and Sendo.
As team captain, Kirihara was extremely sensitive to changes within the squad.
He noticed it almost immediately—the very next day after Akashi officially joined the main selection.
The substitute players, who had once played timidly and cautiously, were now noticeably more confident.
They dared to ask for the ball.
They dared to make decisions.
This change, in turn, created a sense of urgency among the regulars.
No one wanted to fall behind.
Under this chain reaction, competition within the Basketball Club intensified rapidly.
And as competition increased, so did strength.
Apart from Akashi, Sendo was undeniably the strongest player on the team.
Naturally, these changes did not escape his notice either.
He realized that when cooperating with his teammates, the sluggishness he once felt was gone. Passes arrived where he expected them. Cuts appeared exactly when needed.
Everything felt… smoother.
Over this period of time, Sendo witnessed the transformation of the entire team.
And through it, he came to understand Akashi more deeply.
Shock.
Admiration.
Praise.
And—an uncontrollable desire to compete.
Akashi was far more than he appeared.
Top-tier passing.
Excellent ball control.
A terrifyingly wide field of vision.
Astute basketball IQ.
Flexible, adaptable command of the game.
And above all, an instinct for choosing the most lethal option at every moment.
All of it left Sendo clicking his tongue more than once.
"Damn… what a monster."
Fortunately, this monster was on his team.
That day, after practice ended, the rest of the club packed up and left.
Only two figures remained inside the basketball gym.
Akashi and Sendo.
At first, neither disturbed the other. Each practiced quietly, focused entirely on themselves.
The gym echoed with the sound of sneakers scraping against the floor, the rhythmic bounce of basketballs, and the dull clang of shots striking the backboard.
After an unknown amount of time, the sounds finally stopped.
Both were drenched in sweat.
Their eyes met.
Sendo was the first to speak, grinning.
"Want to play a game?"
Akashi nodded without hesitation.
"Sure."
Though he primarily played point guard, he had no intention of backing down from a challenge.
Besides—he also wanted to test himself.
Sendo was the perfect opponent.
Soon, the two stood facing each other beyond the three-point line.
Thump. Thump. Thump.
Akashi dribbled slowly, not rushing.
His heterochromatic gaze locked onto Sendo like a predator observing its prey.
Sendo swayed lightly, muscles coiled, like a beast ready to explode forward at any moment.
Suddenly—
Akashi stepped left, driving hard.
Sendo reacted instantly, sliding sideways to cut off the lane.
"Haha—almost got through," Sendo chuckled.
"Good thing I caught it."
Akashi didn't respond.
He shifted his weight back, faked a shot, then exploded to the right.
Sendo adjusted again, sealing the angle perfectly.
Still calm.
Akashi suddenly accelerated, switching hands mid-dribble. His steps light, almost winged.
This time, Sendo's weight was already committed.
That tiny delay was all Akashi needed.
He slipped past Sendo's right side.
Fast.
Too fast.
In the blink of an eye, Akashi was under the basket, gathering for a layup.
But—
Sendo burst forward, chasing from behind with shocking speed.
He leapt, arm extending to block.
Yet Akashi showed no surprise.
Midair, he smoothly switched hands and twisted his body, releasing a reverse layup.
The ball kissed the glass and dropped cleanly through the net.
Akashi landed and turned.
Sendo stared at him for a second—then grinned wider.
"Interesting."
The fighting spirit in his eyes burned even hotter.
Offense switched.
Now it was Sendo's turn.
He took a triple-threat stance, shielding the ball, deliberately slowing the pace.
He was waiting.
Then—without warning—he exploded forward.
Akashi reacted instantly, stepping into Sendo's path while swiping toward the ball.
"I knew you'd do that."
Sendo smiled.
He flicked his wrist and stepped back.
Akashi immediately closed the distance—
But Sendo didn't stop.
He rose straight into the air.
A fadeaway.
Akashi's pupils contracted.
Sendo was taller—about 180 cm, three centimeters above him. Combined with his jumping ability, this shot was impossible to block.
Whoosh.
The ball arced cleanly over Akashi's fingertips and fell through the net.
Sendo smirked.
"I didn't forget that three you hit in my face earlier."
Akashi sighed inwardly.
So he really was holding a grudge…
Just as their duel continued—
The gym door quietly opened.
A graceful figure appeared at the entrance.
She wore Seiyo Middle School's uniform, her long black hair cascading down her back with softly curled ends. Light brown eyes shimmered with curiosity as she looked toward the court.
Kamishiro Ruri.
Akashi had met her once before—at a banquet.
On the first day of school, they met again.
After learning that Akashi had enrolled at Seiyo Middle School, she had been genuinely delighted. What she'd once said casually, he had actually followed through on.
Over time, the two grew closer. With similar family backgrounds and frequent conversations, they became friends who spoke naturally and easily with one another.
When Kamishiro Ruri learned that Akashi had joined the Basketball Club, she was surprised—and curious.
Basketball wasn't yet popular among students of their age.
But because of Akashi, she began to learn.
And the first time she watched him play—
Commanding the court like a general, calculating every move—
She was captivated.
Each precise pass.
Each impossible steal.
It felt as though the entire game bent to his will.
Standing at the entrance now, watching Akashi face off against Sendo, her cheeks flushed slightly.
His crimson hair.
His heterochromatic eyes.
Too dazzling.
Kamishiro Ruri quietly entered the gym and found a place to sit.
She didn't interrupt.
She simply watched.