Nash: So, what's the word, my friend?
Shidou: When's the match?
Nash: In ten days.
Shidou: Alright, I'll be there!
Nash: Fantastic, Shidou! I'm really looking forward to it.
Shidou figured he could return before the quarterfinals.
He sent a message to Takeuchi Genta and went to sleep. Before he knew it, a week had passed, and it was Saturday.
On the first day of the IH preliminaries, Shidou Ryusei sat beside Shidou Chizuru with his jacket draped over his shoulders, propping his chin on one hand as he watched the completely one-sided match.
Chizuru, bored at home, had asked where the match was and came along. Shidou mentioned it to Coach Takeuchi, who didn't mind and even arranged a temporary manager position for Chizuru so she could travel with the team.
Kise Ryota single-handedly demolished the opposing team.
"BEEP—!"
Kaijo won by a huge margin. Kise hadn't even warmed up before it was over.
They had another match that afternoon. Takeuchi Genta, stern-faced, told everyone to rest and prepare.
The afternoon opponent was slightly better—but still crushed.
In high school basketball, without a Generation of Miracles–level player, reaching nationals was almost impossible.
On the bus ride back, Takeuchi summarized: "Everyone did well today, but tomorrow we face Shonoku High School."
Back at school, he briefed them.
"Based on Shonoku's past performance, we shouldn't worry.
However, they have a new star this year—Rukawa Kaede, small forward, nicknamed the 'Offensive Demon.' Kise, you probably know him."
"Hm… Let me think… His one-on-one ability is strong, with many scoring methods—layups, dunks, pull-up jumpers, post moves… but that's about it."
Takeuchi's face darkened.
"Ahem… Next, Mitsui Hisashi, shooting guard. Excellent outside shooter. Moriyama, be careful.
Miyagi Ryota, point guard. Short but agile, great ball handling and speed, strong playmaker.
Akagi Takenori, captain and center. Strong on both offense and defense—a famous center in Kanagawa.
Tomorrow's opponent is probably the strongest before the semifinals. Rest well and give it your all!"
"Yes!"
Sunday morning, Kaijo arrived early to warm up. Shidou Ryusei was still on the bench as a substitute.
The stands were lively—most people came to see Kise Ryota and Rukawa Kaede.
"Kise! Kise! Kise!"
"One, two, go Rukawa!"
On the second-floor balcony, a pink-haired and a blue-haired figure leaned on the railing.
"A-Tetsu, Little Kise's opponent today seems like someone we met in junior high!"
Aomine Daiki yawned. "Huh? Don't remember."
"That number 11. He was strong!"
Momoi pointed at Rukawa.
Aomine shrugged.
Momoi then noticed a strange masked figure with green hair.
"Huh? Little Midorima? Shouldn't you be playing?"
Midorima turned. "Momoi… Aomine…"
"I only played the first quarter. Came to watch Kaijo."
Momoi smiled. "So who are you rooting for?"
"There's no reason for Kise to lose. And they also have that Shidou guy, who's no weaker than us."
Momoi realized she'd forgotten Shidou—he hadn't even warmed up.
"A-Tetsu, let's find seats. I'm sleepy."
"Yeah…"
Meanwhile, Shidou was nearly asleep on the bench. He handed Chizuru a lollipop.
He stretched, looked back, and saw Aomine.
"Sister Chizuru, let's sit in the stands. I see Aomine over there."
Chizuru hesitated. "Is that okay?"
"It's fine. Once the match starts, we can't leave."
They told Takeuchi and left.
Soon, five people with different-colored hair sat together in one row.
Momoi asked, "Shidou-kun, aren't you playing?"
"Huh? Kise alone is enough. If I play too, it'd be bullying. But what about this destiny-believing guy? Don't you have a match?"
Midorima glared. "What do you mean 'destiny-believing'?"
"Aren't you the one talking about fate?"
"If you don't understand, don't talk nonsense! It's 'Man proposes, God disposes!'"
"Eh? Same thing, right?"
Midorima was speechless.
Momoi laughed. "You two seem close."
"We're not!" they said together.
Down on the court, Takeuchi greeted Coach Anzai of Shonoku. They were former national teammates; Anzai was actually his senior.
Sakuragi Hanamichi whispered to Miyagi, "Why is Old Man chatting so happily with the other coach?"
"Maybe they knew each other before."
Sakuragi suddenly said, "What if they're father and son? They're both… round."
Miyagi almost agreed.
Before they could continue, the announcer called:
"The match between Kaijo High School and Shonoku High School is about to begin. Please assemble!"
Starting lineups:
Shonoku High School (red jerseys):
No. 11 — Rukawa Kaede, small forward
No. 10 — Sakuragi Hanamichi, power forward
No. 7 — Miyagi Ryota, point guard
No. 14 — Mitsui Hisashi, shooting guard
No. 4 — Akagi Takenori, center
Kaijo High School (blue jerseys):
No. 7 — Kise Ryota, small forward
No. 10 — Hayakawa Mitsuhiro, power forward
No. 4 — Kasamatsu Yukio, point guard
No. 5 — Moriyama Yoshitaka, shooting guard
No. 8 — Kobori Kōji, center.