"H..Huh?" Kuwata couldn't help but cry out, his voice cracking with disbelief.
On the court, Hayashi Rin picked up the ball. Instead of celebrating, he began rubbing his thigh with a pained, weary expression. "Ouch... I used too much force just now. I think I strained something. See? This level of intense exercise really isn't for me."
He looked toward the captain, his dead fish eyes searching for confirmation. "The captain said winning one point was enough. I won. You guys continue; I'm going to go lie down on the bench for a while."
With a casual flick, he tossed the ball back to Rukawa Kaede and waved a dismissive hand at the stunned crowd. Rukawa stood frozen, staring fixedly at the ball in his hands. That feeling of absolute powerlessness just a moment ago—it gnawed at him. He had been bypassed? Completely, without a shred of suspense, beaten in a single step? A sense of frustration he had never felt before clashed with a burning fighting spirit in his chest.
"Again!" Rukawa turned abruptly, his roar echoing toward Rin's retreating back.
"No." Without looking back, Rin walked straight to the sidelines and draped the towel over his head again. He collapsed onto the bench with smooth, practiced ease. "Accepting defeat gracefully is a virtue, Rukawa-kun. You need to learn to accept being beaten by a handsome man."
"You..." Rukawa gritted his teeth, his fists clenching as if he were about to charge across the gym.
"Enough!" Akagi stepped in, stopping Rukawa in his tracks. The Shohoku captain took a long, hard look at the "corpse" lying on the bench. He knew that Shohoku might have truly stumbled upon a treasure this time—even if that treasure was a headache-inducing slacker.
"Rukawa, back to training! Since you lost, use your sweat to win it back!" Akagi roared.
Rukawa didn't respond, but he turned back to the hoop. However, every time he rose for a shot, his eyes subconsciously drifted toward the figure in the corner, the fire in his gaze burning brighter with every rep.
Hiding under his towel, Hayashi Rin smiled bitterly as the system notifications chimed in his mind.
[Ding! Achievement 'Shock the Whole Scene' completed.] [Gained Shock Value: 100 points.] [Detected Rukawa Kaede developing a strong rivalry. Extra Reward: Stamina Potion (Small) x1.]
This body is talented, but the skill consumption is insane, Rin thought. If I don't use these sparingly, I really might drop dead. Pretending to take a swig of mineral water, he extracted the potion and gulped it down. A warm current surged through him, easing his aching muscles instantly.
"Hey, sleepyhead." A sneaky whisper tickled his ear. Rin lifted a corner of the towel to see an enlarged, red face. Sakuragi Hanamichi was crouching next to him, wearing an expression of intense, constipated concentration.
"What? If you want to borrow money, forget it," Rin said, clutching his pocket warily.
"Who wants your money!" Sakuragi hissed, checking to make sure Akagi wasn't looking. He leaned in closer. "Hey... that move just now. Can you teach This Genius?"
"Which move?"
"That one! The 'whoosh' and then the 'swish'!" Sakuragi gestured wildly, falling into a pink fantasy. "If I learn that, Haruko-san will finally see me in a new light! When that happens..." He began to drool slightly.
Rin rolled his eyes. Teach him? It was a system skill—he couldn't teach it even if he wanted to. However, looking at this simple-minded, high-stamina "single-celled organism," Rin saw an opportunity. To slack off comfortably, he needed a shield. Sakuragi was the perfect tool.
"Want to learn?" Rin crooked a finger. Sakuragi leaned in like an obedient Golden Retriever. "This is a profound technique called the 'Secret Art: Instant Teleportation.' To master it, you must first master the basics of 'Character Tempering'."
"Character... Tempering?" Sakuragi looked suspicious.
"Exactly. It involves advanced tasks: buying water for your Master, carrying your Master's bag, and—most importantly—blocking the Captain's line of sight so your Master can rest. Also, when I don't feel like running on the court, you'll cover my position. Don't worry, I'll pay you a 'salary' in snacks."
Rin patted Sakuragi's shoulder with deep sincerity. "Think about it. Why is Rukawa so arrogant? Because no one can keep him in check. Do this, and in a month, Haruko-san will only have eyes for you."
At the mention of Haruko, Sakuragi's IQ plummeted to zero. "Really?!"
"Truer than gold."
"Fine! Master! Small matters like buying water will be handled by This Genius from now on!" Sakuragi thumped his chest proudly.
Training dragged on until evening. When Akagi finally announced dismissal, the freshmen collapsed like dead dogs. Only Hayashi Rin, revitalized by his nap and his potion, was energetically grabbing his bag.
"Good work, everyone. See you tomorrow!" Under the hateful, envious glares of his teammates, he was the first one out the door—moving three times faster than he ever had on defense.
On the second-floor balcony, a short, plump man with glasses watched Rin's departure with a smile. Akagi walked up, wiping sweat from his face. "Coach Anzai... that kid. His talent is astonishing, but that attitude... he's a cancer to the team's discipline. Should I give him a proper 'talking-to'?"
Coach Anzai pushed up his glasses, a reflection flashing across the lenses. "Ho ho ho... Akagi-kun, don't be in such a hurry. He is an unpolished gemstone." He looked at the empty doorway, his eyes becoming profound. "This year's Shohoku might become very interesting because of these strange first-years. Ho ho ho..."
Meanwhile, behind a large tree outside the gym, a boy in a Ryonan High uniform was scribbling in a notebook, his hands shaking. Aida Hikoichi, the information freak, had come to scout Rukawa, but he had found something far more terrifying.
"Unbelievable!" Hikoichi stared at his data, cold sweat pouring down his neck. "That guy Hayashi Rin... that speed, that shot! I must report this to Coach Taoka immediately! Shohoku has produced a monster!"
He hopped on his bicycle and pedaled frantically into the sunset, his voice drifting in the wind: "CHECK IT! UNBELIEVABLE!!!"