This one sentence from Haizaki Shogo shocked all of his teammates — even Coach Ichiro Kudo felt a chill run down his back.
He had personally witnessed Haizaki's strength today. Just imagining a team like Teiko Junior High having five players on Haizaki's level made Coach Kudo's heart thump, thump nonstop. Needless to say, the rest of the team was even more terrified.
After getting off the bus, Haizaki Shogo and Shimizu Rena walked side by side in the heavy silence.
On the way, seeing how frightened everyone had looked, Shimizu Rena still couldn't quite believe it and asked again.
"Shogo-kun, was Teiko Junior High really as strong as you said?"
"Even stronger than what I said, Rena. Only stronger, never weaker."
Looking at her elegant and charming face and those bright, watery eyes, Haizaki thought for a moment and spoke.
"Do you know how I transferred schools?"
"Why?"
"I was forced to quit the basketball club, so I transferred."
"Forced to quit… the basketball club?"
The stunning girl in front of him revealed an expression that clearly said: Don't joke with me — I'm being serious here.
Haizaki lowered his head, speaking as they walked.
"Yeah. I was forced to quit. Partly because of my own laziness back then, and partly because the captain believed someone even more talented than me had joined. He thought I had no more value in the team."
His voice was low as he talked about his past.
To Shimizu Rena, Haizaki felt it was necessary to let her understand what kind of person he was to know his past and to understand the overwhelming power of the Generation of Miracles.
Maybe, just maybe, it would even help awaken her own special ability someday.
"Shogo-kun, are you serious?"
"Yeah."
Neither spoke for a while. Boy and girl walked together along the sidewalk, the sparse traffic making the atmosphere feel a bit lonely.
After a long, long silence, Haizaki finally heard Rena's encouraging voice from behind him.
"Shogo-kun, I don't know about the others from Teiko… but I believe your talent is the strongest. It definitely won't lose to anyone."
Haizaki turned around. In those glimmering eyes and the little clenched fists cheering herself on, he saw expectations, melancholy, and warmth all mixed together. He gently patted her rose-colored hair.
He felt a bit wistful, a bit lonely — but also moved.
Then, filled with renewed confidence, he looked at the beautiful girl before him and said, "Thank you. You can witness my strength with your own eyes, Rena."
Seeing Haizaki's confidence return, Shimizu Rena showed a dazzling smile full of grace and charm.
After sending her home, Haizaki shouldered his basketball and slowly walked back to his own house.
By the time he arrived, it was already past five in the afternoon. Seeing his mother setting dishes on the table, he washed his hands and went to help in the kitchen.
"Shogo, did the game finish today?"
"It did, Mom. We won."
"Congratulations, Shogo!"
"Thank you, Mom."
"Shogo, winning or losing doesn't matter. As long as you enjoy yourself. There is no team that always wins — everyone loses sooner or later."
"I understand, Mom."
She was gently reminding him not to become obsessed with victory and defeat. Because of basketball, he had transferred schools and joined a new team — and his gentle mother worried he would develop unhealthy obsessions, or even emotional scars.
Haizaki met her gaze and silently conveyed, You don't have to worry. Under his mother's peaceful smile, he ate until he was completely full.
Youthful bodies, burning passion, and golden days — in this precious time, Haizaki swam back and forth across the pool, enjoying and savoring every moment.
By the pool, a gray-white puppy barked nonstop.
Seeing Haizaki swim, the little dog kept pacing along the poolside as if cheering him on. Its tongue lolled out as it panted from the excitement and heat of running.
Haizaki climbed out of the pool, picked up the puppy, and headed to the bathroom — man and dog bathed together.
After washing up and drying himself, he handed the likewise-dried puppy to his mother in the living room.
Later that evening, Haizaki received a call from Momoi May. Unexpected, yet somehow expected.
"Hello, this is Haizaki Shogo."
"Shogo-kun, it's me — May."
"Oh, May. What's up?"
"Shogo-kun, are you free tomorrow? It's Sunday. Call Aomine too — let's play basketball together."
"I'm free, but let's not play basketball tomorrow. I just finished a match, I'm exhausted."
"Not basketball?"
"Yeah. I'll invite a friend, you bring Aomine. Let's go to Tokyo and hit Disneyland instead."
"Really, Shogo-kun?"
"What do you mean, 'really'? Of course it's real."
"Okay, I'll call Aomine then!"
May happily agreed. After arranging time and place, Haizaki stood by the phone, thinking about how he should make the next call.
He considered it, picked up the phone, and dialed. A slow, gentle female voice answered.
"Hello, who is this?"
Hearing the tone on the other end, Haizaki didn't even think before replying politely.
"Hello, ma'am. May I speak to Shimizu Rena? I'm her classmate."
"All right, please hold."
After quite a while — as if she had to run a long distance — Rena finally picked up.
"Hello, this is Shimizu—"
Before she could finish, Haizaki immediately cut in when he heard that familiar voice.
"It's me, Rena."
"Ah! Shogo-kun, do you need something?"
Her voice held pleasant surprise, a bit of nervous joy, and a faint fluttering feeling.
"Rena, are you free tomorrow?"
"I am. Why?"
"I'm going to Disneyland with two friends tomorrow. I want to invite you — will you come?"
"Disneyland? I'll go! I haven't been in ages, Shogo-kun!"
After getting her cheerful yes, Haizaki and Rena settled the time and place and hung up.
He then found himself curious about the first voice that had answered — it was so gentle and beautiful. Her speech was slow but crystal clear, every word easy to understand.
That subtle difference… is something most people can't achieve. So Haizaki was genuinely intrigued.
Usually, the slower a person speaks, the clearer their thoughts are — and the steadier their personality is.
That's why the real big shots you see on TV often speak slowly. That's just the way it is.
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