Very soon, the new and old players began forming teams. Just as Haizaki Shogo took off his jacket and prepared to warm up, Coach Ichiro Kudo called out to him.
"Haizaki-kun, stay with Shimizu-san for now and help me collect data. This is very important for us."
Haizaki froze for a moment, then immediately understood.
With his level, if he went on the court, he'd probably make everyone cry before the real evaluation even started.
The coach knows exactly what I can do…
"Alright. I also want to see what kind of teammates I'll have in the future."
"Mm. They shouldn't disappoint you."
Haizaki jogged two laps to get warm, then came back and sat beside Shimizu Rena.
At this moment, Rena had already taken out her notebook, clearly having prepared player records in advance.
"Shimizu-chan, you've done your homework pretty well."
"Coach Kudo gave me some names last night and told me to prepare detailed profiles. So I did a bit of research ahead of time, Shogo-kun."
"Nice work."
Rena lifted her head and gave Haizaki a charming smile.
His heart instantly started pounding.
Calm down… don't let her notice…
Haizaki turned his head, hiding his flustered expression, and looked toward the court where the teams were already preparing for the tip-off.
Unfortunately, the girl beside him clearly had no intention of letting him go so easily. She looked at him teasingly and asked in a gentle voice,
"Shogo-kun, what's wrong?"
"Nothing…"
Luckily, the whistle sounded at that moment, and both of them shifted their attention to the court.
PA!
At the opening jump, the ball was snatched by a tall first-year. Haizaki looked at the big guy—taller than himself, probably over 190 cm, and solidly built.
A natural power forward… interesting.
Train him well and he'll be a rebounding monster.
Just as Haizaki became interested, Shimizu Rena seemed to read his thoughts. Her clear voice rang out.
"Shogo-kun, that big guy wearing number 12 is Kimura Tosho, one of the Rising Stars."
"He's one of the rising stars?"
"Yes. Kimura Tosho plays power forward. His known skills are quick cuts and a pretty high three-point shooting percentage."
Listening to Rena's detailed explanation, Haizaki nodded slightly.
On the court, a first-year who wasn't very tall grabbed the ball. His dribbling speed made Haizaki's eyes light up. He pushed into the opponent's half and passed the ball out.
The receiver was another nearly 190 cm tall first-year. Ignoring the second- and third-years, he leaped high and slammed the ball into the hoop.
Before Haizaki could ask, Rena's gentle voice came again.
"The one who dunked—number 7—is Suzuran Karasu, also one of the Rising Stars. The data says he's very hot-blooded, just a little… simple and honest."
"Really?"
"Mm."
Watching number 7, the so-called Suzuran Karasu, who was simple and straightforward, Haizaki felt even more pleased.
He liked teammates like that.
Simple. Direct. Single-minded.
You didn't need to say much—just tell them their task, and they'd give everything to complete it.
People like that also boosted morale and made the team more harmonious.
The more Haizaki watched number 7, the more agreeable he looked.
Suzuran Karasu… I'll remember him.
After thinking for a moment, Haizaki asked,
"What about the one who passed earlier—number 11, Shimizu-chan?"
"Number 11? That's Harano Shinichi, point guard from Ropponmatsu Academy's junior division. His penetration and scoring are both good. Is he strong, Shogo-kun?"
"Not extremely strong, but for our current lineup, he's more than enough as a point guard."
"Is that so? Then I'll keep observing him."
On the court, the ball went in again, and the second- and third-years quickly adjusted.
After passing the ball out, a bald player pulled up from outside the three-point line and tossed a floater. The ball dropped cleanly through the net.
That shot made Haizaki's eyes light up again—because he knew how difficult that kind of floater really was.
"Shimizu-chan, what about this one?"
"Number 4—Mochizuki Kazuhiro. Former starter of Fukuda Sogo's junior team. Together with number 3, Ishida Hideki, he once led Fukuda Sogo into the top ten. He's also one of the high school starters."
"So it's them."
If Rena hadn't mentioned it, Haizaki would've forgotten their faces already.
He only remembered the names, not the people.
But seeing them now, he felt their strength was real—solid and reliable.
While Haizaki and Rena talked, both sides scored again.
The second- and third-years pressed the battle line into the first-years' half. Their presence, mentality, and willpower were clearly stronger, and Haizaki watched with satisfaction.
These will all be my teammates.
With them, I won't feel as helpless and constrained as when I faced Teiko Junior High.
Just then, number 5 among the newcomers stole the ball—fast, precise, ruthless. He intercepted the pass cleanly and fired a long throw straight into the opponent's half.
At the same time, a figure who had already seen the play sprinted forward and caught it.
BANG!
With a one-handed windmill dunk, the ball was smashed into the rim.
At midcourt, only that first-year remained.
The coordination made even Haizaki almost slam the table in praise.
Beside him, Shimizu Rena quickly recorded data, excitement in her voice.
"Shogo-kun, the interception was by number 5, Okawa Sawano. His position is center. His defense is strong, and his timing on steals is excellent. That long pass shows he has good court vision. Oh—and that move has a pretty name."
"And the dunker?"
"Kimura Tosho, one of the Rising Stars. Pretty good, right? His sense of the overall situation is excellent."
"Yeah… these guys are really not bad. My hands are already itching."
Nearby, Coach Ichiro Kudo, who had been silently recording data, heard every word of their conversation.
At this moment, Kudo's heart burned with ambition.
Especially after Kimura Tosho's dunk—he saw even more hope.
Fukuda Sogo didn't just have Haizaki Shogo anymore.
They also had two of the Rising Stars, and several other very capable players.
All of that—
plus Haizaki—
was enough.
Kudo clenched his fist slightly.
So this year…
Fukuda Sogo will dominate the nation.
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