On the day school began, leaving aside Fukuda Sogo Academy's heated three-day scrimmage to select the starting lineup…
Let's pull our view farther away—to Tokyo, at Seirin High, where a scrimmage was also underway.
First-year newcomers versus experienced second-years. On the court, Kagami Taiga received a pass from another first-year, Kawahara Koichi, dribbled forward at full speed, easily broke through the second-years' defense, and slammed the ball into the hoop with one hand.
That scene left the second-year veterans stunned. Kagami had practically beaten them silly.
And inside Kagami's head, that familiar thought still echoed: So this is Japanese basketball…
However, the second-years led by players like Mitobe Rinnosuke, Shun Izuki, and Hyuga Junpei, though shocked by Kagami's strength, felt even more excitement deep down.
Why? Because this was a powerful teammate. With someone like that, winning the championship might actually be possible.
Last year, with the Generation of Miracles absent from the high school league, the so-called Uncrowned Kings dominated. Seirin, led by one of them—Kiyoshi Teppei—made it to the finals, only to miss out on the title, leaving everyone deeply disappointed.
Now that a player like Kagami Taiga had arrived, every veteran's heart began to stir.
To test and temper the newcomers' limits, the old players fought hard, suppressing the first-years and slowly widening the score gap.
Even with Kagami's outstanding performance, the first-years couldn't stop the second-years' fierce offense. Combined with the rookies' mistakes, Kagami's team fell further and further behind.
At that moment, a blue-haired, big-eyed boy who looked so weak and androgynous that he blended into the background finally spoke helplessly to teammates who kept ignoring him.
"Can you pass me the ball… even just a little?"
Faced with the request from the invisible Kuroko Tetsuya, he felt awkward. He said nothing, only nodded.
But after one unintentional pass went to Kuroko, the basketball on the court suddenly became dazzling and unpredictable—appearing and vanishing like magic.
Receiving a pass slipped into the paint by Kuroko, Kagami Taiga forced the ball into the rim with a dunk amid looks of disbelief.
Landing steadily, Kagami looked at the frail, short boy with eyes that said I've reevaluated you.
So this is your basketball? Guess I misjudged you. Fine… I acknowledge you.
On the bench, the flat-chested girl coach Aida Riko stared at the blue-eyed, blue-haired boy in disbelief.
The Phantom Sixth Man who exists only to pass… so the rumors were real. Not a legend—he's right here, at Seirin.
Riko's large eyes were fixed on Kagami and Kuroko's perfect coordination, excitement surging inside her chest.
How did our brand-new Seirin suddenly get two gods?!
While Seirin burned with passion, the scene at Tōō Academy was completely different.
Under Coach Harasawa Katsunori's supervision, all players began one-on-one drills.
These duels would determine who became Tōō's starting lineup.
On the court, Imayoshi Shoichi, Sakurai Ryo, Wakamatsu Kousuke, and Susa Yoshinori fought fiercely, no one yielding an inch.
Aomine Daiki, however, still hadn't appeared. Only Satsuki Momoi sat quietly on the side, collecting everyone's data.
In the end, Imayoshi defeated all challengers and reclaimed the position of captain, commanding Tōō's basketball team once more.
By evening, Aomine came to the club to pick up Momoi.
If he didn't go home with her, Aomine would actually feel strange.
Walking into the gym and seeing Momoi still organizing her notes, Aomine lazily called out.
"Let's go, Satsuki."
"Ah, Dai-chan, just a moment—my data's almost done. Wait a bit."
Aomine picked up a basketball beside her, strolled under the hoop, and casually tossed it. The ball swished into the rim.
At that moment, a figure walked out from the locker-room corridor.
"Aomine Daiki. One of the Generation of Miracles. I'd like to see your strength."
"Oh? You wanna see my strength? Think you can handle it?"
"Trying will tell."
"You sure?"
"Sure."
Momoi, who had been sorting data, suddenly looked up and walked over. After glancing at the man, she said to Aomine,
"Dai-chan, that's the basketball team captain—Imayoshi Shoichi."
"Captain, huh? Interesting. Come on—let me open your eyes."
Aomine picked up the ball, walked under the basket, and handed it to Imayoshi.
The bespectacled, smiling-eyed Imayoshi caught the ball and started dribbling—then his face filled with shock and fear.
The ball was stolen.
Then came the echoing sound of a dunk across the empty court.
"BANG!"
Aomine landed steadily and mocked the stunned Imayoshi.
"This level already makes you feel powerless and scared?"
Next, under Imayoshi's defense, Aomine's turquoise eyes flashed like lightning. Before Imayoshi could even react, the ball was already slammed through the hoop.
"Like I thought… you guys still aren't good enough."
"Aomine Daiki, I admire your strength. From now on, I won't force you to do anything."
"Oh?"
"Yes."
Leaving the gym, Aomine and Momoi walked home together. Seeing Aomine still looking lazy, Momoi's eyes spun as she began teasing her childhood friend.
"Dai-chan, I think Shogo-kun is way stronger than you now."
"What? Are you sure you're not mistaken?"
"Nope. From what Shimizu-chan told me, Shogo-kun trains every day. He's grown a lot—so naturally he's stronger than you."
"…I see. Looks like I've gotta start training too. I'm not losing to some arrogant guy like that."
Seeing Aomine suddenly fired up, Momoi kept pushing.
"Dai-chan, when's your practice match with Shogo-kun? Can we beat them?"
"Tch. We'll see when it happens."
At the thought of facing Haizaki Shogo, Aomine's eyes sharpened. With so many people watching, he couldn't lose to Shogo.
"Satsuki—wake me up for practice tomorrow."
"Okay, Dai-chan."
Smiling brightly, Momoi watched the serious Aomine, feeling unusually happy.
Her long pink hair fluttered in the breeze, brushing against Aomine's arm.
Aomine turned his head, saw Momoi smiling at him, then pretended nothing happened and kept walking.
Under the sunset, the pair's perfectly matched silhouettes stretched longer and longer in the fading glow.
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