Sunday. Game day.
But not Haizaki Shogo's game day—today was the matchup between Aomine Daiki's team, Tōō Academy, and Kise Ryouta's team, Kaijo High.
Early in the morning, Haizaki Shogo put on a sleek gray suit and left home, receiving praise from his mother as he went.
At the entrance of the arena, after less than ten minutes, Shimizu Rena arrived in a pristine white dress with a teal jacket over it.
Her simple elegance took Shogo's breath away.
The two of them waited another ten minutes at the arena entrance as the rest of Fukuda Sogo's team trickled in.
Leading his teammates, Shogo guided them into the spectator stands, looking for a spot with fewer people.
His eyes scanned the crowd—and spotted a group of young men in black school uniforms.
Without hesitation, Shogo led his team toward them. The group noticed the approach and turned to look.
"Shintaro, Takao, long time no see! You're here too!"
"You came as well, Shogo! Long time no see!"
"Um, hi! Long time no see!"
"Midorima-kun, Takao-kun, long time no see!"
Shogo, Rena, Shintaro Midorima, and Takao Wakamatsu greeted each other warmly. They had met several times before and even gone to games together, so familiarity made everything easy.
Soon, the players from Shutoku High and Fukuda Sogo walked together, forming a little group to watch the match.
Even before the game started, the stands were packed.
Rena leaned toward Shogo and whispered gently,
"Shogo-kun, look over there."
Shogo followed her gaze to the opposite stands. Wow—quite the crowd.
Led by Tetsuya Kuroko and Taiga Kagami, along with Seirin High's Aida Riko, Hyuga Junpei, and others, a cluster of familiar faces sat across from them. Nearby were their former opponents, Tsukumo High, with Tomoki Tsugawa and his teammates—a formidable group.
Not far from Kuroko's spot, Yosen High, in white and purple striped uniforms, had also come in force.
Shogo's lips curved into a smile as his gaze swept over his own side of the stands.
Wow, this isn't even the finals, and look at all these people.
Makoto Hanamiya had come with Ichika Kirisaki, and nearby were Rei Misawa, Kotaro Hayama, and Eikichi Nebutani from Rakuzan.
Is everyone already here?
"Shogo-kun, why is this game attracting so many people?"
"Because it's Aomine versus Kise, of course," Shogo replied casually.
Then a thought struck him. Oh my god! Could this be the first direct clash between them since the Generation of Miracles in high school?
No wonder so many teams showed up.
This was the first semifinal, and also the last game of the week. No wonder everyone had time to watch.
Shogo remembered that in this game, Kise successfully mimicked Musashiki, but there was a fatal flaw. For now, it was too early to tell—he'd have to watch and see.
In other words, this match was a battle between the known and the unknown.
Suddenly, Shogo's anticipation surged.
"Shimizu-chan, the little game continues!"
"Mm! I'll pick Aomine's Tōō Academy. I trust Aomine and Satsuki together—they'll be unstoppable."
"Ha! Then I'll reluctantly pick Kise Ryouta."
Aside from the bustling crowd in the stands, the arena was full of players from across the national tournament. The scene was already grand enough to rival a final.
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Tōō Academy, locker room.
Coach Katsunori Harasawa stared at his players solemnly.
"Our team relies primarily on man-to-man defense. That strategy depends entirely on each player's individual strength. We may lack team coordination, but each of us is independent and flexible—that's the truth."
"This time, Kaijo has Kise Ryouta, the Generation of Miracles's prodigy. According to Plan A, we'll attack aggressively, isolate Kise, and let Aomine deal with him."
"Handling Kise won't be a problem, right, Aomine?"
Aomine Daiki, eyes closed, responded calmly:
"Leave it to me. Ryouta is still far from my level."
Beside him, the adorable Satsuki Momoi held a notebook, wanting to speak but hesitating.
Aomine, still eyes closed, somehow seemed to read her mind.
"Don't worry, Momoi. I won't lose."
"Aomine…"
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Kaijo High, locker room.
Basketball coach Genta Takeuchi, a round, middle-aged man with a serious gaze, addressed all Kaijo players.
"Our opponents have a star, but so do we. And we're more united. We have no reason to lose. Let's go!"
"Go! Go! Go!"
All eyes in the room were on the freshman tying his shoelaces—Kaijo's ace, Kise Ryouta.
At that moment, team captain Yukio Kasamatsu approached and smacked Kise on the back of the head.
"Hey! We're all fired up—can't you show some emotion?"
Kise, enduring the pain, stood after finishing his laces. When everyone expected a rousing speech from the team's ace, he merely smiled faintly, then slumped slightly.
"Uh… I don't know what to say."
The players' hearts sank. Kasamatsu smacked him again, but Kise casually blocked it with a raised hand.
"Don't worry, I'll handle little Aomine."
"Now that's what I'm talking about!"
Hayaoka Mitsuhiro, another fiery Kaijo freshman, pumped himself up and danced around the locker room.
"Go! Go! I'm the strongest!"
Veterans and coaches watched their ace and the spirited freshman, both smiling in relief.
Finally, Kasamatsu set down his bag, turned to his teammates, and said,
"Let's go. Time to warm up!"
========
In the stands, Haizaki Shogo felt his blood surge as the arena grew louder and livelier.
This is basketball. This is youth. Burn together!
Shimizu Rena sat beside him, sensing the intensity of every nearby boy—each radiating like a little sun, ready to ignite and illuminate everything.
So this is the passion and fire of boys?
Even Shogo himself felt different—full of energy, excitement, and restless anticipation.
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