"Ace, someone new might be joining the team today!"
On their usual walk to the gym, Shimizu Kanon spoke with a spark of excitement in her voice.
Qing Junce's sleepy eyes opened a sliver, a flicker of curiosity breaking through his usual drowsiness. "New player?"
A certain face popped into his head.
"Wait... the guy who looks like Miyagi Ryota?"
"Huh?! You already knew?" Kanon blinked in surprise, thinking to herself, Since when did this lazy guy get sharp?
Qing Junce simply smirked. "So, it was him after all."
Still intrigued, Kanon pressed, "How do you even know Miyagi Ryota?"
Qing Junce waved it off with a lazy shrug. "Just happened to."
Of course, he couldn't say, "Because I watched the anime in my past life."
That'd land him in the psych ward by the end of the day.
Kanon, satisfied for now, added, "I looked into him. Miyagi used to be the team's point guard. He's fast—maybe not as fast as you—but definitely elite among high schoolers."
Then she sighed dramatically, "Such a shame he's short. Otherwise, he could've been a great partner for you, Ace."
"Tch." Qing Junce scoffed. "I don't need help from anyone."
Just as the words left his mouth, a group of delinquents appeared ahead, blocking their path.
Qing Junce's eyes narrowed.
Kanon instinctively pressed close behind him, her voice a nervous whisper, "A-Ace…"
Junce stepped protectively in front of her and scanned the five guys.
He recognized the one with the buzzcut and thuggish face—Norio Horita, a third-year troublemaker.
Next to him was a slightly chubby guy with glasses and a cocky attitude. Qing Junce vaguely remembered him but didn't care enough to recall his name.
The other two were unfamiliar.
But the guy in the middle with long hair—that one he knew.
Mitsui Hisashi.
Former Shohoku basketball MVP. Junior high prodigy. A sharpshooter with a tragic story—a career cut short by injury, now spiraling among delinquents.
Norio Horita took the lead. "Hey, kid. You from the basketball team?"
Junce's expression didn't even twitch. "And what if I am?"
"You know who you're talking to?!" the guy with glasses barked.
Junce ignored him and looked straight at Mitsui. "We don't know each other, right? I don't talk to strangers. If you're lost, ask someone else. Now move."
"You little punk!" The bespectacled one took a step forward, fuming.
Junce yawned, picking at his ear like they weren't worth his time. "So noisy."
Mitsui finally spoke. "You're a freshman. Then you must know where Miyagi Ryota is."
"I don't," Junce cut in coldly. "Go ask someone else."
Mitsui's face darkened. "Freshmen this year sure are cocky."
Norio cracked his knuckles. "Time to teach you how to respect your seniors."
The moment the words dropped, three of them lunged forward, fists aimed for Junce.
"Ace!" Kanon cried out in panic.
Junce turned slightly and whispered, "Relax. Just some fleas."
In that instant—his entire aura shifted.
Gone was the sleepy, indifferent Junce.
In his place stood a predator, radiating a cold, unrelenting killing intent.
It was like a beast had awakened.
A wave of pressure exploded outward from him, engulfing the five delinquents like a suffocating tide.
For a moment, time froze.
Mitsui and his gang felt their spines turn to ice. A primal fear gripped them—the kind of fear that made your instincts scream: RUN.
The three who charged forward stopped dead in their tracks. Frozen. Paralyzed. Beads of sweat ran down their faces.
Mitsui himself was trembling.
Junce didn't spare them a glance.
He simply took Kanon's hand and walked through the group—right between them.
Not one dared move.
Not even Mitsui.
Only after Junce and Kanon disappeared down the path did the gang start to breathe again.
"…Who the hell was that guy?" Norio murmured, voice shaky.
"I—I thought I was gonna die…" said the one with glasses, gulping.
Mitsui stood there, fists clenched, his face twisted with humiliation. His eyes locked on Junce's retreating back.
"…Damn it." His voice was low and venomous. "Basketball club…"
As for Qing Junce, once out of sight, his usual lazy air returned.
Kanon finally let out a breath. "I thought you were really going to fight."
Junce yawned. "Wouldn't be a big deal if I did."
"But what if you got hurt?!"
"They're not worth the trouble."
Kanon raised an eyebrow. "Still… I didn't expect you to use that trick."
Junce just replied flatly, "Saves time."
Kanon giggled. "Wow, so that terrifying aura of yours is a fight prevention tool now?"
Junce twitched. "That's called deterrence, thank you very much."
Not wanting to argue, they pushed open the gym doors.
And both stopped.
Inside Shohoku High's Gym
Everyone was gathered on the sidelines, watching the court.
Two people were tangled on the floor in a very questionable pose.
Miyagi Ryota was sitting on top of Sakuragi Hanamichi, gripping his legs tightly.
Sakuragi, butt in the air, was desperately reaching for a basketball that had rolled just out of reach.
It was… suggestive. And incredibly stupid.
Kanon stared blankly.
Junce's mouth twitched. What the hell is happening here?
Kogure noticed them. "Ah, you're here."
"Kogure-senpai…" Kanon gave a polite nod. "Um… what is this?"
Kogure sighed. "That's Miyagi Ryota. He's been out due to injury."
Ayako chimed in. "He's also a handful. You're gonna have your work cut out for you."
Just then, Kaede Rukawa walked over, dribbling a ball.
He stopped in front of Junce and said flatly, "Let's play."
The gym instantly quieted.
Everyone stared.
Even Miyagi and Sakuragi stopped wrestling and turned.
"Tch… brave guy," Yamada Tadashi whispered.
"Didn't he get destroyed last time?" Kuwata added.
Junce stretched his arms lazily. "Sure. I'm bored anyway."
He headed to the opposite end of the court.
Everyone followed.
Even Miyagi Ryota and Sakuragi stood up, their attention now completely on the two super-rookies.
The rematch was about to begin.