"Um…"
"Is everyone here trying out for the basketball team?"
Just as Akito Shigure was checking the skill demonstration, the boy behind him with long bangs covering his eyes—whom he had just been watching—suddenly spoke in a gloomy voice.
A few of the newcomers jumped.
"Whoa!"
"You scared me!"
"Um… yeah."
"You didn't know? If you've played basketball before, this is common knowledge. The basketball team here is one of the most elite in the country. This level of intensity is totally expected."
"By the way, I'm Joey Matsugata. What's your name?"
"Reggie Fulton..."
Akito glanced back. It was obvious that Reggie Fulton, the gloomy kid with the long bangs, became even more withdrawn after hearing those words. Compared to the energetic rookies around him, his presence felt noticeably weaker.
Shinji Crowell shot a sharp glance in his direction—an expression that faintly resembled Nijimura's stern demeanor—and muttered, "Why would a guy with no confidence come to a place like Teiko?"
"Don't underestimate him, Shinji," Akito said, turning to face his friend and pointing first at Reggie Fulton, then at Shuzo Nichols. "That guy with the bangs? He's no pushover."
"But if we're talking about the strongest rookie here—it's probably him."
After all, based on the character's setup, Shuzo was personally invited to the team by Coach Kozo Platinum. Judging by Coach Platinum's attitude toward him earlier, it was clear he placed high expectations on the guy.
Shinji raised an eyebrow but didn't argue. Instead, he glanced over at Shuzo and muttered, "Oh… that guy."
Akito blinked. "You know him?"
"Tch. Ran into him once or twice. I mean, come on—what kind of normal middle schooler rides a motorcycle around town?"
Akito: "..."
Now that he thought about it—yeah, that did happen.
In the manga, the calm and reliable Captain Shuzo Nichols—the Teiko leader with charisma and leadership talent—used to be quite the wild child. One of his most infamous stunts? Stealing and riding a motorcycle.
As the rookies chattered, Coach Naoto Sanders, head coach of the First Squad, clapped his hands at the front of the gym and called out:
"Alright, everyone, listen up. Before we begin the entrance trials, there's something you all need to understand."
"Here at Teiko, it's all about winning."
"That applies to games—"
"—and to training."
"Teiko's training regimen far surpasses that of most schools. If you're not prepared to face that reality, think carefully before joining the Teiko Basketball Club."
"If you're just here for fun or see this as a casual after-school activity, I advise you to walk away now."
Coach Sanders' eyes swept across the faces of the gathered boys.
After a brief pause, seeing no one walk away, he continued:
"Now, let's talk about how we classify new recruits. You'll go through a physical and technical assessment, and based on your results, you'll be assigned to one of three squads: First, Second, or Third."
"Only members of the First Squad can wear the official Teiko jersey and play in matches—but most of you are nowhere near that level yet."
"Historically, very few rookies have made it straight into the Second Squad. Most start in the Third."
"We repeat these tests regularly. So, for those starting in the lower squads—don't give up. Keep training and get stronger."
"Basketball skill isn't built overnight. Set your sights on making it to the Second or Third Squad first."
"That's all!"
As Coach Sanders finished, a wave of whispers rolled through the rookies.
"Yeah, I've heard that too. So far, no one's ever made it straight into the First Squad during the first-year entrance trials."
"So the Second Squad's the best we can hope for."
"Honestly, I might just land in the Third Squad…"
"Whatever the test is, I'm aiming for the Second!"
"Let's go, everyone!"
Joey Matsugata stood upright, brimming with energy.
Shinji Crowell had a fierce, impatient glint in his eye.
Reggie Fulton hunched his shoulders, still uncertain.
Akito's gaze swept over the rookies one by one. As he listened to their conversations, a look of determination and excitement formed on his face.
Because this point in time… was perfect.
Now that he was in a world where sci-fi basketball reigned supreme, of course he had to develop his own brand of sci-fi basketball.
The Generation of Miracles wouldn't even join the team until next year. The Five Unnamed Generals were still just rookies. This was the perfect moment for him to leverage the system and grow stronger.
When those prodigies finally arrived, he would show them what "Welcome to Teiko" really meant.
"This is great~"
"Everyone's hair is still normal-colored~"
Akito sighed in relief. Shinji scratched at his short, beige-dyed hair and grumbled, "Akito, your focus today is so weird. And didn't you notice I changed my hair color?"
"Nope~"
"You're different~"
"I'm talking about natural colors..."
Natural hair color was still the norm in this world—for now.
Except for himself, of course, since he was technically 'wearing' someone else's identity.
Well…
Joey Matsugata—with the "rainbow" in his name—might be an exception.
After all…
The Generation of Miracles would eventually form the "Rainbow Team," and Joey was literally named after it.
If it weren't for that plotline where his father fell ill, causing him to give up the captaincy and leave for the U.S. after graduation, even the author probably wouldn't know how strong Shuzo Nichols could've become.