"If you don't dare to accept the challenge, then leave the basketball club."
Tajima's smug voice echoed relentlessly in Reo Byakuya's ears.
But Reo remained completely indifferent.
Instead, the freshmen who had gathered to join the basketball club were outraged.
"What a bully! How can they treat newcomers like this?"
"Why is no one stopping him?"
"Looks like Teikō's basketball club really spoils their players!"
"Classmate, you have to accept his challenge!"
No one knew who started it, but soon almost all the freshmen were shouting in unison:
"Accept the challenge!"
"Accept the challenge!"
"Accept the challenge!"
The atmosphere in the basketball club instantly grew livelier than usual.
Students nearby heard the commotion and grew curious.
"Is that the basketball club? Why is it so noisy?"
"I don't know. Let's go see."
"Alright, I just saw Byakuya-kun go in. Didn't expect to see him again so soon."
"Kyoko-chan, stop daydreaming and let's go."
"Hehe, you're teasing me again."
"Come on, let's go!"
Almost everyone who heard the ruckus rushed over, including some who were still filling out the registration forms.
As the number of new students swelled, those who had just heard the cause of the commotion started berating the senior basketball players.
Of course, most of the non-participants were girls.
The overwhelming excitement triggered by Reo Byakuya's good looks could only be explained by a dopamine surge brought on by adrenaline—commonly known as getting "carried away."
Tajima Shotai realized he had angered the crowd and felt a little uneasy.
But seeing everyone chanting for Reo to accept the challenge, he relaxed slightly.
His only goal now was to humiliate this kid so badly that he would never set foot in the basketball club again.
"So? Everyone seems confident in you. Are you going to accept?" Tajima taunted.
The crowd grew even louder, shouting Reo's name, demanding he accept.
"Kyoko-chan, look! It's Byakuya-kun!"
"Wow, it really is him! That dumb jock actually dared to bully Byakuya-kun? Hmph, he totally looks like a jerk!"
"…"
Kyoko Okita, standing nearby, knew how strong Reo was. Even though he'd only played in one match—and lost—she still remembered the grace and composure he had on the court that day.
Even as a layman, she could tell how talented he was.
Hearing his name, Reo glanced back.
A very pretty girl was shouting with a red face.
She looked familiar.
Reo smiled faintly. The passionate little girl was adorable.
But the senior in front of him was clearly overstepping.
It wasn't that Reo was afraid of the challenge—he just thought it was too boring.
But even boredom had limits.
This guy clearly didn't know his place.
A flicker of amusement danced in Reo's eyes.
Since you want to bet with me, I'll humor you.
He curled his lips into a slight smile—just enough for Tajima to see.
For some reason, that smile gave Tajima a sinking feeling.
On the second floor of the basketball club, in a hidden office, a middle-aged man with a stern face sat at a desk, holding a form in his hands.
It was Reo Byakuya's application form—the one he had just filled out earlier.
Standing in front of him was the same plain-looking student who had been guarding the entrance.
"Assistant coach, what should we do? Do you want me to stop this? Tajima Shotai and the others have been acting out lately."
"No need," the coach said, smirking. "This Reo Byakuya has some impressive physical stats. Judging by how calm he is, he might have real talent. Let's see how he handles this."
"But with so many new students watching, won't it affect our recruitment?"
"Don't worry. The only thing that truly affects our basketball club… is results."
The boy nodded reluctantly and fell silent.
Teikō was one of the top five junior high schools in the country.
They'd won many championships, yet the boy still felt uneasy about Reo.
If he refused the challenge, the club might miss out on a valuable rookie.
But if he accepted… Tajima might not be top-tier, but he was still strong.
"Don't worry," the coach said again, his expression calm.
The boy said nothing more—but continued to watch as the drama unfolded below.
"I accept your challenge," Reo said coolly.
Before Tajima could celebrate, Reo added:
"But if we're going to bet, let's make it interesting."
"Oh? What do you want to bet?" Tajima asked, nervous but unable to back down now.
"Heh, if the loser has to quit the basketball club, that's too cruel for someone who loves the game."
"Huh… So you don't dare after all?"
Reo looked at him like he was an idiot.
Where did this guy get so much confidence?
Who gave him the courage to say this—Liang Jingru? Or was it just something in the Teikō water?
Reo didn't bother responding to the nonsense.
He continued, "Quitting is too harsh. So how about this—the loser kneels down and publicly admits their loss in front of everyone?"
A collective gasp swept through the crowd.
"No way! This guy's bold!"
"He's actually serious?"
"A freshman challenging a veteran like this…"
"Someone called him Byakuya-kun earlier? What's his full name? I want to pledge loyalty to him!"
"Me too! First come, first serve!"
"One!"
"Two!"
"Three!"
"…"
The freshmen booed playfully but were secretly fired up.
Defying upperclassmen like this wasn't something they normally dared to do.
Reo could hear all of them, and he couldn't help but shake his head.
Clearly, the rigid hierarchy of the school wasn't as deeply respected as people claimed.
Tajima's pupils shrank.
Kneel and apologize?
Where did this kid get the confidence?
Now that he thought about it—Reo's earlier comments had been harsh and pointed, but undeniably professional.
Could he really be more than just talk?
Had Tajima walked right into a trap?
But now it was too late to back down.
All he could do was pray that Reo was bluffing.
Pray that he could win.
"…Fine!"
Tajima finally answered.
Reo responded with a quiet, almost cruel smile.