Reo couldn't help but be a little stunned when he saw Tajima kneel without hesitation.
He thought the guy might try to play it off or act shamelessly—but he didn't expect him to be this straightforward. A real man.
Reo quickly stepped forward and grabbed him by the arm. A man shouldn't kneel so easily—at least, that's how Reo saw it.
"You're…"
Tajima looked up in surprise. Wasn't this exactly what he wanted—to be humbled?
His whole point had been to throw himself at Reo's mercy and accept humiliation. But Reo seemed to have sensed what Tajima was thinking.
A little helpless, Reo wondered—had he been too indifferent to how others felt?
Sure, their style of play was questionable, but was it really necessary to call it out so harshly in front of everyone?
Reo smiled bitterly to himself. Maybe living in this new world had infected him with a little humility and restraint. Maybe he cared more about others' feelings than he realized.
"If I said anything earlier that sounded rude, please don't take it personally, senpai," he said calmly.
"But…"
Reo waved a hand dismissively. "No need to say more. It was a match. That's all."
Besides, it's not like they had any serious grudge between them—and humiliating Tajima would only make Reo seem arrogant.
Tajima saw that Reo wasn't going to press further. A glint of admiration and gratitude appeared in his eyes.
"You're strong. And… you were right. Our way of playing does have issues. I just felt embarrassed and lashed out."
"Heh, don't worry about it. I probably could've said it better myself," Reo said with a casual laugh.
Actually, Tajima wasn't so bad. He was a little hot-headed, maybe, but ultimately a straightforward guy. Reo could relate—if someone criticized his playing style, he'd be pissed too.
Although… the one thing that really would piss him off was someone saying he played like someone.
Of course, no one in this world would get that meme. Just a little Celestial Empire inside joke.
Meanwhile, in the basketball gym, everyone else was staring, speechless.
They had just seen the two guys almost at each other's throats—and now they were joking around like friends?
"Wait, what's going on?"
"They made up?"
"Seems like that freshman isn't arrogant after all… He even helped the senpai up."
"Yeah, looks like he's pretty humble too."
"Wow! Reo-kun is so cool! He's good at basketball and kind and polite! I want to be his girlfriend!"
A chorus of high-pitched screams rang out from a group of girls nearby, completely drowning out the murmurs of the guys.
Reo chuckled and covered his ears. Fans really don't have borders…
"Beep!"
A sharp whistle silenced the crowd. Even the fangirls fell quiet.
A middle-aged man walked onto the court and called out in a loud voice, "All unrelated personnel, please leave the gym. Basketball club tryouts are starting. Those who signed up, gather over here. If you haven't signed up yet, go fill out a form at the front!"
He moved with purpose, efficient and direct.
Reo narrowed his eyes slightly as he watched him.
That must be the assistant coach of Teiko Middle School. After the old head coach fell ill, this guy stepped up to take over.
As a coach, he was solid—very professional. But as a leader? Not so much. His lack of decisiveness was part of why the Generation of Miracles eventually fractured.
Still, Reo didn't dwell on that. In the end, everyone became stronger in their own way.
The assistant coach noticed Reo's gaze and looked back at him with a small smile.
"You're Reo Byakuya, right?"
"Yes."
"You've got talent."
He said nothing more, turning and walking away.
Reo was left blinking. Did he know me from somewhere?
Tajima came up beside him and said, "That's our assistant coach. He never gives compliments lightly. He must've seen how you played."
He trailed off with a twinge of disappointment—after all, Reo's flashy performance had come at his expense.
Reo clapped him on the shoulder and walked toward the gathering group of recruits.
Some had already filled out their forms. Others hadn't yet. A few hadn't even planned to join the club but changed their minds after watching Reo's bullfight performance.
They believed Reo's popularity with girls had to be because he played basketball so well—and they wanted in.
Even some of the girls tried to sign up.
Of course, the basketball club didn't accept female players. But in the end, they made a compromise: girls with excellent grades could apply for logistics support roles.
Until now, Teiko's basketball club hadn't even had a proper logistics team.
"Satsuki, I'm going in," said Aomine with a grin.
"Good luck, Dai-chan!"
"Don't worry, I got this."
Aomine waved carelessly, but his eyes were on Reo's back—his smile turning into a focused grin. That guy… he's strong.
Akashi, Midorima, and the others followed as well.
"Hey! You there!"
Reo turned. It was Aomine.
"What's up?"
"I'm Daiki Aomine. You're awesome at basketball!"
"Heh, thanks. I'm Reo Byakuya."
Reo smiled. Aomine at this stage was still a cheerful, easygoing guy, full of youthful energy.
Just then, a red-haired boy walked over, warm and gentle.
"Reo-kun, I saw your match just now. You were amazing."
Reo turned to Akashi, who still hadn't become the cold, domineering version he'd one day become. Right now, he was the kind, elegant leader everyone respected.
"Thank you," Reo said sincerely.
As he chatted with Aomine and Akashi, more new students came over, eager to introduce themselves.
Clearly, Reo had made a strong impression—not just with his skills, but with his attitude.
Off to the side, Midorima stood quietly, arms crossed, glasses glinting, saying nothing.
Murasakibara didn't come over either—he was too busy munching snacks, as always.
Just then, a light blue haired, quiet boy with practically zero presence walked into the gym to join the tryouts.
No one noticed him—not the coach, not the players, not even Reo, who'd just finished his match and completely forgot…
That one more important player should've shown up by now.
Tetsuya Kuroko.