Ryokufu High · In front of the school gate.
"Today's game taught us a lot. Thank you so much for your guidance." Fujisawa Eri straightened her back and gave Shohoku a sincere smile, then bowed deeply.
Hehehehehe...
Anzai Mitsuyoshi stood at the center of the team, his face wearing its usual gentle smile.
He waved his hand with a slow, elderly ease. "No need, no need. We all learn from each other."
Fujisawa Eri looked up. Her eyes scanned each Shohoku member like a spotlight until they landed on Aoi Kunisaku in the back, looking as lazy as ever.
"Um… Aoi Kunisaku-kun, can I talk to you alone?"
As soon as she said that, the relaxed post-game mood froze. Everyone stared, expressions mixed with surprise, gossip, and subtle curiosity.
Their eyes darted back and forth between Fujisawa Eri and Aoi, like they were trying to uncover some hidden secret.
Sakuragi Hanamichi perked up right away. He darted toward Mitsui Hisashi, practically glowing with excitement.
He half-covered his mouth with his palm, wide eyes spinning. "Yo, Mitsui-kun, is that ojou-sama into the no-spirit ghost?"
He even raised his eyebrows, wearing a wicked grin.
Mitsui had also been staring curiously at the scene. He nearly lost his balance when Sakuragi nudged him.
He shoved Sakuragi back with a glare. "How would I know?! And quit calling me 'Mitsui-kun' like that."
Still, his eyes never left Aoi's direction.
Miyagi Ryota watched Aoi and Fujisawa Eri with anticipation sparkling in his gaze.
Aoi glanced at Fujisawa Eri but didn't refuse.
He was lazy, not cold.
They walked off to the side, not too far from the others.
"What do you want?" Aoi leaned against the gate wall, one hand in his pocket, the other casually spinning a basketball. His tone was lazy and unbothered.
Fujisawa Eri took a deep breath, staring at him with burning intensity. Her voice rang with unmistakable sincerity. "Aoi Kunisaku, you're the strongest player I've ever seen. I want to invite you to join Ryokufu."
"Huh?" Aoi abruptly stopped spinning the ball. His brows lifted under his messy bangs, eyes flashing with surprise.
She wanted to recruit him?
The thought turned once or twice in his head before he chuckled quietly, lips curling into a smirk with a hint of mockery.
With her commanding presence on the court, it'd be strange if she didn't try this. But she clearly picked the wrong target.
Of course someone with her personality would try.
But Aoi had no intention of transferring schools.
It wasn't like he was clinging to Shohoku.
At this point, any school would do.
But he wasn't someone who quits halfway. Since he chose Shohoku at the start, he wasn't going to leave over something like this.
"I'm not interested in transferring. If that's all you had to say, don't bring it up again." He turned to leave as soon as he finished.
"Wait…" Fujisawa Eri hurriedly stopped him, then quickly promised, "If you come to Ryokufu, I swear, you'll be the team's absolute core. All your expenses will be covered, and you'll have the highest authority on the team. Please consider it."
Wow, she really pulled out all the stops.
Even Aoi had to admit it.
Having a school backed by her family was a different level. She could promise whatever she wanted.
But Aoi didn't even slow his step. Even as Fujisawa Eri kept talking behind him, he only slightly turned his head and muttered lazily, "I'm not interested in that stuff."
And with that, he strolled back toward the Shohoku squad, calm and indifferent.
As soon as he returned, Ayako popped up beside him like a quick little sparrow.
She elbowed him lightly with a sly smile. "Hey hey, Aoi Kunisaku~ What did that obāsan want? Was she confessing to you?"
She exaggeratedly blinked, which made everyone nearby stifle their laughs.
Aoi gave her a blank look. "You're so annoying," he muttered.
But Sakuragi dashed over like he'd just been shot with adrenaline, nearly smacking into Aoi's face.
He wriggled his eyebrows, bursting with curiosity. "C'mon, c'mon, don't be shy! Tell us! What were you two talking about?"
Shimizu Kanon watched the huddle of noisy teammates. Her hair swayed gently as she tilted her head.
She sighed quietly, lashes lowering for a second—but her ears were definitely eavesdropping.
In the sunlight, her fingers idly twirled her backpack strap. She stood like she wasn't paying attention at all, but her toes subtly shifted—half a step closer to Aoi.
Those vague guesses scratched at their hearts like tiny cat paws, making everyone restless and fidgety.
The Shohoku team all stared at Aoi Kunisaku, their eyes burning so hot it felt like they'd scorch a hole through him.
Sakuragi Hanamichi tiptoed to stretch his neck. Mitsui Hisashi clenched his molars. Even the usually cool Rukawa Kaede gave a sideways glance.
With everyone staring, Aoi felt completely uncomfortable. He scratched his ear and said flatly, "She just wanted to invite me to join Ryokufu."
The moment those words left his mouth, the entire group fell into complete silence.
The cicadas outside suddenly sounded harsh. The air froze. Everyone stood still, even forgetting to breathe.
Kogure Kiminobu's eyes widened behind his glasses. He gripped the frame nervously, voice trembling. "Aoi Kunisaku-kun! You didn't say yes, right?"
They really didn't want him transferring to another school.
Akagi Takenori, Mitsui Hisashi, Sakuragi Hanamichi, Rukawa Kaede, Kogure Kiminobu—and the whole Shohoku team—stared at Aoi, waiting for an answer.
Aoi's lips twitched. He looked completely speechless.
Rolling his eyes, he finally said, "Too lazy to change schools."
It was like a tight string had just snapped. Everyone's tense shoulders relaxed all at once.
They were seriously scared just now.
They couldn't even imagine the team without Aoi Kunisaku. Just the thought was terrifying.
Shimizu Kanon's lips curled into a soft smile. Sunlight caught in her eyes, making them shine like pools of spring water. "That's so like Saku-chan."
Hehehehehe…
Anzai Mitsuyoshi also showed his signature gentle smile.
The Shohoku team laughed and walked off, their shadows stretching long under the setting sun, fading slowly from Fujisawa Eri's view.
She stood in place, biting her lip, fingers absentmindedly rubbing the school crest.
The summer breeze lifted her hair, catching the light as it fluttered.
She watched the distant figure walking away and sighed softly.
It was a bit of a shame that she couldn't recruit Aoi Kunisaku. But she quickly pulled herself together.
After all, the invitation had always been a gamble. Whether it worked or not didn't make a big difference to her.
…
The next day.
Morning light hadn't yet scattered all of Kanagawa's fog when the news of Shohoku and Ryokufu's practice match swept through the entire high school basketball world like a storm.
Ryonan High · Gymnasium
Sendoh Akira wiped sweat from his neck and walked to the sideline. A white towel hung casually around his shoulders, sweat still glistening at his bangs.
"Ryokufu High?" He twisted open a water bottle and took a sip. His eyes held a hint of confusion as he looked at the paper Aida Hikoichi handed him.
Aida adjusted his glasses. Behind the lenses, his eyes gleamed with excitement.
He nodded hard, notebook flipping noisily in his hand. "Yeah! I heard it was Ryokufu who invited Shohoku for the match."
Koshino Hiroaki came over just then and asked, "So what happened? Who won?"
Aida replied, "Of course Shohoku won. With Aoi Kunisaku there, how could they lose?"
Koshino blinked, then gave a wry smile and rubbed his face. "That's true."
Aida flipped a page in his notebook and looked at the notes. "Ryokufu isn't a simple team."
He lowered his voice, his expression turning serious. "Their captain came back from America. And they recruited players from all over the country."
Sendoh stared at the shadow cast at his feet. His fingers idly rolled the condensation on his water bottle.
Under the gym lights, shadows flickered beneath his lashes. After a while, he muttered softly, "Ryokufu, huh…"
…
Shoyo High · Basketball Club
Fujima Kenji also heard about Shohoku's match against Ryokufu.
"Ryokufu High?" he repeated quietly. His voice was soft, wrapped in the still, heated air of the gym, carrying a faint touch of doubt.
His bangs shifted slightly with his movement. The eyes that always carried a gentle smile now held quiet inquiry.
Hanagata Toru walked up and opened the file tucked under his arm. The shuffle of paper sounded crisp and sharp in the empty gym.
"I already looked into it. Ryokufu High was established this year. Their basketball team only formed last month."
He paused and pushed his glasses up. The lenses flashed coldly.
"Details are unclear, but word is, their players were all recruited from top talent across the country. Their captain was even sent to America for basketball training at Ryokufu's expense."
Hearing that, Fujima stayed silent for a while, then walked to the sideline and bent down to pick up a stray basketball.
He pressed his palm against the rough surface, slowly spinning it. His nails scraped softly across the leather.
After a long moment, he stood up and gazed out the window, where the blazing sun bleached the sky white. His lashes lowered, hiding all emotion.
"Whatever. Let Shohoku and Kainan worry about it. It's got nothing to do with us now."
His voice was calm like the lazy summer breeze outside, but a trace of bitterness still slipped out at the end.
Hanagata watched his friend's back. His throat moved, but in the end, he didn't say anything.
…
Kainan High · Basketball Gym
Kiyota Nobunaga stood at the three-point line, hands on his hips. His sweat-soaked jersey clung to his back. The towel around his neck swung with his movements.
"Seriously? Shohoku again? And they're picking on a brand-new team? Some champions they are! No class at all!" he shouted, his voice echoing off the gym walls. Sweat had plastered his bangs to his flushed forehead.
Shinichi Maki bent down to tie his shoelaces. His long fingers moved quickly as he spoke. "Shohoku didn't bully anyone. Ryokufu invited them. And Ryokufu isn't weak. Their captain came back from America. Looks like Kanagawa's getting another tough rival."
Kiyota instantly pulled a face, full of disdain. He even rolled his eyes. "So what if he came back from America? They still lost to Shohoku."
Muto Tadashi pulled off his wristband and kneaded his sore wrist. His eyes swept toward Kiyota. "Captain and I are in our third year. Once we're gone, you'll be the only one left. Do you really think you can beat Ryokufu alone?"
Uhh...
That line hit Kiyota like a hammer, making his head buzz.
He opened his mouth, Adam's apple bobbing, but couldn't say a word.
His shoulders slumped instantly. The cocky air around him vanished, replaced by confusion in his eyes.
Just thinking about next year's starters—everyone but him would be gone.
He'd be left alone.
And the rest of Kainan wasn't strong enough to handle schools like Shohoku or Ryonan.
They might hold up against weaker teams.
But going up against Shohoku or Ryonan?
Total wipeout.
That thought made Kiyota want to cry. He clutched his hair and spun in circles on the spot. "Right! What am I supposed to do then? Captain Maki, once you're gone, I'll be all alone!"
Seeing Kiyota's devastated face, Maki Shinichi and the others could only stare in silence.
But they couldn't help it either.
They couldn't stay at Kainan forever. Sooner or later, Kiyota would have to face it himself.
…
Elsewhere
Aida Yayoi and her assistant Nakamura Taizou walked through the streets of Kanagawa.
"We're doing an exclusive interview with Shohoku this time?" Nakamura asked.
Aida nodded and answered right away. "Yeah. I've been wanting to get a one-on-one with Shohoku for a while. But things kept coming up. This time, we're going to uncover the secret behind the championship team's strength."
Nakamura said, "Isn't it all because of that Aoi Kunisaku?"
Aida gave him a look, clearly unimpressed, and corrected him. "Aoi Kunisaku definitely played a huge role, but let's not ignore the rest of the team."
She paused, then added, "Besides Aoi, there's Akagi Takenori with national-level strength. Mitsui Hisashi, former junior high MVP. Miyagi Ryota, known as Lightning. Then the super rookie of the year, Rukawa Kaede. And don't forget the shocker of a breakout, Sakuragi Hanamichi. Shohoku right now is unbelievably strong."
…
Time passed day by day.
And the Autumn National Athletic Meet crept closer and closer.
Inside a café somewhere in Kanagawa
Taoka Moichi from Ryonan and Takato Riki from Kainan sat apart at separate tables.
"You suddenly called me out. What's going on?" Takato asked.
Taoka looked straight at him and spoke bluntly. "I wanted to talk to you about the National Meet. You know this year isn't like the others. Kanagawa's changed a lot."
Takato fell silent.
After a moment, he finally said slowly, "Kainan, Ryonan, Shoyo, and Shohoku. We'll each select 2 to 3 players from our teams. Also… have you heard? A new school's been established in Kanagawa—Ryokufu. Word is, they recruited players from all over the country."
Taoka nodded. "I've heard some of that. But their focus seems to be on the Winter Cup. They don't seem interested in the National Meet."
"Then that just leaves us with the player selections," they both said at the same time.
Next, the two started running names through their minds.
Takato: "For Center… it's gotta be him. And him. That guy too… I want him as well."
Taoka: "For Point Guard, that guy's a must. Him too… and that one, definitely can't let him go."
Takato: "Shooting Guard? He's perfect. And he's not bad either…"
Taoka: "As for Forwards, he's absolutely necessary. Him too… and this guy…"
The two of them kept naming players in their heads while muttering under their breath and fiddling with their fingers, looking just like two Buddha statues locked in a magical duel.
Eventually, both their eyes lit up at the same time. They looked at each other and declared in unison, "Aoi Kunisaku."
Takato Riki said, "We absolutely can't leave him out. With him on the team, we've got a solid shot at winning it all."
Taoka Moichi replied, "Exactly. Aoi Kunisaku is the ultimate trump card. He has to have a spot."
"Then…" Their eyes locked again, sparks flying between them. "Who's going to be the coach?"
Their gazes clashed mid-air like blades, sharp and unrelenting.
Tension hung in the air like thick smoke as if a fire was about to ignite.
…
While Taoka Moichi and Takato Riki were fighting over the head coach position…
Shohoku High was calm as always.
Shohoku High · Basketball Gym
Boom… Boom… Boom…
The sound of basketballs bouncing and sneakers squeaking filled the gym.
Shohoku's players were all going through their regular drills.
Sakuragi Hanamichi had grown more and more like a real basketball player. He used to fumble just dribbling, but now he moved with ease, no stiffness at all.
The biggest improvement? His shooting had clearly leveled up.
Rukawa Kaede was, as usual, practicing alone. Focused as ever, it was like the rest of the world didn't exist. But now and then, the cold gleam in his eyes made it clear he was imagining a rival with every shot.
Who that rival was—no one knew.
Off to the side, first-years Ishii Kentaro, Sasaoka Satoro, Kuwata Toki, and Yamada Tadashi sat together.
Ishii Kentaro said, "Hey, did you guys hear? The Autumn National Athletic Meet is coming up. They're picking top players from across the prefecture. I wonder who from our team will make it."
Sasaoka Satoro replied, "No need to guess. Aoi Kunisaku is definitely getting picked."
Kuwata Toki added, "Yeah, and Rukawa Kaede has a good shot too."
Yamada Tadashi said, "Hearing that… Akagi-senpai and Mitsui-senpai could get selected too, huh?"
Their conversation didn't escape the ever-alert ears of Sakuragi Hanamichi.
He strutted over, hands on hips, puffing his chest out with pride. "That kokutai or whatever it's called—of course a genius like me's gonna be picked!"
An awkward silence instantly fell over the group.
The four glanced at each other, chuckled dryly, and scratched their heads awkwardly.
Sure, they'd seen how much Sakuragi had improved. But the Autumn National Athletic Meet was for the elite of the elite.
Sakuragi still made the occasional dribbling error and had a hotheaded streak on the court. That was a mountain he hadn't climbed yet.
Sasaoka nudged Kuwata with his elbow. They exchanged a knowing glance and swallowed whatever they'd been about to say.
Just as Sakuragi waited proudly for their praise, a sharp voice pierced the air like an icicle.
Rukawa Kaede had stopped shooting at some point. Spinning the basketball in one hand, his bangs cast a shadow over his eyes as he sneered, "You? Idiot. No way you're getting picked. If anyone's getting picked, it's me."
The moment he heard that voice, Sakuragi exploded.
His ears flushed red, and his neck followed suit.
"Rukawa Kaede! You damn fox! Who are you calling an idiot? You're the idiot! Big idiot Rukawa!"
He whipped around and started yelling at Rukawa.
Ayako saw what was going on and sighed. "Those two are at it again. But seriously… I wonder who from Shohoku will get picked. I'm really looking forward to it."
She turned to Shimizu Kanon and asked, "Kanon, who do you think will get picked from our team?"
Kanon just smiled gently and said, "I don't know. That's not something I can decide."
"Yeah, true," Ayako said with a sigh, realizing it was a pointless question.
Kanon turned to glance at Aoi Kunisaku, who was leaning in the corner with a bored look on his face.
'If nothing goes wrong… Saku-chan will definitely be chosen,' she thought.
She didn't even need to think hard to know.
With Aoi's level of skill, not getting picked would be the real shock.
…
Meanwhile, other regions across the country had also started preparing for the Autumn National Athletic Meet.
Because of the summer tournament, every region had become wary of Kanagawa.
Shohoku, the national champion, and Kainan, the national runner-up—both schools were based in Kanagawa.
When basketball teams from other regions learned this, they immediately marked Kanagawa as a threat.