Page 1 – National Gym Entrance
A wide shot of a massive gym with banners reading:
> "U-18 National League Tryouts – 12 Slots Only"
"Top Team Advances to the International Combine. NBA Scouts Watching!"
Narration (Riku's thoughts):
> "A league that could lead to the NBA... I never even got close to this in my first life."
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Page 2 – The Crowd of Talents
Hundreds of players are warming up. The tension is thick. Riku walks in wearing a simple black hoodie, looking calm but focused.
Random Player (whispering):
> "That's Jin Nakamura over there."
"The guy who went pro before 18…"
"He's playing again after his injury?"
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Page 3 – Riku Sees Him
Riku turns and sees Jin on the other side of the court, warming up. Still sharp. Still deadly. The rival who once stood where Riku dreamed to be.
Jin walks over, smirking.
Jin:
> "Didn't expect you to show your face here."
"Still chasing ghosts, Riku?"
Riku (smiling calmly):
> "No. Just catching up."
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Page 4 – System UI (Internal View)
> 🔹 [SYSTEM STATUS]
— Slots Used: 6 / ∞
— Current Cooldown: None
— Active Talent: "Mid-Range Footwork [A]"
— Copy Ready: ✅
Riku (thinking):
> "The system's quiet today... I can copy someone if I find the right moment. But if it's S-rank or above, that cooldown will lock me out for 24 hours."
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Page 5 – Tryout Begins
Whistle blows. Scrimmages start. Players are divided into teams. Riku is placed with unfamiliar faces—but he adapts quickly.
Riku passes, cuts, and scores—clean, efficient.
His movement is a blend of techniques copied and mastered over time.
Coach watching:
> "Who's that #11?"
"Reads like a seasoned guard…"
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Page 6 – Jin's Team
Jin is dominating on the opposite side of the court. His rhythm is different—stronger, more refined than before. Even Riku is impressed.
Riku (thinking):
> "He's gotten better. Way better…"
"If I want to catch him, I'll need something more."
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Page 7 – Near Collision
Jin's team switches to Riku's court for the next game. A moment comes—Jin guards Riku, fast and aggressive. They lock eyes.
Jin (low):
> "Let's see what you really got."
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Page 8 – Riku Responds
Riku uses his quick first step and spins off a screen, hitting a fadeaway jumper.
System Notification (small panel):
> ✅ Talent Copied: "Quick Stop Fadeaway [A]"
⏳ Cooldown: 12 Hours
🔒 Cannot Copy Again Until Cooldown Ends
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Page 9 – The Smirk
Jin catches the rebound and looks back at Riku—his smirk is gone.
Jin (thinking):
> "That move... That's my exact form."
"What the hell are you?"
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Page 10 – After the Tryouts
Everyone's exhausted. The coaches post the list.
COACH SAITO (reading aloud):
> "Final U-18 Selection: Jin Nakamura... Riku Hoshino..."
Gasps from the crowd. Some stare in disbelief.
Random Player:
> "That guy Riku made the cut?"
"Never even heard of him…"
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Final Panel – Riku Leaving the Gym
He walks away from the gym into the night. Alone, hoodie on, looking up at the moon.
Riku (thinking):
> "The door is open. All I have to do now… is walk through it."
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✅ End of Chapter 7