"That's right. Kise Ryota makes the cut. Kota doesn't."
"Why? Hasn't that kid proven himself enough? I'll say it again, Kinoshita — they beat the U22 Youth Team! And they're not even adults yet!"
"Isn't that because of Kise? Anyway, I'm busy, Takeuchi. That's all. Oh, one more thing—I forgot to mention. The Youth Team's next-gen point guard has already been decided."
"What?! Who?"
"…Akashi Seijuro."
...
"Morning, senpai! Morning, Kobori!"
"Oh hey, Kota. Coach was looking for you earlier — said to tell you to go see him when you got in."
"Got it. I'll head over now."
After greeting the upperclassmen, Kota hummed a little tune as he wandered toward Takeuchi's office.
His mood? Excellent.
"What's up, Coach? Don't tell me—you've got some good news for me?"
He poked his head through the door, all smiles.
Takeuchi looked up from his desk and forced a small smile.
"Kota. Come in, have a seat."
That look on Takeuchi's face made Kota pause.
He dropped the grin, quietly stepped inside, and shut the door behind him.He pulled up a chair and sat down.
"Alright, coach. I'm listening."
Takeuchi exhaled deeply, running his hand over his face.
"Kota… I'm sorry."
"Don't be, coach. You've got nothing to apologize for. Just say it. I'm not a kid — I'm not gonna cry in your office or anything."
Kota cut him off before he could finish.
Truth be told, he'd already guessed what this was about.
He just wanted to hear the reason.
...
"…You didn't make the Youth Team."
"Yeah."
Kota's expression didn't change.
He'd already known it the moment he walked in.
"Why?"
Takeuchi opened his mouth, but the words didn't come.
He wanted to say,
"It's not your fault. Your natural talent just doesn't measure up. You've done incredibly."
But—
Kinoshita's voice echoed in his mind:
The next-gen point guard for the Youth Team… Akashi Seijuro.
Height? Akashi was shorter.
Weight? Kota had him beat.
Accomplishments? Kaijo won Interhigh — Rakuzan came second.
And yet… no one batted an eye.
Akashi was still the pick.
Even Takeuchi, when he heard the name, had nothing to say.
...
How do you explain that?
Takeuchi stared at the desk, stuck.
"…Is it because of my athleticism?"
Seeing Takeuchi fall silent, Kota asked it himself.
His tone was steady. You couldn't read anything in his face.
Takeuchi pressed his lips together, then finally gave it to him straight.
"The Basketball Association called earlier. They've already named Akashi Seijuro as the next point guard."
There. It was out.
For the first time, Kota's face changed.
Neither of them spoke for a long while.
...
"…Coach. Do me a favor."
"Huh? You name it. If I can do it, I will."
...
"Hello?"
"Masako?"
"Takeuchi? This better be important. And no — I'm not going out to dinner with you this weekend!"
"It's not that. Can we meet? Just for a bit."
A pause.
"…Send me the address."
...
Kaijo High – Coach's Office.
Takeuchi hung up the phone, exhaling heavily. He could still hear Kota's voice in his head:
"Coach… help me get stronger. That's all it'll take, right? We barely beat Rakuzan in the Interhigh. But if I crush Akashi in the Winter Cup, no one can argue with that."
The defiance of youth…
Takeuchi chuckled to himself.
He wasn't annoyed at all. Even though Kota was so composed on court, this reminded him that the kid was still just a teenager.
Alright.
Time to clean himself up a little.
Takeuchi checked the clock — only 30 minutes until he had to meet Masako.
He needed to look his best.
Out came the old bottle of hair wax and the polished shoes. Shaving cream in one hand, mirror in the other,he sat in his office — fully committed to grooming.
Back in the gym, Kota had returned after speaking with Takeuchi.
He greeted the upperclassmen again, then began his warmup.
But something was different.
He was completely focused. No slacking, no shortcuts.
Kise, watching from the sidelines, almost dropped his jaw.
"…Oi, Kota? You feeling okay?"
During a water break, Kise walked over and touched his forehead.
"Don't tell me you've got a fever or something."
Kota rolled his eyes and smacked Kise's hand away.
"Guys like me don't have a choice. If I don't bust my ass, I won't even catch a glimpse of you guys' taillights."
"Guys like me?"
Kise tilted his head, confused.
He didn't understand what Kota meant.
But behind Kota's calm exterior was a storm of frustration.
"You've got to be kidding me. Two lifetimes.I know the entire story. I've got a system. And I still didn't make the Youth Team?!"
The team we just beat?!
What a joke. I've shamed every isekai protagonist out there."
But this wasn't just about pride. This was about proving himself.
Kota clenched his fists.
Change of plans. I'm getting on that team.
....
Elsewhere — a high-end café.
"So, let me get this straight — You want me to personally train your point guard, get him into the national team."
Araki tucked a strand of hair behind her earand took a slow sip of her coffee.
Takeuchi nodded, nervously swallowing. His freshly-shaved face cracked into a smile.
"Exactly! The kid's got it, Masako! He just needs a little push. With your help, I know he can make it!"
Araki didn't reply right away.
She stirred her spoon quietly in the cup.
Takeuchi's heart jumped. She didn't reject him right away — that was a good sign.
He pressed his luck.
"I'll treat you to dinner! As many times as you want!"
Araki waved her hand.
"Forget dinner.I'll help. Have him come here tomorrow."
She slid a card across the table:
Shark Gym
....
"Hi?"
"Kota, it's Coach Takeuchi. Don't come to the gym tomorrow."
"Huh? Am I cut from the team?"
"Don't be ridiculous. I'm sending you to a different place for training. Write down this address and number — she'll be the one helping you get stronger."
"…Alright. Thanks, coach."
Takeuchi hung up and stared out the window.
He quietly said a prayer for Kota — not just that he'd succeed.
But for what was about to come next.
Araki's training…wasn't for the faint of heart.