"As expected, not only is Kise-senpai strong, but Kota-senpai is also on another level."
Yuki wiped the sweat off his chin and sighed in admiration.
Still, it was only one basket from Kota — nowhere near enough to kill his fighting spirit.
It was the rookies' turn on offense again. This time, no one foolishly asked Yuki to run inside and set position under the hoop. They weren't idiots — after what happened last round, when Yuki easily blew past Hayakawa for a poster dunk, they knew he wasn't some clueless freshman.
Not only was he not a rookie in skill, he was easily the number one player on the freshman team.
Before they even crossed half-court, the rookie point guard, Haru, passed him the ball and promptly wandered to the corner, clearing space for Yuki to work.
"Come on."
Kota stood smiling at the top of the arc, tugging his shorts up slightly.
That familiar pressure immediately settled over Yuki.
Hooo—
Yuki took a deep breath, his expression growing more focused.
This time, Kota didn't intimidate him.
He dribbled slowly with his right hand, then suddenly exploded — accelerating to his top speed in an instant!
Weakest Link
Since Yuki had barely scored so far — just two points in the last round — he currently had the lowest score on the court, triggering his Weakest Link boost.
Kota narrowed his eyes. Yuki's first step was quick, but with his boosted lateral movement, Kota could keep up.
One moment Yuki thought he had open space, the next a massive force slammed into his side — like a wall moving to block him.
"Not that easy, huh?"
Yuki frowned slightly.
He pulled the ball back to reset, planting his back into Kota. Yuki wasn't heavy, but when it came to using body contact, he never thought he was worse than anyone.
Still, even the best technique crumbles against sheer mass.
Kota leaned forward slightly, absorbing Yuki's bump without moving an inch. He even had the time to crack a grin.
"Didn't eat lunch? Want me to buy you a meal after practice?"
Impossible!
Yuki realized Kota wasn't bluffing — he'd completely absorbed the contact. His shock was real.
He'd never met anyone his age who could both keep up with his speed and overpower him physically. Usually, the fast ones couldn't take his hits, and the strong ones couldn't catch him.
But Yuki's adaptability was his strength. Realizing he couldn't back down Kota, he shifted tactics — another post move, same result.
"What's this? Still can't move me? Figured that out yet?"
Kota tilted his head. With Yuki's basketball IQ, he should've known after the first try that it wouldn't work.
Unless I'm overestimating him?
Just as that thought crossed Kota's mind, Yuki proved him wrong.
He used the contact again, but this time spun off it, rising into a fadeaway jumper — his body tracing a perfect arc in the air.
Kota froze, hearing the swish behind him. He gave a wry smile.
So I underestimated him after all.
"Nice shot!!"
Kise was the first to clap from the corner, and with him leading, the whole gym erupted in applause.
It really was a beautiful play.
But in this spotlight moment, Yuki didn't pump his fist or show off — he just scratched his head shyly. Definitely a modest kid.
"Great play."
"Yeah, nice one!"
"Which middle school were you from? How come I've never heard of you? Your name's Yuki, right?"
The rookies crowded around him now, their earlier doubts gone. In basketball, skill earns respect before words ever can.
Kota watched Yuki fumble through small talk, amused, and shot a look at Kise.
"Your turn, genius."
"Got it, captain~"
Kise waved at his fangirls in the stands, drawing screams, then bounced to the frontcourt with a grin at Yuki.
"Alright, senpai's been waiting for this all day."
"Kise-senpai…"
Yuki nodded firmly.
If he wanted to pass to Kise, he needed to prove himself — at least to Kota's level.
His expression sharpened.
"Nice spirit…"
Kise, holding the ball in triple-threat position, studied Yuki's defense, nodding to himself.
As expected of someone Kota personally vouched for. In that case… let's try this!
His eyes glinted.
Perfect Copy
Kota, watching from the side, blinked.
"Kise's actually serious? Not quite "Zone" level, but in Perfect Copy mode, he was still miracle-tier."
Kise dribbled once, then exploded.
Yuki's pupils shrank.
"That's… the exact same move I just used against Kota! No — he's even faster!"
Yuki barely had time to turn before Kise was already airborne over the rim.
BANG!
A brutal tomahawk dunk — combining Yuki's earlier moves against Kota into one flawless sequence, but even more lethal.
"Nice one!"
Kota whistled, generous with his praise. The crowd clapped and the fangirls screamed.
The second- and third-years already knew Kise's level, but for the freshmen, jaws were dropping.
One freshman muttered, "After watching them play, I feel like I've wasted the last three years of basketball…"
Haru just stared at Kota. If Kota ever threw down a dunk like that in front of him, he swore his heart might just give out.
Of course, that worry was unnecessary — Kota couldn't dunk… at least not like that.
"I'm sorry, Yukicchi" Kise grinned after landing.
"I'm not giving up Kaijo's ace spot before I graduate."
Yukicchi?
Yuki couldn't help but smile at the nickname, even though Kise had just thrown down a challenge.
Receiving the ball again, Yuki's eyes burned with determination.
Without waiting for his teammates to finish moving, he drove straight at Kise — one sharp crossover, no wasted motion, straight at his lead foot.
The sudden burst caught Kise off guard, and before he knew it, Yuki was at the rim for a clean layup.
"This kid's incredible…" Kise murmured.
Kota nodded in agreement. If they weren't careful, this kid could steal the starting PG spot.
Kota clicked his tongue. He suddenly understood why Kasamatsu had always been wary of him back in the day — talented juniors are great… unless they threaten your position.
But unlike Kasamatsu, Kota had enough confidence. Even Yuki wouldn't take his place.
"Alright, one bucket each. My turn again."
Kota pulled Kise back, took the pass, and faced Yuki once more.
This time, Yuki's eyes were unwavering.
"If I want to pass to Kise-senpai, I have to beat Kota-senpai!"
Kota raised an eyebrow, smirking. "Don't tell me you're already eyeing my spot."
Normally, Yuki would've turned red and denied it — but now, fired up by Kise's provocation, he just stared straight at Kota and didn't say a word.
"That won't do… senpai's gotta keep his dignity."
Kota was secretly impressed — the kid had fight in him.
That's how it should be. Soft players don't start for Kaijo.
He tugged at his shorts, a flash of white lightning in his eyes.
The future might be yours… but right now, it's mine.
End of scrimmage.
No surprise — the senior team won by a wide margin.
"Coach, I've gotta head out early today" Kota said, waving to Takeuchi on his way to the door.
"Huh?? Kota, aren't you gonna say something?"
Kise ran up, slinging an arm around him and nodding toward the court.
Yuki was lying flat, breathing hard, looking like he was questioning his life choices.
Kota knew exactly what Kise meant, but his mind was elsewhere. He lifted his phone with a shrug.
"Oh, right. Someone should say something. That's all you, ace."
"Huh?? You're the captain!"
"And you're the ace, right?"
"…Objection."
"Overruled."