"I want to learn… how to enter the Zone!"
…
…
Kota glanced at Yuki in front of him. This reaction was exactly what he expected.
After all, for Yuki to beat Kota, he had to surpass the mountain known as the Zone! If Kota could use it and Yuki couldn't, no matter how much Yuki improved his regular skills, there would always be a huge gap between them.
"Kids these days are something else… First year of high school, and already trying to master the Zone."
Kota scratched the back of his head with a nostalgic smile.
"I remember back in my first year, I barely knew what I was doing. Compared to you, Yuki, my skills were miles behind."
Yuki shook his head, not taking Kota's teasing seriously.
But Kota wasn't lying. This time last year, when he first faced Aomine in the Zone, if Kise hadn't stepped up, there was no way he could have won leading the team alone. Yuki, on the other hand, might've had a few tricks to at least put up a fight.
Looking at Yuki's determined face, Kota paused for a moment before saying,
"About the Zone… I don't have a clear explanation for it either. It's too abstract to really describe. The only thing I can tell you is this—To enter the Zone, you need absolute focus on basketball. Every single part of you has to be locked in on the game."
He smirked, adding,"And even then… it might not work."
Kota wasn't exaggerating. Even though Himuro seemed close to figuring it out, he still hadn't entered the Zone successfully. No one could guarantee that what Kota said would actually let players below the Generation of Miracles level reach that state. Even many of the Miracles themselves couldn't control when they entered it.
Take Kise and Murasakibara — both had done it before, but neither could say for sure if they could pull it off again in the next game.
Yuki didn't seem surprised, nor did he suspect Kota of holding back information. After spending time with him, Yuki realized he had completely underestimated this senior before.
Besides, Kise had already tried explaining the Zone to him once… and Yuki hadn't understood a single word of it.
Compared to Kise's explanation, Kota's version almost sounded like a practical guide.
"Thank you, Kota-senpai!"
Yuki gave a deep bow before looking up to meet Kota's eyes.
"Sorry, Kota-senpai. I really was too full of myself before."
"No problem" Kota said with a grin. "That's what underclassmen are for—to give their senpais headaches."
Seeing Yuki improving so much—so much that he might even become a threat one day—Kota felt a sense of urgency… but also happiness.
Still, the starting point guard spot? No way he was giving that up.
Even if Yuki was his cute underclassman, he'd have to wait until Kota graduated to take over.
Thinking this, Kota stood up, gave Yuki a meaningful smile, and headed toward the gym's exit.
Behind him, Yuki clenched his fists and shouted,
"Kota-senpai! Just wait! I'll surpass you and become Kaijo's strongest point guard!"
This kid…
Kota paused for a second, then waved over his shoulder without turning around.
"I'll be waiting, you little genius."
…
…
Days passed, and Kota's life gradually settled into a routine:
Home → Kaijo → Gym.
After finishing practice at school and mentoring Yuki, he would head to the Shark Gym to help Himuro with his Zone training. And, thanks to Araki dragging him along, he also had to go through a full strength training program every day.
His schedule was packed.
But there was one big problem…
At the Shark Gym—
Thunk!
The sound of weights echoed as Kota lay on the leg press, legs burning, breathing hard.
Beside him, Araki was scribbling notes on a clipboard, recording his physical stats.
Just like when they first met: Kota trained, Araki wrote.
"So, Miss Masako" Kota said, wiping sweat from his face, "how much have I improved?"
Yako glanced at the numbers without saying a word.
"Let me guess… barely any progress, right?"
Still silent.
Kota laughed bitterly. "You keep telling me my physical strength has improved a lot, but come on… I know my own body."
He tapped the leg press machine and sighed.
Machines don't lie. It had been over two months without a single strength increase.
Hitting a plateau was normal, but it was still frustrating.
Araki bit her lip, unsure how to comfort him. She was never good at this kind of thing.
Pulling a katana on him to cheer him up?…Yeah, no. Even she knew that was a terrible idea.
On the court next door, Himuro kept practicing, each dribble and shot echoing through the gym.
Kota narrowed his eyes at Himuro's focused figure.
Himuro… the strongest player below the Miracles.
If I didn't have the system, I probably wouldn't even be on his level…
Kota opened the system interface, face blank.
That damn system hadn't changed in over six months.
The main quest still read: Join the National Youth Team.
"Yeah, thanks a lot" Kota cursed inwardly. After the Winter Cup, the basketball association had already invited him to tryouts… but he had zero interest in it.
And yet, the main quest refused to update, making it impossible for him to gain any new talents after the Interhigh — even after beating the Generation of Miracles.
Unlike those freaks blessed by the basketball gods, Kota's body was still that of a normal human.
Honestly, even Himuro might have better natural talent. Kota couldn't match the balance and hang-time required for Himuro's Mirage Shot.
"Man, watching these guys level up so fast is enough to make me jealous."
Kota ran his hand through his hair, half-joking, half-serious.
He was grinding every day just to gain tiny improvements, while the others leapt forward like it was nothing.
The gap was enough to crush your spirit.
Kota took the towel Araki handed him and headed toward the locker room alone.
For some reason, Araki could tell from his back—
He needed some space.
Glancing at her phone, Araki frowned slightly.A new idea came to her mind…
...
"Helo, Miss Masako"
"Miss Reiko, it's me. I've got a player I can recommend to you."
On the other end, there was a brief pause — Reiko was clearly caught off guard by Araki jumping straight to the point. She quickly composed herself and asked, "Who?"
This time, Yako didn't answer right away. Instead, she countered, "Did you watch the Winter Cup games?"
"I did. There were quite a few good players. Are you planning to introduce me to one of them?"
Reiko's tone carried a hint of disinterest—clearly, she didn't expect Yako to have anyone worth recommending.
"You know the starting point guard for Kaijo, Kota?"
"Of course. His playing style is way too polished for a high schooler… wait—Miss Masako, you don't mean…?"
Reiko's voice rose with disbelief. She instinctively thought Araki was joking—though knowing Araki, that was unlikely.
"Yes."
Araki's flat response killed any thought of it being a joke.
But instead of replying right away, Reiko went silent. There was a burst of background noise, then her voice came back clearer, as if she had suddenly sat upright in bed.
"Miss Masako… can I just ask—why hasn't Japan's own basketball association recruited Kota already?"
In her mind, someone like Kota should have been scouted ages ago. Why would Araki be the one introducing him?
Yako frowned slightly, thought for a moment, then decided to be blunt. "They can't."
"Oh, that's fine… wait, WHAT?!"
Reiko froze. The words she had prepared to say evaporated as if her brain had just blue-screened.
"…Miss Masako, you really don't hold back, do you? Haha…"
After a dry laugh, Reiko quickly got serious again. "Then… can I set up a meeting with Kota?
And… can you tell me what he thinks about us? You know, about playing overseas? A lot of people have… complicated feelings about leaving their home country."
"We'll see. I haven't talked to him yet, but it shouldn't be a problem."
"Alright, thank you"
When the call ended, Reiko stared at her phone, pinched her thigh hard—
"OW—!"
Yep. Not dreaming.
"…Is he maybe a difficult guy to deal with? Forget it, who cares. Finally, some progress!"
As a reporter stationed in Japan, Reiko had one side mission besides writing articles: to scout basketball talent for her country.
Why? Because back home, the level of basketball talent… well, let's just say it wasn't exactly world-class.
Which was why Reiko, a so-called 'reporter' was out here playing part-time talent scout—borderline spy work, really.
The problem?
Any truly talented players got snapped up by Japan's own basketball association before she even had a chance. And the rest? Even if they had skills, most didn't have the guts—or the reason—to leave home for basketball dreams in another country.
So far, in all her time in Japan, Reiko's scouting success count: a solid zero.
Now, finally, there was someone promising—and she wasn't about to waste the chance.
"…Maybe I should dress a little flashier for the meeting? He's a high school kid, after all. Yeah, no problem."
Meanwhile, Yako was in a completely different headspace.
She knew Kota dreamed of playing pro basketball. If she hadn't already talked to him before, using her own career as an example, Kota would've probably tried out for Japan's U-19 team by now.
But like Reiko said—how did Kota actually feel about playing for another country? If she brought this up out of nowhere, would it backfire?
For the first time in her life, the usually straightforward, tough-as-nails Araki was… hesitating.
Even when her own pro career had turned sour, she had never second-guessed herself. People ignored her? Big deal. Nobody had ever dared to cross the line with her anyway.
Now? She was sitting on the couch, face buried in her hands, sighing like the world was ending.
She didn't even hear Himuro greet her.
A few minutes later, Kota walked out, towel draped around his neck, fresh from a shower.
Spotting Araki slumped on the couch, he looked around and asked, "Himuro left already?
Also… uh, why are you covering your face? Nosebleed or something?"
Yako slowly lowered her hands, locking eyes with him.
"Hmph."
She gave him the kind of glare usually reserved for referees making bad calls.
Kota: "???"
"…Anyway, it's getting late. I'll head out then."
But Araki surprised him. "Wait. I need to talk to you."
Kota blinked. "You're not gonna… confess or something, right?"
"Ha. Very funny."
She patted the empty seat next to her.
Oh?
Kota smirked, sat down like he owned the place, and raised an eyebrow at her.
"Be serious for once. I'm not joking."
That killed the grin on his face real quick. He straightened up. "Alright, I'm listening."
"You were thinking earlier—'If I can't go pro, why keep training so hard,' right?"
"…Yeah. For a moment, I did think that. It's just a school club, after all. And clearly, I'm not exactly fate's favorite when it comes to basketball."
Araki frowned. Before she could say anything, Kota cut her off.
"Don't worry. I was just venting. You've never seen me skip training, have you? Besides, I made a bet with a freshman on the team. I'm not about to back down before the fight even starts."
Araki froze, then let out a quiet sigh of relief.
…Maybe she had been overthinking this.
Seeing her relax, Kota grinned, stood up, and said, "So yeah, don't worry. Anyway, it's late. If I run into trouble on the way home, you'll feel bad about keeping me, you know."
But before he could leave, Yako grabbed his hand.
"That's not what I wanted to talk about."
Kota blinked. "…Wait. You're actually about to confess, aren't you?"
WHACK!
Out came Araki's trusty wooden sword from who-knows-where, smacking him on the head.
"OW! Where do you even keep that thing?!"
Ignoring his protests, Araki took a deep breath and said, "Do you know about China's national basketball program?"
"…Do I look stupid, Miss Masako?"
"I'm not done! Listen properly!"
She stared him straight in the eyes.
"I'm asking… do you want to play basketball in China?"