🏀 Scene 1: The Challenge Begins
A week after the festival, Shohoku was invited to scrimmage against Ryonan.
No crowd. Just two teams in a cold gym with silent tension.
Sendoh winked at us. "You guys brought your A-game, right?"
Sakuragi puffed his chest. "I am the A-game!"
I stretched silently. Tonight was different.
I'd spent every night training with Sanada.
My control over Overclock had grown.
But still—one bad move, and it could break me.
Rukawa nodded to me before tipoff.
No words. Just a nod.
I nodded back.
Let's do this.
🌀 Scene 2: Overclock—Controlled
The moment I stepped onto the court, the data kicked in—but slower. Controlled.
I called it Overclock 1.5.
Slightly faster thinking. Slightly enhanced reflexes. No blood yet.
First play: I intercepted a pass from Fukuda.
Next: no-look pass to Rukawa, who scored effortlessly.
Then I fed Sakuragi an alley-oop.
He missed.
Then got his own rebound and power dunked.
He turned and shouted, "See that?! That was MY plan all along!"
Sendoh grinned. "You've got some tricks, Hirata."
I smiled. "Still saving the best one."
🕵️ Scene 3: Coach Anzai's Visit
Meanwhile…
Coach Anzai walked through the gates of a quiet temple.
An old man swept the steps.
He looked up—and smiled.
"Sensei. Been a while."
"Fuyuki-san," Anzai said, bowing. "You coached Akira Sanada before me."
The old man's smile faded.
Coach showed him a photo: me.
A snapshot from the last match—Overclock mid-pass.
"Tell me this isn't his brother."
Fuyuki stared. Then nodded slowly.
"No… That's not his brother.
That's Akira. Reborn or not… I'd bet my life."
Coach Anzai closed his eyes.
Whispered: "I knew it."
❤️ Scene 4: Haruko's Confession
Back in the stands, Haruko watched as I made another surgical pass.
Ayako leaned in.
"You've been quiet."
Haruko: "I don't know how I feel anymore."
Ayako raised an eyebrow.
Haruko: "Sakuragi is bright. Loud. Brave. But…
Kudo… it's like he's already lived these moments.
He makes me feel safe."
Ayako nodded. "You like both."
Haruko turned red. "I—I didn't say that!"
Ayako smirked. "I didn't say you had to."
Down on the court, I glanced toward the bench.
Caught Haruko watching.
And smiled.
💥 Scene 5: Final Play
Last seconds of the scrimmage. Score tied.
Sendoh grinned. "Let's make it fun, Hirata."
I activated Overclock.
Passed to Sakuragi—then cut around him.
He passed back—unusually smooth.
He's learning.
I leapt mid-air.
Sendoh followed.
Then I dumped it to Rukawa, who slammed it home.
Buzzer.
Ryonan 87 – Shohoku 89
Sendoh panted, then laughed. "You guys… aren't bad."
Coach Anzai just nodded quietly—eyes focused on me.
He knew.
📓 Final Thoughts
My control is growing.
Coach knows who I was.
Haruko… is drifting toward something deeper.
But somewhere inside, I could feel it:
The more I awaken… the more my old self takes over.
And I'm not sure if there'll be anything left of Hirata… when it's done.