The next day.
It was the first day of the National Middle School Championship.
Players from both teams emerged from the tunnel.
Standing on his side of the court, Nijimura Shuzo looked across at Hanamiya Makoto, his expression unreadable.
"Last year, he held back. Only because of that senior, Imayoshi, on his team."
"But this year, he's completely unleashed."
"Because..."
"...the third-years are stepping down?"
Shigure Akito nodded slightly.
"After all, both he and Imayoshi Shōichi are point guards. If no one changes position, one of them has to step aside. And Imayoshi is already in his third year..."
"Looks like it's the beginning of a generational shift."
During warmups.
Haizaki Shōgo glanced behind him.
At this point, he was absolutely sure: Hanamiya Makoto, with all his fake politeness, was even more infuriating than Aomine Daiki.
Clang!
A practice shot bounced hard off the rim.
Haizaki: "...Tch."
Damn it.
Nearby, Midorima Shintarō said nothing.
He only looked over when Haizaki missed yet another shot, taking note of how often he was glancing toward Kirisaki Daiichi's half-court.
Then
"Go for a layup, Haizaki."
"If you keep shooting like that, I'm afraid you'll slam the rim so hard it'll bend—and that would seriously affect my three-point percentage."
Haizaki looked ready to explode, but just as he turned, he saw Hanamiya Makoto walking over, smiling with feigned kindness and holding the ball that had bounced away earlier.
"Teiko first-year..."
"Haizaki Shōgo, right?"
Hanamiya's expression was as warm and courteous as Akashi Seijūrō's, handing the ball back as if nothing were wrong.
But Haizaki saw right through it—any idiot could see this guy was putting on an act.
Whap!
Haizaki snatched the ball away.
Then lifted the hem of his jersey and started aggressively wiping the ball.
"Midorima!"
"Check if there's anything disgusting on this ball!"
He glared straight at Hanamiya with clear disdain. He didn't even try to hide the implication—Hanamiya was the "disgusting thing."
Of course, he didn't expect Midorima to actually answer. He just used his proximity to rope him in and disgust Hanamiya even more.
But to his surprise, Midorima replied without hesitation.
"It's filthy."
"Throw it away."
Haizaki: "...Huh?"
He blinked in shock.
Then he remembered what Shigure-senpai had said in last night's tactical meeting: that Hanamiya Makoto, leader of Kirisaki Daiichi, was known for underhanded tactics—even physical sabotage on court.
Back then, Midorima's tone had become noticeably sharper.
So he does have a sense of justice, huh...
"Tch."
"Hah—Teiko's Twin Stars."
Hanamiya ignored Haizaki completely, raising his eyes beyond him.
"Middle school's top power forward..."
"The Lion King, Nijimura Shuzo."
"And the one who's probably number one in every other position..."
"The technician—Shigure Akito."
His tone was teasing, and as he looked at Nijimura with mock apology, he said:
"Sorry—did that sound like a contradiction?"
"Well, I'm just telling it like it is~"
"Number one power forward in middle school?"
"Yeah... not buying it."
Fukaya Reiji silently walked over to Nijimura and Shigure. His eyes, hidden under his bangs, gave nothing away—but anyone who knew him could tell: he was not in a good mood.
Kurokami Shinji joined them as well, glaring down at Hanamiya.
"Shigure. Is this guy here just to stir the pot?"
Shigure nodded.
He snatched the ball from Haizaki's hand with one hand and casually tossed it back across the court.
Then glanced at Hanamiya.
There was no doubt—it was provocation.
Hanamiya had a gift for identifying opponents' psychological weak points, breaking their composure with pressure and then physically disrupting their plays. His sharp instincts and detailed planning allowed him to predict offensive patterns, intercept at just the right moment, and coordinate his team to foul outside the ref's line of sight.
This time too, it was clearly about applying mental pressure.
Crude methods, though.
And more importantly
He picked the wrong targets.
With Nijimura, even if you danced all over his nerves, he wouldn't flinch. He'd just crush you harder.
"Tsk tsk~"
"Good luck, Hanamiya."
Hanamiya: "...?"
The gathering crowd drew in more players from both sides.
Shigure stepped in to block Murasakibara Atsushi, who looked adorably confused yet somehow still radiated the urge to squish Hanamiya like a bug.
He calmly continued:
"Hanamiya Makoto... you really are... unmatched in how annoying you can be."
"I know the kind of cheap tricks you're planning better than you do yourself."
"In fact, I probably know them better than you think I do."
"They won't work. You'll just get burned."
"Watch yourself."
For a moment, Hanamiya was taken aback.
Being warned to "watch himself" that was a first.
Then
He actually laughed, as if he couldn't believe it.
A cold smirk formed on his lips as he nodded.
"Sure, bring it on. Teiko's almighty Twin Stars... hah, not exactly a bunch of sweethearts, huh?"
"And those lucky first-years tagging along on your bandwagon to nationals..."
"Tell me—what are you really?"
"Do you even deserve to be on this Teiko team?"
"You've got it so easy—coasting to a championship without even breaking a sweat."
"Hah~"
"Better be careful."
"It'd be a real shame if something accidental happened, and you missed your free ride to a title."
"Not that I can promise nothing will happen once you step on court…"
Before he could finish, Shigure Akito stepped forward.
Trying to posture in front of me...?
Who are you threatening?!
Boom!
He brushed past Hanamiya, ignoring him completely. But in that brief moment, the sheer force of his presence exploded like a wild beast.
"Hanamiya"
Whap!
Shigure placed a firm hand on Hanamiya's shoulder.
"Remember this."
"Only a very select few have earned the right to talk like that in front of me."
"And you"
"Are not one of them."
BOOM.
The instant his hand landed, Hanamiya felt the world shake, as if a massive beast had stampeded through his vision.
He tried to break free.
But that hand was like a mountain—pressing down while locking him completely in place.
And as the tremor surged through him, his surroundings seemed to rise.
No
He was falling.
His body, unwillingly, collapsed downward.
Thud.
With a heavy thump, Hanamiya Makoto landed hard on his backside, stunned.
From above, Shigure Akito stared down at him, voice cool and calm.
"From now on"
"Remember this distance."
Then, he slowly leaned forward, placed a hand on Hanamiya's head, grabbed a handful of his hair, and yanked it back—forcing him into a near-vertical gaze.
"This... is the angle you'll speak to me from."
End of chapter...
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