Staring at the two shirtless hulks before her, Aida Riko felt none of the shyness of an ordinary girl. Instead, her eyes widened, burning with intensity.
Especially at the sight of Shigure Akihito.
Three years had passed, and his transformation was so drastic she hadn't recognized him right away.
Back when Hyūga first started playing basketball in middle school, Riko had briefly taken an interest as well, and she had even gone to watch one of Shigure Akihito's matches in person.
At that time…
She was only in her first year of middle school.
Unlike Hyūga and the others, the boy before her—or rather, these two boys—were already wearing Teiko jerseys, No. 7 and No. 8, leading their team to a championship.
The match she, Hyūga, and Izuki had watched was the quarterfinal of Nationals: Teiko vs. Senzan, the Twin Stars of Teiko vs. Yasha—Reo Mibuchi.
The result, of course, had been a resounding victory for Shigure and his team.
That summer, when they were still only first-years, Izuki Shun, Aida Riko, and Hyūga Junpei had their first taste of what true national-level basketball looked like—a terrifying spectacle far beyond the small-scale middle school scrimmages they were used to.
And later, of course…
They came to understand something else.
That these two weren't just national-level players. They were far beyond that.
Just then
"Senpai!"
A sweet, syrupy voice rang out beside Riko, one that definitely did not belong in a place like this gym.
She turned and saw a girl with an outrageous figure and a head of pink hair. Like a swallow returning to its nest, she leapt straight into Shigure's arms.
Riko: "…"
Damn it…
Even running made her… bounce like that!
So huge!
"Tch…"
If you're going to look, at least look openly! What's with covering your eyes and peeking through your fingers?!
While Riko silently fumed, Shigure Akihito and Nijimura Shuzo slipped on their jackets. Chatting casually, they headed out of the gym alongside Momoi Satsuki. But as they passed, Shigure's eyes flicked instinctively toward Riko.
He was interested in her—this manager girl with "data eyes."
Well… more accurately, he wanted her to see just how far he had come.
Preferably compared to Hagioka Kasayuki.
Noticing his gaze, Momoi hugged his arm and puffed out her chest, easily drawing his attention back.
"Senpai~, you promised to come to Teiko's entrance trials, remember? But neither you nor Captain Nijimura showed up! Aomine and the others were so disappointed."
"Oh, that." Shigure chuckled.
"Something more interesting came up, and besides, Kanagawa is a bit far from Tokyo. Honestly, there probably weren't any worth watching this year anyway, right?"
"Mm…" Momoi sighed.
"As expected of you, senpai. You guessed right again. But if Kanagawa feels far, then maybe I'll just go to Kaijō for high school~."
Watching the trio walk away, Riko recalled what Shigure had said earlier about her father agreeing to "spar later." And the image of that pink-haired girl pressing herself against him still burned in her mind.
After a moment's hesitation, she decided to follow—not directly, since she didn't know them personally, but by going straight to her father.
After all…
Basketball.
Uncle Aida.
There was only one person that could mean—her dad.
Night settled in, the pale moonlight spilling across the streets.
Kiyoshi Teppei finally caught up with Hyūga, and the two walked side by side.
Suddenly
"Idiot," Hyūga muttered under his breath.
"Hm? Did you say something?"
"…Nothing at all."
"Anyway, where are we even going? This isn't the way home—it's farther and farther out! Let me say it now: I'm not playing basketball!"
"I know," Kiyoshi replied with a grin. "So I won't say a word about it."
"Eh?"
Before Hyūga realized it, Kiyoshi had led him to a public park court. Shrugging off his jacket, he added, "We're here. I won't say anything… but only if you can beat me one-on-one."
Thud.
Hyūga blinked as Kiyoshi pulled a ball from his bag. The difference in their skill levels was obvious.
"What the hell…? You didn't hear a word I said, did you? And besides, you're the same Kiyoshi who led Shōei into the second round of Nationals, right? There's no way I can beat you!"
Kiyoshi nodded, easily palming the ball in one hand.
"You know quite a bit for something that happened back in my second year. But sure, I get it. So how about this—if you can score even once, you win. Or is that still not enough?"
That smug challenge made Hyūga's eyes narrow.
"Shut up! I don't care if you're called 'Iron Heart' or whatever, don't get cocky! One basket? I'll nail it right now!"
Kiyoshi: "…"
He really is easy to read~.
Meanwhile, just outside the court, leaning against the wire fence meant to stop stray balls, Kuroko Tetsuya was completely ignored by the two inside.
Phone pressed to his ear, he kept his voice low. "Ah, you picked up. How are you? I've been worried since you haven't called lately."
"Sorry," Kuroko said softly. "I've been practicing a new technique… I've been a little busy."
"Eh?! That's amazing!" came the excited reply.
"This year, I'm going to stand against Teiko no matter what! Damn it, last year I was so close—if not for those twins cheating their way through! Teiko is insane, seriously. Even without your two senpai, just the so-called Generation of Miracles crushed Kamata West without breaking a sweat! But you… you were amazing in the second half. You were really incredible, Kuroko!"
As Ogiwara Shigehiro's praise poured through the line, Kuroko watched Kiyoshi dismantle Hyūga on the court.
He thought to himself: Even without seeing him last year, I can tell. No wonder they called him one of the "Five Generals" who could thrive even under the pressure of the Twin Stars.
"By the way," Ogiwara continued, "I've been reading Monthly Pass magazine—ever since Nationals, they've had features on the Generation of Miracles every month. I've read them all!"
"Hehe, though your pictures are always shoved in the corner. If it weren't for your hair, I'd probably never spot you, hahaha~."
On the other end, Kuroko smiled awkwardly, shaking his head.
"…Thank you."