Opening Scene: The Watcher
A lone figure sat in a darkened room, the glow of multiple screens reflecting off his sharp features. The footage showed Shinwa High's improbable victory over Ryusei - Kenji's clutch assist, the team's celebration, and most importantly, the moment when Tatsuya "Mouth" Nakamura had baited Ryusei's star forward into a technical foul.
The young man's fingers steepled as he rewound the critical moment again and again.
"Too easy," he murmured, pausing the video as Kenji's face filled the screen. "Father was right about you... you still don't understand the game being played."
A phone lit up beside him with a new message:
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Team Bus: Celebration and Praise
The bus ride back to Shinwa was raucous with celebration. At the center of attention was Tatsuya, the brash recruit Jiro had brought onto the team, holding court as he reenacted his now-legendary trash talk.
"All I said was, 'Flaming Traffic Cone! Your mom must be so proud!'" Tatsuya crowed, earning laughter and cheers.
Captain Akira reached over and ruffled Tatsuya's hair roughly. "Never thought I'd be grateful for that big mouth of yours. Getting their best player ejected was the turning point."
From his seat, Kenji watched the celebration quietly. His fingers absently traced the edge of his phone, remembering the message he'd received before the game.
Jiro, slouched in the seat across the aisle, noticed Kenji's distraction. "Oi, Pretty Boy. You look like someone just pissed in your celebratory ramen."
Kenji forced a smirk. "Just tired."
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School Gym: Unsettling Questions
As the team dispersed, Yuki intercepted Kenji before he could leave.
"Can we talk? Privately?" she asked, her usual shyness replaced by a strange intensity.
Once they were alone, Yuki didn't mince words. "Doesn't this victory seem... off to you? Ryusei is one of the best teams in the prefecture. Their defense had holes I've never seen before. And their star player - the Kurogane heir - wasn't even there."
Kenji shrugged, avoiding her gaze. "Maybe we got lucky. Maybe they underestimated us. Who cares? A win's a win."
Yuki's eyes narrowed. "I know about your exclusive contract with Kurogane Sports Agency."
Kenji froze.
"I also know they're connected to Ryusei High," Yuki continued, stepping closer. "What aren't you telling us, Kenji?"
Before he could respond, the gym doors burst open.