Two hours after the match, the campus buzzed like a beehive.
Students replayed clips of Riku and Kaori's game on their tablets; every screen showed the same shot—flames and shadows spinning into one perfect score.
Riku sat on a bench near the outdoor courts, towel around his neck, chugging water.
Lira floated above him, arms folded. "You're trending," she said.
"Cool. Does trending come with free shoes?" he asked.
Kaori strolled up, her spirit flickering behind her like a lazy torch. "You're lucky I didn't miss. That pass of yours was chaos."
"Chaos works," Riku said.
"Barely."
Serene approached, holding three popsicles from a vending drone. "Peace offerings," she said.
Riku grinned. "Best manager ever."
For five minutes, things were actually calm.
Then the court speakers blared:
> "Attention! Diamond Division, second-round placement begins in thirty minutes. Opponent: Thunderclap Division!"
Kaori's eyes lit up. "Iris Volt's team."
Riku tilted his head. "Who?"
Lira muttered, "Lightning spirit user. Cocky. Fast. Likes to show off."
Riku smirked. "Sounds familiar."
---
The next match drew a crowd twice as big. The Thunderclap players entered first—four athletes in silver-blue gear crackling with static energy.
At their center was Iris Volt—short hair, confident grin, sparks dancing between her fingers.
"Yo, Phantom boy," she called, spinning the ball on one finger. "Heard you're good at disappearing."
"Only when bored," Riku said.
"Then let's keep you entertained."
The ref whistled. Game start!
---
The moment Iris touched the ball, lightning arced across the floor. She vanished and reappeared behind Riku in the same heartbeat.
He barely dodged as she shot—a flash, a boom, point one.
Kaori frowned. "She's faster than I thought."
Riku cracked his neck. "Then we speed up."
They synced instantly. Riku dribbled low, shadows trailing behind like smoke rings. Kaori flanked left, flames pulsing in rhythm. Their combined pressure forced two defenders to misstep—Riku feinted, passed, Kaori slammed a fire-curve through the hoop.
Point one-one.
The crowd cheered.
Iris laughed. "Nice. Try this!"
She raised her hand; her spirit, a storm-winged hawk, screeched and split into five copies. Lightning illusions flooded the court, each one moving like the real Iris.
Riku stopped mid-dribble. "Great. Five of her."
Lira's voice slid through his mind. Use the echoes.
He closed his eyes for half a second—listening. Every fake step sounded sharp; only one pair of shoes scuffed the ground slightly slower.
Gotcha.
He whipped the ball backward without looking—straight into the real Iris's chest. The impact broke her focus, illusions vanishing. Kaori caught the rebound and scored again.
Point two-one.
"Lucky!" Iris snapped, smiling anyway.
"Calculated," Riku said.
---
Final play.
Thunderclap went all out—pure speed, full resonance. Lightning streaked in every direction, the court a storm of blue flashes.
Kaori and Serene guarded the wings; Riku dashed through the center, leaving twin phantoms behind him. The air shook as Iris leapt, electricity exploding from her spirit.
Riku leapt too, meeting her midair.
Time seemed to freeze—flame, shadow, and lightning colliding above the hoop.
Then the ball ripped through the net, glowing violet-orange.
Silence.
Then a roar.
> Team Phantom — 3 | Thunderclap — 2
Iris landed, panting, but grinning. "Not bad, street kid. I'm joining your team next round."
Riku blinked. "You what?"
"Coach's orders. Merge teams for playoffs."
Kaori groaned. "Fantastic. Another loudmouth."
Riku smirked. "At least she's fast."
---
Later that night, as the team left the court, Lira whispered, "You're attracting powerhouses like moths."
"Good," Riku said. "We'll need every spark."
Above them, new names flickered onto the Soul Board—Team Phantom (Combined Division): Rank 8.
And under it, a new message:
> Next Opponent — Vexa of the Shadow League.
Lira's eyes narrowed. "That name shouldn't exist anymore."
Riku grinned. "Guess the fun's just starting."
To be continued...