Chapter 7 Aida Hikoichi's Shock
The last traces of sunset faded behind the rows of apartment buildings. Streetlights flickered to life, washing the quiet neighborhood in a dull amber glow. A cool evening breeze carried the faint scent of asphalt and dust.
Sakuragi Hanamichi trudged home alone, his school bag slung over one shoulder. Basketball practice had ended late again. His stomach growled — loudly, insistently — a sound far less impressive than the thunderous rebounds he'd sworn he'd dominate someday.
The convenience store near the station was closed for the night. Tch. Bad luck. His Sakuragi Army were probably killing time at an arcade or harassing passersby somewhere.
Then—
A rich aroma curled into his nose. Pork bone broth. Soy sauce. Char siu sizzling over heat.
His eyes widened.
By the roadside sat a tiny ramen stall, its noren curtain fluttering in the breeze, steam rolling out like a heavenly invitation.
"…Ramen…" Sakuragi whispered.
He checked his wallet. A few lonely coins. Not great — but hunger was stronger than reason.
He pushed aside the curtain and slid onto a stool.
"Boss! One bowl of char siu ramen! Extra noodles!" he shouted with the confidence of a man who absolutely could not afford luxury.
The old shopkeeper laughed. "Got it."
Soon, a massive bowl landed in front of him. Golden broth shimmered with oil, thick slices of char siu glistening on top, bamboo shoots and green onions piled neatly beside a soft-boiled egg.
Sakuragi clasped his chopsticks.
"Itadakimasu!"
He slurped eagerly. The noodles were firm, the broth rich and salty, the pork melting in his mouth. Warmth filled his stomach, driving away the fatigue from training.
"Umaaah…" he groaned in bliss.
If basketball didn't work out, he might just devote his life to ramen.
After finishing every last drop, he paid, patted his satisfied stomach, and stepped back into the night.
As he passed an outdoor basketball court between apartment blocks, raised voices cut through the quiet.
"What a joke! You said five players! Now you're short one!"
"Yeah! Either you play four-on-five or you forfeit and pay up!"
"Damn it! Yamamoto bailed at the last minute! That's not our fault!"
Sakuragi slowed, curiosity instantly sparked.
Two groups of high schoolers in sportswear faced off under the court lights. Tension crackled in the air.
From their argument, Sakuragi quickly understood: a money game, and one team was missing a player.
"Oh?" His eyes gleamed. "Playing for cash?"
He patted his empty wallet. Then remembered the thick satisfaction of ramen in his belly… and the boundless energy in his legs.
An idea exploded in his brain like a fast break.
He pushed through the small crowd.
"Hey! You guys need one more player?"
He pointed at the short-handed team.
"I'll play for you. If we win, I take half the winnings."
The group stared.
"Who the hell are you?"
"Some punk off the street?"
"Half? Are you serious?"
Then the court light hit him clearly.
Tall frame. Broad shoulders. The unmistakable flaming-red pompadour. The bold, delinquent grin.
Their doubts shifted into uneasy curiosity.
Before they could answer, the opposing team's leader — a blond-haired guy — snapped impatiently.
"Kikuchi! Decide already! If you're not playing, pay up and go home!"
Kikuchi Seita — the short-handed team's captain — clenched his fists. A girl stood nearby, watching. Backing down now would be humiliating.
He glanced at Sakuragi's physique. The guy looked like he'd walked straight out of a basketball magazine cover.
"…Fine," Kikuchi said through gritted teeth. "You can play. If we lose, I'll cover everything. If we win, you take half."
"Seita!" his teammate protested.
"Shut up! It's decided!"
Sakuragi grinned. "Deal!"
He tossed his jacket and bag to the sideline, revealing his white undershirt. He stretched his arms and legs, rolling his shoulders.
"Relax. I'm gonna crush them."
The game started.
At the jump ball, Sakuragi barely had to leap. His sheer height and reach tapped the ball cleanly to a teammate.
The return pass came instantly.
Sakuragi caught it — and charged.
No fancy dribble. No hesitation. Just raw speed.
He blew past the blond defender like a raging wind, stormed into the key, planted one foot just inside the free-throw line —
And launched.
His body soared upward, arms spreading wide, hair blazing under the court lights.
With one hand, he hammered the ball through the rim.
BANG!
The hoop rattled violently. The metal screamed.
Silence froze the court.
"…A dunk?"
"On a street court?!"
"Who is this guy?!"
Spectators gathered instantly, drawn by the shockwave of that single play.
From that moment on, the game belonged entirely to Sakuragi Hanamichi.
He sliced through defenses with reckless speed. He rose above clusters of bodies to slam down brutal dunks. And when defenders crowded him, he fired sharp passes to open teammates with surprising accuracy.
Kikuchi, receiving perfect feeds again and again, scored effortlessly. His confidence skyrocketed.
Meanwhile, the opposing team collapsed. Their morale crumbled with every thunderous dunk.
Finally, the blond-haired leader waved his hand bitterly.
"…We're done. We surrender. Damn monster…"
He handed over the wagered money.
Kikuchi stared at the bills, almost dazed. Victory. Pride restored. The girl watching — impressed.
He quickly separated a thick portion and pressed it into Sakuragi's hand.
"Brother! Thank you! This is your share — no, more than promised! We'd have been finished without you!"
Sakuragi felt the weight of the yen in his palm.
Ten thousand.
His eyes sparkled brighter than his hair.
"So this is what winning feels like…" he muttered, pocketing the money with satisfaction.
He slapped Kikuchi's shoulder.
"If you ever find more 'interesting games' like this, call me."
Kikuchi nodded eagerly. "For sure! What's your name?"
"Sakuragi Hanamichi. Shohoku High."
They exchanged contact info. Then Sakuragi turned, strolling off into the night, humming cheerfully — already imagining many bowls of ramen in his future.
Among the onlookers, a short boy with a notebook froze in awe.
Aida Hikoichi.
First-year. Ryonan High basketball team.
He had only stopped by the court by chance — and witnessed something unbelievable.
"Shohoku… Sakuragi Hanamichi… red hair… ridiculous jumping power… can dunk… passing sense…"
His pen flew across the page, hands trembling with excitement.
"This is huge… Besides Rukawa, Shohoku has another insane rookie…!"
He snapped his notebook shut.
"I've got to tell Sendoh-senpai and Coach Taoka immediately!"
Hikoichi watched Sakuragi's retreating figure disappear into the streetlight glow — already aware he had just witnessed the birth of a new monster on the court.