Home – Nighttime, warm lights, quiet room
Mei flopped back onto the couch, stretching. "Hahh… finally. Toma and Asahi, huh?"
"Yeah. All thanks to my genius," Riku said proudly, arms behind his head.
Mei grinned and reached over to pinch his cheek. "Okay, okay, genius. Don't get too cocky."
Riku caught her hand and held it gently. "Then… how about a reward?"
"Huh?" Mei raised an eyebrow. "What kind of reward?"
Riku leaned in with a teasing smile. "Just… tonight. Just you and me. No plans, no schemes. Just us."
Mei's face turned pink. She looked away, then back at him. "You're so annoying sometimes."
But she didn't pull her hand away.
He chuckled, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "So… is that a yes?"
She smiled softly. "Yeah. Just us."
They sat together, warm and close under the dim light, laughter and peace filling the quiet night.
Morning – Mei's House
The soft rays of the morning sun slipped through the curtains, lighting up the cozy room.
Riku blinked awake, the scent of breakfast floating in from the kitchen. He sat up, stretching with a quiet yawn. "Mmm… smells like pancakes."
Just then, Mei peeked in, hair a little messy, wearing an oversized shirt. "You're up, sleepyhead."
Riku grinned. "If you make breakfast like that every time, I might just move in."
Mei rolled her eyes. "You say that like you didn't already stay the whole week."
He laughed. "Fair."
She walked over and flicked his forehead. "Now get up. We're gonna be late for school."
As Riku stood, he leaned in and kissed her forehead. "Best. Morning. Ever."
Mei gave a small smile, cheeks slightly pink. "Yeah… me too."
Later – At School Gates
Toma was already there, holding two drinks.
"Oh ho~" he said with a sly grin. "The lovebirds finally arrive."
Mei groaned. "You too now?"
"Just saying," Toma chuckled, tossing Riku a drink. "You've got that 'just-had-a-perfect-night' face."
Riku smirked. "Can't help it. I am living the dream."
Just then, Asahi walked up beside Toma, her hand subtly brushing his.
Toma froze. Mei noticed and winked.
"Looks like everyone's getting their happy ending," she said.
Riku looked at his friends and nodded.
"Almost."
After School – Rooftop Sunset Scene
The sky was painted in soft hues of orange and pink.
Riku and Mei sat side by side, feet dangling over the school rooftop edge.
"You know," Mei said quietly, "I never thought high school would turn out like this."
Riku glanced at her. "What, full of awkward love confessions, fake plans, and unexpected kisses?"
She laughed, resting her head on his shoulder. "Exactly that."
He gently held her hand. "Well… next arc's going to be crazier."
Mei tilted her head. "Wait—next what?"
Before Riku could answer, a sudden buzz came from his phone.
He checked it and frowned.
"What is it?" Mei asked.
"…It's from the old basketball coach. He's asking us to come back to Neo Tokyo Elite Academy."
Mei blinked. "Isn't that where everything started?"
Riku stood up, a more serious expression settling on his face. "Yeah. And something's not right."
Morning – Café by the River
Toma arrived early, nervously adjusting his jacket. The café overlooked a sparkling river, sunlight dancing across its surface. Birds chirped, and flower petals floated in the breeze.
Asahi showed up in a soft blue dress, her hair tied back, carrying a small book.
"You're early," she teased, sitting across from him.
"I couldn't sleep," Toma admitted with a shy laugh.
Over iced coffee and pastries, they talked—about childhood memories, silly school moments, and the bizarre way their feelings finally came to light.
Asahi smiled gently. "You were always kind, you know. I think… I just didn't see it until that day."
Toma looked down. "I was scared to lose everything if I said something wrong."
"You didn't. You gained me."
Afternoon – Park & Street Stalls
They walked through a large park filled with blooming trees. Toma bought her a flower hairpin from a street vendor and gently fixed it in her hair.
Asahi looked at her reflection in a shop window. "Cute?"
"Dangerously," Toma said, blushing when she laughed.
They tried random food stalls—takoyaki, melon bread, mochi—sharing bites, arguing over which was best.
Then came the arcade.
They played basketball shots (Toma won), claw machines (Asahi won a plush duck), and dance games (they both failed miserably and laughed till their stomachs hurt).
Evening – Hilltop Viewpoint
As the sun set, they sat on a bench overlooking the glowing city. The sky turned orange and pink, shadows stretching below.
Toma hesitated, then held her hand. "Asahi… I don't want this to be temporary."
Asahi leaned on his shoulder. "It doesn't have to be."
Toma smiled softly. "I'm not perfect. But I'll protect this—us—with everything I have."
She turned to him, eyes glimmering. "Then let's protect each other."
They kissed—soft, warm, full of quiet promise.
Night – On the Way Home
Toma walked Asahi to her door. They lingered.
"Today was perfect," Asahi whispered.
He smiled. "It was my favorite day ever."
Asahi rose on her toes and kissed his cheek. "Goodnight… boyfriend."
He froze, flushed to his ears.
She giggled and closed the door.
Toma turned, grinning like an idiot under the moonlight.
Tokyo
The sun had just begun to rise when the train sped along the sleek rails into Neo Tokyo—a futuristic city where skyscrapers touched the clouds and neon lights pulsed even in daylight.
Inside the train, Riku leaned back in his seat, headphones on, head bobbing to a beat no one else could hear.
Across from him, Toma stared out the window, watching the steel giants of the city stretch across the horizon. His duffel bag rested by his feet, his basketball jersey peeking from the zipper.
The rest of the team chatted excitedly—this wasn't just a game; it was the All-Nation High School Tournament, held only once every five years. The winner would become national legends.
Riku pulled off his headphones. "Toma."
"Yeah?"
"You feel that?"
Toma raised an eyebrow. "Feel what?"
Riku grinned, eyes sharp. "This city's weird. The energy. Like something's watching."
Toma chuckled. "You sound like Mei."
"I'm serious." Riku glanced around the train, then lowered his voice. "They say Neo Tokyo was rebuilt after the old one collapsed. Hidden experiments. Underground zones. People with powers."
Toma snorted. "This is a basketball tournament, not a sci-fi anime."
But even as he joked, a strange chill ran down his spine. Outside the window, a single figure stood on a rooftop, still as stone, watching the train go by.
Neo Tokyo Station – Arrival
As the team stepped off the train, they were greeted by a woman in a white suit and cyber-glasses.
"Welcome, players," she said with a synthetic smile. "I'm Kisaragi. I'll be your city escort."
Behind her, a holographic screen flashed tournament announcements—but also strange alerts: Missing Students – 3, Unauthorized Zone Breach – 1, System Reboot Pending.
Toma frowned. "Did you see that?"
Riku was already recording everything on his phone. "Yup. Neo Tokyo's hiding something."
As the team walked toward their hotel, a storm brewed behind the towering cityscape.
This tournament wasn't just about sports.
Something darker was waiting.
And soon, Toma's strength, Riku's cunning, and Asahi's heart would be tested far beyond the basketball court