The final.
The Spring Tournament's last stage—after battles that felt like wars—was set.
And here we were, back where it all started.
Toyonaka High.
It felt surreal.
Dirga stood at the edge of the court, his chest rising slowly, eyes scanning the familiar figures on the opposite bench. It was a clash of past and present. The school that once shaped him… now stood as the final obstacle.
He spotted her first—Reina, Toyonaka's fierce coach. Still with that sharp glare and arms folded, always calculating, always focused. She hadn't changed at all.
Then, just behind her, he caught the wave of a hand—Aoi, his cousin and the manager of Toyonaka's team. She smiled gently, waving at both him and Uncle Takeshi, who stood beside Horizon's bench with a proud but tense look.
This wasn't just another game.
It was his past vs his future.
…
In the commentary booth, the voices of excitement echoed through the packed gym.
