The whistle shrieked.
The ball flew high into the air.
Rikuya rose—arms stretched—like a tower unfurling at the heart of Horizon.
His fingertips met the ball first.
A clean tip.
Dirga caught it in motion, already moving.
No delay. No setup.
Horizon's first possession had begun.
The lineup locked in:
Dirga at point guardRei at shooting guardAizawa at small forwardTaiga at power forwardRikuya at center
Dirga took the ball across halfcourt, his body moving on instinct, mind already scanning.
The crowd buzzed—electric.
From scouts to students, every eye followed the rising rhythm.
His right wrist glinted—Ayaka's wristband, wrapped snugly in place.
She wasn't in the crowd.
Too far, too sudden.
But she had promised—she'd be there if they made the knockouts.
Then I'll get us there. No matter what.
Haru, the Wolves' shooting guard, picked Dirga up immediately—tight, chest to chest.
Meanwhile, Gaito, the point guard was guarding Rei instead.
