"Bang! Bang! Bang!"
The sound of basketball pounding the hardwood echoed through the gym, but something seemed… off.
Tajima Shota was just dribbling, circling, hesitating—making no move to attack.
Sweat dripped from his forehead. He thought he was ready for anything, but the moment he stood face-to-face with that kid—Reo Byakuya—he was hit by an overwhelming sense of pressure.
It was suffocating.
Reo Byakuya wasn't just some talented freshman. There was a raw intensity in him, almost feral—something wild and untamed. It was like being stared down by a wolf: once it locked onto its prey, it wouldn't back down.
Tajima couldn't explain it, but every instinct screamed at him: if I try to drive in, he'll steal the ball.
It felt irrational—but also very, very real.
Then, just as he hesitated, a blur of movement flashed past his eyes. In an instant—
The ball was gone.
"Senpai, you can't afford to get distracted now," Reo's calm voice teased from behind him.
Tajima turned stiffly, eyes wide.
What just happened?
He hadn't even seen the move, only felt the loss of the ball in his hands. He swallowed hard. His throat was dry.
How did he do that?
The gym fell into stunned silence. For just a breath, no one moved.
Then—
"Holy crap! Did you see that?!"
"That speed—was that even human?!"
"He just stole the ball from a second-string player?! No way—I'm calling my buddies!"
The silence shattered like glass as the gym erupted with voices—exclamations of awe, gasps of disbelief, and rising excitement from every corner.
Even Tajima's teammates were frozen, mouths agape.
"What's Tajima doing?! Is he actually going easy on a freshman?!"
"…No," one of them muttered. "Look at his face. That's not someone going easy. He's panicking."
"Huh? You mean… he's scared?"
"Looks like it…"
For a moment, it felt absurd. How could someone from the Teiko Middle School basketball team—the second-string, no less—be scared of a freshman?
But no one could deny what they saw.
"Dai-chan, this guy's really fast… Even you might not stop that move so easily," Momoi Satsuki said, her eyes shining with curiosity.
Normally, Aomine would scoff or throw out a cocky comeback, but right now, his face was serious.
"Yeah. He's strong."
Momoi blinked in surprise.
Aomine… admitting someone else's strength?
She turned her eyes back to the court, where Reo Byakuya stood at the three-point line.
He bent his knees. Jumped.
One fluid motion. Natural. Unshakable confidence.
Tajima finally came to and lunged forward, trying to block the shot.
Too late.
Swish!
The basketball fell cleanly through the hoop, not even touching the rim.
"HOLY—Did you see that?!"
"That wasn't just a shot! That was a perfect three-pointer!"
"Who is this guy?! His accuracy's insane!"
"I'm calling it now—he's gonna be Teiko's new ace! I'd bet a box of sushi on it!"
Reo ignored the outburst. Across the court, Midorima Shintarou's hand subconsciously clenched around his lucky item—a phone book, now slightly warped under pressure.
This guy… is no ordinary player.
Even he couldn't always shoot like that right off a steal. The kid was confident—and had every right to be.
"Al~ This guy's good," Murasakibara murmured between bites of his snack, sounding almost impressed.
No one nearby commented—partly because they were just as shocked, and partly because Murasakibara's size was intimidating in itself.
Akashi, meanwhile, watched with quiet interest.
This first-year… is very intriguing.
On the court, Reo bounced the ball once, then passed it to Tajima.
"Your serve, senpai."
That was the rule of their 1-on-1 match: scorer defends, conceder attacks.
Tajima picked up the ball, utterly deflated.
If he struggled before, now it was hopeless.
Reo didn't let up.
Steal. Dunk.
Steal. Three-pointer.
Steal. Windmill slam.
Steal. Pull-up layup.
Every move was a highlight. A display of power, finesse, and flair. The gym was mesmerized—no one could look away.
Before they knew it, the match was over.
"D… Did he just win?"
"Five… to zero? Tajima didn't score once?"
"Was that even a real match?!"
"That's talent. Pure, crushing talent. He's gotta be one of our new starters, no doubt!"
In a corner of the gym, a middle-aged man quietly jotted down notes on a form, eyes gleaming as if he'd struck gold.
Reo Byakuya… He's the real deal.
In the middle of the court, Reo stood relaxed, sweeping his eyes across the stunned crowd.
So… everyone came.
Akashi. Midorima. Murasakibara. Aomine. Momoi.
Only Kise Ryouta was missing—probably still busy modeling.
"I… I lost…"
Tajima's trembling voice broke the tension.
He dropped to one knee, bowing his head.
There was no shame in his voice—only honest acceptance.
"I lost. Fair and square."