"Quiet!"
The middle-aged man saw that the crowd had mostly gathered. He cleared his throat and shouted.
The slightly noisy gym quickly fell silent—his stern expression alone carried a natural sense of authority.
Seeing everyone quiet down, he nodded in satisfaction.
"First off, there will be a group test. Only one team will be selected to represent the school in official matches. Understood?"
"Understood!"
Everyone responded eagerly, their faces full of anticipation, each one hoping to make the first team.
Reo glanced around the gym, impressed by the military-like discipline.
As expected of an elite school—regardless of skill level, the atmosphere alone was worlds apart from any amateur club.
Looking at the hopeful expressions of the newcomers, Reo couldn't help but feel a little cruel. Most of them… had no chance of making the main team.
Too many unrealistic dreams—soon to be crushed.
Still, he quickly looked away. He wasn't heartless, but pity wasn't something he had much use for either.
The world, whether basketball or life, was never kind.
The rest of the tests were uneventful in Reo's eyes—just standard drills like layup lines, spot shooting, and physical evaluations.
He went through the motions lazily.
The hoop's this big. How can I miss?
—If the others heard that, they'd probably want to strangle him.
"Ugh, this is tough. Can anyone actually make the first team with this?"
"Forget it, I've already given up. It's way too hard!"
"Well, I think Reo-kun has a shot."
"Yeah, that's true…"
Despite being tested in groups, no one forgot the insane speed, ridiculous accuracy, and explosive jumping power Reo had shown earlier.
If he didn't make it, then they really had no hope.
"Let's just focus on ourselves. If we can even get into the second team, that's good enough. We can always work our way up."
"Yeah, you're right!"
Several students encouraged each other. The middle-aged man didn't stop them either.
They might not be strong now—but with time and perseverance, who knows?
Not everyone shines like prodigies, but that doesn't mean they can't light up the court someday.
In the crowd stood Kuroko, serious and focused, thinking to himself:
Joining the first team doesn't matter. I just want to make the second team, for now.
Meanwhile, outside the gym, a handsome blond boy peeked in curiously.
"It sounds pretty lively… What kind of club is this?"
He rubbed his hair in frustration.
"Ah well, doesn't matter. I'll just join something random. It's all the same, right?"
He turned and walked away slowly.
That decision… he'd come to regret someday—maybe in a year, maybe three.
"Now, I'll announce the test results," the coach said loudly.
"We'll start with the third team. If your name is called, step over to the third team coach."
The newcomers, tense with anticipation, perked up their ears, silently praying not to hear their own names.
But life doesn't always go as hoped.
"Number 2, Nobuo Saito!"
"Number 10, Hiromichi Fujita!"
…
Several first-years walked over with bitter expressions, clearly crushed by the announcement.
Kuroko closed his eyes and prayed silently—please not me—but…
"Number 31, Tetsuya Kuroko!"
Kuroko's heart sank. His name echoed in the gym like a cruel joke.
Disappointed but composed, he accepted the result.
Reo's eyes flicked toward the name.
So he's here.
He looked around, eventually spotting a boy standing quietly off to the side, wearing a faintly hurt expression.
Wow… he really is hard to notice.
Reo smiled wryly.
Is that bad luck… or some kind of gift?
"Next, the second team!"
More names were called. The students selected were visibly excited.
Making the second team was already an achievement.
Kuroko quietly turned to leave, no longer interested in watching.
"And finally… the first team!"
Kuroko stopped.
I want to know… who made it.
"Number 8, Daiki Aomine!"
"Number 11, Shintaro Midorima!"
"Number 23, Atsushi Murasakibara!"
"Number 29, Seijuro Akashi!"
"Number 95, Reo Byakuya! That concludes the first team roster!"
Kuroko blinked in surprise. Only five names?
His gaze lingered on them as they gathered—each one standing out effortlessly.
So… this is the beginning of the Generation of Miracles.
Reo looked at his new teammates and smiled faintly.
This era… will it make me stronger?
That Night
Kuroko walked alone down a quiet street, holding a letter from his childhood friend, Shigehiro Ogiwara.
It was full of encouragement—telling him he'd become a substitute and expressing hopes for the future.
Kuroko was happy for his friend, but his own disappointment weighed heavily on him.
Am I just getting left behind?
"Hey! Kuroko-san!"
A calm, friendly voice called out behind him.
He turned around—surprised.
"You're… Reo-san?"
He stared at the tall, handsome boy in confusion.
Someone noticed him. Someone remembered his name.
That had never happened before.
And not just anyone—Reo Byakuya, the shining newcomer.
Reo smiled. "Yeah."
Kuroko looked baffled.
He noticed me? But how?
"Reo-san… how did you know about me?"
"You were in the gym earlier, weren't you?"
Kuroko opened his mouth, unsure what to say.
But… no one else ever notices me. Why did you?
Should I ask him? Should I say: I'm invisible to everyone else—why not you?
Reo studied him and chuckled quietly.
Kuroko's actually pretty good-looking. In my hometown, a guy like him would be a fan favorite.
How is he this unnoticeable?
Something about Kuroko intrigued him.
A boy no one could see…
But maybe, just maybe, that was his strength.