June 3, 1991 — Saturday.
The Kanagawa Middle School Basketball Prefectural Tournament officially began.
At the same time, on the other side of the world, the NBA Finals were about to tip off.
The Chicago Bulls would face the Los Angeles Lakers, and Michael Jordan was beginning his journey toward his first NBA championship.
Before dawn had fully broken, Sakuragi Hanamichi was already out of bed.
Excitement bubbled up from the depths of his soul.
Today was the Prefectural Tournament.
His first time stepping onto an official basketball court.
He washed up, got dressed, packed his sports bag, and tightened the laces of his shoes—the standard white canvas sneakers issued by the school, with thin rubber soles.
Once they were tied securely, he could feel his toes pressing against the fabric.
They were light, almost weightless, but offered almost no support.
As someone who could barely afford three meals a day, Sakuragi didn’t even know basketball shoes existed, much less that a good pair could help you jump higher, run faster, and land more securely.
By the time he left home, daylight had already broken.
The early June morning still carried a lingering chill from the night, but as soon as the sun rose, the cold vanished like a burst balloon.
When Sakuragi arrived at school, the team bus was already waiting at the front gate.
Coach Takeda stood beside it with a clipboard in hand, a whistle hanging around his neck.
“Sakuragi!
You’re the first one here.” Takeda glanced at his watch, smiling.
“Of course!” Sakuragi jogged over, already grinning from ear to ear.
“Geniuses always wake up early!” Takeda chuckled and checked his name off the attendance list.
Soon, the rest of the team arrived one after another.
When Oda Tatsumasa walked over carrying his sports bag, his eyes met Sakuragi’s.
Neither of them spoke.
They simply exchanged a nod before boarding the bus.
Sakuragi chose a window seat, rested his backpack on his lap, and slid the window open slightly.
A cool breeze carrying the scent of early summer drifted inside.
The bus pulled away.
Outside the window, the school slowly receded into the distance—the playground, the cherry trees, the front gate—all slipping farther and farther behind.
At the same time, on the other side of the city…
Yanai Yuri stood in front of her wardrobe, taking three times longer than usual to decide what to wear.
A light-blue dress hung before her.
She took it down, held it against herself, considered it for a moment…
…then quietly hung it back up.
Jeans and a white T-shirt?
Too plain.
A black miniskirt?
Too deliberate.
In the end, she chose a light gray pleated skirt paired with a crisp white short-sleeved blouse and white canvas sneakers.
She examined herself in the mirror twice, combed her hair a few more times, then finally set the comb down.
Picking up a small perfume bottle from the vanity, she sprayed a light mist onto the inside of her wrists.
Looking at her reflection, the corners of her lips lifted ever so slightly.
Outside the villa, a black Mercedes waited quietly by the roadside, its polished body gleaming beneath the morning sun.
Kato Reina leaned lazily against the car, hands tucked into the pockets of her black cargo pants.
Her short hair was neatly styled, and two rows of silver studs decorated her ears.
Everything about her screamed impatience.
The moment she saw Yanai emerge, she let out a long sigh.
“Sorry to keep you waiting.” Yanai slipped into the back seat.
Kato climbed in after her, shutting the door with a dull thump.
Mr.
Yamada glanced at them through the rearview mirror before smoothly pulling the car onto the road.
The city scenery flowed past outside the windows.
Kato yawned, covering her mouth with the back of her hand before turning toward Yanai.
“I thought you hated watching sports.” Her voice still carried the remnants of her yawn.
“Basketball, baseball, soccer—you always say they’re boring.
So why drag me out to watch a game today?” Yanai kept looking out the window.
“In another half year…” “…middle school will be over.” Her tone was casual, as though discussing the weather.
“I had nothing better to do this weekend, so I figured I might as well come support our school’s team.” Kato gave her a sideways glance.
Her expression plainly said: I don’t believe you.
But she asked no more.
After two years of friendship, she understood Yanai well enough.
If Yanai didn’t want to explain something, no amount of questioning would get an answer.
Besides…
Yanai was wearing perfume today.
That was rarer than seeing the sun rise in the west.
Suppressing her curiosity, Kato yawned once more and leaned back to catch a nap.
When they arrived at the gymnasium, a long line had already formed outside.
Students wearing uniforms from different schools filled the entrance.
Some carried little school flags.
Others held handmade support signs.
A few boys dribbled basketballs near the entrance, clearly trying to look cool.
Yanai and Kato stepped out of the car and headed toward the entrance.
“So many people…” Kato frowned.
She hated crowds.
Yanai said nothing.
Her gaze had already pierced through the glass doors, searching the interior of the gym.
Meanwhile…
A tiny Honda scooter crawled toward the entrance at an agonizingly slow speed.
Its exhaust pipe coughed like an old man with asthma.
Somehow…
There were four people crammed onto it.
Yohei drove with complete composure, as if he were piloting a tank instead of a scooter.
Ohkusu sat directly behind him.
Behind Ohkusu sat Noma.
The most pitiful one was Takamiya Nozomi.
He was squeezed onto the tiny footboard, knees tucked up to his chest, with barely enough room to rest half his backside.
He looked like a giant marshmallow stuffed into a matchbox.
His face clearly read: I want to die.
The scooter rolled into the parking lot before finally sputtering to a stop.
Pfft.
The exhaust released one final puff of black smoke.
The four dismounted in a sequence that looked more like an acrobatic performance.
Ohkusu climbed off first.
Then Noma.
Finally, Yohei unceremoniously shoved Takamiya off the footboard with one kick.
“Yohei…” Takamiya rubbed his aching leg.
“Can’t you buy a bigger scooter already?” Ignoring his complaint, the four headed toward the gym entrance.
The crowd thickened around them.
School uniforms of every color flashed before their eyes.
The noise was as chaotic as a bustling marketplace.
As usual, Takamiya’s eyes immediately began scanning for pretty girls.
Then…
He froze.
“Hey.” His mouth slowly fell open.
Ohkusu followed his gaze.
“What?” “There.” Takamiya subtly pointed with his chin.
“Look.” The four turned simultaneously.
Two girls were walking toward the entrance.
One of them stood nearly a head taller than everyone around her.
Her light gray pleated skirt shimmered beneath the sunlight.
Her white blouse looked fresh and immaculate.
Her long, slender legs seemed to stretch endlessly beneath the hem of her skirt.
She walked with calm confidence, as though she were strolling down a fashion runway.
Beside her walked a short-haired girl dressed in black cargo pants.
Yet everyone’s eyes were drawn to the taller girl.
“So tall…” Ohkusu muttered.
“Those legs…” Noma whispered.
“And she’s gorgeous.” Takamiya swallowed.
Yohei watched quietly.
He said nothing.
Only the corner of his mouth twitched upward ever so slightly.
The four exchanged glances.
Then immediately began shoving one another.
“You go.” “No, you go.” “I didn’t wash my hair yesterday.” “What does that have to do with anything?” “Rock-paper-scissors.” Yohei settled the matter.
Four fists shot out.
Takamiya showed paper.
The other three all threw scissors.
His expression collapsed instantly.
He stared at his own hand as though it had betrayed him.
“A bet’s a bet.” Yohei patted him on the shoulder.
The meaning was obvious.
Move it.
Takamiya took a deep breath.
He straightened his collar.
Ran both hands through his hair.
Puffed out his chest.
Then strode toward the girls with what he believed was an exceptionally cool walk.
Yanai Yuri and Kato Reina were walking across the open plaza outside the gym.
Yanai noticed a short, chubby boy approaching them.
His movements were stiff.
His expression was painfully nervous.
He looked like a duck being forced onto a stage.
Kato noticed him too.
She lightly nudged Yanai with her elbow.
The two exchanged a knowing glance.
Another one courting disaster.
“H-Hello!” Takamiya greeted them.
Unfortunately, his voice cracked half an octave higher than intended.
“You’re here to watch the tournament too, right?
Which school are you from?” Yanai merely glanced at him.
Her expression remained indifferent.
Her face showed no trace of emotion.
“Koyo Junior High.” Kato answered in her place.
Neither friendly nor cold.
“Koyo Junior High!” Takamiya instantly became animated.
“Then you’ve come at exactly the right time!
One of my best friends is playing today!
He’s amazing!
He can dunk!
Boom!
Boom!
Boom!
Have you ever seen a dunk before?” By now, Ohkusu and Noma had quietly wandered over.
The four surrounded Yanai and Kato like four satellites orbiting two planets.
“Yeah!
Yeah!” “Our buddy’s one meter eighty-six!” Ohkusu stretched his hand high above his head.
“That tall!” “He has bright red hair!” Noma added excitedly.
“If you see the red-haired guy on the court, that’s him!” “And he jumps insanely high!” Takamiya continued.
“During gym class he threw down a dunk!
Bang!
The whole gym went crazy!” The four took turns bragging without pause, talking over one another like performers in a comedy routine.
Amid the chatter…
One phrase caught Yanai Yuri’s attention.
Red hair.
Her expression never changed.
She even deliberately shifted her gaze elsewhere, pretending to admire the scenery.
But inside…
Her ears were listening more carefully than ever.
Not a single word escaped her.
Kato noticed something unusual.
Normally, whenever boys tried to strike up a conversation, Yanai would either silence them with one cold glance…
…or politely say, “Excuse me,” before walking away without another look.
Today…
She stayed.
She quietly listened as the four boys proudly bragged about their “red-haired buddy.” “Let’s go.” Yanai finally spoke, her tone as calm as ever.
“We should find our seats.” She walked into the gym.
Kato followed.
Takamiya and the others shamelessly followed behind them.
After all, seating wasn’t assigned.
Inside, the gymnasium was even livelier than outside.
Students packed the stands, talking excitedly while waiting for the games to begin.
Yanai found a seat with an excellent view of the court.
Kato sat beside her.
The four boys squeezed into the row directly next to them.
“Why are you sitting so close?” Kato frowned.
“We’re all here to watch basketball.” Takamiya grinned shamelessly.
“What difference does it make where we sit?” Inside the locker room…
Sakuragi sat on a bench, tying his shoelaces.
Then tightening them again.
He tucked his jersey into his shorts.
Pulled it out.
Then tucked it back in once more.
Coach Takeda stood in the center of the room, sweeping his eyes across every player.
Behind him hung a hand-drawn tactics board covered in simple arrows.
“Koyo Junior High is our first opponent.” “Their interior game is weak, and their overall strength is average at best.” “Don’t overthink it.” “Play your normal game.” “Stay relaxed.” “Just execute everything we’ve practiced.” His eyes moved from Oda…
…to Sakuragi.
“Sakuragi.” “Oda.” “This is your first official game together.” “Show me what all your training has accomplished.” The players stood.
Patting one another on the shoulders, they headed toward the exit.
Sakuragi walked at the very end of the line.
His heartbeat was far faster than usual.
Thump.
Thump.
Thump.
It hammered violently against his chest.
As though something inside him was trying to break free.
He followed the team out of the locker room.
The tunnel wasn’t long.
Barely twenty or thirty meters separated the locker room from the court.
The light at the far end grew brighter with every step.
Their footsteps echoed.
Then…
They stepped out.
A tidal wave of sound crashed over them.
Hundreds of voices.
Cheers.
Applause.
Shouts.
Everything merged into an overwhelming roar that struck like a physical wall.
Brilliant white lights poured down from overhead, illuminating the emerald-green court.
The polished floor reflected the lights until the entire arena seemed to glow.
Sakuragi stood frozen at the sideline.
For a brief moment…
He couldn’t move.
He had experienced this before.
In his dreams.
The enormous arena.
The dazzling lights.
The packed stands.
It was exactly the same.
The NBA arena from his dreams had been much larger.
The crowd had been bigger.
The lights even brighter.
But the feeling…
The feeling of standing on the court…
It was exactly the same.
He slowly swept his gaze across the entire arena, from one baseline to the other, from the front row of the stands all the way to the highest seats.
His breathing quickened unconsciously.
Then…
A familiar voice exploded from the stands.
“Hanamichi!!” “HANAMICHI!!” It was so loud that the entire gym heard it.
So loud that nearby spectators instinctively covered their ears.
So loud that Sakuragi knew exactly who it was without even looking.
He raised his head.
In the front row…
Four familiar figures were waving frantically.
Takamiya stood on top of a chair, hands cupped around his mouth, his face bright red from shouting.
Ohkusu bounced up and down like a monkey whose tail had been stepped on.
Noma held up a crooked cardboard sign with “SAKURAGI” written across it in huge, uneven letters.
At the very end stood Yohei.
He simply grinned at him.
Seeing those four idiots had actually come to cheer him on…
Sakuragi couldn’t help smiling.
Then…
His gaze shifted one seat farther.
It froze.
Beside Takamiya and the others sat two girls.
One had short hair, wore black cargo pants, and silver earrings glinted from her ears.
The other…
A light gray pleated skirt.
A crisp white short-sleeved blouse.
Tall.
Beautiful.
Absolutely breathtaking.
Sakuragi’s pupils contracted violently.
Yanai.
…Why was she here?