Tomigaoka Middle School wasted no time launching their offense.
The ball was inbounded from the backcourt.
After just two dribbles, the point guard fired a pass to Rukawa Kaede, who was waiting beyond the right wing three-point line before Wakou’s defense could fully get into position.
The instant Rukawa caught the ball, Wakou’s double-team collapsed on him.
One defender crowded him from the front, a hand stretched directly into his line of sight to contest any shot.
The other slid over from the side, cutting off his driving lane with quick footwork and a low defensive stance.
Rukawa didn’t hesitate.
He dribbled once with his right hand and leaned toward the right, drawing the first defender’s balance in that direction.
The moment his right foot planted, he abruptly pulled back.
The ball switched from his right hand to his left in one fluid motion.
His body shifted left at the same time, slipping cleanly through the narrow gap between the two defenders.
He was through.
Driving straight into the paint.
Oda immediately rotated over from the left, both arms raised high to challenge the shot.
At the same time, Sakuragi stepped out from beneath the basket, his broad frame standing like a solid wall between Rukawa and the rim.
Rukawa came to an abrupt stop at full speed.
His sneakers screeched sharply against the hardwood.
Pull-up.
Fadeaway.
His powerful core kept his body perfectly balanced as he drifted backward through the air.
His arms rose overhead.
Facing Oda’s fully extended contest, the basketball slipped from Rukawa’s fingertips.
The shot floated high, spinning beneath the arena lights.
Swish.
Nothing but net.
At the guest seating area, Coach Taoka clenched his fist.
“That’s it.” A calm pull-up fadeaway against a triple-team.
Touch.
Court awareness.
The ability to stay composed and make the correct decision under suffocating pressure.
Rukawa Kaede possessed every quality.
Coach Taoka’s eyes remained locked on the young ace.
I have to bring this kid to Ryonan.
The Tomigaoka cheering section exploded.
“Rukawa!!” “Rukawa!!” “Rukawa!!” The chorus of girls’ screams rose even louder than before.
Akagi Haruko instinctively hugged the classmate beside her.
Her eyes reflected the white No.
11 jersey on the court.
The image of that fadeaway replayed endlessly in her mind.
The lean.
The extension.
The elegant flick of his wrist.
The perfect arc.
Every movement was flawless.
Her heart pounded violently.
Heat rushed to her cheeks.
She pressed both hands against her chest, feeling as though she might float straight out of her seat.
On the court, Oda Tatsumasa frowned.
Even with three defenders surrounding him…
They still couldn’t stop that shot.
He walked over to Sakuragi.
“Sakuragi.” “Hm?” Sakuragi was staring at Rukawa’s back, brows tightly knit as if trying to solve an especially difficult puzzle.
“I’ll throw you the ball.” “Dunk it.” “Let’s return the favor.” “Got it!” Sakuragi was already getting annoyed with that emotionless fox.
Wakou Middle School attacked.
Akiyama dribbled across half court.
After swinging the ball around the perimeter twice, he passed it to Oda.
Oda drove toward the free-throw line.
As expected, Tomigaoka’s help defense arrived immediately.
Two defenders trapped him from both sides, stretching out their arms to seal every passing lane and shooting angle.
Oda flicked his wrist.
The basketball soared into the air.
It climbed high above the free-throw line, sailed over everyone’s heads, and descended toward the right side of the basket.
At the guest seats, Coach Taoka frowned.
His first thought was: “A turnover?” But Rukawa Kaede thought otherwise.
He was already under the basket, with Sakuragi standing beside him.
The instant the ball left Oda’s hand, Rukawa reacted instinctively.
He bent his knees and established rebounding position.
Just as he prepared to jump— Sakuragi moved first.
A powerful hip check.
Rukawa was shoved backward half a step.
His footing slipped.
His balance broke.
Half a step.
That was all Sakuragi needed.
Right foot planted.
Left foot followed.
His knees bent deeply.
His arms swung backward.
Then— He exploded upward.
The entire arena instinctively looked toward the sky.
Sakuragi kept rising.
Higher.
Higher.
Still higher.
Both hands stretched above his head.
His fingers spread wide as he caught the descending basketball cleanly in midair.
Coach Taoka’s mouth slowly fell open.
His pupils widened.
For the first time today…
His eyes left Rukawa Kaede completely.
They locked onto the blazing red-haired boy.
Still airborne, Sakuragi leaned back slightly.
The basketball rested above his head in both hands.
His core tightened.
Power surged from his waist…
Through his shoulders…
Into both arms.
Then he unleashed everything in one violent motion.
BANG!!!
The rim trembled violently.
Sakuragi hammered home a thunderous two-handed alley-oop dunk.
He hung from the rim with both hands, letting his momentum settle before releasing.
Thud.
His feet landed heavily on the hardwood.
Standing firm, he slowly turned his head toward Rukawa Kaede.
One corner of his mouth curled upward.
His eyes narrowed.
His chin lifted proudly.
The smug expression couldn’t have been more obvious.
Then, without another word, he casually turned and jogged back on defense.
The arena erupted.
“A two-handed dunk!!” “A middle school player actually threw down a two-handed dunk!!” “What’s that red-haired kid’s name?!
Sakuragi?
Wakou’s Number Fifteen!” “How high did he jump?!
Did anyone see that?!” “My God…
is this really a middle school game?!” Gasps burst from every section of the stands.
The noise swelled into an overwhelming tidal wave.
Several boys shot to their feet, clutching their heads with both hands.
Their eyes were wide.
Their mouths hung open.
Nobody could close them.
Very few middle school players could dunk.
Even a one-handed dunk was considered extraordinary.
But a two-handed alley-oop dunk…
For many spectators…
This was the first time in their lives they had ever witnessed such a play on a middle school court.
At the guest seats, coaches from more than a dozen high school basketball programs performed the exact same action almost simultaneously.
They pulled out their notebooks…
And quietly wrote down a single name.
Sakuragi Hanamichi.
Coach Taoka continued staring at the retreating red figure.
Two voices battled inside his mind.
“You came here for Rukawa Kaede.” “But…
that red-haired kid is incredible too.” He had come to recruit Rukawa.
Ryonan needed Rukawa.
Sendoh.
Uozumi.
Rukawa.
The perfect iron triangle.
He couldn’t let himself be distracted.
Yet…
His hand still drifted toward the notebook in his pocket.
It stopped halfway.
After a brief hesitation…
He slowly withdrew it without writing anything.
In the stands, Yanai Yuri felt her heartbeat quicken once again.
She watched Sakuragi’s retreating figure.
Something swelled inside her chest.
It was like a glass filled to the very brim with water.
The surface trembled under its own tension.
It only needed the gentlest touch…
To overflow.
She lowered her hand onto her lap.
Her fingers slowly tightened around the fabric of her skirt.
Beside her, Kato Reina leaned back in her seat, staring blankly at the court.
Then she glanced sideways at Yanai.
Yanai’s ears had turned bright red.
Kato said nothing.
She simply turned her attention back to the game.
Beyond the three-point line, Rukawa Kaede calmly accepted the inbound pass.
He dribbled slowly.
His gaze crossed the length of the court.
It settled on that unmistakable head of blazing red beneath the basket.
The ball shifted from his right hand…
To his left…
Then back again.
Thump.
Thump.
A steady rhythm echoed against the hardwood.
Then— He made his move.