When the final whistle blew, the scoreboard hanging from the steel frame beside the court displayed an unmistakable result.
Class 6…
Had lost to Class 3.
Sakuragi stood near the free-throw line with his hands on his hips, staring at the scoreboard for a few seconds before clicking his tongue in frustration.
Yet his mind wasn’t on the loss.
It kept replaying the dunk from moments earlier.
The instant he had leaped into the air…
The wind had rushed past his ears.
The rim had grown larger and larger before his eyes.
Then— Clang!
The entire world seemed to shake.
That feeling…
He could still remember it vividly.
He also remembered the girls’ reactions outside the chain-link fence.
When Oda scored, they screamed, “So cool!” “Amazing!” But when he dunked…
Their reaction had been completely different.
It wasn’t excited cheering.
It was stunned admiration.
A collective— “Whoa…” As if they couldn’t believe what they’d just witnessed.
It felt…
Different.
Completely different.
If he had to describe it…
It was like gulping down ice-cold water on the hottest day of summer.
Refreshing from his throat all the way to his stomach.
Refreshing.
Incredibly refreshing.
Unbelievably refreshing.
He looked down at his right hand and slowly clenched it into a fist.
The rough texture of the basketball still seemed to linger against his palm.
Its pebbled surface felt as though it had left an imprint on his skin.
Warm.
“…Basketball…” Sakuragi muttered to himself.
“…is actually pretty interesting.” Behind him came Takamiya’s teasing voice.
“You lost the game, and you’re still grinning?” “Sakuragi…” “Did the sun bake your brain?” Sakuragi didn’t even bother turning around.
A murderous aura silently spread from his body.
Takamiya wisely shut his mouth.
Teacher Takeda blew his whistle.
“Everyone, gather up!” The students gradually assembled, chatting among themselves about the game they had just played.
“…Who’s that red-haired guy?” “…Sakuragi Hanamichi from Class 6.” “…The delinquent everyone talks about.” “…That dunk was incredible.” “…Even Oda can’t dunk like that.” “…Too bad he doesn’t know the rules.” “…He traveled so many times.” “…But that jumping ability is insane…” When Sakuragi heard the words “delinquent” and “fighting king,” his ears twitched.
Then he heard…
“That jumping ability is insane.” His chin unconsciously lifted a little higher.
Teacher Takeda finished taking attendance before dismissing everyone.
Most of the students headed back toward the school building.
Nearby, Oda Tatsumasa was surrounded by a crowd of girls.
Some handed him towels.
Others offered bottled water.
He accepted them all with an easy smile.
“Sakuragi.” Teacher Takeda called out.
Sakuragi turned around.
The afternoon sun shone directly behind the teacher, forcing him to squint.
“Have you ever played basketball before?” Teacher Takeda asked carefully.
“No.” Sakuragi scratched the back of his head.
“Today was the first time I’ve ever touched a basketball.” Teacher Takeda blinked.
“Does watching it on TV count?” Sakuragi added.
“I’ve been working part-time at a convenience store lately.” “The owner always has that…” He frowned.
“…What’s it called again?” “…BA?” “The NBA.” “Oh, right.” “That.” Teacher Takeda fell silent.
He slowly looked Sakuragi up and down.
Over 180 centimeters tall.
Broad shoulders.
Long arms.
Hands large enough to palm a basketball with ease.
But…
Those weren’t the most remarkable qualities.
It was his athleticism.
That terrifying leap.
The height Sakuragi had reached on his very first dunk…
Teacher Takeda was certain of one thing.
No one in the history of Wakou Middle School’s Basketball Club had ever possessed that kind of explosive jumping ability.
His eyes gradually lit up.
“Sakuragi.” He stepped forward.
His expression became unusually serious.
“You should join the Basketball Club.” Sakuragi froze.
“You…” Teacher Takeda spoke each word slowly and clearly.
“…are a basketball genius.” Genius.
Those words landed in Sakuragi’s heart like a stone dropped into still water.
Ripples spread endlessly through his mind.
He stood there completely stunned.
Because…
This was the first time in his life…
A teacher had ever praised him.
For fifteen years…
Teachers had only called him things like…
“Problem student.” “Red-haired monkey.” “Delinquent.” But today…
For the first time…
A teacher had called him…
A genius.
Sakuragi Hanamichi— The notorious delinquent who loved fighting…
Was finally receiving genuine recognition.
The corners of his mouth began rising on their own.
First the left.
Then the right.
Before long…
His entire face bloomed like a sunflower basking in warm sunlight.
“…Really?” he asked softly.
There was cautious hope hidden in his voice.
Seeing that expression, Teacher Takeda couldn’t help smiling.
He nodded firmly.
“Really.” “As long as you receive proper basketball training…” “You’ll definitely surpass Oda.” “And someday…” “You’ll become the ace of the Basketball Club.” Ace.
Those words struck even harder than genius.
Boom.
Fireworks exploded inside Sakuragi’s imagination.
One fantasy after another unfolded.
He stood proudly at center court wearing the Basketball Club uniform.
Beside him, Oda Tatsumasa bowed respectfully.
“Sakuragi-kun!” “You’re truly a genius!” “Please let me carry your towel!” The scene shifted.
He soared through the air for another earth-shaking dunk.
BOOM!
The rim trembled violently.
The entire crowd erupted in cheers.
Around the court…
Girls packed every available space.
“Sakuragi-kun!” “Go!” “Sakuragi!” “You’re so cool!” Then they all rushed toward him at once.
Each girl held a love letter.
They fought desperately just to place theirs into his hands.
Standing proudly in the center of the crowd with his arms crossed, Sakuragi frowned dramatically.
“Ah…” “So troublesome.” “Which one should I choose?” “Being too popular really is a burden.” The fantasy was simply…
Too beautiful.
His grin stretched all the way to his ears.
His eyes narrowed into slits.
His entire body radiated…
A thoroughly punchable smugness.
Teacher Takeda stared at his expression.
The corner of his mouth twitched.
For some reason…
He suddenly felt as though he’d awakened something that should never have been awakened.
Suddenly…
Sakuragi looked up.
His eyes sparkled brilliantly.
Clenching his right fist, he punched it triumphantly into the air.
“I’ve decided!” His voice echoed across the playground.
“Teacher!” “I want to join the Basketball Club!” His fists tightened.
His eyes blazed with determination.
“I want to become the ace!” Teacher Takeda smiled warmly before patting him on the shoulder.
“Good.” “Come to the gym after school tomorrow.” “I’ll help you complete your registration.” “Tomorrow?” Sakuragi immediately shook his head.
“No!” “Today!” “I’ll go right after school!” Teacher Takeda couldn’t help laughing.
“P.E.
is already over.” “And the Basketball Club doesn’t have practice today.” “Come tomorrow.” “One day won’t make any difference.” After thinking it over, Sakuragi reluctantly nodded.
Even so…
His impatient expression clearly showed he wished tomorrow would arrive immediately.
Nearby, the four members of the Sakuragi Army exchanged glances.
Takamiya lowered his voice.
“It’s over.” “He’s completely hooked.” Ohkusu nodded seriously.
“Whenever Sakuragi gets obsessed with something…” “It usually lasts about three days.” “How long do you think basketball will last?” Noma rubbed his chin thoughtfully.
“…Think he’ll make it past three days?” Yohei simply smiled.
He said nothing.
Instead…
He quietly watched Sakuragi’s goofy grin.
His thoughts had already drifted elsewhere.
This was the happiest he’d ever seen Sakuragi because of something a teacher had said.
“Genius.” For the first time in his life…
Someone in authority had acknowledged him.
Sakuragi stood beside the court.
Tomorrow.
Join the Basketball Club.
Become the ace.
The grin on his face stretched from ear to ear once again.
It was the same familiar, ridiculously smug smile everyone knew so well.
The four members of the Sakuragi Army looked at one another.
Then sighed in perfect unison.
“Here we go again…”