CHAPTER 15

The middle-aged man standing in front of everyone spoke at this moment:

“First, I need to tell all you new recruits…”

“The Teiko Basketball Club always operates with victory as its premise!”

“If you’re just here to get some exercise or to play around casually, then I suggest you leave right now.”

“As for the rest of you, remember this: Teiko’s training regimen is the toughest in the country for middle schools! Think carefully before you decide whether you want to stay.”

The middle-aged man’s gaze swept over the variously expressive faces of the youths before him. Only after a long pause, during which no one left, did he speak again.

“Next, we’ll conduct group assessments. Only official members of the first-string team will have the opportunity to participate in Teiko’s official matches…”

“Some of you might make it to the second-string, while most will be on the third-string.”

As soon as the middle-aged man finished speaking, low murmurs began to spread through the crowd.

“That’s what he says, but I heard from an upperclassman that basically no one makes it to the first-string right from the entrance assessment…”

“Huh? Really?”

“Yeah, I heard that Teiko’s current captain, Nijimura Shuzo, only made it to the starting lineup in the second half of his first year.”

“It’s true. The best you can hope for is the second-string.”

“Well then, for this assessment, let’s aim for the second-string!”

“Let’s do our best!”

The game camera panned across the crowd, showing:

Donnie, playing as Ethan Woods.

The calm and composed Akashi.

The supremely confident Aomine Daiki.

The ‘Tall Guy,’ yawning and looking indifferent.

And ‘Mr. Horoscope,’ who had switched his lucky item for the day and was now holding a tarot card.

Finally, it precisely focused on Kuroko Tetsuya, whom Donnie had struggled to find.

The short, light-blue-haired youth quietly listened to the conversations of the people around him. He bit his lip hard, and his initially dazed expression gradually firmed with determination.

The camera then quickly cut away, strangely transitioning to outside the gym.

The sounds of running, dribbling, and the coach’s whistle and shouts echoed intensely from within. Students passing by would occasionally glance inside with curiosity.

At this moment, a rather tall youth, attracted by the commotion, stopped for a moment.

“Oh?”

“Sounds lively. What club is this?”

A head of soft, yellow hair was casually twirled by his fingertips.

“What to do, what to do?” he mused.

“Should I join some kind of sports club too? Ah, but the modeling agency contacted me yesterday. I wonder if I’ll have any free time.”

“Well, whatever. I can do anything pretty easily. It’s probably all the same wherever I go, right?”

“Lots of people play soccer. That seems pretty fun too.”

The golden hair was lifted by the wind, and the youth’s handsome looks caused many a passing, lovestruck teenage girl to turn their heads for a second glance.

The chat went wild:

【Damn!】

【What kind of humblebrag is that?!】

【Oh no, why is Blondie going to play soccer?】

【From what he’s saying, it sounds like he’s never played basketball before!】

【Does that mean he only started playing basketball in middle school and then became one of Teiko’s Generation of Miracles?】

【I’m even guessing he might not have started right from his first year. After all, this kid is talking about modeling and playing soccer right now.】

The perspective switched back to inside the gym.

At some point, Aomine Daiki had sidled up next to Donnie.

Donnie saw him standing quietly by his side.

Was he… trying to compare their heights?

【Aomine Daiki’s competitive spirit is so strong!】

【The showdown between 5’9” and a half and 5’10”. Donnie wins!】

【Actually, just like Aomine said, with shoes on, you really can’t tell the difference with that half-inch. They’re practically the same height.】

Donnie glanced at Aomine, especially observing his hair from such a close distance. It really didn’t look dyed. He couldn’t help but ask:

“Hey, Aomine…”

“Your hair… is it dyed?”

Aomine froze for a second. Donnie’s words weren’t quite what he had expected.

Aomine gave Donnie a speechless, sidelong glance.

“Ethan, I thought after all this time, you might explain to me why you suddenly quit basketball and why you’re back on the court now.”

“I even prepared a whole speech about how I was going to show off my skills to you…”

“And the first thing you say to me when we meet again is this?”

Of course, Donnie wasn’t going to explain anything about quitting or not quitting basketball. The game hadn’t provided any backstory for this protagonist; who knew what the deal was.

But speaking of skills…

Having experienced the power of the Lightning Dribble and with the boost from several character cards, he was now eager to test himself!

Donnie grinned at Aomine, adrenaline surging through him in that instant.

“After the assessment is over…”

“How about a long-overdue one-on-one?”

Aomine clearly hadn’t expected to be the one challenged first. The comeback he had prepared in his mind was instantly useless.

“Even though you’re not my rival anymore.”

“But to let an old friend witness my current strength…”

“I couldn’t ask for more!”

Donnie knew what Aomine was referring to. He shook his head and said mysteriously, “You think I didn’t know you were secretly watching me play on the street court that day?”

“You think that was my full strength?”

“Don’t be so naive!”

“Aomine Daiki!”

The chat exploded:

【Damn! You knew jack squat! You only found out by re-reading the chat logs!】

【You really played that one perfectly, Donnie! Smooth!】

【To challenge or be challenged, that is the question. But Donnie chose to strike first!】

【HOLY! Donnie, you legend!】

【Suddenly going all out like that!】

【You’re the king of swagger, Donnie! That was classic you!】

“So that’s how it is…”

Hearing this, Aomine actually seemed even happier, his excitement palpable.

He raised his hand, balled it into a fist, and extended it towards Donnie.

Donnie understood and bumped fists with him.

They looked at each other, their lips curling upwards in a mutually challenging smirk.

And in the distance of the camera shot, Kuroko Tetsuya looked their way, a hint of envy deep in his eyes.