Life passed by plainly and uneventfully.
It was already the fourth week since Haizaki Shogo had transferred schools.
Today was Saturday.
After finishing his Sanda training in the afternoon, Haizaki Shogo jumped into the swimming pool.
He had just climbed out of the water and thrown a towel over his shoulders when he heard his mother's voice.
"Shogo-kun, your phone—someone's still on the line."
Haizaki Shogo froze for a moment.
Who would be calling me?
At Teiko Junior High, the only people he was close to were Aomine Daiki, Satsuki, Midorima Shintaro, and the former captain, Nijimura Shuzo.
At his new school, only Shimizu-chan was somewhat close to him—and she knew his home phone number.
While absentmindedly guessing who it might be, Haizaki Shogo walked inside and picked up the phone.
"Hello!! This is Haizaki Shogo."
"It's me, Shogo-kun."
Well—just from the voice alone, Haizaki Shogo already knew who it was.
Someone who cared deeply about him and had always been close to him.
The very reason he'd been able to enter Teiko's basketball club in the first place—
was because he was this man's connection.
Of course, Haizaki Shogo's strength hadn't embarrassed him in the slightest.
As for his former lack of enthusiasm during training—that had nothing to do with the current him.
To be honest, even Haizaki Shogo himself wanted to know why his past self had been so reckless, so careless with such extraordinary talent.
The caller was none other than Nijimura Shuzo—
a warm-hearted man with an overwhelming sense of responsibility.
"Nijimura-senpai, long time no see. How've you been?"
"Get lost. I'm doing just fine. I'm the one who should be asking—how about you?"
"I'm okay. New school, everything's normal. Just… nothing exciting, thrilling, or hot-blooded to mess around with anymore."
Haizaki Shogo joked casually with Nijimura Shuzo, the conversation feeling just like that of two close brothers.
It was a feeling he genuinely liked—one he deeply enjoyed.
"So what you're saying is… you stopped playing basketball?"
"Not at all. I haven't given up—there's just no good environment or opportunity right now."
"As long as you didn't give up, that's fine. Tell me—why did you suddenly quit the club and transfer?"
"Nijimura-senpai… do you want the truth, or the lie?"
"Tell me both. Let's see how real your truth is, and how fake your lie sounds."
Haizaki Shogo fell silent.
Honestly, he didn't quite know how to start.
Being forced out was the truth.
But as a man who refused to lose or submit, that was hard to say out loud.
Still, the person on the other end was one of his closest friends.
After thinking it over, there was no need to hide anything.
So he spoke plainly.
"Akashi told me that Kise Ryouta has more potential than I do. For the sake of my pride, I quit the club. And since I'd already quit, I figured I might as well transfer—out of sight, out of mind."
Nijimura Shuzo didn't speak right away.
Haizaki Shogo had made things very clear, and Nijimura understood most of it already.
Wasn't he the same?
Even though his strength was still high enough to keep those monsters in check, once they fully matured—could he really suppress them any longer?
Though he'd stepped down as captain partly because of his father's situation, in the end, it still came down to insufficient confidence and talent.
This was the pressure and fear brought by sheer talent—
a towering barrier that ordinary people simply couldn't cross.
"I see… I understand now. But Shogo-kun, my own talent really wasn't high enough—that's why I gave up the captain position. Still, I placed my hopes on you. I firmly believe your talent is no less than theirs."
"Nijimura-senpai, hearing that really gets my blood pumping. Want me to go camp at Teiko's school gate and break Akashi's leg to get our dignity back?"
"Get lost. Go study properly."
"Hahaha! Tomorrow's Sunday—how about we go out and relax? It's been a while since I've unwound. Let's play some basketball."
"Tomorrow, huh… alright. I'll come find you after noon. Let's play at the court near your place."
"Deal! Don't be late!"
"Don't be late."
The call ended.
Haizaki Shogo wiped away the water droplets that had already begun to dry on his body, took another shower, and promptly fell asleep.
The next morning, he ran for a full two hours along the rubber track outside his villa.
Drenched in sweat and reeking of it, Haizaki Shogo finally returned home.
After showering again, he slung his basketball over his shoulder and headed out early.
Instead of going straight to the court, Haizaki Shogo stopped by a fruit shop, bought a fruit basket, and then went directly to the hospital—
to visit the Nijimura-senpai he'd mentioned.
Since they were good friends, how could he let a senior travel all the way just to play basketball with him?
So Haizaki Shogo set out early—
first to visit Nijimura-senpai's father, and afterward, they could casually play ball on the hospital's sports court.
As a close friend, Haizaki Shogo naturally knew which hospital Nijimura-senpai's father was in.
He visited often—they were very familiar with each other.
Hospital, inpatient ward, sixth floor.
After knocking and receiving permission, Haizaki Shogo pushed the door open.
"Uncle, I've come to visit you."
"Ah, Shogo! Come, come—sit down. It's been a long time since I last saw you."
"I came to hang out with Nijimura-senpai, Uncle!"
As he spoke, Haizaki Shogo bounced the basketball on his back, staring seriously at the surprised Nijimura Shuzo and his father.
After spending some time with Nijimura's father, the two of them left the hospital together and headed toward the basketball court.
"Didn't we say I'd come find you in the afternoon?"
"How could I let that happen? If you couldn't find me, I'd be scared you'd beat me up next time we met."
"Wahahaha!! Come on—let me see if you've gotten rusty."
"I'm doing alright."
Hospital basketball court.
Nijimura Shuzo vs. Haizaki Shogo—one on one.
Feeling the terrifying aura radiating from Haizaki Shogo, Nijimura Shuzo was deeply familiar with this presence—
Yet compared to before, it was countless times more frightening.
Judging by this alone, the current Haizaki Shogo was absolutely no weaker than those monstrous prodigies with absurd talent.
"So… you've made up your mind to reclaim your pride?"
"Obviously. You've been forced out before too—tell me, did it feel good?"
"No. It felt awful. Frustrating. Completely unacceptable."
"Exactly. That's why I'll definitely take it back—just not right now."
Much later, the two brothers lay side by side on the hospital lawn, gazing into the distance and up at the blue sky, silent for a long time.
"It's about time. I should head back."
"Go on. As long as you're still playing basketball, I'm at ease."
"Yeah. See you."
"See you."
Haizaki Shogo had already walked quite far, just about to board the train, when he heard Nijimura Shuzo's voice calling from behind.
"Remember—when the chance comes, take back my share too. Double it."
Haizaki Shogo looked back at the loudly shouting Nijimura Shuzo, waved his hand, and then drew his thumb across his throat in a cutting gesture.
The meaning was crystal clear.
Don't worry.
I'll slaughter them.
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150 Power Stones = Bonus Chapter
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