On the train, Haizaki Shogo felt a thrill in his chest, a shiver running straight through his soul.
I've caught up. Finally, I haven't been left behind in any way.
So now… it's time to enter my own rhythm. You're no longer my target. My target lies far in the future.
Shogo had been looking forward to seeing Aomine Daiki's true form today, but halfway through their match, he realized he wasn't quite there yet.
At this moment, Aomine might already be able to enter the Zone, or maybe not—he was at the very edge, at a critical point.
Either way, he could enter at any time. Just one final push was missing. Today, Aomine was in casual clothes, not athletic gear, and it was affecting his condition.
But that terrifying switch in speed… experiencing it firsthand was absolutely shocking. This wasn't something an ordinary person could do.
It was talent—pure talent. The ability to freely switch the frequency of one's own acceleration. Even Haizaki Shogo, now practically "cheating," couldn't match Aomine's level.
He could start stealing Aomine's free-flowing basketball style, but the real points of impact were diminished.
Normally, the Pillage effect disables the opponent's ability. But on a genius like Aomine, its effect was minor at best. At most, it could slightly influence his judgment or habits—hardly true stealing.
Before Pillage, Aomine could operate at 100% capacity; after, he could still perform at 80% or more.
When fully focused and entering the Zone, Shogo guessed that Pillage would at most have a 10% effect on Aomine—or maybe none at all.
This is Aomine Daiki, the Generation of Miracles' most gifted talent. His abilities were his alone—no one could take them.
But today's match revealed a new possibility—a tremendous, previously unseen potential.
A terrifying side of Aomine Haizaki hadn't been shown in manga or anime. Just thinking about it, Shogo couldn't help but admire him.
Damn, Aoda… your talent is terrifying.
Well, winter break is still long. We'll continue later. I'm really looking forward to it.
======
"Mother, I'm back!"
"Shogo-kun, have you eaten dinner?"
"Not yet!"
"I'll warm something up for you. Go take a shower first—your neck is all sweaty."
"Okay!"
After coming home, a tired Shogo naturally headed for a shower. After bathing and changing, he ate dinner, then took his basketball for a walk in the yard.
Then came two hours of swimming. Exhausted, he barely dried off before collapsing into bed.
Daily training was the reason Shogo's stamina, strength, and agility kept improving. It was also the foundation that enabled him to Pillage other players' skills.
======
The next morning, after an early breakfast, Shogo carried his basketball to the fencing hall.
Fully geared and holding his slender foil, he stepped out of the locker room—and a tall figure was already waiting on the piste.
Coach Miyazaki, a striking woman with long black hair and standing about 1.8 meters, posed elegantly, awaiting him.
"Hehe! Coach Miyazaki, you've gotten even more stunning in just a few days—at least three points prettier than before."
"Smooth talker. Get on the piste and let's see if you've actually improved."
"Alright! Brace yourself—I'm coming to poke you! I'll poke you to death!"
"Bah!"
Over time, Miyazaki had grown used to Shogo's playful "poke you" comments. She knew exactly what he meant by them.
But Shogo's intensity and focus while fencing, along with his terrifying growth rate…
It startled Miyazaki. Just half a year, and Shogo had already reached the level of an average professional athlete, matching her skill for the first time.
This boy's talent was frightening. Instead of dedicating himself to fencing, he had gone to play basketball—a frustrating thought for someone who viewed fencing as a noble sport.
========
With their masks on, the two tall figures sparred on the piste.
The foil sparks flashed like lightning. In a single breath, over ten thrusts struck, forcing Miyazaki back step by step.
After a while, the two sat on the ground, gasping, chatting casually.
"You've improved remarkably in less than six months. I can't teach you anything more—future progress depends on your own hard work."
"Thanks for the hard work, Coach Miyazaki. I'll treat you to a meal later."
"Alright, but don't even think about sneaky moves."
Shogo's teasing "poke you" lines still lingered in Miyazaki's mind, causing a strange, fluttering feeling.
She glanced at the handsome boy, her heart skipping a beat.
Too bad I'm nearly ten years older than him… sigh.
"Next time you train, work with the head coach. I've told him you can improve more with him."
"Got it! And you?"
"I've got a new student, a promising young girl. I'll guide her. Can't let her follow your… casual path to basketball."
"Hahaha, Coach Miyazaki, basketball is beautiful too! And in this world, there's no such thing as 'improper sports'—only improper people! Hehehe!"
"Shut up, pervert!"
After changing clothes, the two went to a Western-style restaurant.
They ordered two servings of premium wagyu steak and a bottle of champagne, sitting across from each other like a couple, enjoying their meal.
Thanks to fencing, Miyazaki's physique was stunning. Not bulky like most, nor overtly muscular like an athlete—lean, strong, restrained, yet alluring.
Her daily training imbued her with a sword-like aura, making it difficult for strangers to approach.
"Coach Miyazaki, your charm is incredible. I see people secretly watching you—want me to go confront them?"
"Stop talking and eat. Finish and we're leaving."
Finishing their meal, they left the restaurant together. Their backs and aura made them look like a perfectly matched pair.
Sending off his coach, Shogo walked down the street with his basketball, heart blazing at the thought of tomorrow's match with Aomine.
The Zone—truly only the chosen could enter.
Even Shogo, with top-tier physical attributes, couldn't fully grasp it. In the Generation of Miracles, only Aomine could. Everyone else? Mere jokes.
Without Aomine's guidance and precedent, no one could hope to enter the Zone. They all stood merely on the shoulders of the giant, Aomine Daiki. Shogo included.
Not an insult—just the truth.
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150 Power Stones = Bonus Chapter
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