Ding-ding-ding!!
The school bell rang, signaling the end of the day.
Haizaki Shogo propped his chin on his left hand, twirling a pen with his right, watching the teacher walk away.
His thoughts began to wander, alive and restless. Before him, the rose-red ponytail of Shimizu Rena seemed to radiate an inexplicable allure, tempting him to reach out and brush it with his hand.
Shimizu Rena turned her delicate, oval face toward him, her rose-red eyes—reminiscent of Satsuki's—locking on his lazy gaze. Her voice was gentle, like a spring breeze.
"Shogo-kun, shall we go practice fencing today?"
"Sure. By the way, Shimizu-chan, why are you so passionate about fencing?"
"Practicing fencing is great! It keeps you in shape and strengthens your mind. And, Shogo-kun, practicing with you is always fun!"
"I see… I might go less often from now on, though. Sigh."
"Why, Shogo-kun?"
"I don't know… we'll see."
Rena noticed the slight melancholy in Shogo's sigh and expression. She already had an inkling why he seemed downcast.
He worked so hard to improve his physical abilities, yet he was met with a group of weak, helpless teammates—useless paddlers who couldn't carry their own weight.
Ever since the incident at the basketball court, Shogo had seemed lonelier, more isolated.
"Shogo-kun, I've realized I'm also interested in basketball. Will you teach me how to play?"
"You… forget it! Being a team manager or assistant is enough—you can still draw a lot of attention that way."
"Shogo-kun…"
As they chatted casually, a voice from outside the door interrupted them.
"Haizaki Shogo, may I have a word with you?"
A middle-aged man in a coach's tracksuit stood at the doorway. Rena, ever perceptive, immediately spoke.
"Shogo-kun, I'll wait for you at the school gate."
With that, Rena slung her backpack over her shoulders and left the classroom, leaving the space and time for the man who clearly was the school coach.
Once Rena was gone, the man stepped inside and closed the classroom door behind him.
"Let me introduce myself. I'm Ichiro Kudo, head coach of the middle school basketball team. It's a pleasure to meet you, Haizaki Shogo."
"Hello, Coach Kudo. May I ask what this is about?"
Shogo feigned ignorance, curious to gauge the coach's demeanor and intentions.
"Shogo, I believe you can guess why I've come."
"I can guess. But Coach Kudo, I don't need to explain what Fukuda Sogo Academy's basketball team is like now, right?"
"I understand your disappointment, Shogo. But even weeds have their purpose."
The metaphor caught Shogo off guard. He focused, examining the man before him carefully.
A coach willing to openly acknowledge his team's weaknesses in front of others—that was rare.
"So, Coach Kudo, what purpose do weeds serve?"
"Weeds wither easily. They ignite, turning to ashes. But the strongest weeds will rise again from those ashes."
"Even if they rise, they can't win, Coach Kudo."
"With you, they don't need to win. They just need to ignite themselves, burn to ashes."
Shogo furrowed his brow, stunned. What kind of person was this coach?
Calm and composed, yet capable of speaking such cold-blooded words: they don't need to win… they just need to ignite themselves.
"Oh? How exactly do they ignite?"
"Man-to-man defense. Full-court running. No catching, no passing. Minimize mistakes. Only defense."
Shogo nearly toppled out of his chair. This coach's plan was extreme…
So cruel.
The entire team would focus solely on defense, abandoning offense entirely. No one would score all year. Only Shogo would handle attacks himself. This would reduce turnovers, create intense defensive pressure, and challenge him to carry the team.
But the physical strain on the team would be enormous, and the coach's strategy aimed to extinguish every desire to score in each player.
This was a way to make each teammate burn themselves out—one by one. A test of Shogo's offensive skills, yes, but also a kind of trust and affirmation.
Damn… this calm-looking middle-aged coach has such a ruthless, extreme mindset.
"Can they really do it?"
"Shogo, if you want to win, if you want glory, someone has to sacrifice, someone has to be overlooked, someone has to bow. Do you have that resolve?"
Shogo said nothing, gazing out at the blue sky and white clouds.
Today, someone had taught him a lesson—about glory, sacrifice, and the resolve needed for the game.
"I understand. I just hope your players have that resolve."
"They will. Those who don't are unworthy of glory."
Unworthy of glory… The meaning was clear. Disobedience means removal. No place in the basketball team for you.
"Tomorrow, I'll report to the basketball team."
"Good. Thank you, Shogo-kun!! I beg you, lead them… show them higher peaks. Only then will these 'weeds' truly desire to rise from the ashes."
With that, Coach Kudo left, brimming with excitement.
His determination made Shogo's heart tremble slightly.
After that cold, unyielding conversation, Shogo walked out of the classroom in a daze.
At the stairwell corner, he suddenly turned and said,
"Come out."
A boy in Fukuda Sogo's basketball uniform appeared, around 1.8 meters tall, with short, ear-length hair.
It was the current basketball team captain, Fukuda Sasaki. Looking at the boy, Shogo asked plainly,
"You heard everything?"
"Yes!"
"And your thoughts?"
"Shogo, though it's hard to accept, I agree with the coach's view and tactics. We'll do anything for victory."
"Can you really do it?"
"I can't speak for others, but I definitely can. I won't hold you back. Please guide me, Shogo."
With that, Captain Fukuda turned and left, his steps resolute, as if a decision had already been made.
Shogo was struck—both impressed and slightly moved.
These two reminded him of Kuroko: people willing to sacrifice themselves for the team.
That's the weakness of the weak—they must give up something to gain in another way.
So… am I ready, Haizaki Shogo?
Ready to score!
Outside the school gate, Shimizu Rena jumped out, trying to scare Shogo.
Before she could, Shogo grabbed her, stuck out his tongue, and pressed his face comically close to hers.
Failing to scare her, Rena was instead teased, her face red with embarrassment and a hint of resentment.
"Let's go, Shimizu-chan! Time for fencing practice!"
"Yup!"
Shogo, lost in thought about Fukuda Sogo's basketball team, didn't continue teasing her. He walked beside her, contemplating the challenges ahead.
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