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After school.

Basketball team room.

Right now, Akagi Takenori was organizing a stack of papers.

These were the new club applications handed in today.

As team captain, it was his job to review the new members' information.

Next to him was a calm-looking boy with round glasses.

His name was Kiminobu Kogure, the vice-captain of Shohoku's basketball team.

He was also involved in sorting out the new member profiles.

"There are more new players this year than last," Kogure said.

Akagi gave a cold snort. "More doesn't matter. What counts is how many stick around. I don't want anyone who lacks patience."

Kogure adjusted his glasses and replied with a sigh, "Don't be so strict all the time, Akagi. It wouldn't hurt to ease up a little."

Akagi said firmly, "People who slack off during training will never make it to the national tournament."

Kogure brought up, "I think that guy you played against today was pretty decent. I think his name was Sakuragi Hanamichi, right?"

As he spoke, he began searching through the papers for Sakuragi Hanamichi's application form.

But no matter how much he looked, he couldn't find it. "Weird, maybe he didn't hand one in?"

Akagi snorted, "I already threw his out. That arrogant punk—there's no way I'd let someone like that join the team."

Kogure twitched at the corner of his mouth. Thinking of Sakuragi's performance today, he said, "Sakuragi Hanamichi just hasn't played before. He's got real talent. It'd be such a waste to give up on him. I think we should give him a chance."

Akagi didn't answer. He seemed lost in thought.

Hmm?

Just then, a certain application form caught Akagi's attention.

"What is it?" Kogure noticed his expression and asked.

Akagi read aloud, "Aoi Kunisaku. Height: 192 cm. That's impressive. I just wonder how strong he is."

Hearing that, Kogure immediately got excited. "192 cm? Then counting you and Sakuragi, we've got three players over 180 cm in the team!"

Akagi added, "This year, Rukawa Kaede from Wakoh Junior High is also joining us. This time, we're going for the national title."

"Huh?"

At that moment, Kogure picked up another form and frowned. "There's a girl applying too. Looks like she wants to be the manager. Let's see… Shimizu Kanon… huh?"

"What's wrong?" Akagi asked.

Kogure stared at the form, looking puzzled. "Reason for joining: 'To look after a lazy idiot…'"

…Huh?

The basketball team room instantly fell into awkward silence.

…

The next day.

Shohoku High School gymnasium.

On the court, the new first-year members were already lined up in a row.

Akagi Takenori stood in front of them and said loudly, "I'm the team captain, Akagi Takenori. Alright, introduce yourselves."

"Class 1-1, Ishii Kentaro. Height: 172 cm, weight: 65 kg. I play Point Guard."

"Class 1-5, Sasaoka Satoru. Height: 165 cm, weight: 66 kg. My position is Small Forward."

"Class 1-4, Ishioka Masahiko. Height: 179 cm, weight: 70 kg. I play Center."

"Class 1-4, Kuwata Toki. Height: 162 cm, weight: 50 kg. I graduated from Wakoh Junior High. Played Small Forward. Please take care of me."

…

While listening to the new players' intros, Akagi jotted notes in his notebook.

Soon, it was the next student's turn.

He had black hair, a calm expression, and a look that showed he didn't care about anyone around him.

He said plainly, "Class 1-10, Rukawa Kaede. Height: 187 cm, weight: 75 kg. Graduated from Wakoh Junior High. No fixed position."

The upperclassmen watching from the sides started whispering.

"That's the rookie everyone's been talking about—Rukawa Kaede!"

"Can he really play any position?"

"He was junior high MVP. The guy's legit."

…

Akagi looked at Rukawa and asked, "Oi, Rukawa Kaede, what's your hobby?"

Rukawa crossed his arms, stroked his chin, and thought. "Hobby… probably sleeping."

Pfft…

Sakuragi Hanamichi couldn't hold back and burst out laughing.

He pointed at Rukawa and mocked, "Hahaha! Sleeping is a hobby? Did you guys hear that? His hobby is sleeping! No wonder his face is always so dead serious—he's boring as hell!"

Akagi Takenori cut in directly, "Got it. Next."

Hearing that, Sakuragi Hanamichi instantly stood up straight, took a deep breath, and said seriously, "I'm Sakuragi Hanamichi, graduated from Wakoh Junior High. Height: 188 cm, weight: 83 kg. My hobby is—"

"Alright, move on. Next," Akagi interrupted coldly without giving him a chance to finish.

Cut off mid-sentence, Sakuragi Hanamichi's face turned red with frustration. But he didn't dare argue, so he just cursed Akagi silently in his head.

Sakuragi Hanamichi went quiet after that.

Akagi looked down at his roster and frowned.

When he looked up and saw there was no one left after Sakuragi, he frowned deeper. "What's going on? No one else?"

Kogure, standing to the side, spoke up, "Sakuragi Hanamichi was the last one."

Akagi lowered his head, flipping through the papers. "Aoi Kunisaku didn't come?"

Hearing that name, Kogure remembered reading that application yesterday. "Oh, you mean that guy over 190 cm tall? Yeah, looks like he didn't show up. And that girl who applied to be manager isn't here either."

As he said that, he remembered the reason written on her application form. His expression turned odd.

Could it be… that lazy idiot she mentioned is this Aoi Kunisaku? He didn't show up because he was slacking off?

Akagi's face didn't look good.

He had zero tolerance for people who couldn't show up on time. His tone dropped. "Late on the very first day? I'm not letting anyone like that on the team."

"Sorry! Sorry, I'm late!"

Just then, a girl's voice rang through the gym.

Akagi's eye twitched. He'd literally just said he hated latecomers… and now fate was mocking him.

Everyone turned to look.

At the gym entrance stood a girl carrying a small medical kit.

She wore a sun visor, blending yellow and purple. Her loose pink T-shirt gave off a casual vibe. Tight blue shorts hugged her legs, showing off her long, toned limbs, full of energy and youth.

Her features under the brim were beautiful and delicate. Her brows were soft like willow leaves swaying in spring.

Her large eyes sparkled like clear lake water under the sun.

Long lashes fluttered like tiny fans, giving her gaze a playful and lively charm.

A tall nose sat perfectly on her face, giving her profile a refined shape.

Her slightly full lips, soft and rosy, looked like rose petals—naturally pink and full of gentle sweetness.

Long strands of hair curled down both sides of her face, like waves touched by the breeze, adding an elegant, dreamy air.

She was none other than the Shohoku basketball team's manager—Inoue Ayako.

"I'm the team's manager, Ayako," she said cheerfully. "I'm a second-year here at Shohoku. Nice to meet you all."

As she spoke, she walked right up to the new recruits, slapping each one on the shoulder as she grinned. "What's wrong with you guys? Why so stiff? I already greeted you—can't you at least say hi back?"

Caught off guard by her blunt approach, several shy first-years blushed and lowered their heads awkwardly.

Akagi spoke again. "Alright, before we start practice, there's something I need to tell you. This year, our goal is to make it to the nationals. That means training will be strict. Got it?"

At that moment—

Someone else entered the gym.

He had white hair that matched his eyebrows and wore glasses.

His outfit was bright: a yellow shirt and green pants. His round body gave him the look of a rolling ball.

A gentle smile hung on his face, warm as a spring breeze.

But if you looked closely, there was a sharp, intelligent light in his eyes now and then.

This man was Anzai Mitsuyoshi—coach of the Shohoku basketball team.

"You've already started, I see," Anzai said slowly as he looked around the gym.

Everyone turned toward him.

When Akagi, Kogure, and the other upperclassmen saw him, they quickly straightened up. "Coach Anzai."

The new students, full of curiosity and confusion, also looked at him.

Akagi spoke up, "Coach Anzai, these are the new recruits for this year. Please guide them."

"Oh ho ho ho…"

Anzai let out his signature strange chuckle, then said, "Alright, let's start with a practice game."

…