In the blink of an eye, half a year had passed.
Looking at the yellow falling leaves outside the window, Shōgo sighed, "Autumn can be seen from a falling leaf."
With her rose-red long hair and eyes, Rina turned around excitedly to look at Shōgo.
"Shōgo-kun, the winter break is coming. Do you have any plans?"
"Well, let me think. I don't think I have any plans, Rina-chan."
"Shōgo-kun, can we go out together during the winter break? With other classmates."
"Sorry, Rina-chan, I won't be able to go on a trip during the winter break. I have to visit the fencing and martial arts halls every day."
"Fencing and martial arts halls? Shōgo-kun, which fencing hall do you go to?"
"The one in the city center. Why, Rina-chan, are you interested in fencing?"
"Yes, then Shōgo-kun, see you later!"
With a gentle smile, Rina said goodbye to Shōgo amidst the urging of a few female classmates, and her rose-red ponytail gradually disappeared from Shōgo's view.
Looking at the empty classroom, Shōgo packed his bag and left the teaching building slowly.
Walking on the playground with leaves floating in the air, something seemed to be approaching.
Yes, it was time for the winter break. For the past half year, besides studying and writing, Shōgo has been doing fencing, martial arts, basketball training, swimming, and sleeping.
During this time, his academic performance had soared, surprising the class teacher and all his classmates.
But Shōgo didn't care about it. He was looking at the panel displaying his physical attributes, and a proud smile appeared on his face.
Name: Shōgo Haizaki
Height: 190cm (Growing)
Weight: 80kg (Growing)
Position: Small Forward (Growing)
Jersey Number: None
Strength: Superior
Agility: Outstanding
Endurance: Outstanding
Jumping Ability: Superior
Explosiveness: Outstanding
Special Skill 1: Pillage
Skill Description: "Steal" others' skills and assimilate them into one's style and rhythm, causing the opponent's rhythm to unconsciously collapse, preventing them from using the same technique again.
Special Skill 2: Devour (Advanced Soul Fusion Skill)
Skill Description: "Devour" others' skills and make them one's permanent abilities, requiring 1 Devour Energy point per consumption.
Energy Points: 3
His endurance and agility had both turned into Outstanding, which was Shōgo's biggest gain in the past six months.
Superior would be surpassed by Outstanding, and after reaching Outstanding, endurance and agility would continue to improve. What did that mean?
It meant that Outstanding was not the peak, and there were even higher levels of evaluation.
Shōgo's strength was still Superior, but he speculated that it wouldn't take long for it to grow to Outstanding as well.
His jumping ability had not changed, not because it didn't grow, but because it hadn't reached the point of quantitative change yet.
Winter break had arrived, which was probably the time for Daiki to bloom.
Daiki Aomine, Shōgo had to admit that he was the most talented existence in the Era of Miracles, with no one else comparable.
So, Shōgo made a decision. This winter break, besides training, he would go find Daiki and test whether only he could defeat himself.
Thinking about this, Shōgo chuckled mischievously.
Daiki, I'm coming for you. Are you ready?
Also, Satsuki-chan, how have you been lately? Have you grown even bigger?
The next morning, Shōgo woke up, pulled back the curtains, took a shower, and was ready to go to school with his bag and basketball.
Suddenly, his mother's gentle voice came from the kitchen: "Shōgo-kun, where are you going?"
"To school, for classes!"
"Shōgo-kun, haven't you started your winter break?"
Shōgo was startled by his mother's puzzled expression. He realized that he had indeed started his winter break, so why was he going to school?
"Uh, sorry, Mom. I forgot. It's just a habit to go to school."
"Haha!"
Embarrassed by his joke, Shōgo tried to cover up his embarrassment with a hearty laugh.
While having breakfast, Shōgo kept thinking. Since he was on break, he might as well go find Satsuki-chan and Daiki.
He wanted to show Daiki his terrifying growth and see the true power of the Generation of Miracles.
Picking up the phone, he dialed a number, and a tender female voice answered.
"Hello! Who are you looking for?"
"Hello, Auntie, I'm looking for Satsuki-chan. I'm her classmate."
"Oh, okay, just a moment."
With the phone in his hand, Shōgo imagined the gentle voice on the other end and Satsuki-chan's appearance. It was as if the face and temperament of Satsuki-chan's mother, Mrs. Momoi, were vividly displayed in his mind.
"Hello, it's Satsuki."
"Satsuki-chan, it's me, Shōgo."
Satsuki hesitated for a moment upon hearing Shōgo's name. She felt a little embarrassed and even a bit anxious, afraid that Shōgo might say something embarrassing or make her feel awkward.
Fortunately, Shōgo quickly got to the point, which relieved Satsuki's emotions a bit.
"Satsuki-chan, can you tell me where Daiki is? I want to find him to play basketball."
"Daiki? I don't know what he's been up to lately. He hasn't been to the basketball club for a long time."
Alright, that explained the low mood in Satsuki's voice.
So Shōgo said directly, "I'll come find you in the afternoon, and you can take me to see Daiki. Maybe I can help you with your problem."
"Shōgo-kun, you..."
"Okay, enough said. I'll see you in the afternoon. Don't be late!"
"Don't be late!"
After making arrangements with the girl, Shōgo changed into a pair of sneakers and a t-shirt, and he left his home, holding a basketball in one hand.
At the entrance of Teiko Junior High School, the school was deserted and eerily quiet.
A handsome boy with gray-white hair and a girl with long pink hair stood together.
"Hello, Shōgo-kun!"
"Hello, Satsuki-chan. Can you take me to find Daiki? I need to talk to him about something."
Satsuki blushed slightly, feeling a little embarrassed whenever she thought of Shōgo, who had taken her first kiss. However, though she didn't particularly like Shōgo, she didn't dislike him either. On the contrary, Shōgo got along well with her and Daiki.
But as soon as he mentioned Daiki, Satsuki's mood became low. Fortunately, she had already led Shōgo towards the place where Daiki often spent time.
On an unknown balcony, Daiki Aomine, lying on the roof, looked bored at the sky. Suddenly, he looked in a certain direction, but there was nothing there.
This puzzled him.