The winter vacation passed by in a hurry, and a new day arrived with bright sunshine.
At the gentle call of his mother, Shōgo dressed in sports attire and left the house early.
Today was another day he had arranged to meet Daiki. Carrying a basketball on his back, Shōgo arrived at the basketball court early.
Daiki and Satsuki arrived a bit later, but that didn't bother them.
Under Satsuki's blushing gaze, Shōgo and Daiki took off their pants and jackets and stepped onto the basketball court.
"Bang, bang, bang," the basketball hit the net. Shōgo received the ball passed to him by Daiki and started dribbling.
As he dribbled, Shōgo spoke, "Daiki, after practicing with you for so long, I feel like you're hiding something."
"Oh, you noticed that?" Daiki replied.
"How could I not notice? Your style of play is so similar to mine and Ryōta's. If Ryōta and I can do certain things, how can you not do them? Don't you agree?"
After hearing Shōgo's words, Daiki's pupils contracted, and he let out a breath before saying, "Shōgo, I dare say your talent is superior to Ryōta's. Seijūrō made a mistake this time."
"Is that so? Whether he made a mistake or not doesn't matter. It's all in the past. Aren't you going to show me what you've been hiding away?" Shōgo asked.
Daiki didn't respond verbally but put up a strong defense against Shōgo.
Shōgo challenged him without any intention of backing down.
With the sound of dribbling echoing through the basketball court, everything quieted down.
Later, the three of them came out of the convenience store, each holding an ice cream cone. Satsuki's eyes narrowed with a smile.
"Since the winter vacation is ending, we won't get to meet as often. Goodbye, everyone!" Satsuki said.
"Shōgo-kun, goodbye!"
Before they left, Daiki spoke with anticipation, "Shōgo, if you can make it to the national tournament next year, I'll show you what I've been hiding."
"Hmm, is that so? I'll think about it and see if I have the time and opportunity," Shōgo replied.
Shōgo boarded the tram and gradually moved away.
Leaving behind a blue and pink image of two childhood friends, innocent and pure, walking together.
The two walked close to each other, strolling, nodding, and shaking their heads in conversation.
The scene was so beautiful that I dare not look!
"Daiki, Shōgo-kun has changed so much! I can barely recognize him."
"Yes, Shōgo's changes are indeed remarkable. But haven't you noticed that we are all changing?"
"Huh! Now that you mention it, I also feel that everyone is growing stronger."
"Satsuki, it's only natural. But no matter what, as long as we win the matches, everything else doesn't matter."
"Daiki..."
"Umm..."
"Alright, let's head back!"
On the tram, Shōgo also appeared lost in thought. After the training sessions with Daiki during the winter vacation, he finally confirmed one thing.
The speed, power, and basketball skills of both Shōgo and Daiki were at an extraordinary level compared to other junior high school students, even high school students.
Their strength was unparalleled.
In contrast to junior high or high school students, they were on a completely different level.
This led Shōgo to realize that if he could effortlessly absorb Daiki's basketball style, it was also possible for Daiki to mimic the skills of other players.
After all, Daiki was Daiki—a free and independent player with his unique style and pride.
That was the real Ace of Teikō, Daiki.
Perfectly imitating basketball wasn't an exclusive talent of Ryōta Ryota with his "Perfect Copy"; it was also something Daiki could do.
However, Daiki, being free-spirited and unconventional, would never deliberately copy someone else's basketball style. He was Daiki, and he had his style, his pride, and his basketball.
This was what truly defined the Ace of Teikō, Daiki Aomine.
This revelation intrigued Shōgo. The world seemed more complex than a simple manga. It was interesting, really interesting!
So, in the past, whenever he played with Daiki, and Ryōta Ryota's talent to perfectly imitate basketball style, was it indirectly from Daiki's influence?
Thinking about it, Shōgo's scalp tingled. Daiki was truly...
And there was Midorima Shintaro, someone he got along well with, but couldn't stand his behavior. Shintaro would do everything in his power for each basketball match.
How much practice did he secretly complete? How much had he grown?
Was his ability just limited to the full-court three-point shot he displayed?
Give me a break!
Presently, Shōgo's brows furrowed, and his thoughts started to become chaotic.
This living world, the manga from his previous life, the anime from his previous life— which one was real, and which one was fake?
And what role was he meant to play?
Could he change his fate? Or would he be trapped in a predetermined destiny?
Thinking about the ending of the manga for his previous life, Shōgo began to smile sinisterly.
Interesting! Come on, come on! I, Shōgo, have decided to crush you all, or maybe crush the so-called "destiny."
Shōgo was now looking forward to the following year, when he would be promoted to high school, and the story would begin.
Presently, Shōgo and Daiki were undeniably powerful, compared to other junior high school students or even high school students.
After a while, the tram reached its destination, and Shōgo leisurely disembarked and returned to his mansion.
After two hours of swimming, draining the last bit of his energy, Shōgo draped a robe over himself and fell asleep on the bed.
His mother entered his room, tucked him in, closed the curtains, turned off the lights, and left the tatami floor.
Soon, the mansion was shrouded in darkness.
Shōgo felt fortunate to have a gentle and virtuous mother, a supportive older brother, and a beautiful girl who held a favorable opinion of him.
His life was now full of expectations and warmth.
In this way, Shōgo entered the third year of junior high school.
This year, Teikō Junior High School would achieve its third consecutive victory and dominate the junior high school scene, gaining legendary status.