On the basketball court, after Shōgo left, a profound silence fell upon the place. No one spoke, and nobody continued playing basketball. They all stood still, as if their souls had left their bodies.
After a while, the coach was the first to snap out of his shock. He looked at the players on the court and shook his head. Then, he turned to the dazed basketball team captain beside him and patted his shoulder without saying a word.
Walking towards the basketball court, the coach yelled loudly, "What are you all standing there for? Such a disgraceful performance! All of you run fifty laps around the court!"
The coach's shouting brought the students back to their senses. The terrifying aura they witnessed made them lose their spirits for a moment, as if they had just seen a ghost.
The wind-like speed, the disappearance of the figure, and the resounding slam dunk—the question lingered in their minds: Was it a dream?
As they were running, the more thoughtful ones began to discuss, "Was that real just now? I feel like I must have been seeing things."
"You weren't seeing things; I think I was. It was like seeing a miracle."
"That person just now, was he from our school?"
"So powerful!"
"Did you get a good look at his face?"
"No."
"I feel like I've seen him somewhere, but I can't remember."
"Is he our new teammate?"
"How could that be? We're not from Teiko High School."
In the basketball department office, the newly appointed basketball team captain looked at the coach with guilt as he sat on the chair. "Arata-san, you don't need to feel guilty. What happened just now had nothing to do with you. That person's strength is not something you or any ordinary junior high school student can compare to."
"Coach, do you know that person?"
"I do, and you do too. You just forgot."
Arata Sasaki pointed to himself in disbelief, silently questioning the coach, "Are you sure I know that person? Why do I have no recollection?"
The basketball coach of Fukuda Junior High sighed and said slowly, "Last year, during the National Championships' quarterfinals, Teiko High School's regular starting lineup—think about it."
Arata struggled to recall. Last year during the National Championships, he was just a substitute and spent most of his time on the bench. However, he did manage to get on the court for a short period. He remembered the scene of his school being heavily defeated, their seniors losing their fighting spirit, and himself being overwhelmed when he stepped onto the court.
After that match, it took a long time for Arata to regain his confidence and reignite his hope and passion for basketball amidst the ashes of defeat. Only then did he eventually earn the position of team captain. During that match, he recalled Teiko High School's players, among them, those with blue hair, green hair, and gray hair… Gray hair?
Suddenly, Arata's eyes widened in realization. "Coach, he's... from Tei... Teiko Junior High School..."
"Shōgo! I just confirmed it with the principal's office. He transferred here last semester. Who would have thought? We have a member from Teiko in our academy, and we didn't even know."
"Coach, he's the one from Teiko's 'Generation of Miracles'?"
"Yes, but he isn't a part of it anymore. Now it's Fukuda's 'Miracle'."
As the conversation continued, the junior high school basketball coach, felt an excitement he hadn't experienced in a long time. If they had a student like Shōgo, maybe he could finally showcase his talents and challenge other top schools.
On the school playground, Shōgo and Rina walked out of the school with their backpacks. Rina looked at the nonchalant figure of Shōgo and couldn't help but recall the scene on the basketball court.
A single person bypassing ten others, crossing the entire court, and making a slam dunk. This was what Shōgo promised to show her. Was this his true form?
So powerful, truly powerful! Rina hadn't joined the basketball team, but she had observed enough to understand some of the basic rules of basketball. What she had witnessed was extraordinary.
Shōgo turned his head and saw Rina looking at him, her face filled with curiosity. He replied nonchalantly, "Hey, hey, hey! Rina, don't stare like that. No matter how you look, I won't have a figure as attractive as yours."
Rina blushed and hurriedly caught up, walking shoulder to shoulder with Shōgo. "Shōgo-kun, so that was what you meant by someone powerful? He was indeed very strong."
"Powerful? In the country, there are at least several others stronger than me that I know of."
"Really? Are there people stronger than you?"
"Rina, there will always be someone better than us. There's always a higher level of talent out there. Right now, I'm still weak."
"Shōgo-kun, you're being too modest!"
"Rina, do you think those academies that win the championship every year have weak players?"
Rina shook her head. How could they? If a team consistently won the championship, their players couldn't possibly be weak.
"But," Shōgo continued, "there's one academy that's about to win their third consecutive championship. Just imagine how strong they are."
The term "third consecutive championship" immediately struck fear in Rina's heart. She knew that the basketball team at that school had to be incredibly powerful. It didn't matter what sport it was; if a team achieved a three-peat, they were undoubtedly the strongest and a dynasty with formidable players.
"Shōgo-kun, were you also transferred from that school?" Rina asked curiously.
Shōgo turned to her, looking at Rina's curious and pretty face, then turned away again, gazing at the distant birds. He replied with a hint of desolation, "Yes, but I was expelled from there."
"Shōgo-kun, with your strength, how could you have been expelled? Are you joking with me?"
Shōgo didn't say anything. He silently thought, "I wish I could say I'm just joking with you, but that's the truth."
No matter how much he improved or changed now, the memories of his miserable past wouldn't fade away. Sorry, Seijūrō, but I do have grievances against you!
If I don't let it out, I fear I'll never be able to untie the knot in my heart. It's a knot that belongs to the old me.
So, I must give you a hard time; it's just not like me, Shōgo, to sit back and watch.