Kazuki Aoyama stood at the entrance of the Toraoka High School gymnasium, his heart racing with excitement and a hint of nervousness. It had been a while since he had felt this combination of emotions equal parts hope and dread as he peered through the open doors. The gym was massive, its polished wooden floors gleaming under the bright lights. The faint echo of a basketball bouncing inside reached his ears, stirring something deep inside him.
This was the moment he had been waiting for since middle school: his chance to make the Toraoka basketball team.
The legacy of Toraoka's basketball program hung heavy in the air. Four years ago, they had been the pride of the district, thanks to a mysterious student known only as "The Phantom." That player had single-handedly carried the team to the finals in their school league. But after his sudden departure, Toraoka's basketball program had fallen into obscurity. Now, as a freshman, Kazuki stood on the threshold of an opportunity to bring the school back to glory.
With a deep breath, he tightened the laces on his sneakers and walked inside.
First Impressions
As he stepped onto the court, Kazuki immediately noticed the senior players running drills on the far end. They were bigger and stronger, but none of them had the presence or skill that marked a true leader. He'd heard the rumors Toraoka's veterans were solid players, but they were nowhere near the caliber of their predecessors.
"Fresh meat, huh?"
Kazuki turned to see two freshmen standing nearby, both watching the seniors with a mixture of awe and skepticism. One was Ryota Watanabe, tall and lean, with a confident smirk that suggested he was ready to prove himself. The other was Hiroshi Tanaka, shorter but solidly built, with a quiet intensity in his eyes.
"Yeah," Kazuki replied, running a hand through his messy black hair. "Looks like we'll have to carry the team."
Ryota laughed. "Let's see if you can keep up first."
Kazuki flashed a grin, knowing that his size might make people underestimate him. At only 170 cm, he was one of the shorter players, but his quickness and ball-handling more than made up for it.
The coach, Inoue-sensei, blew the whistle, calling everyone to the center of the court. He was a serious man in his mid-forties, with a sharp gaze that could cut through any excuse or laziness. His intensity was well-known, but so was his frustration over the team's recent mediocrity.
"Listen up!" Coach Inoue barked, eyeing the group of hopefuls. "We're rebuilding this team from the ground up. Our school's reputation has suffered, but that changes now. I don't care if you're a freshman or a senior—you show me effort, discipline, and the desire to win, or you're off this team. Understood?"
A chorus of "Yes, Coach!" filled the gym.
Kazuki's heart pounded in his chest. This was it. Time to show what he was made of.
The Tryout
Coach Inoue wasted no time, splitting the players into two groups for scrimmages. Kazuki found himself in the second group alongside Ryota and Hiroshi. The seniors took the other side of the court, and Kazuki immediately noticed how lackluster their energy was. The veterans weren't bad, but they didn't have the drive that Toraoka's basketball legacy demanded.
The scrimmage began, and Kazuki quickly fell into rhythm. His quick feet and shifty movements made him nearly impossible to guard. He darted around defenders, using his ball-handling to slip through tight spaces. But despite his speed, something was missing his shooting was inconsistent. Every time he tried to pull up for a jumper, the ball clanged off the rim.
"Pass it here!" Ryota shouted from the three-point line, his hands raised.
Kazuki hesitated for a split second before dishing the ball off to Ryota, who sank a three-pointer without hesitation. The crowd of players watching from the sidelines let out a murmur of approval.
"Nice shot," Kazuki muttered, frustrated with himself. He knew that if he wanted to be a key player on this team, he couldn't rely on his handles alone. He needed to be more well-rounded.
The game pressed on, with Hiroshi muscling his way through the paint and securing rebounds, while Ryota continued to hit shots from the perimeter. Kazuki focused on creating opportunities for them, using his quickness to break down the defense and draw double teams. He excelled at finding gaps and making precision passes, but when it came to his own scoring, he faltered again.
By the end of the scrimmage, Kazuki had proven himself as a valuable playmaker, but his shooting was clearly a weak point.
Coach's Decision
After the scrimmages, Coach Inoue gathered the players. He paced back and forth, his sharp eyes scanning the group.
"Not bad," he said gruffly. "Some of you showed potential. But potential means nothing if you don't put in the work. For the freshmen…" He paused, looking directly at Kazuki, Ryota, and Hiroshi. "You've got talent. But I'm not handing you spots just yet. You'll need to earn it in every practice."
Kazuki felt a rush of relief. He wasn't cut—but he wasn't in the clear, either. There was still work to be done.
"Practice tomorrow morning at six," Coach Inoue added. "Don't be late."
As the group dispersed, Kazuki hung back for a moment, dribbling a ball absentmindedly. He knew he had a long way to go if he wanted to lead this team.
"Hey, Kazuki, right?" Ryota called as he approached. "You were quick out there. But you've gotta work on that jumper if we're gonna be unstoppable."
Kazuki nodded, feeling the sting of truth in Ryota's words. "Yeah, I know. It's my biggest weakness."
Hiroshi joined them, wiping sweat from his brow. "We're just getting started. With enough practice, we can turn this team around."
The three freshmen exchanged determined looks. They were the future of Toraoka basketball, but they knew it wouldn't be easy.
As Kazuki left the gym, he couldn't help but glance at the championship banners hanging from the rafters. Toraoka had once been the best. Now, it was up to them to bring the school back to glory.
But first, Kazuki needed to fix his shooting.
End of Chapter 1