Kazuki woke up to the sound of his alarm blaring at 5:15 a.m. He groaned and rolled over in bed, but there was no going back to sleep now. His mind immediately went to the basketball court, to the moment when Coach Inoue had looked him square in the eyes and told him he had potential, but not a spot on the team not yet.
Kazuki was not the kind of person to leave things to chance. He dragged himself out of bed, throwing on his practice clothes, and grabbed his worn-out sneakers by the door. By 5:45 a.m., he was out the door, a basketball tucked under his arm as he jogged to the gym.
The First Drill
When he arrived at the gym, he found Hiroshi already there, working on free throws. The quiet thud of the ball hitting the backboard filled the empty space. Hiroshi glanced up as Kazuki walked in, offering a nod of recognition.
"Couldn't sleep either?" Kazuki asked, dribbling his ball lazily.
Hiroshi shrugged. "Got used to waking up early. Plus, I need the extra work."
Kazuki admired Hiroshi's discipline. While he didn't have the flashiest skills, Hiroshi was always one of the hardest workers, focusing on fundamentals and his post-game.
Kazuki joined Hiroshi on the court, starting with some layup drills, before moving onto shooting practice. He went through the motions, focusing on his form, but no matter how much he tried to correct his posture, his shots weren't falling consistently. Some were short, others too long, and every missed shot frustrated him more.
Hiroshi paused mid-drill and watched him. "Your release is a little off," he commented. "You're rushing it."
Kazuki sighed. "I know, but it's easier said than done."
Hiroshi dribbled over to him and showed the movement. "Take your time. Focus on the basics legs, arms, follow through. You've got the quickness, but your shooting doesn't need to be rushed."
Kazuki mimicked Hiroshi's form and tried again. The ball swished through the hoop, and he smiled slightly. Maybe Hiroshi was onto something.
The Freshmen Trio Unite
By the time 6 a.m. rolled around, the rest of the team started filtering in. Ryota strolled in a few minutes late, looking far too relaxed for someone who was supposed to be fighting for a spot on the team.
"Late again?" Kazuki called as Ryota sauntered over.
Ryota flashed a lazy grin. "Just making sure you guys had some extra practice before the competition showed up."
Kazuki rolled his eyes but couldn't help smiling. Ryota was cocky, but he had the skills to back it up at least when it came to shooting. Together, the three freshmen Kazuki, Ryota, and Hiroshi formed a solid core. If they could just find a way to work together and compensate for each other's weaknesses, they might have a real shot at turning the team around.
"Alright, let's get started," Coach Inoue called, clapping his hands to gather the team's attention. "Today, we're focusing on defensive drills. I want to see intensity no slacking off. We can't afford to be a one-dimensional team."
The team split into groups for the drills. Kazuki, Ryota, and Hiroshi worked together, practicing closeouts and lateral movement. Ryota, being taller, had the advantage of wingspan and could contest shots easily, while Kazuki, despite his height, relied on his quick feet and sharp reflexes to cut off passing lanes.
The drill was intense, and by the time it ended, Kazuki was drenched in sweat. But as tough as it was, he loved every second of it. This was where he thrived quick decisions, fast movements, reacting on instinct.
Lunch Break with a Realization
Later that day, after morning practice, the three of them grabbed lunch together, sitting outside near the school courtyard. The conversation naturally drifted toward basketball, but Kazuki's mind was still on his shooting.
"I can break defenses, but when it comes to actually scoring, I'm useless," Kazuki admitted, poking at his rice bowl.
Ryota raised an eyebrow, swallowing a mouthful of food. "Come on, man. You're not useless. Your handles are sick. Half the time I don't even know where the ball is."
Hiroshi nodded in agreement. "Yeah, you're quick. If you get that shot down, you'll be unstoppable."
Kazuki appreciated their words, but he couldn't shake the frustration. He knew they meant well, but he didn't want to be a player with a glaring weakness. If he couldn't shoot, teams would just back off him, forcing him to pass or drive into traffic.
"What about you two?" Kazuki asked, trying to shift the focus. "What do you think you need to work on?"
Ryota shrugged, looking more serious now. "I'm good with shooting, but my defense is trash. I need to work on staying in front of quicker players, especially ones like you."
Hiroshi leaned back, arms crossed. "I need to be faster in transition. I've got the strength, but I get left behind when the pace picks up."
Kazuki smiled a little. They were all chasing perfection in different ways, and they each had something to improve. This was the beginning of their journey together.
A Glimpse of the Past
After practice that afternoon, Kazuki stayed behind, putting up extra shots. His shooting still wasn't where it needed to be, but it was getting better. As the ball bounced off the rim, Kazuki sighed and wiped the sweat from his brow.
Just then, Coach Inoue walked over. Kazuki straightened up, feeling a wave of nervousness wash over him.
"You've been working hard," Coach commented, watching him shoot. "But you're thinking too much when you shoot. Basketball is as much about instinct as it is about mechanics."
Kazuki nodded, not sure what to say.
Coach Inoue's gaze softened slightly. "You remind me of someone," he said quietly, his voice almost wistful. "Four years ago, there was a player like you—small, quick, but lacking in one key area. He couldn't shoot to save his life when he started. But by the end of the season, he became one of the most dangerous players in the league."
Kazuki's ears perked up. He had heard whispers about this player before—the one they called "The Phantom." His exploits were legendary, but no one seemed to know what happened to him.
"What happened to him?" Kazuki asked.
Coach Inoue paused, looking out across the empty court. "He left after the finals. Didn't tell anyone why. But if there's one thing you can learn from him, it's this—hard work can close any gap. Keep at it, and you'll see results."
With that, Coach Inoue walked away, leaving Kazuki standing alone in the gym. The story of "The Phantom" lingered in his mind. If that player could overcome his weaknesses, maybe there was hope for Kazuki too.
He picked up the ball, eyes narrowing with determination. He would keep working. He had to there was no other choice.
End of Chapter 2