The sound of sneakers squeaking against the polished gym floor filled the air as the Toraoka team ran defensive drills. Coach Inoue's voice boomed across the court, demanding effort and precision from everyone.
Kazuki was giving it everything he had, racing back and forth, working on his lateral movements and footwork. He could feel the improvement day by day. His defensive skills were becoming sharper, and he was getting better at creating opportunities for his teammates. But despite his progress, his shooting remained inconsistent.
"Pick up the pace, Kazuki!" Coach Inoue barked, pulling him from his thoughts.
Kazuki gritted his teeth and pushed harder, knowing that the only way to prove himself was through relentless effort. He couldn't afford to slack off, not with so much on the line.
An Unexpected Meeting
After practice, Kazuki stayed behind, as usual, to work on his shooting. Ryota and Hiroshi had already left, and the gym was mostly empty, save for the distant sound of someone sweeping the floor.
Kazuki lined up another shot, focusing on his form, and released. The ball clanged off the rim again.
"Still struggling, huh?"
Startled, Kazuki turned to see a girl standing near the entrance to the gym, watching him with a curious expression. She had her arms crossed, her dark hair pulled back into a ponytail, and a bag slung over her shoulder. There was something familiar about her, but Kazuki couldn't place it.
"Yeah," Kazuki replied, rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly. "My shooting's been a problem for a while now."
The girl smiled slightly and walked over, standing beside him as she looked up at the hoop. "You've got good form, but your release is too stiff. You're overthinking it."
Kazuki raised an eyebrow, surprised by her insight. "You know basketball?"
She smirked. "Of course I do. I'm Mika Inoue."
Kazuki blinked in surprise. "Inoue? As in—"
"Coach Inoue is my dad," she finished, her smirk widening. "I've been around basketball my whole life. Played a bit myself before deciding to focus on school."
Kazuki wasn't sure how to respond. He'd never heard Coach Inoue mention his family before. Still, if anyone could give him advice on his shooting, it was probably her.
"So… what am I doing wrong?" Kazuki asked, passing her the ball.
Mika caught the ball and lined up a shot, her movements fluid and effortless. The ball sailed through the hoop with a satisfying swish. She turned back to him. "You're thinking too much about the mechanics. When you're on the court, you can't be thinking about every little detail. You have to trust your muscle memory. Relax, and let the ball come off your hands naturally."
Kazuki frowned, trying to process her advice. He picked up the ball again and attempted another shot, focusing on staying relaxed. The ball bounced off the rim, but this time it felt smoother.
"Better," Mika said, nodding in approval. "You'll get there."
Kazuki felt a surge of gratitude. "Thanks, Mika. I really needed that."
"No problem," she replied, slinging her bag over her shoulder again. "I'm usually around after school, so if you ever need help, just ask."
With that, she turned and left the gym, leaving Kazuki standing there, feeling strangely energized. Maybe this was the breakthrough he needed.
The Next Day
The following morning, practice was as intense as ever. Coach Inoue pushed them through conditioning drills and set plays, working on their team chemistry. But in the back of Kazuki's mind, he kept replaying Mika's words.
"Relax," he muttered to himself under his breath as he took a shot during a scrimmage. The ball flew through the air, and for the first time in a while, it swished through the net cleanly.
Ryota raised an eyebrow as he jogged past. "Nice shot, Kazuki. You've been holding out on us?"
Kazuki grinned, feeling a spark of confidence return. "Just getting started."
The scrimmage continued, and though Kazuki still missed some shots, the improvement was noticeable. His movements were smoother, and his focus sharper. The bond between the freshmen trio was growing as well Ryota's shooting remained solid, while Hiroshi's strength in the paint was proving invaluable. Together, they were starting to click, and it felt like they were laying the foundation for something special.
An Unlikely Friendship
After practice, as Kazuki packed up his things, he found Mika waiting by the gym door.
"Not bad today," she said, giving him an approving nod.
Kazuki smiled. "Thanks. Your advice helped."
Mika shrugged casually. "I figured it might. You seem like the type to overthink things."
Kazuki chuckled. "Yeah, that's me."
There was a brief pause, then Mika asked, "So, what's it like? Playing for my dad, I mean."
Kazuki hesitated, unsure of how to answer. "He's tough. Demanding. But I think that's what the team needs right now."
Mika nodded thoughtfully. "He's always been like that driven. He hates losing more than anything."
"Is that why he's so hard on us?" Kazuki asked, genuinely curious.
Mika's expression softened slightly. "He just wants to bring the team back to where it used to be. Toraoka was a powerhouse once, and my dad takes that seriously. He doesn't want to see it crumble."
Kazuki hadn't thought about it like that before. He'd always seen Coach Inoue as a taskmaster, but now he understood that there was more to it. There was history and pride behind his intensity.
"You're not bad yourself," Kazuki said, trying to change the subject. "That shot you took yesterday was perfect."
Mika shrugged. "I used to play a lot. But I'm more focused on other things now."
They continued talking as they walked toward the school's gate, and before Kazuki knew it, they had fallen into an easy rhythm. It surprised him how comfortable he felt around Mika, and he couldn't help but feel a connection forming.
A Growing Bond
Over the next few weeks, Kazuki found himself spending more time with Mika, both inside and outside the gym. They would shoot around together after practice, and sometimes she'd help him with his form or offer pointers during drills.
The more they talked, the more Kazuki realized how much they had in common. Both of them were driven, constantly pushing themselves to improve, but they also knew the weight of expectations Kazuki with his desire to rebuild the basketball team, and Mika with her family legacy.
Their friendship grew naturally, and though Kazuki hadn't thought about it at first, he began to feel something more than just camaraderie. Mika's sharp wit and calm presence had a way of grounding him, making him feel like he could talk to her about anything.
One evening, as they sat on the bleachers after another late-night shooting session, Kazuki found himself opening up about his frustrations with basketball.
"I feel like I'm always one step behind," he admitted, staring at the floor. "I'm good at handling the ball, but I'm not good enough to be the best. And it's frustrating."
Mika was quiet for a moment before speaking. "You don't have to be the best at everything. You just have to be the best version of yourself. You'll find your rhythm."
Kazuki looked at her, feeling a warmth spread through his chest. She believed in him even more than he believed in himself.
"Thanks, Mika. I really appreciate that."
She smiled, and for a moment, they just sat there, the silence between them comfortable and easy.
End of Chapter 3