Tension rippled through the school as the fallout from Yukito's exposure of Kaoru continued to reverberate. The Phantom Five had been thrown off balance, but Kaoru wasn't finished—not by a long shot. There was a dark, simmering anger lurking behind his calm facade, and Yukito knew a counterattack was inevitable.
But Yukito had no intention of waiting for Kaoru to strike first.
Yukito spent the next few days planning his next steps. He had gained a tactical advantage by exposing Kaoru, but he knew the Phantom Five still had enough influence to sway certain members of the school's administration. Even though the video had shaken their standing, they were far from powerless.
After his meeting with Nakamura, the representative from the Japan Basketball Association, Yukito realized the stakes were higher than he had anticipated. This wasn't just about school politics anymore—Kaoru's influence extended beyond the walls of Seisen High. Yukito needed to take his plans to the next level.
That night, Yukito called a meeting with Ryo and Aya, the two people he trusted most in this fight. They met at the same secluded spot behind the school, where the trees and shadows concealed their discussion from prying eyes.
"We need to put more pressure on Kaoru," Yukito said, his voice firm. "He's too well-connected for this to end with just one video. We have to find a way to completely undermine his influence."
Aya nodded, already in agreement. "The school administration is still hesitant to act. I've heard rumors that Kaoru's father is trying to smooth things over with the board. If we don't move quickly, they'll sweep this whole thing under the rug."
Ryo leaned against the wall, arms crossed. "I've been keeping tabs on them. Kaoru's been laying low, but he's definitely planning something. I overheard a couple of the Phantom Five talking about a 'big play' coming up."
Yukito narrowed his eyes. "What kind of play?"
Ryo shrugged. "Could be anything. But whatever it is, it'll be bad for you."
The next day, Yukito received a message that caught him off guard. It was from Shun, one of the Phantom Five members. The message was brief: "We need to talk."
Yukito hesitated. Shun was one of Kaoru's most loyal followers, known for his quiet yet ruthless demeanor on and off the court. He wasn't the type to reach out without a reason.
Against his better judgment, Yukito agreed to meet with Shun after school.
They met at a small café near the school, far from the eyes of Kaoru and the rest of the Phantom Five. Shun was already sitting at a corner table when Yukito arrived, his expression unreadable.
"You came," Shun said, his voice low.
"Depends on what you want," Yukito replied cautiously, taking a seat across from him.
Shun glanced around, making sure they weren't being overheard. "I'm not here to fight. I need to tell you something."
Yukito raised an eyebrow but said nothing.
Shun took a deep breath before continuing. "Kaoru's planning something big. Bigger than anything you've seen before. And if you don't stop him, it's going to ruin everything—for you and for the rest of us."
Yukito's mind raced. This was the first time any of the Phantom Five had ever shown signs of turning on Kaoru. "Why are you telling me this?"
Shun's eyes darkened. "Because I'm done. I've been with Kaoru since middle school, but he's changed. He's gotten darker, more dangerous. This isn't about basketball anymore. It's about control."
Yukito leaned forward. "What's he planning?"
Shun hesitated for a moment before lowering his voice. "He's going to fix the finals. He's already bribed the refs, and he's planning to use that to push his agenda even further. If Seisen wins under those conditions, he'll gain more leverage. His father's backing him all the way."
Yukito's blood ran cold. A fixed final would be the perfect way for Kaoru to regain control. If Seisen won through corruption, Kaoru would be seen as a hero again, and Yukito's efforts would be for nothing.
"We need proof," Yukito said, his voice steady. "If we can expose this before the finals, we can stop him."
Shun nodded. "I can get it. But you'll need to be careful. If Kaoru finds out I'm helping you, I'm done."
That night, Yukito and Ryo worked late into the evening, laying out the plan. Shun had agreed to get the evidence they needed—text messages, audio recordings, anything that could prove Kaoru's corruption.
But the hard part would be springing the trap without tipping Kaoru off too soon. The finals were just days away, and Yukito knew they had to act fast. One misstep, and everything could fall apart.
"I'll handle the technical side," Ryo said, typing furiously on his laptop. "If we can get a recording of Kaoru admitting to bribing the refs, that'll be enough to bring him down."
Yukito nodded. "Shun said he'll meet with Kaoru tomorrow. That's our best chance."
Ryo looked up from his screen, his expression serious. "Just be careful. If Kaoru gets suspicious, he won't hesitate to take you out."
Yukito smiled grimly. "Let him try."
The next day, Shun kept his word. He met with Kaoru in the locker room after practice, discreetly recording their conversation as they discussed the plan to bribe the referees. Kaoru, confident in his position, made no effort to hide his intentions.
By the end of the day, Yukito had everything he needed.
The final piece fell into place that evening, when Aya published the audio recording on the school's media platform. The entire school was in shock. The recording was undeniable—Kaoru had openly admitted to fixing the finals, and there was no way to spin it.
Kaoru's reputation, already fragile after the video, shattered completely. The Phantom Five, once feared and respected, crumbled under the weight of their leader's downfall.
Yukito watched as the school erupted into chaos, students rallying against Kaoru and the administration being forced to act.
For the first time, it felt like Yukito was truly winning.