"Shiro, how much longer is this opening ceremony going to take? Seriously, this guy can talk forever! I'm losing it" Aomine muttered as he lazily fidgeted with his fingers, barely lifting his head. His eyes, filled with boredom, stared helplessly at the speaker on stage, who was still going on and on without a pause.
"Yeah, I can't take it either..." Shiro agreed with Aomine's complaint. Having endured plenty of long and dull meetings in his previous life, he knew this kind of speech all too well. Those so-called "bigwigs" never tired of hearing their own voice, as if wasting time was their primary goal.
Meanwhile, Murasakibara expressed his frustration: "I'm starving! I just want to eat some snacks already!" he whined, making exaggerated gestures as if he were ready to collapse from hunger. His gaze remained locked on the speaker, eyes filled with longing, as though he were a spirit reincarnated just to satisfy a craving.
Akashi, calm and composed, gave a small shake of his head. He patted Murasakibara's back gently and whispered, "Hang in there, Atsushi. Once this ceremony is over, we'll get something to eat"
In contrast, Midorima was as composed as ever. His stoic expression didn't falter once, even as the speech droned on. He occasionally glanced at his watch or adjusted his seat, maintaining an air of cold focus.
"Stay focused, everyone" Momoi urged. "The game will start soon"
Minutes dragged on until—finally—the tedious opening ceremony ended.
"What a waste of time!" Aomine groaned, slumping in his seat. "Listening to this dull speech is worse than training with Coach Shirogane!"
The rest of the group nodded in agreement, sharing his pain. But just as the ceremony concluded, Murasakibara pulled out a snack from his bag and began devouring it with a loud crunch, as if he hadn't eaten in days.
"Alright, time to get ready!" Coach Shirogane's usually easygoing expression shifted to something sharp and focused. "Our match is about to start."
The significance of this game wasn't lost on the players. As first-year students, this was their debut at the National Tournament—their opportunity to prove their worth and show that they deserved to play among the elite.
Determined, they marched into Teiko Junior School's spacious locker room, changing into their uniforms that symbolized the honor of their school.
"Our first opponents are Aoba Junior School" Coach Shirogane announced. "They aren't the strongest team, but I expect you to play seriously and win decisively"
With a steely gaze, he emphasized his point, especially directing it at the first-years.
Captain Nijimura was the first to stand up, pumping his fist in the air with a fierce shout: "Let's go take them down!"
The other players responded in unison: "Yeah!" Their voices echoed with uncontainable energy, sparking a sense of unity and determination.
As they emerged from the locker room into the crowded arena, the audience roared with excitement.
"Look! Teiko's team is here!"
"Wow, check out the white-haired guy—he's so cool!"
"OMG, I think I'm in love!"
"And there's Shuzo Nijimura, the best power forward in middle school!"
"Who are those colorful-haired players? Are they new? I don't think I've seen them before."
The crowd buzzed with excitement, all eyes glued to the striking Teiko players. The anticipation electrified the air, setting the entire stadium alight with energy.
Aomine, scanning the audience, felt a wave of nervousness rise within him. "Man, how are there so many people here?" He whispered, overwhelmed by the massive crowd. "This is insane"
The other first-years seemed equally shaken, exchanging uneasy glances, their expressions betraying hints of anxiety.
But Shiro stood out, unfazed by the pressure. In fact, he seemed to relish the attention, his lips curving into a slight smile.
'Back to the good ol' courts again, huh? This is exciting' His eyes gleamed with confidence and anticipation.
Seeing the crowd, he gave a small chuckle. "Heh. This is nothing. The events I experienced in my past life were way bigger." A faint, amused grin tugged at the corner of his mouth.
"Relax, everyone!" Coach Shirogane said cheerfully, trying to ease the team's nerves. "It's just another game. Get used to the crowd, and soon it won't bother you. If things get tough, we'll sub in the older players, no worries!"
Despite the coach's reassuring words, he could see some of the players trembling. But he knew that overcoming this fear was a necessary part of their growth.
"Shiro, are you nervous?" Momoi asked, offering him a bottle of water. Although she tried to smile, a trace of anxiety showed on her face.
Shiro gave her a reassuring grin. "Not at all. You seem more nervous than me!"
Taking the bottle, he noticed how tightly Momoi was hugging herself, her usually cheerful face tense with concern.
"It's just... there are so many people. I'm worried it might throw you guys off"
Shiro chuckled softly, patting her shoulder. "Don't worry, Momoi. We've got this."
His confident tone seemed to ease her nerves a little. Momoi balled her fists in determination. "Okay! I believe in you. Do your best!"
"Beep!"
The sharp, piercing whistle cut through the basketball hall, slicing through the noise. The cheers and shouts of the audience faded, replaced by a tense, electric atmosphere.
Shiro inhaled deeply, flashing a confident smile as he turned to the team, "Alright, guys, it's showtime!"
With that, the Teiko players strode onto the court with steady, determined steps.
On the other side, the players from Aoba Junior School glared at them with anger.
"Unbelievable! Teiko is mocking us by sending out their first-years!" The Aoba captain, their star small forward, shouted furiously.
"They think they can beat us with rookies?!" Their point guard snarled, clenching his fists in rage.
The Aoba players' eyes burned with hostility, ready to unleash their fury.
Spectators muttered from the stands:
"What's Teiko thinking, starting a bunch of rookies?"
"Look at their flashy hair, they look more like punks than athletes!"
"They're gonna get destroyed out there. What a joke!"
Just as the jeers grew louder, another sharp whistle sounded. The game had officially begun...