The final list was out.
To the surprise of many, Aida Hikoichi had made the cut.
His skills were clearly lacking compared to the others, and murmurs spread through the team like ripples across water. But Taoka Moichi's authority was absolute—no one dared to question the coach's decision.
Kenichi Uesugi, however, was deep in thought.
"Even though I knew he'd make it… was it really because of his sister, Aida Yayoi?" he wondered.
In terms of physical ability and technique, Aida Hikoichi barely met the basic standards. Kenichi couldn't help but suspect that Taoka's decision was… less than purely basketball-driven.
Once the players who hadn't been selected packed up and left—some with clenched jaws, others with downcast eyes—Taoka called the remaining team together.
"Welcome the four of you to Ryonan Basketball Club. Introduce yourselves."
Standing stiffly at the far left, Aida Hikoichi stepped forward and shouted, "I'm Aida Hikoichi, first year!"
Soon, it was Kenichi's turn.
He walked forward, calm and confident.
"Kenichi Uesugi, Class 9, first year. Height: 189 cm. Primary position: small forward."
A murmur erupted among the players.
"Wait, he's almost as tall as Sendoh?!"
"And he plays the same position? Will they clash?"
Before the whispers could swell into chaos, Taoka's cold glare swept over them, and silence returned like a dropped curtain.
Then, surprisingly, the coach turned back to Kenichi.
"Do you have any hobbies or interests?"
That question wasn't asked of the others.
Aida Hikoichi and the rest glanced sideways with envy. But they knew why—it was because they weren't on his level.
Kenichi thought for a moment, then replied plainly, "Nothing special… Though I wish I didn't have to train every day. That'd be nice."
The room froze.
Taoka's veins bulged. "DON'T EVEN THINK ABOUT IT! YOU WILL BE AT EVERY TRAINING SESSION!"
He barked so loud even Sendoh flinched.
Having one Sendoh who skipped training to fish was bad enough. Another prodigy with an attitude? Taoka would never allow it.
Still, the coach forced a small ceremony to welcome the new players. After all, this was the team's fresh blood. But the pleasantries ended quickly.
"Starting tomorrow, after school—no excuses. Everyone reports to the gym for training. Especially YOU, Sendoh! No more fishing trips!"
"...Oh." Sendoh blinked. "What did I do this time?"
He hadn't even opened his mouth, and he was already being yelled at.
After the meeting disbanded, Taoka's eyes quietly followed Kenichi's back as he left the court.
"Just how strong is this guy really?" he thought.
From what he'd seen so far, Kenichi was barely trying. His opponents had been too weak to give him a real test.
"Kainan has already found their star rookie. Even Shohoku recruited Rukawa Kaede… and Anzai's returned to coaching. Every team is gearing up for Nationals. If Uesugi is on their level… we may finally break through."
But that answer wouldn't come from a practice match with first-years.
It was time to push him harder.
That evening, Kenichi returned home, feeling the fatigue settle into his muscles.
Even with Kise Ryōta's perfect copy ability and top-tier athleticism, his current body was still adjusting. He hadn't pushed himself like this in a long time.
"Guess I really need to start getting into top shape…"
The next afternoon, Kenichi ate quickly in the school cafeteria.
The food was… passable, but he forced it down.
"Training burns energy. Can't show up hungry, or I'll collapse halfway through."
When he finally arrived at the gym, nearly everyone was already there.
Even Sendoh—the usual straggler—was warming up.
Kenichi scanned the court.
"Wait… am I the last one?"
Technically, he wasn't late.
But Taoka was already watching him like a hawk. For a moment, their eyes met.
Then Taoka turned away and sighed in relief.
"As long as he showed up, it's fine. I was worried he'd really skip."
Under the coach's direction, Kenichi joined the daily training routine. It was intense—Taoka was clearly stepping things up.
A few days in, the assistant coach quietly pulled Kenichi aside for a full physical evaluation.
When the results came in, Taoka could barely contain his excitement.
"His numbers… they're comparable to Sendoh's?!"
The more he learned, the more curious he became.
What was Kenichi Uesugi's true ceiling?
Over the next ten days, Kenichi continued adapting—getting stronger, faster, more fluid.
He got to know the other players better. His presence was no longer "the new guy"—he had become a quiet pillar on the court.
Then one day, as practice began, Taoka gathered the entire team.
"Listen up. I've scheduled two practice games against national-level teams from other prefectures."
Gasps rippled through the gym.
"But before that… we're holding an internal training match. The starting lineup will be chosen based on performance."
Eyes sharpened. Jaws clenched.
Taoka's voice dropped lower, cold and clear.
"Losing side gets punished. Severely."
A spark lit up in the gym like fire catching dry wood.
Two of the previous starters had graduated. The remaining players saw opportunity—this was their moment to step up, claim a starting role, and shine.
And for Kenichi—
"If I want more real-game experience… if I want to unlock the advanced Perfect Copy… I need to become a starter."
He tied his shoelaces tighter and stood.
It was finally time to show his real skills.