The sound of sneakers squeaking against the polished wooden floor echoed throughout the Teikou gymnasium. The rhythmic bouncing of basketballs filled the air as players moved in synchronized drills, their focus unwavering.
Souta Fujimura wiped the sweat from his brow, his muscles burning from the intense training session. He had stayed late last night, perfecting his Phantom Step and working on his ball control, but today's practice was pushing him even further.
"Alright, that's enough warm-ups!" Coach Shirogane's voice cut through the gym, immediately grabbing everyone's attention. "Gather around."
The team formed a semicircle around the coach, anticipation hanging in the air. Souta noticed Kuroko standing beside him, his usual unreadable expression in place.
"You've all been progressing well," Shirogane continued, his sharp eyes scanning the team. "But we're about to enter a new phase of the season. Stronger opponents are waiting for us, and we can't afford to be complacent."
Souta exchanged glances with Kise, who smirked confidently. Aomine yawned, clearly uninterested, while Midorima adjusted his glasses with an air of self-assurance.
"Next week," Shirogane announced, "we'll be playing a practice match against one of the top-ranked teams in the country—Rakuzan Middle School."
A heavy silence followed.
Then, Akashi spoke. "Rakuzan?" His tone remained calm, but there was a flicker of interest in his usually composed expression.
Coach Shirogane nodded. "That's right. They're known for their disciplined playstyle and exceptional teamwork. They don't rely on a single star player like most teams. Instead, they function as a unit—a true powerhouse."
Souta felt a rush of excitement. A real challenge.
"Now, this won't be an official match, but don't take it lightly," Shirogane warned. "Rakuzan's coach specifically requested this game to gauge our strength." His eyes landed on Akashi. "I have no doubt they're especially interested in you."
Akashi merely smiled, as if the idea of being studied by another team amused him. "I see."
"But this match isn't just about Akashi," Shirogane continued, turning his attention to the rest of the team. "It's an opportunity for all of you to prove yourselves."
Souta clenched his fists. This was exactly what he had been waiting for.
A chance to test his growth.
A chance to see how far he had come—and how far he still had to go.
After the announcement, practice resumed, but the intensity had shifted.
Everyone was pushing themselves harder.
Aomine was going all out, his movements becoming sharper and faster with each drill.Kise was absorbing techniques like a sponge, studying the way Aomine moved and incorporating it into his own style.Midorima's three-pointers were even more precise, barely touching the rim before swishing into the net.
Souta, too, was pushing himself beyond his limits.
He focused on his weaknesses—his shooting consistency, his reaction speed, his ability to read the court in real-time.
"Hey, Fujimura," Aomine suddenly called out during a break.
Souta turned, raising an eyebrow. "Yeah?"
Aomine smirked, tossing him a basketball. "One-on-one. You up for it?"
A challenge. Souta's heart raced.
This was exactly what he needed.
"Yeah," Souta grinned, gripping the ball. "Let's go."
The rest of the team watched with interest as they cleared the court for the match-up.
Aomine stood in a relaxed stance, his eyes gleaming with excitement. "I'll give you the first move."
Souta dribbled the ball, feeling its familiar weight in his hands. He knew that speed alone wouldn't beat Aomine—he had to be smart.
He activated Phantom Step.
In an instant, his figure blurred, disappearing from Aomine's vision.
But before he could fully pass, Aomine reacted.
With a swift motion, Aomine's arm blocked his path, forcing Souta to pivot and pull back.
"Not bad," Aomine smirked. "But you're still too slow."
Souta gritted his teeth. He needed to change his approach.
He feigned another drive, then stepped back for a mid-range shot.
Aomine barely flinched.
"Predictable," Aomine said as he leaped, blocking the shot with ease.
The ball bounced off the court, rolling toward Kuroko, who picked it up silently.
Souta exhaled, shaking his head. "Damn… you're still on another level."
Aomine laughed, patting his shoulder. "Of course. But hey, you're not bad. Keep working on that Phantom Step. Maybe one day, you'll actually shake me."
Souta nodded.
This was why he trained.
To one day stand on equal ground.
The week flew by in a blur of intense training.
Before they knew it, the day of the match had arrived.
Teikou's players walked into Rakuzan's massive gym, the air thick with tension.
The opposing team was already there, watching them with sharp eyes.
Souta felt the pressure, but he also felt excited.
This was it.
The next step in his journey.
And he was ready.