Sunday. The day after our big game.
My body feels like it aged fifty years overnight. Every joint creaks, every step hurts. I might as well be a grandpa with back problems.
"Ughhh…"
Even with Kaito-senpai giving us the afternoon off, I'm still dragging myself around like a zombie. It's not just needed—it's mandatory. The clock reads 10:00 a.m. Time to eat something before Aoi and Takeshi-san start worrying.
"Dirgaaa, you okay? Otou-san said your game was intense yesterday!" Aoi's voice rang out as she peeked into my room.
"I'm fine, Aoi. Just a bit sore."
A bit? No, it felt like a tectonic plate shifted inside my body.
[Echo, why does everything hurt?]
[Fatigue Reducer eases fatigue at the moment of activation, but the residual effect remains. Recommend using: Injury Reducer.]
[Use it.]
[Administering Injury Reducer.…]
As the system activated, I felt the soreness fade slightly—not completely, but enough to move without grimacing. Definitely something to remember next time: Fatigue Reducer now, Injury Booster later.
[Host should apply Injury Reducer when soreness begins. Immediate use post-Fatigue Reducer has limited effect. That is why the system withheld it yesterday.]
[Got it. Notify me next time.]
[Of course, Host.]
…
After a quick shower and a face wash to freshen up, I headed to the dining table.
"Good morning."
Takeshi-san and Aoi were already eating breakfast—Takeshi with a calm expression, Aoi munching like it was a festival.
"How's the body? I saw a bit of your game from afar. You've got serious talent packed in that small frame," Takeshi-san chuckled.
"Hahaha! Small! Maybe drink some milk and you'll grow!" Aoi teased, gesturing with her fingers to show how tiny I was.
"Yeah, yeah, we'll see who's small when I hit my growth spurt," I muttered, giving her a look. One day, she's getting a head pat she won't forget.
"Grow first before you talk big!" she grinned.
I narrowed my eyes and glared at her.
"Whoa, that's the devil's gaze. But congrats on your game," Takeshi-san said with a smirk.
"Thanks," I mumbled, finally digging into breakfast.
Despite my small size, I cleaned up an impressive amount of food. The appetite of a growing athlete, I guess. I nearly coughed up my milk when I thought, Please, just give me five more centimeters of height!
"You're heading to school today, right?" Takeshi-san asked.
"Yeah, Ojii-san."
"Can I come too?" Aoi asked out of nowhere. "I've got nothing better to do."
Takeshi and I looked at her, puzzled by her sudden interest.
"What? It's not like it's something bad," she pouted.
I thought about it for a second. She's curious, that's all.
"Hmmm, well… you can come," Takeshi finally replied.
"Dirga can go ahead fist. I and Aoi will catch up later."
"Okay!" Aoi and I said in sync.
…
When I arrived at the gym, I was surprised. I wasn't the first one.
The sound of basketballs echoing off the hardwood reached my ears even before I opened the door.
"Excuse me…"
Inside, I saw something unexpected: Kaito-senpai and Aizawa-senpai.
Kaito was demonstrating basic footwork—simple form drills—but his precision and patience made it seem more like a masterclass.
"You're here already? That was quick, Dirga-kun," Aizawa said.
"Yeah, I wanted to train." My eyes lingered on Kaito. I was curious.
"I'll go change first."
…
After changing and and doing my daily Echo quest, I returned to the court and saw the two still at it.
Kaito-senpai was patiently correcting Aizawa's stance and movement—focused, calm, methodical.
"What's with that look, Dirga-kun? Can't I train too?" Kaito asked with a rare smile.
"Just… curious, Senpai."
"I think basketball is incredible," Aizawa added. "So I'll get serious. I'm going to beat everyone."
That hunger… it was wild. Uncontrolled. I just hoped it wouldn't devour him and leaving all of us
As time passed, more and more teammates arrived—Rikuya, Taiga, Yuto, Rei, Shouta, the Minazuki twins… one by one, they joined in light drills on the court. Kaito kept things easy. The coach was supposed to arrive soon.
…
Thirty minutes later…
"Excuse me."
Takeshi-san opened the gym doors. Behind him were Aoi and someone else.
Masaki Tsugawa.
Aoi shot me a cheeky smile. I returned one with a playful grin of my own.
"Everyone, gather up!" Kaito's voice echoed across the gym as soon as he saw Tsugawa-san.
The team stopped their drills and quickly gathered near Takeshi-san.
"I'll reintroduce myself," Takeshi said, stepping forward. "I'm Takeshi Renji, your advisor and a teacher here. This is my daughter."
"My name's Aoi Renji. I just came to watch. Maybe I'll see something interesting," she said sweetly—so unlike her usual self.
"Alright, kids," Takeshi continued. "Let me introduce your coach."
The man beside him stepped forward with the presence of a seasoned warrior.
"My name is Masaki Tsugawa. From today on, I'll be your coach. And we're going to the national championship. Nothing less."
It wasn't a suggestion. It was a declaration.
A silence followed. Then, someone muttered:
"…The Sun of Sendai…"
It was Rikuya. His face twisted in surprise.
"Yes, maybe some of you know me by that name," Masaki said, lips curling into a smirk. "But from today onward, you call me Coach."
His gaze shifted toward me.
"Nice to see you again, Dirga."
That smile… it wasn't friendly.
It was the smile of a man ready to forge warriors.
And break them first.