Evening – Mei's Home, Dinner Table
The smell of grilled fish and miso soup filled the air. Warm light glowed from the kitchen, casting soft shadows across the wooden table where three bowls of rice steamed gently.
Mei placed the last dish down. "Okay, everything's ready!"
Riku sat cross-legged, already reaching for his chopsticks. "Finally… I'm starving."
"Wait," Mei said, smacking his hand lightly. "We say it together."
Asahi, sitting across from them, smiled faintly. "You're like a mom sometimes, Mei."
Mei flushed. "I am not!"
Riku grinned. "You kind of are."
Mei rolled her eyes. "Fine. Ready? One, two…"
All three: "Itadakimasu!"
They dug in.
Asahi chewed quietly for a moment. "This is really good… Did you cook it all, Mei?"
"Yup. My mom taught me." Mei beamed. "I'm glad you like it."
Riku nodded with his mouth full. "Seriously, you could open a restaurant."
Mei smirked. "Maybe I will. And you'll be my taste tester."
"Gladly," Riku replied. "But only if I eat for free."
Asahi giggled softly. It was the most relaxed she'd looked in days.
A comfortable silence settled over them for a while—only the clink of chopsticks and occasional slurp of soup breaking the quiet.
Then Riku leaned back with a sigh. "Toma's gonna kill me at practice tomorrow. My legs are already jelly."
Mei gave him a sly smile. "You did pretty good today. I saw that three-pointer."
Asahi nodded. "You still have it, Ace."
Riku raised an eyebrow. "Okay, now you two are just trying to embarrass me."
Mei grinned. "Is it working?"
He groaned, covering his face. "Yes."
They all laughed.
After dinner, they washed dishes together, bumping elbows and flicking suds at each other like kids. The night ended with all three of them sitting on the couch, a warm blanket wrapped around their shoulders, the soft hum of the TV playing in the background.
As the night grew deeper, the laughter faded into a quiet calm.
Asahi stood up from the couch, gently setting down her cup of tea. "I think… I should go home."
Mei blinked, a little surprised. "Already? It's late."
"I know," Asahi said, smiling softly. "But I need to clear my head. Being here helped… more than I expected."
Riku stood as well. "Want me to walk you back?"
She shook her head. "No… I think I need the walk alone. It'll help me think."
There was a pause. The kind that carried unspoken words.
Mei approached her, tugging her into a soft hug. "If anything happens… call me. Okay?"
"I will," Asahi whispered, resting her chin briefly on Mei's shoulder. "Thank you… for tonight. Both of you."
Riku gave a small wave. "Hey, you're part of the team now. Don't forget that."
Asahi gave a tiny smile, eyes a little shinier than before. "I won't."
She slipped on her shoes, gave them one last look, then quietly stepped out into the night.
The door clicked shut behind her, and a stillness settled over the room.
Mei stared at the door for a moment. "She smiled… but it felt like she was hiding something."
Riku nodded, hands in his pockets. "Yeah. But we'll be there for her. Even if she doesn't ask."
Outside, Asahi walked down the dimly lit street, hands in her coat pockets, heart warm—but heavy.
Silence lingered in the room, gentle and quiet. Mei turned around, but before she could speak, she found herself in Riku's arms.
He pulled her in tightly, the warmth of his chest pressing against hers. His heartbeat—fast, maybe nervous. She looked up at him, her breath catching.
Riku slowly leaned in, eyes half-lidded, face just inches from hers.
But just before their lips met, Mei gently raised her hand, pressing her fingers against his mouth.
"Mm?" Riku paused, eyes questioning.
Mei's voice was soft but firm, her cheeks flushed. "When you win the basketball tournament… then you can do that."
Riku blinked, then let out a low chuckle. "So I have to earn it, huh?"
Mei nodded, smiling playfully. "You want a reward? Win first. Then… we'll talk."
Riku grinned, pulling back slightly, still holding her close. "Challenge accepted."
They stood like that for a moment—close, warm, hearts speaking louder than words.
The sun dipped low, casting golden light over the outdoor court behind the school. The squeak of sneakers and the steady rhythm of a bouncing ball echoed through the air.
Riku stood at the free-throw line, drenched in sweat, eyes locked on the hoop. He exhaled deeply and released the ball—swish—another clean shot.
From the shadows near the bleachers, Mei watched silently. Her school bag sat beside her feet, untouched. Her eyes never left Riku.
He didn't know she was there.
He sprinted to retrieve the ball, then practiced a crossover into a fadeaway jumper. Miss. He didn't slow down. Another shot. Miss. Another. Swish.
"Again," he muttered to himself. His determination burned through every movement.
Mei hugged her knees to her chest. She could see how hard he was trying—how much that one promise meant to him. Her heart tightened slightly.
A breeze picked up, brushing her hair. She whispered under her breath, a soft smile forming, "Idiot… you're going to break yourself if you keep this up."
But even so… she kept watching.
Riku stopped suddenly, turning his head slightly toward the bleachers, as if sensing something.
Mei quickly ducked behind a post.
He stared for a second, then shook his head with a small smile and returned to practice.
Riku dribbled to the left, faked, and shot—swish. He paused, panting, wiping sweat from his brow.
Then he turned sharply, eyes locking onto the figure behind the post.
"Mei."
She froze.
"You've been watching me for a while now."
Slowly, sheepishly, Mei stepped out from behind the post, brushing her hair behind her ear. "I-I was just passing by…"
Riku walked toward her, ball tucked under one arm, his eyes steady and serious.
"Liar," he said, a teasing smirk playing at his lips. "You were watching every shot."
Mei looked away, cheeks flushing. "So what if I was?"
There was a pause. Riku stood still for a moment, then said quietly, "I want you there."
She blinked. "Huh?"
"At the tournament. I want you cheering for me." His voice dropped a little, more earnest now. "When I'm on that court, I want to hear your voice in the crowd. Just that… would make me feel unstoppable."
Mei's eyes widened. Her lips parted slightly, but no words came out.
Riku leaned in, his tone softer. "You promised me something. I'll keep practicing until I earn it."
Mei looked at him, eyes deep with emotion. After a second, she gave the faintest smile and whispered, "Then you better win."
Morning. Tournament Day.
The bus pulled to a stop in front of the grand gates of Kyoto University Arena. The towering building cast long shadows over the grounds as sunlight flickered through the trees lining the road.
Inside the bus, Sakura High School's basketball team sat tense, quiet. The air was thick with nerves and determination.
Riku, seated at the back, leaned his head against the window, earbuds in, eyes focused. He gripped the strap of his duffel bag tightly. He wasn't just playing for victory—he was playing for her.
The doors opened with a hiss.
"Alright, team," Coach Watanabe said, standing at the front. "This is it. Day One. You've trained hard. You've bled, sweat, and sacrificed. Now go show them what Sakura High is made of."
The team erupted in a unified cheer:
"Sakura Fight!"
Kyoto University Indoor Arena – Main Court
Spectators flooded the stands. Banners waved. The buzz of excitement echoed through the dome.
A booming voice filled the arena:
"Welcome to the 36th Annual National High School Basketball Tournament!"
Teams lined up on the court, each in uniform, standing tall.
The announcer continued:
"This year, we have fierce competitors from all over the country. Let's give a warm welcome to the rising dark horse—Sakura High School!"
The crowd clapped. Some students from Kyoto chuckled under their breath. Sakura wasn't known as a basketball powerhouse. Not yet.
Riku stood tall in the lineup, his number gleaming on his jersey: #7. He looked to the crowd—and for a moment—he saw her.
Mei, in the stands, quietly watching, her hands clutching her school scarf.
Their eyes met.
Riku's heart pounded—not from nerves, but from purpose.
This was his moment.