The moment I stepped onto the court and laid eyes on them, memories came flooding back like a tidal wave. Toyonaka High. The team that once carried my dreams—and crushed them too.
I immediately activated Inspect.
[Inspect Activated]
Like clockwork, their stats unfolded before me. Just like in my previous life, Toyonaka's core strength was clear: defense. They weren't the flashiest team or the most talented in terms of raw offense—aside from one man—but they were an immovable wall. A unit built to suffocate opponents, grind them down, and break their rhythm before it even started.
Toyonakan High Starting Lineup:
PG : Yuto Kobayashi
Age : 16 ( second year)
Height : 163 cm
Weigh : 62 KG
Attributes :
Inside Scoring : C Shooting : B Playmaking : A Defense : A+ Physical : B Mental : B
Yuto—my old point guard. Not tall by any means, but he was a defensive hound. Fast hands, sharp instincts, and enough hustle to cover for his lack of height. His tight on-ball pressure would annoy even the calmest players. Offensively, he wasn't flashy, but his high playmaking and decent shooting made him the perfect engine.
SG : Shunpei Arakawa
Age : 16 ( second year)
Height : 175 cm
Weigh : 75 KG
Attributes :
Inside Scoring : B Shooting : C+ Playmaking : C+ Defense : A- Physical : B Mental : C
Shunpei was one of our bench players last time. Reliable. He had decent inside scoring and a surprisingly accurate mid-range shot when open. But his biggest asset? His defensive IQ. He wasn't the most disciplined mentally, but he could read screens and anticipate passing lanes like a veteran. A perfect role player.
SF : Daichi Fukuda
Age : 15 ( First year)
Height : 178 cm
Weigh : 78 KG
Attributes :
Inside Scoring : B+ Shooting : C Playmaking : C Defense : A Physical : A- Mental : B
Daichi… I smiled when I saw him. He and I joined the team the same year in my past life. Even then, he had monster potential. Physically gifted, fearless, and with a motor that never stopped. He was the guy you'd want defending the opponent's best wing. His shooting was a work in progress, but defensively? Top tier.
PF : Masaki King
Age : 16 ( second year)
Height : 190 cm
Weigh : 86 KG
Attributes :
Inside Scoring : S Shooting : S Playmaking : B Defense : B Physical : S Mental : A
Then there was him—Masaki King.
My rival.
The one who carried our team back then.
Even now, his attributes screamed dominance. S-rank scoring, both inside and outside. S-rank physicals. His defense wasn't elite, but it didn't need to be. He was our ace, our nuclear weapon. And his mental fortitude… cold, focused, and lethal. Just seeing him again sent a shiver down my spine.
I wasn't the only one who noticed.
"Oi, who's that power forward?" whispered Rikuya, eyes fixed on Masaki.
I didn't answer. I couldn't. My chest tightened just looking at him. He was the reason Toyonaka made it to Nationals in my past life.
C : Haruto Senda
Age : 17 (Third year)
Height : 188 cm
Weigh : 92 KG
Attributes :
Inside Scoring : A Shooting : C Playmaking : C Defense : S Physical : A+ Mental : A
Finally, there was our captain—Haruto Senda. The big man. The enforcer. He wasn't flashy either, but his defense anchored the entire team. S-rank defense, A+ physicals, and a strong mentality. He didn't need to score much. He made his presence known by being everywhere at once on the defensive end. Boxing out, contesting shots, intimidating opponents with his presence alone.
As I studied them, I couldn't help but grin.
They were exactly how I remembered them—and maybe even better. I knew their strengths. I also knew their flaws.
"Dirga," Rikuya called out as we warmed up. "They look strong. Any weaknesses?"
I paused, then nodded. "One. They don't adjust well to chaos. If we move fast, shift the rhythm, throw them off their usual pace... we can crack that Iron Wall."
"Got it," he said with a smirk. "Let's give 'em hell."
…
Tip-Off
Haruto and Rikuya soared like titans colliding midair. A sharp slap echoed across the gym as Rikuya tapped the ball straight to me.
Horizon Ball.
I took the dribble—and Yuto was already in my face. Eyes locked, crouched low, breathing steady. Just like old times. Even though my attributes were lower now, I had something he couldn't defend against:
Experience.
I crossed over hard and slashed in. Yuto's eyes widened. Even Toyonaka's bench looked stunned. A first-year breaking through him?
I laid it in easily.
2–0.
"A good one, Dirga," Rikuya chuckled.
And the game was on.
…
I ran the floor like a conductor with a baton. Reading their defense, I always found the gaps. Rei nailed his shots. Aizawa kept attacking the rim with that wild energy of his. And Rikuya—our Titan—was unstoppable in the paint.
And Taiga? If Aizawa was our offensive fire, Taiga was our shield. Rebounds, hustle, bodying up—he brought the fight.
22–10.
End of the 1st Quarter.
…
Toyonaka's bench was tense.
"That point guard is dangerous," Reina muttered, eyes on me. "He reads us too well. Always knows when to cut in or pull back."
She stood. "We're changing the plan. Forget the structure—rely on instinct. Masaki, it's on you."
Masaki looked up. Her voice shifted to English.
"Kill the rhythm. Tire him. Draw fouls. Let chaos begin."
She wasn't wrong. If they doubled me, Rikuya would feast inside. But they'd found a crack.
…
"Dirga, how are you holding up?" Coach Tsugawa asked.
"I'm okay, Coach," I panted. I could feel the burn. The tempo. The intensity.
"Good first quarter. Let's win this."
…
Second Quarter
They doubled me instantly, leaving Rei. Risky—but calculated. They knew Rei could shoot. But they were betting the rest of my team couldn't create.
I still orchestrated, but the strain was real. Every move drained more of my stamina.
And then… Masaki exploded.
Every touch became a highlight. Even with Taiga shadowing him, he was a different breed. Pull-up threes, spins into fadeaways, and one brutal dunk that shook the rim.
…
Halftime score: 28–26.
They were closing in. And Masaki hadn't even broken a sweat.