The Teiko logistics team was busy prepping the court for the skill assessment, while Shigure Akihito, who had just unlocked new attributes and skills thanks to his Slam Dunk Mobile player draw, was practically buzzing with excitement.
Shinji Kurome, standing nearby, noticed this right away. Compared to the tension he himself was trying to suppress, Shigure's relaxed energy came as a surprise.
This guy...
He was weirdly confident today.
Sneaking a glance at his friend, Shinji suddenly said, "Hey Shigure, want to make a bet? See who makes First Squad?"
Shigure raised an eyebrow.
"Sure~"
He was all in.
He wasn't sure how he'd compare to Teiko's First Squad just yet, but one thing was certain, compared to the old Shigure Akihito, he was a whole new person now.
"You'll see what I can do soon enough~"
"Hmph, you think I don't know your skills?" Shinji snorted.
"Don't underestimate the power of puberty, Shinji~"
"...Now that you mention it, I guess that's true."
Shinji thought about himself. At 185 cm tall, he towered over most of the first-years. He'd had a major growth spurt over the break, puberty really did hit out of nowhere.
Honestly…
Shinji wasn't even mentally prepared to play center yet.
But his physical ability had taken a huge leap, and just thinking about it got his adrenaline pumping. He pushed aside the last of his anxiety, clenched his fist, and raised it.
Shigure understood instantly.
Smack,
A solid fist bump.
The two locked eyes and exchanged knowing grins.
Behind them, Renji Fukagawa quietly raised his head. From beneath the curtain of bangs, his eyes revealed a flicker of envy.
Not long after, under the leadership of Coach Naoto Sanada, the new recruits were split into small groups and sent off to different areas for their physical ability evaluations.
The tests covered everything, from static strength to dynamic movement, and once again reminded everyone that this wasn't some casual after-school club. It felt way more like a pro academy.
Then...
Once the physical tests wrapped up,
A group of clearly seasoned Teiko players entered the gym, their sharp movements revealing years of training. Everyone immediately understood, the real test was about to begin.
Sure enough, as the rookies exchanged uneasy glances, Coach Sanada made the next announcement.
The technical assessment?
A 1v1 match against Teiko's Second Squad players. This phase was designed to test not just athleticism, but actual skills.
For a bunch of fresh-faced first-years, using official 5v5 games would be a waste. A 1v1 match? That gave a much clearer look at each player's real ability.
"...Seriously?!"
"Those guys are Second Squad seniors, right?"
"We're supposed to 1v1 them?"
"...We don't have to win, right? It's just to show what we've got?"
"Tch!"
"They're just Second Squad. What's there to be afraid of?"
The reactions were mixed, some excited, others looking downright pale.
Teiko's basketball program had a huge rep. Even though they hadn't won nationals in the last couple of years, they'd never dropped below the top three.
In practice matches, it was standard for Teiko to field either one First Squad player with Second Squad support, or even just the full Second Squad lineup.
And they still won more than they lost.
So yeah... the Second Squad wasn't just for show.
"Next, players whose names are called, head to your assigned half-court for testing."
With Coach Sanada's call, the Teiko Basketball Club's 1v1 trials officially began.
And the first name called...
"Shuzo Nijimura!
Court 1!"
Eyes sharp as blades and always carrying that rough, dangerous energy, Nijimura looked coldly at Coach Kanzo Platinum. Shigure Akihito struggled to picture this same guy as the warm, approachable team captain he'd seen in his memories of Year Two, someone reliable, even kind to underclassmen.
That got Shigure wondering...
What did this old man do to transform a guy like that into someone so… composed?
"Ugh! Damn geezer!"
Nijimura muttered angrily as he headed toward Court 1, grumbling all the way. As he passed Shigure, he caught him staring.
His half-lidded eyes snapped open.
Shigure was certain he read the unspoken words:
"You got a problem?"
"..."
Yeah, the filter was gone now.
This version of Nijimura had serious Haizaki vibes. Totally punchable.
Apparently, Shigure wasn't the only one feeling this way. Shinji Kurome furrowed his brow after catching Nijimura's glare.
That look...
It was cockier than his.
"What an obnoxious guy."
Meanwhile, Coach Sanada kept calling names. A few moments later, Shigure Akihito was up, third in the list, assigned to Court 3.
Since 1v1 matches only needed half the court, the gym had been split into two sections. Nijimura's match was on Court 1, and right across from him, on the other half, was Court 2.
Shigure's own Court 3? That was adjacent to Nijimura's.
One glance to the side and he could see him clearly.
"...So let me get this straight," Nijimura said aloud, already bouncing a ball underfoot.
"As long as I trash this Second Squad guy, I'm in, right?"
"Hey, old man?"
He turned to Coach Kanzo Platinum, who had appeared quietly on the sidelines at some point. Nijimura didn't even look at his opponent, just threw his words out like he owned the court.
Coach Platinum gave him a small smile, then shook his head.
"If that's all you do, you'll only make Second Squad."
"But someone like you..."
"Why not aim for First?"
Nijimura tapped the ball lightly with the tip of his foot. It popped into his hands effortlessly.
"First Squad, Second Squad... who cares?"
"I kept my end of the deal. I showed up."
"I'm busy, old man."