The Yami no Kiba Basketball Selection

The gymnasium of Yami no Kiba House was filled with energy. Students gathered around the court, all eager to prove their worth and secure a place on the inter-house basketball team. At the center of it all stood Ryouma Arisaka, the House Leader and a third-year known for his cold, calculated playstyle and absolute authority on the court.

"Alright," Ryouma's voice cut through the murmurs. "The rules are simple. 2v2 matches. Choose your partner. The best-performing pairs will move forward, and from them, we'll pick the final two for the team. Only the strongest deserve to represent Yami no Kiba."

Kazuki exchanged a glance with Kyouya. There was no need for words. They both knew—they were pairing up.

As matches began, students stepped onto the court, trying to impress the seniors. The intensity was evident; no one wanted to be left behind.

Their first opponents were a second-year duo—tall, athletic, and clearly experienced. But the moment the game started, Kazuki and Kyouya's flawless coordination took over.

Kazuki dribbled forward, baiting the defense before passing to Kyouya in a swift behind-the-back motion. Kyouya caught it seamlessly, spun past his defender, and leaped up for a mid-range shot—swish.

Their chemistry was undeniable. They didn't need to talk; they just knew where the other would be. Kazuki's quick decision-making and sharp passes combined with Kyouya's composure and scoring ability made them unstoppable.

They dominated the game, securing their first win with ease.

After advancing through two more rounds, they stood at the final match—against another skilled pair of second-years. One of them was Renji Maekawa, a powerhouse known for his brute strength and aggressive playstyle.

From the start, the game was tough. Renji used his size advantage to push through, scoring early baskets. But Kazuki adapted fast.

He quickly analyzed Renji's patterns, then made a calculated gamble. The next time Renji tried to drive inside, Kazuki anticipated it, swiftly stealing the ball and launching a fast break.

Kyouya was already ahead, and Kazuki's perfectly timed pass led to an easy layup.

The match turned into a battle of speed versus power, but Kazuki and Kyouya's refined coordination won out. With a final, beautifully executed alley-oop play, they sealed the game and secured their spots in the team.

Ryouma Arisaka smirked slightly as he looked at the gathered players.

"Not bad," he admitted, his sharp eyes on Kazuki and Kyouya. "You two are in."

A murmur of approval rippled through the crowd. They had done it.

Kazuki let out a deep breath, glancing at Kyouya, who gave a rare satisfied smirk. The real challenge was yet to come—but for now, they had secured their place in Yami no Kiba's inter-house basketball team.

After an intense selection process, the excitement for the inter-house sports tournament was at an all-time high. To celebrate their selections and discuss the upcoming matches, Kazuki and his friends gathered in Kyouya's dorm room for a small party.

Kyouya's room, much like Kazuki's, was simple yet well-kept, though it had a slightly darker aesthetic. The room was dimly lit, with a few LED strips giving off a cool blue glow, creating the perfect gaming and chill atmosphere. The table was stacked with snacks—chips, instant ramen, soft drinks, and a few energy drinks, because late-night gaming and trash-talking were inevitable.

"I swear, if I don't at least get one goal in the football match, I'll throw hands," Reo declared, popping open a can of soda.

"You? A goal?" Daiki snorted, stretching out on the floor. "Bro, you trip over air when you sprint too hard."

Reo threw a cushion at him. "Shut up, at least I made the team. Unlike someone who got in purely because of raw luck."

"Luck? Pfft, I carried my team," Daiki shot back. "It's called natural talent."

Naoto adjusted his glasses, his usual smirk in place. "Natural talent at dodging work, maybe. Anyway, I got into the Seiryu basketball team. Not that surprising, I suppose."

"Yeah, yeah, nerd," Daiki muttered. "Anyway, what about you two?" He turned to Kazuki and Kyouya, who had been listening while munching on snacks.

Kazuki smirked. "We dominated. What else?"

Kyouya nodded, a rare satisfied look on his face. "It wasn't even close."

The room erupted in laughter and exaggerated groans.

"Man, Yami no Kiba's got some beasts," Reo admitted. "You two make a scary combo."

"Not our fault we're just better," Kyouya replied with a shrug.

Kazuki chuckled, shaking his head. "Anyway, Miyuki got into Seiryu's team too, right?"

Naoto nodded. "Yeah, for volleyball. She's good—really good."

At the mention of Miyuki, Daiki raised an eyebrow, throwing a knowing glance at Kazuki. "Oh? Kazuki, my guy, you interested in the volleyball matches now?"

Kazuki rolled his eyes. "I was just asking."

"Sure, sure." Reo smirked. "Hey, maybe you two should have a friendly bet. If Seiryu beats Yami no Kiba, you confess."

Kazuki nearly choked on his drink, coughing while the others laughed.

"You good, man?" Kyouya asked, patting his back.

Ignoring the heat creeping up his neck, Kazuki changed the subject. "Anyway, what do you guys think the first matches will be like?"

The conversation shifted, with each of them discussing strategies, strong opponents, and potential rivalries. The competitive spirit was high, but the fun, chaotic energy of their friendship never faded.

As the night stretched on, the party slowly turned into a casual gaming session, with controllers being passed around and trash talk filling the air. It was moments like these—before the real battles began—that reminded them why they all thrived in this school. No matter what House they belonged to, at the end of the day, they were still the same chaotic, tightly-knit group of idiots.

Tomorrow, the tournament preparations would begin. But for now, they simply enjoyed the night, hyping themselves up for the challenges ahead.