Training

The next morning, the classroom buzzed with energy as students discussed the upcoming Inter-House Sports Tournament. Conversations filled the air, ranging from excitement to curiosity about the match-ups.

Hoshino-sensei walked in, carrying a stack of papers. "Alright, settle down! As you all know, the Inter-House Sports Tournament is approaching, and today, we'll be announcing the match-ups for basketball."

A wave of anticipation ran through the room as she pinned the schedule onto the board. Students crowded around to see the brackets.

Kazuki leaned forward, scanning the sheet. Yami no Kiba was set to face Raijin in the first round. His mind instantly went to Daiki, who was on Raijin's team. A smirk formed on his lips—this was going to be interesting.

"Looks like we're playing against each other," Daiki said, nudging Kazuki's shoulder. "Better watch out, bro."

Kazuki chuckled. "You better keep up."

Meanwhile, across the room, Miyuki's gaze shifted toward the board. After a moment, she walked over to Kazuki.

"You're on the team?" she asked softly.

Kazuki blinked, caught off guard. "Yeah."

Miyuki gave a small smile. "Good luck. I'll be cheering for you."

His brain momentarily short-circuited. He managed to nod, his voice quieter than intended. "Thanks."

Before he could say anything else, Miyuki returned to her seat, leaving Kazuki standing there, his heart pounding a little faster than before.

The class continued its lively discussion until Hoshino-sensei clapped her hands for attention. "Before we wrap this up, each team will have three days of practice before the tournament officially starts. Make sure you coordinate with your team and use the time wisely."

Kazuki exchanged glances with Kyouya. They had three days to refine their teamwork before the real challenge began. As he sat back down, his mind buzzed with anticipation—not just for the tournament, but also for the words Miyuki had just said to him.

For some reason, those stood out the most.

The sun dipped low over Reikou Academy as Kazuki and Kyouya made their way to the Yami no Kiba training courts, the rhythmic bounce of a basketball echoing through the gym. Today marked the beginning of their three-day training before the inter-house matches, and the anticipation hung thick in the air.

The gym was already alive with activity. Ryouma Arisaka, the third-year House Leader and team captain, stood near the hoop, casually spinning a ball on his fingertips. With his tall, commanding presence and sharp golden eyes, he exuded an aura of authority and skill. Beside him stood the two second-years who had also made the team—Fujimura Sora, a confident small forward with a sharp gaze and a laid-back attitude, and Takasugi Haruto, a power forward built like a tank, already stretching his arms in preparation.

"You guys are finally here," Ryouma called out as Kazuki and Kyouya approached. "Let's not waste time. We have three days to become a well-oiled machine."

Kazuki nodded, adjusting his grip on the ball. "Sounds good. How are we structuring this?"

Ryouma tossed the ball towards Kazuki, who caught it effortlessly. "We start by getting used to each other's playstyles. Then we refine our team chemistry and work on strategies. You're the PG, so you'll be controlling the pace of our game. Don't disappoint me."

Kazuki smirked. "Wouldn't dream of it."

Kyouya cracked his knuckles. "And I'll be draining threes while you set me up."

Sora chuckled. "Big talk. Let's see if you can back it up."

The first drill was simple—running offensive plays. Kazuki and Kyouya were already in sync, their plays fluid from years of playing together. Kazuki's court vision allowed him to find openings effortlessly, and Kyouya's sharp shooting rarely missed its mark. But meshing with the rest of the team was a different story.

Sora was quick, cutting through defenses with ease, but he had a tendency to hold onto the ball too long. Haruto was a powerhouse under the rim, but his passing needed work. Ryouma, however, was an anchor—a dominant presence who commanded respect with his calculated moves and near-perfect positioning. He wasn't just a leader by title; he backed it up with raw skill.

As the session went on, Ryouma stopped a play midway and whistled. "Alright, hold up. Kazuki, you're moving fast, but you need to adjust to Sora's cuts. You're playing at your pace, not the team's."

Kazuki frowned, considering it. He had always played instinctively, but Ryouma was right. He wasn't just controlling the game for himself—he had to elevate everyone else's performance too.

Kyouya dribbled the ball back to the starting position. "So what, we slow down?"

Ryouma shook his head. "No. We sync up."

They ran the drill again. This time, Kazuki focused on reading not just the defense, but his teammates as well. He timed his passes better, found the gaps in their movements, and the plays started flowing more smoothly. With every possession, they grew sharper, their movements more instinctive.

After hours of training, they finally took a break. Sweat dripped down their faces as they leaned against the bleachers, catching their breath.

"Not bad for the first day," Ryouma admitted. "We'll refine things tomorrow."

Kyouya exhaled heavily. "This is gonna be fun."

Kazuki grinned, feeling the adrenaline still pumping. "Yeah. Let's make sure we dominate."

As they left the gym, Kazuki couldn't shake the feeling that this wasn't just about basketball—it was about proving himself, about pushing past his limits. And with teammates like these, he knew the real battle was only just beginning.

Day 2 of training had barely begun when Ryouma gathered the team together, his expression as unreadable as ever. The court was alive with the sound of bouncing basketballs and sneakers squeaking against the polished wood, but all eyes turned to their House Leader as he stood at the center, arms crossed.

"There's been a slight change in the matchups," he announced, his voice carrying through the gym. "Instead of facing Raijin first, we're up against Seiryu. It'll be a round-robin format—three matches total. We play Seiryu first, then Suzaku, and finally Raijin. The team with the most wins takes the championship."

Kazuki felt his heartbeat quicken. Seiryu. That meant his first match would be against Miyuki's House. He had no idea if she'd even be watching, but the thought of it sent a strange mix of excitement and nervousness through him. Kyouya must have caught on because he nudged Kazuki with a knowing smirk. "Guess you've got extra motivation now, huh?"

"Shut up," Kazuki muttered, shaking his head, but he couldn't deny the small grin tugging at his lips.

Ryouma continued, unbothered by the side conversation. "This changes our approach. Seiryu is known for their discipline and structured plays. Their team is likely to be methodical, precise, and patient. We, on the other hand, are about adaptability and unpredictability. We'll be drilling that into our playstyle for the next three days. Got it?"

A chorus of agreements followed, and with that, training resumed.

The intensity ramped up immediately. Today's session focused on defensive rotations and quick transitions. Ryouma emphasized disrupting structured plays, forcing turnovers, and using speed to their advantage.

"Kazuki, Kyouya," Ryouma called, pulling them aside. "You two will be our backcourt force. Kazuki, as point guard, you dictate the pace. Kyouya, you're shooting guard—when you get an opening, don't hesitate. Keep the pressure up. We don't let them settle."

Kazuki nodded, dribbling the ball between his fingers as he listened. He already had strong chemistry with Kyouya; they played off each other naturally. If they could fine-tune that connection further, it would be their biggest weapon.

The scrimmages were brutal. The second-years were solid players, aggressive on defense and fast on their feet, forcing Kazuki to stay sharp with his ball-handling and decision-making. Kyouya found his rhythm early, sinking shots from mid-range with ease, while Ryouma dominated inside the paint, making it nearly impossible for the opposing side to score near the rim.

By the end of practice, everyone was exhausted but satisfied. Sweat dripped from their brows as they gathered near the benches, chugging water and catching their breath.

"One more day of training," Ryouma said, resting his hands on his hips. "We refine everything tomorrow. Then we take the court against Seiryu. Get some rest, and come back sharper."

As they left the gym, Kazuki felt the weight of the upcoming match settle in. He was excited, but more than that, he was determined. He had something to prove—not just to himself, but to his House, his friends, and maybe even to Miyuki.

Tomorrow would be the final preparation. After that, it was game time.