Chapter 5 – Ghosts Don’t Stay Quiet
Two Days After the Tosei Game
Kaizen High – Outdoor Court
Riku practiced alone.
No crowd. No scoreboard.
Just him and the rim.
Dribble. Cross. Stop.
Zero Step. Midrange. Swish.
He wasn't satisfied.
> "One win doesn't mean anything," he muttered.
"It's what comes after that matters."
---
📰 News Spreads Fast
Kaizen's underdog victory blew up online.
Clips of Renji's dunk and Riku's Zero Step trended on local sports pages.
"The Ghost Team That Beat Tosei"
"Who is Riku Aoyama?"
"Zero Step—New Technique or Myth?"
Other schools took notice.
So did people who weren't supposed to.
---
👤 Mysterious Visitor
During afternoon drills, a black car rolled up to the school lot.
A tall man stepped out, suit sharp, clipboard in hand.
Sunglasses. Serious. From the Japan Youth Basketball Federation.
He approached Coach Tanaka—Kaizen's barely-involved PE teacher who technically held the "coach" title.
> "I'm here for Riku Aoyama."
---
🧠 Riku Meets the Scout
> "You've made waves," the man said.
"You're not just a comeback story—you're a puzzle."
He showed Riku a chart—player metrics, comparison stats, game analysis.
> "I'm offering you a chance to train with the Rising Stars Program in Tokyo. High-level exposure. Pro scouts. Real future."
Riku paused.
> "Do I have to leave my team?"
> "Eventually. Maybe sooner than you think."
Riku looked down at his shoes.
> "Then my answer is no. Not yet."
---
🧩 Practice Interrupted
BAM.
The gym doors flew open.
A new voice echoed across the court.
> "Yo, Kaizen! I'm lookin' for the kid with the Zero Step!"
A figure in a dark blue jersey strolled in, spinning a ball on his finger.
Rei Kirishima.
Top scorer of Tenjin West—another major school.
Cocky. Confident. National-level talent.
> "Jin told me you were interesting. I came to see if you're worth the noise."
Renji:
> "Bro, who invited this walking mixtape?"
Rei smirked.
> "One-on-one. No excuses. First to 5. You win, I walk. I win, you owe Jin a message."
---
⚔️ Riku vs. Rei – Court Clash
It started fast.
Rei was quick—like lightning with handles.
1–0.
1–1.
2–1 Rei.
2–2.
He trash-talked the whole time.
Riku? Silent. Calm. Calculated.
Rei launched a step-back three—missed.
Riku didn't hesitate. Drove.
Zero Step. Fadeaway. Bucket.
4–2.
Final play.
Rei went for a fake crossover—
Riku didn't bite.
Stripped him.
Fastbreak. One dribble.
Layup. Game.
---
🕶️ Aftermath
Rei picked up the ball.
> "Heh. You're the real deal. Guess I gotta deliver that message myself."
He walked off, tossing a wristband behind him.
> "Tell Jin… the fire's real."
---
🧊 Meanwhile – Black Fang Academy
Jin sat in a dark gym, headphones on, watching clips of Riku again.
This time, he wasn't smiling.
> "He's getting better."
Akihiro:
> "Want me to slow him down?"
> "No," Jin said.
"Let him climb. The higher he rises... the harder I'll drop him."