Chapter 8 – The Step That Doesn’t Work
Two Days Later – Tournament Semifinals Announced
Matchup:
Kaizen High vs. Seiryuu Academy
Venue: Kanto Dome
Capacity: 9,000
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🧊 Seiryuu Academy – The "Mirror Team"
Souta slammed his laptop shut.
> "This isn't just another strong team. They're literally built to counter us."
Renji:
> "What do you mean?"
> "Their captain is Yusei Kurogane. Jin's former training partner. His entire game is built to break down slashers like Riku."
Riku:
> "Then I'll adapt."
> "No," Souta said. "You don't understand—he reads movements before they happen. Like he's seen the game already."
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👤 Who is Yusei Kurogane?
Position: Shooting Guard
Vibe: Cold. Robotic. Emotionless.
Known as: "The Mirror"
Strength: Anticipation. He doesn't just react. He prevents.
Weakness: Unknown.
Jin personally trained him after Riku vanished.
> "He's not here to win the tournament," Souta muttered.
"He's here to break you, Riku."
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🏟️ Game Day – Seiryuu vs. Kaizen
Semifinals – Saitama Winter Cup
Announcer:
> "One team born from nothing…
One team designed to destroy.
This… is war."
The arena was packed.
Kaizen entered to cheers.
Seiryuu entered to silence. Like wolves in uniform.
Yusei led the pack, his gaze locked on Riku.
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🏀 1st Quarter – The Breakdown Begins
Riku drives—Yusei is already there.
He spins—Yusei jumps the angle.
Block.
Renji tries to isolate—clamped.
Keigo gets doubled inside—stripped.
Score: 14–4, Seiryuu.
Timeout.
Coach Tanaka:
> "They studied us. That's why they're a step ahead."
Riku stood still.
His hands… were shaking.
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🧠 Flashback – Training with Tetsuya (Age 13)
> "Riku, when your move stops working, don't force it."
"Reinvent it."
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🧪 2nd Quarter – The Experiment Begins
Riku calls for screens.
Fakes the Zero Step—pulls up instead.
Midrange jumper.
Swish.
Next play—drives left, baits Yusei early, kicks to Souta for three.
Kaizen starts climbing: 22–18.
But Yusei adapts again.
Starts pressing full court.
Forces Riku to pass.
Pushes Renji out of rhythm.
Every movement Kaizen makes—he's already there.
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🧊 Halftime – Locker Room Silence
Keigo throws a towel.
> "We can't beat him like this."
Renji's pacing.
Daiki's leg is swelling.
Souta is typing furiously.
Everyone looks at Riku.
He finally speaks.
> "We've been playing basketball like it's a story we control. But this guy... he's the editor."
He stands up. Calm. Focused.
> "So we stop giving him a story to read."
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🔥 3rd Quarter – Chaos Basketball
Riku calls no plays.
Everything is motion. Flow. Misdirection.
Yusei starts hesitating.
Keigo sets blind screens.
Renji runs loops with no destination.
Daiki sets fake cuts and backpedals into open midranges.
Yusei starts glitching.
Score: 39–39.
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⚔️ Final Quarter – Fire vs Ice
Yusei flips the switch—goes on offense.
Stepback three.
Pull-up floater.
Stolen pass into dunk.
Seiryuu leads again: 50–45.
Riku counters—
New move: The Ghost Step.
A fake Zero Step into a jab and delayed leaner.
Yusei bites late—too late.
Bucket.
And-1.
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⏱️ Final Possession
Score: 56–56
Kaizen's ball.
Everyone expects Riku to take the shot.
But Riku looks at Renji.
They lock eyes.
Nod.
Inbound.
Ball to Riku.
He fakes the drive—Yusei bites.
Kicks to Renji in the corner.
Renji fires.
Splash.
Buzzer.
Kaizen wins. 59–56.
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🎤 Aftermath
Yusei walks up to Riku post-game.
> "You created something I couldn't read. That scares me."
> "Then keep watching," Riku says.
"Because we're not done."
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🧊 Black Fang Academy – That Night
Jin throws a notebook across the locker room.
> "They won again?"
Akihiro:
> "Barely."
Jin smirks, calm again.
> "Good. It wouldn't be satisfying if they weren't peaking when we crush them."