The sky was still dark, painted in hues of blue and gray as dawn hesitated behind a curtain of clouds. A cool breeze rustled the trees lining the campus of Misaki High, and the familiar echo of sneakers scuffing the pavement rang through the near-empty courtyard. A boy walked briskly, his breath puffing out in visible bursts of steam. He clutched the strap of his gym bag tightly, his eyes set ahead.
I need to get better in time for the next season, he thought to himself. I'll bring Misaki High all the way to the Inter-High this year, for sure.
His heart thumped with determination, pounding almost in rhythm with his footsteps. As he approached the school's gym, something strange caught his attention.
The lights were on.
He paused and furrowed his brow. It was far too early for anyone else to be there. The team had no scheduled practices—this was the off-season.
"Huh?" he muttered, curiosity piqued. "The lights are on in the gym? Who could possibly be here so early in the morning?"
He pushed the gym doors open slowly, the creak of the hinges breaking the silence. The familiar scent of polished wood, aged sweat, and faint traces of rubber greeted him. His eyes scanned the court—and there, standing at the three-point line, was a lone figure shooting hoops in silence.
His eyes widened. "Is that… Chiaki?"
The figure took a breath, then launched a shot. The ball arced cleanly through the air and sank through the net with a sharp swish. Chiaki Murakami, the former captain of Misaki High's basketball team, retrieved another ball from the rack and took another shot. His breathing was heavy but steady.
"That's thirty-seven shots made out of fifty," Chiaki murmured to himself, resting his hands on his knees. "That's not bad… considering that I haven't played for two and a half months."
He couldn't help it—he grinned and stepped onto the court. "Captain, I'm so glad to see you! Where have you been? I haven't seen you around for like three months now."
Chiaki turned, a thin sheen of sweat glistening on his forehead. He gave a small smile, a calm presence even after months away. "Oh, it's you, Masashi. You're here early. Despite it being the off-season, you're still dedicated and disciplined when it comes to training."
Masashi nodded proudly. "Of course I am! I can't afford for our team to not make it to the Inter-High next season. We'll go even further this time and aim for a higher ranking in the tournament."
"I see… well, that's good." Chiaki looked thoughtful for a moment, then bounced the ball toward Masashi. "Since you're here, why don't we play a friendly one-on-one? Been a while since I've gotten any action."
Masashi's eyes lit up. "Yes, Captain! Let me get changed first."
"You know you don't have to call me 'Captain' all the time," Chiaki said, chuckling. "I'm no longer a part of the team—it's my last year. Just call me Chiaki."
Masashi blinked, a little surprised by the suggestion. "…Yes, Chiaki."
"Much better. Now go get changed."
Masashi hustled to the locker room. Minutes later, he returned, tightening the laces on his sneakers. Chiaki passed him the ball.
"I'll give you the ball first," he said, lowering into a defensive stance. "Show me how much you've improved in the past two and a half months."
Masashi nodded and took a dribble forward. He tried to drive to the rim, but Chiaki shifted swiftly, cutting him off. Masashi spun on his heel, only for Chiaki to shadow him again. Switching tactics, Masashi dribbled between his legs, then behind his back, looking for an opening.
Nothing. Chiaki was glued to him.
If I can't get to the hoop… then I'll just shoot.
Masashi stepped back and rose for a jump shot, launching a clean two-pointer—but before the ball could even reach the peak of its arc, Chiaki swatted it out of the air with a sharp, precise block.
"What?! No way!" Masashi exclaimed.
Chiaki straightened and shook his head. "Your attacks are still easy to predict. I thought you had grown out of that bad habit."
Masashi swallowed his pride. "Tch…"
"It's my turn," Chiaki said as he passed the ball back. "Check up."
They reset. Masashi passed the ball back, and Chiaki immediately made his move—sweeping left, dribbling with intensity. Masashi stayed in front of him, reacting quickly.
But then Chiaki rose for a fadeaway two-pointer. Despite being off-balance, the ball flew cleanly from his hands and kissed nothing but net.
How did he do that? He was clearly off balance!
Chiaki didn't pause. "If that's all the defense you have, you'll never get the chance to touch this ball again."
Masashi gritted his teeth. "We'll see about that."
The game continued. Chiaki stepped behind the arc and released a three-pointer—swoosh. He drove past Masashi and floated a layup high off the backboard—score. He pulled up for a mid-range jumper—net. A floater over Masashi's reach—perfect. Another three-pointer—swoosh again.
Masashi could barely keep up, his lungs burning, his legs heavy. Amazing, he thought, watching helplessly. Chiaki is unstoppable… That's the captain for you.
From outside the gym, the sound of a yawn broke the morning quiet. Kayo stretched her arms and rubbed her eyes as she walked through the schoolyard.
"Good morning," Junka said as she suddenly hugged Kayo from the side.
Kayo blinked in surprise. "Junka? What are you doing at school so early?"
"I could ask you the same," Junka said with a mischievous grin. "It's not like you do any sports or club."
"I come here early to get peace of mind," Kayo replied. "So I can write my stories and play my video games."
"Oh right, you're a novelist," Junka said. "Forgot about that."
"Yeah… The deadline for my next three chapters is today. I need to get them done or my manager will freak."
"Well, good luck with that," Junka said cheerily—then her eyes caught a flicker of light through the gym windows. "Wait. Someone's in the basketball gym? I wonder if it's a tall, handsome guy. Let's check it out, Kayo!"
Junka darted ahead.
"Wait, Junka! I just told you I have a novel to write—jeez…"
They peered through the windows. Junka gasped.
"Wait… is that Chiaki Murakami?!"
Inside, Chiaki drove past Masashi, launching into the air before slamming down a powerful dunk. The rim rattled. The gym echoed.
"Whoa, that's frickin' cool!" Junka exclaimed. "I didn't know Chiaki played basketball!"
Kayo squinted. "Isn't that the guy I gave my number to yesterday during break…?"
Junka stared longer. "He hasn't been at school for two and a half months, yet he still understood the class activity Miss Takenaka gave us. He's so tall… Why am I only noticing that now?"
She sighed dreamily. "I think he might be the one, Kayo…"
Kayo rolled her eyes. "That's what you say about every guy you see."
"No, I don't! I'm not one to fall in love easily."
"Sure…"
Kayo turned and started walking off. "I'm going now. I have a deadline to catch."
"Wait up!"
Inside the gym, Masashi was doubled over, panting.
"Twenty-one to zero," he said between breaths. "You're truly amazing, Chiaki. I don't think anyone can fill the hole you'll leave in the team."
Chiaki tossed the ball casually to the side and walked over, offering a hand.
"What do you mean?" he said. "You'll be taking my place… future Captain of the Misaki High School basketball team."
Masashi looked up in disbelief. "What do you mean? Captain? Don't be ridiculous…"
"Didn't Syouta or Jun tell you?" Chiaki asked with a small smirk. "We all decided that you'll be the next captain of the team."
"No way…" Masashi breathed. "Are you being serious?"
Chiaki nodded. "No one on this team is as hardworking and dedicated as you. You're here in the mornings, pushing yourself even in the off-season. I don't see anyone else here, Masashi. You may still be inexperienced when it comes to the game, but I believe you're the most suitable candidate to be captain. I'm leaving this team in your hands. I expect great things from you… Captain Masashi."
Masashi's heart surged with pride and determination. He stood tall, smiling wide.
"Yes! Chiaki, I won't let you down!"
"Now then," Chiaki said, tossing him a towel. "Let's clean up."
"Yes."