"That dribbling move was definitely top-tier!" Shun watched in amazement as Ryōsuke got past Junpei.
In one fluid motion, Ryōsuke had executed a front crossover, behind-the-back dribble, and step-back move. Though flashy, the combination required exceptional ball-handling skills to pull off.
Shun might be able to copy the move mechanically, but he knew he couldn't match Ryōsuke's smoothness and rhythm.
This made him realize that this young man before him must truly be a top-tier basketball player, with fundamentals possibly better than anyone else on the court — even including Teppei.
"That's a streetball move!"
"So cool!"
"I can't believe I actually thought Kira couldn't play basketball!"
Everyone praised his skills in unison.
Meanwhile, Ryōsuke had leaped up behind the three-point line to shoot. Having created comfortable shooting space after getting past Junpei, and with his incredible jumping ability, there was no way anyone could block him. The shot seemed destined to go in.
He adjusted his form, released the ball, and it traced a beautiful arc through the air.
Everyone's attention was fixed on his shot. The ball got closer and closer to the hoop—
Then sailed completely over the backboard and hit the wall.
"…"
"…"
"…"
Everyone present was speechless, unsure how to react.
Ryōsuke's shot hadn't just missed — it was catastrophically off, flying right over the backboard.
Air balls were common enough, missing rim, backboard, and net — but launching the ball clear over the backboard? That was something they'd never seen before.
Such an absurd shot after those impressive dribbling skills left everyone stunned. "All show and no substance" would have been an understatement.
"Was that... supposed to be a shot?"
"I thought he launched a missile."
"Look on the bright side, at least it shows Kira has great jumping power and arm strength, right..."
After a few seconds of silence, everyone broke into jokes.
Ryōsuke scratched the back of his head and stuck out his tongue sheepishly.
"Sorry, I'm not very good at shooting."
After speaking, he lowered his head and carefully examined his hands. The moves he had just performed had felt almost instinctive, as if practiced countless times.
He knew this was the effect of the Rice Spirit skill. He hadn't expected the dribbling enhancement could apply to basketball — a pleasant surprise.
'Maybe Thunder Swarm could help me control the ball's arc and fix my shooting.' He pondered.
"Besides that shot, Kira, your moves were beautiful!" Junpei approached him, adjusting his glasses, "But Kira... was this really your first time playing basketball?"
"Strictly speaking, not exactly. I played a bit as a kid, though I haven't in many years. Our soccer team does similar drills to what you guys do." Ryōsuke explained with a smile.
After such extraordinary dribbling moves, claiming he had never played basketball would have been too far-fetched.
"That's impressive. Those dribbling moves aren't possible without years of training..." Junpei said, sighing inwardly.
This guy wasn't just a soccer prodigy; he had incredible potential in basketball as well.
'If only he could join our Seirin team...'
Just as Junpei was lost in thought, Teppei walked over and patted his shoulder, "What are you thinking about! It's our turn to attack!"
"Mm-hmm."
❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖❖
About forty minutes later, the practice game had ended.
Ryōsuke's reserve team lost, but this was just practice to help the starting lineup work on their tactics.
Though he hadn't scored much, he had shown outstanding speed, reflexes, and dribbling fundamentals.
"Amazing. Even though Kira struggles with shooting, he excels in everything else." Teppei said, wiping sweat from his forehead with a towel, "If he really hasn't touched a basketball in years like he says, he could become a terrifying player with just a bit of practice. What a shame."
"What's there to be sorry about? Kira's already making waves in the soccer world!" She turned her head and pointed, "Look over there—"
Everyone followed her finger to see a row of flashily dressed girls.
"Kira! It's Kira!"
"Kira's amazing at basketball too!"
"Kira's so handsome! Look over here!"
The girls' cheers grew even louder when Ryōsuke turned to look in their direction.
Word had spread quickly after some students spotted him practicing with the basketball team, and now the gym was filling up with people hoping to take photos with him.
"I've never seen our basketball club draw so many spectators... So this is the difference between a star and regular players." Junpei sighed helplessly.
Seirin was a newly established high school, and its basketball club even newer — practice sessions usually went completely unnoticed.
Yet today, this one player's presence had drawn a crowd out of nowhere.
Despite winning the practice game, they felt thoroughly overshadowed.
"Alright, alright! Practice is over for today! Everyone please leave!" Riko called out, visibly irritated by the crowd of girls surrounding Ryōsuke.
After shooing everyone from the court, she turned to him urgently.
"Ryōsuke, we can't linger here. Let's escape through the back door!"
❖❖❖
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