One Week After the Finals
Headline: "Kaizen Falls, But Sets Fire to the Nation"
Top 3 trending topics in Japan.
6.2M new followers on the team's social media.
Players offered commercials, interviews, and pro invites.
But Riku?
He's not in the spotlight.
He's in rehab.
---
🩹 Riku – The Sideline King
A gym.
Crutches. Bandaged ankle.
No ball. Just silence.
Coach Tanaka walks in.
> "Doctors said you'll miss the next two tournaments."
Riku stares at the court.
> "Then I'll make the sidelines burn too."
He opens a notebook.
Starts drawing plays.
---
🏫 Back at Kaizen – The Shift
Renji is now team captain on paper.
Keigo's training younger centers.
Souta's organizing film nights.
But there's a gap.
Riku's absence is like a hole in gravity.
---
👟 New Transfer Arrives
During afternoon practice, the gym doors swing open.
A tall, athletic figure walks in.
Tattoos on one arm. Loose hoodie. Calm fire in his eyes.
> "Yo. I heard Kaizen needs a new point guard."
Name: Kaito "Drift" Nakamura
Position: Point Guard
Known for: Streetball precision, unpredictable flow, and ridiculous fast-break IQ
Signature Move: "Slip Drive" – looks like he's falling... but it's a disguised acceleration
Coach raises an eyebrow.
> "Who are you?"
> "I used to cook Riku Aoyama at underground courts.
Figured I'd do it with a jersey now."
---
🔥 Tension Sparks
Renji smirks.
> "You think you're stepping into his shoes?"
Kaito smiles back.
> "Nah. I brought my own."
> "Let's see if yours don't melt."
---
📦 Riku Watches from the Window
He sees the confrontation.
Sees Drift in his spot.
And... he smiles.
> "Good.
Make them work harder.
Make them bleed for it."
---
🧠 Elsewhere – Renji's Ghost Returns
That night, Renji walks home alone.
Someone's waiting by the courts.
Old face.
Masa.
Former street rival.
Now repping a new underground team—The Crimson Court.
> "You made it big.
Now I'm here to take it back."
---
🔔 Final Scene – National League Announced
Breaking news floods the school:
> "The National High School League is launching."
Top 12 schools.
Nationwide stage.
Every game broadcast.
Kaizen?
Invited.
But the message is clear:
> "This time, you're not the underdogs.
You're the hunted."