With the final buzzer sounding, the match ended in Horizon's victory.
We gathered at midcourt, exchanging respectful handshakes with the players from Osaka Meisei. The gym was filled with the lingering energy of a hard-fought game. Sweat clung to our jerseys, but the fire in our eyes was still burning.
"Nice game today," Coach Tsugawa said with a proud grin. "Rest up. Next, we've got Shonan Thunder. They're not a big-name team, but don't let your guard down."
"Yessir!" we shouted in unison.
In Japan, high school basketball tournaments are played with care. One game per day, only on holidays. No back-to-back matches. It wasn't just to protect us from injuries—but to make sure every team had time to prepare. To strategize. To rise. That structure gave us time to breathe, reset, and most importantly—build momentum.
And that's exactly what we did.
Game 2: Horizon vs Kyoto Blaze – 68 to 46.
Game 3: Horizon vs Shonan Thunder – 75 to 47.
Two games. Two blowouts.
Horizon was no longer just a name on the bracket. We were becoming the buzz. The whispers in the stands grew louder with each game. Local reporters started poking around. Spectators who didn't even know us before were calling us the dark horse.
Some of the coverage even made it into the Osaka sports paper:
"Unknown but dangerous. Horizon High's unorthodox fast-paced style and breakout rookies are shaking up the tournament."
It was surreal.
The gym wasn't packed yet, but every game we played drew more eyes. Students started showing up wearing navy blue just to support us. Some brought handmade banners. One even had a sketch of Rikuya flexing with "The Titan Rises!" written above it.
We were starting to believe in each other—and ourselves.
But we weren't the only ones on a streak.
Toyonaka High, kept advancing without breaking a sweat. People started calling them the rising powerhouse. It felt inevitable—like we were on a collision course, drawn by fate and history.
Reporters began shining a light on our individual players.
Kaito Nishida earned the nickname "The Floor General." Calm, analytical, and steady—he played like a veteran trapped in a boy body.
Then there was Rikuya Asano, who fans were now calling "The Titan." At nearly 190 cm with shoulders like a freight train, he made the paint his kingdom.
Our stock was rising. But behind the scenes, I could see the real growth—not in headlines, but in numbers.
So, I opened my system and took a peek.
Name : Dirgantara renji
Age : 15
Height : 172 cm
Weigh : 70 KG
System level : High School
Quest : -
Item : Training bosster x 1
Skill :
Flow ( rare) :
Enter a "flow state" where physical attributes increase by 50% to 200% depending on game pressure. Duration and intensity scale with stress.
Body Control ( common)
Helps with balance and coordination when driving, landing, or absorbing contact.
High motor ( common)
Slight stamina regeneration during gameplay ( 10 %)
Attributes :
Inside Scoring : C – to C+ Shooting : C+ to B Playmaking : B to A- Defense : D to D+ Physical : C + to B Mentality : A
Name : Taiga Okabe
Age : 15
Height : 175 cm
Weigh : 72 KG
Attributes :
Inside Scoring : C to B Shooting : D – to D Playmaking : D – to D Defense : A to A+ Physical : A to A + Mental : B+ to A
Name : Rei Hoshino
Age : 15
Height : 169 cm
Weigh : 58 KG
Attributes :
Inside Scoring : E to D Shooting : A+ Playmaking : D to C Defense : E to D Physical : C to B- Mental : B to B+
Name : Hiroki Andou
Age : 15
Height : 168 cm
Weigh : 58 KG
Attributes :
Inside Scoring : D to D+ Shooting : B to B+ Playmaking : A Defense : D to D+ Physical : D to C Mental : D to C
Name : Aizawa Haruto
Age : 16
Height : 174 cm
Weigh : 65 KG
Attributes :
Inside Scoring : A Shooting : B to B+ Playmaking : C to B Defense : A Physical : A to A+ Mental : B
We were evolving fast. The gains weren't just on paper either—you could feel it on the court. Our plays were sharper. Our confidence soared. Even the atmosphere around us had changed. Horizon was no longer just another new team.
But with every rise comes a test.
For our fourth game, we would face one of the Four Monarchs—teams that have consistently reached the Nationals over the past decade.
The name was enough to send a buzz through the gym.
Next Opponent: Tennoji High.
Also known as The Sniper Academy.
Coach Tsugawa gathered us after practice, his expression serious.
"For our next game, we're playing Tennoji High," he said. "Get ready—this is going to be a big one."
I knew that name. Everyone did. Even back in my previous life, they were one of the toughest teams to deal with. And their reputation wasn't just hype. They specialized in deadly shooting and spacing—completely different from the traditional paint-focused, slow-tempo style that dominated 2009.
Facing them would be like stepping into a battlefield full of long-range artillery.
Still, I couldn't help but feel excited.
We were the underdogs.
But we were also the ones with something to prove.