๐ Scene 1: Haruko's Confrontation
After school, Haruko found me alone by the vending machine.
She didn't smile.
"Is it true?"
"You'reโฆ someone else?"
I hesitated.
But then I nodded. "Yes. In a way."
She swallowed. "You died. You were someone namedโฆ Akira?"
I blinked. "You heard?"
"Sakuragi told me. He was yelling about it to Ayako."
I chuckled darkly. "Of course he was."
Haruko looked at me, eyes trembling.
"Is any part of what we sharedโฆ real?"
I stepped closer. "All of it is. I promise."
She didn't step back.
But she didn't answer either.
๐ฅ Scene 2: Benched and Broken
Next day, Coach Anzai gathered the team.
"Effective immediately, Hirata will be benched during all full-speed practices."
Sakuragi crossed his arms, smug.
"Told ya."
Coach added, "Butโฆ I'll be training him personally."
Everyone: "EHHH?!"
Mitsui: "Of course the benchwarmer gets private sessions."
Me: "Jealousy doesn't suit you, MVP."
Coach pulled me aside.
"We're going to train smarter. Not harder. You'll run simulations. Court memory drills. Vision training.
I'm not just preserving youโI'm upgrading you."
I smiled. "Senseiโฆ you're scary when you're thoughtful."
He grunted. "You're scary when you're not dying."
๐งณ Scene 3: Training Camp Chaos
Weekend cameโand we were off to a Shohoku Training Camp in the mountains.
Classic gym. Tatami rooms. Terrible food.
The big twist?
Rukawa roomed with Mitsui.
Kogure got the peaceful window spot.
And I?
I was assigned to room with Sakuragi.
Me: "This is a punishment, right?"
Coach: "Call itโฆ team-building."
The first ten minutes were fine.
Minute eleven, he "accidentally" kicked my futon.
Minute twelve, I tied his blanket to the window grill.
Ayako poked in. "You two kill each other, and I'm reporting it to Haruko."
Both of us: "YES MA'AM."
๐ญ Scene 4: Night Confession
That night, lights out.
Only moonlight spilled into the small room.
Sakuragi suddenly whispered:
"Do youโฆ love her?"
I didn't answer right away.
"I did. In my past life. I might now, too. But I'm not here to steal her."
Sakuragi muttered, "Liar."
I sat up.
"You think I want to be this broken mess? You think I don't wish I was just Kudo Hirata and not some basketball ghost with brain glitches?!"
Silence.
Then Sakuragi muttered:
"You still play good though."
I smiled. "Thanks, I guess."
And somehowโฆ
That was enough for now.
๐ Final Thoughts
Haruko knows.
Coach knows.
Sakuragi knows.
And I'm not hiding anymore.
I'm benchedโฆ
But I've never felt more in the game than now.