Souta sat on the gym floor, stretching his sore muscles after the intense practice match. Though his team had won, the victory didn't mean much in the grand scheme of things. He was still just a second-string player—far from where he wanted to be.
The Generation of Miracles had noticed him, but that was just the first step. If he truly wanted to stand on the same court as Aomine, Akashi, and Kise, he needed to prove himself beyond just one match.
And the perfect opportunity was about to arrive.
Coach's Challenge
The next day, Coach Sanada gathered the second-string players in the gym. His sharp eyes scanned the group before he spoke.
"We have an upcoming evaluation match in one week. Players who perform exceptionally will be considered for promotion to the first string."
The moment those words left his mouth, the gym erupted with excitement.
"Finally! A chance to move up!""I've been waiting for this!"
Souta felt his heart pound with anticipation. This was it—the moment he had been waiting for.
Sanada continued, "The match will be five-on-five, second-string versus first-string players. If you want to make it to the top, this is your chance."
A murmur spread through the gym. Facing the first string? That meant going up against monsters like Aomine, Midorima, and Murasakibara.
Souta clenched his fists. This is exactly what I need.
Training for the Big Match
Souta knew that raw talent alone wouldn't be enough. Over the next few days, he trained relentlessly, focusing on three key areas:
Enhancing Phantom Step – His skill was useful, but it drained stamina too quickly. He needed better control. Improving Shooting Accuracy – If he wanted to compete, he had to be more than just a tricky player—he needed to score consistently. Building Stamina and Speed – The first-string players were physically superior. If he couldn't keep up, he'd be left behind.
Every morning, he arrived at the gym before sunrise, practicing his Phantom Step in different situations—changing directions, using it in mid-air, and even incorporating fakes.
During shooting drills, he challenged himself to make 500 shots a day from different ranges. His arms burned, but he refused to stop until he met his goal.
By the fourth day, he could already feel a difference. His body moved smoother, his footwork was sharper, and his shots were becoming deadlier.
But even with all this, there was one final test.
One-on-One with Kuroko
After practice, Souta found Kuroko alone in the gym, dribbling a ball softly.
"Kuroko," Souta called out.
Kuroko turned, his usual emotionless face unreadable. "Yes?"
"Play me one-on-one."
Kuroko blinked. "Why?"
Souta smiled. "Because you're the best defender here."
Though Kuroko lacked physical strength, his misdirection and passing ability were on another level. If Souta could break through his defense, it meant his Phantom Step had improved.
Kuroko stared at him for a moment before nodding. "Alright."
They set up on the half-court. First to 5 points wins.
Souta started with the ball. He dribbled forward, but the moment he moved, Kuroko was already in position, cutting off his angle.
"His reaction time is crazy."
Souta activated Phantom Step, shifting his body slightly to disappear from Kuroko's vision.
But the instant he reappeared, Kuroko had already adjusted, moving into position again.
"He read my movement…?"
Souta quickly changed tactics. Instead of using Phantom Step immediately, he faked left, then used it to break to the right.
It worked.
Kuroko was a split-second late, allowing Souta to pull up for a jumper—
Swish!
"1-0."
The game continued. Souta experimented with different ways to use his skill, slowly adapting as he tested Kuroko's limits.
After a grueling back-and-forth, Souta finally scored the winning point.
5-4.
Breathing heavily, he grinned. "I barely won."
Kuroko, sweating slightly, simply nodded. "You've improved."
Souta's chest swelled with confidence. If he could go head-to-head with Kuroko, then maybe—just maybe—he stood a chance against the first string.
The Day of the Evaluation Match
The gym was filled with tension. The second-string players stood on one side, facing the first-string monsters on the other.
Souta's team consisted of himself, Kuroko, and three other second-string players.
On the other side stood Daiki Aomine, Ryouta Kise, Shintarou Midorima, Murasakibara Atsushi, and their starting point guard.
It was a team of absolute monsters.
The whistle blew.
The battle had begun.