The atmosphere in the gym was electric. Even after their intense match against Rakuzan, Teikou's first-string players wasted no time returning to practice.
But today's session was different.
Today, Coach Shirogane had gathered them all for a special challenge.
Souta Fujimura stood alongside the Generation of Miracles, sweat dripping down his face from the warm-up drills.
"Listen up," the coach called out, his sharp eyes scanning the players. "As you all know, the Winter Cup is approaching. We've dominated the competition so far, but we cannot grow complacent."
The players stood in silence, waiting for his next words.
"That's why," Shirogane continued, "today's practice will focus on your adaptability and teamwork under pressure."
He clapped his hands, signaling for the assistant coach to step forward.
"We're going to have a 3-on-3 challenge. Teams will be randomized, and the winners will earn the right to challenge the starting lineup in an official practice match."
Murmurs spread through the gym.
The chance to face Teikou's main five in a competitive match? That was an opportunity no one wanted to pass up.
Souta's heart pounded. This was his chance to push himself even further.
Shirogane pulled out a small box filled with folded slips of paper. "Each of you will pick your team randomly. Let's begin."
Souta reached into the box and unfolded his slip.
Team 1: Souta, Kuroko, Kise.
Across from him, he saw Aomine smirking as he revealed his own paper.
Team 2: Aomine, Murasakibara, Midorima.
A sharp contrast.
Souta's team had speed, deception, and versatility.
Aomine's team? Pure dominance.
With Midorima's insane shooting range, Murasakibara's impenetrable defense, and Aomine's one-on-one skill, this was going to be a war.
"Looks like we're up against monsters," Kise muttered, rolling his shoulders.
Kuroko nodded. "We will have to be precise with our strategy."
Souta took a deep breath, clenching his fists.
Time to prove that I belong on this court.
The match began with Midorima taking possession.
Murasakibara set a massive screen, forcing Kuroko to switch onto him.
With a flick of his wrist, Midorima launched a full-court shot—without hesitation.
The ball arced high, soaring through the air—
And swished cleanly into the net.
1-0.
Kise groaned. "Sheesh, Midorima. You don't even hesitate?"
Midorima adjusted his glasses. "Why would I? Every shot I take is guaranteed to go in."
Souta exhaled. We can't let him keep shooting freely.
Their turn.
Souta inbounded to Kise, who quickly passed to Kuroko.
Murasakibara's giant frame loomed near the basket, making inside shots nearly impossible.
Souta cut to the three-point line, catching a pass from Kuroko.
He faked a shot, forcing Midorima to lunge forward—
Then drove past him.
One step ahead!
But before he could reach the rim, a shadow appeared beside him.
Aomine.
A blur of blue. A devastating presence.
Before Souta could react, Aomine slapped the ball from his hands.
Turnover.
Aomine snatched the loose ball, instantly launching into a fast break.
With one effortless movement, he twisted mid-air, finishing with a high-speed layup.
2-0.
Souta cursed under his breath.
"Can't go easy on me, Souta," Aomine teased. "I won't let you breathe."
Souta wiped sweat from his forehead.
Damn. He's reading my movements already.
He turned to Kuroko and Kise. "We need to change the pace."
Kuroko nodded. "Let's use misdirection."
Kise grinned. "Leave it to me."
The next possession, Kuroko received the ball at half-court.
But instead of passing immediately—
He faked a drive.
Murasakibara barely reacted.
Aomine hesitated for a fraction of a second.
That was all they needed.
Kuroko suddenly disappeared, redirecting the ball to Kise.
Kise mimicked Aomine's signature speed drive, cutting straight through the defense.
A burst of movement—then an explosive dunk over Murasakibara.
2-1.
The crowd erupted.
Kise smirked, landing gracefully. "Not bad, huh?"
Aomine clicked his tongue. "Copying me again? Annoying."
Souta grinned. "Then let's push the pace."
The match turned into an all-out war.
Aomine continued to dominate, breaking through defenses with his unpredictable dribbling.
Midway through the game, he executed an impossible fadeaway shot over Kise.
4-2.
Midorima, when given space, never missed.
6-3.
But Souta's team adapted.
Using Kuroko's invisibility, they disrupted passing lanes.
Kise used his Perfect Copy to counter Midorima's shooting rhythm.
Souta, after struggling early, activated Phantom Step to slip past Aomine's defense.
With a smooth step-back, he drilled a clutch three-pointer.
6-6.
With only a minute left, the score was tied.
Both teams refused to back down.
Final possession.
Souta's team had the ball.
Kuroko held it at the top of the key, eyes scanning the court.
Murasakibara guarded the rim, daring them to attack.
Aomine watched Souta like a hawk, ready to pounce.
This was it.
Souta took a deep breath.
Then—
He vanished.
Activating Phantom Step, he darted behind Kuroko, reappearing at the wing.
Aomine reacted instantly—
But Kuroko's no-look pass had already left his hands.
The ball landed perfectly in Souta's grasp.
One dribble.
One second left.
He rose up for the shot—
Aomine lunged toward him—
But at the last moment—
Souta adjusted mid-air, floating slightly to the side.
A slight shift in momentum—
Then a perfect release.
The ball soared through the air.
Everyone watched in silence.
The buzzer sounded.
Swish.
8-6.
Game over.
The gym erupted in cheers.
Kise tackled Souta in excitement. "Dude! That was insane!"
Kuroko gave a rare small smile. "Well played."
Souta exhaled, heart still racing.
Aomine walked up to him, arms crossed. "Tch. You got lucky."
Souta smirked. "Or maybe I'm just catching up to you."
Aomine stared at him for a moment—then grinned. "Heh. We'll see about that."
Coach Shirogane clapped his hands. "Good game."
He turned to Souta, Kise, and Kuroko.
"You three earned your spot. You'll be playing against the starting lineup in our next official practice match."
Souta felt a surge of excitement.
This was his chance.
His real test.
And he wasn't going to waste it.