Ace of the Bench

The last days of summer always felt strange in Shibuya. The air carried both the weight of heat and the anticipation of change, as if the city itself knew school was about to start again.

Yuuto sat on the curb outside the rehab gym, a half-empty bottle of Pocari Sweat in his hand. The fading sunlight painted the sky in streaks of amber and violet, long shadows stretching across the quiet street. His knee brace was loosened, allowing the evening breeze to cool the skin beneath. Beside him, the familiar basketball sat like a loyal dog, never too far from reach.

The rhythmic squeak of sneakers announced Marcus's arrival before his voice did. "Man, you look like some retired old head sittin' on the sidewalk."

Yuuto smirked without looking up. "Better than looking like a clown who takes three buses just to nag me."

Marcus dropped down onto the curb with a grunt, setting his gym bag at his feet. He wore his usual relaxed grin, sweat still dampening his shirt from his own practice. "Nag? Nah. I came to make sure you don't spend the last night of summer sulking. Big year ahead, bro."

Yuuto finally turned his head, studying his best friend's confident posture. Marcus always carried himself like the court belonged to him, and part of Yuuto envied that. "Sulking, huh? I've been grinding every day in here while you're out playing street games and dunking on middle schoolers."

Marcus burst into laughter, the sound booming across the empty street. "Dunking on middle schoolers? You wound me, Kai. They were at least freshmen."

Yuuto chuckled despite himself, shaking his head. "Yeah, real big accomplishment."

The two sat in companionable silence for a moment, the city noises filling the gap distant car horns, cicadas buzzing, the faint hum of an air conditioner in the building behind them.

Marcus leaned back, resting his arms on the curb. "So, school's starting back in two days. You ready to walk back into that gym?"

Yuuto's grip on the bottle tightened. The thought alone sent a jolt of anxiety down his spine. "Ready to limp in, maybe."

"Don't give me that." Marcus's tone sharpened, but not unkindly. "I've seen you. You've come too far to play the victim card. You dribbled, you laid it up, you stood on your own. You think any of those benchwarmers on our team worked half as hard this summer?"

Yuuto looked away, jaw tense. "Doesn't matter if they did. They're still… better. They've been playing, actually competing. I've been in here trying not to collapse after thirty dribbles."

Marcus nudged his shoulder with a playful shove. "Bro, that's the point. You're different now. You've been broken down and built back up. They're running laps, but you've been climbing mountains."

Yuuto snorted. "You're really laying it on thick."

"I'm serious." Marcus turned, his grin softening into a steady gaze. "You don't just come back from what happened and still stand tall unless you're built different. The Yuuto Kai I know? He's stubborn as hell. He's gonna walk into that gym and make people remember his name."

The words sank in, heavier than Yuuto wanted to admit. He let out a slow breath. "…You really think I can?"

Marcus leaned closer, eyes glinting with competitive fire. "Nah. I don't think. I know. And besides, I need you back. Who else am I supposed to beat in one-on-one? Those other guys are too easy."

Yuuto finally laughed, the tension cracking like glass. "You? Beat me? Keep dreaming."

"Bet." Marcus slapped his knee, standing up. "First week back, one-on-one after practice. Loser buys taiyaki."

"You're on," Yuuto said, standing too, wincing slightly as his knee adjusted. He rolled the basketball from his foot into his hands, spinning it absentmindedly. "But don't cry when you're broke."

They started walking toward the station together, sneakers scuffing against the pavement. Streetlights flickered on, bathing the road in orange glow.

Marcus shoved his hands into his pockets. "Look, man. I know you've been scared. Hell, I'd be terrified too if I thought the game I loved was slipping away. But you're here. You're alive. And every day you fight for it again, you're proving you belong."

Yuuto stayed quiet, letting the words wash over him. His chest tightened, not with pain, but with something warmer gratitude, maybe.

Marcus glanced sideways at him. "Don't waste all that grind hiding behind excuses when school starts. You got the system now"

"Shhh!" Yuuto hissed, looking around instinctively. "Don't say that out loud."

Marcus smirked. "Relax, nobody's out here. But seriously. You've got something that'll push you past anyone else. Don't waste it."

Yuuto stared at the ball in his hands. The grooves pressed into his fingers, grounding him. "…I won't."

As they crossed a small pedestrian bridge, Marcus suddenly grinned. "By the way, I heard Aiko's been asking about you."

Yuuto almost tripped. "Wait what?!"

Marcus burst into laughter so hard he had to hold his stomach. "Yo, the look on your face! Priceless."

"You! Damn it, Marcus!" Yuuto's cheeks burned, and he tried to focus on the ground instead of his best friend's cackling.

"Relax, I'm kidding. …Mostly." Marcus winked.

Yuuto groaned, covering his face with his free hand. "Why am I even friends with you?"

"Because without me, you'd still be moping in your room instead of planning your comeback."

Yuuto dropped his hand, a reluctant smile tugging at his lips. "…Fair."

They walked the rest of the way in easy banter, poking fun at each other's quirks, from Yuuto's stubborn focus to Marcus's obsession with flashy dunks. But beneath the laughter, every word carried weight. They weren't just friends they were rivals, teammates, and brothers in spirit.

By the time they reached the station, the night air had cooled. Marcus clapped Yuuto on the back, his grin wide and unshakable. "Alright, Kai. Two more days. When school starts, we show everyone what's up."

Yuuto met his gaze, the fire in his chest burning brighter than the city lights. "Yeah. No more hiding. This year… I'm taking my place back."

Marcus smirked, stepping onto the platform. "That's what I like to hear. Just don't make me carry the team on my own."

Yuuto gripped the basketball tightly, the sound of the train approaching filling his ears. "Not a chance."

The train roared into the station, wind whipping their hair. For Yuuto, the noise didn't sound like steel grinding on rails. It sounded like a countdown. A signal. The beginning of something bigger.

As the doors slid open and they stepped inside, Yuuto felt it in his bones: the summer was ending, but his story was only just beginning.

[Hidden Progress: "Path of the Comeback" 25%]