Ace of the Bench

The air in the gym carried a sharp bite, the faint squeak of sneakers on hardwood lingering in the silence.

Yuuto's eyes locked on the figure at the far side of the three-point line. Tall, lean, muscles cut with the sheen of sweat.

Shunjin James.

Yuuto hadn't seen him since the injury, but Shun's presence filled the gym. His aura screamed dominance sharp, confident, untouchable. The aura of an ace.

"Well, well," Shun called out, voice carrying like a challenge. He grabbed a loose ball, spinning it in his palm with a smirk. "Look who it is. Kai."

Yuuto stepped forward. No crutch, no limp. Just the squeak of his sneakers. A grin tugged at his lips. "I see you've gotten better."

Shun barked a laugh, flipping the ball onto his fingertip. "Better? Nah. I told you I'd take your spot. And your position. I wasn't lying."

Yuuto's chest tightened, but he met his stare with steel. "Well, I'm back. And this is just the start."

Marcus shifted uneasily on the sideline. "Yuuto, maybe we should"

Thump.

The ball slammed into Yuuto's chest. He caught it on reflex.

"No excuses," Shun said, dropping into a stance. "First to five. Let's see if you're still a player, or just a memory."

Yuuto dribbled once. Twice. The sound echoed through the gym like a heartbeat.

This wasn't a pickup game. This was war.

Yuuto set up at the top of the key. He jab-stepped left Shun didn't flinch. He crossed right, pushing hard toward the lane. His sneakers squeaked as he pulled up at the free-throw line. The ball rolled off his fingertips, smooth and confident.

Swish.

Marcus clapped. "That's what I'm talking about!"

Shun's smirk faltered, but he recovered quick. "Alright. You're not completely washed."

Shun dribbled at half court, his rhythm sharp. Yuuto crouched, ready.

But Shun exploded left. Spin back right. Yuuto's feet slid, but he was a half-beat behind. Shun pulled up from deep three range, effortless.

The ball arced high, then

Swish.

"1–1," Shun said, blowing on his fingers. "Welcome back to reality, Kai."

The Grind

The next few possessions were a grind.

Yuuto relied on craft jab steps, hesitations, quick pull-ups. He banked in a midrange shot, then used a tight floater when Shun gave him just an inch of space.

Shun answered every time. A hesitation-crossover into a layup. A step-back jumper over Yuuto's outstretched hand. Even a reverse layup off the glass that left Marcus groaning.

"You're holding your own," Marcus called, "but he's been training like a monster!"

The scoreboard in their heads ticked upward: 2–2. 3–2. Then 4–2, Shun.

Yuuto's Push

Yuuto wiped sweat from his brow, chest heaving. His knee ached, but it didn't falter. He bounced the ball hard against the floor, glaring at Shun.

One more. Just one.

He faked right, drove left, and pulled up from midrange. Release clean. Follow-through perfect.

Swish.

"4–3," Yuuto said, his voice steady despite his burning lungs.

Shun's smirk dropped into a scowl. "Cute. But this ends now."

Shun dribbled slow at the top of the arc, taunting. His smirk sharpened into focus as he suddenly exploded forward.

Yuuto slid with him, chest burning, legs heavy, but still refusing to yield. Shun spun, pulling up into a fading jumper.

Clang.

The ball rimmed out.

Yuuto's heart leapt his chance!

But before his sneakers could push off, Shun was already back in the air. He grabbed his own rebound, twisting mid-flight like a predator.

"Not enough, Kai!" Shun roared.

Yuuto launched after him, body straining, teeth gritted. For one breathless instant, their bodies clashed above the rim.

And then shun's eyes flared red.

The glow burned with defiance, shocking Marcus on the sideline.

"Yuuto…!" Marcus gasped.

The moment froze: Yuuto reaching,

hand stretching for the ball.

But Shun's strength ripped through. He twisted, cocked back, and slammed the ball down with a violent crash.

BOOOOOOM!

The rim rattled. The backboard quivered. The sound thundered through the empty gym.

Shun landed first, chest heaving, sweat dripping. He stared at Yuuto who was still crouched from the jump,shun red glow fading from his eyes. For a second, Shun's smirk faltered, unsettled. Then it returned, sharper than ever.

"Game. 5–3," Shun said, voice cold. "Don't forget it."

The echo of the dunk lingered long after the ball hit the floor.

"You've improved, Kai. I'll give you that. But don't kid yourself." His smirk returned, sharper than ever. "I'm the ace now. Don't forget it."

Yuuto's fists clenched. His pride burned. But under the sting of defeat, his fire roared back to life.

Marcus jogged over, clapping his shoulder. "Don't sweat it, man. He's been grinding while you were healing. This is just the beginning."

Shun slung his bag over his shoulder, smirk cutting deep. "Get stronger, Kai. Or stay in my shadow."

The gym doors slammed shut behind him.

Yuuto stood alone, eyes fixed on the hoop. His chest ached, but his voice came out steady, low, filled with promise.

"This isn't over."