Ace of the Bench

The squeak of sneakers on hardwood still echoed in Yuuto's head. That final dunk. The sound of the rim rattling as Shun declared himself the ace. No matter how steady Yuuto's steps felt now, the weight in his chest was heavier than ever.

But today wasn't the court it was the classroom.

Students filled the corridors, laughter and chatter bouncing off the walls. Yuuto walked steadily, shoulders squared. He wanted to look unbothered. But every other sentence he caught in passing cut sharper than a blade.

"Did you hear? Shun dropped thirty in scrimmage yesterday."

"Shun's insane, bro. Did you see that step-back yesterday?"

"Coach said he's the key to regionals. He's already the ace."

"Crazy how Kai used to be that guy. Time moves fast, huh?"

"Kai used to be good, but… it's Shun's team now."

Yuuto's jaw clenched. His hands curled into fists at his sides, but he kept walking. Let them talk. He had no intention of staying in their shadows.

Beside him, Marcus strutted confidently, his bag slung over one shoulder like a soldier marching to war. He tilted his head toward Yuuto. "Ignore 'em, bro. People flip-flop faster than sneakers on the court. Today it's Shun, tomorrow it's you again. They just don't know it yet."

Yuuto smirked faintly but didn't answer.

They reached the classroom, and Marcus nudged the door open with his foot. "After you, my guy. Let's make this dramatic. Walk in like you own the place."

Yuuto rolled his eyes but stepped inside.

The room buzzed with chatter students greeting friends, scribbling last-minute homework, trading snacks. But the second Yuuto entered, a hush rippled across the room. Eyes turned. Some widened in surprise, others narrowed in curiosity.

Yuuto's throat tightened. He hated this feeling not the attention itself, but the pity hidden in their gazes. The oh, he's back from his injury look.

And then his eyes caught on someone near the window.

Her.

Ayaka Jones The cheerleader.

She sat with perfect posture, her long ponytail catching the sunlight as she wrote something in her notebook. She looked up at the sound of the quiet shift in the room, her gaze brushing over Yuuto for the briefest moment before she turned back to her desk.

It was enough to make his heart skip.

Marcus leaned closer, whispering like a devil on his shoulder. "Bro… is it just me, or is the universe shipping you right now? Same class? This is fate."

Yuuto elbowed him lightly. "Shut up and sit down."

They found their seats, Marcus right behind Yuuto. As Yuuto slid into his desk, he caught himself sneaking glances at her. She was focused, writing with neat strokes, occasionally tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear.

His stomach tightened. He could face Shun on the court, but this? This was a different kind of battle.

Halfway through the lesson, the door slid open.

Shunjin James.

He walked in with his usual swagger, red braids swaying, grin sharp as a blade. A few students immediately called out his name. A girl near the front giggled, whispering something to her friend. Even the teacher gave him a nod of acknowledgment.

Shun didn't look at Yuuto. Not directly. But as he passed by, his smirk widened just a fraction enough to sting. He slid into his seat near the front, already the center of attention, already the ace.

Yuuto stared down at his notebook, his pen unmoving.

This is what it's come to. He walks in, and they cheer. I walk in, and they whisper.

Marcus kicked the back of Yuuto's chair gently. "Don't let him live rent-free in your head, bro. He's shining now, sure. But you" Marcus pointed at him with exaggerated seriousness. "You're the comeback story. Everyone loves the comeback story."

Yuuto finally cracked a smile. "You've been watching too much anime."

"Yeah," Marcus said proudly. "And you're the protagonist. Don't forget it."

At lunch, Yuuto and Marcus sat together near the courtyard. Yuuto poked at his food, his appetite dulled by the weight in his chest.

Marcus leaned back against the bench, chewing loudly. "Okay, so here's the game plan. Step one: get your body all the way back. Step two: crush Shun in front of everybody. Step three: talk to that cheerleader. Boom, your life's set."

Yuuto chuckled despite himself. "You make it sound easy."

"It is easy," Marcus said with a mouthful of rice. "You just gotta stop thinking like the old Yuuto, the guy who carried everything alone.

You got me now. You got the system. And you got that fire in your eyes again. Trust me, bro, the world ain't ready."

Yuuto finally ate a bite, the tension easing slightly. His gaze drifted back toward the classroom windows, where he caught sight of Ayaka again her laughter carrying faintly through the glass.

One step at a time, he thought. First the court. Then… maybe her.

By the end of the day, Yuuto sat at his desk, his notebook filled not with class notes, but with scribbled plays, workout routines, and reminders. He was mapping his comeback.

Extra sprints. Shooting reps. Strength drills.

Studying Shun's game. Watching film. Every line he wrote felt like a small step toward reclaiming his throne.

The whispers about Shun, the cheers he heard, the way even teachers praised him it all became fuel. Yuuto didn't hate Shun for it. No. He respected it. But that respect came with a vow: I will surpass him.

As the final bell rang, Marcus slung his bag over his shoulder. "So, straight to the gym?"

Yuuto nodded, his eyes sharp. "Yeah. Every day until I take back what's mine."

Marcus grinned, clapping him on the back. "That's the spirit. Let's go write the second act."

As they walked out of the building, Yuuto caught one last glimpse at Ayaka leaving with her friends. She laughed at something they said, her voice light and effortless.

For a moment, Yuuto's heart wavered between the fire of rivalry and the warmth of admiration. But he steadied himself. There would be time for that later. For now, everything began with the court.

He clenched his fists, the fire from last night's loss burning brighter than ever.

They've forgotten me. But I'll make them remember. Not just my team. Not just the school. Everyone.

The path back to the top had begun.