Ace of the Bench

The principal held the door as coach Shimizu and his squad stepped inside. Marcus and Coach Takeda flanked her, escorting the visitors down the short hallway to the main gym.

The second the doors swung open, a wall of noise hit them. Students already packed the bleachers, clapping, stomping, calling names. Teachers stood along the railings, clipboards in hand, some smiling, some looking nervous. The bright scoreboard flickered as referees tested the bulbs and reset the timer.

The polished floor gleamed under the overhead lights, faint scuff marks from earlier practices still visible. Banners of past school hames hung over the far wall.

"Go ahead and warm up," coach Shimizu told his players, his voice calm but carrying. The blue-and-white sweatsuits broke apart into two lines. Even the bench players hit the floor, running layup drills, chest passes, short bursts of sprints. Their sneakers made a steady rhythm against the court like a drumline.

Across the way, Marcus rolled his shoulders and jogged to the baseline. He peeled off his team jacket to reveal the home jersey and shorts, his dark blue-and-white Jordans squeaking as he started his own stretches. Coach Takeda stayed near center court with the visiting coach, speaking in low tones. They both watched the warm-ups like chess players studying an opening move.

More students poured into the stands, buzzing about the "the top school that was going to play" opponent and craning their necks to get a look at the new faces. A few teachers waved foam fingers, trying to hype their classes.

On the home bench, kana climbed into the front row of the bleachers, sliding into a spot next to Ayaka. She had her cheer jacket tied at her waist, pom-poms resting beside her. They weren't friends yet; she glanced at kana once and then back at the court. She fiddled with his phone, pretending not to notice her.

A whistle shrilled, sharp and clear. The referees finished their checks and motioned for both sides to line up. Warm-ups wound down; players jogged back to the benches and started stripping off their sweat tops and pants, revealing crisp uniforms beneath.

The gym's noise rose another notch. Hands clapped, feet stomped. Marcus looked across at the other team eyes narrowing just slightly.

This was it.

The announcer's voice boomed through the speakers, echoing over the noise of the gym.

"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to today's scrimmage between Seiryō High School and Shikoku High School!"

The bleachers erupted. Phones went up. Students started chanting.

"Introducing the starting line-up for Seiryō High!"

Spotlights swept over the home bench as each name was called.

"Point Guard Number 7 Marcus Inoue!"

Marcus jogged to center court, the captain's band on his arm,Marcus wears his fully dark blue-and-white design jersey fully tucked, captain's armband on his left bicep, white compression sleeve on his shooting arm and matching knee sleeve. on his feet a dark blue and white Jordans squeaking. Six feet even, seventy-eight kilos of muscle, fourth-form. He raised a fist to the stands and the roar swelled.

"Small Forward Number 26 Shunjin James!"

Shun sprinted out, all wiry speed at five-eight, sixty-seven kilos, the team's ace. Shunjin's jersey is half-tucked (front in, back loose), black headband holding back his hair, one black calf sleeve on his right leg. He wears custom white-and-red Adidas Dames.

"Center Number 17 Riku Tanaka!"

Six-two, eighty kilos, fifth-form. Riku jogged in with a calm face, towering over most players on the floor.Riku keeps his jersey fully tucked, no arm gear but both knees wrapped in black sleeves. Thick white-blue Nike Zoom Freaks.

"Shooting Guard Number 5 Kento Sato!"Kento bounced on the balls of his feet, the shortest at five-six but deadly from midrange, sixth-form veteran.Kento wears his jersey untucked at the back, a single red shooting sleeve on his right arm, low-cut grey Curry Flows on his feet.

"Power Forward Number 10 Daichi Moriyama!"Daichi flexed once for the crowd, five-eight, seventy-eight kilos, fifth-form workhorse of the paint.Daichi's jersey is fully tucked, two white armbands, black ankle brace on left foot, high-top Air Jordan 37s in navy.

The crowd roared as Seiryō's five lined up at half-court, sneakers squeaking in unison.

The announcer barely paused as the away team lined up on the opposite baseline.

"And now, the starting line-up for Shikoku High School!"

Their blue-and-white away uniforms were slightly lighter than Seiryō's and cut with silver trim. Most of the players wore matching blue warm-ups unzipped, revealing their jerseys as the announcer called each name.

"Point Guard Number 10 Riku Senda!"

Six-one, eighty kilos, third-form a steady hand with a quiet smirk.Jersey fully tucked, navy headband, one blue compression sleeve on his left arm, white-blue Nike PG6s.

"Shooting Guard Number 3 Akira Hoshino!"

At only five-five and sixty-four kilos, a second-form rookie but lightning-quick. He jogged out with his head high, ignoring the noise.Akira's jersey is loose, both armbands black, no headband, blue Puma MB.02 lows.

"Power Forward Number 5 Kaito Mizuno!"

The youngest on the court, first-form, five-six and seventy-six kilos, face still baby-soft but eyes sharp with determination.Kaito's jersey is half-tucked, black padded undershirt peeking out, single black knee sleeve, high-top black-and-blue LeBron Witness 8s.

Small Forward number 8 Haruto Fujii

Five-nine, 72 kg, third form.Haruto wears his jersey tucked only in front, back flapping loose; one white calf sleeve on left leg, white-silver Kobe 6 Protros.

Center number 14 Daigo Nishimura

Six-two, 82 kg, third form.Daigo's jersey is fully tucked, two blue armbands, both knees wrapped, and he laces up sky-blue Anta KT Splash the captain's band on his arm.

The rest of the Shikoku bench stood behind them in identical blue-and-white sweats, warming up even though they weren't starting. Every single one of them looked focused, calm too calm for rookies.

From the stands, a ripple of murmurs spread.

"They look so young…"

"Are those really their starters?"

"Where's their ace?"

Even Marcus glanced across the half-court line, good we are playing the rookies

"Are we really playing rookies"said shun

"How are we going to test our abilities for the tournament" said Kento

Coach Takeda clapped his hands. "Focus! Doesn't matter who they put on the floor. We run our game."

Coach Shimizu looks at see Yuuto on the bench so they aren't playing him is it because hes still injured. He thinks to himself.

The referee's whistle pierced the air. Players stepped into their positionon the court, the gym holding its breath.

The gym hushed as the referee stepped into the circle, ball tucked under his arm. The two tallest players Riku Tanaka and Daigo Nishimura bent their knees, eyes on the orange leather.

The whistle shrilled. The ref tossed the ball high into the lights.

Game on.