Ace of the Bench

The night air was cool and still.

Practice had ended hours ago, but the weight of Coach Hikari's words still echoed in everyone's minds.

Bonding.

That word hung heavier than the drills themselves.

One by one, the team drifted home sneakers slung over shoulders, sweat drying on their skin, silence filling the spaces where exhaustion lingered.

Yuuto walked beside Marcus beneath the dim streetlights. The world around them was soft, washed in the orange glow of lamps and the rhythmic hum of cicadas. Neither spoke at first. They didn't need to.

The feeling they'd shared earlier in practice the silent connection that made their movements flow like instinct still lingered in the air, subtle, almost electric.

Marcus kicked a pebble down the street, his bag slung lazily over one shoulder. Yuuto glanced at him and smiled faintly.

"You're quiet," Marcus said finally.

"Just thinking," Yuuto replied.

"About what?"

"That feeling today… it was weird. Didn't even feel like basketball."

"Yeah," Marcus agreed, "felt like something else."

"Bonding, huh?" Yuuto said, almost in a whisper.

"Guess Coach wasn't bluffing after all," Marcus replied, a grin tugging at his lips.

They stopped at the corner where their paths split. A passing car flickered across their tired faces, casting brief shadows.

"See you tomorrow, bro," Marcus said.

"Yeah. Get some rest. We'll need it," Yuuto replied.

Marcus gave a lazy wave, earbuds already in, music faintly thumping from one ear. He walked off, disappearing into the glowing night.

Yuuto lingered for a moment longer, watching him go. Then he turned and began the slow walk home.

When he reached his house, the porch light was still on. Warm. Familiar. The smell of curry and steamed rice drifted through the air his mother must have just finished dinner.

He pushed open the door and was immediately met by her cheerful voice.

"Welcome back, Yuuto! You look tired again."

"Practice ran late. Coach had us running pair drills," Yuuto replied, chuckling.

"Pair drills? What, they making you all dance now?" his father teased.

"Kinda felt like it," Yuuto said with a grin.

He slipped off his shoes, dropped his bag by the door, and sat at the dining table. Steam rose from the plate his mother had set before him curry chicken, fluffy white rice, and a cold glass of lime juice.

"Eat before it gets cold," she said.

"Thanks, Mom," he replied.

As he ate, his parents talked about work, the neighbors, random things the kind of easy, grounding chatter that made home feel like a sanctuary. For a moment, Yuuto wasn't a player pushing himself to his limit. He was just home.

After dinner, he helped clear the table, then climbed the stairs to his room. Moonlight slanted across his wall, plastered with posters of pro players, old team photos, and the faintly creased tournament flyer he'd kept since middle school.

He collapsed onto his bed with a deep sigh. His body ached, but his mind refused to quiet.

Then buzz.

His phone lit up.

Official Announcement: National High School Basketball Tournament Info Drops Tonight 10:00 PM!

National High School Basketball Tournament

Official Team Reveal: Tonight

Start Date: Next Tuesday Kanagawa Arena

Match-ups will be revealed in a few minutes.

Yuuto blinked at the clock.

Already? They weren't kidding, he thought.

Fatigue vanished instantly. His pulse quickened. Every player across the country was staring at their screens right now waiting for the same reveal.

Down the street, Marcus sprawled across his couch, scrolling through his phone. Rei sat cross-legged on her floor, stretching as the TV glowed in front of her. Even Coach Hikari sat in her small apartment, a mug of green tea in her hand, laptop open, the countdown ticking down the final seconds.

Six minutes to go.

Yuuto refreshed the page repeatedly, anticipation buzzing in his fingertips like static electricity.

Then 10:00 PM sharp.

The post went live.

Instantly, the Shujin Hawks group chat exploded.

"Turn on Channel 8 right now!" Rei typed.

"They're saying there's a LIVE announcement!" Toma added.

"Bro I'm already on it!" Marcus chimed in.

"Wait, it's live? On TV?" Yuuto asked.

"Yup. Starts in two minutes!" Rei replied.

Yuuto scrambled for the remote, flicking through channels until the blue glow of the live broadcast filled his room.

The screen flashed:

> National High School Basketball Association Official Tournament Update

A sleek stage appeared onscreen, swirling holograms of trophies and team logos behind the host a woman in a sharp navy suit with a confident smile.

"Good evening, everyone across Jamaica! Tonight, we bring you exclusive coverage of the long-awaited National High School Basketball Tournament! But this year… things are going to be a little different," she announced.

Yuuto leaned forward, eyes fixed.

"A new chairman has stepped in to restructure the event introducing a system that will test not just skill… but unity," she continued.

A tall, broad-shouldered man stepped onto the stage. Silver streaks ran through his dark hair, and his gold tie gleamed under the lights.

Renjiro Akatsuki Former National Coach / Tournament Chairman.

"Good evening, players, coaches, and fans across the nation. From today onward, the National High School Basketball Tournament enters a new era," Akatsuki said, his voice calm but commanding.

"For too long, tournaments have celebrated individual stars. From this year forward, we honor the teams that understand each other who move as one," he continued, eyes scanning the crowd.

The massive screen behind him flashed with charts and match graphics.

"Starting next Tuesday, we'll open with a Round-Robin Stage. Each region will host four schools. Every team will face the other three. The top two will advance to the official Main Stage in January."

A murmur swept through the crowd onscreen. Yuuto's fingers tightened around the remote.

"This phase will last through October and November. Two months to prove not just your skill but your consistency," Akatsuki said, pausing as his gaze swept across the crowd.

"Basketball isn't just a game of power. It's a test of connection. We play not for ourselves…but for the bond we share with our teammates. Those who understand that will rise. Those who don't…will crumble."

The screen glowed with the words:

"Round-Robin Begins October 8."

Yuuto exhaled slowly, the tension finally leaving his chest.

October 8… that's next Tuesday, he thought.

He looked at his reflection in the dark TV screen tired, but focused.

So that's why Coach pushed us so hard…she already knew.

Then another buzz.

"Bro, did you see that??" Marcus's message popped up.

"Yeah. I did. And I'm ready," Yuuto replied.

The broadcast continued.

"And now, what everyone's been waiting for the Group Reveal!" the host announced.

Yuuto's heartbeat kicked up. The digital board behind the host spun like a slot machine, hundreds of team names flashing by.

"Each region has been divided into groups of four. Remember the top two advance to January's Main Stage!"

The light dimmed. The spinning slowed.

Group 1A: Shujin High | Hakuro Academy | Easton Technical | Raijin High

Yuuto froze. Hakuro Academy.

No way… Hakuro?

Marcus texted almost immediately.

"BRO. We're in Group A with Hakuro!?"

"That's one of the Sky Kings' schools!!" Rei added.

"You've GOT to be kidding me…" Shunjin muttered.

Hakuro Academy reigning national champions. The school of one of the Kings of the Court.

"These groups are already looking intense! Can you believe Group 1A!?" the host exclaimed.

The chat feeds exploded. Yuuto's phone buzzed nonstop.

Second game… that's barely any time to prepare, he thought, rubbing his forehead.

"Coach is gonna lose her mind," he muttered aloud.

The broadcast ended with one last message.

"That's all for tonight, everyone! The Round-Robin begins October 8! Train hard, stay united and may the best team win!"

The screen faded to black. Yuuto sat there for a while, the room quiet except for the hum of the ceiling fan.

Then another message.

"Everyone, I'm sure you've seen the lineup," Coach Hikari typed.

"Since we're facing Hakuro in our second match, there will be no regular classes tomorrow."

"We begin an intensive training camp at school on Friday morning."

"Bring spare clothes, towels, and anything else you'll need. You'll be staying overnight until Sunday evening."

"Be ready. This camp will decide if we survive next week."

The chat erupted.

"Wait, WHAT!? Overnight??" Rei typed.

"Training camp already!?" Marcus replied.

"Of course… she wouldn't let us breathe," Shunjin added.

"Got it, Coach," Yuuto typed back.

He smiled faintly, shaking his head. Typical Hikari.

He set the phone down and gazed out the window the night stretching wide and still, streetlights flickering like silent sparks.

Something stirred inside him excitement, fear, determination.

Hakuro Academy, huh…? Let's see how strong a 'King' really is in a real game, he thought.

He switched off the lights and sank into bed. The hum of the city faded, and for a moment, everything felt calm.

But across town… the storm was already rising.

A forgotten gym was lit only by a dying fluorescent bulb. A basketball echoed thud. Thud. Thud.

A lone figure moved across the court, shadow slipping through the failing light. Every motion was sharp, deliberate, like his body knew rhythm better than rest.

He stopped at the top of the key, panting, then flicked his wrist. Swish. The net rippled.

He stared for a long second before smirking.

"Still too slow," he muttered.

He rolled his shoulders, muscles twitching under a black hoodie, and dribbled again faster this time. The ball became a blur, its thuds merging with his heartbeat.

When he stopped, sweat dripped onto the floor like rain. He grabbed his phone from the bench. The screen glowed in the darkness.

A grin crept across his face.

Ren Kurogane, Hakuro Academy.

Title: one of the Kings of the Court