After training with my seniors for a couple of months, I had finally adapted to their playstyle. It was muscle memory for me to know when to pass, and also where and how to pass the ball to each one of them without them signaling me. For our first game, I was the starting point guard for the team despite my age, and I could never forget how our first game went.
"Please, pass the ball, Osaka!!" shouted a player as sweat dropped from his jersey, feeling fatigue.
"Here, quickly try and score!!" shouted Osaka as he passed the ball.
Makoto, who was pressuring the team, steals the ball from the tired player and dribbles the basketball to the opposing team's rim.
"Oh hell no, you will not score," said Osaka, determined to stop Makoto.
Makoto then passes the basketball to Takumi, who catches it, jumps into the air, and slam dunks the ball into the rim.
"This is the worst scores I've seen in history, and it's only the second quarter," said a teacher.
"I can't watch anymore, this is really sad," said a girl as she covered her face.
"Dammit, the score is seventy-two to twelve. We can't lose like this," said Osaka as he held back his tears to lead his team.
Makoto then steals the ball once more and scores a layup. Osaka inbounds the ball to a teammate, and as soon as his teammate starts dribbling, Makoto steps to guard him. Startled, he passes the ball to another teammate. However, Takumi intercepts the pass and drives to the rim to attempt a dunk.
There, he meets Osaka, who attempts to block. Takumi then passes the basketball to Daichi, who sets up and shoots a three-pointer that swishes. Makoto steals the basketball once more and passes it to Basara, who scores a layup. On the next possession, Basara steals the basketball from Osaka and passes it to Takumi, who dunks the basketball.
Makoto steals the basketball from Osaka and shoots a layup that swishes. Daichi dribbles the ball up the court, crosses, and shoots a three-pointer that swishes. In the end, the opposing team had to forfeit the game by the third quarter. It was a devastating blowout that ended with the score being one hundred and seven to twenty.
After that match, I rose to fame as the next upcoming talent and the future of basketball in Japan. I was averaging ten steals, thirteen point four assists, and ten points each game. Eventually, both Takumi and I were called the "Killer Duo," and we were all over the news, basketball weekly, and magazines. Even though I did not know it at the time, Hidesuke did not take this lightly. You could say that he was jealous.
After successfully reaching the quarterfinals, we were up against a team that our defense could not stop. They were really good, even though there were only two players carrying the team: the captain of Toshigawa Academy's basketball team, Yukio Hamaguchi, and the junior who won the scoring title, Kogure Kobayashi.
Though they were clearly the victors of the game, we still put up a good fight, and the game between us ended fifty-eight to seventy-six, with Kogure scoring forty-three points.
"Hey kid, what's your name?" asked Yukio as he walked over.
"My name is Makoto Kurai."
"You're a real good player. How about, when you get old enough and graduate, you come to Toshigawa Academy with me to play basketball? I'll be attending that school next spring," said Yukio.
"That sounds nice. Maybe I'll think about it," said Makoto.
"Great! Then it's a promise. Be sure that you study hard because it's not an easy school to get into," said Yukio.
As you expected, Yukio and Kogure won the finals and were the champions of that year, with Kogure being the MVP.
"Coach Izanagi," said Makoto.
"Come in, Makoto. What is it?" asked Coach Izanagi.
"For the Junior Under Fifteen Winter Cup matches that are coming up, I was wondering if we could change our formation."
"What are you implying? Are my tactics not good enough to beat these teams?" asked Coach Izanagi furiously.
"It's nothing like that, Coach. It's just that I want to make sure that we win all these games so that we can get a good ranking for next season's seeding," said Makoto.
"You know what? Maybe you're onto something, Makoto. I mean, we will be facing all the teams that lost in the Winter Cup, so it wouldn't be a bad idea to implement a good half-court defensive formation after the quarterfinals. I'll give it some thought. Thanks, Makoto," said Coach Izanagi.
After breezing through the Winter Cup to secure our spot for next season, we finally reached the finals, and the coach gathered us for a short announcement.
"Thanks to Makoto's brilliant idea, we have won our matches for the quarter and semi-finals. Today, we are up against Shoyo Junior High, who lost to the champions. But trust me, they are a formidable team, so we must play sharp out there in order to win. We will be using Makoto's defensive tactics in this game and see how it goes. Let's secure a good spot," said Coach Izanagi.
"But Coach, why do we have to use this kid's idea in the finals? What if we lose all because of him? Then what next?" asked Hidesuke.
"Yeah, he's right. Let's just play like we used to," said Daichi.
"Makoto and Takumi are the main reason why we're here now, so I don't want to hear any excuses. Go out there and do as I say!!" shouted the coach.
"Oh, so you're all Team Makoto now, huh, Dad? But it's okay. Let's go play the game," said Hidesuke.
In the fourth quarter, a Shoyo High School player scores a layup, securing a three-point lead. Makoto responded quickly by passing the ball to Takumi, allowing him to score a layup, putting the points at a one-point gap.
"Come on, guys, concentrate. Let's stop this one," said Makoto.
"They are only a single point away from winning this game. The score is sixty-four to sixty-five. It's a really close game."
A Shoyo player shoots a three-pointer and misses, and Hidesuke grabs the rebound.
"Great, now pass me the ball so that we can run the play, Captain," said Makoto.
Hidesuke looks at Makoto and smirks, then starts dribbling the ball to the other side of the court, taking on all five players on his own.
As he goes up for a layup, he is blocked by one of the opposing players, who dribbles the ball to the other side and scores a mid-range shot as soon as the whistle is blown.
"Hidesuke, you idiot! You cost us this whole game! What the hell is wrong with you? Why didn't you pass the ball?" said Makoto as he pinned Hidesuke to the wall.
"There's no way I'd allow you to get the last laugh, you cocky brat. Now get off of me. If we had won that game, my father would have made you out as something special when you're not, and I didn't want that to happen. That's why," said Hidesuke as he smirked.
"Coach Izanagi, Hidesuke gave up the game in the most vital moments out of jealousy of my potential. Your son gave it all away."
"I don't want to hear it. You have disappointed me today. They were right. I shouldn't have let an inexperienced player like you take charge of this team. I feel so stupid," said Coach Izanagi, upset.
"What's wrong, Coach? Didn't give you the answer you were expecting?" asked Daichi as he laughed.
"Don't forget that Hidesuke is his son, so no matter what you say, you'd still be in the wrong."
"Screw this, I'm out of here. Not going to waste my time on this crap, so I'm quitting for good."
"Go ahead and leave. We didn't need you anymore, you useless point guard," said Hidesuke.