"Hey, hey, hey! Seriously? What's up with that kid?"
"Whoa! Who is that boy?"
"How can such a small kid play like that against someone way older? Is the other guy going easy on him?"
"No! I've been watching for a while. That kid's already faced off against a bunch of others. Hard to believe, but..."
"Incredible. Looks like Kanagawa's got a future basketball prodigy."
Bang…
Bang…
Bang…
An intense match is going on in a baseball field.
Normally, seeing people playing there wouldn't be such a big deal. But what's happening today has stopped everyone passing by.
In the middle of the field, there are two figures, one big and one small, moving fast.
The older one must be sixteen or seventeen, maybe even older, and he's already got that mature vibe that young adults usually have.
But the one that really grabs your attention is the kid.
A small boy with pale skin, messy golden hair, and a piercing gaze. He's barely 130 cm tall, like any normal six or seven-year-old, but there's something special about him. His eyes, like emeralds, are deep and shine with intelligence. And even though he smiles with a bit of mischief, there are moments when his gaze turns so serious, so intense, it makes you forget how young he is.
That contrast is what draws people in. Because on the court, he doesn't move like a kid. Every dribble, every step, every feint… everything is fast and precise.
The boy dribbles, stops on a dime, jumps, and shoots the ball.
Bang…
…Brush.
The ball hits the backboard and goes into the makeshift hoop.
The older guy didn't even have time to react.
The kid's moves were so smooth it didn't look like he was just seven years old. The random crowd bursts into applause, amazed.
The boy smirks, confident.
It's his sixth win of the day.
And right then, something shows up in front of his eyes that no one else can see: a floating digital panel.
[Name: Nash Gold]
[Age: 7 years]
[Height: 131 cm]
[Weight: 36 kg]
[Player Template: Nash Gold Jr. (15%)]
[Special Skills: Off-Balance Dribble (Locked), Double Clutch (Locked), Special Ability: Belial Eye (Locked)]
[Zone (Unavailable)]
Nash looked at the panel and couldn't help but sigh.
"Seven years already…"
In his past life, he was a die-hard Kuroko no Basket fan. He knew all the Generation of Miracles players, but the one that fascinated him the most was Nash Gold Jr., that arrogant, deadly point guard who danced on the court like a magician.
He never thought he'd end up reincarnating. But here he was.
He woke up in this world as a baby in a Japanese family from Kanagawa. At first, he didn't understand the language. He didn't know if he had traveled to the past or just to another universe. The only thing that became clear happened when he turned four: the first time he touched a basketball, the system appeared in his mind.
[Loading Nash Gold Jr. Template…]
From that moment on, everything changed. His body moved more naturally. He felt basketball like it was instinct, and with every street match, his level rose.
"Nash-kun!"
A cheerful voice interrupted his thoughts.
When he turned his head, he saw a girl running toward him.
She wore a seafoam green dress that shimmered in the sunlight. Her short black hair was shiny, and her big eyes sparkled like stars. Her smile was sweet and genuine, the kind only someone who doesn't know the world's cruelty can have.
It was Haruko Akagi.
His childhood friend. Neighbor. Playmate. And the only one who called him "Nash-kun."
"You beat another one!" Haruko said, stopping next to him. "You're unstoppable!"
"Obviously," Nash answered with an arrogant smile. "You know my level."
"Hmph. So full of yourself, my brother could totally beat you!" Haruko puffed out her cheeks, then let out a small sad giggle. "Hey, did you already pack your stuff? You're moving next week, remember?"
"Huh?"
Nash froze for a second.
"Oh, right… to Hokkaido."
His parents were expanding their business and they were moving north. He had totally forgotten.
"I don't really have anything to pack."
"Don't say dumb stuff!" Haruko rolled her eyes. "You can't leave without your things!"
She knew him too well. Nash was a genius on the court, but in everything else, he was a mess.
As they walked toward the exit of the field, something flashed in front of them. A red blur.
"Damn it, Yohei! You left me behind again! I won't forgive you!"
A voice yelled as it disappeared down the street.
Nash frowned.
Yohei?
The name echoed in his head.
Yohei…
Haruko...
Akagi Haruko!
A spark lit up in his mind. He remembered another anime he loved in his past life.
"Nash-kun?" Haruko asked, noticing he had stopped. "Something wrong?"
Nash didn't answer. He stared ahead, completely focused, mumbling.
"Huh?"
Haruko didn't get it. She reached out and touched his forehead.
"Did you go dumb from playing too much?"
Nash smiled.
"Haruko…"
"Yeah?"
"I think I know exactly what I have to do."
And without saying another word, he grabbed her hand and took off running toward his house.
Haruko, totally confused, followed him, her cheeks bright red.