The sun hadn't even risen yet.

A thin layer of fog rolled across the mountain camp, wrapping the sleeping grounds in a soft gray blanket. Crickets still sang in the damp grass, and the scent of smoke from last night's bonfire lingered faintly in the air.

Inside the gym, bags were packed, towels folded, sneakers tied tight. The boys stood in a loose circle, yawning and stretching, the sound of rustling zippers and sleepy chatter filling the space.

It was just after five a.m.

Coach Hikari stood by the door with Arisa beside her, both of them holding clipboards. She looked over the group tired, sore, but glowing with quiet pride.

"Alright," she began, voice calm but firm. "Listen up."

Every head turned toward her.

"First off I'm proud of you all. You've worked harder this week than some teams do in a month. You pushed, bled, argued, and learned. But now…" She paused, letting the silence settle. "Now you rest."

Yuuto rubbed his eyes. "Rest? Like… no drills?"

Hikari crossed her arms. "Exactly. Today is your rest day. No running, no extra training, no overworking yourselves. I don't want to hear about any of you sneaking back to a court somewhere."

Shunjin groaned dramatically. "Coach, you're killing me. I can't go a day without shooting."

Arisa smirked. "You'll survive. Maybe try sleeping for once."

Hikari smiled faintly. "You all need it. Your bodies are machines and even the best machines break down if they're pushed too hard."

She took a few steps closer, eyes sweeping over each player. "So here's what I want you to do today: take an ice bath, stretch, eat properly, and rest. No hackling, no one-on-one matches, and no gym sneaking. Understood?"

A unified murmur followed. "Yes, Coach."

"Good. I already spoke with the principal," she continued. "You won't need to come to school today. You've earned a day off. The staff and students are behind you they're calling you 'Shujin's Pride.'"

Ren blinked, half amused. "Shujin's Pride? Sounds dramatic."

Arisa nudged him. "Better than 'Shujin's Headache,' which was last month's title."

The boys laughed, the tension easing for a moment.

Hikari smiled, watching them. "They'll be cheering for you when the tournament starts. Not all can attend yet, but the school's sending a few students to represent. The rest will be watching the streams."

Marcus straightened his bag strap. "So, no classes, no practice… just rest?"

"Just rest," Hikari confirmed. "Then tonight, you'll come back here. We'll go over the footage of your first opponents analyze their plays, their defense, how to break through. Tomorrow is your first official game, and I want you sharp. Mentally and physically."

Arisa added, "So don't do anything stupid, boys. That means you, Ren."

Ren smirked. "No promises."

"Promise," Hikari said firmly, raising an eyebrow.

He sighed. "Fine, fine. Promise."

The team gathered their things and lined up near the gym doors. The first streaks of dawn were just beginning to slice through the fog, painting the horizon in pale orange light.

Hikari and Arisa stood by the entrance as each player passed.

Daichi fist-bumped her on the way out. "Thanks for the week, Coach. I'm sore in places I didn't know existed."

"That means it worked," she said with a grin.

Shunjin stretched his arms dramatically. "When I can dunk without my legs cramping, I'll thank you properly."

"You'll thank me when you win," Hikari replied.

Sora and Toma waved politely before heading down the hill, while Riku and Kento jogged off toward the bus stop, joking about breakfast spots.

Ren and Yuuto walked side by side, their bags slung over their shoulders. Arisa called after them, "Don't eat junk food!"

Ren turned and shouted, "No promises!"

"Ren!" she barked.

He waved a lazy hand, laughing as he disappeared down the road.

Marcus was the last one to leave. He stopped at the door, the morning light brushing his face.

"Coach," he said quietly. "Thanks. For everything."

Hikari gave him a small nod. "You're doing well, Marcus. Remember leaders don't need to shout to be heard."

He smiled faintly. "I'll remember that."

"Good. Now go. You've got a big day tomorrow."

The air outside was cold and clean.

Marcus, Yuuto, and Ren walked down the quiet street, shoes echoing softly on the pavement. The world still felt half asleep no cars, no shops open yet, just the soft hum of wind through trees and the distant chirp of morning birds.

Ren stretched his arms behind his head. "Can't believe it's over. That camp felt like it lasted a month."

Yuuto yawned. "Tell me about it. I feel like my knees have aged twenty years."

Marcus chuckled. "Good thing we've got a day off. I might sleep for twelve hours."

Ren snorted. "Twelve? Try twenty."

Their laughter carried through the empty street. Despite the exhaustion, there was something peaceful about it the calm after days of noise, pressure, and drills.

Halfway down the road, Ren's phone buzzed.

"Group chat's blowing up," he muttered, scrolling. "Everyone texting they reached home safe. Daichi's already bragging about his breakfast."

Marcus laughed. "That man loves food more than basketball."

"Hey, fuel's important," Yuuto said, half-serious. "Can't play on an empty stomach."

As the road split, Ren turned left. "Alright, see you guys tonight."

"Yeah," Marcus said. "Don't be late."

"Me? Never."

They all knew he would be but none of them said it. They just waved and went their separate ways.

Yuuto and Marcus kept walking together for a while longer, the quiet stretching comfortably between them.

Finally, Yuuto stopped at the corner of his street. "This is me."

Marcus nodded. "See you tonight."

"Yeah." Yuuto grinned. "Don't oversleep, Captain."

Marcus laughed. "No promises."

Yuuto turned and started down his block, bag slung over one shoulder. His house came into view small, white walls with a blue gate, a tidy front porch, and a pair of slippers waiting by the door.

He paused before entering, exhaling slowly. The neighborhood was quiet no barking dogs, no cars, just the sound of the wind brushing against the leaves.

When he opened the door, the smell of home hit him immediately something warm and familiar: eggs, toast, and coffee.

The living room was empty, but on the dining table sat a covered breakfast plate and a folded note.

He smiled, setting his bag down and picking up the paper.

> "Yuuto,

We weren't sure if we'd see you before leaving for work, so we left breakfast for you.

Tomorrow is your big day we're so proud of you.

Don't overthink things. Just play your game and have fun.

Remember: no stress, no strain on that knee.

Rest your body and mind.

Dinner from Friday, Saturday, and Sunday is in the fridge. You know where everything is.

We love you,

Mom & Dad."

Yuuto smiled faintly as he read, the familiar messy handwriting making him feel warmer than the food waiting under the cover.

He whispered under his breath, "Thanks, Mom. Thanks, Dad."

He sat down and ate slowly, savoring every bite. Not because it was anything special, but because it felt normal. For the first time in days, there was no shouting coach, no roaring gym just silence and the soft ticking of the kitchen clock.

When he finished, he cleaned up, walked upstairs, and turned on the shower.

Warm water hit his skin first then he twisted the knob to cold.

He hissed sharply. "Ah cold, cold, cold!"

But he forced himself to stay under it, just like Coach had said. Ice therapy. Recovery. His muscles ached, but slowly, the stiffness melted away.

Afterward, he dried off, changed into a plain white T-shirt and gray shorts, then collapsed onto his bed.

The morning light slipped through the curtains, painting soft gold across the sheets.

Yuuto stared at the ceiling for a while, his thoughts drifting to the tournament.

Tomorrow… their first game.

He felt nervous, excited, scared all at once.

But beneath all that, there was something new. Something solid.

The warmth of the firelight from last night still lingered in his chest the laughter, the confessions, the unspoken bond they'd built.

He smiled faintly, eyes heavy.

"Tomorrow," he whispered, "we start for real."

And with that, he drifted into sleep the kind that comes only when your heart is at peace.

Meanwhile Marcus

Across town, Marcus unlocked the front door of his apartment. His mom was already gone for work; the living room was neat, the curtains half-drawn. On the table sat a note of her own, shorter but just as heartfelt.

> "My Captain,

You've been working hard. I'm proud of you.

Remember: even leaders need to rest.

There's soup in the fridge. Warm it up and go back to sleep.

Love, Mom."

Marcus chuckled softly. "Even leaders need to rest, huh?"

He set down his bag, grabbed the soup, and did exactly that.

The city was waking up slowly the soft hum of cars, the smell of rain still fresh in the air.

By noon, the boys would all be asleep.

By evening, they'd meet again rested, recharged, and ready for what came next.

Tomorrow, the tournament would begin.

But for now, as sunlight broke fully across the rooftops, they all rested not as players or competitors, but as brothers.

The calm before the storm.

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