The morning air carried a thin chill, the kind that whispered both nerves and excitement.

Yuuto stood in front of the mirror, pulling the zipper of his dark-blue Seiryō High sweatsuit all the way up to his chin. The golden school emblem glinted faintly under his desk lamp. He tied his headband the same white one he wore since camp and took a deep breath.

"Tournament day, huh…"

The house was quiet except for the faint sound of the kettle whistling downstairs. He grabbed his backpack, stuffed with kneepads, wrist tape, and a few energy bars, then descended the stairs two steps at a time.

His mother was already waiting at the table, a steaming breakfast laid out rice, eggs, and miso soup. His father leaned on the counter, reading the morning paper, but his eyes kept drifting toward Yuuto with pride.

"Sit," his mom said warmly. "You'll need energy."

Yuuto sat, hands clasped. His mom smiled, placing her hand over his.

"Let's pray."

They bowed their heads. Her voice was gentle but firm, carrying the weight of belief.

"Lord, give him strength to play with courage and humility. Protect his knees, his mind, and his heart. Let him shine not because he's perfect but because he refuses to quit."

Yuuto opened his eyes slowly. A small smile crept across his lips.

"Thanks, Mom."

He started eating his breakfast his mom sit beside him and start eating as well but his dad onl drink his coffee.

Everyone finished their breakfast.

His dad folded the paper and stood up, grabbing the car keys.

"Come on, champ. I'll drop you off."

The car hummed quietly through the empty morning streets. The sun was only a faint glow behind the clouds, painting the city in soft gold. Yuuto leaned back, headphones hanging around his neck.

His father spoke first.

"So… big day, huh?"

Yuuto chuckled nervously. "Yeah. Guess it's finally here."

"You nervous?"

"Maybe a little. But more excited, I think."

His dad smiled. "Good. That's how it should be. You trained hard now go show them what that work means."

There was a pause. The kind that sits heavy but comfortable between family.

Then his father added, quietly,

"Just remember… even if you fall, we'll still be proud."

Yuuto turned to look out the window, the city passing by like a slow film reel.

"…Thanks, Dad."

"Yea we won't be there today buy we will be praying and hoping the best from you and your team."

The Seiryō High bus was parked out front, engine idling. The team was already gathering laughter and sleepy yawns mixing together. Some players had headphones in, others were stretching lazily.

Yuuto hopped out of the car. His dad gave him a quick pat on the shoulder.

"Go get 'em, kid."

He nodded and jogged over, tossing his bag into the storage compartment. Arisa was handing out neatly packed snack boxes.

"Morning, everyone! Don't forget your bento. You'll thank me later!"

"Shouldn't you be at school" said Yuuto.

"Yea but don't worry" said Arisa.

Ren scrambled down the steps, half-awake, clutching a water bottle. "Wait—my shoes! I forgot my shoes!"

Everyone froze.

Marcus sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Ren… tell me you're joking."

Ren's eyes widened. "I'm not!"

Arisa burst out laughing. "How do you forget your shoes before a national qualifier?!"

"I put them on the balcony to dry!" he groaned, running a hand through his hair.

Yuuto snickered. "Well, you can play barefoot. Maybe you'll move faster."

"Not funny!"

Marcus just shook his head with a faint grin. "Call your mom. We'll wait a few minutes."

"Damn it I left my phone also Marcus can i please make a call on yours" said Ren while crying.

"No..." said Marcus

"You little its just a call I wont steal your phone." Said Ren.

"I know you wont but my phone didn't charge last night so I left it."

"Ohh I'm sorry"

"You can use mines" said Daichi.

"Thank you"

Fifteen minutes later, Ren's mother pulled up, waving his gym bag out the window.

"Ren! You'd forget your head if it wasn't attached!"

"Thanks, Mom!" he yelled, grabbing it and sprinting back aboard to teasing applause.

As the bus rolled out, the team settled into their usual rhythm jokes, music, and the soft hum of anticipation. Outside, the roads opened into wide stretches of countryside, trees flashing by in streaks of green.

Shunjin leaned back with his hoodie over his eyes. "Wake me up when we're famous."

Yuuto sat across from Marcus, who was staring out the window quietly, earphones in but no music playing. The reflection in the glass showed a captain deep in thought.

"Thinking about the game?" Yuuto asked.

Marcus blinked, then smirked faintly. "Always."

Yuuto hesitated. "You nervous?"

Marcus let out a breath. "Not for myself. For the team. Everyone's counting on me to lead right. It's… a lot."

Yuuto leaned back, thoughtful. "You'll do fine. We believe in you."

Marcus smiled faintly. "Yeah. I'll hold you to that."

Further back, the others were getting rowdy.

Yuuto could hear snippets:

"Toma, you seriously think you could dunk if the net was lower?"

"Bro, I can dunk! The rim's just disrespectful."

"Disrespectful?"

"Yeah it keeps moving away when I jump!"

Everyone burst out laughing.

Arisa rolled her eyes, tossing a chip at him. "You've got jokes, not hops."

The laughter filled the bus warm, alive, and human. For a moment, the tension of the upcoming tournament melted away.

Two hours later, the city skyline gave way to a massive sports complex. The bus slowed to a crawl as banners, flags, and news vans came into view.

The morning sun broke through the clouds like a spotlight, spilling gold across the massive arena.

From above, the Jamaican National Arena looked like a steel flower opening its petals thousands of seats, hundreds of cameras, and one stage set for dreams and heartbreak alike.

"Jamaica National High School Basketball Tournament"

Players from other schools were already arriving tall, sharp-eyed athletes in matching uniforms. Photographers lined the entrance. Commentators rehearsed intros in front of cameras.

The moment the Seiryō bus stopped, everyone fell silent.

Yuuto felt his chest tighten.

The atmosphere was electric like stepping into another world.

Marcus stood up first, adjusting his jacket. "Alright, team. Remember what Coach said breathe, focus, and play our game."

They filed off the bus one by one, heads high. Cameras clicked. Reporters whispered names.

Arisa walked beside Yuuto, eyes wide. "It's… huge."

"Yeah," Yuuto murmured. "Feels like we're in a movie."

Ren clutched his bag tighter. "I think I'm gonna throw up."

"Do it after warm-up," Shunjin teased.

Inside the Arena

The interior was even more overwhelming m polished courts, banners fluttering from the rafters, rows of cameras and fans setting up. Each court was surrounded by LED boards showing player highlights and upcoming matchups.

As the team moved through the corridor toward their locker room, Yuuto noticed a massive poster at the end of the hallway.

It read:

"THE KINGS RETURN The Five Who Rule the Court."

One of the photos showed Ryu Kazen, his calm eyes and confident smile captured mid-serve.

Yuuto stopped, staring for a moment.

He whispered, almost to himself,

"So… this is the level we're facing."

Marcus followed his gaze. His eyes narrowed, not in fear, but determination.

"Then we show them we belong here.

Inside, the noise was already building the sound of drums, chants, and microphones being tested echoing across the polished courts.

"Welcome, ladies and gentlemen, to the National High School Basketball Tournament"

The announcer's voice boomed across the dome, warm and energetic.

The giant LED screens lit up with school emblems flashing one by one.

The Parade of Schools

One by one, the teams entered.

Each school lined up on the court in crisp uniforms, banners held high.

The sound of sneakers squeaking and cheers echoing filled the air like music.

"Next entering from East Kingston , Seiryō High School!"

Yuuto's heart pounded as they stepped onto the court under the floodlights. Cameras flashed, catching every step, every nervous glance. The blue and gold of Seiryō tracksuits shone bright against the polished floor.

Behind them followed Easton Technical, their presence commanding, calm, and precise. Sho Amakusa walked at the front, every step measured the aura of a leader who'd been here before.

Coach Hikari comes in she stands beside Arisa "Am I that late?"

"No mom"

A suited man stepped up to the podium at center court Chairman Renjiro Akatsuki, the respected head of the National High School Basketball Association.

He adjusted the microphone, and silence rippled through the crowd.

"Good morning, players, coaches, and spectators. Today marks the beginning of another great chapter in Jamaica youth basketball legacy."

His voice carried weight the kind that made every player stand taller.

"This year, we have sixty four teams competing across the 14 Parishes, and only one will emerge as Jamaica's champion high school. But remember this tournament isn't just about victory. It's about spirit, growth, and unity through competition."

He paused, letting the words settle.

The camera panned across the rows of players nerves, pride, and excitement all blending together.

"These are the qualifiers. Each bracket consists of four teams. The top two teams will advance to the next stage which is the real game in January 2026. Play fair, respect your opponents, and give the crowd matches they'll never forget."

Applause filled the dome.

Chairman Hino smiled faintly.

"And most importantly enjoy this moment. The stage belongs to you."

The National Anthem

A soft piano began to play.

Every team turned toward the flag hanging high above the court.

The anthem rose through the air calm, reverent, and powerful.

Some players sang quietly; others simply stood in silence, their hearts thudding in rhythm with the music.

Yuuto's hand curled at his side.

He looked across the court and saw Renji, calm but focused, his eyes on the flag.

And beyond him, he spotted Ryu Kazen, hands folded neatly behind his back, his expression unreadable.

For a brief second, their eyes met.

Yuuto exhaled slowly.

As the anthem faded, the announcer's cheerful voice returned.

"Thank you, Chairman Akatsuki. And now, ladies and gentlemen, the tournament will officially begin!"

The massive screen behind him switched to the bracket display, showing all 16 brackets divided in Group A,B,C&D

Yuuto's eyes found their own:

> Bracket 1A:

– Seiryō High

– Hakuro Academy

– Raijin High

– Easton Technical High

The Announcer Continues

"For our first match of the day, we have"

drum roll echoes

"Easton Technical High vs. Seiryō High!"

The crowd cheered as both teams stepped forward.

The referees moved to their positions, cameras followed them to the center court, and the sound of whistles echoed across the dome.

"Both teams, please proceed to your respective benches and prepare for warm-up!"

The other schools, began exiting toward the side tunnels, returning to their locker rooms to await their turn.

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