Time flew by.
Half a month had passed since the match against Teiko Middle School.
Ueno had also officially graduated from middle school.
Yamanashi Prefecture
That afternoon, a guest arrived at Ueno's home.
Seated across from him, an elderly man smiled as he sipped his tea. Ueno Juri remained silent.
He was thinking.
The man was a high school basketball coach, and his purpose was simple—he wanted Ueno to play for his school.
Seeing Ueno's silence, Coach Shinkawa felt a trace of nervousness, though he still chuckled lightly.
"Ueno-kun, if you come to our school, I can offer you the best conditions—scholarships, benefits, and more."
Ueno smiled politely."Coach Shinkawa, could you give me two days to think about it?"
Hearing this, Coach Shinkawa sighed inwardly, a hint of bitterness rising in his heart. Still, he smiled and nodded.
"Of course."
Yet deep down, he already knew the answer.
His school was an ordinary one—unknown in the basketball world. The chances were slim.
After seeing Coach Shinkawa off, Ueno stood quietly for a moment before heading back inside. He changed clothes, strapped on his weighted vest, and went out for a run.
Ever since the game against Teiko, he had been training his body obsessively.
As for technique—it was secondary for now.
After all, he possessed ZONE, an absurdly powerful trump card. Naturally, improving his physical limits came first.
Running along the riverbank, Ueno considered which high school he should attend.
After the Teiko match, his reputation had skyrocketed.
Though Damu lost, he had become the first—and only—player to score against the Generation of Miracles while all their official members were on the court.
Even half a month later, coaches continued to visit his home, eager to recruit him.
That included powerhouse schools he recognized—such as Tōō Academy, where Aomine Daiki would attend.
Ueno rejected them all.
By the time he returned from his run, his parents were already home.
"I'm back!"
After taking off his shoes and weighted vest, Ueno grabbed a change of clothes and rushed into the bathroom.
Dinner Table
As Ueno ate—occasionally spacing out—his parents exchanged worried glances.
His father finally spoke."Have you still not decided which school to go to?"
Ueno set down his bowl and chopsticks, smiling wryly."Not yet."
His father put his utensils down as well, thought for a moment, then said gently,"No matter what school you choose, your mother and I will support you."
He paused, then added,"But if possible… how about Tōdai High School?"
"Tōdai High School?"Ueno looked up, slightly surprised.
"Yes," his father nodded. A hint of nostalgia flashed in his eyes as he glanced at Ueno's mother."Your mother and I both graduated from there."
"Tōdai's academics are top-tier."
Pride showed clearly on his face, but after a moment, he coughed awkwardly."Though… their basketball program might be lacking."
Ueno couldn't help but smile bitterly.
Lacking was an understatement.
In Kuroko no Basuke, Tōdai didn't even qualify as a proper background team.
Still, he said nothing—it was his parents' alma mater.
After thinking for a moment, Ueno looked at them and nodded.
"Then I'll go to Tōdai."
His father's face lit up with joy. His mother, however, spoke with concern.
"Ueno, we're only making a suggestion. The final decision is yours."
Ueno smiled warmly at them."I know. I've already decided."
If it has no name—then I'll build one for Tōdai myself.
April
Cherry blossom season
Petals drifted through the air on both sides of the street, dreamy and ethereal, as though the world itself had turned into an anime scene.
TokyoTōdai High School
The moment Ueno passed through the school gates, he was greeted by a storm of voices.
"Junior! Join the Reading Club! We only read 'Cangshan Has a Well Named Kong'!"
"Swimming Club! Get fit—and the senior sisters will teach you hand-in-hand!"
"Tennis is a man's sport—!"
Ueno adjusted his backpack and looked at the long rows of tables lining the entrance, each club resorting to increasingly desperate tactics.
He loved this atmosphere.
With his tall frame and handsome features, he quickly became a hot commodity, getting pulled at from all directions.
Still, he had already made up his mind.
One by one, he politely refused.
After turning down more than a dozen clubs, Ueno finally spotted a small Basketball Club Recruitment sign tucked away in a corner.
Two worn tables stood there.
Two senior students lay slumped over them, propping their chins with one hand, eyes dull and lifeless.
Just as Ueno stepped forward, someone else arrived first.
The newcomer bent down eagerly and said loudly,"I want to join the Basketball Club!"
The two seniors looked up reflexively.
When they saw him, they exchanged glances and frowned.
The boy was extremely short and thin—barely over 1.6 meters.
Even for middle school basketball, that height would've been questionable.
Yawning, one senior lazily pointed at the sign."Junior… did you make a mistake? This is the Basketball Club."
To their surprise, the boy nodded seriously."Yes. I want to join the Basketball Club."
"…What's your name?"
"Kurumatani Sora!"
Hearing that name, Ueno—standing behind—narrowed his eyes slightly and instinctively looked him over.
Seeing Sora's earnest expression, the seniors sighed helplessly.
"Alright. Fill out the form and come to the gym after school for roll call."
Kurumatani Sora accepted the form with sparkling eyes."Okay!"
He immediately began filling it out with great care.
"I'm signing up too."
As Sora was still writing, Ueno stepped forward.
His 185-centimeter height loomed over the table.
The two seniors jumped up instinctively.
"So tall!"
"Junior, here—fill out the form!"
Taking the form, Ueno turned to Kurumatani Sora, who was staring at him blankly.
Ueno smiled and extended his hand."Ueno Juri."
Startled, Kurumatani Sora snapped out of it, hurriedly reaching out to shake his hand.
"Kurumatani Sora!"