CHAPTER 103: THE DAY OF EVERYTHING

Dirga had already returned to the hotel.

But his mind hadn’t.

He touched his cheek again.

The warmth still lingered.

That was a kiss.

Even in the shower, he caught himself zoning out, the water washing over him while his thoughts spun out of control.

But no—

Focus.

This is the big game.

..

The Horizon team gathered outside.

The student council—including Ayaka—had gone ahead to the stadium, making arrangements and leading the sea of students that would flood the stands in support.

"Based on Ayaka’s info, there’s gonna be a huge crowd today," Kaito said.

Dirga nodded, adjusting the strap on his gym bag.

His heart was pounding again.

But this time, it wasn’t nerves.

It was fire.

They started walking toward the stadium.

Dirga.

Kaito.

Rikuya.

Taiga.

Aizawa.

Rei.

Hiroki.

Each one with the same expression.

Determined. Unshaken. Ready.

Today wasn’t just a game.

It was a war.

It was a festival.

It was the day that would be remembered.

The atmosphere outside the stadium was like a summer fair.

Food stalls lined the paths.

Vendors sold souvenir shirts and banners with "Horizon vs Toyonaka - Regional Final" printed on them.

Music was blasting from speakers.

Crowds were already forming.

Somewhere inside, cheerleaders were warming up.

The opening show had started.

Dancers. Choreographed lights. Even live music.

But the Horizon team?

Straight to the locker room.

"Did you hear that noise outside?" Taiga asked as they sat down on the benches.

"Yeah... must be wild out there," Aizawa replied, tying his shoes.

"I kinda wish we could see it," Taiga grinned.

"Do we get broadcasted?" Hiroki asked, stretching.

"Yeah. Local cable. Probably even documented for future," Kaito answered with a calm voice, checking his wristbands.

"Ugh... now it feels even more nerve-wracking," Rei admitted.

Off to the side, Rikuya sat cross-legged.

Eyes closed.

Murmuring a Buddhist mantra under his breath.

Calm in chaos.

Coach Tsugawa walked in.

No smile. Just presence.

"Kids..."

The room silenced immediately.

"You know what’s at stake. I don’t need to repeat it.

We’ve trained. We’ve studied. We’ve grown.

Today... we win."

"YES, COACH!" they all answered in unison.

Coach Tsugawa nodded, his eyes sweeping over each of them.

"I’ll head out first. Wait for your cue."

And with that—he stepped out of the locker room and into the noise of the arena.

...

In the court, it wasn’t just a game—it was a full-blown festival.

Cheerleaders lit up the floor with synchronized moves.

Bright banners swayed from the rafters.

A commentator booth stood tall at half-court, with reporters snapping photos and old-school camcorders rolling on tripods.

The crowd? Electric.

Horizon and Toyonaka supporters were on opposite sides of the court, chanting back and forth.

Drums, megaphones, school flags—everything screamed "finals."

And in the stands, sitting quietly—but sharp-eyed as ever—were faces that made Dirga and Masaki both straighten up:

Buzz. Sota. Masaru. Renjiro. And Yu

Scouts, coaches, maybe even reporters were tuned in.

This wasn’t just a game anymore. This was a proving ground.

"We’re back here again... the final of the Kansai regional tournament,"

The commentator’s voice echoed through the speakers.

"But this time, it’s not the usual giants."

"Yeah—Horizon, a brand new team built just this year. Toyonaka, a team that’s clawed its way back after years of falling short."

"They’ve knocked out giants like Heian Gakuen—the Emperor—and Wakayama Seiryuu, the Computer... but now they face each other. Old rivals. Brothers in arms."

The camera panned to the center of the court. The spotlight dimmed briefly.

"Let’s introduce the people behind both teams."

"First, from Toyonaka—Coach Reina Kurogane, the engine and mind behind their revival!"

The crowd roared as Reina walked out of the tunnel, her sharp eyes scanning the arena. The spotlight followed her every step.

"And next, their team manager—Aoi Renji, the quiet pillar of the team!"

Aoi stepped out, nervous but proud. Some of the Toyonaka students screamed her name, cheering her on.

"Now, from Horizon—he’s the advisor, the man who believed in this team when no one else did—Takeshi Renji!"

Takeshi jogged lightly onto the court. His name echoed in the crowd.

"And now... the one who controls their time, their system, and maybe their sanity—manager Sayaka Minazuki!"

Sayaka marched onto the court, clipboard in hand and face serious.

The camera caught Taiga and Aizawa sitting up straighter.

"Better behave," one announcer joked.

"You know she runs that team like a military squad."

"And finally, the legend himself—Coach Tsugawa Masaki, one of the most respected basketball minds in Japan!"

The arena burst into applause as Coach Tsugawa stepped onto the hardwood.

Slow. Calm. Respected.

Every fan, even Toyonaka’s, gave him a nod of admiration.

"That’s the brains and heart behind the scenes... now it’s time."

"LET’S MEET THE STARTERS FOR BOTH TEAMS!"

The music boomed. The lights pulsed. And the noise? Deafening.

"From Toyonaka... their center... HARUTO SENDA!"

A massive figure stepped into the spotlight.

Haruto Senda, the immovable wall, the Toyonaka Shield.

His frame was built like a tank, his eyes locked in. His jersey clung to the muscles rippling under it.

Every step he took made the hardwood tremble.

"Next up, the shooting guard... SHUNPEI ARUKAWA!"

Shunpei burst out of the tunnel, his steps sharp and confident.

A versatile force on both ends—offense and defense, precision and passion.

He clapped his hands, feeding off the roar of the crowd.

"Small forward... only a first year but already a weapon... DAICHI FUKUDA!"

Daichi emerged from the tunnel a bit slower, more reserved.

A quiet storm.

The first-year phenom with eyes that burned, even behind that shy smile.

The fans already knew—this kid was real.

"And the one who runs the floor... the point guard... the mind of Toyonaka... YUTO ARAKAWA!"

Yuto walked out, serious as always. Calm, precise.

The Stone of Toyonaka.

The nickname made him glance sideways like, "Really? Who picked that?"

But behind that cool expression, he was already breaking down Horizon’s plays.

"AND FINALLY... THEIR ACE... THE BLACK THUNDER... MASAKI KING!!"

BOOM.

The lights flashed, the crowd erupted.

Masaki exploded onto the court like he owned it.

His skin glistened like polished obsidian, and his tightly braided hair swayed as he ran.

The Black Thunder of Kansai—lightning-fast, explosive, unstoppable.

He raised one hand to the sky as he stepped into the center circle.

"TOYONAKA—LOCKED IN AND READY TO STRIKE!"

The spotlight faded for a second. Then—

"AND NOW... HERE COMES THEIR CHALLENGER... THE TEAM THAT STORMED THROUGH THE REGION THIS SEASON... HORIZON HIGH SCHOOL!!"

The lights shifted, music flared again, and the Horizon tunnel lit up.

"First up... their general, their captain, the heartbeat of the team—

KAITO NISHIDA!!"

Kaito walked out calmly—composed, analytical.

Even with a heart condition, he never showed fear.

His glasses reflected the stadium lights, his aura calculated but deadly.

The crowd respected him—they knew this was the brains and bravery of Horizon.

"Next, the first-year phenom, the rookie who’s made serious noise this season—HIROKI ANDOU!!"

Hiroki came out a bit reserved, his hand raised.

The quietest one off-court, but on it? Lightning-fast cuts and clutch plays.

The rookie who wouldn’t stay quiet any longer.

"From behind the arc, the sniper, the ice-cold shooter—REI HOSHINO!!"

Rei’s steps weren’t heavy, but his stare burned.

His hands shook slightly... but his resolve didn’t.

You leave him open, you pay the price.

He’s Horizon’s long-range assassin.

"A two-way monster—the man who attacks the paint and locks down the rim—AIZAWA HARUTO!!"

Aizawa burst out like he was on stage.

He waved, he winked, he grinned like a celebrity.

But the showman could defend with claws and slice through defenses like a knife.

Flash with force.

"The chaos engine of Horizon—the man who throws his body on the line—TAIGA OKABE!!"

Taiga sprinted out of the tunnel.

He pumped his fists, pointed at the crowd, then struck a ridiculous victory pose.

Loud, wild, and loyal—if there’s blood to spill for a win, he’ll spill his own.

"In the paint, the immovable titan—RIIIKUYA ASANO!!"

Rikuya walked out like a monk stepping into a storm.

Buzzcut. Broad shoulders. Aura of stillness.

He didn’t speak—he didn’t need to.

He was the wall. The one who held the line.

"AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST—THE MAESTRO. THE KEY TO THIS TEAM’S. THE ONE WHO MOVES THE GAME ITSELF... DIRGANTARA RENJI!!"

The tunnel lit up.

Dirga stepped out. The stadium flashed.

The final felt real now.

All the lights. All the pressure.

But his steps were steady. His eyes were locked in.

This wasn’t the boy who transferred in.

This was the conductor of Horizon’s symphony.