Half a year had passed in the blink of an eye.
Looking out the window at the yellowing leaves drifting down, Haizaki Shogo sighed softly, "One leaf falls, and autumn is known…"
Shimizu-chan turned back, her rose-red hair and matching eyes sparkling with excitement as she looked at him.
"Shogo-kun, the holidays are almost here! Do you have any plans for winter break?"
"Hmm, let me think… I don't think so, Shimizu-chan."
"Shogo-kun, can we go out together? With the other classmates?"
"Sorry, Shimizu-chan. No time for trips this winter break—the fencing hall and Sanda gym are waiting for me to check in every day!"
"Fencing hall and Sanda gym? Shogo-kun, which fencing hall are you at?"
"The one in the city center. Why, Shimizu-chan, are you interested in fencing?"
"Yes, I am! Well then, Shogo-kun, goodbye!"
The beautiful and elegant Shimizu-chan, urged along by a few younger girls, hurriedly said her goodbyes to Haizaki Shogo.
Her long rose-red ponytail swayed behind her and slowly vanished from Haizaki Shogo's sight.
Watching the empty classroom, Haizaki Shogo packed his bag and left the building at a slow, deliberate pace.
Walking across the playground, the fallen leaves fluttered in the air.
Something seemed to be approaching…
Ah, the holidays are coming.
Half a year of nothing but studying, fencing, Sanda, basketball practice, swimming, and sleep.
In this half-year, Haizaki Shogo's academic performance had skyrocketed, leaving his homeroom teacher and classmates astonished.
But Haizaki Shogo didn't care at all.
Right now, he was focused on his physical ability panel—and a proud smile spread across his face.
Name: Haizaki Shogo
Height: 190 cm (still growing)
Weight: 80 kg (still growing)
Position: Small Forward (developing)
Jersey Number: None
Strength: Superior
Agility: Exceptional
Endurance: Exceptional
Jumping Ability: Superior
Explosive Power: Exceptional
Special Skill 1: Pillage
Skill Description: "Seizes" another person's skill and converts it into one's own style and rhythm, unconsciously disrupting the opponent's flow and preventing them from using the same technique again.
Special Skill 2: Devour (Advanced Soul Fusion Skill)
Skill Description: "Devours" another person's skill and turns it into a permanent ability. Each devour consumes 1 Devour Energy Point.
Energy Points: 3
His endurance and agility had both reached Exceptional.
This was Haizaki Shogo's biggest achievement over the past six months.
Above Superior was Exceptional—and even after reaching Exceptional, his endurance and agility continued to grow.
What does this mean?
It meant that Exceptional wasn't the peak; there were higher evaluations beyond it.
Currently, Haizaki Shogo's strength remained Superior, but he predicted it would soon reach Exceptional as well.
Meanwhile, his jumping ability hadn't changed, while his explosive power had rapidly grown to Exceptional thanks to fencing and Sanda training.
Jumping ability wasn't stagnant—it just hadn't yet reached the point where quantitative growth would trigger qualitative change.
Winter break had arrived.
This was also the perfect time for Aoda to bloom, he thought.
Aoda—Aomine Daiki—undeniably the most talented prodigy of this miraculous era. No one could rival him.
So, Haizaki Shogo made a decision.
This winter break would be all training—and challenging Aoda to some basketball matches.
He wanted Aoda to see whether he alone could surpass himself.
Just thinking about it made Haizaki Shogo chuckle hee hee hee.
Aoda, I'm coming for you. Are you ready?
And Satsuki—how have you been lately? Growing up a bit more, I see?
On his way home, imagining the future, Haizaki Shogo couldn't help but give a roguish smile that only men would understand.
After opening his eyes, drawing the curtains, and taking a shower, Haizaki Shogo was about to sling his bag and basketball over his shoulder and head to school.
Suddenly, his mother's gentle voice came from the kitchen:
"Shogo-kun, where are you off to?"
"To school, for class!"
"Shogo-kun… aren't you on winter break?"
Her soft confusion immediately snapped Haizaki Shogo back to reality.
Oh right… it's winter break. Why am I going to school?
"Uh! Sorry, Mother. I forgot—it's just a habit to go to school."
"Hehehehe!!!"
Having made such a ridiculous mistake, Haizaki Shogo had to return to his room, change out of his school uniform, and put on casual white clothes instead.
Under his mother's teasing gaze, he laughed off his embarrassment.
During breakfast, Haizaki Shogo kept thinking—since it was break, why not go see Satsuki and Aoda?
Show Aoda just how terrifying his growth had been, and experience Aomine Daiki's true prowess firsthand.
He picked up the phone and dialed a number.
A gentle, almost unearthly female voice answered.
"Hello? Who's calling?"
"Hello, Auntie. I'm looking for Satsuki-chan. I'm her classmate."
"Oh, alright, please hold."
Holding the phone, Haizaki Shogo imagined the gentle voice on the other end, then thought of Satsuki's face and her mother's appearance and temperament.
Everything became vivid in his mind.
"Hello, this is Satsuki."
"Satsuki-chan, it's me—Haizaki Shogo."
On the other end, Satsuki Momoi froze slightly, embarrassed and flustered, seemingly afraid Haizaki Shogo would say something mortifying.
Fortunately, Haizaki Shogo quickly got to the point—but it still left Satsuki feeling a little down.
"Satsuki-chan, I want to go find Aoda and play basketball. Do you know where he is?"
"Aoda… lately, I haven't had a clue. He hasn't been to basketball practice in ages."
No wonder her voice sounded so low.
Haizaki Shogo then said simply:
"I'll come find you this afternoon. You'll take me to Aoda—maybe I can help with your problem too."
"Shogo-kun, you…"
"Alright, enough talking. I'll see you this afternoon—don't be late!"
"Don't be late!"
Having set the plan, Haizaki Shogo changed into a fresh pair of sneakers and a T-shirt, grabbed his basketball in one hand, and left.
At Teiko Junior High's gate, the campus was eerily quiet.
A silver-haired handsome guy and a pink-haired girl met there.
"Shogo-kun, hi!"
"Alright, Satsuki-chan. We're so familiar now—take me to Aoda, I need to see him."
Satsuki Momoi felt a little shy.
The memory of the Shogo-kun who had stolen her first kiss still embarrassed her a bit.
Although she didn't dislike Haizaki Shogo, she wasn't particularly fond of him either.
But he had a good relationship with her and Daiki, so… it was fine.
Yet, the moment Aoda was mentioned, Satsuki's mood sank.
Luckily, while talking, she led Haizaki Shogo toward the place Aomine Daiki often roamed.
On an unknown balcony, Aomine Daiki lay bored on the rooftop, staring at the sky.
Suddenly, he glanced in a direction—but there was nothing there.
Huh?
Something about this confused Aomine Daiki.
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150 Power Stones = Bonus Chapter
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