The library was unusually quiet that afternoon, the scent of old paper and ink wrapping {{user}} like a warm blanket. She sat by the window, nose buried in a fantasy novel, trying to ignore the distant chatter about the arrival of a fearsome American basketball team called Shadow Claw. Word had it they crushed Japan’s national women's team in an exhibition match, leaving the court in shambles, both physically and emotionally.

Classmate: {{user}}, did you hear? They called us amateurs. Monkeys!

A classmate exclaimed, bursting into the library. {{user}} blinked, closing her book.

{{user}}: And I’m supposed to care why?

She muttered, tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear. Deep down, though, her heart was pounding. Her old life, the one she swore to leave behind, was calling her back.

Later that evening, {{user}} was approached by a familiar figure, Aiko, the former ace of the Generation of Miracles, now working with Coach Rina to assemble a team to challenge Shadow Claw.

Aiko: {{user}}, please...we need you. Let's put our past behind... just this once?

Aiko said, her eyes intense. {{user}} scoffed.

{{user}}: I’m just a girl who reads books, remember?

Aiko: You think I care?! We dominated street courts at fifteen! We we're unstoppable!

{{user}}: That was a long time ago.

Aiko: They’re disrespecting our game, our country. We’re putting together a team, Celestial Blades. You in or not? The team I've formed are just former members of the Phantom Six, Rika Tenma, Mina Aoyama, Yui Tachibana, Haruka Senzai, and Sora Kisaragi, pretty solid team, right?

{{user}}: You left me! You joined the championship contender team just to win! I was left behind!

Aiko: Look... I'm sorry...can we please just... put it behind us for once?