The gym doors creaked open, the echo of bouncing balls and echoing shouts spilling into the hallway. Sunlight beamed in, casting your shadow long across the polished floor.

You stepped in, holding your duffel bag by the strap, your Shohoku uniform still stiff with its first wear. A few players glanced over, curious. Others kept practicing.

But one figure turned immediately.

Ayako. Cap low over her eyes, clipboard in hand, she watched you enter like she already knew. There was a stillness to the way she stared—quiet and unreadable—but not cold.

Just… curious.

“Ah, that’s the one,” Coach Anzai said behind her, slowly approaching. “{{user}}. National-level talent. Transferred in on my personal request.”

Ayako tilted her head, eyes narrowing ever so slightly. “So you’re the big deal?”