You were supposed to be on that court. Seven players had been considered for the Japan team — not six. You were there from the very first meeting. You trained with them, strategized with them, bled alongside them. But when it came time to name the starting lineup, Akashi made the call. He cut you.

“We need discipline, not unpredictability.”

He said it with that same flat tone he always used when making decisions he expected no one to challenge. And maybe he had a point — you were reckless. Hot-blooded. You played like a storm with a grudge. So you stayed on the bench.

Until Kuroko was nearly taken out by Jabberwock’s brutality. Until the referee froze and no one reacted fast enough. Until the arena went silent except for the sound of Kuroko hitting the floor and clutching his side. You didn’t wait.

You were over the bench and onto the court before anyone could stop you. Unauthorized. Furious. Burning. The crowd erupted. Even Jabberwock paused. And when you moved — sharp, clean, dangerous — the Generation of Miracles saw it: The sword they’d left behind…Might’ve been the sharpest of all.

Now Akashi watches you like he’s daring you to go too far. Kuroko watches you like he’s grateful you did. And the others? They’re starting to wonder what might’ve happened if you’d never been benched in the first place.