"Kaito-senpai," Dirgantara leaned forward slightly, lowering his voice as if talking about a state secret. "Where does Asano-senpai usually play?"
Kaito raised an eyebrow, sensing Dirga's determined tone. "You want to recruit him?"
Dirga nodded once. No hesitation.
"It's worth a try," Kaito said, pulling a folded piece of paper from his bag and scribbling something with a pen. "He goes to this gym most nights. It's open to the public—some older guys, a few high schoolers, even a couple of university students come around. Rikuya blends in there like it's his second home."
He handed over the note, and Dirga took it with care, like it was a key to unlocking a new stage.
"Thanks. I'll try talking to him."
"Good luck. He won't be easy to convince. But if anyone can do it, it's probably you." Kaito smirked.
Dirga slipped the note into his pocket just as Taiga finished guzzling down a juice box he found somewhere in the clubroom.
"Alright! I'm fired up!" Taiga yelled, punching the air. "Let's start practicing, Captain!"
Kaito laughed softly, then clapped his hands once to get their attention.
"Actually," he said, eyes drifting toward Taiga, "before we talk about practice, how about we see what you're made of first?"
"Hah?" Taiga blinked.
"A test," Kaito said, smiling. "Let's go outside to the court. Show me what you've got."
Taiga grinned ear to ear, cracking his knuckles. "Heh, you're gonna regret challenging me, Captain!"
Dirga sighed with a smile. "No one challenged you…"
But Taiga was already halfway out the door.
Outside, the sun was starting to lower, painting the sky with faint streaks of orange. The court was half-shadowed, with the gentle breeze making the net dance.
Kaito pointed toward the hoop. "Alright. Let's keep it simple. Show me your layups, your shooting form, your footwork. Don't hold back."
Taiga tossed his bag aside, rolled up his sleeves, and crouched slightly like a coiled spring.
"Get ready to be dazzled!" he declared, charging the court.
Dirga stood back and watched. As Taiga started his drills, it became clear—he had raw strength, athleticism, and passion in spades. But his balance was shaky, his shooting form inconsistent, and he tried to play too fast for his own good.
"Hmm…" Kaito crossed his arms. "He's like a wild tiger. No technique, just instinct."
"Yeah," Dirga muttered, "but he's got fire. And fire can be shaped."
"True." Kaito smiled again. "He's rough, but I like him."
Taiga, panting but proud, jogged back to them. "Well? Impressed?"
"You pass," Kaito said with a thumbs-up. "Barely."
"Yahooo!" Taiga whooped, throwing both fists in the air. "Told ya!"
Dirga chuckled. "You've got potential, Taiga. Just don't break your nose trying to imitate Rukawa again."
"Oi!" Taiga barked. "That was ONE time!"
As they walked off the court, the sky deepened into violet, and Dirga quietly glanced at the note in his pocket again.
Tonight… I'll find Rikuya-senpai.
…
The gym Kaito mentioned wasn't far from the school so he ask taiga to come with him. just a short walk past the train station and behind a small community center. As the sun dipped below the rooftops, Dirga stood in front of the worn-out building, his gym bag slung over one shoulder. Through the cracked windows, the echo of bouncing basketballs called to him like a familiar song.
He stepped inside, greeted by the distinct smell of wood, sweat, and rubber. The place wasn't fancy—flickering lights overhead, faded court lines, and an old scoreboard that hadn't been used in years—but it was alive. A few grown men played half-court, shouting plays and laughing between possessions. On the far end, dominating the post like he owned it, was Rikuya Asano.
Even among adults, he stood out.
Dirga watched as Rikuya boxed out a taller man, snagged the rebound cleanly, and whipped a perfect outlet pass across the court without looking.
It was seamless. Like muscle memory.
Kaito was right—he's the real deal.
Dirga walked toward the bench and waited until the game paused.
"Asano-senpai."
Rikuya turned, towel draped around his shoulders. He raised an eyebrow in surprise. "Dirgantara, right? You're Kaito's guy."
Dirga bowed respectfully. "Yes. Sorry to show up like this."
"No worries. What brings you here?"
Dirga looked him in the eye. "I came to ask if you'd join the basketball club."
Rikuya chuckled. "You serious?"
"I am. We need you."
"I'm in my third year, you know? I've got council work, high school entrance exams… not much time for school club games."
"Then don't come just as a player. Come as a mentor. Your experience is what we need."
Rikuya gave Dirga a long, unreadable look. Then, a low chuckle escaped his lips.
"You've got guts, I'll give you that," he said, standing up and stretching his arms. "But talk is cheap."
Dirga raised an eyebrow. "So… what? One-on-one?"
"No," Rikuya replied with a sly grin. He jerked his thumb toward the court, where a group of adults were already breaking for water. "You see that? That's a real game. Five-on-five. You build a team and face mine. If you win, I'll consider your offer."
Dirga blinked for a moment, then nodded with determination. "Deal."
[SYSTEM ALERT]
Quest Unlocked: "Convince the Titan"
Objective: Win a 5v5 game against Rikuya Asano's team
Rewards: Rikuya's Approval, Synergy Vision, Randow Draw
Accept this Quest? [YES] / [NO]
Dirga smirked. Yes.
He turned and quickly stepped out of the court toward the side benches, where a certain wild-haired boy was watching with curious eyes.
"Taiga."
Taiga Okabe snapped to attention like a soldier. "Yo! That guy you're talking to... he's crazy good!"
"He is," Dirga said, nodding. "That's Rikuya Asano-senpai. If we want him on the team—or at least as a mentor—we need to prove ourselves first."
"Wait, we?"
"You and me. There's a game about to happen. Team vs. team, first to 21."
Taiga's eyes lit up like fireworks. "Say less."
"I need you in my team now," Dirga added. "You in?"
Taiga practically sprinted before Dirga finished the sentence. "Are you kidding?! Hell yeah I'm in! Let's show 'em what we got!"
The two dashed into the open court. With Dirga leading, they quickly rounded up a team: a lanky high schooler with a decent jump shot, an older stocky guy who played with grit, and a chill guy named with sharp eyes who only nodded when asked if he could play.
Before the match started, Dirga huddled his team together.
"Listen up," he began. "We're not here to show off—we're here to win. We move the ball, communicate, and stay sharp. I'll run the offense. Hit your shots, crash the boards, and let's have fun."
Taiga grinned wide. "Captain Dirga, yes sir!"
Rikuya walked back to the center of the court, twirling the ball lazily on one finger.
"Show me what you've got, Dirgantara Renji."
Dirga stepped forward, locking eyes with him.
"Gladly."
As the ball went up for tip-off, Dirga's heartbeat settled—not from nerves, but from focus. This wasn't just a game.
It was his first battle to build something real.
Taiga pumped his fist. "Let's crush 'em, captain!"
Dirga crouched low, focused.