Kōzō Shirogane and the First String List

As the physical tests drew to a close, the afternoon sun began to slant into the spacious gymnasium, casting dappled shadows. The lunch break bell rang out, signaling the end of the short respite. The new students participating in the tests and the upperclassmen responsible for recording the results slowly departed, their hearts filled with a mixture of complex emotions and awe. Everyone shared a common understanding: this year's Teiko Junior High Basketball Team had, unprecedentedly, produced five remarkably talented players simultaneously—remarkably talented in every sense of the word.

After everyone left, the vast court soon returned to silence. Only Shuzo Nijimura remained seated on the bench by the sidelines, staring blankly at the hoop as if still replaying the thrilling scenes from the physical tests. After a long while, he calmed his excited emotions, picked up the compiled test reports, and used his pen to highlight the data of the five talented players. This data was undoubtedly his biggest takeaway from the tests and important information to report to the coach.

Shuzo Nijimura stood up and walked with firm steps towards Kōzō Shirogane's office. He arrived at the office door, knocked gently, and said respectfully, "Hello, Coach Shirogane. I apologize for disturbing you. Is it convenient for you now, Coach? I have a report on the physical test results that I'd like to present."

A kind voice soon came from inside the office, "Oh, it's Shuzo. Come in, come in. Weren't you in charge of the new student physical tests? Did it finish so quickly? Did you discover anything special?"

Shuzo Nijimura pushed the door open and handed the folder containing the test results to Kōzō Shirogane with both hands. "Coach, there are indeed a few incredible newcomers in this physical test. Their performance was outstanding; I believe they are fully qualified to be directly admitted into the First String lineup."

Kōzō Shirogane took the folder and smiled at Shuzo Nijimura. "Directly into the First String lineup? That's not like you, Shuzo."

As soon as he spoke, Kōzō Shirogane's gaze was drawn to the names circled in red on the data report. His finger lightly traced over the names, a flash of shock and surprise in his eyes. He held the folder with a slight tremble, as if savoring something precious.

A long silence fell over the office. Shuzo Nijimura stood to the side, quietly observing Kōzō Shirogane. He didn't say much, believing that the coach understood the implications of this test data better than he did. He was also certain that his judgment was correct—the talent of these five players was unprecedented in the history of Teiko Junior High, and perhaps would never be seen again.

"Haha, Shuzo," Kōzō Shirogane said, his eyes still fixed on the data report, his finger gently rubbing the corner of the document. His tone held a hint of deeper meaning as he spoke, "You're right. They're all remarkable individuals. Based on the data, they indeed have the ability to be directly admitted into the First String lineup."

"Based on the data? Coach, what do you mean?" Shuzo Nijimura asked thoughtfully.

"It's simple. If they truly have the ability, let them go and greet the upperclassmen they're about to replace. If not, spending a year to develop isn't a bad thing," Kōzō Shirogane said with a smile, looking at Shuzo Nijimura.

"But Coach, isn't that a bit much?" Shuzo Nijimura said hesitantly. "After all, they're just first-years..."

"What? Have you lost confidence in the people you scouted? When you first joined the team, you beat the captain at the time and were directly admitted into the First String," Kōzō Shirogane said, watching Shuzo Nijimura with interest.

"No, Coach, you misunderstand. I mean they're just first-years. If we let them beat the First String members, it might be difficult to manage them in the future," Shuzo Nijimura's tone remained firm.

"Haha, you, you," Kōzō Shirogane chuckled lightly and pointed at Shuzo Nijimura. "Have you forgotten the motto of our Teiko Junior High? Besides victory, we have nothing else to care about!"

Perhaps no one could have imagined that Teiko's future three consecutive national championships would have their foundation laid on a bright afternoon, during a casual conversation between a young man and a coach.

Ken Kaneki, of course, was also unaware of this conversation. At this moment, he was walking back to the classroom with Daiki Aomine and Satsuki Momoi.

"Hey, hey, Kaneki-kun, you're amazing!" Satsuki Momoi said, looking at Ken Kaneki with admiration. "I heard from the upperclassmen that your physical test data broke the team's historical record!"

"Hey, hey, hey, Satsuki, why are you so biased? I broke the team's historical record too!" Daiki Aomine said indignantly. "Why aren't you praising me?"

"But A-Dai, didn't Kaneki-kun break your historical record just five minutes later? And didn't someone say they would look out for Kaneki-kun back then?" Satsuki Momoi teased with a hint of mischief.

"Ugh! Damn it!" Daiki Aomine's voice faltered, his face turning red. He turned and pointed at Ken Kaneki, "Who could have known this guy was playing dumb? Who could have known that when he said he wasn't playing very well, he meant 'I'm not very good with one more person'?"

"Haha, Satsuki, Aomine-kun is also very impressive. Didn't you see how the upperclassmen looked at him after his technical test was completed?" Ken Kaneki smiled with narrowed eyes. "It was just luck for me; my body was in good condition today."

"Tch, who asked for your praise?" Daiki Aomine turned his head away, looking at the ground, and said stubbornly, "Don't leave after school. After training tonight, I'll definitely beat you."

The three of them chatted and laughed until they parted ways in the school corridor. Satsuki Momoi and Daiki Aomine returned to their respective classrooms, while Ken Kaneki went to the teacher's office to wait for his homeroom teacher.

Before long, a kind-faced old man approached him holding a document. After carefully identifying him, he said, "You must be Kaneki Ken-kun, right?"

"Hello, Teacher. My name is Ken Kaneki. It's nice to meet you. Please guide me in the future," Ken Kaneki stood up and bowed.

"Hahaha, don't be so formal, child. I am your homeroom teacher, Yoshimura Kōzen. I'll take you to your class," the old man said with a smile.

"Okay, thank you, Teacher Yoshimura," Ken Kaneki stood up and followed Yoshimura Kōzen to his assigned class, D.

"Everyone, this is the new transfer student, Ken Kaneki-kun. Please get along well with him from now on," Yoshimura Kōzen introduced Ken Kaneki while standing on the podium. "Please introduce yourself, Kaneki-kun."

"Hello, everyone! I am Ken Kaneki, a new transfer student. Please guide me in the future," Ken Kaneki introduced himself briefly, his eyes involuntarily drifting towards a large figure sitting in the corner.

"Alright, Kaneki-kun, you can sit with Murasakibara-kun from now on," Yoshimura Kōzen arranged, looking at Ken Kaneki's tall stature.