Kogure's Past

"Kogure, what are you doing? Get back on defense!"

"Kogure, are you even a basketball player? What's wrong with you? You've only been on the court for a few minutes and you're already out of stamina!"

"I... I'll work harder on my conditioning. Don't worry, seniors!" Kogure said shamefully after being criticized by several teammates.

Kogure Kiminobu had once been the sixth man on Shohoku's basketball team. He was exceptionally kind and widely recognized as a nice guy. Since he wore glasses, Sakuragi had gotten into the habit of calling him Glasses.

After graduating from high school, Kogure got into college. Though he had enrolled in economics, an unfulfilled basketball dream had always remained in his heart. So, Kogure chose to join the university basketball team. The people who had just criticized him were his college teammates.

"Kogure, what I'm about to say may not sound pleasant, but I've thought about it for a long time. For the sake of your future, I still need to tell you." Kogure's college coach had come to find him, apparently to discuss something important.

"Coach, go ahead. It's fine." Kogure seemed unconcerned.

"Then I'll be blunt. Actually, Kogure, you know it yourself. You were a substitute in high school, and to be honest, your physical ability is pretty average. We only accepted you before because you wanted so badly to join the basketball team, and because the team was short-handed at the time. But things are different now. The school recruited quite a few promising players this year, and the team is about to undergo a major overhaul. I've also asked around, and your economics coursework is fairly demanding. Those professors all think highly of you and hope you can focus on your studies. Remember this, Kogure: in college, passion for basketball alone isn't enough to get you onto a team. Ability is what really matters! So... Kogure... you..." The coach's words made Kogure lower his head.

"I understand, Coach. Thank you for speaking honestly to me. Conversations like this are unforgettable. I understand now. Perhaps today will be my last day on the basketball team." Kogure understood the meaning behind his coach's words.

"Kogure, don't lose heart. Everyone has their own strengths. Perhaps yours lies in economics. That may be where your sky is!" the coach consoled him.

"Thank you anyway, Coach. You've taught me a great deal during this time, and I'll always remember it! Goodbye!" With that, Kogure ran out. Perhaps he did not want the coach to see him cry. In truth, before he had even made it out of the gym, Kogure was already covering his face and weeping bitterly.

The coach's words drove Kogure into despair unlike anything he had ever known. Basketball was his life, and chasing the highest honor in the basketball world was his dream. For that dream, Kogure could give up everything. Yet now, he felt that dream had suddenly become impossibly distant. He had lost all motivation to live, as if he had suffered heartbreak. Even Kogure, who had always been so positive and encouraging toward others, began to feel lost.

"Kogure... a top player needs extraordinary physical talent, along with that spirit of never giving up that you have." Watching Kogure's departing figure, the coach sighed emotionally.

After leaving the university team, Kogure felt that every corner of the campus carried an air of sorrow. Though many teachers tried their hardest to persuade him otherwise, Kogure still chose to leave soon afterward, departing from the place that had broken his heart.

"Kogure, how about it? Interested in coming here? I've already recommended you to the coach, and he thinks highly of you too. Want to give it a try?"

Seeing his former teammate in trouble, how could Akagi, his good brother, simply stand by? He took the initiative to call Kogure and invite him to join his school's team.

"Thank you for the offer, Akagi, but perhaps the coach was right. Everyone has something they're good at. Maybe I really am not suited for basketball." Kogure still seemed psychologically scarred.

"Kogure Kiminobu! Is that something you should be saying? Have you forgotten our promise? We were going to dominate the nation! You're not Kogure. The Kogure I know is a man who never gives up easily, a man who is positive and eternally optimistic, a man who never retreats on the road to pursuing his dreams!" Akagi wanted to use this method to wake Kogure up.

"Akagi..." After being practically lectured by Akagi, Kogure choked up.

"But I... I'm basically a dropout now. Would a school still want me?" Kogure's attitude had changed.

"I've already explained your situation to the school. As long as you agree, your student records and everything else will be transferred over. You can continue studying economics!" Akagi answered with certainty.

"Akagi..." Hearing Akagi say that, Kogure choked up again.

"But there's one condition!" The moment Kogure heard the word condition, he immediately stopped choking up.

"You must join the basketball team, become my teammate, and become the Kogure Kiminobu you used to be!" Akagi's words instantly brought Kogure to tears!

"I'm Kogure Kiminobu, a first-year student. I play forward. I'm new here, so I hope the coaching staff and my new teammates will guide me!"

Just like that, Kogure completed his enrollment, joined Akagi's team, and set sail again in pursuit of his original dream.

From then on, Kogure trained even harder. With his friend Akagi by his side, he improved every day. Since his natural attributes were not outstanding, he made up for them through relentless training. Three-point shooting was his strength, so he trained his threes relentlessly. His offensive arsenal was limited, so he made up for it with powerful defense. Day after day, Kogure gradually developed his own distinct traits: three-point shooting and tenacious defense! Those two labels became deeply imprinted upon him.

"Take what you're good at and push it to the limit, and you'll succeed!" Akagi's words often echoed in Kogure's mind. Before he knew it, they had become Kogure's creed.

"With the eighth pick in the fourth JBa Draft, the Fukuyama Flying Waves select... Kogure Kiminobu!"

After their first-year season ended, both Kogure and Akagi chose to enter the draft. Kogure's ability was recognized, and being selected eighth in a draft full of talented players was already an extremely high position. That year's first overall pick was Takenori Akagi, selected by the Kobe Jaguars.

Kogure's family had initially opposed his decision to continue playing professionally. But after seeing his almost crazed training and his unwavering determination, his parents said nothing more. Abandoning the economics he had always studied, he turned to becoming a professional player. Kogure truly seemed prepared!

"Kogure, well done!" Akagi congratulated Kogure.

"Akagi, you're the one who did well. You went first overall, which means you're already among the best of our generation. Your future is limitless!" Kogure praised Akagi as well.

"The eighth pick isn't low either. The Flying Waves must have chosen you because they value your strengths. Keep it up, Kogure. Though we'll be playing for different teams this time, our dreams are the same!" Akagi encouraged Kogure.

"Dominate the nation!" Kogure and Akagi said in unison.

"Hey, Kogure, what are you thinking about? Hurry up and train. We've got a game tomorrow!" A player so massive that "tall" could not even describe him, practically a giant, snapped Kogure out of his memories.

"Oh, I was thinking about the past. I'm coming!" Kogure had gone through it all in his mind, from being kicked off his university team, to joining Akagi, entering the draft, and arriving at his new team.

"Maybe it's because I'll soon be facing those guys. I've been thinking about the old days a lot lately," Kogure murmured to himself.

"Everyone, gather up!"

Inside the Flying Waves' training facility, the head coach called a halt to practice.

"This week, we'll face two opponents at home in succession. First, we play the Tokyo Great White Sharks tomorrow night. They're easy enough to prepare for. That team doesn't have much of a goal this season, so as long as we execute our tactics, there shouldn't be a problem. Next are the recently popular Jaguars. They nearly dragged the Deer Horns into overtime last game. The Jaguars already became much stronger after landing the first overall pick this year, and last year's overseas draft players have returned to the team as well. That has greatly improved the Jaguars' strength on paper!" The Flying Waves' head coach analyzed the team's two opponents for the week.

"Kogure, you should have a lot to say about the Jaguars, right?" the coach asked.

"Yes, Coach. All five Jaguars players were once my teammates, so I know their individual characteristics fairly well." Kogure adjusted his glasses, revealing a wise gleam in his eyes.