Aida Yayoi's Interview (2)

He paused, his expression suddenly turning grave. "The regional qualifying preliminaries are coming up soon. For now, we can only rely on the people we have to compete."

Just then, Ayako stepped forward with a notebook in hand, her expression serious.

"Let me add something."

She opened her notes, her voice clear and calm.

"There are over two hundred high schools in our prefecture, including last year's champions, Kainan University Affiliated High School. They have competed in the national tournament every year for the past decade and are a well-known powerhouse across the country."

"There's also Shoyo High School. They were last year's runners-up, and their strength is close to Kainan University Affiliated High School's."

"And..." She looked up, her gaze sweeping over everyone. "Ryonan High School, the team we lost to in our last practice game."

At the mention of Ryonan High School, the atmosphere inside the gymnasium immediately grew heavy.

Everyone from Shohoku tensed up, an involuntary trace of wariness appearing in their eyes.

The shadow left by that last game still lingered in their minds, especially the devil-like crimson figure—Ryonan's current captain, Chi Tong. Ling Yu, the man who had left them utterly powerless.

Several days later, outside Ryonan High School's gates, the morning sun spilled across the stone steps of the campus. A gentle breeze stirred, and the leaves rustled softly.

A young woman in a bright yellow striped business suit approached at an unhurried pace, her high heels clicking sharply and steadily against the ground. It was Mukai Yayo.

She looked up at the gates of Lin Nan High School, a meaningful smile curling at the corner of her lips as she murmured, "Let me see just how capable Lin Nan's new captain really is!"

With that, she stepped through the gates and headed straight