Slam Dunk: Miracle

The morning sun cast its warm glow over Kanagawa as Kenji Akagi adjusted the strap of his schoolbag. Today was a big day—not just for him, but for his sister, Haruko. Both were starting their first year at Shohoku High School.

"Kenji! Hurry up, or we'll be late!" Haruko called out from the front door.

"Coming!" Kenji replied, double-checking that he had packed his basketball shoes. Though he had kept his skills hidden from everyone except Takenori, today marked the beginning of a new chapter.

As they walked to school together, Haruko bubbled with excitement. "I heard Shohoku's basketball team is amazing! Nii-chan must be so excited to lead the team this year."

Kenji nodded, his usual quiet demeanor masking the thrill he felt. His brother, Takenori, now a senior, had become the team's captain. Kenji had no doubt that Takenori would work tirelessly to make Shohoku the best in Japan.

"You're going to join the team too, right?" Haruko asked, tilting her head.

Kenji smiled faintly. "Maybe. I'll see how things go."

Haruko pouted. "You're so good at basketball, Kenji! You should join. I bet Nii-chan would love to play with you."

Kenji chuckled softly but said nothing. He wasn't ready to reveal the full extent of his abilities—not yet.

First Day at Shohoku

Shohoku High buzzed with energy as students filled the hallways. Kenji and Haruko made their way to the registration desk, where they were greeted by a cheerful upperclassman.

"Welcome to Shohoku! You must be Akagi-san's siblings," the girl said, her eyes sparkling with recognition.

Haruko beamed. "That's us!"

Kenji simply nodded, his calm demeanor drawing curious glances from the other students. Despite his efforts to stay low-key, his tall, athletic build and striking features made it hard for him to blend in.

"Wow, he's even taller than Akagi-senpai," someone whispered.

"Do you think he plays basketball too?" another murmured.

Kenji ignored the chatter and focused on finding his classroom.

The First Encounter

During lunch, Haruko dragged Kenji to the gym. "Come on! Let's watch Nii-chan practice."

The gym was alive with the sounds of sneakers squeaking against the polished floor and basketballs bouncing rhythmically. Takenori's commanding voice echoed as he directed his team through drills.

"Push harder! We're not here to lose to anyone!"

Kenji leaned against the doorway, observing quietly. His brother's presence was as imposing as ever, but the team's overall skill level left much to be desired.

As the practice ended, Takenori spotted them and walked over. "Haruko! Kenji! What are you two doing here?"

"Just watching," Haruko replied cheerfully.

Takenori turned to Kenji. "Are you planning to join the team?"

Kenji hesitated, then shrugged. "Maybe."

Takenori frowned. "What's with the 'maybe'? You've got talent, Kenji. Don't waste it."

"I'll think about it," Kenji said, keeping his tone neutral.

The Challenge

Later that afternoon, as Kenji prepared to leave the gym, he noticed a group of upperclassmen gathered near the basketball court. Among them was Ryota Miyagi, Shohoku's starting point guard, who was casually dribbling the ball.

"You the new kid?" Ryota asked, tossing the ball to Kenji.

Kenji caught it effortlessly. "Yeah."

"Let's see what you've got," Ryota said with a grin. "One-on-one. First to five points."

Kenji hesitated. He had planned to keep a low profile, but something about Ryota's playful challenge intrigued him.

"Alright," Kenji said, stepping onto the court.

The game began, and Ryota moved quickly, his dribbling sharp and precise. But Kenji was faster. With minimal effort, he swiped the ball mid-dribble and sprinted toward the hoop, dunking with a power that rattled the rim.

The crowd around the court fell silent.

Ryota blinked in disbelief. "What the—"

Kenji handed the ball back, his expression calm. "Your turn."

Ryota tried again, but no matter how fast he moved, Kenji was always a step ahead. By the time the score reached 5–0, it was clear that Ryota didn't stand a chance.

"Who… are you?" Ryota asked, breathing heavily.

Kenji shrugged. "Just a freshman."

The Decision

That evening, as Kenji walked home with Haruko, she couldn't stop talking about his performance.

"That was amazing! Nii-chan is going to flip when he hears about this!"

Kenji smiled faintly. "Let's keep it between us for now, okay?"

Haruko tilted her head. "Why?"

"I want to prove myself on my own terms," Kenji said. "When the time is right, they'll see what I can do."

Haruko nodded, though she didn't fully understand.

As they reached home, Kenji looked up at the stars and made a silent promise to himself.

This is just the beginning.