Opening Scene - Rai Akamine: The Name That Echoes
Setting: Dimly lit Tokyo TV studio, late-night sports segment.
A former pro player speaks into the mic:
Analyst:
> "Rai Akamine. They call him Raijin... not just because he's fast.
But because when he plays, it feels like a storm is remembering something.
And the person it remembers... is Maxwell."
The screen fades from the analyst to a highlight reel - Rai crossing up three defenders, then dunking like lightning split the court.
---
Scene - Tokyo International Hotel, Night Before the Match
The team is seated in a hotel conference room. Coach Rintaro plays tapes of the next opponent: Raijin Academy.
Coach Rintaro:
> "They don't just play fast...
They play like they already know what you'll do next."
Hunter shifts in his seat.
Hunter:
> "So they're psychic now?"
Maxwell doesn't respond. He's staring at the screen. At him - Rai Akamine.
His breath subtly slows.
Knight (noticing):
> "Max... who is he?"
Maxwell (quietly):
> "...My mistake."
---
Scene - Flashback Begins (Midnight)
Young Maxwell, about 13, is in a regional team match.
He's furious. The coach is yelling. His teammates are losing hope.
Only one player keeps up with him - a lean, sharp-eyed kid with an aggressive playstyle: Rai Akamine.
But Maxwell is selfish. He overplays. Rai tries to calm him, but Maxwell snaps:
Young Maxwell:
> "If you can't keep up... then stay out of my way!"
They lose.
Rai stands alone on the court as Maxwell walks out of the gym... and never looks back.
---
Scene - Back to Present Day
Maxwell stares out his hotel window, clenching his fist.
Maxwell (thinking):
> "I buried that version of me.
But he didn't.
He became him."
---
Scene - Knight and Airi
Knight and Airi walk outside the venue after a team dinner.
She tries to talk about their feelings again. About them.
Airi (softly):
> "You always rush into battles, but run from me..."
Knight pauses. Then shakes his head.
Knight:
> "Not running. Just... not now.
I can't be a good boyfriend if I'm a bad teammate."
She doesn't reply. Just nods.
---
Scene - Morning of the Match
Arena Packed. Rain lightly drizzles outside.
Raijin Academy arrives in black tracksuits with a white lightning bolt logo.
Maxwell walks past Rai in the tunnel.
Rai (softly):
> "You thought I'd fade.
But you were the lightning bolt... I was the thunder that followed."
Maxwell stops but doesn't turn around.
Maxwell:
> "This time... I won't walk away."
---
Pre-Tipoff Narration
> "Ghosts don't haunt buildings.
They haunt people.
And today... Maxwell's past is finally ready to play defense."
---
Scene - Tipoff Begins
Tokyo International vs. Raijin Academy.
Rai Akamine immediately isolates Maxwell.
First play - cross, hesitation, ankle breaker. Pull-up three.
Crowd erupts.
Knight gets the ball back. Drives. Blocked from behind - Rai again.
Maxwell picks up the ball.
He moves forward - but hesitates. His footwork stutters.
Coach Rintaro (under breath):
> "He's... frozen."
Rai whispers as they pass:
Rai:
> "I didn't come to win.
I came to remind you what you really are."
---
Scene - Halftime
Score: Raijin 42 - Tokyo International 31
In the locker room, Maxwell is uncharacteristically silent.
Hunter punches a locker.
Hunter:
> "They're clowning us out there!"
Knight:
> "We've seen monsters. What makes this different?!"
Maxwell speaks - his voice cracking.
Maxwell:
> "Because this isn't a monster.
It's the shadow I left behind... and it grew teeth."
Everyone falls silent.
---
Ending Narration
> "Some matches are won in the gym.
Others are won in memory.
But when memory becomes your enemy...
Even the strongest fall."
---
Episode Ends.
Next Episode: "Thunderclap - Rise or Break"