"Good morning."
"Good morning. Did you finish the homework the teacher gave us?" asked a girl.
"What?!! Did we get homework?!" shouted a boy in shock.
"Jeez, are you trying to make me deaf?" asked the girl.
"The match yesterday was really something. I can't wait to tell Tetsuo about it," said Haruko with a smile. "But that'll have to wait because I have to return these jerseys I washed to the first years. Apparently, they didn't want to bring them home in their bags, saying they were too sweaty. So I took them home and washed all six of them.
Kazue was opposed to the idea and even tried using intimidation to get them to take their own jerseys home. However, as captain, it's my duty to ensure that all of them feel comfortable with basketball. I'm currently going from class to class to return them to their owners," Haruko thought to herself.
"I wonder what I should get Tetsuo for our anniversary. It's so hard to choose something because I don't know exactly what he likes. He never shares these things with me. I don't know what I'm going to do," Usagi thought to herself, frustrated.
"You look stressed, Usagi. What's wrong?" asked a girl in Usagi's class.
"It's nothing, really. I was just thinking about a gift I should get for my brother. Today is the second anniversary of when my older brother and I moved here, so I want to buy something for him to show my appreciation for taking care of me over these past few years," replied Usagi.
"That's so sweet. What's your older brother's name, by the way?" asked her classmate.
"His name is Tetsuo Kawaguchi, and he attends Toshigawa Academy."
"Wait, did that girl just call Tetsuo by his full name?" Haruko thought to herself, shocked.
"Hey there, did you just say Tetsuo Kawaguchi?" asked Haruko.
"Yes, I did, but why do you ask?" asked Usagi curiously.
"No particular reason. We played basketball together, so when I heard his name, I was just curious," said Haruko as she blushed.
"Wait, you're the girl he goes out with in the mornings to play basketball, right?"
"Wait, how do you know that unless…?"
"My name is Usagi Kawaguchi, his little sister."
"Ohh, that explains it. My name is Haruko Takahashi, a third-year. That makes me your senior."
"You and Tetsuo are friends, right? Can you think of anything he likes? Today marks two years since we moved here, and I want to buy something special for him to show my appreciation," said Usagi.
"There's nothing I can think of at the moment, but if I had to guess, I'd say it would have something to do with basketball," said Haruko.
"Ohh, wait, why didn't I think of that?" Haruko thought to herself. "I can show you a place that sells all kinds of basketball gear and supplies after school if that's alright with you," said Haruko.
"Yeah, thank you. That would be great," said Usagi.
"Great. Let's exchange numbers so I can contact you," said Haruko as she took out her phone.
"Alright, awesome. See you later."
"Yes, see you later, Haruko," said Usagi.
"I don't know why, but I feel as though I've met that girl before, long ago. Her face looks so familiar," Usagi thought to herself.
As class ended for the day at Toshigawa Academy, the sound of basketball shoes rubbing against the court could be heard in the distance. Hayato dribbled the basketball, shielding it from a cone that was substituted for a defender. Takahiro then set a solid screen for Tetsuo, allowing him to cut into the key. Meanwhile, running through the key, Liam set another screen for Tetsuo while simultaneously, Yukio cut through the key.
Tetsuo ran until he reached the opposite side of the three-point line, where Hayato passed the basketball to him. He shot a three-pointer that swished through the net.
"Alright, great work, everyone. Run that play again, but this time, Liam will be the one scoring!" shouted Nanaho.
In this scenario, Yukio set a screen for Tetsuo, allowing him to cut through the key while Liam set a screen for Hayato. Hayato then dribbled to the hoop and passed the basketball to Liam, who jumped and dunked it.
"Great work. Run that play once more, this time with Yukio scoring," instructed Nanaho.
"Training has been running really smoothly lately. I can't wait for our first match. It gives me goosebumps just thinking about it," thought Shino.
"This one will make a hundred made layups with my left hand," said Shino as he caught his breath, dribbled to the rim, and shot a layup that swished.
"I'm finally finished. Now I have to do two hundred and fifty dribbles with my left hand and five hundred with my right," said Shino as he prepared himself.
Noboru was running with the girls' track team to boost his stamina.
"Ever since that foreigner, Liam, joined the team, I haven't been able to practice with them at all. That can only mean I'm not one of the starting members. This sucks," said Noboru, frustrated, as he increased his pacing.
"Wow, Noboru has really adjusted to training with the girls who run the eight-hundred-meter race. He really is something, isn't he?" said a female sprinter as she watched him.
"Yeah, he's really committed to his training," replied another.
"If anything, he's just thick-headed and stubborn. And why did he have to kiss me on my forehead the other day? That really caught me off guard. Wait, what am I thinking?!" thought Naomi to herself as she blushed slightly.
"I heard that Liam quit the track team," gossiped a track girl.
"For real? That's so shocking. He was more dedicated to his training than anyone else."
"Yes, and now he's playing on the basketball team," another girl informed.
"Well, I believe basketball suits him. He's tall and vertically athletic. He'd be more impactful playing basketball than running," said Naomi.
"That's true. I hope he does great in that sport," said another girl.
Makoto woke up to the sound of the wind blowing. He yawned, got up, and realized he was still at school.
"Wow, am I still at school? I didn't even realize I was here. But that sleep was good, though," said Makoto as he yawned and stretched. He then closed the classroom door.
"Well then, time to go home, I guess," he said to himself as he packed his bag.
As he was about to leave, he bumped into Hayami.
"Oh, Makoto. What are you still doing at school? Perfect timing. Hand these papers to the president of the literature club for me, please. Then you can go wherever you want," said Hayami-sensei.
"Really? Why choose me of all people?" asked Makoto.
"Just shut up and do what I say," said Hayami with a cold glare as she walked off.
"This is such a pain. That teacher is really getting on my nerves," said Makoto.
"Here you go. Hayami-sensei told me to drop these off."
No response.
"That's disrespectful. Well, not that I care anyway," Makoto thought to himself as he left.
"I have to grab my bag and get the hell out of here before she comes back," he said to himself as he hurriedly went back to the classroom.
He bumped into Sachiko, who was about to enter.
"Wait, you're Makoto Kurai, right?" asked Sachiko.
"Yes, I am."
"Good. I need a favor. I was on cleaning duty today, but I have a student council meeting I need to attend. Could you fill in for me, please? I'll take over for you when it's your turn."
Sigh. "Yes, it's not like I have anything better to do."
"Thanks, I really appreciate it. Also, be sure to empty that bin," said Sachiko as she left.
"This is such a pain. Next time, I'll be sure to stay awake during my last session," Makoto thought to himself as he emptied the trash.
"That's the last of it. Alright, time to go home," Makoto said as he bumped into someone.
"Watch where you're going, punk. Well, well, well… Look who we have here. I never thought I'd see your sorry face again, Makoto Kurai," said the person with a smirk.
"No way… Daichi, Hidesuke, Basara… These guys are my teammates from junior high school," thought Makoto, shocked.