Last time :
I went with a fresh cut. (picture in comment) removing the curl in front, and having clean sides. I think I look quite handsome in this style. Not gonna lie I think people think Sakuragi v1 is ugly because of his scowled face and terrible hairstyle.
Anyways, after our haircuts we decided to call it quits and headed home. Tomorrow would be the start of club activities, so me and the gang can start being proper basketball player, atleast in school. HEh, their moms would be happy...
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The next day, Hanamichi woke up early to train a bit before going to school. Today is the start of club activities at school, so it's also the day him and his friends will be officially be members of the basketball team.
Getting up, he went directly to brush his teeth and washed his face. wearing his new sports clothes, a red adidas tracksuit he newly bought the other day. He made changes with his wardrobe because he noticed that he mostly have white t-shirt only. So he bought some sports clothes together with bunches of casual and formal wear.
He started running through the street with a bag on his back with one of his balls in it. He will not run much, just running along the way to the basketball court is enough. It's still early, not even 6 AM yet, so he plans to get to the court to polish a bit of his basketball skills before today's club activities. 'Maybe I'll play for an hour before heading home. I still have to cook breakfast and also fix myself some lunch as well. The food at school is not really filling me in enough. I need a lot of food for my energy consumption and growing body. I hope to reach 195cm before the end of my first year. I don't know if it's realistic or not but I'm already 190cm.' Japanese servings are just too small for me. Even in my past life, I am not the big just an average Filipino but I think I still eat more than a taller Japanese guy.
'I think I'll grow up fast if I eat more since I am already taller than my Sakuragi v1 height at the beginning of the series. I need to grow taller if I really want to get to NBA. As a Japanese, I am inherently smaller already than the players from the west. And if I don't at least get to 200cm before the end of my high school days, I can only be a point guard in the NBA.
Soon enough, he reached the basketball court. Right after a 2 minute breather, He started his dribbling and shooting routine. Well nothing fancy really, just running back and forth while dribbling. Moving side to side along the way and adding some variations on his movements like behind the back, etc..
He also tried adding more variations of break through moves he remembered watching in Youtube in his last life. 'Hayyss I miss the internet and the smarthphones. If I have those it will be easier for me to improve since I can have somewhere to watch and copy moves.'
Nonetheless he continued dribbling for about half an hour before moving to shooting drills for another 30 minutes. His accuracy within the 3 point line is almost 90% without anyone guarding him, getting closer means that his shooting becomes almost 100 percent accurate.
Outside the 3-point line, his accuracy falls significantly. But it's not that terrible. He can get 6-7 shots in, out of 10 three point shots which he thinks is pretty cool.
AGAIN-----that is without people guarding him.
And so times fly. Going back home to cook for his breakfast and bento. After breakfast and taking a bath, With a light mood, he goes to school. Not forgetting to fix his hair nicely. 'It's a new hairstyle, better look good at it.'
As he was going to school, he noticed people looking at him. Not with weirded out or plain scared look he usually get in the past.
He scoffed at himself. 'Hmm, I knew it. I am not ugly, just had a terrible taste in fashion and grooming.'
He didn't become like a heartthrob overnight. He just became a bit pleasing to the eye with his new haircut. But since he still have his ICONIC red hair, people still have the instinctive feeling of avoiding him. 'Not surprising since dyeing my hair red really isn't something people have a good impression of. Especially since technically, I am just a kid.'
Not mentioning that in this decade, people are not so open yet with hair colors. Besides, Sakuragi v1 dyed his hair red as a rebelious phase. I wanted to dye it back to black last night, but I had been having second thoughts about it. Since the me now is the new Hanamichi, still, my red hair is what makes me iconic. Although, I am well aware that I am not a manga or anime anymore. I am me, real, genuine and not some fictional character.
One thing as well is since I am starting my business, I don't think people would take me seriously in the business landscape of things if I still have this red hair on top of being a kid.
In the end, I still can't make a decision about it. But if ever I can, I would do it right away to prevent myself from hesitating. I continue withouth noticing someone calling my name.
...michi-kun..!
'Hmmm is someone calling me?'
"Hanamichi-kun!!! wait!!"
I look back to see Haruko running towards me. I paused for bit to let her catch up. "Hanamichi-kun" huff huff hufff....she breathes in hard... " I've been calling since forever Hanamichi-kun." She poutedly complained.
"Hehe, sorry Haruko, I didn't notice. I was thinking about something." I explained
"UMU, that's ok. Thanks for stopping instead. Anyway, wow! Your hair looks amazing Hanamichi-kun. It looks refreshing." 'oh wow I got phrased for my hair. What a noble feeling'
"Thanks, appreciate it. Anyway let's go. We don't want to be late, right?" I teased a bit.
"AHH! right, I am sorry for holding you back." bowing a bit "Let's go"
We talk a bit as we walk together. I noticed some envious looks from some of the boys. 'chuckled, ' kids'
'Teenagers mindset are really different. Like I am just walking with her, there's still a consdireable distance between us. It's not like we're holding hands or anything. I guess kids are the same, doesn't matter the generation.'
"So Hanamichi-kun, are you excited to see the basketball team?"
"I'm not gonna lie, I am in fact excited, but why does it look like you are more excited than I am?
"UMU Hanamichi-kun, you know how I love basketball. And this year I am positive that my big brother's dream will come true this year. The basketball team this year is really strong, With my brother in the team, plus you and Rukawa-kun are in the team. And don't forget Yohei-san and the others. Althought I have never seen them play before but I am postive that they can help the team tremendously."
'OH WOW! pressure much?' I shake my head hearing her. "Well don't be so excited 'coz you might get a heart attack with how you'r practically shaking in your shoes." sheesh woman. calm your tits. "I think you are just excited to see your Rukawa-kun."
Her face instantly turned red. "N-n-no it's ah not like that Hanamichi-kun.." Sounding like a bullied her too much.
"That's fine Haruko. Having a crush at your age is just normal. I guess being a teenage girl like you is difficult."
"Grrrrr why are you speaking like your my father or something. Even onichan doesn't talk to me like that." Punching my shoulders with an incredible 0 DMS.
"Alright alright , I will not tease you anymore.
Anyway I'll see you later at the gym at the start of the club activity, ok Manager-san?"
"YES! I'll be there. See you later Hanamichi-kun" as we arrived to each others classroom, she waved enthusiatically. Making sure I see her as she enter hers.
Classes started soon enough. As I handled each class with focus to review what I learned to catch up with my academic performance. I raised my hand to answer some of the teacher's questions to get some brownie points from them. By 3 PM classes finished, Yohei and I, directly picked our bags and headed straight outside together with the gang to the gym.
"WOW, there's quite several people today" Yuji noticed.
"Chuichiro, good thing you also shaved last night, at least you don't look like the cleaner hired here." Nozomi grinned noticing how smooth Chuichiro's face without the mustache
"HAHAHAHAHA" I can't help but to laugh at that remembering what Chuichiro was called in my previous life. Most people probably don't even know his name aside from him getting the "ERAP" nickname.
"You look good without it bro, you can have it again maybe after high school. If you can get past high school HAHAHAHAHHA" I added
You're one to talk Hanamichi, again, for the second time, do we have to remind you that you have the lowest score between the five of us?" Yohei defended
"HAHAHHAHAAHAHAHA" the idiots laughed
a well suddenly formed on my forehead "Hey! I am doing fine in my studies now, thank you very much!"
"Well you did answer the teachers' questions earlier today. But how long can you continue doing that."
"HEY HEY HEY?? What do you mean he answered the teachers' questions?" Chuichiro quipped.
"Well he participated in the classes that we have earlier. He even raised his hand to volunteer in answering the teachers' question. My soul almost left me when he walked to the board to solve a math problem. Like, can you imagine that?" Yohei explained.
Yuji and Nozomi grabed my collar and shouted " What did you do to our Hanamichi!!?!?!" these guys are really overacting sometimes, So I did what I am best with, grabbed their heads for some headbutts.
PLOWK BANGK
"You let me go you idiots." GRRRRRRRRR
"Come on, let's go in already." Yohei and Chuichiro tried diffusing
"HMPF" I snorted. "Let's go so we can change our clothes already.
We are hanging out in a corner when
"OK! All new members form a straight aline in the center." Akagi bellowed.
We see Gori approaching the freshmen. We were hoarded at the center of the court as 1st years lined up.
I saw Rukawa at the end of the line so I lined up next to him since I noticed people lined up automatically by height, I didn't notice it in anime. 'Is this a Japanese thing?'
" I am Captain Akagi Takenori. The vice Captain and the other seniors will introduce themselves first. After that the new member will do some introduction as well. Let's get started, you go first Kogure." As he instructed, people start introducing themselves.
"Hello freshmen, I am Kiminobu Kogure. Third year and the teams vice-captain...."
" I am Yasuharu Yasuda, 2nd year. I play as a point guard."
"I am Tetsushi Shiozaki, 2nd year. I play as a shooting guard"
" My name is Satoru Kakuta 2nd year as well. I usually play as Power Forward/Center."
"OK freshmen let's start with you" pointing at a freshman
"Kentaro Iishi"
"Satoro Sasaoka"
" My name is Nozomi Takamiya, height 165cm weight 90kgs. I have no experience playing basketball and only recently started." he bowed lightly "please take care of me."
"Hmmm, how long have you at least played?" skeptical about Nozomi but at least giving him a chance, Akagi asked
"Not more than a week Captain."
"Haissst we will check your basics later. Are you sure you can handle the training?"
"Yes captain. I will do my best"
"OK we will see. Next! "
"Satoro Sasaoka"
"Toki Kuwata"
"Chuichiro Noma 175cm 70kgs. Same with Nozomi, I have no experience with basketball but I would love to join the team."
"HMMM another one. Do you know each other?"
"Yes captain we come from the same middle school and are friends."
"Ok you will join him later"
"Not an issue captain"
"Yuji Ohkusu 178 cm 67kgs, I am friends with Nozomi and Chuichiro"
"I see"
"Yohei Mito 180cm 70 kgs, I will join my friends later for the basics." he said while smiling knowingly
Akagi is already massaging his head. "NEXT"
" I am Rukawa Kaede, 187cm 75kg haven't decided on which position I want to play."
"Did you hear that?"
"I think he means he can play any position, right?"
"YUP"
"I am sure he means that as well."
"Rukawa, do you have any other hobby?" Akagi asked.
"Hobbies? thinking while holding his chin " Probably sleeping"
"My head is aching already with these freshmen" Akagi squeezed the bridge of his nose.
"NEXT"
"Hi, I am Hananmichi Sakuragi 190cm 85kg. I also just started playing basketball together with my friends. I am looking forward to learn more from the captain."
"You have good height. Are you sure you never played before?"
"Yes, I only started playing during the break with my friends. But I did tried learning as much as I can, so I at least think I can dribble and shoot."
"That is good. We will still check your basics with them but if I see you're good enough, we'll move to other kinds of training. You can be a power forward or a substiture center."
"Thanks Captain" I smiled. Happy that this is going well so far.
"So we have at least half with experience and another half that are newbies. This is really helpful since our club is so small. For those who are beginner we will check all your basics and then we will try to incorporate you as much as possible to the team to help as well. We need all the help we can get.
"YES!!"
Suddenly, one of the doors opened. Incoming is a girl wearing a pink shirt and leggings hugging her legs. With a cap on her head and some of her curly hair out "Sorry everyone! I am late!!" She apologized "Oh! the new members are already here!? Well perfect timing I got our new assistant managers here with me. Come in girls"calling behind her.
I can see Haruko and her 2 friends coming in wearing their own set of sports attire. They introduced themselves as well.
"Good! Now I am telling all freshmen their responsibility. Polish all the basketballs before practice and you have to polish the gym floor after practices. These two things you must do.
Before practice, I have one thing I want to make it clear to you all...Our goal this year is to win the National Championship. therefore our practices will be really difficult you should be prepared!! Understood?"
"YES!!!!"
"ALRIGHT!! That's a good spirit. Now let's run to build stamina and as a warm up. We will run around the court, so for the newbies, just follow our lead."
AND SO TRAINING begins...
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What do you guys think? I was thinking of having his hair dyed black. Because he accepts he is Sakuragi but at the same time he is his own person. What's your opinion?
PS: I edited it a bit. Added something here and there. Also corrected some minor mistakes..check it out at tell me if I missed anything.