PREVIOUSLY
Sakuragi turned toward the hoop, eyes sharp.
"I'll make this court mine," he whispered.
Coach Anzai chuckled. "Just make sure you leave room for your teammates."
Outside, the night deepened over Kanagawa. Inside, the echoes of first steps lingered.
Shohoku's future had just taken its first breath.
=======================
Walking home, Hanamichi noticed a car park in front of his house. His face lighting brightly as he sees the person next to the car. Running excitedly " Jisan, I didn't know you're going to visit. If I had known, I would have gone home earlier instead."
"Jihahaha, that's totaly fine Hanamichi, my boy. How is school? Did you meet new friends?"
"Absolutely, the team is amazing. We even get to have a cheer squad this early HAHAHAHAA"
"OK OK your head will explode if you continue with that laugh. Let's go home first." Hanamichi nodded and entered the car.
Masaki and Yaeko's House (Masaki's home office)
Aunt Yaeko brings tea and snacks while Masaki-jissan walks me through his investment portfolio.
Uncle adjusted his glasses and pulled out a slim folder marked "U.S. Tech Portfolio – Hanamichi." The paper was crisp, the ink still fresh from his morning printout. I leaned forward, elbows on the table, eyes darting between the graphs and Uncle's calm expression.
{A/N: I researched all the info in here, SOOOOO they are at least real life accurate}
"Let's start with your biggest international play—Microsoft. You invested ¥20 million in late March. That converted to about $180,000 USD, give or take, depending on the exchange rate that week. You bought in when the stock was trading around $45.25 per share." He started. I listen attentively since I need all the knowledge and information I can get from an experience person like him.
He pointed to a line graph showing a modest upward curve.
He continued "As of this week—April 25th—it's trading at roughly $48.50. That's a gain of about 7.2% in under a month. You're up around $13,000 USD, or ¥1.4 million. Not bad for a rookie investor."
"Great job dear" Auntie hugged me clearly happy with my previous decision
Uncle chuckled "You're investing in the backbone of global computing. Windows 3.1 is everywhere, and they've just launched Windows NT, which is going to reshape enterprise software. So I also followed you and put in money here, hehehe"
He flipped to a breakdown of Microsoft's revenue streams.( All forecasted info )
Operating Systems (Windows 3.1, NT): Over 70% of PCs globally run Windows. NT is gaining traction in corporate environments.
Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint): Rapid adoption in business sectors. Becoming the default productivity package.
Developer Tools & Enterprise Software: Visual Basic and SQL Server are expanding Microsoft's footprint in IT departments.
Multimedia & CD-ROM: Early-stage investments in educational and interactive software.
"Bill Gates is building infrastructure, not chasing trends. Microsoft has no debt, strong cash reserves, and they're investing heavily in R&D. You're holding a company that's preparing for the internet era—even if most people don't know what that means yet." He pointed to a financial snapshot.
Revenue (Q1)$1.2 billion USD
Net Income$270 million USD
R&D Spending$150 million USD
Cash Reserves$1.1 billion USD
Debt$0
I leaned back "So I just leave it there and let it grow?" I know I would leave it there. Instead I would even add more once I earned more as well. But, obviously I have to play the part.
He nodded. "Exactly. This is your anchor. You'll see ups and downs, especially with tech stocks. But Microsoft is a long-term compounder. If you hold this for five, ten years, you'll be amazed."
Closing the folder. "Next up—your Nikkei index fund."Handling me another folder
Flipping to the next folder, this one labeled "Domestic Portfolio – Nikkei 225." The paper inside was marked with red and blue ink, showing fluctuations that looked more chaotic than Microsoft's steady climb.
"You entered the Nikkei fund the same week you bought Microsoft. That was a strategic move. One foot in Japan, one foot in the U.S."
Scratching his head. "I can't just leave our economy, can I? Hehe I have to make sure I have safety nets all around."
He chuckled. "Exactly. Now, the Nikkei was at 19,480 when you bought in. As of this week, it's at 19,850. That's a 1.9% gain, or roughly ¥380,000 on your ¥20 million investment."
"Not bad. Slower than Microsoft, but still moving."Auntie joined in. I agree with her as well.
"Japan's recovery is cautious. The bubble burst in '91, and we're still rebuilding. But your timing was good—April is the start of the fiscal year, and institutional investors are repositioning."
He flipped to a breakdown of the fund's holdings.
There are mixed reasults of status in different sectors. Electronics & Tech is picking up. Automotive is stable as expected. Finance & Real Estate. those are volatile at the moment. Consumer Goods are mixed status depending on company.
"This fund gives you exposure to Japan's top companies. It's slower than your U.S. tech play, but it's your domestic anchor. And you've already earned ¥42,000 in dividends this month."
I opened the envelope with the bank statement and can't help but to grin. "Melonpan budget secured."
Masaki-jisan leaned back. "This is long-term. Japan's economy will recover, and when it does, you'll be holding a solid position." Aunt Yaeko also included "Don't forget to save some for your brothers."
I smirked for humor and said "They can invest in their own melonpan fund."
Aunt Yaeko "Now, let's look at your apartment property. That one's got more bounce." as she slid a folder this time a little bit thicker across the table "Unit 3B. Kawasaki. Tenant paid early this month—¥85,000. No complaints, no repairs. That's a clean income."
Uncle also, tapping the sheet. "You're netting ¥60,000 after taxes and reserves. That's your training fund, snack fund, and emergency stash. Real estate is tactical. It's not flashy, but it builds wealth while you sleep."
I relax my shoulders "So I've got stocks, an apartment, and reserves. What's next? Do I need a secretary?"
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Shohoku gym, post-practice. The gang's scattered across the benches, catching their breath. Sakuragi pulls out a slightly crumpled folder from his bag and drops it on the bench with a thud.
Grinning to them "Yo. Check this out."
"What is it this time? Poxn?" Yohei amusedly attack
"Nope. Real stuff. My earnings. Stocks, rent, dividends. I've been tracking everything."
"Wait, you're actually making money off already? That was fast. I thought you're still in the planning stage with that uncle of yours."
I looked at Chuichiro "Yeah. Not huge yet, but it's steady. I'm gonna grow this. I want you guys in."
"In? how? Like… you're hiring us?"
"Not now. I will introduce you to Uncle Masaki. We will try to learn from him. We'll visit the office to see how everything goes in the company" I clarified
"Do I get a uniform or something?" eyes looking really hopeful
"Uniform? I'll fucking buy you fancy suits you dimwit" We can't help but laugh together.
Soon, weekend is here and we are on our way to Ryonan high....
---------SCENE CHANGE------
In a train cart....Boisterous laughter rung within it, making the other passengers uncomfortable with the rudeness of a group of people talking loudly.
AHAHAHAhahahahahahahahHAHAHAHAHAHA
IDIOT!! It was too easy with that boy!1 I beat him up really well! After I kicked him around for a while I said "I've seen bigger things"
"Haha his probabyly pissing himself as well" his companion egging him more
I also said " You're not worth my attention"
COOOOOLLLL----HAHAHAHAHAHAHA
As they try to get off the train, their view were suddenly blocked by something. They obviously with their ego currently inflated wanted to shout at the person blocking their way. But-----
They were shocked to see 3 gigantic people infront of them, one of them has a classic ikemen look, the other look like a giant with thick lips and the last one with a flaming red hair.
These people are obviously the Shohoku basketball team.
Hanamichi and the others looked down on these clowns, " MOVE" Hanamichi said menacingly
WAAAHHH---they move hurriedly, panicking
----------------
Ah...got here just in time" Ayako sighed
" Are you guys ready?!!" Akagi roar
"Yes!!! Ready!!!
"Hey Hey We're on the train. Please don't be too loud." Kogure tried to calm us down.
_______________
RYONAN HIGH SCHOOL
We opened the door to the gymnasium to find the Ryonan team warming up.
"Shohoku, their here"
"Is that Akagi? He is really tall"
"That's Rukawa"
"Hey! Who's the guy with the red hair?"
"Is he also a member of the basketball team with that hair?"
"Hey they have a fat guy!!"
OK whoever is saying that will receive no mercy....\
A middle aged man approached Coach Anzai with high respect "Anzai Sensei! I am really sorry you had to travel all the way to go here."
"HOHOHO it's not that far."
"AIda!!!get some chairs!! Quickly!! pointing at the innocent eternal bench man/better to be a reporter than a basketball player
"Ahhh YES!!" scrambling about and bringing a flimsy looking thin plastic chair
"IDIOT!!! Get a bigger and stronger chair!!! Get the wider one" giving the delulu a punch in the head
"AH a wide one??"
"HOHOHO Taoka-san it's alright"
"We should have visited you in the first place!! Now that Anzai-sensei has come here, I really don't know what to say!"
Akagi approaced the two coaches "I'm Shohoku's Captain, Akagi. Nice to meet you."
"Ahh Akagi-kun, nice to finally meet you! Our Uozumi has been training hard just to defeat you. Please make him work harder."
Just behind Akagi, Ryonan's Team Captain is also greeting Shohoku's coach.
-------
IN THE RYONAN LOCKER ROOM....BEING OCCUPIED BY THE SHOHOKU BASKETBALL TEAM
Ayako holding a board, Haruko and her friends holding the jerseys "OK Now to announce the list of starters and to give out uniforms."
"uhhuumm' coacj Anzai cleared first " number 4, center AKAGI
"YES" Haruko handed the number 4 jersey with pride " Here you go onichan"
"Thanks"
"Number 5 shooting guard Kogure"
"Yes coach!"
"Congratulations senpai" Matsui cheered
"Thank you"
"Number 7, point guard Yohei"
"Thanks coach"
"Number 11 small forward Rukawa"
NUmber 10 power forward SAkuragi"
"Wow 3 first years as starting five"
"Just arrive in High school and immedeiately became a starter, they are really different from us."
"Before we continue, I want to clarify that I think all of you deserve a jersey. And I am very happy that there are a lot of us now. But school tournament regulations mandate only until number 15 jersey. I think it's not enough since we start at number 4. So hang on tight and I will do something about this. For now....
number 6 is reserved for Miyagi-kun, I hope he gets well soon.
number 8 is Noma -kun. Number 9 Okusu-kun. Number 12 Kakuta. Number 13 Yasuda-kun, 14 is Nozomi. 15 is shared among bench for now."
Soon they went back to the court. And the game will start.
Akagi steps to center court, eyes locked with Uozumi. The ref tosses the ball and Akagi and Uozumi jump at the same time. Although Uozumi is taller, Akagi took advantage of his inherent strength and have a more explosive jump than the taller guy.
Akagi reached the ball faster and tap the ball to his side. Sakuragi, surprising the Ryonan team move fast for his size to secure the ball.
By the bench, the subs and support were watching closely "That was a pretty close tip off. Last year Akagi won it no contest." Ayako noticed
Kakuta with his mystic eyes of fuckery "This means Uozumi improved" (A/N: No shit captain obvious)
Uozumi together with his team arrived on their side quickly " COME!! Shohoku!!"
Yohei who;s just behind Hanamichi, called out "Left wing" Hanamichi understood the play.
POV Hanamichi
Tomoyuki steps up to cut me off. No disrespect to him, but I don't think he is enough to guard me. After only almost a month of training I think I already surpassed Rukawa if the way he look at me angrily everytime we were training.
With that mindset I made euro-steps past Tomoyuki's reach, and slips between Ikegami's late rotation. And since Uozumi is occupied by Akagi the basket is clear so I made an easy lay up
Shohoku 2- Ryonan 0
It's Ryonan's turn. Sendoh tries to isolate Rukawa on the wing, using Koshino's off-ball screen.
'That's pretty obvious' So I slide in from the weak side, and tips the ball loose from Sendoh's crossover. I ran to slap the ball again this time towards Yohei.
Yohei pushes the break, kicks to Kogure—who pump fakes Ikegami, resets to Rukawa. Rukawa hits a jumper from the elbow. I see Sendoh shaking his head. 'heh you have to be serious dude.'
They tried to assemble a play and passed it to Uozumi as he posts up Akagi, spins baseline, shoots—misses. I didn't wait to match as I out-jumps Ikegami and Tomoyuki. I threw the ball to Yohei as I ran to catch up.
Yohei saw me near as he lobs it back to me. Since it's just this small guy here I didn't hesitate anymore and decided to bully this poor bastard. I thought of a dunk I saw on youtube in my last life. So I gathered wind and jumped as high as I can. The ball in my left hand pass my croutch as I bend my knees to let it pass smoothly as I took it with my right dominant hand and as I approached this small guy- he look scared for his life- and didn't even jump, I slammed the ball violently to the basket. I hanged for a bit to feel the dunk more and let go right away.
As soon as I landed, people went wild. 'I smiled and wave at the girls that can be my fans in the future.
3rd person POV
Coach Taoka respect Coach Anzai of the opposing team. But it doesn't mean he respect their team. Honestly, he required his team to give a minimum 30 points lead to finish the game.
But now, 2-3 first year freshmen were dismatling his team. And he certainly can not accept that fact.
At first when that red haired scored a point after doing what he think he saw was the Eurostep that is starting to get famous in europe side of FIBA. He thought it was luck.
When he stole a ball from Sendo-no less- he thought he was just lucky and Sendo isn't being serrious.
But when he saw that dunk, he knew that is not luck or carelessness anymore. This is a beast in human skin.
On the other hand coach Anzai can not help but stand seeing that dunk. 'Yazawa, I thik I found someone who have the potential to reach your dream.' as the sound of cheers coming from everyone from Shohoku was drowned by nostalgia.