"Beep! Charging foul!"
A new day began, and as always, Shohoku's practice was in full swing.
Rukawa Kaede reached down and helped Yasuda up. "Are you alright?"
"I'm fine," Yasuda said, brushing the dust from his jersey. "What about you?"
"That's good. I'm fine too."
Rukawa smiled faintly as he said it.
"Huh?" Yasuda froze, blinking. "Did I… just see Rukawa smile at me?"
He turned quickly to Kakuta. "Hey, did you see that? Rukawa actually smiled!"
On the sidelines, Nango tilted his head. "Rukawa's been in a good mood lately. Did something good happen to him?"
Miyagi leaned in and whispered with mock seriousness, "Could it be… he's in love?"
Before Nango could react, two voices shouted from the side—Haruko and Ayako in perfect unison.
"No way?!"
Haruko's heart skipped. Though she knew her chances were slim, hearing that Rukawa might like someone else still stung a little.
Ayako, meanwhile, wasn't denying the possibility—she was just dying of curiosity. What kind of girl could catch Rukawa Kaede's attention?
"Rukawa, come here for a moment," a familiar, gentle voice called.
It was Coach Anzai.
The entire gym quieted down. Coach Anzai rarely visited during morning drills.
Rukawa walked over and stood at attention. The old coach smiled kindly and said, "I owe you an apology. What I said before was a bit too harsh."
Rukawa shook his head. "No, Coach. I caused you trouble."
Coach Anzai chuckled softly. "Still, I stand by what I said—you're not ready to study abroad in America yet. For now, focus on becoming Japan's best high school player first."
Rukawa bowed deeply. "Coach… please continue to guide me. I'll do my best."
Seeing the sincerity in Rukawa's eyes, Anzai's smile grew warm. He didn't choose Yazawa's path, he thought with quiet relief. Perhaps my old bones can still nurture one more generation to carry Japan forward.
After speaking with Rukawa, Coach Anzai turned. "Nango, please come here."
"Yes, Coach," Nango said, jogging over. "Did you need me for something?"
Coach Anzai looked at his young disciple and smiled. "You remember Coach Kawasaki from Nittaidai, right? The one you met at the awards ceremony?"
"Of course."
"He contacted me recently," Anzai continued. "He wants to invite you to a special training camp there. Would you be interested?"
"Eh? Isn't that a bit much?" Nango's eyes widened. "I'm still just a first-year! And we already have our own summer training camp…"
He hadn't expected Coach Kawasaki to be serious—let alone that Anzai himself was the one who arranged it behind the scenes.
Coach Anzai gently patted his shoulder. "Don't worry about that. It's a rare opportunity. If you're willing, then go."
Nango thought for a moment, then nodded. "If the team's okay with it, then I'll go."
He wasn't exactly excited about going all the way to Shizuoka, but he knew that the level of training at Nittaidai would be worth it. A pillow arriving when you're sleepy, he thought. Perfect timing.
"Good," Anzai said with satisfaction. "I'll handle the details with Coach Kawasaki and let you know the schedule. For now, get back to training."
"Yes, Coach."
Nango bowed deeply before leaving.
"Old man, you need me for something?"
Sakuragi marched right up to Coach Anzai, rubbing the old man's chin like a stress ball. "You called Nango and Rukawa—so I'm next, right?"
Coach Anzai blinked, both amused and helpless. "Sakuragi… I didn't call you."
During the next break, Ayako approached Rukawa, who was drinking water by the bench. She gave him a teasing pat on the shoulder.
"You're in a good mood lately."
Rukawa looked up and smiled. "It's nothing, Senpai."
"'Nothing'? You've been smiling all the time these days," Ayako pressed, smirking. "Come on, tell me—are you in love?"
"Heh. Of course not."
Rukawa capped his bottle, then added casually, "Senpai, do you fish?"
Ayako blinked. "...What?"
"When fishing," Rukawa said, his tone calm and thoughtful, "you have to quiet your mind, focus on the rod, and wait patiently for the moment the fish bites. I think that suits me pretty well."
He smiled again—an easy, rare smile—and walked away to resume practice.
Ayako stood frozen, cheeks faintly pink. This guy… smiling like that should be illegal.
"Fishing?" Nango repeated blankly later that day.
Miyagi shook his head rapidly. "No idea, man."
Ayako had shared Rukawa's strange explanation with them, leaving all three in collective confusion.
On the court, Rukawa continued to train diligently—calm, focused, no longer confrontational. It was as if the once-blazing sword had been sheathed, its edge hidden but not dulled.
Nango couldn't quite understand what Rukawa meant, but he didn't mind. The team finally felt at peace again.
"Bang!"
The gym doors flew open, slamming against the wall. Akagi strode in like a storm, face dark.
"Mitsui! Miyagi! Rukawa! Sakuragi! OUT—NOW!"
"Huh?" Mitsui blinked. "Why me again?!"
Miyagi groaned. I haven't fought anyone or flirted lately, so what's this about?
Sakuragi paled. "W-what's wrong with Gorilla? I haven't messed with him lately, right?!"
Even Rukawa was confused. Usually, only the idiot redhead was in trouble.
Akagi's voice thundered across the gym. "You idiots failed your exams! Do you still want to go to the National Tournament?! Get moving! We're going to apologize to your teachers!"
The four delinquents froze. Then, slowly, realization—and relief—spread across their faces.
So it wasn't just me… That's great!
"Quit standing there!" Akagi roared again. "Move!"
The "failed squad" trudged out like condemned men, while Nango chuckled quietly on the sidelines.
See you at the National Tournament, brothers.
The exams had ended, and the results were out.
Nango wasn't a top student, but he'd passed all his subjects. Tomorrow, he would head to Nittaidai's training camp—and a month later, he'd rejoin his team for the National Tournament.
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