Used to Kyoichi's loud, bouncy antics, Miyara Ichi said nothing at the sheepish grin and continued warming up.
Since even Captain Miyara didn't object, Ueno and Kurumatani Sora naturally kept quiet as well.
Standing nearby, Murasame Mae asked with keen interest.
"What suddenly put you in such a good mood?"
"Him."
Without any explanation, Kyoichi stretched out an arm, pointing straight at Ueno.
"Him?"
Everyone was puzzled—until they noticed Ueno's handsome face. Instinctively, they edged away, putting distance between themselves and Kyoichi.
Knowing exactly what they were thinking, Shin said nothing and retreated with the rest.
The sight nearly drove Kyoichi to challenge Shin to a fight on the spot.
With Kyoichi's finger aimed at him, Ueno felt a chill race down his spine.
"Senpai, my orientation is perfectly normal."
Apart from the still-befuddled Kurumatani Sora, the others turned to look at Kyoichi with renewed disgust.
Kyoichi's hands trembled with rage and acute embarrassment.
"That's not what I meant! I was saying he—"
"Picked up another freshman today?"
Halfway through his sentence, a vigorous, aged voice rang out from the doorway.
Everyone looked over reflexively.
An old man stepped in—stoop-straight despite his head of white hair, horn-rimmed spectacles perched on his nose, smiling broadly at them.
Miyara Ichi hurried forward respectfully. "Coach!"
Then he barked at the others.
"Line up!"
Moments later, the Basketball Club stood assembled.
Coach Shinkawa stared at one member, shock and complicated emotion flooding his face.
Excitement, disbelief, delight—all of it crinkled his eyes.
Seeing the coach like that, Kyoichi nudged Shin beside him.
"What's with the coach? Don't tell me we're getting a cute female manager?"
His eyes lit up at the thought.
Though Shinkawa had arrived only two months ago—right before the break—they hadn't trained over vacation and barely knew him. But if the old man hired a pretty manager, Kyoichi would adore the geezer forever.
Shin, expressionless, studied the coach, followed his gaze, considered for a moment, then said,
"Notice he's staring at Ueno?"
"You don't suppose he swings that way?"
Glancing over, Kyoichi saw the coach's eyes indeed fixed on Ueno—practically gleaming—and gulped.
Beside Ueno, Kurumatani Sora glanced curiously from the coach to the object of his stare.
Beaming at Ueno, Coach Shinkawa asked, "You've joined the Basketball Club?"
"I have, Coach Shinkawa. I'll be in your care!" Ueno answered with a grin.
The coach's wrinkled face blossomed into a smile.
"Wonderful, wonderful! I'll count on you too."
He then turned to Kurumatani Sora, his smile widening further.
As if struck by a sudden thought, he called out to Miyara Ichi.
"Miyara-kun."
"Coach," Miyara replied.
Surveying the assembled club, Shinkawa said, "Let's run a three-on-three. You referee."
Miyara blinked, glanced at the equally puzzled members, then nodded.
"Yes, Coach."
"How do we split the teams?" he asked.
That would take some thought.
Shinkawa studied them for a moment. "Ueno Juri, Kurumatani Sora, Kamikyo Ichi—one team. The rest, the other."
"Coach, aren't there two seniors missing?" Kurumatani Sora piped up.
The air in the gym turned chilly.
"Those two have quit the club," Shinkawa said cheerfully. "All right, loosen up—we start now."
He stepped aside, clearing half the court for them.
They would play half-court, three-on-three.
Being placed with the freshmen, Kyoichi assumed he must be the club's strongest—why else balance the sides this way?
If he crushed the rookies too badly, they might lose heart and quit.
Suddenly, he felt like he'd forgotten something.
The whistle cut off further thought.
He rubbed his chin, eyeing the tall Ueno. "Ueno, rebounds—can you handle them?"
Ueno glanced at the hoop behind him and nodded.
"Sure."
"Sora, you run point guard," Kyoichi added, turning to the eager freshman.
"Yes, senpai!"
Positions set: Sora at point, Kyoichi at shooting guard, Ueno on rebounds and put-backs.
Opposite them, Shin's team arranged themselves without a word.
Kimura Ri, six feet tall, would box out; six-foot Murasame Mae would guard Sora.
Shin himself stepped in front of Kyoichi, his expression blank.
"Want me to spot you a few baskets?" Kyoichi taunted.
"Fine by me," Shin answered flatly.
Kyoichi stared.
Was this really the stone-cold Shin he knew?
"Game length: thirty minutes, ten-minute break," Miyara announced.
"Flip for possession."
Kyoichi called heads.
The coin spun; Kyoichi tensed, Sora watched it like a hawk.
Miyara caught it and slowly opened his hand.
"Heads."
"Ha! Destiny!"
Grinning, Kyoichi shot Shin a smug look.
Only Sora shared his delight; the rest remained calm.
"Play!"
The whistle shrilled.
Kyoichi inbounded to Sora.
Thin as he was, Sora dribbled well.
He shook Murasame Mae and crossed the three-point line.
Spotting Kyoichi waving, he hesitated for a second—then passed.