"Why are they like that to me?" Haruko muttered as she tucked her knees to her chest, hugging them tightly. Her mind replayed the events of the day, bringing a stinging pain to her chest. "They never want to see me do what I love, be happy, or support my dreams."
Earlier That Day
"Haruko," Coach Maeda called out.
"Yes, Coach? What is it?" Haruko asked, snapping out of her thoughts.
"I'd like to have a word with you. Come with me," said Coach Maeda as she turned and led Haruko away from the rest of the team for a one-on-one conversation.
Once they reached a quiet spot, Coach Maeda turned to her. "Now that we're alone, I want to ask you something."
"And what might that be, Coach?" Haruko asked, tilting her head slightly.
"Do you know why I appointed you as the captain of this team?"
Haruko hesitated. "I'm not sure… Is it because I'm one of the seniors and it's my last year?" she guessed.
Coach Maeda shook her head. "No, that's not the reason. I gave you the position because both the former captain and I saw something in you that I didn't see in anyone else on the team. You're hardworking, and you never give up until you achieve what you set out for."
Haruko's eyes widened slightly as Coach Maeda continued.
"Today was a great demonstration of that. You were scoring a lot of points, which took both me and your teammates by surprise. If I may add, you also managed to sink a three-pointer during the game."
"What? Really? I made a three-pointer?" Haruko asked in shock.
Coach Maeda nodded with a small smile. "Yes, and I want you to work on that every day at practice. I have a feeling that it will be our key to victory. You were amazing out there today, Haruko. I was very impressed."
Haruko beamed, feeling a rush of pride swell in her chest. "Thank you so much, Coach!"
Later That Night—Dinner with Family
That evening, Haruko sat at the dining table with her elder sister, Sachiko, and their parents. Unable to contain her excitement, she decided to share her good news, hoping—praying—that they would be proud of her.
"Mom, Dad, I have some really great news!" she announced, her eyes gleaming with enthusiasm.
Her father looked up from his plate. "Oh? What is it, honey?"
"My coach praised me today!" Haruko said excitedly. "She told me I was great, and she even said the reason she made me captain was because of my hard work! And today, I was scoring a whole lot! That's never happened before—"
But before she could continue, her father put down his utensils and spoke in a low, serious tone.
"Listen, Haruko."
Something about the way he said her name made her heart sink.
"I think it's time for you to quit basketball."
Haruko froze. Her hands clenched into fists on her lap. "What? But… I showed you results! I've gotten so much better! So why—why would you even suggest that?"
Her mother reached over, gently tapping her shoulder. "Dear, sit down. Do not raise your voice at the table."
Haruko swallowed hard and sat back down, but her hands were trembling under the table.
Her father sighed, rubbing his temples before looking her in the eyes. "A young woman of your class—born into a wealthy family with status—should not be engaging in such a physical sport."
Haruko's stomach twisted. Here we go again…
"It's disgraceful," he continued. "You keep playing, but all you're doing is making a fool of yourself by losing your first or second match every time."
Haruko's breath hitched. "T-That's not—"
"This is the last time I'm saying this, and I hope you listen," he interrupted firmly. "Quit basketball. Focus on something that will actually benefit you in the long run—like joining the student council or a cooking club."
Haruko's jaw clenched. She could feel her entire body shaking now.
"I can't just quit like that!" she burst out. "I love basketball! I've been playing ever since I was a child! I will not give it up for anything—or for the likes of you!"
Silence.
Her father's expression darkened. "Let me be clear," he said slowly, his voice cutting through the air like a knife. "If you don't stop playing basketball, you'll lose my support. I will not help you in any way when it comes to that pointless game."
Haruko's breath caught in her throat.
"It's time for you to grow up and move on," her father continued coldly. Then he looked her straight in the eye. "Do you even love basketball?"
"Hun, that was too far," Haruko's mother said, trying to defuse the tension. "You shouldn't have said that."
Haruko lowered her head, unable to speak. Her gaze shifted toward Sachiko, who had been silent the entire time.
She wasn't standing up for her.
Sachiko wasn't saying anything.
Instead, she looked away, pretending as if she wasn't a part of this conversation.
That was what broke Haruko completely.
Tears welled up in her eyes as she pushed back her chair and ran from the table, her sobs echoing through the halls. She slammed her door shut, locked it, and collapsed onto her bed, crying into her pillow.
After crying for nearly half an hour, Haruko had packed her things, ready to run away. But the question remained—where would I even go?
She eventually calmed down, unpacked everything, and had a thought.
Why don't I just go to the court to blow off some steam?
And now here she was, sitting on the bench, waiting for someone she had only met once, hoping—praying—that he would understand what her family never could.
"Haruko Takahashi," a voice suddenly called out, startling her.
"Huh? Oh, it's you," she said, looking up to see Tetsuo. "You actually came."
"Of course," he said. "So… what's on your mind?"
Haruko hesitated, then spoke in a quiet voice. "Say… have you ever loved something? Something really important to you? But no matter how much you love it, everyone around you just wants to take it away… along with all the happiness and joy it brings?"
Tetsuo was silent for a moment. "I can't say that I have," he admitted. "But I get what you mean. When something—or someone—is precious to you, you want to protect it at all costs. You'd never let anyone take it away from you."
Haruko's expression softened. "I see… Thanks for your response. It makes me feel… kinda happy."
After a brief pause, she stood up and smiled slightly. "Now then, I'd like you to teach me how to make a layup—if you don't mind."
Tetsuo mumbled. "For some reason, this feels like that déjà vu thing my sister always talks about… Did we meet before all this?" he wondered.
Shaking off the thought, he nodded. "Alright, listen carefully. To make a proper layup, you're only allowed two steps. If you take more than that, it's considered traveling, and the ball goes to the opponent."
He pointed at the backboard. "When you're close to the hoop, aim for the square on the backboard. It increases your accuracy and makes it easier to score."
Haruko took a deep breath. "Okay, focus. You got this," she told herself as she dribbled.
She drove to the rim, took her two steps, and followed Tetsuo's instructions.
The ball hit the backboard and swished cleanly through the hoop.
"Wow, I actually made it!" she gasped. "This is way easier than shooting from a distance!"
She turned to Tetsuo with a grateful smile. "Thank you. I really needed this. Our matches are approaching fast, and I want to be prepared."
Tetsuo smirked. "Then let's keep practicing."