From that day forward, I quit basketball, never to touch another ball or set foot on a court again. Although it was painful to stay away from a sport as amazing as basketball, I eventually adapted to the idea of not having it in my life. I spent most of my time studying so that I could get enrolled in a prestigious school. It just so happened that I chose the same school that Yukio said he wanted us to play together at, Toshigawa Academy.
"Hey, you two are freshmen, right? My name is Yukio Hamaguchi, a third year and captain of the basketball team," said Yukio.
"Nice to meet you. My name is Katsuragi Shino," said Shino. "I came here to ask if I could join the basketball club!!"
"I like your energy. Sure thing, you can start training after school today," Yukio said with a smile. "And you? Do you wish to join as well?" he asked.
"No, I'm not really a fan of the sport. I just followed him here so he could ask to join. Besides, it would be too much work for me," Makoto replied.
That day, he knew exactly who I was, and I remembered the promise he made with me. But without even having to ask, he understood my situation and didn't pursue asking me to join the team, not even once. Of course, a part of me wanted to join the team, but past experiences kept me from doing so.
Until I met Shino again, that same shy and timid boy from Musashi Junior High.
"Um, Kurai, good morning," Shino said with a timid look.
"Huh, oh, it's you. What do you want?" Makoto asked.
"I heard that a mini-basketball tournament will be held for us freshmen this session. And what does that have to do with me?"
"Well, we need five people to play, and as you know, I'm really shy and introverted. You're the only person I've talked to since I started attending this school, so I'm asking if you could fill one of the spots, please!"
"Okay, okay, jeez, quit making a scene out of it." I didn't know what happened, but he somehow convinced me to take up a ball again.
That was the day my passion for the sport rekindled. We were up against two players who were seasoned in the sport during our first gym session, and I got excited and played hard that day. I was having fun. I tried to deny that my passion had peaked once more because of what happened in junior high, and how selfish and spiteful my teammates were. I didn't want to risk that happening again.
"I didn't know that all that went down in junior high, and I'm sure it would be hard even for me to trust a team based on such hypocrisy. But assuming that every team is the same doesn't make sense. It's a cruel way to block out good people who actually want to see you play. Take Yukio, for example. He's really a good captain, you have my word on that," said Noboru.
"You don't have to tell me that Yukio is a good captain, I already know. And the only way to move on from my hatred for them is to play basketball again, which is why I've decided to join the basketball team. So that I can get revenge on those bastards," Makoto said.
"I promise that from this day forward, I won't cry anymore. I'll improve to the best of my ability and defeat Musashi High School with my own strength. That's the only way I can move forward from the trouble and pain they caused me," said Shino as he wiped his tears.
"So we all agree that we need to beat them. Let's make a promise that we'll take them down, the three of us," I said, as all three of us fist-bumped.
"Alright, let's head back, Shino. Our seniors must be worried sick about us," said Noboru. "Let's bring these beverages back to the team," Makoto said as I helped Shino carry the bottles.
"That's right, I almost forgot. My throat is dry and I'm thirsty. Give me mine," said Noboru as he snatched the apple juice from Shino.
"You are paying me back for that, right?" asked Shino.
"I'll pay you tomorrow, don't worry," replied Noboru.
"Alright, let's head back."
Due to Noboru and Shino being late, Nanaho had the other members of the team practice shooting free throws. Takahiro, who shot two free throws, made only one of them, followed by Hayato, who easily made his two free throws. Liam, who was not familiar with free throws, missed both shots terribly, and both Tetsuo and Yukio scored their two free throws.
"It's not like Shino to come back this late. I wonder what happened," said Takahiro, concerned.
"I wonder what's taking Shino so long, and Noboru isn't back from his stamina training. Should I be worried?" said Yukio.
"I know that something might have happened to Shino, so I'll let him off with something light. However, Noboru is going to wish that he was dead," said Nanaho to herself angrily.
"Hey guys, we're back," said Noboru, with Makoto and Shino following behind him.
"Where the heck were you, Noboru? I just want you to know that something harsh has been plotted for you," said Nanaho.
"Oh please, not that. I have a really good excuse this time," said Noboru. "You see, Shino was buying the beverages like you told him to. However, he bumped into some of his old teammates from Musashi High, and he was in a pickle because they were saying a lot of hurtful things to him, so I had to go and help him. Okay?"
"So you're saying that players from Musashi High were picking on Shino, right?" asked Hayato.
"Musashi High is known for their defensive prowess and physicality, but what stands out about them the most is their dark personality. Trash-talking, insults, they will stop at nothing to get into a player's head," said Nanaho. "I'm glad that you stepped in when you did, thank you, Noboru."
"And I see that you brought Makoto with you. Was he also involved?" asked Takahiro.
"Yes, I was. They were insulting me first, but Shino stepped in to try and help me. However, it only ended up making them pick on him. As for the reason why I'm here... I feel like I'm ready to fulfill that promise we made the day Yukio..."
"I will join the basketball team and play to the best of my abilities. Although this will be a pain and leave me absolutely drained, I believe that I'm ready to start," he said.
"So you mean that we now have eight members?" asked Liam excitedly.
"Yeah, that seems to be the case," said Takahiro.
"Hi, nice to meet you again. My name is Liam Ainsworth. We played against each other in a gym match, remember?"
"Yeah, how could I forget someone as giant as you? I didn't know that you joined the team," Makoto said.
"Thank you so much for joining the team, Makoto, and I look forward to playing on this team with you," said Yukio as he smiled.
"Likewise, however, I'll be starting tomorrow. I have to get some sleep."
"I'm so glad for Yukio. Even though we couldn't predict this outcome, we now have such an amazing team. Now to work hard on preparing them for the upcoming matches," said Nanaho to herself, smiling.