The Expected Answer

Shohoku High School Basketball Club.

The Shohoku players were gathered there.

Ayako held a ruler, pointing to a spot on the tournament bracket, and announced loudly, "Our next opponent is last year's top eight team, Tsukitake High School. If we win this match, Shohoku will advance to the top eight."

Top eight!

Upon hearing this, the eyes of the Shohoku members lit up, and they began to imagine the glory of being a top eight team.

After all, such an honor was unprecedented for them.

In a corner, Qing Junce yawned listlessly, muttering to himself, "Top eight, huh? I wonder if there will be any strong opponents."

Just then, Shimizu Kanon walked over carrying a stack of documents and said, "Tsukitake's strength is completely incomparable to the teams we've faced before. But don't worry, everyone. I've already calculated it. Even without A-Ce, our overall strength is still a bit stronger than Tsukitake's."

She then picked up a document and read, "First is Tsukitake's coach, Kawasaki Kazumi. He has been the coach of the Tsukitake Basketball Team for 3 years. He has a high passion and dedication for basketball, which can inspire the players and make them more fully committed to training and matches."

Shimizu Kanon paused here and continued, "Also, he excels at making targeted tactical deployments. He's a very responsible coach. Oh, and by the way, he's also Coach Anzai's student!"

How did you find that out?

The Shohoku members were all numb, feeling a chill run down their spines. They always felt a bit uneasy around Shimizu Kanon.

"Next is Izumi Takashi, a regular player for Tsukitake, third year, 172cm tall, weighing 75kg, playing Small Forward..."

"Natsume Hiroshi, a regular player for Tsukitake, third year, 160cm tall, weighing 55kg, playing Point Guard..."

"Mine Kenta, a regular player for Tsukitake, third year, 174cm tall, weighing 68kg, playing Power Forward..."

Shimizu Kanon continued to introduce the profiles of several Tsukitake players.

Next, Shimizu Kanon changed her tone slightly, becoming a bit more serious, and said, "The key to whether we can win lies here. Nangou Koichiro, 192cm tall, weighing 89kg, plays Center. He's a first-year rookie for Tsukitake."

"Is this Nangou Koichiro very strong?" Kogure Kiminobu couldn't help but ask.

The others also turned their attention to Shimizu Kanon, as none of them had heard of this person.

Shimizu Kanon replied, "Nangou Koichiro's physical fitness ranks among the top in high school. His jumping ability is outstanding, he has formidable offensive skills and scoring ability, and even his defense is noteworthy. What's especially important to note is that he possesses an ability called 'charge up'."

"Charge up?"

The Shohoku members looked bewildered and confused.

What does that mean?

Shimizu Kanon patiently explained, "Nangou Koichiro's 'charge up' can increase the intensity of his blocks. In other words, the longer he charges up, the greater the force of his block. This move also has the same effect on Slam Dunks."

Upon hearing this, everyone was stunned.

This rookie sounds really strong. He might be a bit difficult to deal with!

Shimizu Kanon ignored their reactions and continued, "Finally, there's Tsukitake's Captain, Godai Tomokazu, third year, 180cm tall, weighing 78kg, playing Shooting Guard. He's a player with extremely accurate three-point shooting."

Hmph...

Mitsui Hisashi narrowed his eyes, a hint of disdain appearing on his lips. He snorted heavily through his nose, "Three-pointers, huh."

Shimizu Kanon continued, "Besides his divine three-point shooting ability, Godai Tomokazu also possesses excellent leadership and tactical execution skills. You all need to pay close attention to this."

After Shimizu Kanon finished speaking, Akagi Takenori's eyes seemed to glaze over, his thoughts drifting into the distance. "Godai..."

His memory involuntarily went back to junior high.

At that time, he and Godai Tomokazu were on the same basketball team.

Who would have thought that in their final year of high school, they would face each other on the court.

After the memory faded, Akagi Takenori crossed his arms and said with great spirit, "Alright, after we defeat Tsukitake, we'll be in the top eight. Then we'll face Shoyo, who are the runners-up. Only by defeating Shoyo can we enter the finals, so everyone, give me your absolute best!"

"Yes..." the others responded in unison.

The next day.

It was a rest day.

Shohoku had no game.

Because Qing Junce's basketball shoes were broken, Shimizu Kanon decided to take him out to buy a new pair.

As the two were walking, a sudden commotion erupted ahead.

Qing Junce and Shimizu Kanon stopped and looked intently, then saw a few familiar faces.

It was Sakuragi Hanamichi and his gang, the Sakuragi Army.

"A-Ce, it's Sakuragi Hanamichi..." Shimizu Kanon pointed lightly and said softly.

Qing Junce merely glanced over casually, then withdrew his gaze, saying in a flat tone, "Let's go! Don't mind him."

Shimizu Kanon chided him playfully, "A-Ce, how can you see someone you know and not say hello! That's very rude!"

Saying this, she reached out, grabbed Qing Junce's arm, and without further ado, pulled him towards Sakuragi Hanamichi and his group.

Qing Junce scoffed, feeling helpless, and was pulled forward by Shimizu Kanon.

As the two approached, they were surprised to find Sakuragi Hanamichi and his gang sprawled in front of the chain-link fence, their faces contorted in fierce expressions…

Oh, wait.

Only Sakuragi Hanamichi had a fierce look, staring intently inside.

The others all had expressions of people watching a good show.

Qing Junce and Shimizu Kanon, filled with confusion, followed their gaze towards the streetball court.

Inside the court, a man and a woman were standing.

The girl was none other than Akagi Haruko.

She wore a T-shirt paired with yellow hot pants that revealed her legs, her long hair tied up, making her already sweet face appear even more pure.

"It's Haruko!" Shimizu Kanon couldn't help but murmur, her eyes darting between Haruko and the man opposite her. "Is she on a date?"

The man in front of Haruko wore a helmet that completely covered his head, leaving no gap, so his face was completely hidden.

Only by his clothes and build could they roughly tell he was a man.

"Damn it! Who is that bastard? How dare he get so close to Haruko." Sakuragi Hanamichi's eyes widened like brass bells, fixed on the helmeted man on the court, his eyes about to spew fire.

The members of the Sakuragi Army were also captivated by the scene, none of them noticing Qing Junce and Shimizu Kanon's arrival.

Akagi Haruko inside the court, for some reason, left very quickly.

For a moment, only the helmeted man was left standing alone.

After a short while, the man seemed to have been struck by something. He raised his hand and took off the helmet, revealing his true face to everyone.

The first thing that caught their attention was his middle-parted hairstyle, with a few strands of yellow hair at his forehead sticking out wildly, glaringly conspicuous in the sunlight.

His eyebrows were exaggeratedly thick. While he couldn't be called handsome and dashing, he wasn't ugly either. It was just that the cynical smile on his face gave off a slovenly impression.

Outside the chain-link fence.

Before Shimizu Kanon could even greet the others, Sakuragi Hanamichi couldn't hold back any longer.

He gripped the chain-link fence tightly with both hands, using his hands and feet to scramble over in a few "swishes." He strode up to the helmeted man and, without even exchanging a glance, lowered his head and delivered a fierce headbutt.

In the blink of an eye, Sakuragi Hanamichi and the other man were arguing heatedly, their voices growing louder and louder.

As soon as Shimizu Kanon saw the man take off his helmet, she recognized him instantly and blurted out, "It's Nangou Koichiro from Tsukitake."

Her shout made the others in the Sakuragi Army snap back to attention, and they quickly turned to look.

Mito Yohei, with a gentle gaze, spoke first, "Yo, it's you guys!"

O-Nann Yuji scratched his head, looking confused. "When did you guys get behind us? You were so quiet."

Takamiya Nozomi's eyes darted between Qing Junce and Shimizu Kanon, his mouth opening like a floodgate. "You two aren't... on a date, are you?"

As soon as he said that, Shimizu Kanon's face flushed red all the way to her ears. She shyly glanced at Qing Junce and quickly explained, "Don't talk nonsense, A-Ce's sneakers are broken, I was just accompanying him to buy a new pair."

But the guys in the Sakuragi Army wore expressions that clearly said, "We don't believe you."

These two were always sticking together; who would believe they weren't involved in something?

To avoid further embarrassment, Shimizu Kanon quickly changed the subject. "By the way, what are you guys doing here? I thought I just saw Haruko."

Mito Yohei shrugged and explained helplessly, "We're not sure either, but from the looks of it now, it seems a bit complicated."

Everyone's gaze turned towards the court. Sakuragi Hanamichi and Nangou Koichiro were still arguing fiercely, but neither of them intended to get involved in the mess.

Just then, Nangou Koichiro, who was arguing heatedly with Sakuragi Hanamichi, seemed to sense someone watching him from this side. He suddenly turned his head, his gaze sweeping over Qing Junce and his group. Immediately after, he instantly ended his argument with Sakuragi Hanamichi and sprinted towards them.

He reached the chain-link fence and, with nimble movements, scaled it in a few seconds.

Nangou Koichiro completely ignored everyone else and rushed straight to Shimizu Kanon. His eyes lit up, and he said with a look of infatuation, "Beautiful lady, please be my girlfriend!"

"Huh?" Shimizu Kanon was stunned on the spot, her eyes wide open. However, she quickly regained her composure.

Comparing it with the information she had investigated earlier, she remembered Nangou Koichiro's personality traits.

Carefree, straightforward, and competitive…

This could be called lively and outgoing.

Or, put negatively, it was shameless.

Shimizu Kanon wore a perfectly appropriate smile and refused gently but firmly, "I'm sorry, I'm not planning to find a boyfriend right now, and we don't know each other well. I'm afraid I'll have to disappoint you."

Nangou Koichiro, however, was not discouraged. He stared intently at Shimizu Kanon, his face full of pleading. "Don't refuse so quickly! Look at me, I'm handsome, I have a great physique, and most importantly, I'm super considerate towards cute girls like you. Just give me a chance, okay? Be my girlfriend, please?"

Shimizu Kanon maintained her polite smile and replied calmly, "I really don't need to, thank you for your liking."

Nangou Koichiro was about to continue his persistent pleas, but at that moment, a figure like a black barrier stood firmly in front of him.

Qing Junce looked at Nangou Koichiro with a blank expression and indifferent eyes, his tone as calm as still water. "She's already made it clear, she's not interested in you."

Nangou Koichiro sized up Qing Junce. His previously fervent gaze instantly cooled, and he asked indignantly, "Who are you? Why are you meddling in my business?"

Qing Junce ignored his question and simply repeated indifferently, "Kanon said she doesn't know you well."

As soon as he finished speaking, Qing Junce took Shimizu Kanon's wrist and turned to leave.

Just then, a sharp voice came from afar, ringing in everyone's ears like a thunderclap. "Ah… Qing Junce, you godless ghost, what are you doing here? Don't tell me you were also peeking at Haruko?"

Hearing this, Qing Junce, who had already taken a step, suddenly had several black lines appear on his forehead.

He abruptly turned his head, glaring at Sakuragi Hanamichi with an unfriendly look, and snapped, "Who would peek! Do you think everyone else is an idiot like you?"

Qing Junce was too lazy to argue with this fool. He pulled Shimizu Kanon up again and quickened their pace.

But just then, another voice, like a phantom, pierced their ears, calling out to them.

This time, it was Nangou Koichiro speaking, his voice laced with surprise and excitement. "Qing Junce? You're the Shohoku number 9 from the reports?!"

Qing Junce didn't even acknowledge him, not looking back, and continued to pull Shimizu Kanon forward.

However, Nangou Koichiro's next words were like an invisible hook, forcefully making Qing Junce stop in his tracks.

Nangou Koichiro pointed directly at Qing Junce, a provocative smile on his face, and declared loudly, "Since you're from Shohoku, let's make a bet. If Tsukitake wins, this cute girl beside you is mine. If I lose, I promise I'll stop pursuing her from now on."

In an instant, the previously noisy venue fell silent, as if time itself had frozen.

Shimizu Kanon's pretty face turned red with anger. She spun around, glaring fiercely at Nangou Koichiro.

What did this guy take her for?

An object to be fought over arbitrarily?

Just as she was about to retort, she saw movement from Qing Junce's side.

Whoosh…

Nangou Koichiro, Sakuragi Hanamichi, and the rest of the Sakuragi Legion felt a chill emanate from Qing Junce without any warning. It was a chill that was like wind, yet not wind.

Despite the scorching summer heat and the blazing sun, they felt a bone-chilling cold rise within them, as if they were trapped in an endless abyss.

It felt like being confined in a small cage, surrounded by a pack of ravenous beasts with fierce eyes, staring at them, ready to pounce and tear them to shreds at any moment.

This primal fear of death made every hair on their bodies stand on end. A cold shiver shot from the soles of their feet to the tops of their heads, making their scalps tingle.

"A-Ce…" Shimizu Kanon gasped in alarm and quickly called out softly, trying to stop Qing Junce.

Qing Junce's eyes were icy. He took one last deep look at Nangou Koichiro, then, without a word, turned and, pulling Shimizu Kanon's hand, strode away.

Watching Qing Junce and Shimizu Kanon's receding figures, Nangou Koichiro, Sakuragi Hanamichi, and the others stood frozen as if under a spell, their eyes vacant, unable to snap out of it for a long time.

After an unknown amount of time, the Sakuragi Legion finally recovered, letting out long sighs of relief.

Takamiya Nozomi's forehead was slick with cold sweat, his face pale. His legs gave out, and he collapsed onto the ground, his voice trembling, "That scared me half to death! What was that just now?"

O-Nann Yuji was also shaken, shaking his head slightly. "Who knows! The aura that guy was giving off was too dangerous."

Mito Yohei gazed in the direction Qing Junce had left, his brow furrowed, his expression serious. "This has gotten really serious now."

Sakuragi Hanamichi's face also showed a seriousness he'd never displayed before.

However, unlike the others, after the initial shock, a sharp, unprecedented glint and burning fighting spirit ignited in his eyes. "Damn it! Qing Junce, you just wait! One day, I'll definitely beat you! And that stinky fox Rukawa Kaede, I won't let him off either!"

As for Nangou Koichiro, he was still standing there blankly, his eyes wide as saucers, his face etched with fear, his body trembling uncontrollably.

He had no idea what had just happened, only feeling as if he had walked through the gates of hell and back, narrowly escaping death.

Meanwhile, Qing Junce and Shimizu Kanon walked side-by-side on the road, their steps unhurried.

Perhaps Nangou Koichiro's stunt had dampened their mood, as both were silent, the atmosphere a little heavy.

Shimizu Kanon occasionally stole glances at Qing Junce beside her, a ripple of emotion stirring within her. Was he that angry because of me?

Thinking that Qing Junce might have displayed such a terrifying aura to protect her, her cheeks flushed, and the corners of her lips couldn't help but curve upwards in a hint of smugness.

Finally, she broke the silence, asking softly, "Why didn't you agree to his bet just now?"

"Why would I agree to him? Idiot," Qing Junce replied curtly, his tone cold.

But this wasn't the answer Shimizu Kanon was looking for.

She tilted her head and pressed on, "You're so strong anyway, you definitely wouldn't lose. Agreeing would have been a good way to teach that arrogant guy a lesson!"

Qing Junce snorted dismissively. "Even if I don't agree, I can still crush him in the game. Why bother with a special match?"

Uh…

Shimizu Kanon was momentarily speechless. Thinking about it carefully, Qing Junce did have a point.

But she still felt a little conflicted, really wanting to know what Qing Junce was truly thinking!

As Shimizu Kanon was lost in her thoughts, Qing Junce suddenly spoke, "Hey! Kanon…"

"Hm?" Shimizu Kanon turned her head in confusion, looking at Qing Junce.

Qing Junce paused, then continued, "For the game against Tsukitake, I want to start."

Hearing this, Shimizu Kanon's eyes lit up, and a wonderfully sweet smile bloomed on her face, a smile that seemed capable of dispelling all the gloom in the world.

She deliberately feigned surprise and said, "Eh? Really? A-Ce, you actually want to start? That's quite rare!"

"Stop rambling," Qing Junce said, turning his head away impatiently, not wanting Shimizu Kanon to see his slightly flushed earlobes.

Shimizu Kanon covered her mouth and chuckled, then mischievously said, "It's not impossible for you to start, but… it depends on your performance!"

"Huh?" Qing Junce glanced at her sideways, knowing all too well what this mischievous girl was up to.

She said that, clearly wanting to make him spend some money.

However, he didn't care about that little bit of money.

"Tch..." Qing Junce scoffed and said, "Whatever you want!"

"Yay..." Shimizu Kanon jumped up excitedly, her eyes sparkling like twinkling stars.

She grabbed Qing Junce's hand and walked forward quickly, saying, "Then it's settled! I remember there's a basketball event at the mall up ahead. If you win first place, you get a limited edition exquisite charm. I really want that."

Hearing this, Qing Junce's mouth twitched, and he said helplessly, "Why basketball? Shouldn't we usually go for a big meal or buy some nice clothes or something?"

"None of your business," Shimizu Kanon replied haughtily.

The figures of the two gradually faded away, disappearing into the end of the street amidst the envious, jealous, and slightly hateful gazes of those around them.