As Hyotei claimed the regional championship in a commanding fashion, the final matches in several other districts of Tokyo also came to an end.
Yamabuki, Kakimotogakuen, St. Rudolph, and other established powerhouses in the Tokyo area all advanced to the metropolitan tournament.
Seigaku, of course, had also competed with its upperclassmen. Though they lost to Kakimotogakuen in the regional final, they still advanced to the metropolitan tournament as runners-up.
Though they had qualified for the metropolitan tournament, Seigaku coach Ryuzaki Sumire was in no good mood. She had heard that Yamabuki Middle School, thanks to a first-year transfer student from Seigaku, had swept through the regional tournament and made a name for itself.
Some had even begun calling Yamabuki and Hyotei the "Twin Titans of Tokyo."
When Ryuzaki Sumire heard the news, she wavered for the first time. But she immediately shook her head and got to her feet. "I wasn't wrong. First-years should focus on building a solid foundation. They shouldn't be competing..."
Watching their coach mutter to herself, captain Yamato Yudai wore a troubled expression and could only sigh inwardly. The future that should have belonged to Seigaku is now shining at another school. As captain, I haven't done a good enough job. But Coach, after seeing them prove themselves on the court, are you still going to deceive yourself...
Meanwhile, unlike the dispiriting mood at Seigaku, Hyotei was in high spirits. The regional championship might not mean much, but it was the first title they had won representing Hyotei.
On Hyotei's luxurious team bus, Mukahi Gakuto grinned and teased, "Akutsu, I never thought you could smile."
Hearing Mukahi Gakuto's remark, the Hyotei regulars all looked toward Akutsu. They remembered his smile on the podium just moments ago. For the first time, it hadn't looked so menacing—in fact, there had been something almost cute about it.
With everyone staring at him, Akutsu's face flushed slightly. He roared at Mukahi Gakuto, "Shut up, you bastard!"
"Hey, Akutsu, that smile you gave on the podium was pretty good..."
Atobe chimed in, eyeing Akutsu with an amused expression.
"Shut up..."
"Akutsu, try smiling more. Don't always scowl..."
"Shut up..."
Watching everyone laugh together on the bus, Kannagi Shinichi smiled, too. He turned to Atobe with a hint of mischief in his expression. "The regional championship is just the beginning of our conquest of the nation, but it's still the first title we've won representing Hyotei. So, Atobe, as vice-captain, how about treating us to a celebration?"
As Atobe's deskmate, Kannagi Shinichi watched him eat every day. Every meal was a feast prepared by top chefs from around the world.
Seeing Atobe live like that every day made Kannagi Shinichi a little envious—and jealous.
Besides, he'd long wanted to try the delicacies those chefs made. With the championship as an excuse, today was the perfect chance to ask.→
And getting the team together now and then could also help strengthen their unity.
Atobe listened to Kannagi Shinichi without refusing outright. He merely glanced toward their adviser, Sakaki Taro, seated at the very front. "I have no problem with a celebration, but weren't we supposed to keep training when we got back?"
As if he'd sensed the gaze behind him, Sakaki Taro answered coolly without turning around. "You're all getting today off. Training resumes tomorrow."
"Awesome..."
At Sakaki Taro's words, several of the regulars cheered happily.
Now that he knew there'd be no training today, Atobe lightly flicked his hair and smiled at the others. "Go on, tell me what you want to eat. I'll have someone make it."
"Atobe, does that mean we can eat anything?"
Hearing Atobe's offer, Mukahi Gakuto quickly stepped forward to ask.
"Of course. My estate has top chefs from all over the world. Whatever you want, they can make it."
"Then I want barbecue..."
"Atobe, do they have steak..."
Watching everyone chatter over one another, Kannagi Shinichi gave a disdainful look. These guys had no taste. Getting so worked up over a bit of food was downright embarrassing.
Unlike them, Kannagi Shinichi would try every single dish prepared at the Atobe estate.
Just as the others were arguing back and forth, Akutsu spoke up from the side. "Actually... I want sushi."
Shishido Ryo chimed in, too. "Sushi? I think that sounds pretty good. But if we're going for sushi, we should go to one of those old, well-established sushi restaurants. The food there tastes better..."
Hearing Akutsu and Shishido Ryo, Kannagi Shinichi felt a faint sense of dread. He looked pleadingly at Atobe, hoping he wouldn't listen to them and would still take them to the Atobe estate for a proper feast.
But Kannagi Shinichi's hopes were dashed. Atobe said, "I rarely eat out. Trying the kind of food commoners eat once in a while might be interesting."
Hearing Atobe, Kannagi Shinichi began to howl inwardly. Atobe, where's your aristocratic bearing? How can someone as noble as you go eat the food commoners eat? If you keep this up, what'll happen to my feast?
Though he was nearly frantic inside and wanted to beat Akutsu and Shishido Ryo, Kannagi Shinichi ultimately held back for the sake of his image as captain.
"Then let's find a sushi restaurant and celebrate there," Oshitari Yuushi said calmly from the side, adjusting his glasses.
"Let's go to Shibuya. There are lots of good places to eat there, so there should be some decent sushi restaurants..."
Mukahi Gakuto agreed with the suggestion to go out for sushi. Now, Kannagi Shinichi seemed to be the only one still hoping to eat at the Atobe estate.
"Idiot, it's a famous red-light district. We're middle schoolers—we can't go there!" Hearing Mukahi Gakuto, Shishido Ryo's veins bulged as he roared at him.
As everyone discussed which sushi restaurant to visit for the celebration, Akutsu rubbed his chin and spoke up again. "I know a sushi restaurant. It's not far from my house. If you want sushi, we can go there."
Akutsu had his own reasons for suggesting it. Since enrolling at Hyotei, he'd spent most of his time living on campus. Now that he finally had a day off from training, he could use the chance to go home and see his mother.
As if he'd noticed Akutsu's little motive, Kannagi Shinichi gave up on the feast and made the decision for everyone. "Then we'll celebrate at the sushi restaurant Akutsu mentioned."
"I have no objections. Today, I'll see for myself what commoners eat..." Atobe was the first to agree, and the other regulars nodded along.
So, while they were still on the bus, they settled on a place to celebrate.
After they returned to Hyotei, everyone washed up and got ready before setting off with Akutsu for the little restaurant he'd mentioned.
The sky was beginning to darken. The Hyotei team followed Akutsu to a tiny sushi restaurant, whose sign clearly read "Kawamura."
Akutsu pushed open the door. Inside, a group of students was already celebrating, raising their glasses.
Kannagi Shinichi leaned in for a look, then smiled knowingly. "Yamabuki Middle School, huh..."
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