Practice Match (1)

"Ugh, this is so annoying," Atsushi Murasakibara mumbled on the bus, a rice cracker in his mouth. "It's still so hot, why do we have to play an away game? I shouldn't have joined the First String."

"Alright, Murasakibara, stop complaining," Ken Kaneki said soothingly. "It's a tradition for the First String, and besides, the seniors are here. Be mindful of your image."

"Hmph~" Atsushi Murasakibara replied grumpily.

"Everyone, get yourselves together," Naoto Sanada said, standing up and clapping his hands. "Today's game is against Kirigi First Affiliated Junior High School. Their main offensive threat comes from their twin guards on the perimeter. Murasakibara and Kaneki won't be starting today. As seniors, you need to show some spirit."

"Yosh!" the members of the Second String declared with full spirit. Taro Sugiya, who had been demoted back to the Second String from the Third String, looked at Ken Kaneki with a hint of smugness and provocation.

Ken Kaneki rolled his eyes, not wanting to deal with him. He simply put on his eye patch and decided to take a short nap.

"Screech~" As the bus brakes sounded, the Teiko Junior High School team members got off. To everyone's surprise, they were greeted by a welcoming party led by the coach of Kirigi First Affiliated Junior High School.

"You're too kind, Coach Sanada," Naoto Sanada said, shaking Noriaki Sanada's hand.

"Ah! For the Tokyo area champions of last year and the national tournament runners-up to visit our Kirigi First Affiliated Junior High School for guidance, we must be formal," Noriaki Sanada replied with a fake smile and politeness.

Ken Kaneki ignored the two men engaged in their polite banter. His gaze shifted to the players who had come to greet them behind Noriaki Sanada. His eyes met those of a squinty-eyed person wearing glasses. After a nod of mutual acknowledgment, they broke eye contact.

"So this is Teiko Junior High School you were talking about, Shoichi? They do look well-trained," a figure with a dark gaze and chewing gum said.

"They're a national powerhouse, after all. Teiko has made it to the national top four for the past two years... especially their captain, Shuzo Nijimura, who was unstoppable on the court last year," Shoichi Imagawa's eyes scanned the Teiko Junior High School players, and he wondered, "But for some reason, he doesn't seem to be here today."

"Whether he's here or not, it's all the same," Makoto Hanamiya said, flicking his bangs dismissively. "Geniuses, prodigies... once they're broken, they're just useless trash."

"Seriously, your nasty personality hasn't changed one bit," Shoichi Imagawa said with a knowing smile.

"Boring, I'm leaving." Makoto Hanamiya popped his bubble and, without regard for whether the coach had given instructions, turned and walked towards the school campus.

"Haha, we old guys have been talking too much. The kids are getting impatient," Naoto Sanada said, seeing the awkward scene before him and offering a way out.

"Right, right, it was my oversight," Noriaki Sanada quickly made a gesture to invite them in, leading everyone to the Kirigi First Affiliated Junior High School gymnasium.

"Alright, as we discussed, the Second String will start. Atsushi Murasakibara and Ken Kaneki, be ready to fill in any gaps," Naoto Sanada gave brief pre-game instructions before waving for everyone to start warming up.

"Swish," "Swish," "Swish"...

"Bang," "Bang," "Bang"...

Atsushi Murasakibara and Ken Kaneki's warm-ups quickly attracted everyone's attention. Ken Kaneki was hitting three-pointers from beyond the arc, while Atsushi Murasakibara was showcasing his powerful dunks in the paint.

However, it wasn't long before the whistle blew, signaling the end of warm-ups. Ken Kaneki and Atsushi Murasakibara moved to the sidelines to watch.

"Beep beep~" The referee tossed the ball high into the air, and Taro Sugiya tipped it to his team's point guard.

"Hey, kid, where's your captain, Shuzo Nijimura?" Makoto Hanamiya asked the Second String point guard, who was bringing the ball past half-court, with a sinister look in his eyes.

"Huh? Captain?" The Second String point guard was confused by the question but answered truthfully, "For practice matches like this, the captain doesn't participate. Usually, new members of the First String play with us from the Second String."

"Second String?" Makoto Hanamiya's eyes narrowed, and he suddenly burst into laughter. "Hahaha, as expected of Teiko."

The Second String point guard looked at Makoto Hanamiya, somewhat bewildered. Following the play, he passed the ball to Taro Sugiya in the post. Taro Sugiya used his tall frame to push past the defender and score with a layup.

"What's wrong, Makoto?" Shoichi Imagawa approached Makoto Hanamiya, looking at his now even more sinister eyes.

"These arrogant guys! They're sending out the Second String to deal with us!" Makoto Hanamiya's words were devoid of emotion, but anyone could hear the anger in them.

"There's no need to get angry about this. Just win," Shoichi Imagawa said with a smile. "Strong players have their pride, it's normal."

"Yeah, but the thought of crushing these guys' pride makes me tremble with excitement!" Makoto Hanamiya flashed a sinister smile and initiated Kirigi First Affiliated Junior High School's first offensive play.

Makoto Hanamiya stood at the top of the arc with the ball. Facing the defender in front of him, he grinned slyly and feigned a drive to the basket. The Second String point guard quickly followed Makoto Hanamiya's steps, attempting to defend.

At this moment, Makoto Hanamiya casually swung his ball-protecting arm, smashing his elbow hard into the Second String point guard's side. The point guard's movement faltered, and Makoto Hanamiya drove past him for a pull-up jumper.

"What's wrong with you?" Taro Sugiya asked with dissatisfaction. "You let him get past you so easily?"

"Senior, this guy is a bit dirty. He just hit me in the side with his elbow," the Second String point guard defended himself, sounding wronged.

"What are you talking about? What do you mean 'dirty'? How have I been dirty? I've been playing like this for years! The referees on the sidelines know best whether I play dirty or not. Don't talk nonsense with your eyes open. Reflect on yourself. Have you been training hard? Why are you still in the Second String after all this time?" Makoto Hanamiya added fuel to the fire with a smug smile.

"You jerk!" The Second String point guard, enraged, moved to punch Makoto Hanamiya, but Taro Sugiya pulled him back.

"Don't be impulsive. Let's play a bit and see what happens," Taro Sugiya restrained him.

The Second String point guard suppressed his anger and received the inbound pass, starting their second offensive play. This time, Makoto Hanamiya immediately stepped up to pressure him. Seeing this, the Second String point guard clutched the ball tightly, looking for a passing opportunity. Makoto Hanamiya saw this, reached out as if to steal the ball, and while the point guard wasn't paying attention, he delivered another elbow strike, this time to his shoulder. The point guard cried out in pain and let go of the ball. Makoto Hanamiya took the ball and drove for a fast-break layup.

"Oh my, oh my, I thought the famous Teiko was so amazing," Makoto Hanamiya's arrogant voice carried from the frontcourt. "Turns out they're just a bunch of guys who can't hold onto the ball."