New Opponent, Weekend

Even Satsuki Momoi on the sidelines could tell Ken Kaneki was acting strange, and those on the court felt it even more strongly.

"Ken-chan, you're a little different tonight."

During the mid-game break, Atsushi Murasakibara gulped down water and looked at Ken Kaneki with a hint of helplessness.

"Yeah, Ken, what's up with you today? Why are you so excited?" Daiki Aomine asked curiously while wiping sweat from his body with a towel.

"Haha, really?" Ken Kaneki laughed heartily, slinging an arm around Daiki Aomine's shoulders. "I just feel great playing with you all. I want to get stronger, even stronger, and become everyone's most solid support!"

"Ew, that's gross," Daiki Aomine swatted away the hand on his shoulder and retorted. "Besides, who needs your support? I'll definitely beat you one day."

"If it's Ken-chan, I think saying that is fine," Atsushi Murasakibara said while eating seaweed and flipping through a manga.

"I bought all that seaweed for you, and you're still siding with Ken?" Daiki Aomine felt betrayed.

"I'm just telling the truth," Atsushi Murasakibara said seriously. "But Ken-chan, you promised to buy me potato chips for a month, and you haven't bought me any for seven days."

"You have a really good memory, Murasakibara..." Ken Kaneki said with a wry smile.

"Aren't you going to go chat with them?" Seijuro Akashi said, watching Shintaro Midorima still practicing his shots.

"Aren't you not going over either?" Shintaro Midorima retorted.

"I just don't really fit into their conversations, but I'm not deliberately staying away," Seijuro Akashi said with a smile.

"I just don't really get along with them," Shintaro Midorima said after sinking the last ball in the hoop and wiping his sweat. "I don't have any particular opinions about Ken or Aomine, but I always feel that big guy is wasting his talent. If I went over, they'd probably feel awkward."

"I didn't expect you to be so considerate of others, Midorima-kun," Seijuro Akashi teased. "Are you really not upset because Ken Kaneki scored seven out of two shots against you tonight?"

"Idiot, I'm not that childish," Shintaro Midorima said with a slightly unnatural expression.

"Haha, then I guess I was overthinking it," Seijuro Akashi said, patting Shintaro Midorima's arm without saying more.

"Alright, everyone come over," Kōzō Shirogane pulled over a whiteboard from the corner, gathering everyone in the gym.

"We played very well in our first game, and we need to keep up the effort. The results of the first round are out, and in the next round, we'll be facing Shibuya First Junior High," Kōzō Shirogane crossed out the names of the eliminated schools on the whiteboard. "Shibuya First Junior High was a pushover until last year, but since Kotaro Hayama and Keisuke Kobayashi joined last year, they've leaped to become one of the top four in the prefectural tournament."

"Not only that, but this year they've also brought in a new inside player, Daisuke Narumi. In the first round, they defeated Hakusui Hall Junior High by a large margin. This newcomer scored 27 points, 14 rebounds, and 2 blocks. He forms a 'Big Three' lineup with Keisuke Kobayashi and Kotaro Hayama. Their strength should not be underestimated," Shuzo Nijimura added from the side.

"Shuzo is right," Kōzō Shirogane continued, picking up where Shuzo Nijimura left off. "Especially Kotaro Hayama, he's an excellent breakthrough player, agile, and their ace."

"Oh, that sounds a lot like Aomine, I wonder how he compares to Aomine?" Atsushi Murasakibara said with some surprise.

"Hmph~ When it comes to speed, I won't lose to anyone," Daiki Aomine said proudly while spinning a basketball on his fingertip. "As for you, don't get dominated by their center."

"Tch, when it comes to strength, I won't lose to anyone either," Atsushi Murasakibara said stubbornly.

"Okay, okay, listen to the coach," Ken Kaneki said helplessly, watching their childish behavior.

"There's nothing particularly noteworthy about their game," Kōzō Shirogane said, ignoring the brief interruption. "Just play good defense. Their playstyle is basically simple, relying on individual ability to break through. In this regard, I believe you'll only do better than them, right?"

"Yes, Coach!" The First String members responded with full confidence.

"Good, very spirited," Kōzō Shirogane nodded with satisfaction. "Tomorrow is the weekend, so get some good rest. Starting next week, we'll focus on individual one-on-one defense training. Meeting adjourned!"

"Yes!"

"Ah~ Tomorrow is the weekend again!" Daiki Aomine stretched happily. "Finally, I can get a good night's sleep."

"But Daiki, you don't usually sleep that poorly, do you? You've been punished to stand outside for sleeping in class at least ten times in the past month since school started," Atsushi Murasakibara teased. "It doesn't seem like not attending class affects your sleep."

"I have an 8 AM class! I'm still growing!" Daiki Aomine said angrily. "Besides, haven't you been punished to stand outside for sleeping in class quite a bit too?"

"Anyway, every time I get punished to stand outside, I see Daiki. But it seems like Daiki doesn't always see me when he's outside," Atsushi Murasakibara mercilessly struck Daiki Aomine's weak spot again.

"Hey, hey, Ken-kun," Satsuki Momoi gently tugged on Ken Kaneki's clothes from behind and said softly, "Tomorrow is the weekend. How do you usually spend your weekends, Ken-kun?"

"Huh? Me?" Ken Kaneki looked at Satsuki Momoi in surprise, thought for a moment, and then replied truthfully, "Before, on weekends, I basically just rested at home, played games, or went out to play basketball. After joining the basketball club, I usually do some basic training."

"Ken-kun is really a boy who enjoys his solitude~" Satsuki Momoi said with a soft laugh.

"Solitude? Not really. Playing basketball lets me meet a lot of friends, and playing games is also a form of social interaction these days," Ken Kaneki slowed his pace, walking and talking with Satsuki Momoi.

"But you must go out sometimes, right?" Satsuki Momoi turned sideways, looking at Ken Kaneki's profile, and tentatively asked with anticipation.

"Of course, sometimes I do go out for a walk, but most of the time I stay home," Ken Kaneki turned his head and smiled gently at Satsuki Momoi.

"Hey, hey, Ken-kun, I heard there's a Summer Festival event in Akihabara tomorrow. I'd really like to go see it. What about you?" Satsuki Momoi's crisp voice trembled slightly, almost imperceptibly.

"Summer Festival?" Ken Kaneki pondered for a moment and said, "I could go see it, but I don't have a yukata. If I go like this, won't it feel like there's no festive atmosphere?"

"Then tomorrow, I'll accompany Ken-kun to pick out a couple of yukatas, and then we can go see the Summer Festival together, how about that?" Satsuki Momoi asked playfully, with a hint of excitement.

"Buy clothes? Won't that be troublesome?" Ken Kaneki looked away a little embarrassed, nervously touching his cheek with his right hand.

"It's not troublesome at all! Then it's settled!" Satsuki Momoi said happily.

"Okay, okay." Ken Kaneki nodded.

Everyone! I did it! Chapter three! Thank you all for your monthly and recommendation tickets. Thank you very much!