In the direction Hoshino was looking sat a red-haired boy, Sudo Ken, staring fixedly at his phone screen with his right hand clenched tightly into a fist. That very fist had slammed viciously onto the desk moments ago, producing the deafening bang that had embarrassed Hoshino.
Hoshino's little mishap seemingly failed to draw his attention. The air around him was still shrouded in a low-pressure aura of rage. Then, under everyone's watchful eyes, he stood up, kicked his chair away roughly, and left the classroom.
The classroom fell silent for a moment. Hoshino was the first to walk over to Ike and ask, "What happened?"
"I don't really know the details either." Ike spread his hands.
"I was startled too. By the way, Hoshino, did you really see it just now?" Yamauchi's focus was somewhat off.
Hoshino rolled his eyes. He had been stupid to expect anything from those two idiots.
Onodera, who had overheard them nearby, spoke softly instead. "I heard something. The basketball club has been holding internal tryouts recently to decide whether first-year students can become regular team members. Could Sudo getting angry have something to do with that?"
When it came to Sudo Ken—the delinquent student who struggled with schoolwork and had a terrible temper—the one thing worthy of praise about him was his attitude toward basketball: a genuine love for the sport, and the seriousness with which he intended to make it his lifelong career.
"I've never joined a club, so I'm not really sure..." Hoshino chose his words carefully. "Is it very difficult for a first-year like Sudo to become a regular member?"
Ike looked slightly embarrassed. "Uh... I don't really know either..."
Hoshino turned his gaze toward Yamauchi. Yamauchi gave a quiet cough and said, "Well, back in middle school, I was already