A Precious Holiday

With Mito Yohei's game-winning three-pointer, the Sendai Wanderers defeated Hokkaido Lavender. The fifth round of games had also come to an end.

Reminded by the Sakuragi Gang while sitting on the team bus back to the hotel, Sakuragi called his best friend, Mito Yohei. Not only did the two reminisce over the phone, but they also made a bet.

"You're sure about this, right, Sakuragi? Takamiya won't set foot anywhere that isn't a five-star restaurant!"

"Hah, what's that got to do with me? With this genius around, we'll definitely win!" Sakuragi was brimming with confidence.

After chatting for a while, the two hung up.

After the call, Sakuragi looked forward even more to facing the Wanderers. When that time came, it would very likely be an internal battle within the Sakuragi Gang.

"Coach, when are we playing the Wanderers?!"

Sakuragi asked Coach Omoki.

"That... should be soon, I suppose..."

Coach Omoki had spent nearly the entire previous game standing and directing the team. At his age, his stamina was somewhat spent, and he leaned against his seat, half-asleep, with little interest in dealing with Sakuragi.

Seeing that Coach Omoki was ignoring him, Sakuragi gave up asking.

"Yohei... Xiandao..."

As he gazed at the night scenery outside the window, their figures appeared before Sakuragi's eyes once more...

One was the target he was chasing, while the other was chasing him. Before long, the promised showdown between Yohei and Sakuragi would begin.

By the time they returned to the hotel, it was nearly midnight. The players silently returned to their rooms and collapsed onto their beds. Their physical exhaustion allowed them to sleep deeply and soundly.

Early the next morning, the team caught the first flight back to Kobe without stopping. The Jaguars had left early to prepare for their game against the Flying Waves, so they had not been home for a full week. On top of that, the team had earned a huge road victory, so their eagerness to return home was only natural.

"Jaguars! Jaguars! The pride in our hearts! Jaguars! Jaguars! The pride in our hearts! Jaguars! Jaguars! The pride in our hearts!"

The synchronized chants rang through the Kobe Airport terminal once more. The fans who had come to greet them raised their hands high and cheered for the triumphant players!

"Whoa! I can't believe it. Looks like we really are popular!"

Perhaps because it was his first time experiencing something like this, Miyagi was somewhat flattered.

"Hahaha, Miyagi, you still need more experience. This little scene scared you?" Sakuragi, on the other hand, remained perfectly composed, seeming to enjoy the fans lining up to welcome them.

"My genius, you sure are calm. Could you listen carefully to who those cheers are actually for?!" Miyagi's words made Sakuragi prick up his ears and listen closely.

When Sakuragi listened carefully, he really did hear a different chant—and it included the three words he hated most.

"Rukawa Kaede! I love you! Rukawa Kaede! I love you! Rukawa Kaede! I love you! Rukawa Kaede! I love you!"

There were more female fans than male fans at the airport.

The chant tortured Sakuragi like piercing noise. He no longer lingered, taking three steps in place of two as he quickly left the terminal and boarded the team bus that had been waiting for them.

"Damn Rukawa Kaede, stealing the spotlight everywhere he goes. This genius clearly played really well too!"

Sakuragi's good mood was thoroughly ruined by those blunt chants.

At last, the players returned to the training base—to their home.

"Ah! We're finally back! It feels like we've been gone for a whole year!"

"Yeah, I even missed the air here!"

"Everything feels so familiar!"

The players got off the bus one after another, all sighing with emotion.

"You did well, boys. Let's give you a round of applause!"

Kawaguchi, the general manager who had not shown himself in quite some time, came to welcome them at the entrance to the training base.

"Haha, of course! With this genius here, whatever Flying Waves or Surfing Waves, we'll take them all down!"

As soon as he got off the bus and heard Kawaguchi's words, Sakuragi forgot all about the unpleasantness at the airport and began boasting again.

"Idiot, get moving!"

Seeing Sakuragi getting carried away, Akagi grabbed him and dragged him into the building.

"Don't go back to your dorms yet. I have something to tell everyone first!"

Just as everyone was about to return to their rooms, Coach Omoki stopped them.

"What is it?" Sakuragi asked.

"We really have been away for a long time this trip, and we rushed back to the base early this morning. Everyone must be tired. As a reward for winning the last game, today's practice is canceled! The afternoon and evening are free for everyone!"

"..."

Seeing that no one reacted after he finished speaking, Coach Omoki was puzzled. "I mean it. You're dismissed. As long as you don't drink, smoke, or do anything dangerous, everything else is okay!"

Still, no one reacted. Instead, their gazes shifted toward Kawaguchi beside him.

"If you don't respond now, Coach Omoki is going to take back this idea!" From Kawaguchi's tone, it sounded like this was the real deal.

"All right, if anyone gets punished, I'll take full responsibility!" Seeing that the players were truly at a loss, Kawaguchi played his trump card.

"Yeahhhhh!"

Sure enough, upon hearing Kawaguchi's promise, the players finally relaxed. They jumped high into the air and cheered, as delighted as students hearing that classes had been canceled!

"These guys are getting more and more sly!" Kawaguchi looked at them helplessly.

"Hahaha, you really have it tough, making such a bold promise." Coach Omoki laughed as well.

"Hey, we suddenly got a day off. What should I do..."

Lying on his bed, Sakuragi could not think of anywhere to go.

"Akagi, where are you headed?!"

Sakuragi suddenly heard someone in the hallway seemingly talking to Akagi. He hurried to the door and eavesdropped.

"Ah, nothing much. My little sister is here, so I'm going to meet her for a meal."

"Oh, then see you later, Akagi!"

"Yeah, see you."

"Akagi... little sister... meal..."

After listening to the conversation, those words echoed in Sakuragi's mind. Something about them felt off.

"Ah! Akagi's little sister! She's here—doesn't that mean Haruko is here too?!"

Sakuragi suddenly understood.

"What a perfect opportunity! But why didn't Haruko tell me she was coming? Honestly... no, wait! Haruko must be planning some kind of magical surprise for me! Hahahaha! But she forgot that I'm a genius. How could I possibly fail to notice?"

Sakuragi began talking to himself and indulging in his fantasies, leaning against the wall and grinning foolishly.

"Knock, knock, knock..."

Sakuragi, still chuckling to himself, suddenly came back to his senses. Someone was knocking.

"Who is it?" Sakuragi was right beside the door, so he stood up and opened it.

"So you really are in your room. You haven't figured out where to go, have you? Mitsui and I are going to soak in a hot spring. I heard there's a hot spring resort in Kobe that's famous nationwide. What do you say, Sakuragi? Come with us!"

It was Miyagi who had come looking for Sakuragi, but Sakuragi could not go with him. He had something more important to do.

"Uh... I'll pass this time. I have something else to do. Next time, next time!"

Sure enough, Sakuragi turned down Miyagi's invitation.

"Then where are you going?" Miyagi asked curiously.

"Well... I... uh... oh, right! I'm going to the swimming pool. It's been a long time since I went swimming, and since I finally have a day off, I'm going to swim to my heart's content! Hahaha!"

Sakuragi had a sudden idea and made up a lie for himself.

"This... isn't that the same as soaking in a hot spring...?" Miyagi thought Sakuragi's excuse was rather forced.

"Hey, don't worry about it. Get going already, Mitsui is waiting for you. Go, go, go!"

Sakuragi lost patience and directly shut the door, sending Miyagi away.

"Damn it, he had to come looking for me at a time like this. It's like he just doesn't want me going on a date!" Sakuragi said as he returned to his room and began getting ready.

"Sakuragi's acting a little strange. Forget it, I won't bother with him." Miyagi did not press further and turned to leave.

Sakuragi rummaged through his wardrobe but could not find a suitable outfit.

"Why does meeting Haruko this time feel like such a formal occasion? Ah, what should I wear?!"

"Ah! This one! Very formal! Very proper!"

Sakuragi pulled out a suit. Wasn't this the very suit he had worn when he attended the draft? Sakuragi quickly put it on.

"This is truly a precious holiday, Haruko! Wait for me! Hahaha!" Sakuragi looked himself over in the mirror, tidied himself up, and headed out.

Would the ambitious Sakuragi be able to surprise Haruko this time, or, just as he claimed, was Haruko planning to surprise Sakuragi instead?