Shendai Liufei approached with a smile as well.
"I waited for you at the school gate but never saw you. I guessed you might still be practicing here, so I came over. I just didn't expect you and Sendoh-senpai to be practicing here." Shitong wiped the sweat from his forehead and said apologetically, "Sorry, it was a last-minute decision, so I didn't get the chance to tell you."
Shendai Liufei did not mind.
"Forget it. Look at how sweaty you are. Go wash up."
Shitong nodded, then headed for the showers with Sendoh.
A while later, Chi Tong and Shendai Liufei parted ways with Sendoh at the school gate.
"See you tomorrow, Sendoh-senpai."
Chi Tong and Shendai Liufei said in unison.
Sendoh waved to them. "All right, see you tomorrow."
Watching Chi Tong and Shendai Liufei each get into a luxury sedan and leave, Sendoh could not help twitching at the corner of his mouth. It was truly enviable. His family was well-off too, but not wealthy enough to have a private car pick him up and drop him off wherever he went.
After getting to know them better over the past few days, he had learned about Chi Tong Lingyu and Shendai Liufei's family backgrounds. The discovery had truly shocked him.
Shendai Liufei was the third daughter of the Shindai family, one of Japan's top conglomerates. Chi Tong Lingyu was even more incredible. The Shitong family could no longer be described as a mere conglomerate; it was unquestionably one of Japan's three top financial houses.
He watched for a long while, only slowly withdrawing his gaze after the cars vanished at the end of the road. At the same time, he muttered, "His family is so rich, and he's so good at basketball too. Looks like the basketball world might gain another monster in the future!"
As if he had suddenly thought of something amusing, Sendoh's lips curled upward. If I run into that guy again at this year's tournament, with Akafuji helping me, I wonder what expression he'll make.
With that thought, Sendoh turned around and gradually walked farther away toward home, seemingly in an excellent mood.
Time passed, and before they knew it, several months had gone by. This year's junior high boys' basketball league was about to begin, and the entire basketball club became busy.
During that time, Kirihara Sunren had considered stepping down and giving his position to Chi Tong several times because of Chi Tong's overwhelming abilities. There was nothing he could do about it; in the past, he would not have cared.
But ever since Chi Tong had joined the basketball team, every ability he displayed had put immense pressure on him. Chi Tong's command on the court in particular left him sitting on pins and needles. He always felt that, compared to Chi Tong, he was nothing as captain.
After learning what Qie Yuan Sunren meant, Chi Tong ultimately declined his proposal.
It was not that he lacked confidence in leading the team well. After all, Kirihara Sunren was already in his third year and would graduate next year. There was no need for him to risk everything for a momentary thrill. Besides, his seniority was still lacking. He was only a first-year newcomer, and getting everyone to listen to him would probably not be easy.
"Hmph. What's there to worry about? That's just weakness. Just use your strength to crush them."
The other self within Chi Tong's mind suddenly spoke.
Over the years, the second personality within Chi Tong's consciousness had always said things to tempt him every few days. Shitong had long grown used to it. Most of the time, he chose to ignore it, though sometimes he would argue back.
"Relying solely on forceful methods will only damage the harmony of the team."
Chi Tong retorted inwardly.
Chi Tong's second personality gave a disdainful snort.
"What is a team? Just let me out, and I alone can deal with everyone."
"Impossible. Don't even think about it!"
Chi Tong rejected him outright. He did not want to become a cold and heartless person.
Chi Tong's second personality said a few more things, but Chi Tong ignored all of them.
"Hmph. How foolish. With your current strength, you cannot even bring out all of your talent. Sooner or later, you'll come begging me."
As soon as those words fell, Chi Tong's second personality fell completely silent, as though it had never existed.
Chi Tong looked no different from usual, save for the vague, dark gleam that flashed through his mismatched eyes.
The days passed one by one, and in the blink of an eye, it was competition day. Saint Radiance Middle School's basketball team welcomed its first opponent of the tournament.
Inside the locker room, "Today's opponent is Ueno Middle School. Next, I'll announce the starting lineup."
Coach Nakamura said loudly.
He first swept his gaze around the room, then slowly announced, "Center, Kobayashi. Power forward, Qie Yuan. Small forward, Sento. Shooting guard, Yamamoto. Point guard, Ito."
After finishing the announcement, Coach Nakamura looked at Chi Tong beside him.
"Chi Tong, as our hidden trump card, do not take the court unless it is a critical moment."
"Yes." Chi Tong had no dissatisfaction with the coach's arrangement.
It would be best if the current lineup could defeat the opponent, because that would prove the opponent was not strong. He had little interest in playing against such opponents anyway. Besides, the coach's arrangement was correct. Everything was for victory. In that regard, he was somewhat similar to Akashi Seijuro.
Coach Nakamura continued, "Ueno is not strong, but do not let your guard down. Let's win this first match beautifully."
"Yes!"
Everyone answered in unison.
A sharp whistle rang throughout the arena, and the match between Saint Radiance Middle School and Shangye Middle School officially began.
Chi Tong sat quietly in the rest area, watching the game on the court. He had observed Ueno's players before, and their overall attributes could only be described as average. If Sacred Radiance's players had not pushed themselves so relentlessly over the past few months, they would probably have been around this level as well.
But Saint Radiance was clearly far stronger than before, so the outcome of this game held no suspense.
That was indeed the case. The game unfolded exactly as Chi Tong had predicted. Sento's strength alone was beyond Ueno's ability to resist, and even the others aside from Sendoh could completely overwhelm Ueno. Ueno was crushed by Saint Radiance in every aspect.
From the moment the game began, Ueno was stunned by Saint Radiance's sharp offense. The players coordinated flawlessly, their passes flowing smoothly. Sento drove and shot with abandon, like a red-eyed bandit, relentlessly ravaging Ueno's basket.
Only five minutes had passed, and the score had already reached 21:5.
Shitong knew there was no longer any suspense in this game.
The halftime whistle finally sounded. Saint Radiance Middle School versus Shangye Middle School ended with a final score of 117:36.
Saint Radiance Middle School's first match ended perfectly. Two days later, Saint Radiance Middle School welcomed its second match, against a team roughly on the same level as Ueno High School.
Chi Tong still did not take the court in this match. The score was 124:40, another overwhelming victory without any surprises.
Over the following week, Saint Radiance Middle School played its third and fourth matches in succession. The results remained unchanged. Saint Radiance defeated every opponent by more than a hundred points, successfully advancing to the quarterfinals.
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