The warmth of the National Tournament celebrations still lingered, but a new journey had already begun.
Early in the morning three days later, Ryota Kudo left without disturbing anyone.
With only a sports backpack on his back and a lightweight suitcase in tow, he took the earliest train to Tokyo International Airport alone.
The airport terminal teemed with people.
Ryota Kudo checked in, checked his luggage, and queued for security with his boarding pass and passport in hand.
Just as he cleared security and headed toward the international departure lounge, an exceptionally conspicuous, towering figure instantly caught his eye.
The man stood over two meters tall and was built like a mountain.
Dressed in simple sportswear, he stood before a sign, looking up at it in some bewilderment, a stark contrast to the travelers hurrying around him.
That figure from behind... looks so familiar... Ryota Kudo muttered inwardly. No way. Why would he be at the airport at a time like this? Is he going on vacation?
With some doubt and curiosity, Ryota Kudo walked over, pulling his suitcase.
The closer he got, the stronger that sense of familiarity became.
When he reached a spot just behind the man's side and caught sight of that honest-looking profile with its hint of ferocity, he finally confirmed it.
"Hiroshi Morishige?" Ryota Kudo called tentatively.
The towering figure spun around. Seeing Ryota Kudo, his huge, round eyes filled with even greater surprise than Kudo's:
"K-Kudo?! What are you doing here?"
Rather than answer directly, Ryota Kudo smiled and asked, "Shouldn't I be asking you that? What's Meihou Industrial High School's superstar center doing at Tokyo's airport at a time like this?"
Hiroshi Morishige scratched his stiff, close-cropped hair and answered honestly, "I... I'm going to Shanghai, China, for a basketball training camp."
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