An agreement with Ryokufu High School

"Don't be like that, Eri! You promised me you wouldn't bring up the basketball team. If you keep this up, I'm going to get angry!"

The long-haired woman stepped forward and pulled Eri Fujisawa back, scolding her angrily.

Although they both looked young, there was actually a large age gap between them.

Eri Fujisawa, who dressed in an androgynous style, was actually only sixteen that year. She was the daughter of Ryokufu High School's board chairman and had just started her first year of high school, making her the same age as Ryota Kudo.

Only after lecturing Eri Fujisawa did the long-haired woman walk over to Ryota Kudo and apologize. "I'm sorry, Ryota. Please don't take what she just said to heart.

"Her name is Eri Fujisawa. She's my friend's daughter, and she should be about your age.

"I told her to go home earlier, but once she heard your name, she refused to leave. She insisted on meeting you..."

This woman was Shizuka Kudo, the daughter of his mother's best friend. Her voice was soft and gentle. Even when she had been angry just now, she hadn't sounded intimidating at all.

"It's fine. Why don't we head out for dinner now, Shizuka?"

"Okay, let's go." Shizuka Kudo obediently followed behind Ryota Kudo.

It was clear that Shizuka Kudo didn't really like Eri Fujisawa either. She wanted to get away from her too.

But Eri Fujisawa was extremely stubborn. Instead of leaving, she followed closely behind Ryota Kudo and Shizuka.

Since they were near Ryonan High School, the only restaurant Ryota Kudo knew was the one owned by Jun Uozumi's family.

Besides, he had been there once before, and the food had been excellent.

With Shizuka Kudo in tow, they headed toward the Uozumi family's Japanese restaurant.

The Uozumi family's Japanese restaurant had been open for many years, and both its storefront and decor were somewhat dated.

Shizuka Kudo hadn't voiced any dissatisfaction, but Eri Fujisawa, who had tagged along like a shadow, objected instead.

"You can tell just by looking that the food at a Japanese restaurant like this won't be any good. Why don't we go somewhere else? I know an upscale Japanese restaurant nearby. Their food is fantastic."

Even someone as good-natured as Ryota Kudo couldn't stand this sort of girl. His expression turned cold as he glared at her.

"Fujisawa, if you don't like it, you can leave. We didn't force you to come along!"

Overwhelmed by Ryota Kudo's terrifying presence, Eri Fujisawa lowered her head and didn't dare object again, though she still muttered under her breath.

"What was that for? I was only trying to help. You can tell just by looking that this restaurant's food won't be any good."

Just then, Eri Fujisawa suddenly felt her surroundings darken. Some sort of monster had blocked all the light behind her.

In fact, it was the giant-like Jun Uozumi who had walked up behind Eri Fujisawa. His expression darkened as he asked,

"Miss, may I ask which of our dishes you found unsatisfactory? Please let us know, and we'll be sure to improve it."

"Ah!" Eri Fujisawa jumped in fright and immediately ran over to Ryota Kudo and Shizuka Kudo.

Only after seeing the face of the giant who had spoken did Eri Fujisawa breathe a sigh of relief.

She knew this giant: Jun Uozumi, captain of Ryonan's basketball team.

Eri Fujisawa had no interest whatsoever in this big guy, who was already in his third year.

That was because Ryokufu High School was a private high school that had only been established that year. They wouldn't participate in Kanagawa's basketball tournament until the following year.

In Eri Fujisawa's eyes, Jun Uozumi was someone with no value.

Poking her little head out from behind Ryota Kudo, Eri Fujisawa spoke provocatively to Uozumi.

"I've never eaten at a Japanese restaurant as low-class as yours, but I'm guessing the food tastes bad!"

"You!" Jun Uozumi was so angry that he didn't know what to say for a moment. He had never met such an unreasonable woman before.

Not wanting to get into an argument with Eri Fujisawa, Jun Uozumi looked at Ryota Kudo, who stood in front of her.

"Kudo, don't tell me this woman is your girlfriend?"

At those words, Eri Fujisawa, who had been looking rather pleased with herself, instantly turned bright red and stammered out an explanation.

"Of course not... I..."

She had intended to keep explaining, but then Eri Fujisawa looked at Ryota Kudo's face. His features were refined and handsome, his height met her standards, and he was also exceptionally good at basketball.

Suddenly, Eri Fujisawa felt that Ryota Kudo might just barely be "worthy" of her.

Besides, if she made Ryota Kudo her boyfriend, Ryokufu High School would gain another basketball ace.

At that thought, Eri Fujisawa immediately changed her tune.

"That's right, I'm Ryota Kudo's girlfriend. My name is Eri Fujisawa.

"Let me tell you, Ryota will be joining our Ryokufu High School soon. Next year, Ryokufu will be able to dominate the nationals!"

"Shut up! Who's your boyfriend?" Ryota Kudo grabbed Eri Fujisawa by the neck, lifted her like a little chick, and set her down in front of Jun Uozumi.

"I'm sorry, Uozumi. I barely know this woman. She isn't my girlfriend, and I won't be leaving Shohoku.

"But she did come here with us, so I'm very sorry for the trouble!"

Shizuka Kudo also came over and firmly demanded that Eri Fujisawa apologize to Jun Uozumi.

With no other choice, Eri Fujisawa finally suffered the "humiliation" of apologizing to Jun Uozumi.

But Jun Uozumi's eyes were full of competitive spirit. It seemed that his fighting spirit as a chef had been awakened. Today, he had to conquer Eri Fujisawa's taste buds!

Shizuka Kudo was actually quite a famous celebrity, so Ryota Kudo had requested a private dining room to protect her privacy.

After sitting down in the private room, Eri Fujisawa continued chattering incessantly about Ryokufu's advantages and how strong its basketball team was.

Not only had Ryokufu attracted many talented Japanese basketball players, it had also spent a fortune recruiting Michael Okita, who was half American and half Japanese, from the United States.

Michael Okita's performances while studying in the United States had been so extraordinary that he had already attracted the attention of NBA teams.

Faced with such a noisy girl, Ryota Kudo silenced her with a single remark.

"Is Ryokufu really that strong? Why don't we play a friendly against Shohoku? If Ryokufu can beat Shohoku, I'll consider transferring."

Of course, Ryota Kudo said this because he had absolute confidence.

This so-called Ryokufu High School was merely a paper tiger. Its strength only looked decent on paper.

Ryokufu High School was no match for Shohoku at all.

Only after they settled on this agreement did Eri Fujisawa quiet down. She planned to contact Shohoku to arrange a friendly as soon as she got home.

To the supremely confident Eri Fujisawa, there was no way Ryokufu could lose to Shohoku.

In her view, Ryota Kudo was merely looking for a graceful way to back down. His joining Ryokufu was already a done deal.

With that noisy nuisance dealt with, dinner could proceed normally.

Provoked by Eri Fujisawa, Jun Uozumi went all out that day. Not only did the dishes he served taste outstanding, even their presentation was far more elaborate.

Ryota Kudo could clearly see that Jun Uozumi had worked up a sweat preparing the dishes.

It seemed that cooking and basketball held equal importance in Jun Uozumi's heart.