Her brow bone was well-defined, her nose bridge was high and straight, and her lips appeared somewhat thin.
What's most captivating are those eyes.
His pupils were a dark color, and when he looked at me, they were calm and still, as if they could absorb all the light, and were so deep that I couldn't see the bottom.
He lacked the arrogance or outward confidence of typical gifted players, possessing only a restrained composure.
Despite possessing such an amazing physique, he doesn't appear clumsy or fierce up close; instead, he exudes a cool and handsome aura.
Sweat dampened a few strands of his black hair, which casually fell across his brows, adding to his untamed air.
That mature air beyond her years, mixed with the masculinity of an athlete and the clean-cut essence of a youth, inexplicably reminded Sanae Nakagawa of the young elites featured in certain financial magazines.
Or perhaps it's the domineering CEO in TV dramas who is ruthless yet reserved and profound, making people subconsciously want to become obsessed.
asshole!
What am I thinking?
Sanae Nakagawa suddenly woke up, her face slightly flushed.
He's only 15 years old!
He's still a high school student!
I'm 22 years old, and I'm a professional journalist!
Wake up!
She mentally berated herself for her momentary lapse in concentration and forced herself to bring her attention back to her professional field.
However, it is undeniable that as a journalist who chose this profession because of her love for basketball, she has a natural affinity and appreciation for top basketball players.
It was so perfect it was almost unreal.
"Hello, Kawamoto -kun."
Sanae Nakagawa quickly composed herself, displaying the professionalism of a journalist, and smiled, gesturing to the quieter side of the passageway. "Can we chat briefly over there? It won't take up too much of your time."
"Okay, no problem."
Kawamoto nodded, gestured to Anzai and his teammates, and then followed Sanae Nakagawa to a less crowded area behind the bench.
Sanae Nakagawa turned on the recorder, adjusted the microphone, and then looked up and stared directly at Kawamoto.
She decided to ask some pointed and insightful questions, rather than simply offering flattery.
" Kawamoto, first of all, congratulations on your 71 points in the first half, almost single-handedly defeating Shoyo. Many viewers, including myself, believe this may be one of the greatest individual performances in the history of the Kanagawa Prefecture tournament."
Sanae Nakagawa spoke at a steady pace, but the question followed immediately, "I want to ask, what were you thinking when you delivered such an incredible performance? Did you feel like you were unstoppable? Or did you foresee that you could do this?"
Kawamoto thought quietly for a few seconds before slowly speaking:
"Thank you. I didn't think too much about it at the time. After the game started, my focus was on the opponent's defensive formation, my teammates' positions, and how to execute the coach's instructions and respond to my teammates' expectations."
He paused for a moment, then said, "The feeling of 'unstoppable' isn't accurate. Shoyo's defense was very strong; Hasegawa, Fujima, and their inside players all put a lot of pressure on me. I was just trying my best to make the most reasonable judgment under the circumstances."
"As for scoring... it's because my teammates trusted me, fought hard for rebounds, kept passing me the ball, and gave me many opportunities to try. Without them, I couldn't have gotten those points."
He did not take credit for himself, nor was he arrogant; he attributed the credit to the team and the resistance of the opponents.
Sanae Nakagawa quickly jotted down the keywords, nodding inwardly.
The answer was very appropriate, even a little too standard.
But Kawamoto's eyes suggested that this wasn't just empty talk, but rather his true thoughts.
"The last question might be a bit direct."
"You possess such amazing talent and skill. I believe you already have the potential to become a professional and even higher level. What are your plans or goals for the future? For example, to play college basketball, or even further?"
This is a very real question, and many young geniuses are asked it. The answer often reflects their aspirations and character.
Kawamoto remained silent for a while.
His gaze did not waver; instead, he calmly met Sanae Nakagawa's eyes and slowly said:
"The road ahead needs to be taken one step at a time. I am now a freshman at Shohoku High School, and my goal is to win the national championship with my teammates this year. This is our promise to each other, to the coach, and to ourselves."
His tone remained calm, but when he mentioned winning the national championship, the certainty with which it struck Sanae Nakagawa was startled.
As for the more distant future...
Kawamoto continued, his voice devoid of much emotion. "Basketball is what I love, and I will continue to train hard and improve myself. But life is more than just basketball. I will also learn, think, and try to understand the world beyond the court."
"I believe that no matter which path I choose in the future, the experience of giving my all for a common goal at Shohoku, as well as the teamwork, perseverance, and how to stay calm under pressure, will benefit me for the rest of my life."
Sanae Nakagawa found herself somewhat stunned.
Is this really something a 15-year-old boy should say?
There was no unrealistic ambition, no empty talk; he was calm, pragmatic, and possessed a depth of thought that went beyond the game itself.
His eloquence, refinement, and clear self-awareness deeply moved her once again.
This is by no means a genius who relies solely on his physical abilities; he is a young man with a mature mind and outstanding potential.
As the interview was about to end, Sanae Nakagawa prepared to put away her recorder.
Kawamoto's gaze inadvertently swept over the book under the notebook in her hand.
The cover features three vertically arranged, powerful Chinese characters.
" The Ode to Gallantry "
" The Ode to Gallantry "
Kawamoto looked at Sanae Nakagawa: "Is this book a China book?"
Sanae Nakagawa paused slightly, then looked up at Kawamoto with some surprise. " Kawamoto, you recognize these kanji?"
In this day and age, it is not common for a Japan high school boy, especially a basketball player, to be able to recognize a Chinese title at a glance and accurately associate it with China.
Kawamoto nodded, but a different light appeared in his eyes. "I know some. I'm very interested in China history and culture, and I try to learn and recognize some Chinese characters in my spare time, although it's still very basic."
Even if some people in Japan are unwilling to accept it, a large part of the foundation of Japan culture comes from the other side of the sea.
Is he interested in China culture?
Can he even teach himself Chinese?
Moreover, it can acknowledge history.
Sanae Nakagawa was even more surprised, but then a faint joy, like meeting a kindred spirit, welled up inside her.
Especially regarding the origins of culture, she and Kawamoto share the same view.
She is also very fascinated by China culture, especially by China star Andy Lau, and her dream was to marry him.
"Yes, it was written by a China gentleman named Jin Yong; it's an excellent martial arts novel."
Sanae Nakagawa picked up the book, her tone softening unconsciously, with a hint of sharing. "It tells stories about chivalry, the martial world, martial arts, and life's encounters, full of wonderful imagination and profound character portrayals. I just started reading it recently, and it's very interesting."
"Martial arts novels... chivalry, the martial world..."
Kawamoto repeated these words in a low voice, seemingly savoring their meaning.
He paused for a few seconds, then looked at Sanae Nakagawa and asked in a calm but polite tone, "Ms. Nakagawa, may I borrow this book...? I will return it intact after I've finished reading it."
This request once again surprised Sanae Nakagawa.
A basketball prodigy who has just dominated the court turns around and asks a reporter he's just met to borrow a Chinese martial arts novel?
She could almost see the quiet profile of the boy sitting alone under the lamp outside the stadium, intently reading a foreign language book.
His curiosity and desire to explore the unknown, combined with his domineering presence on the court, created a unique and captivating charm.
"Yes, of course!"
Sanae Nakagawa agreed almost immediately, handing over the book with a slight blush that she herself didn't even notice.