When Hisashi Mitsui approached the cashier for the third time to place his order, Kawamoto Kazuki stopped him.
Mitsui's face showed a childlike smugness.
I finally outlasted this monster in terms of endurance.
This time, Kawamoto didn't give a service-like smile, but spoke with an unusual seriousness.
Acute gastric dilatation is a rare but serious medical emergency.
"When a person consumes far more food than their stomach can hold in a short period of time, the stomach wall becomes overstretched, blood supply is obstructed, and tissue necrosis occurs."
An overly distended stomach can compress the diaphragm and lungs, leading to difficulty breathing and even suffocation.
Seeing Mitsui's gradually changing expression, he continued, "If anything happens to you in the store, I will take responsibility."
"I concede defeat, I know what you mean."
"I'll mention you to Captain Akagi or Anzai during tomorrow's morning training. If they respond, I'll find a way to let you know."
Mitsui was still reeling from the shock of acute gastric dilatation.
But upon hearing Kawamoto's next words, a smug expression immediately appeared on his face. "You're still too green to mess with me."
He hummed an off-key tune and left the convenience store in high spirits.
The next morning, inside the Shohoku basketball gym.
" Mitsui is coming back?"
Takenori Akagi's eyes widened, his voice filled with surprise. "Really?"
Kawamoto nodded. "That's what he said."
A smile bloomed on Akagi's face.
This is fantastic news for his final year of high school basketball career.
Less than a week before the first match of the prefectural tournament against Miuradai High School.
The basketball team's current shooting guard, Hanamichi Sakuragi, is still developing and cannot yet form an effective fighting force.
Although Mitsui was a bad actor for two years, his basic skills should still be intact.
At this time, Mitsui's return was undoubtedly the biggest boost.
"Of course you can. Tell Mitsui... no, I'll go find him myself. Shohoku would love to see him back."
Akagi's excitement was palpable, completely disregarding the possibility that this might jeopardize Sakuragi's growth opportunities gained through the game.
This slightly displeased Kawamoto, but he didn't say it out loud.
He was more inclined to give Hanamichi Sakuragi a chance than that hairy monster.
He secretly decided that if there was a real conflict of interest, he would give his chance to play to Hanamichi Sakuragi.
For him, there was no difference between the county competition and the team competition; as long as he could keep training and improving, that was enough.
After school that day, Kawamoto went directly to Kobayashi Fisheries.
After finishing work, Boss Kobayashi instructed, "Just bring a change of clothes; everything else is available on the ship. Meet at the shop at 1:30 AM."
Because of this arrangement, Kawamoto did not choose to continue working tonight, but instead returned home.
Pushing open the door, I saw my mother Kazuko preparing dinner in the kitchen.
Hearing the voice, she turned around, a gentle smile on her face, "You're back so early today."
"Yes, I'm going fishing with Boss Kobayashi tomorrow, and we'll be back the night after tomorrow."
Kawamoto said as he changed his shoes.
Mom Kazuko put down the Santoku baozi she was holding, wiped her hands, and came over with a worried look on her face. "Going out to sea? Won't it be dangerous?"
"Don't worry, Mom. Boss Kobayashi is very experienced, and he goes to a safe area."
Kawamoto explained.
Mom Kazuko walked up to her son and reached out to tidy up the slightly messy stray hairs on his forehead.
She was not tall, and looking up at her son, who was already much taller than her, her eyes were full of complex emotions.
There is pride, there is worry, but above all, there is deep love.
"Please be careful, okay? The weather at sea changes quickly, and it gets very cold at night, so dress warmly..."
"I'll prepare it, Mom."
"No, you're so clumsy. Mom will go prepare it for you."
After finishing her sentence, Mom Kazuko quickly ran to the living room.
"Mom, let me help you."
Kawamoto was enjoying this rare and heartwarming moment.
The clothes were packed quickly.
Mom Kazuko turned and went back to the kitchen. "I'll prepare some extra rice balls for you, so you can eat them with Mr. Kobayashi on the boat tomorrow morning. They'll have your favorite pickled plums and salmon."
"Thank you, Mom."
"Besides..."
Kazuko looked at her son earnestly, "Making money is important, but your safety is more important. If you feel too tired or uncomfortable, be sure to tell me, don't push yourself. Mom is much better now, I don't expect you to make a lot of money, I just hope you're safe and sound."
Looking into his mother's loving eyes, Kawamoto felt a surge of warmth in his heart.
He nodded solemnly. "I understand, Mom."
Kawamoto arrived at Kobayashi Fisheries at 1:30 a. m. the next day.
Boss Kobayashi was already waiting in the shop. The two got into his old Toyota van and drove towards the Izu Peninsula under the cover of night.
Although the lost decade has only just begun, scattered traces of construction can still be seen along the coastal highway leading to the Izu Peninsula.
At 4:30 a. m., they arrived at a small fishing port on the east coast of the Izu Peninsula.
The sky began to lighten with the first hint of dawn, and the sea breeze carried a salty, cool scent.
More than a dozen fishing boats were moored at the dock.
Boss Kobayashi led Kawamoto toward one of the fishing boats, named Matsusaka Maru.
This is a steel fishing boat, about twenty meters long, painted dark blue.
The bow was raised high, and a thick mast stood behind the wheelhouse, with navigation lights flashing in the dim light of dawn.
" Matsusaka!"
Boss Kobayashi shouted towards the boat.
A dark-skinned middle-aged man poked his head out of the wheelhouse. "Oh, Kobayashi, Kawamoto- kun, you've come at the right time. Get on board, we're about to depart."
The two quickly boarded the boat.
Just then, a tall foreigner stepped out of the cabin.
He looked to be around fifty years old, with slightly thinning blond hair and blue eyes.
He was about two meters tall and was wearing a casual jacket and trousers.
"This is Mr. Rudy Tomjanovich, from the United States. He's an excellent basketball coach."
The Boss Matsusaka introduced them, "Mr. Tomjanovich, this is Kobayashi Masashige, and his assistant, Kawamoto Kazuki."
Rudy Tomjanovich is the head coach of the Houston Rockets in United States NBA.
In 1992, the NBA was far from widespread in Japan.
But Kawamoto, a basketball enthusiast, learned through a magazine that the Houston Rockets were a powerful team with star players like Olajuwon.
The head coach of the Houston Rockets was practically a legendary figure to him.
Although he had prepared himself mentally beforehand, he was still extremely excited at this moment.
Hello.
Rudy greeted him in accented Japanese, his manner very friendly.
Suppressing his excitement, Kawamoto bowed politely. "Hello, Mr. Tomjanovich, I am Kawamoto Kazuki."
Rudy sized up the tall Japan boy in front of him, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes.
Kawamoto has an outstanding height, shoulder width, and wingspan.
This is common among high school basketball players in the United States, but rare in Japan.
However, this surprise quickly faded.
If this child were in China, perhaps he would have paid more attention.
After all, the China men's basketball team is currently the absolute hegemon in Asia, with considerable strength.
But in Japan...
Japan's basketball level is still in its infancy on a global scale, lacking a proper professional league and a high-level training system.
Having height alone, without a good environment for growth, will inevitably limit one's future achievements.
Rudy simply remarked politely, "You're in good physical shape, young man."
He added another sentence in his mind.
But in the United States, there is no shortage of young people with excellent physical condition.
The ship slowly sailed away from the port.
On the eastern horizon, the rising sun is slowly peeking out, painting the sky a brilliant orange-red.
The sea breeze is getting stronger, bringing the refreshing coolness unique to early summer.
"Is Mr. Rudy here in Japan for tourism?"
Boss Kobayashi struck up a conversation at the opportune moment.
Rudy smiled. "I guess so."
The NBA plans to hold an overseas regular season game in Japan in the second half of the year, and he took advantage of the holiday after April to do some preliminary research.
The main reason I'm going out to sea today is to experience Japan's fishing culture.
He lived in the Great Lakes region when he was young and has a special affection for fishing.
"I see."
Boss Kobayashi nodded, then skillfully steered the conversation toward Kawamoto: " Kawamoto is an excellent basketball player. He plays for Shohoku High School in Kanagawa. The prefectural tournament is next week. If Mr. Tomjanovich is staying in Kanagawa, he can go to the Yokohama Prefectural Gymnasium to watch the game."
Rudy smiled politely, neither agreeing nor refusing immediately.
He wasn't very interested in Japan high school basketball.
The skill gap is simply too large.
But his good professionalism led him to give a subtle answer, "If I have time, I will consider it."
Once the boat reached the designated area, Boss Matsusaka, began directing the casting of the nets, with Kawamoto skillfully assisting.
Rudy, observing from the side, was somewhat surprised by the Japan boy's stamina and endurance.
After several rounds of searching, the harvest was quite good.
When he pulled the net up again, Kawamoto clearly felt an unusual tension in his hands.
"This net is very heavy!"
He shouted.
The Boss Matsusaka and Kobayashi rushed over to help.
"This net, the feel is off!"
The Boss Matsusaka's voice sounded very hurried in the sea breeze.