The blush on Sakuragi's face faded slightly.
He lowered his head and kicked at the pebbles on the roadside.
"I... I can't quite put my finger on it, but I just feel like Haruko is different from the other girls I knew."
He organized his thoughts, trying to express his inner feelings.
Well...
"When I was in junior high school, I saw that other people had boyfriends or girlfriends, and I felt that I should have one too."
"So if I see a girl I like, I'll confess my feelings."
He scratched his head, a little embarrassed. "Of course it's hard to be rejected, and I feel like I'm terrible. But after a good night's sleep, it doesn't seem like a big deal anymore. Anyway, it's not like I can't live without her."
He paused for a long time, then looked up, his eyes filled with complex emotions. "But... when I'm with Haruko, I don't know why. She feels... completely different."
"Just seeing her and hearing her voice makes me incredibly happy, and even the most tiring training doesn't feel tiring anymore. But the thought of... if I confessed my feelings and she rejected me..."
Sakuragi's voice trembled slightly, almost imperceptibly. "I always feel... that my world is really going to collapse."
"It's not the kind of sadness that lasts only a day or two, it's the kind that will never shine again."
Kawamoto Kazuki listened quietly to the end.
He couldn't understand this feeling because he had never had such an experience.
"I don't understand this feeling."
Kawamoto frankly admitted, "I have no experience in dating, so I can't offer you any advice."
He looked at Sakuragi, his tone becoming serious. "But since Haruko said she'd be there to watch our game against Shoyo, then you should do your best. On the court, confess your feelings in your own way."
He even proactively said, "I will try my best to create more opportunities for you to perform in that match."
Sakuragi looked at Kawamoto in surprise. " Kawamoto- nii, you... you've always been against using basketball to please girls, haven't you?"
Kawamoto thought for a moment, then calmly replied, "Perhaps, people do change."
He looked at Sakuragi, his words carrying a hidden meaning. "Take you for example. You used to play basketball just to show off. But now, aren't you starting to genuinely care about the team's wins and losses, and working hard to practice more so you can keep up with your teammates?"
Sakuragi was stunned for a moment, then nodded vigorously, a burning flame rekindling in his eyes.
"Alright! Let's begin training. This genius is about to make a name for himself!"
Sakuragi rushed to the basketball court first, as if he wanted to turn all his affection for Haruko into motivation for training.
"Hey! I'm just a passerby!" Takamiya's wailing voice rang out.
The sun had fully risen above the sea, its golden rays bathing the coastline.
On the basketball court, Kawamoto began targeted training with Sakuragi.
" Sakuragi, your shooting and dribbling fundamentals have improved a lot."
"However, your awareness of finding attacking opportunities is still relatively weak; you often stand still and wait for the ball during the game."
"So today I'll mainly be training your off-the-ball movement skills."
He said to Nozomi Takamiya, who was standing next to him.
" Takamiya, thank you for standing inside the three-point line and passing the ball to Sakuragi."
Then he told Sakuragi, "Your task is to find a way to get rid of my close defense, keep running around the court, or Yoko's screens to create space for shots."
"Once you see an opportunity, signal to Takamiya for the ball, and then shoot without hesitation."
He added, "Don't worry about my defensive intensity; I'll start at a pace you can handle and gradually increase the pressure. The key is to get you into the mindset of staying on the move and looking for opportunities when you're off the ball."
"Understood, Brother Kawamoto!"
Sakuragi was full of fighting spirit.
Training begins.
Sakuragi initially found it very difficult to adapt.
He was used to standing still and waiting for the ball; this was the first time he had ever trained by actively running around to find open spaces.
They either can't find an opening, or they barely catch the ball and then have to rush a shot because their rhythm is disrupted, resulting in a missed shot.
Or Kawamoto might anticipate their route and steal the ball.
"Don't stop! Keep running!"
"Use the turnaround!"
"Watch my position! Cut in the opposite direction!"
Kawamoto's voice could be heard intermittently.
Sakuragi gritted his teeth; his training uniform was already soaked through and clung tightly to his body.
But he didn't complain at all; he just gave it his all, running back and forth again and again, trying again and again.
He changed direction, stopped abruptly, and made a counter-run, trying to find a gap in Kawamoto's defense.
At first, Takamiya thought it was quite easy; it was just passing the ball.
But he soon discovered that Sakuragi's positioning was becoming increasingly tricky, Kawamoto's defensive pressure was increasing, and the timing of his passes was becoming increasingly difficult to grasp.
He had to be fully focused, ready to pass the ball to Sakuragi at any moment.
After several rounds, even he, who had been standing still, was panting heavily and drenched in sweat.
Time passed by, from sunrise to midday.
Sakuragi's progress, however, is clearly visible.
From being completely passive at the beginning, to later being able to occasionally use running to create a little space.
From a hasty shot after receiving the ball to gradually finding a rhythm while moving and completing a decent pull-up jump shot.
Although his shooting percentage is still inconsistent, he has begun to develop an awareness of creating opportunities through off-ball movement.
"Nice shot!"
When Sakuragi received the pass after Yoko's screen and made a mid-range shot despite Kawamoto's interference, Kawamoto promptly spoke up in approval.
"Huff... huff..."
Sakuragi, panting heavily with his hands on his knees, had a bright smile on his face.
The joy of being recognized overcame all the fatigue.
"Take a break."
Kawamoto checked the time and announced a training break.
He was sweating quite a bit, but his breathing remained relatively steady.
He ran to a nearby convenience store and bought a few bottles of water.
"You two are absolute stamina monsters."
Watching Nozomi Takamiya 'Kawamoto retreating figure, Takamiya Nozomi collapsed onto the sidelines, groaning weakly, "I feel like I'm about to die..."
Although Sakuragi felt tired, he was still extremely energetic.
He felt that what he learned this morning was more useful than what he could learn by practicing alone for several days.
Kawamoto returned quickly.
He handed Sakuragi a bottle of water, and then handed Takamiya another.
"You're improving very quickly, Sakuragi."
Sakuragi took the water and gulped down more than half of it. " Kawamoto- nii. I think I understand a little better now."
"Okay, morning training is over. Let's go to my house for lunch now."
"Mom prepared a sumo hot pot."
Sumo hot pot!
Sakuragi and Takamiya's eyes lit up at the same time.
The training is extremely demanding.
Hearing the words "sumo hot pot" at that moment brought a wave of hunger.
Kawamoto looked at Takamiya, who was sprawled on the ground drinking water. " Takamiya, you should come too. You've had a hard day."
"Is... is it really okay?"
Takamiya instantly perked up and struggled to his feet.
"Of course." Kawamoto nodded.
"Thank you so much, Brother Kawamoto!"
Takamiya quickly bowed and said, "Then I'll take my leave."
The three arrived at the Kawamoto.
Mom Kazuko was already waiting at the door, a warm smile on her face.
"Come in, kids. The hot pot is ready and waiting for you. Go wash your hands first, and we'll be eating soon."
"I'm Hanamichi Sakuragi. Excuse me, ma'am."
"I am Nozomi Takamiya, thank you for your hospitality."
Sakuragi and Takamiya bowed in greeting, then excitedly rushed into the restroom.
Takamiya borrowed the Kawamoto's phone to call home and say he was having dinner at a classmate's house.
The four people sat around the dining table.
In the center was a large earthenware pot with a fire burning underneath, the contents of which were bubbling and simmering, and were surprisingly plentiful.
Large slices of pork, plump chicken meatballs, bouncy fish cakes, snow-white tofu, vibrant green cabbage, sweet and fresh shiitake mushrooms, golden corn...
The broth is milky white with specks of oil floating on top, and its rich aroma is irresistible, whetting the appetite.
The small dish next to it also contained a special dipping sauce and egg yolk.
"Wow--!"
Sakuragi and Takamiya exclaimed in surprise at the same time, their mouths practically watering.
"Don't be shy, eat up, have more."
Mom Kazuko greeted them warmly, serving each of them a full bowl of rice and thoughtfully preparing chilled barley tea.
"I'm starting!"
After training all morning, all three of them were starving.
Sakuragi and Takamiya, in particular, practically fought over the food in the pot.
" Takamiya, stop! I saw that piece of meat first!"
Sakuragi reacted quickly, grabbing the largest piece of pork before Takamiya's chopsticks could fall.
"Come on! I started eating first! Give it back!"
Not to be outdone, Takamiya immediately tried to snatch the chicken meatballs from Sakuragi's bowl.
Hey! Don't you have some in your own bowl?
I don't care! I just want to eat your thing!
"Damn it! Then let's see who has the best skills!"
The two bickered while quickly picking up food with their chopsticks.
Mom Kazuko looked at them and couldn't stop smiling.
She kept adding vegetables to the pot, "Be careful, it's hot. Eat slowly, there's plenty more."
Kawamoto Kazuki ate quite quickly, but much more politely than the other two.
He watched Sakuragi and Takamiya's comical struggle over food, and a smile involuntarily crept onto his lips.
It seemed that only in the relaxed atmosphere of a family dinner could he truly Matsushita.
"Auntie, your sumo hot pot is absolutely delicious!"
Sakuragi, his mouth full of food, loudly praised the speaker, his words muffled and unclear.
"It's better than any hot pot I've ever had."
Takamiya quickly followed suit, showering her with flattery. "Auntie! This is simply the best food I've ever eaten in my life. The broth is so rich it makes you want to swallow your tongue. The meat is cooked just right, tender and flavorful. The tofu, soaked in the broth, is simply divine. Auntie, it's a loss to all of Japan that you don't open a restaurant! Can I come here again to... oh no, to eat?"
Takamiya 'Mom Kazuko was amused by the two lovable children, her smile never fading, "I'm glad you like it, Sakuragi -kun too. Come over to our house whenever you're free on weekends, and Auntie will cook you delicious food."
She watched the two boys wolfing down their food, her gaze finally settling on her son's smiling profile, and a surge of immense satisfaction welled up inside her.
This house hasn't been this lively in many years.
Since her husband passed away, the house has become unusually quiet and desolate.
My son matured early and shouldered the burden of the family at a young age.
Besides studying, he worked every day and never had any playmates of similar age to him.
Today, listening to the energetic noise of the teenagers and watching their childish antics as they scramble for food...
Especially seeing the genuine smile on my son's face...
Mom Kazuko's eyes suddenly felt slightly warm.
She wished that this time could last a little longer... a little longer...
But she quickly concealed the slight redness in her eyes and continued to enthusiastically serve the children food and soup.