The steam from the sumo hot pot gradually dissipated.
Kawamoto up and began clearing away the dishes.
Takamiya patted his belly contentedly and let out a burp, then suddenly whispered, "Did we eat too much?"
He seemed a little embarrassed after he finished speaking, and scratched his head.
Sakuragi didn't speak, but stared blankly at Mom Kazuko's busy back.
"Don't talk nonsense. Auntie is overjoyed. Come on, help Auntie tidy up."
She smiled and handed the rag to Sakuragi, then stuffed several empty plates into Takamiya.
Yes, Auntie!
Sakuragi and Takamiya immediately perked up and responded loudly.
Although it is an absolute mainstream social consensus that men do not do housework in this era.
However, changes in the economic foundation and international environment have begun to undermine the very basis upon which this model depends for its continued existence.
In the final twilight of the old era, many things began to quietly emerge during the longest, darkest hour before dawn.
After tidying up, Mom Kazuko needs to take a nap.
Kawamoto Kazuki, Hanamichi Sakuragi, and Nozomi Takamiya returned to the court to continue training until evening.
"What a fulfilling day!"
Sakuragi slumped down on the sidelines, utterly exhausted after running around all day.
He felt like his body was falling apart, but he still asked excitedly, "Brother Kawamoto, are we continuing tomorrow?"
Kawamoto shook his head, lifting his shirt to wipe his sweat. "Tomorrow won't work. I need to spend at least one day a week at home with my mother, either Saturday or Sunday. We might do some housework or go for a walk together."
Sakuragi's excitement froze for a moment, a fleeting look of memory flashing across his eyes.
But the next second, he reverted to his usual carefree demeanor. "I see... then this genius will properly digest today's training results."
"The match against Tsukubu is the day after tomorrow, and this genius will definitely give it his all."
"By the way Kawamoto- san, are you going to play in the match the day after tomorrow?"
"Of course I'll play!"
The next day, Sunday morning.
Takenori Akagi and Kiminobu Kogure agreed to take the tram to the prefectural library.
The train carriage was quite crowded, and the two chatted casually about their next opponent Tsukubu High School.
" Akagi, look, it's Godai!"
Kogure, with his sharp eyes, pointed to a short-haired boy gripping a handrail not far away.
Akagi looked in the direction indicated and, sure enough, it was Tomokazu Godai.
He, along with Kogure and Akagi, all came from the Kitamura Middle School basketball team, and he is now the captain of the Tsukubu High School basketball team.
" Godai, long time no see."
Akagi nodded, which was his way of greeting him.
"Oh! Akagi! Kogure!"
Tomokazu Godai also saw them and squeezed through the crowd with a smile, "What a coincidence. I never thought that after graduating from junior high school, I would be playing against you guys on the basketball court."
This statement is suspected of undermining Akagi and Kogure's confidence.
The subtext is that they didn't expect to meet Shohoku in the round of 16.
After all, although Tsukubu had never participated in the national competition, he had performed quite well in the prefectural competition for two consecutive years.
Shohoku was just a team that was eliminated in the first round.
Undermining the confidence of the opposing team's star player before the match is also a necessary tactic.
Unfortunately, Akagi and Kogure reacted calmly.
This left Tomokazu Godai slightly disappointed.
" Godai, I heard you're the captain of Tsukubu now?"
Kogure exchanged pleasantries.
"That's right!"
Tomokazu Godai's tone was filled with undisguised confidence.
"Our goal this Tsukubu is to qualify for the national tournament. We've been preparing for this for a whole year."
" Akagi, Kogure, I won't go easy on you just because we're old friends."
"Quite the boast, Godai."
Akagi said.
"Don't underestimate us, Shohoku! We'll teach you a lesson."
Tomokazu Godai retorted, "Because our Tsukubu is playing every match this year with a dream in his heart!"
"That sounds really energetic."
Kogure said.
"Of course!"
Tomokazu Godai's smile widened.
"We know that Shohoku has gained Kaede Rukawa and Hisashi Mitsui this year, so their strength is definitely much stronger than last year. However, our Tsukubu is just as good! And..."
He deliberately lowered his voice, a smug look on his face, determined to continue putting pressure on Akagi and the other two, "To be honest, we've got an amazing first-year student join us this year!"
"With his addition, the overall strength of our Tsukubu has definitely increased by more than one level."
"Really, I, Tomokazu Godai, never speak carelessly. You'll see during the competition; it will definitely surprise you!"
He spoke with great confidence, clearly having an extraordinary level of trust in the newcomer.
Akagi and Kogure watched quietly as Godai boasted about their new recruit.
There was no interruption, nor any rebuttal.
Akagi simply hummed in agreement, indicating that he had heard.
Kogure smiled and nodded.
The two men's indifferent reaction surprised Tomokazu Godai had been in high spirits.
He anticipated that Akagi might retort indignantly, or that Kogure might ask questions out of curiosity.
But none of them.
They simply accepted the information calmly.
This reaction made Godai somewhat unsure of what to do.
Are Shohoku really that confident in their own abilities?
They don't care at all what new people we have?
Or perhaps they simply had no ambition to dominate the entire country?
Although Shohoku played very well in the previous few games.
However, the disparity in strength between teams in the prefectural tournament is enormous. A team like Takabata, which defeated Kakuno by a large margin, doesn't really mean anything.
As for Miuradai, he learned after the match that it seemed there were internal problems within the opposing team.
This resulted in a very negative attitude from the entire team, which allowed Shohoku to shut out their opponents 0-0.
Just then, the tram arrived at the station, which was near Tsukubu High School.
"Ah, I've arrived. A reporter from the Weekly Basketball is here for an interview today, so I'll take my leave now."
Tomokazu Godai composed himself, his face regaining its fighting spirit. " Akagi, Kogure, see you on the court tomorrow! But in the end, it will definitely be our Tsukubu makes it to the national tournament!"
"Go for it!"
Kogure responded politely.
Akagi simply nodded slightly.
Tomokazu Godai and quickly got out of the car.
After walking a few steps, he couldn't help but look back at the tram window again.
Akagi and Kogure's figures had already disappeared into the distance as the train started moving.
He frowned. He'd even mentioned the Weekly Basketball interview; why weren't they surprised at all?
Never mind.
He shook his head, dismissing the distracting thoughts.
"Anyway, we'll just have to shut them up with our strength. That kid Nango better not let me down."
He hurried toward the school, ready to give an interview.
On the tram.
Looking at the scenery rushing past the window, Kogure slowly said, " Akagi, Godai seems to have a lot of confidence in that newcomer he mentioned. I wonder what kind of person he is."
"For someone like Godai to value him so highly, he must have some real talent."
"However, no matter what new players they have, we just need to play at our own pace."
" Shohoku is not the Shohoku it used to be."
His tone carried a strong sense of confidence.
Another corner of the city.
Hanamichi Sakuragi, Yohei Mito, Nozomi Takamiya, Yuji Okusu, Chuichiro Noma were strolling aimlessly down the street.
On a weekend morning, the breeze was gentle and the sun was shining brightly.
"Ugh, I'm so bored."
Okusu yawned.
Noma suggested, "How about we go to the arcade?"
"Agreed!"
Takamiya raised his hand; he was the most enthusiastic about food and play.
As the group was discussing their plan, they passed by a small street basketball court.
Sakuragi glanced inside habitually, then froze in place.
In the empty court, a familiar figure was practicing shooting.
It was Haruko Akagi.
She was practicing her shooting intently.
Light green athletic shorts paired with a pink short-sleeved shirt look refreshing and energetic in the morning light.
"Wow..."
Sakuragi's mouth dropped open, and his eyes widened in disbelief.
"Hey, it's Haruko- san!"
"To be fair, Haruko is really pretty, and she has a good personality too."
" Hanamichi, you're such an enviable person!"
Okusu and Noma nodded repeatedly.
For teenagers, a gentle and lovely girl like this is always very attractive.
Sakuragi's face flushed instantly. He wanted to go in and say hello, but he was also a little nervous.
Just as he was struggling with this decision...
"Buzz--!"
The furious roar of a motorcycle engine grew louder as it approached.
A small scooter sped past them on the road at an extremely high speed.
The speed is frightening.
When they turned around, Haruko's shot on the court was a little weak, and the basketball bounced high off the front edge of the rim.
At this very moment.
"Squeak--Crunch--!"
The screeching of brakes and the screech of metal scraping against the pavement were deafening.
The motorcycle that had just sped past then crashed into the field in a nearly out-of-control drift.
The rider, dressed in another school's uniform and leather shoes, jumped off the speeding motorcycle.
The out-of-control motorcycle slid along the ground.
He sprinted forward, leaped into the air before the basketball began to fall, and slammed it back into the rim with one hand.
Alternate loop and follow-up dunk!
Although the hoop is a low, street-style design, this dunk, full of violent aesthetics, is still visually striking.
The rider who had just completed the dunk landed and turned to look at Haruko, who was stunned by what she had just witnessed.
He was wearing a helmet, so his expression was not visible.
Haruko was startled by the opponent's exaggerated entrance and dunk, and subconsciously took half a step back, her flushed face showing a hint of panic.
"Um... I... I have to go, or I'll be late..."
After she finished speaking, she hurriedly picked up the ball, lowered her head, and ran quickly out of the court, not even noticing Sakuragi and the others who were already petrified outside the fence.
Only after Haruko disappeared from sight did the helmeted rider slowly take off his helmet.
She revealed a neatly combed, center-parted hairstyle, with a few striking strands of yellow hair highlighted on both sides.
Her individual features weren't ugly, but when put together, they gave off an inexplicable sense of frivolity.
He stared in the direction Haruko had disappeared, a lecherous and smug grin spreading across his face.
She even muttered to herself in a rather loud voice, "So cute! She's my type!"
Just then, a roar rang out from outside the stadium.
"Asshole--!"
"How could you do something so dangerous in front of Haruko!"
I'm going to kill you!
Hanamichi Sakuragi's eyes were blazing with fury; he couldn't even wait to get around to the entrance.
He jumped up, grabbed the three-meter-high wire fence with both hands, and climbed over it in a few moves.