Shinichi Maki waited outside the restroom for a while, and sure enough, he saw Kawamoto come out.
He looked like he had just washed his face; his black hair was still a little damp.
Mu immediately adjusted his posture, a kingly smile on his face.
He imagined the surprised, excited, and even flattered expression on the other person's face when they recognized him.
After all, in Kanagawa, if you play basketball, everyone knows Shinichi Maki!
Even the strongest fighters from other counties would feel a sense of awe upon hearing his name.
However, Kawamoto Kazuki stopped in front of him and simply looked up at him.
His gaze was calm, yet held a hint of inquiry, as if his path had been interrupted.
Don't you recognize me?
Mu's smile froze slightly.
That can't be right, can it?
Isn't he from Kanagawa?
Kawamoto indeed did not know Shinichi Maki.
His previous knowledge of Kanagawa high school basketball was limited to videos and scattered information.
Watching video footage also involves focusing on tactical positioning and team characteristics.
Furthermore, those overhead shots of the entire venue make faces blurry and unclear.
He knew the Kainan team was very strong.
But he didn't bother to remember what the captain looked like.
Seeing that Shinichi Maki remained unmoved, he could only turn sideways, trying to go around him.
Shinichi Maki was a little embarrassed and quickly introduced himself, "Hello, I'm Shinichi Maki, the captain of the Kainan University Affiliated High School basketball team."
He paused deliberately, giving the other person time to process and be shocked.
Then he got to the point, his tone full of confident invitation. "I watched your match just now, and you performed exceptionally well. Would you be interested in joining our Kainan?"
Upon hearing this, Kawamoto Kazuki took a second look at the other person.
It turns out this person is the captain from Kainan.
He recalled the number 4 guard from Kainan in the video; he was a formidable player on both offense and defense.
Kainan?
The tuition fees for prestigious private schools are exorbitant, far beyond what his family could afford.
Are private schools facing such a shortage of students now?
Even the basketball team captain has to personally send people to help?
If economic conditions permit, Kainan's basketball environment and educational resources are undoubtedly a better choice, but...
Kawamoto simply looked at him without saying anything, assuming that the other person was weighing his options.
He immediately escalated the situation, his tone radiating the superiority complex of the wealthy. "Our Kainan is Kanagawa's premier private school. Not only in basketball, but also in academic atmosphere, club activities, and facilities, it's top-notch. The teammates are also very... well, knowledgeable, and come from good families."
"We often get together, and during holidays we organize training camps in places like Karuizawa, Kusatsu Onsen, and even Hawaii. The atmosphere is great."
"The school cafeteria food is specially supplied, so the nutrition and taste are absolutely guaranteed. The price might be a bit high for the average student, but it definitely won't be a problem for you!"
Kawamoto frowned slightly upon hearing this.
"The price might be a bit high for the average student, but it's definitely not a problem for you!"
What does that mean?
Is this a sarcastic remark about my poverty?
This made him feel somewhat uncomfortable.
Shinichi Maki, however, failed to notice the subtle change in Kawamoto's expression.
Seeing that Kawamoto had not yet expressed his opinion, he assumed that the allure of elite circles and a top-tier lifestyle was not enough.
Remembering another point that boys of this age might also care about, she lowered her voice and added in a tone that every man understands:
"And the quality of the girls at our school is also very high."
"Most of them are gentle, sensible, and understanding. They know our basketball team members are busy with training, so they won't be too clingy. A little thoughtfulness in giving them small gifts, like GUCCI or LV bags, or SK-II or Shiseido cosmetics, is enough to make them get along well and they definitely won't interfere with training or games..."
"Boring!"
Before Shinichi Maki could finish speaking, he was interrupted by Kawamoto Kazuki Ichiki's two curt words.
Kawamoto's face had completely darkened.
What is this person's so-called recruitment implying from beginning to end?
Expensive tuition fees, elite circles, luxurious lifestyles, and high-quality girls who can be appeased with designer gifts...
This is completely contrary to his original intention of playing basketball, and to his understanding of sports, teamwork, and struggle!
In Kawamoto's view, basketball is about sweat, hard work, trust and support among teammates, and surpassing oneself for a common goal.
Perhaps Kainan does have a higher level of basketball, but if you're going to be immersed in that kind of value system and atmosphere, then it's better not to go!
Although he was reluctant to admit it, the real core issue was that he had no money.
He ignored Shinichi Maki's momentarily stunned expression, turned sideways past him, and strode towards the players' tunnel without looking back.
His back view exuded a cold and aloof aura that kept people at a distance.
Shinichi Maki froze on the spot, his confident smile completely gone, slowly turning into incredulous astonishment.
Bored?
The carefully prepared presentation of Kainan's top-tier resources and wonderful high school life sounded like... to Kawamoto Kazuki.
boring?!
Karuizawa and Hawaii are boring?
Are the social circles at top private schools boring?
Are high-quality heterosexual relationships that are easy to manage boring?
Shinichi Maki's mind raced as he tried to understand the meaning of those two words.
The only explanation is...
The other party's social class and perspective far exceeded my expectations!
As a result, what one considers an advantage and an allure is completely disregarded by the other party, who may even find it vulgar and laughable.
Yes!
That must be it!
Only the children of the super-rich, who have been at the top of the pyramid since childhood and are used to all of this, even to the point of being annoyed by it, would find these things boring!
What the other party might want isn't material possessions and superficiality at all, but rather a purer challenge, honor, or...
Something at a higher level that I cannot comprehend?
"It's crossed a social class..."
Shinichi Maki muttered to himself, the shock he felt was even greater than when he saw Kawamoto's terrifying performance on the field.
For the first time, he experienced a profound sense of frustration in the recruitment process.
Money, resources, connections, pleasure...
These previously invincible advantages proved utterly worthless in the face of the mysterious No. 15 from Shohoku.
He watched Kawamoto's figure disappear at the end of the passage, his eyes filled with complex emotions.
This opponent's skills are unfathomable, and his background and intentions are shrouded in mystery.
Shinichi Maki had no idea that his carefully prepared remarks were far less effective than a simple statement. "Tuition is waived and scholarships are generous."
On his way back to the court, Kawamoto Kazuki was far from calm.
Shinichi Maki's words were like a thorn piercing his heart.
money.
Expensive tuition fees in Kainan, the costs of private schools, GUCCI, LV, SK-II...
These words, when put together, outline a world that is glamorous yet cold and distant to him.
People in that world can casually talk about how price is not a problem...
You can freely use designer gifts as a tool to maintain relationships...
You can enjoy the best education and resources without lifting a finger...
Yet he felt a pang of regret over a pair of sneakers that cost 8,000 yen.
They have to expend a lot of effort in fish markets, restaurants, and convenience stores to earn a meager income.
It turns out that when you're poor, you'll always be looked down upon.
A cold voice echoed in his heart.
The sense of superiority that the other person inadvertently revealed in their words still felt like a cold wind, making him acutely aware of the gap and his resentment.
He clenched his fist so tightly that his nails dug into his palm.
Those who bow their heads today may very well soar to great heights in the future.
Fate will not keep people trapped in the mud forever.
The economy is in recession, but crisis also contains opportunities.
He could no longer be content with simply earning a living through manual labor.
He needs a sharper mind and a better understanding of the economic landscape of this country and this era.
We need to look for those subtle changes that could change our destiny, from books, news, and even the slightest shifts in the market.
He wants to rely on his own efforts and wisdom to find a new way out for himself and his mother in this economic downturn sweeping the country.
"GUCCI, LV, SK-II, Shiseido..."
Kawamoto silently recited these brand names, which were incredibly luxurious to him.
His eyes, however, grew increasingly resolute and brighter.
"Just wait."
"One day, I will use my own hands to deliver all these best things to my mother, honestly and without missing a single one."
"I want to completely change this family."
"With basketball, and beyond basketball, with all my strength."
The boy's vow was silent yet burning hot.
Because he was young, he had nothing.
Because he was young, he had everything.
A recruitment attempt from higher-ups, fraught with misunderstanding, did not shake his passion for basketball.
But unexpectedly, it ignited the spark for another, longer and more arduous journey for him.
He pushed open the door to the players' tunnel, his face regaining its usual calm.