The hustle and bustle of Toyomi Market seemed to have faded considerably in the light rain.
All that remains is more frequent haggling and more hesitant consideration when making a purchase.
Kawamoto skillfully and deftly cut and bleed a dead flounder, slicing it into pieces.
Boss Kobayashi, cigarette dangling from his lips, looked at the live flounder and said with regret, "What a pity, the price would be completely different if it were alive."
" Boss Kobayashi, fresh flounder probably won't sell well, right?"
Boss Kobayashi flicked his cigarette ash, his voice carrying a sense of world-weariness.
"It's just that it's harder to sell in ordinary households now, unlike a few years ago when housewives would scramble to buy any kind of fish, as long as it was big and rare enough. Price? That was no problem! It was as if all of Japan had an inexhaustible supply of money."
He pointed to several stalls in the distance that specialized in selling expensive live fish. "Look over there, five or six years ago those were full of housewives waiting to snap up shad, mantis shrimp, and Ise lobster. Now? Hmph."
"Is everyone broke now?"
Kawamoto asked the key question.
No money?
Boss Kobayashi shook his head, revealing a helpless expression of having seen through the ways of the world.
"It's not that we're completely broke. Ordinary families still need to eat, and we still need to buy fish."
He took a deep drag of his cigarette and slowly exhaled. "My mindset has changed, I'm more frugal now. Before, I wasn't afraid of high prices, as long as it was good. Now, the products have to be good, but I can't waste money. Look over there—"
He pointed to several fresh sashimi and standing seafood bowl stalls that were clearly doing better business.
"Why are they so busy? It's because people's laziness has actually increased during this economic downturn."
"I want to eat something fresh, but I don't want to go through the hassle of cooking at home. Spending a little more money for peace of mind—it's not about not having money!"
He then pointed to several people on the other side who were carefully placing their top-quality catch into styrofoam boxes lined with crushed ice.
"Look at those high-end restaurants in Tokyo and Yokohama; they rely on freshness and scarcity. The upper class's demand for top-quality catches has never diminished, and they make a lot of money."
"Then why don't we do it?"
"You can't succeed in this business without a solid foundation and connections."
"So, Kazuki, doing business isn't about getting carried away just because you see others making money; that will only lead to disaster."
"No matter what, brute force or mindless action won't work. You have to use your eyes to see, your ears to listen, and your brain to think. You have to figure out what the market needs now or in the future, and what you have to offer."
"If you find the right path, even in a turbulent environment, you'll always have food to eat. If you don't, then things will be difficult."
Kawamoto listened quietly, his hands moving without pausing for a moment.
But every word Boss Kobayashi said helped him better understand this complex era.
The rationalization of consumer mentality, the new demand for convenience and experience, the refinement and discerning nature of the high-end market, and the emerging soft needs such as spiritual comfort...
The wisdom and information gleaned from elders is far more vivid than the data found in books.
Starting your own business and mentoring Tetsuo are two different things.
After all, it gives Tetsuo a direction he can understand.
If his business fails, it won't affect his life.
"Thank you, Boss Kobayashi."
Kawamoto his sincere gratitude.
"No need to thank me." Boss Kobayashi waved his hand, looked at Kawamoto, and said a few more words, which was unusual for him.
" Kazuki, you're a different kind of kid. You're hardworking and have a calm demeanor. I still hold the same view: there's no future in basketball, at least not in Japan right now."
"But the world changes very quickly, I can't say what will happen in the future."
"So you can play basketball, but if you want to make more money, you need to do more research and think things through. Even if you don't do it for now, it won't hurt."
"Yes, I understand." Kawamoto nodded.
After finally making it to the end of training, Koichiro Nango went straight to the school gate.
A sharply styled Suzuki GSX-R750 was parked next to the motorcycle shop assistant who had been waiting there for a long time.
The white and blue color scheme exudes a cold, metallic beauty under the night lights and the light rain.
"Baby..."
Nango walked over and lovingly stroked the cool car body.
This is a new toy he just got, a way to say goodbye to the Yamaha motorcycle that was smashed and deformed by the basketball court.
"Young Master Nango, if there's nothing else, I'll take my leave now."
The shop assistant at the motorcycle store bowed and said.
Nango waved his hand, put on his helmet, and with a long stride, sat down steadily.
After starting the engine, it emitted a deep and powerful roar, which was particularly jarring on the rainy night streets.
He twisted the throttle, and the motorcycle, like a runaway blue beast, tore through the rain and sped off towards Shohoku.
He needs to go there first to see if there are any suitable studio apartments available, in order to prepare for transferring schools.
The red taillights were blurred into a streak of light as they sped along.
Nango thoroughly enjoyed this feeling.
Just as he continued to experience the speed and excitement brought by his new mount.
An even more ferocious engine roared from afar, like an enraged beast approaching.
In the rearview mirror, a more rugged and muscular Kawasaki Z2 was seen chasing after them at an astonishing speed.
The rider's helmet covered his face, but Nango could still feel his undisguised aggression and extreme pursuit of speed even through the rain.
"Z2?"
Nango's lips curled into a smile, his competitive spirit instantly ignited.
On the basketball court, he is an incredibly talented rookie center; on the road, he is equally experienced cyclist.
He suddenly downshifted and revved up, and the GSX-R750 emitted a high-pitched roar as the engine revved up abruptly.
I accelerated again, and the car's speed suddenly increased.
The Z2, not to be outdone, continued to accelerate.
The two motorcycles, like two streaks of light, engaged in a frenzied chase on the wet asphalt road.
The rain intensified slightly, but neither of them slowed down.
A gentle bend appears ahead.
Nango skillfully slowed down and slightly turned to the side.
The tires splashed up a large amount of water, barely managing to make it around the bend.
The Kawasaki Z2 riders behind them took corners in an even more aggressive and direct manner.
With his stronger low-end torque and aggressive style, he managed to sidestep the motorcycle and even showed signs of overtaking it as he exited the corner.
"No slowing down?"
Nango gritted his teeth and stepped on the gas again.
In straight-line acceleration, his GSX-R750 had a huge advantage, pulling ahead by several car lengths once again.
However, the real test is yet to come.
Ahead lies a series of sharp bends near a residential area. The road is not only narrow, but pedestrians may also be crossing it.
Nango, being someone who values his life, instinctively eased off the throttle, attempting to take the corner in a more cautious manner.
Just as he slowed down slightly, the Kawasaki Z2 in his rearview mirror accelerated again!
The rider charged toward the sharp bend at an almost insane angle.
The car was tilting precariously, and the tires were screeching on the wet road.
"Madman!"
Nango's face beneath his helmet turned pale; the sight horrified him.
If it falls, there are only two possible outcomes.
Dismemberment and whole body.
As expected, Kawasaki miraculously maintained his grip and forcefully overtook Nango in the paint, getting ahead of Nango.
After the bend, there is a relatively straight road.
That Kawasaki Z2 had already taken a decisive lead and never gave Nango another chance.
Finally, at a long red light ahead, the Kawasaki Z2 slowed down first and came to a steady stop in front of the white line.
The GSX-R750 from Nango could only stop beside them with a reluctant screech of brakes.
After winning the race, the Kawasaki rider calmly put one foot on the ground and took off his helmet.
Raindrops pelted his equally young face.
He flicked his gleaming blond hair, glanced at the brand-new Suzuki sitting beneath Nango, and said with a teasing tone, "Changed your bike? Suzuki? What, you think Suzuki is more refined than Kawasaki, more suitable for a good student like you who obeys traffic rules?"
He deliberately emphasized obeying traffic rules, clearly mocking Nango.
Nango angrily removed his helmet and yelled at the young man, "You almost died just now!"
The young man scoffed dismissively, "If you're afraid of dying, don't ride motorcycles. Besides, I don't forgive people who speak ill of Kawasaki."
"From the very beginning, a real man should ride Kawasaki!"
He paused, glanced ahead, and casually asked, "Hey, this doesn't seem to be the way home, does it? Riding around in this heavy rain on a new bike without license plates, do you know this important person is here for a bike ride?"
Nango shook the rain off his hair and said dismissively, "Who do you think you are? Listen up, I'm transferring schools! From today onwards, I, Koichiro Nango, am a member of Shohoku High School."
" Shohoku? Transferring schools?"
The young man seemed a bit surprised. "I heard that Shohoku is doing quite well this year. You went to Shohoku just to play basketball?"
"Wait a minute, didn't you play basketball for girls? Do you think there are any girls at Shohoku that would make you move house in the rain at night?"
"It's for love!"
"True love!"
The man seemed a little confused and said, "It seems we have different views on love. When I see a girl I'm attracted to, I only have one thought: please lend a helping hand to this poor little virgin."
"Vulgar."
Nango cursed, puffed out his chest, and roared in a voice louder than an engine.
"Go for it! Warrior charging forward for love, Koichiro Nango!"
The young man. "..."
He remained silent for a few seconds.
Seeing Nango's expression, as if he were about to embark on a sacred expedition of love, he finally shook his head and said in a slightly blessing tone, "Alright... but really, aren't you going to consider buying Kawasaki?"
He still didn't forget to promote his Kawasaki.
"Stop babbling!"
At this moment, the third green light at the intersection turned on.
Nango put his helmet back on, too lazy to waste any more words on this dangerous speeding madman.
He twisted the throttle, and the GSX-R750 roared, carrying this warrior charging for love into the increasingly dense rain.
The young man remained motionless until the taillights of Nango disappeared into the rainy night.
He put his helmet back on and muttered to himself, "Transferring schools for girls... wow... that's a really constructive idea. Our crappy school is practically a monastery; finding a girlfriend is a distant dream. God, I always thought I was incredibly smart, but it turns out I'm just a complete idiot!"