Shoes torn?
Did it knock two people down?
It rolled across half the field?
Is this definitely a Japan high school basketball game, and not some professional rugby match or a WWE exhibition game?
It took a good ten seconds before Mitsuru Nagano finally regained his senses.
He chuckled dryly, his voice hoarse. "Ha, ha... Fujima, you... you actually called us over so late at night not to discuss tactics, but to liven up the atmosphere before the match, right?"
With him taking the lead, the others followed suit.
Shoichi Takano stammered in agreement, "This, this is too exaggerated! Are you sure you didn't see it wrong? Or are those two Tsukubu and the other guy, too weak?"
"Yes, yes! This must be an inspirational horror story specially written for us, right?"
" Fujima, this joke isn't funny at all."
Kazushi Hasegawa frowned, trying to analyze the situation rationally. "Even if he's very strong, he's still a high school student..."
"I didn't misread it, and it's not a joke."
Fujima decisively cut off all doubts.
" Hanagata saw it too; he can testify to that."
All eyes immediately turned to Toru Hanagata.
Hanagata nodded with difficulty, his eyes behind his glasses filled with complex emotions. " Fujima is telling the truth. Although it was a bit far away, the scene was very impactful. Those two were indeed knocked away, and they looked quite badly injured. The match was paused for quite a while."
The Shoyo generals fell silent once again.
Although Fujima enjoys writing novels in his spare time, perhaps to lighten the mood and tell stories, even the usually proud Hanagata said so...
A chill crept up everyone's spine.
They previously thought that Shohoku just had a few more strong players and needed to be taken seriously.
But the Fujima Kawamoto Kazuki that Fujima mentioned didn't sound like a basketball player at all; he sounded more like a basketball killer.
Looking at the complex expressions on his teammates' faces, Fujima knew that the purpose of today's shock and education had been achieved.
He had to make them fully aware of how formidable this opponent was before the match even began, even if it sounded like a fantasy.
I know this is hard to accept.
"I shouldn't have said those demoralizing things before the game."
"But this is one of our next opponents."
We need to know about him beforehand.
"Remember, besides him, Shohoku also has Akagi, Kaede Rukawa, Hisashi Mitsui, Ryota Miyagi."
"Do people still think that my statement that he is better than Shinichi Maki was an exaggeration?"
No one answered.
The following morning, in the principal's office of Shohoku High School.
Coach Mitsuyoshi Anzai sat on the guest sofa, explaining to the principal in detail his plan to privately fund the purchase of professional equipment for the basketball team and hire a nutritionist.
That's roughly it. I'll cover all the expenses personally, hoping to provide a better training environment for the children.
Anzai said gently.
The principal's face lit up with barely suppressed joy after hearing this.
For an ordinary public high school, having faculty and staff willing to give back to the school so generously is like a godsend.
This will not only improve the basketball team's performance, but also bring honor and publicity to the school!
" Anzai! This is wonderful! Our school will definitely give it our full support!"
The principal jumped up from his chair excitedly. "Where do you think would be suitable for the open space next to the gymnasium? Equipment storage and expansion of the weight room are no problem. I'll have the logistics department handle the paperwork as quickly as possible."
Just as the principal was expressing his enthusiastic support, there was a loud knock on the office door.
Before anyone could respond, they were pushed aside.
A tall figure peered in.
Wearing a brand-new Shohoku high school uniform, with a few strands of dyed blonde hair, and holding a large bouquet of vibrant red roses in her hand.
It was Koichiro Nango.
Nango paused for a moment when he saw Anzai and the principal in the office, then swaggered in.
The principal instantly understood when he saw the rose in Nango's hand.
With a friendly smile on his face, he stood up from behind his desk and walked over, laughing heartily.
"Haha, years have passed since I stood before this small stage, and suddenly I see peach and plum trees blossoming anew."
"Oh, you must be from Nango, right? How thoughtful of you! You even bought flowers... Carnations are usually more suitable for teachers; roses represent love. But it's alright, I appreciate your kind gesture, give them to me."
"As a teacher, this is the best gift I've ever received."
The principal shook his head helplessly, but couldn't suppress the smile on his face.
He thought to himself with a smug satisfaction.
You, Anzai, may be rich, but when it comes to being loved by students, you still have to look to me, Takeo Tanaka.
The new student is really good; he's very well-behaved.
Upon hearing this, Koichiro Nango stopped in his tracks, holding the roses and looking at the principal with a puzzled expression.
"Sir Principal, these flowers aren't for you."
The principal's smile froze instantly, and his outstretched hand remained suspended in mid-air. The air in the office seemed to freeze for half a second.
He coughed awkwardly twice, forcibly turning the situation around, and turned his gaze to Anzai, trying to save face. "Ahaha, I see! I misunderstood! It's for Anzai, isn't it? Anzai, look at this child, he just transferred here and he already respects you so much, that's really good! Hehehe..."
As he spoke, he was already cursing this ill-mannered blond guy eight hundred times in his mind.
If it weren't for your strong family connections, I would have returned your file immediately based on your attitude!
Anzai, holding his thermos, still sported a cheerful smile on his round face, and shook his head. " Nango, no need to be so polite."
Nango shook his head, then naturally picked up the conversation, his tone matter-of-fact. "It's not for you, Anzai."
Principal and Anzai: "..."
The atmosphere once again became subtly awkward.
Nango, however, seemed completely oblivious. His eyes lit up when he saw his new student card on the principal's desk.
He strode over, grabbed the student card, and casually waved it at the two teachers. "Principal, Anzai, I have to go now! Something urgent!"
After saying that, he rushed out of the principal's office like a gust of wind.
The principal felt a tightness in his chest.
He took a few deep breaths before forcing a smile and saying to Anzai, "Hehe, young kid, lively, that's good... Anzai, let's continue discussing the equipment list..."
Koichiro Nango rushed out of the principal's office with a clear goal in mind.
Class 1, Grade 1.
He held the bouquet of red roses, which were particularly eye-catching in the sunlight, ignoring the surprised and curious glances from the other students in the corridor.
Like a humanoid self-propelled focus-generating machine, it rushed straight to the classroom door.
It was during recess, and people were coming and going in the corridor.
Outside the classroom, in the corridor window, Haruko Akagi was standing with her two best friends, Fujii and Matsui.
The three girls looked out the window at the playground, chatting about something interesting, their cheerful laughter ringing out from time to time.
Haruko had a bright smile on her face, and the sunlight from the window shone on her, making her look gentle and beautiful.
Nango's heart started pounding uncontrollably, even faster than when he was overtaking on the Z2 bend.
But who is Koichiro Nango?
Warriors who charge forward for love!
How could I possibly back down in the face of battle!
He took a deep breath, calmed his somewhat rapid breathing, and then tidied up his few strands of dyed blond hair.
Then, he slid to Haruko's side, straightened his back, and presented her with the bouquet of red roses, still glistening with dew, in an almost Haruko gesture.
He shouted, " Haruko -kun! This bouquet is for you! Please go out with me!!!"
His voice was loud and clear, and his pronunciation was perfect.
Time seemed to stand still at that moment.
Haruko was completely stunned, her small mouth slightly open, her beautiful eyes wide open.
She looked at the huge bouquet of roses in front of her, then at the tall boy behind the roses whose expression was both nervous and expectant, and her mind went blank.
Fujii and Matsui covered their mouths, their eyes darting between Rose, Nango, and the stunned Haruko, their faces filled with disbelief.
The students passing by fell silent for a moment, then a murmur and low laughter spread like a tide.
Wow! A confession?!
Sending roses directly? That's bold!
"It's for Haruko Akagi..."
"This is so touching! Why didn't anyone send me roses?"