At that moment, Kawamoto Kazuki walked in from the entrance of the basketball court.
He wore a faded, loose-fitting crew-neck T-shirt, the neckline of which was somewhat deformed.
His gaze swept over everyone in the hall, finally settling on Takenori Akagi. He asked calmly, "Captain Akagi, have you seen my team uniform? The one I left on the bench before practice. I was going to take it home to wash, but I can't find it."
Akagi's massive body blocked Koichiro Nango's path as he solemnly swore an oath.
He glanced at Nango's team uniform and said gruffly, "Ahem, that uniform is dirty. I'll lend it to Nango as a training uniform for now. I'll arrange for Manager Ayako to prepare a few new sets of uniforms for you to change into. They should arrive before the game against Shoyo."
Nango: "..."
Training continued day after day, sweat soaked the floor, and slogans echoed throughout the stadium.
Before I knew it, the calendar had turned to June 3rd.
Tomorrow is the do-or-die match between Shohoku Shoyo for a spot in the final four.
During midday practice, Nango slipped up to Sakuragi and said, " Sakuragi, I've inquired. Haruko and you don't have the kind of relationship you're describing."
Sakuragi froze instantly, his face turning a deep purplish-red. "You, you're talking nonsense!"
"Should I go and confirm this with Ms. Haruko in person?"
"You bastard blondie! I'll kill you!"
The two immediately began to fight.
"Bragging king!"
"A petty thief who steals information!"
Chaos erupted in the basketball court.
Akagi roared and separated them, but after a few days, everyone had gotten used to it.
In the evening, a light rain began to fall again.
Kawamoto Kazuki finished his work at the fish market and was on his way to the restaurant.
As he passed the entrance to a small park in the middle of the street, he caught a glimpse of two familiar figures out of the corner of his eye.
It was Chuichiro Noma and Nozomi Takamiya.
Noma squatted by the roadside, his hair and shoulders soaked by the rain, his profile appearing particularly gloomy in the shadows.
Takamiya leaned against the vending machine next to him, stuffing a bag of potato chips into his mouth, while glancing worriedly at Noma, who was squatting down.
Noma seemed to notice someone passing by, and slightly turned his head, catching a glimpse of Kawamoto through the rain.
His eyes were indifferent, and he showed no reaction.
However, when Takamiya saw Kawamoto, he managed a forced but still somewhat enthusiastic smile.
He waved the bag of potato chips. "Brother Kawamoto, are you going to work so late?"
"Um."
Kawamoto stopped and nodded to Takamiya.
Noma stood up at this moment, his voice a little hoarse, and said to Takamiya, "Let's go, Takamiya."
After saying that, he put his hands in his pockets, lowered his head, turned around and strode in the opposite direction from Kawamoto, his back view appearing somewhat lonely and resolute in the rain.
" Noma! Wait!"
Takamiya called out hurriedly, but Noma didn't stop walking.
Takamiya glanced at Noma's retreating figure as he disappeared around the street corner, then at Kawamoto, who had already walked away, a conflicted expression on his face.
He gritted his teeth, as if he had made up his mind, and quickened his pace to catch up with Kawamoto and follow beside him, his lips moving as if he were talking for a long time.
The rain pattered softly as the two walked side by side for a while.
"Brother Kawamoto..."
Takamiya finally spoke, his voice heavy with hesitation.
"There's something... I know I shouldn't bother you, but... Hanamichi really speaks highly of you, saying that although you're not talkative, you're incredibly reliable, have good ideas, and are very enthusiastic... I think you might... have a solution..."
" Sakuragi said I was helpful?"
Kawamoto seemed to find the description somewhat ambiguous, explaining, "He probably misunderstood. I usually have my own reasons and considerations when I do things."
Takamiya was taken aback, seemingly not expecting Kawamoto to give such a response.
But he still spoke haltingly, his voice trembling slightly with nervousness.
Kawamoto didn't interrupt him or urge him; he just walked and listened quietly.
The story involves an old grudge from many years ago, a father who died with resentment due to a gang dispute, an enemy who has been at large to this day, and Noma's long-brewing desire for revenge, which he can no longer suppress as a certain special date approaches.
Takamiya's words were incoherent, but the core meaning was clear.
Noma plans to do something extremely dangerous tomorrow, something that could very well ruin his life.
Kawamoto listened in silence, his expression remaining unchanged.
It wasn't until Takamiya finished speaking the last word, his voice trembling with tears and despair, that he asked what to do.
Kawamoto stopped abruptly without warning.
Takamiya also stopped, looking at him anxiously.
Kawamoto slowly turned his head, slightly raised his eyelids, and looked at Takamiya.
Those eyes, usually calm and still, now reflected the cold light of the streetlights.
His voice wasn't loud, but it was chilling:
"The hatred for my father is a blood feud."
"To evade, forget, or expect the law to punish those who exploit loopholes is, in some cases, naive."
He paused, his gaze seemingly piercing through the rain, looking into the far, far distance.
Blood debts must be repaid in blood.
He said this with absolute certainty and without the slightest hesitation, as if stating a self-evident truth.
Takamiya's heart sank.
So it still doesn't work?
But Kawamoto's next words stunned him.
Kawamoto withdrew his gaze and looked back at Takamiya: "However, Noma's choice was too foolish."
"Not only will you not get revenge, but you'll also get yourself involved. Causing pain to your loved ones is the worst possible choice."
His tone carried an almost cold, judgmental tone.
Takamiya opened his mouth, as if to say something, but found his throat dry.
Kawamoto didn't look at him again, but turned to look in the direction of the street corner where Noma had disappeared.
He pointed to the intersection not far ahead. "I work at that restaurant around the corner, I'll be done in about an hour. Go find him and try to bring him over."
"Tell him about revenge. If he has any sense, he'll come and listen."
After saying that, he didn't linger and continued walking towards the restaurant.
His upright figure appeared calm and resolute in the night rain, like a rock one could lean on for a while.
Takamiya stood there, watching Kawamoto's retreating figure, then glancing in the direction Noma had disappeared.
He vigorously wiped his face, which was wet with either rain or tears, took a deep breath, and turned to desperately chase after Noma in the direction he had left.
An hour later, Kawamoto finished his work at the restaurant and saw two figures crouching in the shadows in the corner.
It was Chuichiro Noma and Nozomi Takamiya.
Takamiya immediately pulled Noma to his feet, forcing a smile, "Kawamoto- Kawamoto- san! We've been waiting for a while."
"Um."
"We'll talk about it on the way."
Without exchanging pleasantries, he walked straight toward the convenience store.
He didn't look back, as if he was certain the two would follow.
The streets were deserted, and the sound of their footsteps echoed in the empty alleyways.
"I've heard a rough outline of your situation from Takamiya."
Kawamoto's voice broke the silence.
Noma's voice carried suppressed anger. "That Takamiya guy... he says everything that comes out. This is our own business."
"Precisely because I am an outsider and don't care about your life or death, some of my words are more pertinent."