Of course, Moichi Taoka didn't say these things directly. He relied entirely on his ability to express himself subtly and without ulterior motives. He seemed to be talking about the landscape of the national high school league, but in reality, he was leading Sota Miyagi into his "trap." It has to be said that Mr. Taoka is indeed very capable.
Sota Miyagi was led astray by him until he suddenly came to his senses and saw through the man's unspoken meaning. However, he was quite pleased that Moichi Taoka had not used his background or gratitude as a condition; he genuinely wanted to recruit him without any personal considerations. It was simply a coach's recognition and admiration for a player.
Sota Miyagi was almost persuaded by Moichi Taoka.
If it were yesterday, whether for his basketball future, his pure passion for playing, or even out of gratitude for Coach Taoka's appreciation, he would have definitely agreed to join Ryonan on the spot.
But precisely at this critical juncture, he couldn't give an immediate answer.
The reason lies in the game that just ended this morning, specifically the game between the Shohoku Basketball Team.
After all, this is exactly the same thing that Moichi Taoka experienced back then.
They went to great lengths to recruit him, but in the end, all he cared about was Shohoku.
Although Kaede Rukawa's later joining allowed Moichi Taoka to temporarily let go of his lingering resentment towards Shohoku,
But he never expected that this knot in his heart would be tied up again with Sota Miyagi Sōta.
However, Sota Miyagi is different from Ryota Miyagi and Hisashi Mitsui.
Those two rejected Taoka because they wanted Coach Anzai.
Sota Miyagi had no idea who Coach Anzai was.
Even if he did remember, he wouldn't choose Shohoku just because of a coach who only gave him an award once back then.
It wasn't because of Shirasawa, although he did have the fleeting thought of wanting to stand shoulder to shoulder with Shirasawa while watching the match.
But this is completely different from Kaede Rukawa's thinking; Kaede Rukawa only cares about winning and competition.
After all, Sota Miyagi was originally a point guard.
He enjoys the smoothness and comfort of teamwork more than proving who is stronger through confrontation.
To be honest, players who are willing to sacrifice themselves and enjoy the team's achievements are rare in the world.
But that's precisely why they're such highly sought-after players.
After all, not every team's second-in-command has the ability of the first-in-command.
But not only does Sota Miyagi possess the ability, he's also willing to settle for second place; it's hard to imagine a player like that not having a bright future.
He never intended to team up with Shirasawa; that thought was just a fleeting, minor episode.
What he truly cared about was Shohoku's number 7 player— Ryota Miyagi.
From the moment he first saw Ryota Miyagi, Sota Miyagi felt an inexplicable sense of familiarity.
I always feel like I have some inexplicable connection with this person.
Although this number 7 player still has many shortcomings in basketball skills,
But upon hearing that he also shared the surname Miyagi, that inexplicable sense of familiarity instantly doubled.
Only now did he vaguely remember that he seemed to have a younger brother.
The image in my mind is blurry, but I feel it looks remarkably like Shohoku's number 7.
There are just too many coincidences.
Sota Miyagi has to meet this Shohoku No. 7 and figure out the relationship.
As for Moichi Taoka, he didn't connect Sota Miyagi and Ryota at all.
Firstly, Ryota didn't have amnesia; secondly, I've never heard of him having an older brother; and thirdly, the two are so different in height that they don't look like biological brothers at all.
I chatted with Sota Miyagi for almost an hour.
Even with Moichi Taoka's best efforts to guide him, Sota Miyagi still couldn't give a clear answer.
This made Taoka think that the kid was pretending to be confused when he knew the truth.
Seeing that the matter was about to fall through, Taoka became anxious.
He doesn't need a result today, but he must make Sota Miyagi understand his meaning.
Otherwise, all his efforts would be in vain. If the other team chooses another one and tells him, "You've said so much, I guess you'd be too embarrassed to refuse me, so I chose another team," he'd be furious.
In order to prevent this from falling through, Taoka absolutely could not let Sota Miyagi leave like this.
Even if he suspected that Sota Miyagi was pretending to be confused, he still had to make things clear.
He stared at Sota Miyagi, his face earnest and sincere, " Sota, now, on behalf of the Ryonan Basketball Team, I invite you to join us!"
After going around in circles for an hour, Taoka finally stopped beating around the bush and went straight to the point, believing that sincerity was the ultimate weapon.
Sota Miyagi didn't find it abrupt, after all, he already understood Taoka's meaning.
I can't give an immediate answer just to clear up this knot in my heart.
The reason is simple, and there's no way to refute it.
If Ryota Miyagi really is his younger brother, then he would definitely choose Shohoku and fight alongside his brother.
The only variable is if the younger brother, like when he was little, is unwilling to play ball under his wing.
He will most likely give up joining any team because he doesn't want to be at odds with his brother on the court.
After all, competitive sports are brutal; once you step onto the field, you represent the entire team.
He knew he wouldn't be able to show his brother any mercy then, so to avoid that situation, he preferred not to play in the high school league.
Thinking about it that way, the chances of joining Ryonan are almost zero.
This made it impossible for him to give Taoka a definite answer.
Sota Miyagi rubbed his fingertips against the hem of his jersey, then looked up and smiled at Moichi Taoka, " Taoka- sensei, thank you for your appreciation."
Although he originally planned to play dumb and dodge the question, Moichi Taoka insisted on breaking the ice, so he had no choice but to comply.
He figured that a direct refusal was better than giving people false hope, to avoid further embarrassment later.
Upon Moichi Taoka's heart sank—the word "thank you" sounded like the prelude to being friend-zoned.
Sota Miyagi put his phone back in his pocket, his tone calm but uncompromising. "I have personal reasons; I cannot join Ryonan."
He paused, then added, "Thank you for the invitation; it was my rudeness."
Moichi Taoka was completely stunned. This rejection was too harsh! It didn't even leave him a single word.
He guessed the kid didn't want to explain, so he didn't ask any further.
Moichi Taoka suppressed his disappointment, stretched out his hand to the side, and said with a hint of reluctance, " Sota, there's still some time before the new season starts, think about it again?"
He paused, then added, "If you really change your mind, feel free to contact me anytime. The gates of Ryonan are always open for you."
Sota Miyagi to him, feeling quite grateful—regardless of Taoka's coaching ability, he was at least a good coach worthy of respect.
Even if the door to Ryonan opens right up to his doorstep, he can't step inside, unless that number seven from Shohoku has absolutely nothing to do with him.
He believes in his intuition and his bloodline; this matter is highly likely to be resolved.
Under Moichi Taoka's disappointed gaze, Sota Miyagi turned and left Ryonan's training hall.
Moichi Taoka sighed, looked at his players sweating on the court, then suddenly smiled and shouted, " Hikoichi, get ready for practice!"
If we go back seven years, Moichi Taoka was rejected to his face by Sota Miyagi, he probably would have completely collapsed.
He was under so much pressure back then, both externally and internally; he might have just quit.
Being a head coach in a high school league is a job that not just anyone can do.
Take Mr. Kitano from Toyotama, for example. He led the running-and-gun team to the top of the nation back then, but in the end, he was still fired, wasn't he?
And what about Anzai from Shohoku? Didn't he also leave for Shohoku to retire because of physical and mental problems?
But he had incredible luck, amassed a group of monsters, and defeated the Sannoh.
You probably can't find another person in the entire Kanagawa with that kind of luck.
When Moichi Taoka went to Ryonan, the team was a pushover in Kanagawa, and his coaching skills were also mediocre.
Otherwise, why would Riki Takato have gone to Kainan? Why is he stuck in Ryonan?
The two years that Sota Miyagi missing were the most confusing days for him. No matter how hard he tried, it was all in vain. Ryonan's performance was not improving, but Kainan was doing very well.
At that point, he was on the verge of collapse; it was a matter of either giving up or continuing—a decision made in the blink of an eye.
Fortunately, the matter concerning Sota Miyagi didn't escalate, otherwise he might have simply given up and become truly useless.
Later, Uozumi, Sendoh came from Tokyo, and with Kaede Rukawa, that monster, Moichi Taoka finally made it big.
He not only defeated Kainan, but also surpassed his former self, becoming a truly renowned coach.
He now has higher goals: to win the national championship and to give his players the best future.
Uozumi wanted to inherit the family business. He tried his best, but it was impossible. It was a great regret in his career.
In middle age, how many things are truly perfect? Uozumi chose to inherit the family business; that was his own path. He did his best, so let's not dwell on it.
Just like how Sota Miyagi rejected him to his face, Taoka had done everything he could, so there was really nothing to dwell on.
Turning his head to look at the group of young men sweating it out on the field, Taoka felt a sense of relief. Ideals are one thing, but people have to be grounded. As things stand, this is already enough.
In the new season, Taoka will fight tooth and nail against these kids, striving to make a name for himself and for them. He's no longer worried about where Sota Miyagi goes; his return to play is already a good thing for the basketball world.
He was hoping that the storm that was meant to come would come again. This time, he, Taoka, would be the driving force in the storm, leading Ryonan against the wind.
However, he had a little selfish thought: he hoped Miyagi wouldn't choose Kainan.
That afternoon, Sota Miyagi headed straight for Shohoku. If Ryota really was his brother, he didn't want to waste another second of the seven years he had missed.
On the way, his mind was a jumbled mess, fragments of memory flying everywhere, impossible to piece together, and incomplete. Yet, those old times became clearer and clearer.
The more this happened, the more convinced he became that Ryota was his brother. But what should he say or do when they actually met? Should he immediately burst into tears and claim kinship? Or should he take it slow? What if he was wrong? Was it too abrupt to refuse Taoka earlier? In short, his mind was in turmoil, and he didn't even have a clear idea of what to do when he entered the gates of Shohoku High School.
After asking around, Sota Miyagi found his way to the Shohoku gym. He knew he was being too hasty; Shohoku had just finished a game that morning and wouldn't normally practice in the afternoon, but he couldn't wait. What if he bumped into any player and found out about Ryota?
He arrived at the entrance with mixed feelings; he had never been so nervous in his life, and his hands were trembling slightly. The gym door was closed, and there was no one around. His hopes instantly dwindled.
Just then, the sound of a ball bouncing came from inside.
The stadium door creaked open, revealing a player standing at the free-throw line. With a whoosh, the ball was released, but thudded—it missed.
"Damn it! There must be something wrong with this basket!"