"Ah!! He's looking this way!! Ah!!!"
The girls crowded near the classroom door squealed with excitement, shoving Oliver aside in the process.
"What kind of freakish strength do these girls have? Are they all power forwards?!" Oliver grumbled as he was shoved against the wall.
Is he really that handsome?
Tall, a little good-looking, a bit cold, and yeah, pretty good at basketball. But still...
"He's coming! He's coming!!"
The excitement among the girls exploded as Rukawa approached the door.
"Move."
A cold, indifferent voice sliced through the noise. The crowd parted instinctively, and Kaede Rukawa stepped through the corridor like a celebrity.
He stopped right in front of Oliver.
"Long time no see."
"Ah, Rukawa, yeah, long time no see," Oliver replied, forcing a smile.
This guy...
Cold, expressionless eyes, smooth pale skin, a high nose bridge, and those half-long bangs that fall perfectly. Okay, fine, maybe he's good-looking. But still!
Oliver suddenly sympathized with Sakuragi. It was irritating seeing Rukawa so effortlessly charming.
"System, scan Kaede Rukawa's personal attributes."
"Ding! Scan complete."
Character Name: Kaede Rukawa
Age: 16
Height: 187cm
Weight: 75kg
Strength: Excellent - 72
Endurance: Good - 65
Speed: Excellent - 82
Skills: Excellent - 72
Accuracy: Excellent - 71
Jump: Excellent - 77
Talent Skill: Rapid Scorer (+3 Speed, +2 Skill, +2 Accuracy)
Oliver narrowed his eyes.
He's improved again.
Looks like player stats really do evolve over time. If he didn't keep grinding, he'd fall behind.
"Didn't expect you to come to Shohoku."
"Yeah," Oliver said. "I saw your name on the board. Figured I'd drop by and say hi."
He extended his hand. "You're joining the basketball club, right? Hope I can learn a lot from you."
Rukawa just stared at him, hands still stuffed in his pockets.
"Even as teammates, I'll always see you as a rival."
Oliver grinned. "That's exactly what I wanted to hear."
Rukawa gave a nonchalant nod, turned around, and walked away.
"If that's all, I'm going to sleep."
He went to his seat, lay down, and was out like a light.
Oliver blinked. "Wow... dude really treats class like a hotel."
---
At the gate of Shohoku High School…
"You idiot, Takamiya! We're late because you wouldn't stop eating!"
"Hanamichi! You're the one who forgot your bag and made us go back for it!"
"Alright, alright, stop fighting! The school gate is about to close!"
"This is it! The moment of truth! On my count--"
"One! Two! Three!! Jump!!"
Sakuragi and his gang all leaped over the gate in unison.
"Wahaha! Safe landing! I, the genius Sakuragi, shall not be punished today!"
"Speak for yourself," Takamiya gasped, holding his back. "We don't all have your athletic freak genes..."
"Ah! Sakuragi-kun, you're here!"
They turned to see Haruko Akagi waving sweetly at them, dressed in her crisp school uniform.
"Haruko-sister! Good morning!"
Sakuragi immediately stood tall and grinned like a puppy seeing its favorite person.
"Sakuragi-kun, we're in the same class! Isn't that great? I wish we could all be together."
"Seriously?! If you want that, I'll go find that bald principal and demand a transfer--"
"Hanamichi! No!! You'll get expelled on the first day!!"
His friends tackled him before he could make a scene.
"And guess what? Rukawa-kun is joining too! He might become your teammate in the basketball club!"
Haruko's eyes sparkled. Sakuragi, however, looked like he'd been struck by lightning.
"...Rukawa... who?"
---
During the homeroom class meeting…
"Something's off with him," Oliver whispered, nudging Mito as they watched Sakuragi mutter to himself darkly.
"He's worried about Haruko," Takamiya explained, casually munching snacks.
"When we ran into her this morning, she was going on and on about some 'Rukawa-kun' joining Shohoku."
"Yeah, during break she'd say 'Rukawa' this, 'Rukawa' that," Mito added.
Oliver chuckled dryly. "Makes sense. She's into him."
"It's kind of surprising, though," Ohkusu chimed in. "She's so cute—how does she not have a boyfriend already?"
"Countless boys probably like her," Noma added ominously.
"Countless... boys...?"
Sakuragi slumped forward, face hidden in his palms.
Oliver tried to cheer him up. "I mean, Haruko does seem to like you, Hanamichi."
"Then why can't you look me in the eye when you say that?!" Sakuragi roared.
"Ahhh! That's it!! I'm asking her myself!!"
"Yeah!! Let's go, Hanamichi! It's time for direct confrontation!!"
"YOU LOT!! SIT DOWN!! THIS IS A CLASSROOM, NOT A SPORTS BAR!!"
The teacher erupted in rage as chaos broke out.
---
When class ended…
"Okay, he asked her to meet under the cherry tree... let's observe from the haystack."
Oliver and the gang squatted low behind a nearby bush.
"This is Hanamichi's first confession of high school! Let's see if he breaks his middle school record!"
"I'm not sure if I should root for him or not..." Oliver muttered. He already knew how this would end.
But even knowing…
He still wanted to see Sakuragi's priceless reaction.
He was now officially part of the gang. No turning back.
---
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