"Damn it… these two arrogant guys! I'll defeat them for sure!" Sakuragi Hanamichi clenched his fists, glaring at Nango and Rukawa as they streaked across the court.
Both Nango and Rukawa had already been named Shohoku's starting players after their stellar performance in the practice game. They were running drills with the main lineup, while Sakuragi… was still stuck doing basic training with Ayako.
It was torture. The drills were dull enough, but watching his fellow freshmen dominate the spotlight—especially in front of Haruko—was unbearable!
When had Sakuragi ever suffered such humiliation? In his world, fists solved everything—except for love. And now, apparently, basketball too.
I can't let this continue! I've got to get on the court first! He racked his "genius" brain for a plan.
Then—opportunity struck.
"Bang!" Kakuta tumbled to the floor after a scramble.
"Oh no! Kakuta, you're hurt!"
"I—"
"Don't say another word! Go rest! I'll take your place!" Before Kakuta could respond, Sakuragi whisked him off the court and practically shoved him toward Ayako, then sprinted onto the hardwood.
Akagi scowled. "Hmph. Cheap tricks again… I'll teach him the value of basic training."
From the sideline, Haruko lit up. "Sakuragi! You can do it!"
"Haruko!" Sakuragi beamed, stars in his eyes.
"Take down the Gorilla!" his gang yelled, laughing from the stands. Watching Sakuragi embarrass himself had become their favorite daily entertainment—better than TV. They even placed bets on how long he'd last in practice.
"You damn punks!" Sakuragi growled. Even out of pure spite, he wanted to prove them wrong.
Replacing Kakuta, Sakuragi lined up as center. His opponent: Captain Akagi.
Luck fell his way immediately. Sasaoka's shot bounced hard off the rim, and despite poor positioning, Sakuragi snatched the rebound.
Here's my chance! His heart pounded.
Akagi narrowed his eyes. I can't let this clown score. Not on me.
Though Sakuragi's dribbling had improved under Ayako, his offense was practically nonexistent. Still, he hatched a reckless idea—slam it straight over Akagi's head. He had pulled it off once before, after all.
"You want to dunk? You're ten years too early!" Akagi roared, leaping to block.
But before his hand came down—
Smack!
The ball was swatted clean from behind. It ricocheted off the backboard, straight into Rukawa's hands.
In one motion, Rukawa powered up and hammered a dunk.
"Nice." Nango clapped his hand, high-fiving Rukawa.
"Kyaaa! Rukawa, I love you!" the fangirls screamed.
"Rukawa…" Haruko whispered dreamily, eyes sparkling.
The Sakuragi Gang cackled. "Sakuragi's on a different level all right—rock bottom!"
"Damn it!" Sakuragi's teeth ground. If it weren't for Nango, that moment would've been mine! He glared daggers at the freshman ace.
Nango noticed and smiled back, almost teasing.
"Hmph!" Sakuragi looked away, sulking.
The scrimmage continued. Another missed shot, another rebound—this time secured by Nango. He dribbled coast to coast, with Sakuragi standing in his path.
"You won't steal the spotlight again! I'll stop you!" Sakuragi planted himself firmly.
Everyone else sighed. Hopeless. He has no idea what he's up against.
Nango grinned. Training Sakuragi myself? This could be fun.
He lowered his stance, switched hands, and drove right.
Sakuragi slid quickly. "I've got you this time!"
"Not bad," Nango thought. At the last moment, he spun, brushing past Sakuragi and leaving him chasing from behind.
By the free-throw line, Nango suddenly pulled up, instead of driving to the rim.
"Still not over!" Sakuragi lunged, trying to swat him from behind—just like Nango had done earlier.
But Nango was ready.
"Swish!"
"Yellow #10, charging foul! Basket counts—plus one!"
"What?!" Sakuragi froze. Not at the foul call—but at the fact that Nango had calmly sunk the shot through contact.
It was no accident. Nango had baited him from the start, pausing just enough for Sakuragi to catch up, then timing his shot to absorb the foul.
A perfectly executed and-one.
Sakuragi clenched his fists, silent.
"Sakuragi…" Haruko's smile faded, worried.
"Uh-oh… he doesn't look right," one of his gang muttered. "Is he about to blow up?"
But instead of exploding, Sakuragi brooded.
Why? Why am I being toyed with like a fool?
If it were just Rukawa, he could brush it off. But with Nango also outshining him, doubt crept in. I was supposed to be Shohoku's savior… yet I look nothing like one.
Nango glanced at him knowingly. Grow stronger, Sakuragi. Shohoku needs you. All this—being blocked, baited, outsmarted—it's how you'll learn. Every mistake now is one step closer to becoming the player this team truly needs.
Meanwhile, Sakuragi's thoughts churned in turmoil. What exactly… am I doing wrong?
His fists trembled. For the first time, the "Genius" was lost in confusion.
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