Ryuo Arrives

Shun and Yuki walked to the school gate.

Shun had his hands in his pocket, had an unpleasant expression, and was whistling as they walked to the school gate.

The captain and the vice-captain were walking to the gate to welcome the Ryuo Middle School Basketball Team.

And, Shun who usually was well-behaved, today had no intention to play nice with Ryuo and had decided to leave everything to Yuki.

Yuki sighed as he spoke.

Yuki: "You are usually well-behaved, can't you be the same today?

I know that their intention for coming this far isn't for a simple practice game before the finals, but can't you ignore that."

Shun humphed and said.

Shun: "I find their reasons disrespectful, so there is no reason for me to respect them.

If they had come during any other time, then I wouldn't've any problems with them."

Yuki sighed and tried to think of a way to have Shun play nice, or at least have him drop his current expression.

He thought of ways, but couldn't find any peaceful way to have Shun play nice.

He once again sighed and thought.

Yuki: 'It seems their no other way. I have to resort to that.'

He looked at Shun and said.

Yuki: "Shun, you leave me no choice.

I am sorry, but I will have you cooperate with me.

Even if you don't want to."

Shun glanced at Yuki and shook his head.

Shun: "Yuki, if you were to ask me any other thing, I would follow it, but not this."

Yuki nodded and replied.

Yuki: "I knew it. That is why I am not asking you. I am telling you to do it.

If you don't do it, then I am sorry to say this, but I would've to talk with President Temari."

Shun snapped his head towards his teammate and spoke.

Shun: "Geh! Oye, that isn't fair. Don't do that..., please."

Yuki faintly smiled and replied.

Yuki: "Just play nice, and I won't have to do anything."

Shun knew President Temari was strict about the school's reputation, and if she knew about Shun's attitude towards the visitors, and that came from Yuki, who had an excellent reputation, would put Temari on Shun's tail.

Another reason that made Shun avoid President Temari was his dear friend Shikamaru.

Shun: 'He still hasn't forgotten about me tricking him into school fest preparation.

And if he hears about this, then he would drag me into some work related to the student council.'

And, Shun had no confidence in diverting a crisis if it came from Shikamaru.

Shun grumbled and spoke.

Shun: "I will play nice, so don't do that."

Shun took his hands out of his pocket and erased the unpleasant expression from his face. He even put a small smile to make sure that Yuki was fully satisfied.

Yuki was indeed satisfied and spoke.

Yuki: "Good. And look, we are nearly at the gates, and I can see a bus, that might be Ryuo."

Shun looked towards the gate and nodded.

Shun: "Yeah, that must be Ryuo."

-*-*-*-

Ryou Middle School players deboarded the bus and looked around Tokiwadai Middle School.

Hayama Kotaro stretched his limbs. He groaned and said.

Hayama: "Haaa~, it feels great to be out of the bus. I really don't like to sit for long periods."

His teammates shook their heads, and the third-year shooting guard said.

Ryuo's SG: "Next, you will say that you don't like to stand still for long periods."

The third-year power forward was looking around, and he saw two people walking towards them.

He called out to his teammates.

Ryuo's PF: "Hey, isn't that him? Kageyama Shun."

The name caught everyone's attention, and they half-rushed to get a look at the famous player.

Hayama turned his head and saw the head of silver hair, which everybody had seen in magazines.

Hayama: "Yeah, that's him."

The two they were looking at arrived, and the black-haired person spoke to them.

Yuki: "Hello, I am Yuki Tetsuya."

The person called pointed at the person beside him and introduced him.

Yuki: "And, this is Kageyama Shun."

Shun smiled but didn't do anything else.

Yuki looked at them and continued.

Yuki: "Welcome to Tokiwadai Middle School.

I hope your journey was smooth, and you didn't have trouble in finding the school."

They replied, and Yuki smiled and gestured.

Yuki: "Now, if you would follow us, we will lead you to the gym."

They saw Shun just standing there with the same smile on his face.

-*-*-*-

Shun didn't speak one word as he let Yuki do all the talking.

He was walking just behind Yuki, who was talking to Ryuo's coach when he heard.

Hayama: "Hey, you are Kageyama Shun, right?"

He glanced to the side to see Hayama Kotaro with an energetic smile on his face.

Shun thought if he should ignore him, but decided to answer.

Shun: "Yes, and you must be Hayama Kotaro."

Hayama nodded and asked.

Hayama: "Are you excited about the game? I am very excited. I heard that you are very strong."

Shun nodded and replied.

Shun: "I am always excited for a game, and I have also heard a lot of things about you, Hayama-san."

At the same time, he thought.

Shun: 'I just don't like the timing of this game.'

Hayama placed his hands behind his head and asked.

Hayama: "Who do you think would win today?"

Shun didn't even need to think about an answer.

Shun: "I can guarantee that we would win."

Hayama laughed and spoke.

Hayama: "We will have to see about that."

They reached the first-string gym.

Yuki gestured to Ryuo's coach.

Yuki: "Please follow me. Our coach is waiting to meet you."

Yuki led Ryou's coach away, while Shun and Ryuo members stepped inside the gym.

Ryuo's members looked inside the gym and saw a few views that caught their eyes.

The gym was divided into three courts with three green nets flowing from top to bottom.

In one of the courts, they saw two giants playing against each other, pushing each other to keep the other down.

Ryuo's center's eyes widened as he saw Aone and Hyakuzawa playing against each other.

Ryuo's C: "T-Tall."

Ryuo's center was 185 centimeter, so both Aone and Hyakuzawa outmatched him when it came to height.

Shun chuckled as he commented.

Shun: "Ah, the one with white hair is Aone-san, he is retired, so you will not get to play him today, but the taller one is Hyakuzawa, he will be playing today."

Ryuo's center gulped and asked.

Ryuo's C: "How tall is he?"

Shun smiled and answered.

Shun: "190 centimeters."

As the center took in his competition, the small forward of the team was looking at the center court, where a speedy player weaved his way through the players.

He dribbled between two players and put a floater over a third player.

Shun introduced the player.

Shun: "Kaitani Riku, he will be today's small forward."

Hayama looked at Kaitani and commented.

Hayama: "He is fast."

Hayama was, of course, faster and nimbler than Kaitani, but he could see Kaitani's skill.

Shun nodded and commented.

Shun: "That is his forte."

A lot of eyes were on the last court, where a lot of Tokiwadai players gathered near a player with silky black hair, who was teaching them to shoot.

Hayama immediately recognized that person.

Hayama: "Night Demon, Mibuchi Reo."

Shun smiled as he commented.

Shun: "He too retired, so you will not be able to play against him, but don't worry, we won't disappoint you."

Shun stepped forward and shouted.

Shun: "Everybody! Ryuo Middle School has arrived. Greetings!"

All the first-string members stopped and greeted in unison.

All: "WELCOME!"

Shun turned back and said.

Shun: "Welcome to the Tokiwadai Middle School Basketball Club.

We look forward to a great game."