First Game In School
" what do you mean, Miyuki?" Yui said, her tone a mix of surprise and annoyance.
"That's what he said," Miyuki replied with a teasing tone and a small laugh. "He said, 'Miyuki-chan, you're so beautiful. Thank you for enlightening me. I appreciate it, and I'll treat you to a meal during the break.'"
"No way! Oh no, God, you're lying to me! Besides, I don't care," Yui said dismissively. After saying this, she glanced at Ryu and muttered, "I really don't, right?"
Miyuki, noticing Yui's strange behavior, wanted to burst into laughter, but she remembered that the second session was about to begin, so she had to go.
"Ryu and I need to return to the basketball hall now, Yui. See you later in the cafeteria."
"YOU J-JERK!" YUI SAID ANGRILY AFTER WATCHING MIYUKI WALKING TOWARDS RYU.
Miyuki approached Ryu, who was sitting quietly, gazing at the fishpond and fountain in front of him.
"Ryu, the second session is about to start. Let's head back to the hall," Miyuki said suddenly, now close to Ryu.
Ryu turned his head to look at Miyuki and displayed his innocent face. His beautiful eyes gazed at her with curiosity, his expression devoid of a smile, and his long hair falling onto his forehead.
Seeing this, Miyuki couldn't help but roll her eyes inwardly, thinking, 'This new student is going to give me a nosebleed sooner or later.'
Miyuki went over to Ryu and took his hand.
On the way...
...
"What should we focus on in the second session, Miyuki?" Ryu asked.
"Ummm, the second session involves dribbling tests, shooting drills, and a few more drills. At the end, there'll be a small scrimmage. Make sure you participate in all of them," Miyuki explained.
"Ah, I get it. Okay," Ryu replied.
Then they arrived at the basketball hall, where many students were already warming up for the second session. Ryu didn't let his enthusiasm waver and retied his hair properly before joining the warm-up.
(Whistle blows) The second session was about to begin, and...
...
...
"What do you think, Coach? Which students should we focus on?" Saito Haruki asked Coach Hirai Kenshin as they sat drinking tea.
In Saito Haruki's hands were various statistical data of talented students. He then shifted his gaze to the table next to the tea, where the test data of Ryu was already laid out.
"I prefer Hirabayashi Makoto. He's an explosive small forward/power forward and suits our team's playstyle," Saito Haruki replied.
"Combine Hirabayashi Makoto, Yamaguchi Ryu, and Okano Tsutomu. You can choose the rest. This team will play first against Team Hada Iwao, Hiraoka Izanagi, Ueda Madoka, and the others," Coach Hirai Kenshin said.
"Let the scrimmage begin," Coach Hirai Kenshin said, looking at Saito Haruki.
After Saito Haruki left, he examined Ryu's data, which was surprising. Not only could Ryu be developed for shooting, but he also possessed significant strength and potential for explosive plays. No matter what, this SS student would be the trump card of their team in the future. He'd be delighted to meet Ryu, Matsushita Matsu.
...
...
(Whistle blows) Saito Haruki was ready to toss the tip-off ball and waited for both teams' centers to get ready.
PRRRRIIIT!!!
Tsutomu, who had a height of 193 cm, and Sachio, with a height of 190 cm, were both ready for the tip-off ball.
Tsutomu easily grabbed the ball during the tip-off.
Makoto caught the ball and started setting up the offense as a point guard, a role he was used to in middle school. He dribbled to a position where the team had a good chance to score. He initiated a pick-and-roll play with Tsutomu, slipping past Iwao's defense.
The opposing team was quick to react. They recognized the mismatch because Juzo was guarded by Sachio. However, Juzo didn't underestimate his opponent. He saw Ryu open because Madoka fell for Ryu's fake move.
Juzo passed the ball to Ryu, and Ryu sprinted to the left corner of the court. Madoka was guarding him again. They all knew how deadly Ryu was as a scorer, so they made a crazy decision. Mamoru released Makoto from his defense and double-teamed Ryu.
Ryu knew he couldn't get through this situation, so he had to think quickly. He extended his right hand toward Juzo as if he intended to pass, but as his hand stretched and deceived Iwao and the others, he pulled his hand back and held the basketball with his right hand's five fingers. He passed the ball to Makoto, who was wide open at the three-point corner.
Makoto reacted swiftly and caught the ball to perform a catch-and-shoot. However, Sachio had already sprinted toward him and was ready to jump. "DARN! I MESSED UP MY SHOOTING FORM, THIS IS A BLOCK!"
The spectators were also ready to scream for Sachio's first block. But...
Makoto noticed that Tsutomu, inside the paint area, couldn't be passed to because he was covered by Sachio. When he was about to give in to being blocked, a voice came from someone running. "Makoto-san."
Makoto saw Ryu open because he had eluded the double team earlier and was in a perfect position to receive a pass. However, his foot was about to fall to the court due to his bad jumpshoot, risking a traveling violation. He couldn't make a proper pass form. He left everything to fate and threw an inaccurate pass to Ryu.
THE CROWD ERUPTED AGAIN.
Ryu received the ball, which was almost a loose ball due to Makoto's terrible pass. He adjusted it back into his hand and started dribbling, preparing for his first point. Just as he was about to jump for a layup, Izanagi suddenly jumped from the side, having released his defense on Katai.
The two of them engaged in a mid-air contest. Ryu knew that Izanagi's blocking position was excellent, but who told him to be Yamaguchi Ryu!
Izanagi had already smiled, ready to get his first block cheered by the crowd. As he was about to slap the ball from Ryu's right hand, Ryu did something insane!
He switched hands! He pulled his right hand back to his back where the ball was already prepared in his left hand. It was too late for Izanagi's hand, which was about to slap the ball...
After the Switch Hand move, Ryu immediately extended his left hand and performed an inhuman layup. Then he grinned and mumbled, "And one!"
Izanagi's hand, already in motion, couldn't adjust in time. As Ryu released the ball from his left hand, Izanagi's hand slapped Ryu's shoulder.
The
referee blew the whistle for a foul, accompanied by the sight of the beautiful ball still hanging in the air.
At this moment, everyone's hearts were racing. The ball hit the backboard and teetered on the edge of the rim. Tsutomu and the opposing team were ready for the rebound...
BUT THE BALL SEEMED TO BE DRAWN BY A MAGNET INSIDE THE RING AND...
IT WENT IN!!! A 2+1 FOR RYU!
AS THE BALL WENT IN, THE SOUND OF SHOES HITTING THE COURT WAS CLEARLY HEARD, CAUSING EVERYONE'S HEARTS TO TREMBLE, FOLLOWED BY ROARING CHEERS FROM THE ARENA'S SPECTATORS.
HIRAI KENSHIN...
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