The next day, Kudo Shinichi continued to accompany his parents as they explored the sights and local specialties of Chiba Prefecture. Meanwhile, his cousin, Sugiyama Shota, stayed at their grandparents' house. Although Sugiyama and his family also lived in Chiba, they rarely visited, so this spring break was a special occasion for them to spend time together.
While Kudo enjoyed the day with his family, his mind was still preoccupied with Sugiyama. He needed to prepare the right words and find the perfect opportunity to persuade Shota to join Shoyo.
By evening, the Kudo family returned to the grandparents' house. During dinner, Kudo noticed that Sugiyama seemed distracted, as if he had something on his mind. However, Kudo didn't bring it up immediately, knowing that Sugiyama would approach him when he was ready.
After dinner, Sugiyama finally asked Kudo to join him for a walk in the woods outside, using basketball as an excuse to talk privately.
As they walked through the quiet grove, Kudo broke the silence. "So, what did you want to talk about? I could tell you had something on your mind during dinner."
"Was I that obvious?" Sugiyama scratched his head, embarrassed.
"You had 'I have a problem' written all over your face," Kudo said with a playful smile. "Anyone paying attention could see it."
"Alright, I'll just say it," Sugiyama began. "Cousin, how did you get your parents to support your decision to focus on basketball, even when your grades weren't the best?"
Kudo raised an eyebrow. "Why do you ask? Don't your parents support you playing basketball?"
"It's not that they don't support it," Sugiyama explained. "But they want me to focus more on my studies. I once told them I wanted to change schools, but they weren't very supportive. Urayasu Commercial High is a prestigious private school in our area, known for its academics. But the basketball team isn't very strong or valued by the school."
"How are your grades?" Kudo asked.
"Uh... average," Sugiyama admitted, looking sheepish.
Kudo nodded, understanding the situation. "I see. You're not seeing much hope with Urayasu's basketball team, so you want to transfer. But your parents aren't on board, and you're wondering how I convinced mine, right?"
"Exactly!"
"Well, my situation was a bit different," Kudo explained. "My father owns a sports equipment company in Kanagawa. He always planned for me to take over the family business, so he wasn't too concerned about my grades. When I became a star player in college, he even used me as a sort of poster child for the company. So, in my case, playing basketball actually aligned with his goals."
Sugiyama fell silent, realizing that Kudo's experience didn't offer much guidance for his own situation.
Seeing this, Kudo decided to steer the conversation in a more productive direction. "By the way, Sugiyama, have you thought about which school you'd want to transfer to?"
"Not really," Sugiyama admitted. "I just know I want to leave my current team."
"That's not enough," Kudo said firmly. "Without a clear plan, it's hard to convince your parents. It all depends on how you view basketball. If it's just a hobby, then maybe you should follow your parents' advice. But if you're serious about making it your life's passion, then you need to make a bold move."
Kudo paused, letting his words sink in. "You don't have to decide right now. Think about it carefully. This could be the decision that shapes your entire future."
With that, Kudo left Sugiyama alone to reflect on his choices.
The next night, Sugiyama sought out Kudo again, his determination clear in his eyes.
"Decided?" Kudo asked, already sensing the answer.
"Yes, cousin," Sugiyama said firmly. "Basketball is the only thing I'm truly passionate about. I can't see myself focusing on academics the way my parents want. I've made up my mind."
"So, what's your plan?" Kudo asked.
"I want to transfer to another school," Sugiyama said. "But I don't know how to convince my parents. That's why I came to you."
Kudo smiled. "Then you should come to Shoyo."
"To Shoyo?!"
"Yes," Kudo said confidently. "With your current situation, joining a weaker team won't help you grow. Even if you go to one of Chiba's top schools, you might not achieve much at the national level. And if you join a powerhouse team, there's no guarantee you'll be a starter. But if you come to Shoyo, you'll have the opportunity to shine."
Kudo continued, "I know Shoyo's strengths well. The team has been improving under my coaching, but we lack a dominant inside player. With you on the team, we'll have the firepower to challenge even Hainan. Plus, if you come to Kanagawa, you can stay with my family. My mother will take care of you, and your parents won't have to worry about your daily life. Shoyo is also a prestigious private school with strong academics, which should help convince your parents."
Kudo added, "And don't worry about my coaching experience. Coach Anzai, my mentor, lives in Kanagawa now that he's retired. I can consult him anytime for advice. With his guidance, you'll develop into one of the best players in the country by your senior year."
Sugiyama's eyes widened with excitement. "Cousin, are you serious?"
"Of course," Kudo said with a reassuring smile. "Why would I lie to you? If you come to Shoyo and follow my training, you'll reach your full potential."
Sugiyama's excitement was palpable. "Cousin, I believe you. I'll come to Shoyo. But I need your help to convince my parents."
Kudo nodded. "Don't worry. I'll take responsibility for your future. After all, I'm the one who encouraged you to take this path."
However, despite Sugiyama's decision, the system didn't mark the quest as complete. Kudo realized that Sugiyama's transfer would only be finalized once his parents agreed. His next step was clear: persuade Sugiyama's parents to support their son's dream.