USAGI'S SUGGESTION

Noboru, Shino, Hayato, Liam, and Makoto bid farewell to the team as they went their separate ways to go home.

"Ensure you text me when you get home, guys!!" shouted Nanaho as she waved them goodbye.

"There's no way I'm texting that monster. She's already so annoying and demanding too much during training, so no thanks," said Noboru to himself as he started walking quickly.

As the train reached the third stop, Takahiro, Tetsuo, and Tomoe exited the vessel.

"See you later, Takahiro," said Yukio.

"Safe travels, everyone," said Nanaho as the train doors closed and it started moving again.

"Yukio, isn't it great? We not only got a great center with talent, but we also got a skilled point guard who can help us. I'm so happy for you, and I can't wait for the season to start," said Nanaho with a sigh of relief and a smile.

"Yes, me too. We finally have a team that stands a chance against the Four Pillars this year," said Yukio.

"You're right. Though it might be tough, we can still do it. The Four Pillars of the Interhigh preliminaries haven't changed in over five years. First is Yokonan High, then there's Jyoyo High, Seiho High School, and the defending pillar that has never lost a game in the Interhigh preliminaries, Shibuki Technical High School," said Nanaho.

"For Yokonan High, their key players are Takeshi Kayano, Keichiro Yamada, and Kogure Kobayashi. Jyoyo High has a one-man team led by none other than last season's leading scorer, Azuni Obini. Seiho High are the titans with players like Kiba Matsuoda and Ryouhei Ikagami. And finally, for Shibuki Technical, there's the foreigner Noah Rocheford, the twins Koji and Kujo Sukuma, and Akio Handa, the captain of the team. We have a lot to overcome to reach our goal of making it to the Interhigh."

"Yes, but the only way to overcome them is to have no fear or doubt in our minds that we'll lose and to keep fighting until the whistle blows," said Yukio.

"I'm headed this way, Tetsuo. Since Tomoe is heading in your direction, why don't you walk her home for me?" said Takahiro as he waved and left.

After a few minutes of silence between the two, Tomoe mumbled under her breath, "Thank you, Tetsuo."

"For what exactly?" asked Tetsuo, which stunned Tomoe because he had heard her.

"For today. It was really great. It's the first time in a very long time that I felt at ease. You weren't lying—everyone was really nice, and I got to read my books without anyone whispering my name. And also, I enjoyed watching the team play basketball way more than I expected. My older brother used to play basketball here at this school. I'm not really a fan of the sport, but when he played, it gave me chills," said Tomoe.

"And also… for some reason, the way you played today and how you shot the ball reminded me so much of my older brother Hiroki when he used to play in junior high and his first year at Toshigawa Academy. I was stunned by how shockingly similar the two of you played, to the point where I focused on watching the team play for the entire session."

"I see. Well, I'm glad you enjoyed watching me and the rest of us play. You're free to come by the court anytime you feel like it," said Tetsuo.

"I definitely will, thank you," she replied with a smile.

"And what about your older brother Hiroki? Where is he now?" asked Tetsuo.

"Well, he's… well, it looks like I've reached the lane where my house is. We can discuss that another time."

"I can walk you to your gate. I don't mind."

"It's alright. I can take it from here. Thank you so much for walking me. You have a long way to walk, so get moving. Good night," said Tomoe as she waved goodbye to Tetsuo.

Tetsuo sighed because he knew something had happened to her brother back then. He could feel the hurt in her voice. As he walked away, a boy standing in the shadows looked at Tomoe.

"I'm back, Tomoe. I wonder if you've missed me," he said, smiling creepily.

"I'm home, Usagi," said Tetsuo after opening the door and taking off his shoes.

As he went into the living room, he saw Usagi sleeping.

"Usagi, wake up. You'll get sick if you sleep out here," he said as he shook her.

"Big brother…" said Usagi as she yawned, drooling slightly.

"Where were you? I've been waiting for you so we could eat the dinner I made together," said Usagi as she pouted.

"Sorry about that. I walked Tomoe home—that's why I got home later than usual."

"Wait, is Tomoe the same girl you were talking about the other day? You know, the one in the literature club?" asked Usagi.

"I see, so you guys are still on good terms. I'm glad. Well, when I was walking her home and we were talking, her eyes brightened up once more. But I ended up asking her something that clearly caused her pain," said Tetsuo.

"Jeez, big brother, I know this behavior is a side of you that I wanted to come to light for so long, but the way you're acting is troubling me. Since your mind is constantly running on her 24/7, why don't you just ask her out and go on a date if the way she's acting bothers you that much?" said Usagi.

"And you think that'll work?" asked Tetsuo.

"Of course! I bet she'll love it. Just make sure you focus more on what she likes and use it as the driver for the date."

"I see. Thanks, Usagi. I'll do that."

After settling in her room, Tomoe picked up a book and started reading. As she delved deeper into the story, her mind wandered to the memories she had with her older brother, Hiroki. Her phone suddenly beeped, snapping her back to reality.

She picked it up and saw a text message from Tetsuo.

"Hey, are you still up?" he texted.

"Yes, I'm currently reading a book," she replied.

"Good. Are you free on Sunday? I want to bring you somewhere," he said in the text.

"By somewhere, do you mean on a date?" she replied.

"Not what I was trying to get at, but yes, if you want to call it that. Meet me at the train station this Sunday at ten. Goodnight."

"I wonder what he has planned. What's wrong with me? Why am I getting so flustered over being asked out on a date by my junior?" Tomoe said to herself as she buried her head in the pillow.