Chapter 89 Absent-minded

The situation on the field changed rapidly, and the score between the two teams remained close.

Everyone from Ryonan moved to one side, and Fukuda took the ball and played one-on-one.

Kogure had put in a lot of effort in defensive practice, and now he was guarding Fukuda closely, trying his best to push him away.

Fukuda's several feints went unnoticed by Kogure. Left with no other option, Kogure jumped near the free-throw line and took a shot, facing Mitsui's defense.

The ball hit the top edge of the rim and bounced back.

With his superior height, Uozumi grabbed the offensive rebound and prepared to jump—but it was a feint!

After receiving the ball, Fukuda became more determined in his attack.

However, his shooting was still a bit conservative, and the ball was rejected by the rim once again after his second attempt.

Just when everyone thought there was no chance, Sendoh suddenly leaped up and dunked the ball into the basket!

Sakuragi dusted himself off, stood up again, and said with great pride, "It seems that Shohoku really can't do without me, the rebounding king!"

Kanon laughed and replied, "That's right, Sakuragi Hanamichi, the rebounding king, you're indispensable!"

Sakuragi froze on the spot, as if he understood!

Making him sit on the bench was not only to temper his arrogance, but also to let him see what the team truly needed.

Sakuragi's main tasks are rebounding and assisting in defense!

His existence is only meaningful because the team needs him.

"So, can the rebounding king go on the court now?!"

Sakuragi's eyes sparkled as he looked at Kanon, like a large dog. Several times he tried to jump out, but she pressed him back into his seat.

"Wait a little longer," she said calmly.

Haruko blinked and asked curiously, "Hey, why do I feel like Kakuta's movements under the basket are a bit stiff, like he's getting used to something?"

Akagi, with his sharp eyes, immediately noticed something amiss. "His rhythm under the basket is a bit like Uozumi's..."

As she spoke, she looked at Hanon, seeking an answer.

Kanon smiled and said, "Kakuta has a strong ability to imitate."

Kanon's original plan was to have Kakuta observe and learn from Akagi's game awareness and rhythm. However, Akagi's performance today was rather abnormal.

In contrast, Uozumi performed exceptionally well.

So Kanon had a sudden idea to have Kakuta try to make Uozumi his practical teacher.

Although Kakuta is still in the exploratory stage, he has already successfully relieved most of the pressure on the inside.

Kanon turned her head and looked at Akagi: "Senpai, do you know why I agreed to let you play?"

Teacher Akagi shook his head.

"The gentleman in the second row from the left in the audience, wearing a dark blue suit, is Coach Tang Ze from Shenzhen University of Physical Education."

Akagi's pupils contracted, and he looked at Coach Tang Ze in the direction she was referring to.

“Shenzhen Sports University is a strong team with a tradition of centers and wants to bring in a center who can dominate the game and has great individual dominance. With Sugiyama about to graduate, Shenzhen Sports University has begun to look for his successor.”

Kanagawa has produced many good centers this year, and Coach Karasawa's goal is clear: to see the best center in Kanagawa.

Akagi stared intently at Hanon, his heart pounding, his blood seemingly boiling.

Hanon's gaze sharpened, but her voice softened: "There's only one strongest center in Kanagawa Prefecture. Now, tell me, can I field you in the second half?"

Unable to contain his excitement, Akagi answered without hesitation, "Of course! I will definitely play like the best center!"

"Okay, I hope that in the second half, when your teammates give you scoring opportunities, you'll score! Scoring is the only proof of your ability."

"yes!"

Akagi firmly stated that this would be the starting point for him to reach even greater heights.

When the whistle blew to end the first half, Shohoku was down by 2 points, and the players slowly returned to the rest area.

The team members on the bench immediately surrounded them, offering encouragement and comfort.

Coach Taoka finally breathed a sigh of relief. He had expected Shohoku to play without any strategy today, and that did happen briefly on the court.

But soon he realized that he had been too confident—even without Coach Anzai's influence, Shohoku was still a team that could not be underestimated.

Looking at Hanon's calm and composed demeanor, he felt that something was missing.

I shouldn't have let my guard down so early. After all, the game isn't over yet, and the outcome is still uncertain.

The break is 15 minutes.

Ayako hurriedly found Sakuragi, "Sakuragi, Oto is waiting for you at the vending machine."

Upon hearing this, Sakuragi excitedly threw down the towel: "Received! Coming right away!"

He then rushed out.

Rukawa Kaede also stood up, ready to follow.

Ayako quickly stopped Rukawa, put on a serious expression, shook her head, and gestured for him not to go over.

Rukawa Kaede lowered his eyelashes instantly, standing there like a wooden statue.

A few minutes later, when the Shohoku team saw Sakuragi walk into the locker room with red eyes, the atmosphere that had been frozen by Rukawa's coldness immediately became lively.

The team members swarmed around him like bees, asking all at once, "Sakuragi, what's wrong?"

Mitsui chuckled cheekily, "Haha, Sakuragi, did you get a lecture again?"

Miyagi, not to be outdone, raised an eyebrow and said, "It's normal to be taught a lesson. Who told you to be so bad at soccer? Grow up quickly, Hanamichi."

"You guys... no way! My sister won't scold me!" Sakuragi sniffed and glared at Rukawa, saying, "Hey, you stinky fox, my sister's waiting for you!"

Rukawa Kaede, who had been standing there in a daze, suddenly came to his senses and strode out.

"This guy... moves like the wind!"

Seeing Rukawa Kaede approaching, Kanon quickly handed him a sports drink, her lips curving into a smile: "Congratulations, Kaede, you've finally grasped the Three Threats."

Rukawa Kaede took the drink, lightly clinked glasses with Kanon, and stared intently at her with his deep eyes. "Thank you."

Thank you for your guidance.

Thank you for appearing.

Thank you for always being there for me.

"Your talent and hard work are the biggest reasons."

Hanon was still smiling, and gave him a brief summary.

Rukawa Kaede frowned slightly, becoming somewhat absent-minded.

—Besides basketball, didn't we have anything else before?

"Xiao Feng".

When Kanon saw that Rukawa Kaede didn't react, she called him again.

Rukawa Kaede remained silent.

Hua Yin raised her hand and gently pinched his fair cheek—

Rukawa Kaede grabbed his wrist.

"What's wrong?" Hana asked with a puzzled look. "Are you feeling unwell?"

Rukawa Kaede closed his eyes, and that indescribable anxiety and panic surged into his chest again.

He was afraid.

Hua Yin frowned slightly and asked, "What exactly happened?"

Rukawa Kaede remained silent.

Hanon got a little angry and her attitude hardened: "Speak."

After a two-second pause, Rukawa Kaede asked with all his might, "Do you like me or not?"

Huayin:? ? ?

The topic jumped a bit unexpectedly.

Rukawa Kaede slowly approached her, and Kanon unconsciously backed away.

This small gesture clearly touched Rukawa's heartstrings, as if shrouded in a thick fog, his eyes seeming to be stretched to their limits by some intense emotion.

“You…” Hana began.

She felt a little nervous. Rukawa Kaede's expression seemed calm, but he was extremely aggressive.

Rukawa Kaede calmly said, "Or rather, if I weren't an ace player, would you still like me?"

Rukawa Kaede felt like he was going crazy.

—Ever since he fell in love with Kanon, his world has become a mess. And right now, jealousy is tearing at his reason like a wild beast.

Yes, jealousy.

She was watching the Immortal Path competition, and he was jealous.

She cast an admiring glance at Sendoh, and he felt jealous.

She chatted with Sakuragi Hanamichi about her family matters, which made him jealous.

He suddenly realized that jealousy in love can drive people crazy more than any other emotion.

Rukawa Kaede suddenly felt a surge of resentment and despair.

That day, he overheard a conversation between Kanon and Sakuragi: Would she leave if Shohoku didn't win the championship?

He likes her so much, and if she wants the championship, he will do everything he can to win it.

But what if, in the end, she still doesn't want him?

Thinking of this, Rukawa Kaede's throat tightened, and he couldn't speak.

For a fleeting moment, he almost begged her not to leave him.

But then he realized that if it were just liking her, there would be no way he could have fallen so deeply in love.

...He fell in love with her.

Hanon roughly knew what was going on.

She chuckled and asked, "What are you thinking about now?"

Rukawa Kaede lowered his eyes, the passion burning in his pupils like stars in the night sky, and he asked firmly, "Will you? Will you still like me?"

"Won't."

Rukawa Kaede's pupils suddenly contracted.