The rain outside the window was falling softly.
Inside, Sakuragi Hanamichi had already showered and changed into clean clothes.
The pristine white short-sleeved shirt exuded a faint fragrance. Sakuragi Hanamichi couldn't help but sniff his own white shirt, exclaiming involuntarily, "My Haruko, she's so virtuous!"
Sakuragi Hanamichi's face lit up with a happy smile, and he boasted to Rukawa, "See? It's so nice to have a virtuous woman by my side! Rukawa, come here, smell this! The clothes Haruko washed for me smell amazing!"
Rukawa Kaede, who was sitting on the bed, did not get up.
However, Rukawa Kaede squinted and said, "We've only made it into the round of 16. We need to win tomorrow to advance to the quarterfinals. And you still have the mind to go on a date?"
Sakuragi Hanamichi's face instantly showed an embarrassed expression.
Sakuragi Hanamichi scratched the back of his head, laughed, and said, "We're the Shohoku team with our strongest scorer, Rukawa Kaede! Who can beat us?"
Rukawa Kaede: "..."
Sakuragi Hanamichi's words stunned Rukawa Kaede.
This guy is so good at praising people!
That wasn't all. Sakuragi Hanamichi feigned surprise and asked, "What? Rukawa Kaede, don't you have confidence in yourself?"
Rukawa Kaede really wanted to grab the pillow next to him and throw it at Sakuragi Hanamichi.
That's not fair to change the subject!
But a real man must remain calm and collected.
That's right, we shouldn't stoop to his level.
Rukawa gave Sakuragi a death stare and said loudly, "Of course I'm confident in myself! Since you're so restless, how about we go to the basketball court and have a one-on-one match?"
Sakuragi Hanamichi: "..."
Sakuragi Hanamichi had already made plans to go shopping with Akagi Haruko. It was drizzling outside, and the two of them were embracing under an umbrella, strolling in the rain. How romantic!
Going out for a one-on-one basketball match with Rukawa Kaede at this hour? Am I out of my mind?
Sakuragi Hanamichi gave an awkward smile and said, "No rush, no rush, let's reschedule for another day! I have something to do today, um, I'll go out for a bit... Oh, right, if you want to sleep, go ahead and sleep, don't leave the door open for me..."
Clearly, Sakuragi Hanamichi wanted Rukawa Kaede to be alone in his room again.
Men! Once they have women, they forget their brothers!
Ha, men!
Just as Sakuragi Hanamichi was about to walk out of the room with an umbrella, Rukawa Kaede also stood up.
Rukawa Kaede flicked his freshly dried hair; the pose was incredibly cool!
"Sakuragi, you said you were going to get a late-night snack, right? I'm hungry too, let's go together."
With that, Rukawa Kaede strode to the door.
Sakuragi Hanamichi was disheveled in the wind.
"Rukawa Kaede, um... you must have misheard me, right? I didn't say we were going out for a late-night snack, I was with Haruko..."
Before Sakuragi Hanamichi could finish speaking, Rukawa Kaede raised an eyebrow and interrupted, "Then let's take Haruko and go get some late-night snacks together!"
Rukawa Kaede grabbed Sakuragi Hanamichi's arm in a domineering manner and walked out of the room.
During this process, the strong Sakuragi Hanamichi was like a helpless little chick, completely unable to escape Rukawa Kaede's grasp.
Countless questions arose in Sakuragi Hanamichi's mind.
What's going on here?
Haruko and I were just going out on a date, why are you, Rukawa Kaede, meddling in our business?
Is it because you're afraid of the dim light that you're acting as a third wheel for me?
I don't need it!
etc!
Could it be that you actually want to be with a woman, but you just don't know how to approach her, so you've been sticking to me to see how I get along with Haruko?
hiss!
I knew it! That's definitely why you're deliberately acting like you're not interested in women!
Hey! We're such good brothers, if you have this kind of trouble, just tell me!
Why are you acting like a woman, making me guess what you're thinking!
With that in mind, Sakuragi Hanamichi tentatively asked, "Um, Rukawa, what do you think of Akiyama Mikaze? How about I have Haruko ask her out, and we can go out for a meal together or something?"
Rukawa Kaede frowned slightly, glanced at Sakuragi Hanamichi, and did not answer.
Sakuragi Hanamichi understood Rukawa Kaede's expression. Needless to say, it was because Rukawa Kaede was shy and didn't want to show his true feelings.
Or rather, it's like... um... For example, in chaotic times, if someone wants to become emperor, basically all the ministers around him have to kneel on the ground and cry, begging him to become emperor. If they beg once, it's not enough; they have to beg several times. Finally, when that person can't refuse any longer, he reluctantly becomes emperor.
Sakuragi Hanamichi put his hand on Rukawa Kaede's shoulder and said sincerely, "There's no one else here, just the two of us. Don't worry, I won't tell anyone! If anyone asks, I'll just say that Haruko and Mikaze are close, so Haruko invited Mikaze. This has nothing to do with you."
Rukawa Kaede looked puzzled and confused.
Sakuragi Hanamichi patted his chest and continued, "Don't worry about Haruko either, I won't let her tell her friends about these things! She listens to me the most!"
Sakuragi Hanamichi got more and more excited as he talked, and even shared his various experiences of getting along with girls.
For example, don't be a simp; be more assertive.
For example, never be overly proactive. What nonsense about chasing girls? Isn't there supposed to be gender equality? Why should men have to pursue women? Shouldn't we treat each other as equals?
Besides, Akiyama Mikaze likes you, Rukawa Kaede, more, so you should be more reserved and observe her attitude!
Yes! It's all about attitude!
She likes you so much, you should test her true feelings!
Are you lusting after her body? Or are you after her family fortune?
No! You just want to know her true feelings! To see how much she really cares about you!
However, you shouldn't keep stringing Akiyama Mifumi along. If she keeps asking you out, you should go out with her for a walk or something.
The more Rukawa Kaede listened, the more suspicious he became.
Rukawa Kaede raised his shoulder, brushed Sakuragi Hanamichi's hand away with his arm, and stared at Sakuragi Hanamichi with a strange expression.
A moment later, Rukawa Kaede showed a helpless expression on his face and rolled his eyes at Sakuragi Hanamichi.
Then, Rukawa Kaede turned and left, disappointed.
"Hey, Rukawa Kaede, why did you go back?"
Sakuragi Hanamichi, not understanding the situation, hurriedly called out Rukawa Kaede's name.
Rukawa Kaede didn't turn around, but simply raised his right hand and waved it, "You go ahead, I'm going back to my room to sleep."
With a "bang".
Rukawa Kaede slammed the door shut.
Sakuragi Hanamichi said in confusion, "Um, I really want to help you! Why are you acting like this?"
"Forget it, it's better if you don't go. I'll spend some time with Haruko today and help you another day."
But suddenly!
Sakuragi Hanamichi stopped again, his face full of shock, and said, "You don't mean you want me to personally escort Akiyama Mikaze to your room? You want me to just sit back and do it for you?"
"hiss!"
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