As dawn broke, Sakuragi Hanamichi arrived at the basketball court used for training.
Genius plus hard work equals invincibility.
This statement couldn't be more fitting for Sakuragi Hanamichi.
As soon as Sakuragi Hanamichi reached the entrance of the basketball court, he heard the sound of basketballs hitting the ground with a "thump, thump, thump".
Upon entering, it was indeed Rukawa Kaede!
Just then, Rukawa Kaede unleashed a windmill dunk, which was incredibly cool.
After landing, Rukawa looked at Sakuragi Hanamichi and said, "You're late."
Sakuragi Hanamichi rolled his eyes and said irritably, "Rukawa Kaede! You're here early, aren't you?"
As he spoke, Sakuragi Hanamichi went to the side and grabbed a basketball.
Immediately afterwards, Sakuragi Hanamichi, who was still standing outside the boundary, suddenly threw the basketball towards the hoop.
Rukawa Kaede, who had originally wanted to have a few words with Sakuragi Hanamichi, was instantly stunned!
When did this guy's shooting form become so cool?
And what is he planning to do?
Shoot?
Shooting from outside the boundary?
Rukawa Kaede, who was always expressionless, gaped in surprise: "What? A super long-range three-pointer?"
There was a loud "boom"!
The basketball hit the backboard.
Rebound.
Another "bang!"
It hit the basketball hoop.
"Ugh, it still doesn't work."
Sakuragi Hanamichi watched the basketball miss and said regretfully.
Rukawa Kaede knew Sakuragi Hanamichi too well. He knew that this guy never fought an unprepared battle. In an instant, Rukawa Kaede thought of Sakuragi Hanamichi's secret training camp. He asked with a shocked expression, "You, did you learn to shoot three-pointers?"
Sakuragi Hanamichi pretended not to understand and changed the subject: "What? It's so early in the morning, Rukawa Kaede, what nonsense are you talking about? I don't understand~"
Rukawa Kaede narrowed his eyes and gave Sakuragi Hanamichi a death stare.
Sakuragi Hanamichi felt a little guilty under Rukawa Kaede's gaze, so he hurriedly went to retrieve the basketball.
But when Sakuragi Hanamichi picked up the basketball, he found that Rukawa Kaede was still standing there, staring at him silently, his death stare still unleashed.
"hiss!"
Sakuragi Hanamichi gasped.
It seems there's no escaping it.
He originally wanted to surprise everyone with a three-pointer during the game against Sannoh, giving his good brothers Rukawa and Mitsui a surprise.
Well, now that Rukawa Kaede has discovered it beforehand, the surprise factor is much less.
Sakuragi Hanamichi now understands Rukawa Kaede's problem youth very well. Ordinary people cannot become Rukawa Kaede's good brothers. Once you gain Rukawa Kaede's approval, you must give him full trust, otherwise he will easily get hurt.
This kind of person doesn't make friends easily, but once they do, they're devoted to each other for life!
Being trusted is a responsibility!
Sakuragi Hanamichi shrugged and joked, "Sigh~ I accidentally made a three-pointer that day. Oh well, what can I do? I'm a genius!"
Sakuragi Hanamichi's arrogant demeanor made Rukawa Kaede roll his eyes and say, "Idiot!"
"Hey? Rukawa Kaede! Why are you swearing at me?" Sakuragi Hanamichi knew that Rukawa Kaede meant no harm, but he pretended to be very angry.
Rukawa Kaede picked up the basketball and shot it!
It's a three-pointer!
The basketball flew through the air in a perfect arc and swished through the net.
Rukawa Kaede snorted and looked smugly at Sakuragi Hanamichi. He didn't speak, but his eyes clearly said, "Between?"
Sakuragi Hanamichi smiled, strode forward, picked up the basketball, took a deep breath, and looked firmly at the basketball hoop, recalling the three-point shooting posture he had practiced countless times.
His feet touched the ground lightly, and he used his knees to push up, feeling his own shooting rhythm.
Jump!
Shoot!
Perfect shooting form!
A perfect arc appeared.
The basketball went straight for the hoop.
Hollow-core netting!
After landing, Sakuragi Hanamichi smiled and let out a soft breath. He hadn't embarrassed himself by shooting a three-pointer in front of Rukawa Kaede for the first time.
A smile flickered across Rukawa's lips, but he tried his best to hide it, maintaining a blank expression.
The eyes are the windows to the soul, and the joy in Rukawa's eyes could not escape Sakuragi Hanamichi's discerning eye.
Sakuragi Hanamichi chuckled, his eyebrows twitching wildly, and asked with an extremely smug air, "How was it? Impressive, right?"
Rukawa Kaede said calmly, "So, your secret training camp was actually just practicing three-pointers?"
Sakuragi Hanamichi nodded seriously and said, "Yes, but under normal circumstances, I don't plan to shoot three-pointers. My main position is under the basket."
Sakuragi Hanamichi had a very clear understanding of his role in the Shohoku team: to work with Akagi Takenori to firmly control the paint, score points under the basket, and do all the dirty work, protecting every one of his teammates.
In addition, he needs to become an all-rounder, playing a decisive role in crucial moments.
Rukawa Kaede slapped the basketball in his hand and, unusually, joked, "Looks like I'll have to work even harder, or you might accidentally surpass me, right?"
Sakuragi Hanamichi grinned broadly, clearly delighted, but waved his hand dismissively, saying, "No, no, no, I'll try my best not to surpass you so quickly!"
"Oh?" Rukawa Kaede narrowed his eyes. "You need to work hard to control your growth rate? Am I that bad?"
Rukawa Kaede's subtext: Is this human language?
The shameless Sakuragi Hanamichi said with a grin, "Actually, you're not bad either, but compared to me, you're still a tiny bit lacking."
At this point, even Sakuragi Hanamichi couldn't hold back and burst into laughter.
boom!
Rukawa Kaede slammed the basketball in his hand into Sakuragi Hanamichi's butt.
Sakuragi Hanamichi fell flat on his face.
Just then!
The doors to the basketball court were opened again.
It was Haruko Akagi who walked in!
As soon as Haruko Akagi entered, she saw Kaede Rukawa throwing a basketball at Hanamichi Sakuragi.
"Rukawa Kaede! What are you doing? You've gone too far! How could you treat Hanamichi like this?"
Haruko Akagi angrily reprimanded Kaede Rukawa while quickly walking towards Hanamichi Sakuragi, who was lying on the ground.
Rukawa Kaede snorted coldly and ignored Akagi Haruko.
Haruko Akagi persisted, saying, "Rukawa Kaede! You must apologize to Hanamichi!"
Before Rukawa could react, Sakuragi Hanamichi quickly got up from the ground, trying to smooth things over for Rukawa and reassuring Akagi Haruko: "Haruko, it's okay, we were just joking! You don't need to make him apologize to me..."
"No way! You can't just throw a basketball at someone like that, even if you're joking!"
The basketball hit Sakuragi Hanamichi, and the pain was felt in Akagi Haruko's heart. She was determined to get justice for her Hanamichi.
So what if it's Rukawa Kaede?
Is being handsome a big deal?
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