The following day, after school, inside the Shohoku basketball gym.
All the basketball team members regrouped.
Wow! The basketball court is so clean today!
"Yes! I've never seen a basketball court this clean before."
"And the basketballs have all been wiped clean, like brand new ones."
"My God! I didn't even notice until you pointed it out. Wow, this basketball looks brand new."
The basketball team members were discussing it animatedly.
Akagi Takenori also noticed what was happening here, and he looked at Sakuragi Hanamichi.
Last night, after Akagi Haruko got home, she told Akagi Takenori about how Sakuragi Hanamichi had been training hard by himself and even cleaning the basketball court.
At the time, Takenori Akagi was still skeptical.
Seeing it with his own eyes, Akagi Takenori was also very shocked. He never expected that Sakuragi Hanamichi, the legendary delinquent, would have such perseverance.
If Sakuragi Hanamichi can continue like this, it would be a great thing for the basketball team.
Takenori Akagi cleared his throat, looked at everyone, and asked in a deep voice, "I heard from the school security guard that the lights in the basketball court were on all night last night, and you could hear the sound of basketballs being played from far away. I want to know, who was here last night?"
Upon hearing this, Sakuragi Hanamichi frowned, a vague sense of foreboding creeping over him.
Judging from Akagi Takenori's current expression, it seems like he's about to interrogate someone.
Does the school not allow people to play basketball in the gym at night?
Is it because of the electricity bill?
Uh, if that's really the case, I don't have any money!
Moreover, he's only just joined the basketball team, and he's already going to get a piece of his mind and berate the gorilla?
Sakuragi Hanamichi hesitated.
Seeing that no one admitted it, Akagi Takenori shouted, "What? You dare to do it but not admit it?"
Sakuragi Hanamichi frowned even more. Akagi Haruko was here last night, and logically, she should have told her brother, Akagi Takenori, about what happened last night when she got back.
So now it's clear that Takenori Akagi is targeting me.
Thinking of this, Sakuragi Hanamichi took a big step forward and said in a deep voice, "It was me. I was here last night."
When faced with a problem, don't back down; running away is useless!
Just face it bravely!
For a moment, everyone on the basketball team looked at Sakuragi Hanamichi.
However, no one dared to speak, and they waited quietly for Akagi Takenori to speak.
At this moment, Takenori Akagi looked intently at Hanamichi Sakuragi and said loudly, "Very good! Hanamichi Sakuragi, you did very well. I haven't seen such a clean basketball court and such a clean basketball in a long time. And I heard that you trained here last night and early this morning. You are very good and have great perseverance."
Sakuragi Hanamichi never expected that the gorilla actually wanted to praise him!
Sakuragi Hanamichi immediately broke into a bright smile.
At the same time, Takenori Akagi also said, "Everyone should learn from Hanamichi Sakuragi and applaud."
After he finished speaking, Takenori Akagi took the lead in clapping.
The basketball team members applauded and gave Sakuragi Hanamichi applause.
This made Sakuragi Hanamichi feel really good.
It feels great to be recognized.
Akagi Takenori continued, "Alright, everyone line up. Let me introduce myself first. I'm the captain, Akagi Takenori. The reason I praised Sakuragi Hanamichi earlier was to tell you first-year students that you have two jobs to do from now on: one is to clean the basketball before practice, and the other is to mop the floor after practice. Do you understand?"
The first-year students shouted in unison, "We understand!"
Akagi Takenori nodded and said, "Alright! Now everyone line up, and the first-year students will line up in a separate line."
The first-year students quickly and obediently lined up.
Akagi Takenori, holding the player information registration book, said, "Alright, let's start with self-introductions, starting with this student."
The student whose name was called by Akagi Takenori immediately said, "I am Ishii Kentaro, a graduate of Otsuka No. 2 Middle School, and I am 170cm tall."
The next student then said, "I am Sasaoka Tomo, a graduate of Otsuka No. 2 Middle School. I am 171cm tall."
Both students only gave brief introductions.
The next student, who was noticeably shorter, seemed a little embarrassed and said, "I am Kuwata Jiro, a graduate of Fujien Junior High School. I am 162cm tall and weigh 50kg. I played as a forward in junior high school."
Akagi Takenori glanced at Kuwata Jiro and said, "Your current height isn't suitable for playing forward. I want you to play point guard. You need to strengthen your dribbling and passing skills. If you don't train hard, you'll be eliminated. Good luck."
Kuwata Jiro's expression changed, and he shouted, "I will do my best!"
Akagi Takenori nodded and said, "Next."
It's Rukawa Kaede.
As always, Rukawa Kaede maintained a cool demeanor and calmly stated, "Rukawa Kaede graduated from Tomioka Junior High School, is 187cm tall, weighs 75kg, and doesn't have a specific position to play."
It was concise and to the point, covering everything that needed to be said.
But it always feels like this guy is trying to be cool and profound.
Sakuragi Hanamichi, standing to the side, didn't think there was anything wrong with it. After all, he was a transmigrator and someone who had been through it all. Back when he was in school, he had brothers like this around him, and he himself had even tried to take this path, but it didn't work out.
However, Sakuragi Hanamichi suddenly noticed three more figures outside the court.
The figure of a girl.
It's Haruko Akagi!
At this moment, Haruko Akagi, Fujii, and Matsui were already standing at the edge of the basketball court.
They were all very excited when they saw Rukawa Kaede introduce himself.
This made Sakuragi Hanamichi feel a little awkward.
No, I'll try to pin more blame on Rukawa Kaede whenever I get the chance. I have to make Akagi Haruko give up all her illusions and be completely disappointed in Rukawa Kaede!
Just then, Akagi Haruko's gaze miraculously left Rukawa Kaede and looked at Sakuragi Hanamichi.
In that instant, their eyes met.
One is gentle and tender, the other turns sorrow into joy.
Sakuragi Hanamichi, who was initially a little jealous, was instantly overjoyed!
She looked at me!
She looked at me!
This proves that my efforts over the past few days have been effective!
I've gradually won her heart!
Very good!
At this moment, Sakuragi Hanamichi glanced at Rukawa Kaede again, thinking to himself, "I'll just throw fewer scapegoats at you from now on, enough is enough."
Just then, Sakuragi Hanamichi heard Akagi Takenori's voice in his ear, "Hey! Sakuragi Hanamichi, it's your turn! Don't get carried away just because I praised you earlier."
"Oh, sorry!" Sakuragi Hanamichi snapped out of his daze and immediately apologized. Then he said loudly, "I am Sakuragi Hanamichi, a graduate of Wako Junior High School. I am 188cm tall and weigh 83kg. I am a basketball beginner. I will train hard. Currently, I see myself as a rebounder under the basket!"
Akagi Takenori nodded and praised, "Very good. It's good that you have a clear understanding of yourself."
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