Haruko Akagi's injury wasn't serious, but at Sakuragi Hanamichi's insistence, she chose to sit on the sidelines and quietly watch him practice.
At that moment, a twisted feeling welled up in Sakuragi Hanamichi's heart.
Yes, she just looked at me quietly like that. Right now, she can only have eyes for me, and that's good!
But then, Sakuragi Hanamichi shuddered. This kind of thinking seemed a bit perverted!
That's incredibly controlling!
But how many men don't have a desire for control?
Can you just stand by and watch your woman, under the guise of an independent woman, go out and seduce men?
You green-haired turtle, get lost! Don't dirty this place!
Sakuragi Hanamichi took a deep look at Akagi Haruko sitting next to him. Hmm, this feels good!
Then, Sakuragi Hanamichi cheerfully dribbled the basketball and began his performance.
Sakuragi Hanamichi dribbled the ball, caught it, jumped, and made a layup.
But the ball still didn't go in.
However, at this moment, Sakuragi Hanamichi was not very frustrated.
Because he knew that as long as he kept training, his layup success rate would definitely improve steadily.
Now, Haruko Akagi sees just how bad Sakuragi Hanamichi is, and in the future, Haruko Akagi will admire Sakuragi Hanamichi's greatness even more!
My God! Sakuragi Hanamichi has learned to dribble and lay up in such a short time, and he even scored a layup at such a crucial moment!
Hmm, just thinking about it makes me feel good!
Therefore, at this moment, Sakuragi Hanamichi didn't care at all about Akagi Haruko's opinion on his layup.
To Sakuragi Hanamichi's surprise, Akagi Haruko exclaimed, "Wow! Sakuragi-kun, your layup technique is so perfect!"
The cunning Sakuragi Hanamichi was instantly stunned!
Is that really the case?
Could it be that Haruko Akagi has really fallen for me now, which is why she's praising me here against her conscience?
Sakuragi Hanamichi asked doubtfully, "Um, Haruko, was my movement really that standard?"
Haruko Akagi exclaimed excitedly, "Yes! It's really perfect!"
The cunning Sakuragi Hanamichi immediately realized that Akagi Haruko was telling the truth this time.
Then Sakuragi Hanamichi looked back at the basketball hoop with a puzzled expression. If it was really that perfect, why didn't he make the shot?
What exactly went wrong?
Surely it's not really because I haven't done enough layups?
The problem is, doesn't this world not have systems?
How can the layup success rate be unlocked if the number of layups is insufficient?
That's not scientific!
What exactly is the reason?
Just then, a voice interrupted Sakuragi Hanamichi's thoughts.
"Your movements just now were indeed very standard, but the last pass you the ball was too stiff, or rather, too deliberate."
Sakuragi Hanamichi and Akagi Haruko turned around at the same time!
It's Rukawa Kaede!
Rukawa arrived at the basketball court early, but he was still a step too late; Sakuragi was already training there.
Rukawa Kaede, who was always quiet and a loner, wanted to wait until Sakuragi Hanamichi left before he would come on to train.
But unexpectedly, Haruko Akagi also appeared later. More importantly, after Haruko Akagi appeared, Hanamichi Sakuragi even seemed to want to stay there and not leave.
Rukawa Kaede didn't want to wait any longer.
During the previous practice match between the first-year and upperclassmen of the Shohoku basketball team, Rukawa Kaede had a good impression of Sakuragi Hanamichi, and now Rukawa Kaede didn't mind stepping forward to give Sakuragi Hanamichi some pointers.
Sakuragi Hanamichi asked in surprise, "Rukawa Kaede, what are you doing here?"
Rukawa Kaede didn't answer the question. Instead, he slowly took out his basketball and, under the watchful eyes of Sakuragi Hanamichi and Akagi Haruko, dribbled the ball and went for a layup.
Rukawa Kaede skillfully dribbled the basketball, quickly running towards the basket.
Jump!
Layup!
The basketball fell directly into the basketball hoop!
Completed in one go!
It's truly amazing!
After landing, Rukawa caught the basketball and looked at Sakuragi Hanamichi. "See? You have to pass the ball out like this, easily. Whether you want to use the rebound or pass the ball directly in, the last touch should be easy. You were too deliberate and stiff just now."
Upon hearing this, Sakuragi Hanamichi felt as if he had been struck by lightning!
It seems that's really the case!
I kept telling myself that as long as I practiced more, I would gradually find my rhythm, just like there was a system mechanism that would increase my success rate after a certain number of repetitions.
But now that I've heard Rukawa Kaede say this, it seems that my training has lacked proper guidance!
Sakuragi Hanamichi picked up the basketball and stared intently at the hoop.
Relax, take it easy!
Sakuragi Hanamichi took a deep breath, nodded to Rukawa Kaede, and prepared to dribble and lay up again.
Sakuragi Hanamichi started up again.
Dribbling is fine.
The jump was fine.
The layup is no problem.
The ball has been passed out!
But it still didn't go in!
However, after landing, Sakuragi Hanamichi frowned and fell into deep thought, because he clearly felt that Rukawa Kaede might be right!
Although that layup just now didn't go in, he clearly felt it was more effective than before, like it was more likely to result in a basket.
If you really follow Rukawa's method and casually pass the ball out, you might actually make the shot.
Sakuragi Hanamichi picked up the basketball again and nodded at Rukawa Kaede.
Another layup!
really!
This time, the basketball went in!
It's been over an hour since 5 a.m. this morning, and Sakuragi Hanamichi has successfully shot the basketball into the hoop for the first time by dribbling and driving to the basket.
"Wow! Sakuragi, you're amazing!"
Haruko Akagi, who was standing nearby, cheered.
Although Rukawa Kaede had just given Sakuragi Hanamichi some pointers, he hadn't expected Sakuragi Hanamichi to be able to make the shot after only two attempts. Sakuragi Hanamichi was indeed very skilled.
At that moment, Sakuragi Hanamichi, holding a basketball, walked up to Rukawa Kaede and said, "Thank you, Rukawa Kaede."
Rukawa Kaede said calmly, "You're welcome. You're very good."
Sakuragi Hanamichi was overjoyed to receive the approval of Rukawa Kaede, a super rookie. He ran straight to Akagi Haruko and cheered, "Haruko, did you hear that? Rukawa Kaede praised me! He said I'm great! Did you hear that?"
Haruko Akagi was also happy for Hanamichi Sakuragi, and replied with a smile, "Yes, I heard you."
Unexpectedly, Sakuragi Hanamichi said to Rukawa Kaede the next moment, "Rukawa Kaede, this is my girlfriend, Akagi Haruko. She used to attend Fourth Middle School. Back then, you often played in exchange matches with Fourth Middle School, so she admired you a lot."
Haruko Akagi was completely stunned!
girlfriend?
When did I become your girlfriend?
Also, why did you introduce me to Rukawa Kaede like that?
"Sakuragi Hanamichi, what are you saying?" Akagi Haruko stood there, stunned.
Immediately afterwards, "Ah!!!"
Haruko Akagi yelled and stomped her foot on the spot!
"Sakuragi Hanamichi! What are you saying?! You, you've gone too far!"
With a sob in her voice, Haruko Akagi cursed Hanamichi Sakuragi before turning and fleeing the scene at top speed, completely disregarding the wound on her knee.
Well, actually the knee injury isn't a big problem.
Sakuragi Hanamichi only called out twice, "Haruko, Haruko..."
Then Sakuragi Hanamichi said to Rukawa Kaede with a smile, "Hey, that's how women are. Haruko is a little shy because we just became boyfriend and girlfriend. Rukawa Kaede, don't mind her."
Rukawa Kaede nodded indifferently and said, "Sakuragi Hanamichi, focus on playing basketball. Women will only affect your basketball game."
Sakuragi Hanamichi: "..."
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