When a man pursues a woman, he sometimes chooses to start with someone close to her.
For example, Xiaoming is pursuing Xiaofang, and Xiaofang has a good friend named Xiaohua.
So Xiaoming can take a roundabout approach: first, get on good terms with Xiaohua and have her speak well of him to Xiaofang.
Clearly, Aota Tatsuhiko used this move against Sakuragi Hanamichi.
Aota Tatsuhiko wanted to influence Sakuragi Hanamichi by building good relationships with Mito Yohei and others.
And you know what? This trick actually worked.
Judo is their country's national sport and a compulsory subject in primary and secondary schools, holding a very high status.
When Mito Yohei and the others saw that the captain of the judo team had invited them to play at the judo team, they felt very honored and ran towards Aota Tatsuhiko and Sakuragi Hanamichi with cheers and excitement.
However, although Yohei Mito and the others were very happy, they did not actively persuade Sakuragi Hanamichi to give up the basketball team.
Yohei Mito and the other three stood behind Sakuragi Hanamichi, awaiting his decision.
Sakuragi Hanamichi, who had a blank expression when facing his basketball team, turned around and gave his brothers a bright smile.
Yohei Mito also laughed and said, "Hanamichi, it's your decision. Whether you join the basketball team or the judo team, we'll all be there to cheer you on."
Takamiya Nozomi smiled so much that her eyes narrowed into slits, and said happily, "Yes, Hanamichi, whether you choose to participate in the basketball team's assessment or become the vice-captain of the judo team, we will support you."
Chuichiro Noma gave a simple, honest smile and nodded in agreement.
Oonan Yuji nodded with a smile.
Although the four brothers of Sakuragi's gang did not explicitly urge Sakuragi Hanamichi to join the judo team, the fact that they happily walked over at Aota Tatsuhiko's invitation suggests that they had a good impression of him.
So, feeling that the time was right, Aota Tatsuhiko said loudly, "Sakuragi, now that your brothers are all by your side, let's go and have some fun with our judo team. Whether you join the judo team or not, we won't talk about it now. After you and your brothers have been to our judo team, I believe you will be able to make a decision."
Just then, Oonan Yuji, who had been all smiles, suddenly turned serious and tried to give Sakuragi Hanamichi a meaningful look.
Oonan Yuji was clearly gesturing for Sakuragi Hanamichi to look in Akagi Haruko's direction.
At this moment, Haruko Akagi stood there all alone, her eyes red, but she seemed to be holding back her tears and trying to be strong.
Seeing this, Sakuragi Hanamichi walked back to Akagi Haruko's side without hesitation.
When Haruko Akagi saw that Hanamichi Sakuragi had walked up to her again, she felt a glimmer of hope mixed with fear that he had come to say goodbye.
So she asked hesitantly, "Sakuragi, you..."
The words were on the tip of my tongue, but I couldn't bring myself to say them.
Women always seem to mess things up at crucial moments.
But I have to admit, this trick really works on men!
This time, Sakuragi Hanamichi didn't take the opportunity to make any moves to get closer to her. Instead, he smiled and pretended to be very surprised, asking, "Haruko, what's wrong with you? Do you think my dunk just now didn't meet your expectations? How about I show you another dunk?"
What?
Is he going to perform another dunk for me?
What does he mean by this?
Could it be that he wants to join the basketball team?
Upon realizing this, Haruko Akagi showed an expression of disbelief and surprise, but worried that she might have misunderstood something, she suppressed her joy and tentatively asked, "Sakuragi, do you mean you want to join the basketball team?"
Sakuragi Hanamichi laughed loudly and said, "Whether I can join the basketball team or not is not up to me, it's up to your older brother, Captain Akagi!"
Although Sakuragi Hanamichi did not directly answer Akagi Haruko's question, it was clear from his expression and words that he wanted to join the basketball team.
Akagi Haruko is overjoyed!
There seemed to be a slight commotion among the basketball team members.
Only Aota Tatsuhiko knew something was wrong!
Aota Tatsuhiko hurriedly called out, "Sakuragi, you..."
Before Aota Tatsuhiko could speak, Sakuragi Hanamichi interrupted, "Captain Aota."
At this moment, Sakuragi Hanamichi respectfully nodded to Aota Tatsuhiko to express his gratitude.
"Thank you for your recognition, Captain Qingtian, but I'm sorry, I want to participate in the basketball team's assessment now."
After saying that, Sakuragi Hanamichi nodded to Aota Tatsuhiko again to express his apology.
Aota Tatsuhiko sighed, then gave Akagi Haruko a deep look.
Even heroes can't resist the charms of a beautiful woman!
Ultimately, it was because of Haruko Akagi that Hanamichi Sakuragi chose to join the basketball team.
However, it's not entirely impossible that there's no chance at all. What if Sakuragi Hanamichi fails the test?
So Aota Tatsuhiko said generously, "It's okay! The judo team's door is always open to you. Even if you don't pass the basketball team's test later, I still welcome you to join the judo team."
Upon hearing this, Mito Yohei, who was standing to the side, gave a thumbs up and praised, "As expected of Captain Aota!"
Takamiya Nozomi: "Captain Aota has a truly broad vision!"
Tadashiro Noma: "As expected of Captain Aota!"
Yuji Oonan: "No wonder the judo team made it to the national championships last year!"
His brothers' words were essentially a response on behalf of Sakuragi Hanamichi, so Sakuragi Hanamichi simply nodded to Aota Tatsuhiko again and then looked at Akagi Haruko.
This time, no one disturbed Sakuragi Hanamichi, who was building up his emotions!
Sakuragi Hanamichi said affectionately, "Haruko, I promised you I would train hard and improve my basketball skills."
"I promised you I would help the Shohoku basketball team make it to the national tournament."
"I promised you that I would be a positive, motivated, and outstanding young person."
"I, Sakuragi Hanamichi, am definitely not a delinquent."
At that moment, Haruko Akagi was so moved that tears welled up in her eyes!
"Sakuragi, Sakuragi, you..." Haruko Akagi murmured softly, moved.
For the first time, Haruko Akagi felt that Sakuragi Hanamichi was so incredibly charming! So handsome! So captivating!
No less impressive than Rukawa Kaede!
The scene before him made Sakuragi Hanamichi unable to hold back any longer!
He took the opportunity to touch it!
Yes, those are tears in Haruko Akagi's eyes!
He gently wiped away the tears from the corners of Akagi Haruko's eyes!
The movement was gentle, yet swift.
So much so that no one saw what he did before he had already succeeded!
Then, Sakuragi Hanamichi immediately looked at Akagi Takenori and said loudly, "Captain Akagi, I, Sakuragi Hanamichi, would like to take the test to join the basketball team. Do you have time now?"
The basketball team members were taken aback!
Akagi Takenori pushed through the crowd and strode out.
At that moment, Kiminobu Kogure excitedly shouted, "Akagi!" and tossed the basketball in his hand to Takenori Akagi.
Akagi Takenori took the basketball, gripped it tightly, then his eyes gleamed, and he said loudly, "Come on!"
At the same time, Takenori Akagi threw the basketball with force.
The basketball flew towards Sakuragi Hanamichi.
Sakuragi Hanamichi caught the basketball steadily, full of fighting spirit!
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