Kanagawa Prefectural Shohei High School.
Class 7, Grade 1.
The last row of the classroom, in the far left corner, is next to the window, and there's no corridor outside the window.
As everyone knows, this is a seat that not just anyone can sit in!
Sakuragi Hanamichi is sitting right here!
He rested his head on his hand, quietly appreciating the beautiful scenery outside the window, while at the same time carefully listening to the noisy sounds inside the classroom.
It's been so many years since I've felt the atmosphere of a classroom. The sounds that I used to find annoying now sound so pleasant!
Back when I was in school, I couldn't wait to grow up and graduate, and I never wanted to spend all my time doing practice problems again.
It wasn't until I actually entered society that I realized that what I thought was the most painful time of my school years was actually so wonderful.
People always learn to cherish things only after they've lost them.
Wait a minute, this is Kanagawa Prefectural Shohoku High School!
Here, there's no endless rote memorization of practice problems! Nor will anyone be forced to take the college entrance exam!
I came here to play basketball!
Where is Coach Anzai?
I'm going to find Coach Anzai!
With a "whoosh," Sakuragi Hanamichi stood up!
"Holy crap! Is Hanamichi going to massacre everyone in this classroom?"
"On his very first day at high school, is he already going to become the strongest man?"
"Hey, should we secretly tell those girls? When they see that everyone else except them got beaten up by Hanamichi, they'll definitely be grateful to us, and they might even ask us out."
Upon hearing this, Nozomi Takamiya, Tadashi Noma, and Yuji Oonusu all revealed lewd smiles.
Yohei Mito said in a deep voice, "Something's not right! The flower arrangement isn't working properly!"
The three looked at Mito Yohei with a puzzled expression. "Yohei, what are you talking about?"
Yohei Mito frowned but did not answer.
Because he saw that Sakuragi Hanamichi was clearly walking towards the four of them.
Takamiya Nozomi and the other two followed Mito Yohei's gaze and immediately panicked.
No way? Is it the same old formula again? Is Hanamichi planning to turn on his own brother again?
Even though it's no big deal to get beaten up by my good buddy.
But to be honest, when that monster, Hanamichi, beats people up, it hurts so much!
"Yohei, do you know where the basketball court is?"
"Basketball court?"
Yohei Mito clearly hadn't expected Sakuragi Hanamichi to ask about the basketball court. The basketball court was a completely different world from Sakuragi Hanamichi!
Sakuragi Hanamichi scratched the back of his head and laughed, "Ah, it's like this. Yesterday I saw someone walking and dribbling a basketball on the street, and it looked really cool! I was thinking, if I could play basketball too, maybe I could get a girl!"
Time seemed to freeze for a few seconds.
Immediately afterwards, a sound of ecstatic joy erupted!
"Wow! That man is back!"
"The flower arrangement we know is back!"
"Yeah, yeah! That indestructible cockroach, Hanamichi, who's planning to confess to the girl again, is back!"
Takamiya Nozomi, Noda Chuichiro, and Oonusu Yuji's eyes lit up instantly, and they cheered loudly, extremely excited!
Yohei Mito smiled and said, "No problem, let's go, we'll go with you."
After saying that, Mito Yohei gave Takamiya Nozomi and the others a look.
The previously smiling Takamiya Nozomi, Oonan Yuji, and Noda Chuichiro instantly put on ferocious expressions and stopped a well-mannered boy, "Hey, bro, do you know where the basketball court is?"
"Yes, yes, I know."
...
I didn't expect that the basketball court was closed and locked today.
Sakuragi Hanamichi was a little disappointed.
Now it's impossible to find Coach Anzai immediately.
Yohei Mito comforted him, "Hanamichi, it's probably because today is the first day of school for new students that the basketball court hasn't started training yet. There's no need to rush, there will be plenty of opportunities to come here in the future."
Takamiya Nozomi said, "Yeah, yeah, Hanamichi, not playing basketball today won't stop us from going to find pretty girls!"
Oonan Yuji chimed in, "That makes sense. I did see quite a few pretty girls today."
Noma Tadashiro nodded in agreement.
Sakuragi Hanamichi laughed, not mockingly, but genuinely. During his school years, he should spend more time interacting with girls! Like me, for example—this time, I'm determined to get my hands on Akagi Haruko!
"Um...excuse me," a pleasant voice sounded behind the five of them, "Do you like playing basketball?"
All five of them turned around!
Wow! What an adorable girl!
Sakuragi Hanamichi's eyes lit up!
Haruko Akagi!
It's Haruko Akagi!
Make a good first impression! Don't be a servile simp, nor an arrogant, cocky guy!
Sakuragi Hanamichi said calmly, "Yes, I really love playing basketball! I've always longed for a life where I play basketball, but..." He then changed the subject, his tone slightly conflicted, "I couldn't play basketball in the junior high school I attended before."
At this point, Sakuragi Hanamichi clenched his fist and sighed.
Haruko Akagi asked in confusion, "Why?"
Sakuragi Hanamichi said in a deep voice, "That's because the basketball court in junior high school was occupied by a group of delinquents who wouldn't let me play basketball."
What is that?
These words completely baffled the four brothers of Sakuragi's gang!
Delinquent youth?
We're just delinquent youths! Who would dare bully us?
Wait a minute! When did Hanamichi suddenly become so clever? He's actually lying to girls now!
He's clearly just pretending to be a good student!
Is this still the Sakuragi Hanamichi I know?
Haruko Akagi said angrily, "That's too much! Those delinquents are awful!"
"Don't worry, as long as you have the ability, the Shohoku basketball team will definitely welcome you!"
As she spoke, Haruko Akagi grabbed Hanamichi Sakuragi's arm and began to examine his body.
Wow! Your muscles are amazing!
"You must be an athletic champion!"
"You're so tall! I wonder who's taller, you or Rukawa Kaede."
Rukawa Kaede!
Sakuragi Hanamichi's lifelong rival!
However, that's his lifelong rival in the anime. The current Sakuragi Hanamichi doesn't dislike Rukawa Kaede at all; he even thinks Rukawa is kind of cool... and kind of handsome...
Sakuragi Hanamichi grinned sheepishly and asked, "Who is Rukawa Kaede you just mentioned? Is he your boyfriend?"
With a "whoosh"!
Haruko Akagi's face turned red instantly!
"What?! No way! Rukawa Kaede, Rukawa Kaede doesn't even know me..."
Of course I know Rukawa Kaede isn’t your boyfriend, and I know you have a crush on him, but I want to take the initiative!
I also want you to know that not only should men not be simps, but women should not be simps either!
Well, unless the person in your heart is me!
Sakuragi Hanamichi smiled with fighting spirit: "I see, then Rukawa Kaede must be really good! I'll work hard too, and become a good man!"
The cunning Sakuragi Hanamichi has officially arrived!
"By the way, my name is Sakuragi Hanamichi. I don't know your name yet?"
"Akagi Haruko."
Can I just call you Haruko?
Men should be thick-skinned and proactive! What's there to be afraid of? The worst that can happen is rejection! The sun will still rise tomorrow!
Haruko Akagi was very shy again. After all, only very close friends would call her "Haruko". Among ordinary classmates, they would usually call her "Akagi-kun".
But the man in front of me loves playing basketball so much, has great physical abilities, is very tall, and is so ambitious. I must recruit him into my brother's basketball team and help my brother realize his dream of dominating the country!
Therefore, it seems inappropriate to refuse outright.
Haruko Akagi nodded shyly.
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