Chapter 101 Ex
At this moment, every member of Shohoku felt unprecedented pressure.
The formidable lineup and unfathomable strength displayed by Sannoh High School undoubtedly demonstrate the dominance of the nation's champion.
"but…"
In this solemn atmosphere, a clear voice broke the silence.
The members of Shohoku High School were startled, their eyes all fixed on the person who had spoken—
Hanon's gaze swept over everyone, and she said seriously, "Your performance has far exceeded my expectations. So I'm wondering if I can make some more demanding, or even seemingly 'impossible' requests to you?"
Rukawa met her gaze and answered without hesitation, "Of course!"
Even if that so-called number one high school student in Japan has a skill level far beyond his age, he will still win!
Sakuragi curled his lips, let out a cold snort, and said with a determined look in his eyes, "Hmph! Bring it on!"
Despite the sense of crisis that Sannoh's strength filled the Shohoku team, there was no sign of backing down in their eyes: "Please give us your guidance!"
Kanon nodded and began to guide everyone:
"Then, let's discuss this together. If we were facing Sannoh now, how should we deploy our lineup and what tactics should we adopt to counter them? Each of you will be facing a powerful opponent, so how should we deal with that?"
Despite the immense pressure, it also ignited the fighting spirit of the young men. Everyone was fully focused on tactical analysis, hoping to break through their limits and achieve those "impossible" requirements in the upcoming training.
As night deepened, the boys' clamor gradually subsided, leaving only the bright moonlight quietly spilling across the empty corridor.
Hanon turned her head to look at Rukawa Kaede beside her, a teasing smile on her face: "It's this late, and you're not dozing off like usual."
Rukawa Kaede grasped her hand, his face expressionless, and gave a faint "Mmm".
"Xiao Feng, will you feel a lot of pressure in the upcoming national competition?"
"No." His answer was brief and firm.
"Really?"
"Um."
He looked again and saw that those deep, fox-like eyes were full of determination.
The two walked side by side on their way back to their room, the moonlight casting long shadows of them.
Hanon wanted to talk some more, but she just couldn't hold on any longer.
The hectic pace of the past few days, coupled with this tranquil atmosphere, made her yawn.
At that moment, a clear, deep voice suddenly rang in my ears: "With me here, Shohoku will definitely win."
Looking at Rukawa Kaede's resolute face, Kanon smiled and said, "So confident, huh?"
"Um!"
"It's so boring for you to defeat your opponent by yourself," Kanon joked. "Why don't you team up with Hanamichi? Let Sannoh know that one plus one can be greater than two."
Rukawa glanced at her and said, "Basketball doesn't count."
"Um?"
Hanon blinked, somewhat surprised; it was rare to see him contradict his own views.
He stopped, raised his hand, and tucked her hair behind her ear.
Hana-on tilted her head back.
Even if he disagreed with what she said, she wouldn't be angry. Because she knew that Rukawa Kaede was a very stubborn person, and once he made up his mind about something, he would never easily change it.
He leaned down and planted a tender kiss on her upturned face.
“It’s two plus one,” he said softly, “us, plus the big idiot.”
A light, fleeting kiss, carrying Rukawa Kaede's unique tenderness.
"Hey, you just said basketball doesn't count."
"If you say so, then so be it."
Hanon could sense the firmness and faint smile in his voice. This was always his style of speaking; he never used any words to embellish his meaning and only answered according to his heart.
That's why Hanon always sensed the intense love behind his taciturn nature.
***
Time flies, and every day is busy and fulfilling.
While the members of Shohoku High School were training hard on the court, they also had to grit their teeth and deal with the annoying final exams.
Fortunately, the group that failed the exam finally got their revenge and passed the test smoothly!
Along with this good news came celebratory activities for the fireworks display.
"Hey, this one! One for each of you! Hey, Rukawa, this one's yours!"
Mitsui handed over a fox ear headband, which shimmered and sparkled with iridescent colors.
Rukawa glanced at it and refused, "I don't want to."
He wore a white shirt and black trousers, with one hand in his pocket, standing out from the carefully dressed crowd around him.
Miyagi touched the headband on her head and looked at Rukawa Kaede. "Rukawa, are you sure you don't want to?"
Rukawa Kaede glanced at the group indifferently—
Sakuragi, wearing husky ears, happily adjusted them, looking quite silly.
Mitsui has a pair of cat ears on his head, and he doesn't look like a senior at all.
"ugly."
The fox's eyes were full of disdain.
Mitsui narrowed his eyes at Yan, then chuckled, "Really? Then I'll go throw it away?"
Rukawa Kaede didn't even look at him, and lazily yawned.
Miyagi joked, "Then you bought your wife for nothing?"
Rukawa Kaede was taken aback, "?"
Rukawa Kaede was silent for two seconds, then turned his head to look at Miyagi, "Who bought it?"
Miyagi pointed at him, "Your wife, Kanon bought it!"
Mitsui walked to the trash can and said, "Ugh, my hand is tired from holding this, let's just throw it away."
Rukawa Kaede turned around and reached out to grab the pair of fox ears.
Mitsui nimbly dodged, grinning provocatively: "Junior, those ugly fox ears, let me, your senior, throw them away for you!"
After saying that, he skipped and hopped away, holding the headband.
Rukawa Kaede's tone was as cold as ice. "Give it to me."
A group of people stood still, watching with amusement as the two childish kids chased and played around.
Miyagi commented with a serious expression, "That kid Rukawa, the moment he meets Kanon, he instantly transforms from a retired old cadre into a three-year-old child."
Sakuragi turned his face away in disgust. "Tch! Idiot fox."
"Hey guys, we're here!"
A familiar and energetic voice came from behind, and everyone turned their heads in unison.
"Aya~!" Miyagi's face instantly turned into that of a lovesick fool as he excitedly rushed over to greet her.
"Hehehe, Haruko~!" Loyal Sakuragi couldn't wait to run over as well.
Over here, Rukawa Kaede finally snatched back the fox headband, and his gaze naturally fell on Kanon.
Kanon met his calm, focused gaze, and her cheeks involuntarily flushed. She pointed to Mitsui, who was still standing there in a daze, and asked with a smile, "What are you two doing?"
Rukawa Kaede said expressionlessly, "He has poor stamina, so he's exercising."
Mitsui's cheeks flushed red as he glared at Rukawa. "Who said I'm weak in stamina!"
Rukawa Kaede looked down at the fiery red headband in his hand: "I'm getting tired of holding this headband."
Mitsui choked up, then protested, "I was just joking! Just kidding!"
"oh."
"Hey! Can't you take a joke?! It's just a headband." Mitsui muttered, somewhat annoyed.
Rukawa Kaede's voice was cold and smug, "You don't have a wife, you wouldn't understand."
Huayin: "..."
Ayako sighed, already used to this kind of scene. "Here we go again."
Seeing that the two were about to start arguing again, Hana quickly stepped forward, "Xiaofeng, isn't this fox headband cute? I bought it especially for you!"
As she spoke, she took the initiative to help Rukawa Kaede put on the headband.
Rukawa Kaede cooperated readily, lowering his eyes slightly and replying quickly, "...Mm!"
Others: "..."
Mitsui, hands on hips, exclaimed, "No way! Junior! He just said I was ugly!"
Rukawa Kaede remained expressionless. "I'm talking to you."
"?"
Mitsui was speechless and looked at Rukawa Kaede with a puzzled expression.
"What did he say?" Mitsui looked at Miyagi in disbelief.
"Oh." Miyagi pointed a finger at Mitsui's front teeth with a sly grin. "I'm saying you're ugly."
As soon as he finished speaking, everyone behind him burst into laughter.
Hanon was somewhat amused and exasperated, but she continued forward with the group. The sounds of the boys playing and laughing filled the air, and she enjoyed the lively atmosphere and youthful energy.
Ayako tugged at Kanon's elbow, her eyes sparkling, "Hey, there's some delicious takoyaki over there!"
Hanon looked over curiously, "There are so many people in line!"
Rukawa Kaede: "Want some?"
"think!"
Looking at the long queue, she couldn't help but feel tempted. Takoyaki was one of her favorite foods!
Rukawa pulled her aside, away from the crowd, and whispered, "Wait for me over there."
After saying that, he turned and walked towards the crowd in line.
Ayako gave a surprised yet teasing smile, "Oh my, our Rukawa Kaede has a thoughtful side too."
“Yes,” Kanon chuckled, raising her chin slightly and pointing to Miyagi, who was already in line, “but our Miyagi-kun is pretty good too!”
The two walked hand in hand, chatting as they waited, their cheerful laughter occasionally breaking the silence.
Soon, Rukawa Kaede had reached the front of the line and took out his wallet to pay.
Ayako's expression suddenly turned strange. She leaned closer to Kanon and whispered, "Otona, have you ever seen Rukawa use a wallet before?"
Hanon shook her head. "I only saw it recently. What's wrong?"
Ayako stammered, "Well... I heard Ryota and the others say..."
"What did you say?"
Hanon's curiosity was piqued.
Ayako hesitated for a moment, but then said, "They said there seems to be a photo of his ex in Rukawa's wallet..."
"predecessor?!"
Hana's eyes widened, her face filled with disbelief.
"Rukawa Kaede, he actually has an ex??"
Ayako nodded vigorously, "Yes, yes, yes! I was just as surprised when I heard that!"
Hanon found it hard to believe: "Isn't that unlikely? He actually had an ex??"
Ayako nodded, "Yeah, although I don't really believe it either, but... Rukawa is with you now, so maybe he really did date before."
Hua Yin seemed to understand, and began to believe it. Indeed, although this kid was simple-minded, he was quite skilled at flirting, unlike a novice!
She remained silent for a moment, her heart filled with mixed emotions.
Seeing that Kanon didn't speak, Ayako added, "I've known him since junior high school, and he doesn't really have any girls around him. But that day... I saw him staring intently at a photo... I glanced at it, and the photo in his wallet was of a girl with two pigtails sticking up in the air, and she was missing two front teeth, so I guessed that his ex was probably from kindergarten or elementary school."
Hana pouted, looking sullen, "...He's really quite precocious."
She knew nothing about Rukawa Kaede's past, and now that an "ex" had suddenly appeared, she was caught off guard.
Ayako patted her shoulder: "What if... he can't forget his old flame?"
Hana suppressed her sourness: "I'll ask him later."
The worst thing for couples is to make guesses.
She was well aware of one fact: Rukawa Kaede possessed outstanding looks, basketball skills, and even intelligence; if he wanted to, he could easily captivate anyone.
Therefore, she knew that if she treated everyone who got close to Rukawa Kaede or had feelings for him as an imaginary enemy, she would only be asking for trouble.
However, things like keeping a photo of your ex in your wallet to reminisce are absolutely unacceptable!
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