Chapter 20 I'm Looking for My Senior
"Akagi"
Seeing his former defeated opponent, Mitsui was overwhelmed with mixed feelings.
In just two years, Akagi went from a novice to an indispensable member of the Shohoku basketball team, and even became the strongest center in Kanagawa Prefecture.
Mitsui sounded somewhat dejected, but said insincerely, "Hmph, Akagi, I wonder if you've made any progress at all. Don't drag this genius down."
Although he was absent for two years, he was certain that he was the strongest!
The gorilla's face instantly darkened. "Mitsui, you bastard...!"
I was hoping to cheer him on for his return, but he's still the same as ever, which is infuriating and frustrating!
Sakuragi, his cheeks puffed out like a bun, exclaimed, "What an arrogant guy!"
Miyagi raised an eyebrow: "Aren't you the same?"
Rukawa Kaede rested his chin on his hand: "The difference is that one has strength, and the other doesn't."
So, the monkey and the fox started fighting.
At that moment, Haruko and Coach Anzai entered the gymnasium.
"Coach Anzai..."
Mitsui's emotions surged instantly; he knelt on the floor, looking at him with teary eyes.
Coach Anzai, with a kind expression, said, "Oh ho ho ho... Mitsui's back? That's great!"
The coach didn't blame him and welcomed his return. Mitsui's nose stung, and he hastily lowered his head, letting the tears stream down his cheeks. "I want to play basketball..."
"What's going on at the basketball court??"
The teachers from Shohoku High School arrived at the scene. They peeked out from behind Akagi and looked into the gymnasium, finding that everything was fine.
Akagi gave his teacher a proper bow and said calmly, "We are just training. Thank you for your concern."
“It’s good that there was no violence,” the teachers said with puzzled expressions, then turned and left the scene.
The basketball court resumed its usual training sessions, and as Hana turned around, she almost touched that perfect, handsome face.
"…sorry."
The powerful aura that swept over her made her panic, and Hana took a few steps back.
Too... close!
Rukawa Kaede closed the distance between them once again, right in front of them, in an extremely aggressive manner, so much so that Kanon could see the reflection in the fox's eyes.
Of course Rukawa Kaede could see that she was backing away. Although he didn't understand why she was backing away, he was a man of few words, and his actions always preceded his thoughts.
"for you."
Rukawa Kaede picked up the bag in his hand and, before Hanon could react, shoved it into her hand.
Huayin lowered her head in a daze. Inside the bag were many sprays and medicines of various brands, all with the same function—to promote blood circulation and remove blood stasis.
This caught Hanon off guard.
So, he just went to buy medicine for himself?
He was taciturn, his face always bearing a cold and aloof expression. At that moment, she realized that his inner world was far more passionate and turbulent than his outward appearance suggested.
Rukawa Kaede's gaze was calm, yet it seemed to carry a hint of warmth: "Remember to apply the medicine."
The warm breath brushed against Hana's face, like a feather gently caressing her, sending a tingling sensation through her from head to toe.
A slight ripple stirred within Hanon's heart for no apparent reason. "Okay... thank you."
The increasingly rapid heartbeat echoed in her chest. Huayin closed her eyes and took a deep breath.
No one spoke, and Rukawa Kaede just stared at her without any restraint.
Seeing Hanon take a step back, Rukawa Kaede followed suit, taking a step forward. "?"
Kanon couldn't hold back any longer, "Rukawa, can't you go practice?"
As if receiving an order from his superior, the tall young man nodded obediently, mumbled an "Mm," and walked into the arena.
...
Class 1, Grade 2.
Hanon stretched out her finger and lightly blew on her freshly painted nail polish: "This color is quite pretty! Aya has great taste!"
Ayako held her wrist, admiring her handiwork, and laughed with satisfaction, "See? See? I just bought it yesterday! Hahaha..."
"Mmm! I have the same nail color as the pretty A-Cai! I'm so happy!"
Her eyes were curved in a smile, and her smile was so sweet that even Ayako couldn't help but smile back.
"Every time I hear Yin-chan speak, it gives me a sweet feeling. Today, you have to buy me a sweet drink..."
Hanon nodded frantically, "Let's go! Let's go buy it now!"
"Let's go next class. This finger isn't painted yet, don't move, let me finish it."
"Wow—why is he here?"
Suddenly, a commotion erupted in the classroom as almost all the girls in the class gathered by the window to watch what was happening outside.
The two looked at each other, puzzled, and then strained their necks to follow everyone's gaze—
Rukawa Kaede?
Yes, after all, he's Shohoku's top player, so it's normal for him to cause such chaos. But the first-year students aren't on this floor, are they?
Kanon and Ayako were used to this situation and lowered their heads to continue checking their manicure progress.
Standing outside the front door of Class 1, Grade 2, Rukawa Kaede, who had been expressionless, suddenly froze, his beautiful fox-like eyes staring intently at a certain spot in the classroom.
"Rukawa...Rukawa-junior, is there anything I can help you with?" The female class monitor asked, blushing and mustering her courage.
"I'm looking for Hanon-senpai." The deep voice was flat and cold.
In an instant, all the noise stopped abruptly.
The two, engrossed in their manicure, paid no attention to what was happening outside the classroom. Ayako looked at Hanon's "work" and commented with satisfaction, "It's so beautiful!"
Her long, slender, and fair fingers were adorned with bright red nail polish, which shimmered alluringly in the sunlight.
Seeing that Hanon hadn't noticed him, Rukawa's eyes showed slight dissatisfaction, and he raised his voice slightly, "Senpai."
Hanon and Ayako followed the sound and looked around.
Rukawa Kaede stared straight at her.
Looking for me?
Hanako looked bewildered and pointed to herself uncertainly.
It's rare for Rukawa to take the initiative to speak, let alone for the other party to actually come to him.
"Um."
Hanon immediately felt piercing stares from all directions.
Well, this entire school building is all about Rukawa! To avoid becoming a target, Kanon acted indifferently and politely.
She walked over unhurriedly, deliberately keeping her distance, and asked, "Excuse me, is there anything I can do for you, Rukawa-kun?"
Feeling bewildered by Hanon's distant attitude, Rukawa Kaede's mood instantly somber and unhappy.
Rukawa Kaede seemed to glance at her, or perhaps just brushed over her lightly, and said, "My wristband."
The audience erupted in cheers.
Why did Rukawa ask Kanon for the wristband?
"Is there something fishy going on between the two of them?"
"They spend every day together at the basketball court, is it possible they're getting together?"
"Judging from the way they're exchanging glances, they must have secretly pledged their lives to each other!!"
The idle chatter of those people made Hua Yin's scalp tingle. What was worse, she hadn't done anything, yet all sorts of speculations were already spreading through the air.
Are those wristbands really that important?
Hanon originally planned to return it to him at the basketball court this afternoon, and besides, she wouldn't be using the wristband for more than a day.
"Please wait!"
Hanon quickly returned to her seat. Her fingernails were freshly painted and not completely dry yet. She could only use her wrist to hook her backpack over to him. "Excuse me, could you please open your backpack and take this out?"
After staring at her bright red fingernails for a while, Rukawa Kaede calmly looked away, then reached out and took the backpack, opened it, took out a black wristband and put it in his pocket, staring at her without saying a word.
Did I bother her, and that's why she's unhappy?
"Please hang the bag on my hand, thank you."
Rukawa Kaede didn't say anything, nor did he hang the backpack back up. Instead, he walked past her with a cold expression and hung the backpack back in its original place.
Ayako rested her chin on her hand, smiling as she looked at him: "Hi, Rukawa-senpai."
Rukawa nodded to Ayako, then stood beside Kanon's seat. He stared intently at Kanon, his eyes deep and unfathomable.
Although Rukawa Kaede's face was expressionless, Kanon was still certain that Rukawa Kaede seemed to be sulking at the moment.
I don't know who made him angry.
Hanon sat back down, rested her chin on her hand, looked up at him and smiled, her gentle light-colored eyes unable to hide her doting affection, "Rukawa-senpai, what's wrong?"
The moment she smiled, Rukawa Kaede couldn't take his eyes off her, and his originally cold eyes instantly shone with a dazzling light. "I didn't bring lunch."
His voice, however, remained as cold and aloof as ever.
Coming to the second grade to ask Hana for the wristband wasn't actually his intention. He had just woken up suddenly and was a little confused. When he came to his senses, he was already standing at the door of her classroom.
The smile in Hanon's eyes deepened, and her voice was languid: "What should I do? I didn't make any bento boxes today."
Normally, the basketball gym's afternoon training sessions go on until late, and Kanon would always prepare lunch for him. However, apart from their interactions on the basketball court, the two had no contact in their daily lives.
Rukawa Kaede pursed his lips, staring at her face without moving his eyes.
Her eyes were clear and beautiful, as if reflecting the sunlight in the morning mist; her face was fair and pure.
"So, how about we go to the cafeteria for lunch together? I'm treating today."
Unexpectedly learning that Sakuragi had an outstanding debt at the cafeteria, Kanon decided to give him some pocket money and invite Sakuragi's gang to have lunch together at the cafeteria.
"Um."
The icy gaze that seemed so distant from the giant gradually melted in front of Hanon.
The single-celled junior seems to have become even more dull!
Ayako shook the goosebumps off her hands. It seemed like the food had been good lately. She hadn't had any sweet drinks yet, but there was plenty of dog food!
At lunchtime, Kanon and Ayako waited near the window next to Rukawa's seat.
Ayako glanced at Rukawa Kaede, who was fast asleep on his desk, and sighed, "This guy can really sleep! Neither the bell nor the noisy environment can disturb him."
Hua Yin smiled at him: "Is sleeping his best skill besides playing basketball?"
Rukawa Kaede's long, fine eyelashes were closed together, and the wisps of hair on his forehead covered his brows, making him look less sharp than usual.
As for why they waited instead of waking him up, everyone in the school knew that Rukawa Kaede had a terrible temper when he woke up, and no one wanted to risk it.
Ayako smiled slyly, "Eh, Yin-chan, do you know?"
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