Chapter 47 She's Mine
Mitsui pondered Rukawa's gaze and expression.
He wondered why he saw a hint of... obsession in it.
Obsession?
Mitsui shook his head frantically. This taciturn first-year student only had basketball in his mind and eyes.
Obsessed? Rukawa Kaede is indeed quite obsessed with basketball.
Rukawa Kaede gave him a cold glance.
Mitsui felt a chill run down his spine: "What are you doing?...You brat!"
The game has entered the crucial fourth quarter, and both teams are back at the starting line.
The US team's outside shooting remains fierce; Renie's step-back three-pointer is a killer instinct!
Barcelona continues to rely on their inside advantage; Glenna's hustle for a rebound drew a foul from the US team, and he made both free throws!
The US team has extended its lead to 9 points, and Barcelona can only stop the bleeding by drawing fouls on Glenna's second-chance points under the basket.
In the following time, the US team began to feed the ball to Hanon relentlessly.
[A textbook-perfect layup! Barcelona simply couldn't defend against it!]
[Steal, fake, turnaround fadeaway jumper! Great shot!]
[A four-man defensive formation, outnumbered but powerful, a short, devastating throw! Defiantly defying fate!]
The commentator exclaimed excitedly: "I take back what I said! Even with injuries, Renie is still the unstoppable R-God!"
The players of Shohoku were thrilled by this game; its dominance and entertainment value were on full display!
If she isn't a god, then what is?
Renie was on fire in crucial moments, scoring 20 points in the final quarter to lead his team to victory against Barcelona.
It's not just Kanon who can't be stopped.
Under her leadership, every member of the team fully demonstrated their strength and potential.
The moment the final whistle blew, the entire stadium chanted "USA," and confetti rained down on the arena, the crowd surrounding Huayin.
Ayako and Haruko completely lost control, screaming incessantly.
Ayako exclaimed excitedly, "Oto-chan is so wild! I love it!"
She is like a sharp weapon wrapped in sugar; she appears harmless and sweet on the outside, but in reality, she is sharp and full of passion and persistence.
Akagi exclaimed in astonishment: "Invincible on offense, invincible on defense, unsolvable!"
While admiring her, Miyagi was filled with longing: "She plays with such ease, her footwork is so agile, it's easy for defenders to lose their positions. Is this what a top point guard is like?"
Mitsui's eyes gleamed: "She plays like a madman, with excellent rhythm. Last year, she was only fifteen?"
Ayako was thrilled and filled with pride: "Oto-chan is really beautiful! Her posture and her whole being exude that kind of elegant yet powerful grace."
Coach Anzai smiled warmly: "Oh ho ho ho... The match is over, you should all go back to class now. Don't practice too late this afternoon, and prepare well for tomorrow's match."
"yes!"
The Shohoku team watched with great interest. This basketball game was like a story, with a beginning, a climax, and an ending, and Kanon was the one who wrote the story.
She is impeccable and convincing.
As the crowd dispersed, Rukawa Kaede approached Coach Anzai. "Coach, may I have this videotape?"
Ayako stopped in her tracks and raised an eyebrow.
Coach Anzai looked at him in surprise. "Oh? This one?"
Then she handed him the women's basketball videotape.
The number of recorded broadcasts was limited, and the videotapes were all on the TV station. Coach Anzai had to go to great lengths and contact his old teammates to get them.
Rukawa appeared calm and collected, but the underlying excitement was palpable. He accepted the gift with both hands, bowed, and solemnly said, "Thank you, Coach."
Coach Anzai hadn't expected Rukawa to have those feelings for Kanon, and smiled, "Oh ho ho ho... Kanon is much more outstanding than her peers, that's rare."
A strange glint flashed in those fox-like eyes. "Yes."
Ayako felt that her usually indifferent simple-minded friend was giving off a strange feeling at this moment.
It's like... when someone praises your precious treasure, you're very happy inside, but you still keep a calm expression on your face.
Ayako joked, "A secret collection, huh? I wonder if they'll even be back today..."
Rukawa replied very seriously, "I definitely will!"
...
On the way back to the classroom.
Mitsui looked extremely interested and said casually, "I didn't expect Kanon to be so amazing! She can shoot three-pointers from so far away so easily. She's the MVP of the World Championship. She's really incredible!"
Miyagi: "Her ball control is also top-notch; she truly achieves perfect harmony between herself and the ball."
A certain image formed in Mitsui's mind, and the corners of his lips turned up slightly as he said shyly:
"Well, what do you think... what do you think of me being with her? We'd be the MVP couple, wouldn't you say? That sounds pretty exciting!"
Before Miyagi could react, she exclaimed "Ah!"
"You have no chance."
Someone interrupted, their voice sounding different from usual, like ice cubes being thrown into a glass, chillingly cold.
The atmosphere froze for a moment.
Mitsui was completely baffled: "What do you mean it's impossible?"
Rukawa Kaede's brows furrowed with anger, his dark eyes gleaming: "She's mine."
Rukawa Kaede dislikes that Kanon is coveted by others.
Mitsui stopped in his tracks, stunned, and shouted, "What? You...you guys...what's going on? You and her, you're a couple?"
Rukawa Kaede softened his coldness somewhat and readily agreed, "Mm."
He felt a little unfamiliar, yet also quite content; he thoroughly enjoyed it when people said they were a couple.
Gongcheng moved a few steps closer to him and looked him up.
On the surface, Rukawa Kaede's expression was no different from before, but he caught a hint of hidden pleasure.
Miyagi clicked his tongue inwardly. Rukawa Kaede, that kid, usually treats others like a reward for saying a few extra words, but behind their backs, he has another face. He's practically a jealous and repressed pervert.
It's quite a contrast.
Mitsui's surprised expression was as if he had swallowed two eggs and choked on them, his eyes wide open in disbelief.
Quite awkward, he winked at Miyagi—Really?
Miyagi hesitated, then asked, "...When did this happen?"
What he really wanted to ask was—did you confess your feelings?
Although there's a flirtatious atmosphere between them, it seems like they're not actually together?
The fox remained unfazed: "It always has been."
Mitsui got stuck and couldn't help but swear: "...Damn it!"
He had just found someone he liked, but before he could even fall in love, he was shocked to hear the devastating news!
Seeing Mitsui's embarrassed expression, Miyagi tried to smooth things over by laughing and joking to ease the tension.
Miyagi grinned and put his hands on their shoulders, saying, "Misunderstanding, misunderstanding! Mitsui was just joking."
Mitsui immediately chimed in, "Nickel manufacturing... Oh, it's your sister-in-law. I apologize for my rudeness!"
That "sister-in-law" is quite a pleasant sound.
Rukawa Kaede, his chubby cheeks puffed out, brushed Miyagi's hand away, barely satisfied, and gave a lukewarm "hmm."
…
In the afternoon, at the Shohoku Basketball Gymnasium
Screams and gasps rang out as the hall and its surroundings were packed with girls.
Sakuragi blushed and tried to raise his arms high, shyly trying to avoid physical contact and squeeze in. However, his words, "Excuse me, please let me through," were completely drowned out.
Don't push!
You're blocking my way! I can't see Rukawa-kun anymore!
【Rukawa Kaede! I love you! Rukawa Kaede!】
The girls were screaming wildly.
Sakuragi, puffing up with anger, could only stand at the back of the crowd, taking advantage of his height.
Sakuragi gritted his teeth, "That damn Rukawa! He's really been stealing the spotlight these past few games while I wasn't there!"
Haruko exclaimed with delight, "Sakuragi! Sakuragi's back!"
The Xiangbei team turned around and looked over with delight.
Ayako rushed to Sakuragi, pushed through the crowd, and pulled him in. "Sakuragi! You're finally back!"
Rukawa Kaede was briefly lost in thought.
From the moment they met until now, they've spent almost every day together. During the week they were separated, he developed obvious symptoms of separation anxiety.
He quickly turned his head, but did not see the familiar figure, and a sense of panic rose in his heart.
Ayako: "Sakuragi, where's Oto-chan?"
Sakuragi: "My sister is watching the videotapes of these games in the video room."
Hearing this, Rukawa's stiff expression finally softened slightly. He composed himself and continued training.
A beautiful three-pointer was launched, and Mitsui looked at him: "Ah, Sakuragi, you're back just in time."
Sakuragi: "Of course! The game against Shohoku tomorrow absolutely cannot be done without this genius."
Miyagi jumped up, put his arm around Sakuragi's shoulder, and said in a friendly manner, "Hanamichi, you've finally decided to come back!"
Sakuragi laughed heartily, "Ryo! Have you been feeling uneasy while I was gone?"
Rukawa glanced at it and said, "It's better without you. You're just a drag on."
Sakuragi swiftly threw a punch, yelling, "You stinky fox! You're still as annoying as ever!"
Rukawa Kaede, with a blank expression, raised his hand to block, and the two round faces went back and forth, dodging each other.
Faced with this familiar battle between monkeys and foxes, the Shohoku team members were overjoyed and wept tears of joy. This is the true spirit of our Shohoku team!
Akagi said with a serious face, "It's good that you're back. Get ready for tomorrow's match!"
Sakuragi grinned smugly, "Hehehe! Gorilla, now you realize this genius is indispensable, right!"
Akagi's forehead vein throbbed, but remembering that he would be needed for tomorrow's match, he held back his punch.
After training, Rukawa Kaede roughly wiped his sweat with a towel and strode out of the basketball gym.
He was going crazy if he didn't see her again.
He found it difficult to describe this feeling.
After all, he had never liked anyone in 15 years.
The thought of seeing her is so...exciting.
It stimulates the cerebral cortex even more than winning the game.
Ayako stood to the side and watched as Rukawa Kaede left the stadium like a whirlwind.
Ayako smiled helplessly, "Really, why the rush?"
Mitsui retrieved the ball, quietly retreated to Miyagi's side, nudged Miyagi with his elbow, and then gave Rukawa a wink.
Ayako turned around and saw Miyagi and Mitsui sneakily following behind Rukawa. She muttered to herself, "...When did these three become so close?"
Video recording room.
Hanon flipped through the match record book.
In the four games of the county tournament, Coach Anzai did not neglect anyone. All members of Shohoku took turns playing. He seized this rare opportunity to train the whole team and improve the depth of Shohoku's bench.
Undoubtedly, Rukawa Kaede is Shohoku's undisputed scoring leader. In the first game, he scored 35 points, 11 steals, and 10 blocks; in the second game, he scored 36 points, 15 steals, and 12 blocks…
He averaged 30+ points per game across four matches, recording a triple-double in every game.
Haruko stayed with Kanon for a while, hesitated for a few seconds, and then said, "Kanon-neechan..."
Seeing her unnatural expression, Hana smiled and asked, "What's wrong?"
Haruko: "Can...can I ask you something personal?"
Hanon readily agreed: "Okay."
Rukawa Kaede paused and stopped in his tracks.
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