Chapter 98 A formidable opponent
Rukawa stepped forward, bowed deeply, and said in a cold but firm tone, "Teacher, I would like to go and watch the match. Please grant me permission."
Seeing this, the members of Shohoku High School also stepped forward and stood shoulder to shoulder with Rukawa Kaede.
The tall, imposing figures of the basketball club members resembled towering mountains, exuding a heavy sense of oppression.
No teacher wants to feel pressured by students, and the dean's face turned grim: "You are students, and studying is the most important thing."
He refused their request without hesitation, citing his studies.
The group of students who failed their exams looked even uglier than the head of the teaching department.
Sakuragi, impulsive as ever, retorted loudly, "Hey old man! Watching a game is a form of learning too! Besides, that top high school student in the country, who was still bedwetting at the age when he learned to control the ball, you should let this genius go and meet him!"
The Shohoku team: ...The words may be rude, but they seem to be true.
Rukawa Kaede's expression was calm, but there was a hint of coldness in his gaze as he looked at the headmaster.
Kanon was not angry at Sakuragi's behavior; on the contrary, she was pleased.
Although he considers himself a genius, Sakuragi is not blindly arrogant.
Even in his previous life, when Shohoku narrowly defeated Sannoh, he still valued this opportunity to watch the game very much.
The live match will allow Sakuragi to more clearly understand Sannoh's strength.
This will also bring different kinds of pressure to Shohoku.
Seeing Sakuragi and his friends acting arrogantly and domineeringly, the headmaster became increasingly furious.
“I absolutely disagree!” he said firmly.
The plan to watch the game this time is probably going to fall through, and Hanon knows why.
"Teacher, I'm so sorry, I'm the only one who needs to ask for leave. Please don't take what they said to heart."
As she spoke, she held Rukawa and Sakuragi's hands tightly, afraid that they might say something shocking in a moment of impulse.
Although he was extremely unwilling, Rukawa couldn't bear to lose his temper with Kanon, so he stood aside with a cold face.
Sakuragi lowered his head, pursed his lips, his expression shifting unpredictably, and it was impossible to tell what he was thinking.
After the group of people left the office, the dean of students finally breathed a sigh of relief, slumped into his chair, and kept wiping the cold sweat from his forehead.
He exclaimed, "These students are really...unique, with such a strong presence! Luckily, Kanon can keep them in check..."
***
"Thank you for your help these past few days. Please keep an eye on their studies. I hope everyone will pass the final exams smoothly."
Hanon gave the excellent legion some instructions with a bit of a headache.
Akagi nodded solemnly, "Yes, don't worry."
Kogure pushed up his glasses, looking quite worried: "We'll do our best."
Haruko frowned slightly: "All four key players are in danger of failing their exams. It's really worrying."
Ayako sighed, "Sigh, I never thought that as their assistant, I would not only have to worry about their training, but also tutor them in their studies."
The failing students, who had just been shot in the head by Akagi, were now covering their ears, pretending they couldn't hear anything no matter what.
***
Inside the room.
Hanon packed her luggage back and forth. Rukawa Kaede said very little, like a little follower, following her wherever she went.
With a turn, Kanon almost bumped into Rukawa Kaede.
She gently nudged him and said reproachfully, "Please move aside a little bit."
Rukawa's gaze was fixed on her face as he uttered, "I want to go to Akita Prefecture too!"
Hanon stopped what she was doing and smiled helplessly: "Didn't we agree that I would go alone, and you all would stay at school and study hard?"
"No." Rukawa Kaede shook his head, one hand in his pocket, his face full of stubbornness: "Let's go together."
"Didn't the school refuse your leave request?"
"Go secretly."
"...What about the exams? Can you guarantee that you'll pass at least four subjects in the final exams when you come back?"
"..."
Rukawa Kaede stood to the side, his usual nonchalant demeanor lingering in silence for a long time, and he seemed somewhat dejected.
Just as Huayin was about to ask him what he was thinking, he suddenly grabbed her hand and pulled her forcefully—
The next second, she was thrown headfirst into his arms by the force of inertia.
Hana's chin bumped into his collarbone, and she was stunned. Before she could react, she felt Rukawa Kaede grab her shoulders and pull her tightly into his arms.
"I want to go."
He lowered his head, pressed his face against hers, and gently rubbed it against hers, his expression subtly trying to please her.
Hanon looked up, cupped Rukawa's face in her hands, looked into his eyes, and suddenly understood, "Are you uneasy? Why?"
His voice was a little deep, and he spoke frankly and directly: "I don't want to break up."
At that moment, Hanon's heart seemed to be filled with something, both gentle and passionate.
She nestled gently against his shoulder: "It'll only be a few days, I'll be back soon."
He held her hand tightly, his fingers gently stroking her palm. "You shouldn't go either. Let's watch the video together."
He didn't want to get used to parting.
The separation made him very reluctant and anxious.
"No, I have to go."
In order to understand the strength of various universities on-site and for their common goal, she had to move forward.
Rukawa Kaede fell silent again, staring intently at her.
Hana gently ruffled his black hair and said softly, "I'll be back soon, wait for me."
Rukawa Kaede's lips were tightly pressed together, his face expressionless, yet his subtle emotions were clearly outwardly displayed.
"Fengfeng, I will miss you."
Hana felt that he lacked a sense of security and needed her to constantly express her love, unconditionally accept him, and firmly choose him.
How much do you want to?
"I really, really want to!"
He didn't say anything more, just held her quietly and firmly, as if he wanted to embed her whole body into his.
They embraced tightly, their heartbeats seemingly merging into one.
She whispered in his ear, "Don't worry, I'll always be here."
Hana let him hold her, wrapping her arms around his waist and resting her chin on his shoulder.
...What broad shoulders!
She even wanted to hug him tighter.
"Do you also think that Sawakita is the strongest opponent I've ever faced?" Rukawa suddenly asked.
Hanon took a deep breath, clearing her mind of the jumbled thoughts, and answered earnestly, "No, he isn't."
His narrow, fox-like eyes stared at her.
Your strongest opponent is yourself.
Hanon continued, "You can see your opponents, but surpassing yourself is the hardest thing."
Of course, there was another half-sentence that Kanon held back from saying.
According to Sakuragi, this brooding fox is so narcissistic that he probably thinks he's the strongest.
Rukawa remained silent, which made Kanon wonder if Sakuragi had guessed his little scheme again.
After a silence of more than ten seconds, Rukawa Kaede spoke calmly:
“Nini, my greatest rival is not me.”
His voice was full of seriousness.
"Hmm? Who is that?"
Hana looked at him curiously, anticipating his answer.
"That person is right beside me."
"Huh?" Hanon thought she had misheard. "You said..."
She pointed to her own nose, somewhat incredulous, "It's me?"
"My greatest rival will probably always be you."
As he spoke, he used his hand to envelop Hana's fingertips, pulled them to his lips, and gently kissed them.
Hanon's eyelashes trembled slightly, and she asked softly, "Why do you say that?"
"Because I want you to always look at me, and I want to occupy the most prominent position in your world."
“Nini, you may not realize it yourself, but you pay attention to many things in your life. That’s why I have to surpass everyone, whether it’s Sendoh or Sawakita. Only when I surpass them all will you be able to see me more easily.”
Rukawa Kaede lowered his eyes, but Kanon's eyes welled up with tears.
"If I want to keep my place in your heart, I must keep surpassing you."
Hana murmured, "I've been watching you all along..."
“Every one-on-one match with you, I can feel your strength. You fascinate me and make me willing to do anything to improve myself.”
"But I still can't surpass you."
Hanon opened her mouth, but couldn't say anything.
I'm afraid that you won't be watching me anymore, and I'll just be able to follow you wearily.
Kanon never expected that Rukawa Kaede would also have such moments of insecurity.
"Therefore, I want to grow faster and stronger. Not to surpass anyone, nor to find a more conspicuous goal, but simply to stand shoulder to shoulder with you and become the sharp sword in your direction."
Rukawa Kaede said in a low voice.
"Fengfeng, I'm not your opponent... but rather, your forever personal trainer, and your virtuous wife?"
Rukawa Kaede blinked innocently.
Huayin suddenly turned to the side and kissed the corner of his lips, then looked at him with smiling eyes.
It was like a dragonfly skimming the water, it passed quickly, but he could feel her flutter of excitement in that instant.
An uncontrollable numbness in the heart—
Satisfied hemp.
Now, this feeling is extraordinary; all my senses are incredibly hungry.
Rukawa Kaede's Adam's apple bobbed as he glanced at the bed before speaking again, "Want to give it a try?"
The topic was too abrupt, and Hanon asked in confusion, "Try what?"
"The toughest high school student in the world?"
Rukawa Kaede's expression was indifferent, and his voice was very calm, revealing no trace of sarcasm.
"…………"
Hanon's face was almost flushed red, and she quickly raised her hand to push Rukawa, but he didn't leave, staring straight at her.
At that moment, her heart was pounding.
She discovered that Rukawa Kaede was actually quite dangerous…
Especially after their first kiss, it was as if he had been freed from his shackles, and his masculine aggression and aggressiveness became even more unrestrained.
—For example, right now.
Even though it's dangerous, it has a fatal attraction for Kanon.
***
Rukawa Kaede walked into the dormitory.
Mitsui and Miyagi immediately surrounded him, asking anxiously, "Rukawa, how is it? Can we go to Akita with you tomorrow?"
They had already planned to skip class to watch the game, and the only reason they hesitated was... Kanon.
They were afraid she would be angry, so Rukawa's task was to win her acquiescence.
Sakuragi scoffed dismissively:
"You can tell just by looking at his face, he must have been rejected by his sister. He hasn't washed his face in days, he stinks like crazy!!"
The fox, whose courtship had been rejected, grew even colder and glared at Sakuragi, saying, "Idiot."
"Say that again, you filthy fox!"
Sakuragi, not to be outdone, grabbed Rukawa by the collar, ready to fight him.
Mitsui quickly grabbed Sakuragi's arm, "Fine, fine, Sakuragi, if we don't want to go, we don't want to go... Ouch..."
Miyagi immediately separated the three who were pulling at each other: "Instead of arguing here, you should hurry up and finish your workbook, otherwise the captain won't let us participate in training. Also, San, you have a wound, so don't get involved in these two's business."
Sakuragi immediately perked up his ears, "Hmm? Wound? Little San, you went to fight?"
Rukawa's gaze also fell on Mitsui.
Mitsui scratched his head somewhat embarrassedly, "Ah, no, it's just... I saw a cute little cat on the street and went to pet it, but it scratched me."
Miyagi chimed in, "This guy really brought it on himself. Even stray cats have tempers. If you want to build a close relationship with it, you have to offer some benefits first, right? Otherwise, who's going to bother with you?"
Rukawa Kaede, with one hand in his pocket and seemingly nonchalant, suddenly had a flash of inspiration after hearing Miyagi's words.
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