Chapter 3 The Red-haired Monkey
Sakuragi scratched his head with a silly grin, a little bubble of pride bubbling inside him.
Hanon took out the money from her wallet and handed it over with both hands: "Thank you for your help. Please put the rest of the money on Hanamichi's account. You can just transfer the money to him and his friends when they come over in the future."
The shopkeeper snapped out of his daze, cheerfully took the money, and said, "Yes! No problem!!"
Then I couldn't help but glance at it, and then glance at it again.
"Hey, uncle, stop staring! Hurry up and cook us some noodles, we're starving!"
Takamiya, clutching his chubby belly, was also captivated by Sakuragi's beauty, but his stomach was simply too growling with hunger! Nothing was more important than a good meal.
The diners couldn't help but look over here.
Sakuragi grinned, overjoyed; finally, the strange looks from everyone weren't coming from him anymore! He shouted loudly to the boss:
"Hehehe... Uncle, hurry up! I'm starving!"
"Excuse me! It'll be ready soon—"
After chatting for a while, the waiter finally brought over the steaming hot ramen, its aroma filling the air. "Your ramen is here!!"
Sakuragi's Army: "Let's get started!"
Sakuragi eagerly picked up a large mouthful of ramen, about to put it in his mouth, when he met Kanon's smiling eyes and said dryly, "...I'm going to start eating!"
Kanon extended her hand and gestured for him to enter.
She picked up her chopsticks and took a bite, finding the ramen to be exquisitely made, with a rich broth, smooth and delicious noodles, and indeed quite tasty.
No wonder Sakuragi can eat five big bowls of food.
The night breeze was a bit chilly.
Sakuragi's gang, patting their round bellies, strolled down the street with Kanon, chattering excitedly as they told her about the changes in Kanagawa.
After saying goodbye to the Sakuragi Army, the two siblings started walking back.
As they passed the barbershop, Sakuragi suddenly stopped and said, "Wait a minute!! I'm going to get a haircut...!"
"Um?"
Hanon was forced to wait in the barbershop's waiting area by Sakuragi.
"Wait a minute... I'll be done soon! Uncle!! I need a haircut!"
"Good guest!"
Ten minutes later.
Hanon was slightly taken aback. Sakuragi had cut off his chuunibyou-style pompadour and was now standing in front of her with a simple and neat buzz cut.
This hairstyle accentuated his deep-set features, sharp facial contours, and baby fat on his cheeks, exuding youthful hormones.
Seeing that she didn't speak, Sakuragi became a little nervous, fidgeted with the hem of his shirt, and asked, "Why aren't you saying anything...?"
Hana stood up, reached out and repeatedly ruffled his red head, her eyes crinkling with laughter, her thick eyelashes curling up like little fans.
"Huahua, this hairstyle really suits you! You look so cool!"
Sakuragi's grin stretched almost to the back of his head. "Is that so? Hehehe... This genius is just so handsome~!"
Hanon cheerfully pulled him along, "Hanamichi, let's go take pictures!"
Inside the photo studio.
Hanon smiled broadly, but Sakuragi always seemed reserved.
"Little brother, get a little closer to your sister, be a little more affectionate. Try putting your hand on your sister's shoulder like this~ like this," photographer Kitahara Ransuke reminded him, demonstrating the movements repeatedly.
Hanon turned around and asked, "Hanamichi, are you shy?"
"How is that possible!"
Sakuragi immediately walked behind Kanon, squatted down with both legs, and rested his head on Kanon's shoulder, like a spoiled husky, and said fiercely:
"Hey, sir! Is this okay?"
Hana gave a bright smile, her beautiful eyes curving into crescent shapes.
Kitahara Ransuke was stunned by that laugh, and it took him a while to come to his senses. He raised his camera and zoomed in.
"Okay! One more, 1, 2, 3..."
With a click, the shutter clicked, capturing this heartwarming and beautiful scene.
Holding the photo, Hua Yin said sincerely, "Master, your photography skills are really good."
It's a really great shot; the composition and lighting are both perfect.
Kitahara Ransuke said proudly, "Of course! In Kanagawa, I'm the best!"
He gave a thumbs-up, looking confident.
"If you want to take photos or videos in the future, feel free to contact me! Since you're both handsome men and beautiful women, I can offer you a discount."
People in his line of work love to collaborate with good-looking people! It's less hassle and they can still take great photos.
Aesthetic appreciation has always been diverse.
However, the two siblings share a similar aesthetic.
He's still young now, but in a few years, when his features are fully developed and his youthful innocence fades, it's no exaggeration to say that he'll be able to use his beauty to his advantage!
"Okay, thank you, Master."
The two walked out of the photo studio with the photos in their hands.
Sakuragi scratched his head: "Going home?"
Hanon: "I need to go to the supermarket to buy some things first."
"good!"
The two headed straight to the supermarket. Hana put pots, pans, seasonings, and other condiments into the shopping cart. Finally, they returned home carrying several oversized shopping bags.
The refrigerator was instantly filled to the brim with food.
Sakuragi beamed, his heart filled with joy and satisfaction.
Hanon boiled two bowls of hot milk in a saucepan and handed them to him. "Hanamichi, is there a basketball court nearby?"
Sakuragi took it, gulped down a mouthful, and said, "Yeah, what's wrong?"
"I'm going to practice tomorrow morning."
"Huh? Tomorrow morning?" Sakuragi looked confused. He hesitated for a few seconds, then said, "I'll go with you!"
Hana's eyes lit up immediately, and she exclaimed with delight, "That's wonderful! Drink your milk and go to sleep. I'll wake you up tomorrow morning."
The original plan was to coax Sakuragi into getting up early together, but she took the initiative to ask to accompany him, probably because she was worried about him.
Hanon's lips curved upwards, and her eyes softened.
Dominate the whole country? It will be as you wish.
Sakuragi gulped down the milk, snatched the cup from her hand, washed it in the sink, and placed it on the drain rack.
Then, turning back to look at her every few steps, he said, "...I'm going to sleep now...Goodnight~"
Kanon nodded and watched him enter the room. "Goodnight, Hanamichi."
…
As dawn broke outside, Kanon changed into a long tracksuit, picked up her basketball shoes, and headed towards Sakuragi's room.
After knocking on the door several times without receiving a response, she opened Sakuragi's door.
"Hanamichi, get up and practice your ball skills!"
Sakuragi looked at the girl in front of him in a daze.
It seems like I'm not dreaming, she really is back!
Sakuragi rubbed his eyes, and through the blur, he saw that he was shirtless. He hurriedly covered his chest and exclaimed, "They didn't knock! You scared me!"
Looking like she'd encountered a thug, Hana couldn't help but chuckle: "I knocked on the door several times, but you didn't seem to hear me at all!"
Recalling the past, Hana teased, "You used to wear open-crotch pants when you were little~ Don't be so shy!"
Sakuragi tried hard to keep a straight face and remain serious, "That was when I was a kid!"
"Okay, I'll be careful."
Hana closed the door and said through the doorway, "I'll wait for you outside. Remember to wear socks."
Sakuragi, his face flushed and neck red, stared at the door and muttered, "Seriously! This genius isn't a child anymore!"
In the early morning, butterflies and bees play in the park, and the flowers and trees exude a fresh fragrance.
The first step in morning training: dribbling and running 5 kilometers to improve ball control and feel.
This amount of exercise isn't much, but because it involves dribbling the ball, it's quite challenging for Sakuragi, a beginner.
As they ran, the ball rolled to one side.
Kanon would always pick up the ball before Sakuragi got angry, gently encouraging him, "It's okay, Hanamichi, keep up the pace, keep going!"
After their running practice, the two went to the basketball court. By then, Sakuragi was covered in sweat, and his shirt was completely soaked.
Hanon held the ball and dribbled it rhythmically, while Sakuragi sat on the ground, lazily watching her, not wanting to move.
"Flower arrangement, let's fight back."
Upon hearing this, Sakuragi arrogantly replied, "With your weak physique, do you really want to compete against a basketball genius like me?"
Haruko claims to be the savior of the Shohoku team! And she's the one who defeated the gorilla!
Sakuragi was brimming with confidence, believing himself to be invincible.
Hana's lips curved into a smile, her voice calm, "Then, please, genius, take the ball from me."
Sakuragi stood up, walked up to her, spread his arms, slightly bent his knees, and chuckled, "Fine! Don't say I'm bullying a girl if you lose!"
As Rukawa approached the basketball court, he was drawn by the familiar sound of impacts.
That was the sound of the basketball hitting the ground.
Surprisingly, someone had arrived even earlier than him.
Rukawa parked his bicycle, walked behind the bushes, and cast an indifferent gaze onto the basketball court.
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