Chapter 73 Simple Things
Ayako's smile vanished instantly, and she said earnestly, "Senior, please think twice before you speak, okay?"
Mitsui dared not provoke Princess Paper Fan, and nimbly slipped behind Miyagi.
A shy blush rose on Miyagi's face as she tried to appease her, "Aya, how about we go get something nice to eat after training? Wouldn't that make you feel better?"
Ayako smacked Miyagi on the head with her fan and said dejectedly, "What are you eating? This is terrible! The bikini I prepared two months ago, I can't even fit into it!"
Shohoku team members: ...
Haruko said with annoyance, "Me too! A whole three kilograms!"
Kanon rested her chin on Rukawa's shoulder, and said somewhat shyly, "Maybe it's because of exercise, I've been training a lot and eating a lot... I've gained two kilograms..."
Rukawa Kaede said calmly, pinching the chubby cheeks of Hanon with his fingers, "Chubby, but cute too."
Hanon remained silent, brushed away Rukawa's hand, and glared at him with displeasure.
Rukawa looked innocently at his sulking girlfriend and scratched the back of his head.
He just wanted to tell Hanon that no matter how fat or thin she is, she is the most adorable person.
But why is Kanon so angry?
The straightforward fox didn't understand.
Ayako gripped her paper fan tightly, her eyes resolute and determined, and issued a call to action to the Shohoku corporate culture: "Everyone, our goal is—"
The Shohoku team members, like a group of warriors ready to pounce, shouted: "To dominate the nation!!"
Ayako turned her head, cleared her throat, and said, "Sisters, our goal is—"
"Losing weight and becoming a hot girl!!!"
The Shohoku team members had exaggerated expressions: ?!
The three girls were also very motivated and had a strong determination to lose weight!
During training, she is like a workaholic, giving it her all and not being careless at all.
After training, they were like they'd been injected with adrenaline, joining in the water-splashing activity and playing harder than anyone else, leaving the younger team members completely overwhelmed.
After a thrilling training session and some play, the Shohoku boys rushed into the restaurant and devoured their food.
After the meal, everyone returned to their comfortable rooms.
Thump, thump, thump
A knock came at the door.
Hanon got up and went to open the door.
When she saw who was standing at the door, she opened her eyes wide in confusion, "Xiao Feng, what brings you here?"
She was wearing a loose T-shirt, looking very relaxed. She probably had just taken a shower, as her hair was still damp, adding to her charm.
Rukawa's eyes darkened, and he raised the bag in his hand, his voice slightly hoarse, "Here, some snacks for you."
Hana was slightly surprised and reached out to take the snacks: "Why did you suddenly buy me snacks? Did you buy them on purpose when you went out?"
"Heavy." Rukawa Kaede gently avoided her movement, his expression indifferent. "You didn't eat much for dinner, so I prepared some for you. Eat if you're hungry."
He paused for a moment, then added, "It won't make you fat."
Hua Yin's heart skipped a beat, her eyes crinkled with laughter, and her voice was gentle, "Thank you, Xiao Feng."
Rukawa Kaede's gaze fell on the single strand of hair dripping with water. "Why didn't you dry your hair?"
Hanon casually ran her hand through her damp hair and said with a smile, "I'm too lazy to blow-dry it. It's summer, it'll dry in no time."
With one hand in his pocket and his posture ramrod straight, Rukawa Kaede raised his chin and looked directly at Kanon. "May I come in?"
Hanon nodded, "Sure."
Suddenly remembering something, she said quickly, "Wait for me, just one minute!"
Then the door slammed shut.
Hanon glanced around her room, frowned slightly, and then began to get busy.
I threw all the clothes into the closet, closed the closet door, put all the messy things on the dressing table into the drawer, and straightened the pillows.
Once the room was clear enough to see, Hanon reopened the door, her tone relaxed, "Please come in."
Rukawa Kaede stepped into the room, pretending not to see the irregularities in the space—
A drawer that wasn't closed properly, a wardrobe with a corner of fabric sticking out, and a wrinkled bed sheet.
He placed the snack bag on the low table, looked at her again, and asked, "Where's the hair dryer?"
Hanon took a hair dryer from the locker and handed it to Rukawa Kaede naturally, saying, "Here, take this."
Rukawa led her to the desk, pulled out a chair, and pressed her down to sit.
A notebook lay in front of Hanon, and she picked up her pen and wrote carefully, stroke by stroke.
"Why is the light so dim?"
Upon hearing this, Huayin didn't even look up, but simply turned up the desk lamp a little. "My eyes are light-colored and sensitive to strong light."
Rukawa paused, then adjusted the desk lamp back to its original brightness.
The room quieted down, and the sound of the hairdryer became clearer.
Rukawa Kaede calmly helped Kanon blow-dry her hair.
His gaze became focused.
In the dim yellow light, Hana's eyelashes, nose, and face were softly illuminated, like a perfect oil painting, every detail exquisite and beautiful.
The notebook neatly records the team's training reports and daily physical test data.
Each player's record is detailed and comprehensive, including technical analysis, physical fitness assessment, and evaluation of practice performance.
Although Rukawa Kaede didn't know how long it would take Kanon to organize this data, or how much effort it would require.
But he could see that his teammates were making progress every day, with real changes.
Behind these advancements lies the result of Kanon's quiet dedication.
Seeing that she was engrossed in her work, Rukawa Kaede didn't disturb her and quietly tidied up her room.
It was more than an hour later when we finally finished the team report.
Hanon stretched, put down her pen, and turned around to see Rukawa Kaede asleep beside her.
His face appeared even more handsome and gentle in the dim light, and his peaceful sleeping face revealed a kind of obedience.
Shifting my gaze to the side, the items on the desk are arranged in an orderly fashion. The bottles and jars that were once scattered in the drawers are now neatly arranged on the dressing table.
Even the bed sheets were laid out as smooth as a mirror.
The room was impeccably clean and orderly, creating a reassuring atmosphere.
Hanon stared at Rukawa Kaede for a while, thinking to herself, "Such a good person is now my boyfriend."
...Secretly pleased!
She leaned closer and reached out to wake him, but her wrist was suddenly grabbed.
A powerful force instantly pulled her towards him. Unable to resist, Hanon lost her balance and fell towards Rukawa Kaede.
Her head bumped into his stiff chest.
"ah!"
Hana let out a soft cry, the pain bringing tears to her eyes.
The moment Rukawa saw Kanon, his drowsiness vanished instantly.
"Excuse me! Are you alright?"
Hana covered her nose and waved her hand, "It's nothing."
Rukawa cupped her cheeks, leaned closer to look at her intently, and apologized again, "I'm sorry, Nini."
Hana's breathing tightened and her heart raced unconsciously.
Seeing that she didn't speak, Rukawa asked worriedly, "Does it hurt a lot?"
Hua Yin snapped out of her daze, let go of his hand to let him see, tilted her head slightly, and said with a smile, "It really doesn't hurt."
Rukawa Kaede gave her a deep look and gave a soft "hmm" in his deep, magnetic voice.
Hanon sat on the blanket, so close, that she couldn't take her eyes off it.
Eyes, nose, lips, Adam's apple, and a tiny bit of collarbone showing—
It's so unfair that Rukawa Kaede, a basketball player, is so handsome!
"What are you looking at?"
"Look at my boyfriend."
A hint of a smile flickered in his narrow, fox-like eyes. "Is it pretty?"
Kanon nodded repeatedly and smiled, "It's absolutely gorgeous!"
Even every single strand of his hair exudes handsomeness.
Rukawa Kaede's lips dipped slightly as he raised his hand, his fingertips gently touching Hana's nose, tracing a line as if sketching.
Following Huayin's cheeks and cheekbones, down to her earlobes, every movement seemed slow and deliberate, yet full of indescribable tension.
Hanon shuddered, vaguely sensing danger.
Those deep, fox-like eyes sculpted her features.
Hana, supporting herself with his hand, easily stood up and changed the subject, "Wow, little fox, you're so amazing! You tidied the room so neatly!"
Rukawa Kaede straightened up, withdrew his hand, put it back in his pocket, and said casually, "No problem."
Hua Yin smiled, her eyes crinkling, "Fengfeng did so well, is there anything I can do for you?"
"Promise me."
Rukawa looked at her and said, "From now on, let me blow-dry your hair every day."
Such a simple thing?
Yes, it's that simple.
But somehow, Kanon's heart felt numb.
June, Kanagawa Prefectural Gymnasium.
The short month-long training camp has ended, and the first match of the county competition finals is about to begin.
Shohoku vs. Hainan.
With a grin, Miyagi said, "Today's match is really something to look forward to! Just think, the Hainan team has consistently ranked first and made it into the national competition for 16 years."
Sakuragi was extremely excited: "Hehe... With this genius joining Shohoku this year, they will definitely end Hainan's bullshit championship dream!"
Mitsui's face beamed with confidence and fighting spirit. "Sakuragi is right, we will definitely win this game!"
Rukawa Kaede remained as ruthless as ever, his eyes calm and profound, displaying an unwavering determination to win.
Ayako asked enthusiastically, "Yinyin, what do you think of the Hainan team's strength?"
Hanon was about to respond when a voice as loud as a megaphone preempted her—
"Oh dear, Red-haired Monkey! You've really had terrible luck this time, running into our Hainan team. This must be your second game, right? Haha, what a pity, your season is over this summer! Don't be discouraged, keep working hard, there'll be a chance to turn things around next year!"
The entire Shohoku team stopped in their tracks, only to unexpectedly encounter the Hainan team in the corridor.
"Hmph! You wild monkey from Hainan, you're far too arrogant! The competition hasn't even started yet and you're already bragging. Have you never seen a genius like me before, that's why you dare to talk like that!"
Kiyota's expression was exaggerated: "Genius? That's hilarious! I don't even consider you a threat!"
The two teams' number ten players glared at each other like two ferocious beasts about to engage in battle.
The atmosphere was already thick with tension even before the duel began.
Huayin glanced at the Hainan team, her gaze landing on a rather stylish middle-aged man. She raised an eyebrow and smiled, saying, "It seems the Hainan team does indeed possess formidable strength."
"What?"
The Shohoku team members exclaimed in surprise.
"Hey!" The wild monkey winked and said mischievously, "Your Shohoku team manager really has a keen eye!"
Sakuragi muttered in dissatisfaction, "Sister!!!"
Hua Yin said with great respect: "The Hainan coach is so young and promising. He has successfully led the Hainan team to many years of winning streak. He must have extraordinary talent and experience."
Everyone followed Hanon's gaze—
Amu's face suddenly darkened.
The Shohoku team members suddenly realized what was happening, and for a moment they all tried hard to suppress their laughter.
Sakuragi blurted out, "Sis, he may look older, but he's actually still a high school student! He's Maki, the captain of the Hainan team!"
Amu was hit hard again, and his face turned even darker.
Hanon's eyes widened, and her toes involuntarily dug into the ground: "...Oh, sorry."
After saying that, she moved behind Rukawa Kaede and carefully patted the back of his shoulder.
That's awkward.
Kanon didn't realize that she was subconsciously relying on Rukawa.
Rukawa Kaede noticed.
He turned slightly to the side, blocking his girlfriend's beautiful eyes, and casually agreed, "She does look old."
"Pfft, hahaha!"
Mitsui and Miyagi couldn't help but burst out laughing.
Kiyota angrily shouted, "Brother Mu is only 17 years old, just one or two years older than everyone else!"
Sakuragi's mouth agape: "Oh~ I see, we thought he was 37!"
Amu's face turned ashen. He suddenly grabbed Kiyota by the collar and said to Akagi, "Akagi, nice to meet you. Let's see who wins on the field!"
Akagi awkwardly held down the bouncing Sakuragi and politely replied, "Nice to meet you, Maki. See you on the field."
The two captains' sharp gazes clashed, sparks flying, silently declaring – I've got this game in the bag!
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