"Okay, as you all know, there will be the monthly exam next week so please prepare…"
As the school bell signalled the end of the day, many students were preparing to leave. Kei however, was still seated in his seat as he waited for everyone to leave before he went on his way. There was basketball practice today, but more importantly, he had a slightly satisfied look as he was looking forward to what was going to happen during practice today. Azusa had already gone ahead earlier since she had to report to Akane-senpai, who always came early to practice, on time.
As Kei quietly thought about what he was going to do, he was approached by Chihaya who had a slightly worried look about her.
"Hey… umm… Kei…"
"Hmm?"
"Are you sure you want to participate in practice today?"
"Why shouldn't I participate in it?"
"Your own teammates were slandering you…"
"All the more reason to go. Don't worry, nothing bad is going to happen to me, fufu~"
The worried look on Chihaya deepened as she watched Kei let out a rare giggle. She was even more worried now because she knew what that giggle meant since she had already seen it once. However, her worries weren't directed towards Kei now, but more towards his teammates who will have to go through whatever he was going to put them through.
***
"As you all know, I will be the captain of this tea—"
"Tch, a first-year? Are you sure about this, sensei?"
"As I was saying, I will be—"
"Oy, first-year, shut up when your senpai is talking."
As Kei was trying to get the session started, there were some unsatisfied opinions from some of the senior players who kept interrupting Kei as he tried to talk to them with some even ignoring him. Yanagi-sensei had decided to leave this matter up to Kei as the team captain since he was more than confident in Kei's abilities to lead the team. Up in the stands, Chihaya, Azusa, and Akane were watching as all this was happening.
"Umm… Akane-senpai, shouldn't we intervene?" Azusa asked worriedly.
"Hmm…? No, Kei specifically asked us to stay out of it. Besides, getting into his crosshair would likely get you killed."
Chihaya didn't even bother popping the question as she already knew what was going to happen.
"Ain't no way I'm taking orders from a first-year kid! I'd rather Maki be the captain!"
"Yeah! What qualifies you to lead us anyway?!"
"Hmmm~… do you want to know?" Kei finally spoke up.
It seemed that Kei had finally had enough of the verbal abuse that he was receiving. He spoke up with a cheerful yet sadistic tone whilst smiling at the seniors who were abusing him.
"Why don't we I demonstrate it with a quick game?"
"Tch, you're just going to pair up with the first team players anyway!"
"No. You three, against me, in a half-court match. 3 Points wins the game. The only catch, if I win, you will obey my every command like dogs do for their masters. If I lose then I will quit the team."
"Hah? A first-year challenging 3 senior players? Are you okay with this sensei? It won't be pretty."
Yanagi-sensei who was watching all this unfold could only give them a slight nod as they got the game underway. They had almost instantly accepted the request as they thought that there was no way they could lose. It was obvious however, that if someone had enough confidence to challenge 3 people at the same time, they would obviously be skilled enough to do so.
In the Tachibana Private High School basketball team, the teacher would select the players who would represent the school team but the team captain is given full control to do as they please with the line-ups except kicking them off the team or the club.
"How did he… A first-year…"
"This… is our captain…"
"Will…will you be asking us to quit the club…?"
When the game ended 3-0 to Kei, not only the players who lost, but the whole team along with the 3 girls up in the stands watching were completely shocked. It was one thing to have a sadistic style of leadership, but to have the skills to back it up left them speechless.
When they asked whether Kei would be kicking them out of the club, the three of them had a worried look about them. After all, they were admitted because of their basketball history and records from middle school. This would mean that if they were kicked out, they would be expelled from the school. Kei could only give them the same cheerful and sadistic look and tone that he had shown them earlier.
"Nope, I will not kick you out, nor will I let you quit."
"Th-thank you! I promise, I will play to the best of my abil—"
"Let me finish."
"?!"
"You will not quit, you will not be kicked, but for the entire year, you will not be part of the representing team. Your names will be there, but your only roles will be providing water for us and anything the team wants. For a whole year."
Maintaining his 'cheerful' smile to the three of them, Kei had commanded them to essentially become water-boys. This was what Chihaya was worried about as she had seen something similar before when the first term started and Kei was selected for the first team. Maki was doubtful of Kei's ability to carry his own weight and challenged his selection. However, Kei didn't treat Maki as harshly as compared to the three players standing in front of him. Chihaya could almost notice a sadistic grin slightly leaking from Kei's expression.
"B-but that's… You can't do that!"
"Normally I wouldn't mind, but as the captain, I must set an example for the others to follow. You should have prepared yourselves for the worst when you accepted such an offer. Honestly, what value could the three of you provide for the team if you can't even beat a mere first-year?"
When that incident was over, the practice proceeded smoothly with the team listening to Kei's commands and instructions readily as he already showed his capabilities to the team. None of them wanted to get on his wrong side as they readily gave their all for the team. Up in the stands however, sat a completely shocked Azusa who could only mutter in shock.
"W-what… what happened to Kei?!"