A few days had passed since Mai brought Kei to Kujukuri beach. Nothing much happened except Mai came over to Kei's house more often and earlier than she usually did. The two had become even closer ever since that event, or rather, Mai made an effort to try to get closer to Kei as much as she possibly could.
The date was now 18th September, it was the beginning of the Inter-High School Basketball Championships for the girl's category. The boy's category would usually start on 1st October, right after the girl's championship had ended. However, because of the newly made Winter Cup, the boy's competition was pushed forward to allow more time in between the two tournaments.
Because the girl's tournament had started, Chihaya was missing from the classroom. However, she was not the only person absent from the class as Shiki-sensei had an announcement to make to the class.
"Amane Kei, Fujinomiya Azusa, and Saki Chihaya will all be exempt from attending class until their respective tournaments are over."
In this school, exemptions from attending classes are given to the athletes whenever their respective sports tournaments come around. However, if their tournaments clashes with exams, they will have to take the exams beforehand and at least pass if they want to participate in their tournaments.
"Sensei, isn't the boy's tournament a different date compared to the girls? Why does Amane get special treatment?"
"It's not that he gets special treatment, but because he's the captain. And as the captain, he has the authority to ask the school to allot certain periods where the members of the representing team will be training for the tournament."
"Heeh… what a dedicated captain. I don't get why he's trying so hard though. It's not like the basketball team will be able to win anything anyway. We baseball players should be the ones given special treatment." Keigo suddenly spoke up.
"Takeshi-san, it is not your place to say whether they will win or not. Rather, didn't the baseball team lose in the quarter-finals this year? Our baseball team has not gotten a placement less than second place for the past 5 years. What happened?"
When Shiki-sensei said that, Keigo couldn't do anything but lower his head in embarrassment as he couldn't deny anything she said. On another note, the baseball team had lost in the quarter-finals due to Keigo striking out multiple times and making no impact to the game which eventually led them to losing the whole match.
"Anyways, this is the last school day of the week, next Monday marks the start of your first monthly exam for the semester. I don't have to tell you how important it is to score well for this exam if you want to avoid supplementary classes."
""Yes.""
When Shiki-sensei mentioned the monthly exams, one could see the contrast in reactions around the classroom. The scholars were purely determined to outscore each other whilst the athletes were holding their heads down in fears over the prospect of them receiving supplementary classes.
"Heeh… I wonder what kind of captain Kei-san is…" One of the female students suddenly spoke out to herself.
Mai, who heard her say that, was suddenly reminded of the scenes he saw a few days ago during the training session Kei held. She thought to herself 'I don't think you'd want to find out…'
***
On the grounds of the school basketball court, Kei ran alongside his teammates during practice with a whistle in his mouth. As the school hadn't been able to hire a coach in time for the tournament as of yet, Kei took it upon himself to train the players for the time being while a new coach is being hunted. True to Mai's thoughts, Kei was running his teammates into the ground.
Today's focus for his training was mainly on building his teammates' stamina. Therefore, Kei had the entire team go through multiple sets of suicide runs to start off the training. He observed the team during the few practice games they had and identified stamina as their worst enemy.
"How many more sets captain?"
"Until I say so! Now run!"
They had gone through a total of 20 suicide run sets before Kei finally let the team off for a water break. While he was taking a sip of water, Yanagi-sensei approached him.
"How are you holding up?"
"I am fine sir."
"Well, take a look at those three."
Yanagi-sensei said as he looked towards the direction of 3 basketball members at the side of the court, continuing the suicide run sets. When Kei looked over at them, he recognized the 3 of them to be the 3 players he had turned into water-boys.
"See what I told you? They will definitely bounce back. Now it's a matter of when rather than how."
As Kei looked at them, it looked like he had a decision to make. Of course, his decision would only take place during the game as he wanted to see how determined they would train until the games takes place.
"By the way, the games schedule will be posted tomorrow at the venue. Will you be there to see it, Kei?"
"Hmm… Well, we don't have any training allotted for tomorrow. But since tomorrow is the day I have to take the exams, I guess I have to go after? Will that be okay, sensei?"
"I will allow it. I will bring you there. Also, will you be watching the game? The playoffs start tomorrow"
Yanagi-sensei asked this because the girl's team had actually qualified for the playoff games. This would mean that Chihaya will also be playing.
"If there is time to spare, then I guess it wouldn't hurt to watch it."
"Well, it's perfect timing. Since the match starts after your exams."