When the next day came, Kei was sat in the teacher's office taking the special exams. This was required of every basketball member since their exams would clash their tournament schedules. Of course, the exam papers that they had to take was different from the ones that the other students not involved would take to avoid any leaking of material to other students and cheating.
Kei would have to take these examinations over a period of 3 days for all 8 of the subjects he would have to take. A normal student would find it stressful to fit all these exams into 3 days. But for Kei, he found it convenient to finish all his exams quickly as he found it a bother to have to take the exams over the period of a whole week.
Kei was given a period of 2 hours to complete each exam paper. As he had to take 3 different papers for the day, he would use 6 hours for his examinations. However, Kei managed to finish each of the exam papers in under an hour which left him with a lot of time on his hands. With all his papers done for the day, he instantly visited Yanagi-sensei's office.
"Yanagi-sensei, I have completed all my papers for the day."
"That fast?!... Well, knowing you… you're probably fine. I wonder about the other members though…"
"I'm sure they will be fine."
"That's not what I meant…"
What Yanagi-sensei actually meant when he said that was the reaction from the other boys in the room taking the exams with him. True to his worries, they were gritting their teeth looking at Kei confidently passing up his papers in less than an hour after starting the papers while they were struggling. They were probably cursing him but Kei being who he is probably didn't notice it at all.
"A-anyways, we can leave now. Though, there's still time before the girls' match so I guess we have some time to kill."
"Are you sure a teacher should be saying that…?"
"Now now, how about we grab a bite to eat before going?"
As Kei agreed to his request, Yanagi-sensei proceeded to take Kei to a fast-food restaurant near the competition venue. There, Yanagi-sensei watched as Kei ate a huge meal that consisted of 2 burgers, 2 pieces of chicken, fries, and a soft drink.
"You sure have a large appetite. Well, you're a growing boy, so I guess that's fine"
"I don't know how I'm supposed to react to that statement…"
"Well never mind that. Anyways, how is your school life treating you? It's already your second semester, I'm sure there's even a girl on your mind."
When Yanagi-sensei asked that question, Kei looked at him confused as he didn't know how to answer that question.
"Ummm… I don't think so?"
"Really? Seeing you receive a confession almost every day, I thought you finally found the right one for yourself."
"Just because I'm getting confessed to doesn't mean I like any of them… Honestly, I find it a real bother to have to go through that everyday… wait, how do you even know that?"
"Well, it is quite a sight to behold when students turn that spot under the teacher's office window into a confession zone. Especially when the disciplinary head teacher sits next to that window."
Students haven't really noticed it, but the usual confession spot they had was actually just below the teacher's office. When Kei thought deeper about it, he realised that was a restricted area and that he had been eating there since the first semester. He started to wonder what will happen.
"Well, that's not to say I don't see you eating there everyday watching people get rejected."
'Ah… He knows…'
"Well, it's not like I'm against you eating there so don't worry. I know that sometimes people need some time to themselves for a peace of mind."
"…Thanks… sensei…" Kei said as he now had a newfound respect for the disciplinary head teacher.
Up until now, he thought that the disciplinary head teacher Yanagi-sensei had only been a figure of fear within the school, and that no one should even get close to him. But in truth, he was an understanding teacher who had good advice when approached and cares about the students that he knows needs help.
"Well, how about it? Any girl you like?"
"Hmm… Nope, not one person comes to mi—" Kei suddenly stopped when he was about to bite into his burger.
"Aha. So, there IS somebody."
When Kei was about to straight up deny that he had feelings towards anyone, something stopped him as a cute and shy girl with long purple hair flashed in his mind. He wanted to deny he had any romantic feelings for anyone, but somehow when he thought back to how she smiled when she brought him to Kujukuri beach, he couldn't bring himself to say no.
"Th-that's… Nope! None whatsoever!" Kei said as he was clearly embarrassed from being caught off guard.
"Hahah. Well, I won't press the issue. But I wonder who that special someone who managed to melt my icy captain's heart is, I wonder."
"W-well… I think it's about time for the game to start." Kei said as he chomped down on his last burger.
"Ah right, we got caught up in those things we lost track of time."
When they both arrived at the stadium, they first went to the notice board to take pictures of the fixtures and match schedules and checking to see which schools will be in their bracket. After they were done, Yanagi-sensei proceeded to the spectator stands as Kei had to use the restroom. On the way to the restroom, he bumped into a familiar figure.
"I'm sorry—! Eh? Kei-chin? What are you doing here?"
"Eh? Chihaya? Ah, I came here to get the schedule for the boy's team. Since we were here, Yanagi-sensei said we should watch your game."
"Heeeh~ You don't have to be shy about it and just say that you came to support me~"
"Okay, I'm going home."
"Okay! Okay! Please don't leave meeee~" Chihaya said as she had weepy eyes begging for Kei to stay.
"Eh? You know Amane-kun?" The girl beside Chihaya finally spoke up in shock.
The girl beside Chihaya was Arisugawa Kanae, a second-year player for the female basketball team. She had long, red hair, that was tied in a ponytail with red eyes and a slender body. Her build was smaller compared to her teammates but she was a prolific scorer as the team's shooting guard. Judging by her reaction, it seemed that Kei was also famous among the other years as well.
"Heheh~ Impressed? Kei-chin and I were from the same middle school so we've known each other for a while."
"Heeh… I'm impressed Chihaya-chan. Nice to meet you Amane-kun, I'm Arisugawa Kanae, a second-year shooting guard for the girl's team."
"Ah, likewise. I'm Amane Kei, just a first-year player."
"Hmmm~ The boy's team captain is so humble."
It seemed that Kanae was assessing what kind of person Kei was when they were exchanging formalities. It can be said that the first impression a person gives tells a person's personality and attitude. It seemed that Kei had passed her little test.
"Anyways, what are you doing here? I thought your game is coming up?"
"Well… that's…"
"If you don't mind! Would you do us a favour?!" Kanae spoke up when Chihaya was reluctant to answer Kei's question.