Chapter 3 - I like you

In the early morning, Shōgo stood in front of the mirror in his room, looking at the white uniform of Teiko Junior High School he was wearing, speechless for a long time.

Today, he had to personally go and process the transfer procedures. This would also be the last time he wore the Teiko Junior High School uniform. The complex feelings were quite interesting.

Shōgo kept looking at himself in the mirror. His hair was still long and gray, extremely handsome.

"It's a pity, wearing this outfit for the last day feels somewhat different."

In the past, Shōgo might have been a bit lazy and violent, but his love and passion for basketball were not inferior to anyone else's. The fact that he could develop the skill of plundering showed his talent and passion for basketball.

Akashi said that his talent was not as strong as Ryōta's, and forced him to leave the team. On one hand, it was because his previous lack of training had affected team spirit. On the other hand, the talent he displayed was indeed inferior to Ryōta's, so, to be honest, it was understandable.

Moreover, Shōgo had a strong sense of self-esteem. Leaving the team early gave him a bit more face than being forced out later.

Unfortunately, Akashi-kun, my talent from before may not have been stronger than Ryōta's, but now... just wait and see.

He tied his tie and walked out of the room elegantly.

"Mother, I'm going to process the transfer procedures."

"Take care, Shōgo-kun, come back soon!"

Shaking his head and waving his hand, his mother's character was just like any other mother, gentle, virtuous, and talkative. But it's good to live another life, the more heartwarming the family, friendship, and love, the better.

He left the house and headed towards Teiko Junior High School.

At the gate of Teiko Junior High School.

Shōgo looked at the school gate of Teiko Junior High School and felt that something was gradually leaving him, the Age of Miracles was also drifting away from him.

From today on, after he leaves, the Age of Miracles will become famous, Daiki will bloom, and the team will eventually split.

Akashi-kun, you never imagined that although you forced me to leave for my own good, wasn't it also for the basketball team?

Sacrificing me to benefit Ryōta, and the basketball team, also benefited all of you in the end. But in the end, the team still broke apart.

Isn't this a case of "what goes around comes around"?

As Shōgo was daydreaming at the school gate, a gentle voice came from behind him.

"Shōgo-kun, aren't you going in?"

Shōgo turned his head, lazily looking at the person, with pink long hair, rose-red eyes, and a beautiful face, his eyes were filled with amazement and admiration.

Of course, what Shōgo found amazing and admirable, the readers probably knew.

"Oh, it's you, Momoi. Where's Daiki?"

"Ah, Dai-chan went to the basketball club earlier. Shōgo-kun, are you quitting the club?"

"Indeed, I'm here today to process the transfer procedures. Momoi, we're going to say goodbye."

"Shōgo-kun, are you..."

Shōgo interrupted the words that Momoi wanted to say and pointed in the direction behind her.

"Momoi, look, why is Daiki there?"

Momoi was taken aback and immediately turned back to look. However, there was no sign of Daiki anywhere; the street was empty, with only passing vehicles.

Momoi was wondering why Shōgo was deceiving her, but the moment she turned back, a big mouth came to kiss her lips.

Momoi was completely stunned, staring with wide eyes in disbelief at Shōgo.

After enjoying it for a moment, Shōgo thought it was enough; he didn't want things to get out of control.

So he withdrew his mouth from Momoi's lips, shook it in front of her, and urged her to snap out of her daze.

"Shogo-kun, you... you..."

"What's the matter? Is this our first kiss? Since I'm leaving, let me tell you seriously. I like you!"

After saying this, Shōgo turned and walked into Teiko Junior High School's campus, heading to the principal's office.

Leaving behind Momoi, who was filled with shock, disbelief, shyness, and impossibility, she was a bundle of complicated emotions, standing there, unsure of what to do.

With Shōgo's background, it was easy to handle the procedures. He effortlessly completed them and left the principal's office.

He walked towards the basketball club's training room, packed up some of his personal belongings, and prepared to throw away those stinky sneakers in the trash.

However, just as he arrived at the trash bin, an uncertain voice sounded.

"I heard you're quitting the basketball club, Shōgo-kun."

Shōgo turned around and lazily looked at the boy with blue hair and blue eyes, a seemingly weak boy.

"Yes."

"But you're so talented, why?"

Shōgo wanted to laugh. He wanted to laugh because the anime plot was unfolding right before his eyes.

He looked at the short, slender body of the person before him. To be honest, he was quite certain of Tetsuya's basketball talent. Teamwork was essential, but the premise of teamwork was getting the recognition of team members.

Once those people bloomed and evolved, Tetsuya would inevitably have conflicts with them because, in their eyes and even in Shōgo's eyes, Tetsuya would not be acknowledged.

You're not chosen; you're not the one who can continue advancing in the future.

Even if you are the shadow, even if you have the spirit of self-sacrifice, even if you have the protagonist's halo.

You can't do it; it's decided by your innate physical qualities. You can't reach a higher level in basketball; you can only play around in middle school and high school, fooling around with elementary school kids.

"I'm so annoyed. I'm just not interested in basketball anymore. Fool, I'm tired like a dog every day, sweating all over, going out with girls is more fun."

After saying this line from the anime, Shōgo put on a satisfied expression, looking at the small blue-haired boy.

"Do you think that way?"

"Not really. How else should I think? Tetsuya? You are an idiot. Think a bit more about it yourself. In this world, there are truly bad guys and scary guys."

After saying this, Shōgo threw away his stinky sneakers and waved his hand, leaving Teiko Junior High School.

On the way home, Shōgo thought about a line from the anime: "The truly pitiful ones might be you, poor souls! The ones left behind are the truly pitiful ones!"

Unfortunately, Akashi-kun, your ending was foretold by the previous Shōgo.

You must know this, so how dare you say that my talent is not as good as Ryōta's?

From my analysis of the situation and the far-reaching predictions, isn't my talent good enough?

As Shōgo was pondering this, he burst into laughter, "hahaha...hehehehehehehe" he looked like he had suddenly gone mad, making the people on the street think that Shōgo had suddenly gone crazy.

The show was about to begin.