Days are boring and monotonous. It has been the fourth week since Shōgo transferred schools.
Today is Saturday. After Shōgo finished his martial arts practice in the afternoon and got out of the swimming pool, he heard his mother's voice.
"Shōgo-kun, it's your call, and you haven't hung up yet."
Shōgo was puzzled. Who would be calling him?
In his previous school, Teiko High, he had good relationships with a few people, like Seijuro Akashi, Satsuki Momoi, Shintaro Midorima, and the former captain Shūzō Nijimura. In the new school, only Rina has a somewhat friendly relationship with him and knows his home phone number.
As he walked into the house, his mind wandered, trying to figure out who could be calling him. He picked up the phone.
"Hello! This is Shōgo."
"It's me, Shōgo-kun."
Alright, Shōgo recognized the voice and knew who it was. It was someone who cared about him and had a good relationship with him. The reason he joined Teiko's basketball club was because of this person's influence.
However, Hazaki had not embarrassed himself with his skills, and his previous lack of enthusiasm in training had nothing to do with his current situation.
He also wanted to know why his old self was so carefree and didn't cherish his remarkable talent.
So, the person calling him was Shūzō Nijimura, a passionate and responsible man.
"Shūzō-senpai, it's been a while. How have you been?"
"I'm doing well. How about you?"
"I'm okay. I've transferred to a new school, and everything is normal. Just not as exciting, thrilling, and passionate as before."
Shōgo jokingly bantered with Shūzō feeling like they were two good buddies. He enjoyed this feeling a lot.
"So, are you saying you've stopped playing basketball?"
"Not really. I haven't given up, but I don't have a good environment or opportunity."
"I'm glad you haven't given up. Tell me, why did you suddenly leave the team and transfer schools?"
"Shūzō-senpai, do you want to hear the truth or a lie?"
"Tell me both, let me see how true your truth is and how false your lie is."
Shōgo fell silent; he didn't know how to start. The truth was that he was forced to leave, and as a man who refused to lose, it was difficult for him to admit it.
But Nijimura was one of his best friends, and there was no need to hide it from him. So, he decided to be honest.
"Seijuro-kun told me that Ryota Kise had greater potential than me, it angered me, so I left the team. Once I left, I thought it would be better to transfer schools altogether and avoid any unpleasantness."
Shūzō on the other end of the phone, didn't say anything. Shōgo's words were clear, and Shūzō understood most of the reasons.
He had been through the same struggle himself. Although his skills were still high, and he could dominate a few youngsters, could he continue to dominate them as they grew? It all boiled down to a lack of confidence and talent.
The pressure and fear brought on by talent were indeed extraordinary. It was like an insurmountable barrier for ordinary people.
"I understand now. But Shōgo-kun, my talent was not high enough, which is why I gave up the captain position. However, I placed my hope in you, and I firmly believe your talent is not inferior to theirs."
"Shūzō-senpai, your words make my blood boil. How about I go to Teiko Junior High tomorrow, break one of Seijuro's legs, and regain our honor?"
"Get lost, go focus on your studies."
"Hahaha, tomorrow's Sunday. How about we go out and have some fun? It's been a while since I relaxed. Let's play basketball somewhere?"
"Tomorrow? Okay, in the afternoon, I'll come to find you, and we'll go to the basketball court near your house."
"Great! See you there!"
"See you!"
Shōgo hung up the phone, wiped off the dried water on his body, entered the bathroom, took a shower, and then went to sleep.
The next morning, after running along the rubber track outside the villa for a full two hours, a sweaty Shōgo returned home.
After taking a shower and grabbing his basketball, he left the house early.
Before heading to the basketball court, Shōgo first went to a fruit shop, bought a fruit basket, and then went to the hospital to find Shūzō's.
After all, they were good friends. How could he let his senior come all the way to play basketball with him?
Therefore, Shōgo left early, first to visit Shūzō's father in the hospital, whom he was very familiar with. After spending some time with him, the two of them left the hospital and headed toward the basketball court.
"Aren't I supposed to come find you in the afternoon?"
"How could I let you come find me? If you can't find me, I'm afraid you'll beat me up the next time you see me."
"Hahaha! Alright, let me see if you've regressed."
"It's not bad!"
On the hospital's basketball court, Shūzō played a one-on-one match against Shōgo.
Feeling the terrifying aura emanating from Shōgo, Shūzō was very familiar with this kind of momentum, but compared to before, it was now several times more formidable.
From the looks of it, the current Shōgo was not inferior to those terrifying monsters in terms of talent.
"So, you've made up your mind to regain your honor?"
"Of course! Have you ever experienced being forced like that? How did it feel for you?"
"Well, it was indeed unpleasant and frustrating."
"Exactly, so I must regain my reputation, but not right now."
Much later, the two buddies lay side by side on the hospital lawn, looking at the distance and the blue sky, remaining silent for a long time.
"It's about time, I should head back."
"Alright, as long as you're still playing basketball, I'm relieved."
"Yeah, goodbye!"
"Goodbye!"
As Shōgo walked away, about to board the tram, he heard Shūzō's voice from behind.
"Remember, when the opportunity comes, you must reclaim my share of honor too!"
Shōgo waved back and made a throat-slashing gesture, making his intentions clear: "Don't worry, I'll massacre them."