On the way, Shōgo handed over the pink canvas bag in his other hand to Satsuki.
"Here, it's for you. I've already washed them carefully, they're very clean."
Satsuki took the pink canvas bag in surprise, opened it, and then exclaimed in delight, smiling at Shōgo.
"Thank you, Shōgo-kun!"
"You're welcome, go ahead and eat!"
"Mmm, thank you!!"
In the pink canvas bag were the finest cherries that Shōgo specially bought for Satsuki from the fruit store when he arrived. Each one was carefully selected, round, plump, and delicious, making Satsuki very happy.
While enjoying the cherries like a little girl, Satsuki led Shōgo to a three-story building, and with her mouth full of cherries, she pointed to the rooftop where they were headed.
Shōgo nodded, indicating that he understood, and asked Satsuki to wait below.
He then silently climbed the stairs and, step by step, ascended to the rooftop. His footsteps were not concealed, and Daiki had already heard the sound, but he didn't get up.
His body blocked the sunlight, casting a long shadow over Daiki's line of sight. A familiar voice came.
"Hehehe, Daiki, are you really this bored? Sunbathing alone like an old person."
After a few seconds, Daiki responded lazily.
"It's you, I thought it was someone else. How dare you boldly block my sunlight."
"It's me, is that strange?"
"Nothing strange. So, forced to quit by Seijuro, got nowhere else to go, so you came here to find trouble with me?"
"Hey hey hey, that's not how you console a good friend."
"Did I console you? This outcome is all your own doing."
"Hehe, you're right."
"By the way, how did you find this place?"
"Satsuki brought me here. She's still downstairs, very worried about you. I envy her."
Upon hearing that Satsuki was still downstairs, Daiki finally stood up and approached the edge to see Satsuki in her white clothes and pink hair.
Satsuki saw Daiki, jumped up excitedly, holding the cherries in her hand, and signaled for Daiki to come down and share with them.
Seeing this scene, Shōgo felt a mix of emotions—heartache and envy. This was what one would call childhood friends, able to share everything, even extremely private matters, it was just a matter of whether they could say it out loud or not.
"By the way, Daiki, I'm jealous of you. Satsuki is so beautiful!"
"Cut it out."
Shōgo didn't continue, he looked at the distant birds and clouds and suddenly said casually.
"Daiki, I feel unbeatable in basketball lately. I want to test myself against you."
"Oh! Hey hey hey!! Do you think you can win? Are you bragging? Do you know how good I am?"
"It's precisely because I know that I came to find you!"
Daiki looked at Shōgo, then at the basketball on his back. Suddenly, he felt that Shōgo's momentum was rising rapidly, exuding a terrifying aura that was no less than his own.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
After three dribbles, whoosh, the basketball went through the net. Daiki was stunned, looking at Shōgo on the other side. Shōgo felt so different now compared to before, like a completely different person. Daiki, who was not familiar with the current Shōgo, was passed by, allowing Shōgo to score.
This goal shocked everyone on the court. They knew Daiki's skills, and now the boy opposite him scored, showing how strong he must be.
Satsuki, on the other hand, widened her eyes and could hardly believe what she just saw. What did she just witness? The scene was unbelievable.
"How about it? I feel like I'm becoming unbeatable."
"Hey hey hey! You shouldn't be so serious, do you think you've won for sure?"
"Try and see!"
After saying that, Shōgo handed the ball to Daiki. This time, Daiki was on the offensive, and Shōgo on defense.