Fencing Hall
Shōgo fiercely lunged at the opposite head coach, as if he wanted to unleash something.
After a while, the two of them stopped attacking, panting heavily.
"Shōgo-kun, you seem uneasy. Let's call it a day for today. Pushing further might lead you down the wrong path."
"Coach, I..."
"No need to explain to me. Your matters are your own, and only you can solve them. If you can't, it's just because you're not strong enough or you haven't figured it out yet."
Shōgo lowered his head, lost in thought.
"Is it just because I'm not strong enough if I can't solve it? Not strong enough? Perhaps."
In the evening, after seeing Rina off, Shōgo walked back home carrying his basketball, choosing to walk instead of taking the car.
On the way, under the dim streetlights, the sporadic cawing of crows echoed.
Weeds, huh!
In his eyes, everyone else at Fukuda Junior High was like weeds.
In Akashi's eyes, was he also considered a weed?
It truly was a cycle of cause and effect; how you perceive others is often how they perceive you.
With a "plop," Shōgo jumped into the swimming pool, swimming vigorously forward, expending the last bit of energy within him.
Then, utterly exhausted, he walked out of the shower and collapsed onto his bed, entering the realm of dreams.
At that moment of drifting into slumber, all Shōgo knew was: I'm so tired, screw this weed thing, I just want to sleep.
The next day, with his basketball slung over his shoulder, Shōgo left home, his spirits high, heading to school.
Seeing Shōgo enter the classroom, Rina felt that there was something different about him, an indescribable feeling, but she could confirm that he had become even more charismatic than before.
At first glance, Shōgo didn't seem to have gained anything; he had lost something—the earring in his ear, which he had taken off.
He was about to join the basketball team, and going with an earring would be unprofessional, lacking sincerity. What kind of basketball could you play like that?
"Good morning! Shōgo-kun!"
"Good morning, Rina-chan! By the way, we won't practice fencing today. I've decided to join the basketball club."
"Shōgo-kun? Can I come to watch you play basketball?"
"Why not? Oh, and remember to get me a bottle of water when you see that I'm thirsty."
Seizing the opportunity, Shōgo shamelessly began to make unreasonable requests and demands.
"Sure thing, Shōgo-kun! I'll make sure to bring you water."
Shōgo chatted aimlessly with Rina for a while before embarking on a day of studying.
When the school bell rang, Shōgo, carrying his basketball and backpack, headed to the basketball club.
Coach Kudo had already prepared his uniform and essential items overnight, including a blood-red jersey with the number 6.
Wearing the jersey, and holding the basketball, step by step, Shōgo walked out of the changing room and onto the basketball court.
All the members of the team stood in a row, their eyes fixed on Shōgo's every step.
Standing beside Coach Kudo, the coach smiled as he looked at Shōgo in his uniform.
"I leave it to you now. Introduce yourself."
Shōgo nodded and stepped forward, his voice somewhat flat, yet also distant and stubborn.
"I'm Shōgo, formerly of Teikou Junior High School's first team. Because I was considered a weed by them, I left the basketball club."
"I am strong, as you've seen in the past few days. Of course, in my eyes, you are also weeds."
"We are all weeds, aiming to overturn our fate, achieve victory, and gain glory. Are you prepared to make sacrifices?"
"I am prepared. I am prepared to score, prepared to exhaust myself on the path to scoring."
"What about the rest of you?"
On the basketball court, there was a prolonged silence. The people who remained were those who had made their preparations.
They were teammates willing to make sacrifices and eager for victory.
"I'm prepared. I'm ready to give it my all."
"I'm prepared!"
"I'm ready too!"
...
One passionate voice after another echoed, filled with youth and fervor. Shōgo smiled.
This was the best and most gratifying moment of these past few days.
Ah, the era of miracles. I am ready to stand in your way, and block your three consecutive championships.
The following training was straightforward. Besides intensive physical training, Coach Kudo personally guided the team on defensive strategies.
Everyone joined the formation, except for Shōgo, who had been doing running exercises all along.
To achieve such an extreme tactic, Shōgo felt that he needed endurance on par with that of Teikou's team to play a full match. It seemed quite challenging.
In the evening, passing by a convenience store, Shōgo bought two bottles of sports drink.
As he drank, he recalled everything that had happened that day.
On his first day at the basketball club, most of the time he had been training his physical fitness and basketball skills alone.
Others were receiving coaching on how to defend against a single person.
Many of their faces were filled with hope and longing.
Shōgo shook his head, feeling somewhat infected by the enthusiasm and youth of these young teammates. He had a sudden urge to act a little foolish.
Or maybe, this body was originally that of a young person, naturally brimming with passion.
At least, this life was much better than spending time alone playing video games.
With a "clang," he tossed the beverage can into the trash bin, and Shōgo walked away, heading into the distance along the neon-lit road.
"Mother, I'm back."
"Shōgo-kun, why are you back so late today?"
"I went to the basketball club in the afternoon, then walked back, so I got here later."
"The food has gotten cold; I'll warm it up for you."
"Thank you, Mother!"
Eating, swimming, showering, and then lying in bed.
Ninth grade, this year's ultimate goal was Teikou Middle School, a sort of warm-up match.
He wanted to witness how the Era of Miracles achieved their three consecutive championships.
In the night, Shōgo, who hadn't dreamed in a long time, finally had a dream.
In the dream, his former captain, Shūzō Nijimura, led him to win the national tournament. However, just as they raised the championship trophy, each of his teammates transformed into gigantic monsters, each eager to swallow him whole.
Fortunately, he was fast, otherwise, he might have been devoured. But no matter how he ran, a pair of blood-red eyes remained fixed on him.
The dream ended when he fell off a towering cliff.
Upon waking up, the sun was shining brightly. If he didn't hurry, he'd be late for school.