Chapter 17 - RIE'S CRUSH

All three members of the newspaper club went and started interviewing the basketball team. So you're the coach of the team right? It's so great that you're training with your team despite getting older said Airi to Takahiro.

Um… I'm actually a player, I'm in my third year of high school said Takahiro depressingly. What? Really ? I'm so sorry said Airi.

No worries, I get that a lot. So what's your name? My name is Takahiro Morikawa. So Morikawa, how long have you been playing on this team? Asked Airi. I have been playing for two years going to three years now said Takahiro. Okay, has this team ever been successful in any of it's matches? We have not played any matches as of yet but I'm sure that we can go all the way this time around said Takahiro.

My name is Noboru Takemoto and what's yours beautiful said Noboru. You can just call me Yuri like everyone else said Yuri. I must say , the name Yuri truly matches that divine face of yours. Um, thanks I guess, this guy is a bit weird Yuri said to herself. So then , what position do you play on the team? Asked Yuri. I play all positions, someone as talented and versatile like me can't possibly play a single position said Noboru with confidence.

This guy is absolutely full of himself, he's no where near six feet tall. I don't know what weird fantasy he thinks he's in , he's delusional Yuri said to herself. So Nakajima, do you think this team has what it takes to reach the inter high? Asked Airi. Of course we are capable, we just need to prepare and put in the hard work, then I'm certain that we will go to inter high said Hayato.

How long have you been playing on the team? Well this should have been my second year but I unfortunately suffered from a fatal injury during a practice match, so I had to skip out the whole tournament last time, but I'll make up for it this time said Hayato.

I see, you were injured in your first year, I'm truly sorry to hear that. Don't worry about it , in fact I'm already fully healed up. You are the captain of the basketball team Yukio Hamaguchi right? Asked Kanae. Yes said Yukio as he nodded. How do you think this team will fair in the upcoming basketball tournament? If I'm being perfectly honest, Toshigawa academy's basketball team would only make it to the fourth round at best, even though we actually have a decent team we lack the amount of players to utilize on the court and then there is the issue of lack of stamina to play for a full game and also the possibility of one us getting injured.

You are also forgetting the fact that you need at least seven players to be qualify to partake in the tournament which is a major requirement said Kanae. Yes I'm aware of that, I've already came up with an idea of what exactly needs to be done said Yukio. I don't have time for their interview, if I rest now I'll never catch up to Tetsuo. Noboru seems to be into it though, I'll just go practice my dribbling for now Shino said to himself as he picks up a basketball and started dribbling it.

Um, hello Ka…atsuragi said Rei nervously as her hearts pounds. Oh, Morioka, what are you doing here? Asked Shino. Well you see, I'm apart of the newspaper club .

oh I see, I had no idea. if it's not a bother ca…can I interview you? Asked Rie Shyly as she avoided making eye contact. sure go ahead said Shino.

Did I mention that I was a great basketball player in middle school, I scored thirty points in my debut game. Even I was shocked at how amazing I was. Does this guy have an off switch? He's the most annoying and self centered person I've ever met said Yuri to herself annoyed.

Huh? Rie is actually interviewing someone Yuri said to herself shocked. So what's your favorite color? Asked Rie. That's not related to the interview but my favorite colour would be orange, but there is a funny story behind it being my favorite, do you want to hear it? Asked Shino and Rie nodded in response.

One time when I was helping my father to paint my cousin's room in yellow and he was demanding paint at a fast rate so I went to mix some more but the thing is I actually spilled another color in the paint without realizing, so when my father started painting the paint was orange when it should have been yellow. My father got so angry that he threw the bucket of paint on me and that day I earned the name pumpkin head because the paint couldn't come out for weeks and that's how it became my favorite color said Shino.

Haha , Pu.pumpkin head, that's quite a funny name said Rie as she chuckled. That name stucked with me until junior high said Shino as both him and Rie started laughing. What it couldn't be… is Rie interested in that guy, how intriguing Yuri said to herself with a smile. Hey, are you listening to what I'm saying? Asked Noboru.

This guy is so annoying said Yuri to herself. Um, I have to interview that guy over there now so please excuse me.

Oh okay , if you want to hear more details you can listen after you're done. Phew,I finally got rid of him, okay now let's see. Um , excuse me . Tetsuo ignored her and shoots a three pointer which swishes.

Can I ask you a few questions ? Tetsuo ignored her again and shoots another three pointer which swishes. Um…

Yeah he's totally ignoring me, I'm just going to let him be said Yuri disappointed. And with that our interview with the basketball team is over thanks for your corporation said Kanae.

Fukazawa, I'm going to also need an overall medical for each of them so that I can make the article more enticing, be sure to get it done for me . See you guys around, I'm expecting great things from you guys this year, you may be a small team but if you have the guts to fight you'll be alright said Kanae as she walked off.

S.see you later Katsuragi said Rie as she was about to leave but Shinon grabs her hand. Call me Shino and if it's okay with you can I call you Rie? Asked Shino. Ye..yes Shi..no, see you tomorrow said Rie as she got red as a tomato.

I can't believe it, he held my hands. He actually called me Rie and I called him by his first name Shino. I'm so glad , this is like a dream come true said Rie as she smiled happily. That's the first time I've ever seen you so talkative, and with a guy no less. Wait don't tell me , do you have a crush on him ? Asked Yuri teasingly.

Wah…what!! No it's not like that said Rie as she blushes.

I'm right on the money aren't I? Asked Yuri . No quit jumping to conclusions. But you're as red as a tomato what am I supposed to think? No I'm not, also lower your voice he'll hear you said Rie softly. Yes, yes, your secret is safe with me. It's not a secret , just stop please said Rie.

Shino I didn't know that you were such a playboy said Noboru as he pats him on the back. What do you mean? We are in the same class , you know that we both are the class representatives . That's not how I see it but okay.

Alright sorry for the delay everyone let's get back to training said Yukio.