At Hachioji academy, an all girls school, the basketball team was running up and down the court for some aerobic exercise. Nice work girls keep it up, one more minute to go said the coach with a timer in her hand.
Alright break, take five girls said the coach. Yes coach Maeda said the girls as they all breathe heavily.
She made us run for half an hour , coach sure is being hard on us today isn't she Kotone? Asked a girl on the team. Haven't you heard yet Suzume? Asked Kotone. Heard what? We have a practice match coming up, so she is preparing us for it. Apparently it's the team that came fourth last year and trust me they are quite tough considering that we only made it to the second round last season it's quite concerning said Kotone.
Well, we'll have to work hard then said Suzume as she drank water from her bottle. Yes definitely , to prevent history from repeating itself said Kotone. Haruko drank water and she sat on the floor of the court and leaned her back on the wall. Am I really at the level that I need to be , can I lead this team to a victory? Haruko asked herself as she sighed and looked up at the ceiling. I'm really worried about this, I mean leading a team that look down on you and has zero faith in your ability is hard work Haruko said to herself.
Hey Haruko , is everything alright? Asked Sayaka. Oh Sayaka, yes everything's fine don't worry, I'm just thinking about a plan to lead the team to victory, I'm their captain after all.
Haha, lead us to victory, you can't even score a single basket. I mean I have to admit that your defense is solid and you have an exceptional ball handle but how can we win a game if you can't even score. Honestly, you are a liability and you're not fit to be our captain. I don't know what coach Maeda sees in a failure like you said a girl on the team.
Why you… How dare you talk to Haruko like that Kazue, I'm going to make you eat those words said Sayaka angrily as she walked over to Kazue. Sayaka it's alright don't bother, it's not worth the trouble said Haruko convincingly. Say all you want we all know that she isn't even good enough to be on the team let alone be the captain is this some kind of joke? Kazue Asked.
Kazue please stop that's uncalled for said a girl in her second year as she looked away guilty . Our seniors don't want to admit it but they know that it's true she's nothing but useless at this point she should just quit. That's enough out of you said Sayaka angrily. If we were to play against you seniors we would easily win just by strategizing. We wouldn't even need to guard you Haruko Takahashi.
is that so? Can your words be back with your actions?asked Haruko as she stood up and stood face to face with Kazue. You're one to talk, you can't even score said Kazue. I challenge you to a five on five , choose any first or second years you want to be on your team and if you win I give up on being your captain and if I win you start respecting me and calling me captain said Haruko sternly
Haruko… Why would you... Said Sayaka at a loss for words. Is that alright with you coach, I'll be taking out a lot of time out of our training session forgive me in advice. I don't mind it, infact this is perfect training for you girls, however the part about giving up your role of being captain said coach Maeda.
Don't worry , I'm planning on winning this and teaching her a lesson said Haruko. Okay I'll take your word for it.
Alright then , the game will be to twenty one between the senior and juniors , let's begin said coach Maeda as she threw up the basketball into the air.
Kotone standing at one hundred and seventy eight centimeters tall easily won the ball against her junior.
Nice one Kotone, let's go score some points said Suzume standing at a hundred and sixty centimeters meters as she dribbles the basketball to the other side of the court.
Alright everyone remember the plan said Kazue as she started guarding Kotone with another second year. So that's her grand plan to double team me? Kotone asked herself. Oh so they are double teaming Kotone and the rest of us have a defender marking us . Nobody is guarding Haruko that's quite insulting Sayaka said to herself.
Pass the ball shouted Haruko as Suzume passes the basketball to her. Wait is she going to shoot the ball? But why? Suzume asked herself confused. That shot was uncalled for, I'll have to brace myself for the rebound said Kotone.
Focus, don't panic, remember what he taught you, remember how he shoots the basketball burn that image into your head said Haruko as she shoots a two pointer. There is no way that it's going to score said Kazue but to her surprise the basketball swishes. What? No way it actually went it said Kazue shocked . Whoa, she actually scored, I didn't think I'd be able to witness such a miracle at such a young age said Kotone as she ran back on defense.
Nice shot Haruko said Suzume as she tried forcing a smile. It's okay Suzume you don't have to do it for me said Haruko awkwardly. Okay if you say so. Nice shot Haruko , that was so cool, I didn't expect it at all said Sayaka. Me either but I think I'm starting to get the hang of this said Haruko as she smiled.
Kazue, looks like our plan backfired , Haruko is not as useless as we made her out to be said a girl on Kazue's team. Yeah she's right, it's not like last time a couple of months has passed so it's no surprise that she has improved said another girl. Don't let that shot blind your judgement of the situation because everyone gets in one or two lucky shots, stick to the plan said Kazue. There's no way that she knew it was going to score, it must be a fluke.