Say do you remember the day when we met? Asked Hayato. Yeah of course I do , you were my first ever Japanese friend. When I first came to Japan, no one in my grade wouldn't even approach me to say a single thing, I know that I didn't know much Japanese back then and the language barrier would have been an issue but no one took the initiative to talk to me, it was pretty lonely back then. Until you came up to me one day out of the blue.
Hey you, big guy down here, how are you so tall, what are they feeding you ? Asked Hayato. Are you talking to me? Asked Liam. Oh , I'm sorry your Japanese probably isn't that good. Hayato proceeds to make an attempt to speak in English." nice to meet you, my name is Hayato Nakajima and you are"? Asked Hayato in English. My name is Liam Ainsworth. " so Liam where are you from?"
I'm from United Kingdom and I'm British.
" I see, what do they feed you, you are absolutely massive, how old are you actually?" What do you mean, I'm fourteen just like you." Damn, have you ever considered playing basketball because you'd definitely make a great player in the future " said Hayato. I haven't thought of that before, though I'm on the track team, so I'm not sure if I can play basketball at all. " I see, that's too bad" said Hayato.
It wouldn't hurt to try though, but I can't take it as seriously as running a hundred meters. " Fair enough, let's play after school, I'll teach you everything I know.
Alright thanks. You taught me all I knew about basketball, how to make a layup, to dribble, pass , how not to travel and you showed me a lot of videos on how to dunk and I eventually got it. Even though basketball wasn't my main sport I enjoyed playing it. The thrill of dunking alone is enough to get anyone hooked to the game. We would always dominate everyone in street basketball and despite my inexperience we would always win.
Liam, I was wondering said Hayato in a serious tone.
Huh? What is it? Asked Liam. Would it be possible for you to join the basketball team, no , I want you to join the basketball team . Don't be silly Hayato, remember I'm a track athlete , I've devoted myself to it for years now
I'm being serious, the team needs someone like you if we want to have a shot at going to the inter high said Hayato.
Listen man, I'm sorry, I really want to help you out , however I'm devoted to running, I can't just drop it just like that.
Fine , I understand but promise me something said Hayato as he looked Liam dead in the eye. And what might that be? Be sure that you're running for yourself and yourself alone and have fun while doing it, I know it may not be easy and all odds are against you but go ahead and leave them in the dust said Hayato as he puts out his fist. Of course, thanks Hayato said Liam as he first bumps Hayato.
The class was in disarray in homeroom due to the absence of Hayami and an interesting gossip amongst the students. Did you guys hear? Asked a girl in class 1T.
here what? Asked a girl from class 1O who was standing at the door. The newspaper club wrote an article on our basketball team, apparently they lost by one point in a practice match against one of the top schools in the prefecture Yokonan high.
No way , are you serious? Let me see that paper said a girl as she snatched it and read. Omg, they are so handsome said another girl as she view the pictures in the newspapers. Yes especially this one , his name is Katsuragi Shino, he's so adorable said another girl.
Wait this guy is Yukio, he's in my class, he was one of the top scorers in the match with twenty five points said a boy in his third year.
Wow, that's amazing, he looks so mature and intelligent, I'll definitely have to check him out during practice said a girl in her second year. And this one , Tetsuo Kawaguchi, he's so gorgeous, I can't take my eyes off him, I think that I'm in love said another second year girl. He was the main scorer for the team with twenty seven points and not only that he's a first year, that's quite the accomplishment.
You can say that again, these guys are truly reviving the basketball team in Seijis place said a third year girl. The rebirth of Toshigawa Academy's basketball team huh, they did really well yesterday said Naomi. Really? We did well? Asked Sachiko. Yes they did, they only lost by a single point against the number two team in the prefecture, oh looks like Tetsuo made the front page, do you want to see him said Naomi as she chuckled.
What do you mean by that?Asked Sachiko as she blushes. Oh nothing, don't worry about it. I'm glad that my school represented us well so wanting to see the newspaper is only natural it's not like I want it just to look at Tetsuo said Sachiko logically.Noboru's name is not even visible on the newspaper, serves him right said Naomi to herself.
They held their own against Yokonan's main team, even though they lost that's still quite a feat. They only have six players and a high school girl for a coach yet still they gave Coach Arimoto this much trouble . There team definitely can go places said Makoto as he listens to Sachiko and Naomi speak. Hey Tetsuo guess what said Noboru.
Huh? Asked Tetsuo as he was about to fall asleep. I heard that we are on the first page in the newspaper, we did a great job against Yokonan. Yes we did, but not the results that I want. Noboru spots Naomi with a newspaper. Hey Naomi, so you saw the newspaper, tell me how do I look ? Don't be shy said Noboru cockily. For your information, your face didn't even make the front page but you did score eight points though so at least that's something said Naomi.
Yeah, I know I'm awesome aren't I? Asked Noboru as he registered what Naomi said. Wait, did you just say that my picture isn't in the Newspaper? Um, yes I did, who would want to see your face first thing in a newspaper, this article would have been a bust said Naomi harshly. Let me see that said Noboru as he takes the newspaper from Naomi. No frickin way, how did that amateur make it on the front page and I didn't !! He only scored two points and I scored eight. Oh, no way, unless…Rie is behind this !! I'll get her for this!! Shouted Noboru.