Despite Naseru's declaration of indifference, Kaho awoke in the morning with her head on his shoulder, his blazer draped over her like a blanket, and Naseru snoring softly, his head in her hair, inhaling the scent of her coconut shampoo. Kaho's cheeks burned scarlet, and as dawn broke, she stretched obnoxiously, smacking him in the face. Naseru woke with a start, snatched his blazer and left without a word. Dawn had broken. They'd spent the night in a cell. Her legs were on fire. Her butt had long since fallen asleep. Her back was in pieces. She stood on her tiptoes and stretched her arms over her head. Outside of the jail, leaning on his car, was Taiga.
"Good perseverance, kiddo. You've shown him," he said sarcastically.
"Do you want Matsuoka on the basketball team or not?"
Taiga snorted a laugh, "Hop in."
Kaho rolled her eyes and climbed in. It was barely daybreak. They passed Naseru, trudging with his hands in his pockets and head bowed. His pace was brisk as he trudged back toward his house. Taiga beeped the horn at him, but Naseru didn't look up. He rolled his eyes.
"This kid had better be worth it."
"Says you!" Kaho laughed, jabbing at him with her elbow. She didn't make contact, not when he was driving, but there was feeling in the gesture. Taiga laughed and turned on the radio, cranking up the volume.
"We're going on a trip before the season starts. Do me a favour and sign up for the team. We need an excuse to book an extra dorm at the retreat for Matsuoka."
"Alternatively," Kaho said dryly, "You could just leave him behind and let it go."
"Absolutely not!" Taiga declared.
He parked the car outside the house, where Rana was lounging on the doorstep, paws outstretched in the rising sun. Kaho yawned, rubbing her eyes. She had more than enough time to get ready for school, but the day ahead was going to be disgusting. Every cell in her body felt like it had been doused in concrete, and although she could probably justify a power nap, she didn't want to be late to school.
There were three unanswered texts from Tatsuya waiting for her on her phone. A rush of guilt settled in Kaho's chest. Just last night she'd been willing to let another guy, let Naseru, kiss her. She was the worst. Maybe it was just some weird mixed feelings about missing him? Or maybe it was the letters getting in her head, but Kaho was determined to schedule a meet-up with her boyfriend.
After a shower.
She stank of prison. Like stagnant dust and instant ramen, lukewarm tea and despair. And yet, Naseru hadn't even attempted to leave the unlocked cell, even as Katsuo, who didn't have the luxury to walk out, glared at them.
By the time she was dressed, she also had a text from Ryota, inviting her to the courts down by their houses. Was he really out practicing already?
Kaho went downstairs, hair wrapped up in a towel, and ate her breakfast. It was nice and warm, Taiga was drinking coffee and grinning at her.
"Shall we pick Ryota up for morning practice? That way you can join the team too. I'm sure Fumiko would be happy to have another girl about."
"Why doesn't Fumiko play?" Kaho asked between bites.
"She can't compete anymore. She had to retire after getting injured in middle school apparently. I saw her with Naoru at his tryout, and she's pretty quick. Good player. But she's got strict orders not to overdo it from the osteopath."
"Yikes," Kaho muttered.
"But you could help her. Help her manage the team, help give the boys advice. Boys don't play basketball like girls do."
"Sure. I'd rather manage than play, I guess."
"You would have been great on the girl's team, you know."
Kaho shrugged, "I don't want to be in your shadow. You're a basketball brain. It is what it is."
Taiga shrugged back, "Coffee?"
"Please."
Ryota was drenched in sweat when they picked him up from the court. Taiga tossed a microfibre towel at Ryota and he wiped his face. He produced a can of deodorant from his schoolbag and doused himself in it. Kaho gagged on the artificial stench, cracking the window.
"Looking forward to coming to morning practice, Coach."
"Yeah, yeah," Taiga said, "We have a lot to debrief about. Kaho here is going to join Fumiko on the manager's bench."
"For real? But you can play!"
"So can Fumiko," Taiga said, "Don't make me come back there."
Ryota raised his hands in mock surrender and apologised as Taiga pulled up outside the gym. He was wearing a green tracksuit, the zipper undone, exposing his black vest underneath.
Kaho and Ryota climbed out of the car and followed behind him to the gym, where Fumiko was leading the team in their warmup. Lounging on the bench behind her as his girlfriend led the boys in star jumps, was Naoru.
Naoru had cut his hair again, keeping his natural hair shaved close to his scalp. He was wearing his school uniform, like Fumiko, and Kaho, while the rest of the team were in gym clothes. He wasn't joining in.
"Hey Naoru!" Ryota exclaimed, striding over.
Naoru perked up and held his fist out for Ryota to bump. He did and then joined the team. Most of the third years were already there. Yuta was too, But, there was no sign of Eiji or any of the other second-years.
"Fumiko," Taiga said, "Can you get a sign-up sheet for Kaho?"
"You're joining us?" Fumiko exclaimed, "Great!"
Kaho nodded, smiling.
"Right," Taiga said, "While Fumiko gets that form for you, Kaho, I'm going to get the balls. Just chat amongst yourselves for a few, yeah?"
The team nodded.
Captain Hirano ran a hand through his hair, "Ryota, hey, did you um, get any mail this morning?"
Ryota snorted, "No, I don't have a letter. What did yours say? Something important?"
Hirano nodded and glanced over the rest of the third-years. Now that Kaho looked at their faces, something seemed off about them. Sunada's face was puffy, especially under his eyes, and Matsushita was looking at the floor. Fumiko sniffled.
"Sorry, allergies," she said, breath hitching.
"We want that Matsuoka kid on the team," Captain Hirano said, "We all got a letter. All us third years, saying he'll bring us to Nationals."
"Without much contest," Nitta chimed in.
Naoru scowled from the bench.
"Not you, Matsuoka. Your brother," Omura said, "We saw you try out and you're clearly suited to volleyball. No shame in it, I swear."
Ryota pursed his lips, crossing his arms, "What's the point of playing if there's no competition? I play for the challenge and the fun of the game!"
"Ryota," Yuta said, walking across the gym and putting his hand on Ryota's shoulder, "Hear 'em out."
"Most of us won't play college sports next year. This is our last chance, and if this kid gives us a leg up in the game. We should get him on our side."
Naoru remained scowling. Ryota's face was a mirror of Naoru's. Neither appeared convinced.
"Do you know how good it would be for a small school like Hanagawa to be in the National Basketball League? We've never made it before!" Nitta said. His hair was stiff and unmoving behind him, gelled until it was frozen in place, "We could graduate being one of the best in the nation! The best in all of Japan."
"Yeah because of one guy," Ryota muttered, "Is it really a win if we win because of some prodigy?"
Captain Hirano winced, "It's no different to having an ace."
Ryota gritted his teeth, "If he joins, he joins. But don't expect me on the welcome committee."
Kaho lowered her head and sighed, "He won't do it. He'd need to be convinced. Truly convinced. Not just told 'you'll have fun' or something."
"She's right," Naoru agreed, getting to his feet and moving toward the door, "Quit bothering him."
Fumiko watched her boyfriend leave, and took a step to follow him, but was cut off by her teammates.
"Then someone has to impress him!" Omura declared, "I can't play. I had my physio appointment so I'll be stuck on the bench for the first few games, even though I should be okay to practice soon, it would be good to know the team is in good hands."
"Wow, thanks Omura," Ryota said, rolling his eyes, "Great to know Matsuoka, a kid you've never seen play is someone you trust more than your second-years."
Kaho lowered her head. Ouch, whether Omura had meant it like that or not, she didn't know, but those words had bite. She watched Ryota walk out of the gym, powerless to stop him. Yuta followed him, but Ryota didn't say a word, leaving Kaho gawking at the third-year students, all of whom looked like they would burst into tears at any second.
"If he doesn't join, he'll die. Naoru-" Fumiko cut herself off, "Naoru's brother will die."
She sniffled and buried her head in her hands. Her tears set the other third-years off, sniffles echoing through the gym.
"I'll do my best. I don't want him to die," Kaho declared.
It wasn't a lie. And even if she hadn't been given specific instructions about needing to save Naseru, she was sure she would have promised to help him. He might be grumpy, and surprisingly anti-basketball, but clearly, he needed something from Hanagawa's team that he hadn't had before. And if that kept him far away from whatever was leading him to his death, good.
Kaho sighed to herself and crossed the gym to where Fumiko had abandoned her clipboard to cry. She signed her name and left the gym. Naseru was important, but so was Ryota.