"Hey... who is that girl?"
Furukawa Chika smiled coldly, her aura so intense it felt like a divine wrath had descended. If you looked closely, you could almost imagine the furious Prajna God looming behind her.
This... this is bad.
Her best friend winced, silently cursing herself. Why did she have to mention there was a basketball court nearby? Of all the dumb things to say!
Thanks to that, this ultimate brother-complex girl had now caught her precious older brother with another girl.
Things were about to get very, very messy.
"Calm down, Chika... maybe it's not what you think," her best friend tried to soothe.
"A friend? You think that random girl just happens to be here, and my brother, who promised to meet his sweet little sister, conveniently forgot all about it?"
"N-no! That's not what I meant—"
"So you're saying this girl is more important to Oliver than his own sister?"
Chika's smile widened unnaturally, and her best friend took a step back. This was spiraling out of control.
Meanwhile, at the basketball court...
"Hmm?" Mito frowned. "I feel like someone's watching us."
Oliver turned toward him. "What is it?"
"Two girls behind the tree. They're peeking over here. Anyone you know?"
Oliver turned to look and immediately spotted Chika. His expression turned from casual to horrified in seconds.
"Oh no... that's my sister."
"You have a sister?" Takamiya asked, curious.
"Yep. And she's very... possessive," Oliver muttered.
He quickly waved to Chika and her friend. "Hey! What are you doing hiding there? Come over!"
"He's calling you," her friend whispered. "You going?"
"Of course! I need to see exactly what my dear brother is doing," Chika hissed.
"You're hopeless..." her friend sighed and followed.
"Yo, Chika! What brings you here? You too, bestie. Good to see you," Oliver greeted them casually.
Chika ignored him and turned her head away dramatically.
"Uh... what's up with her?" Oliver looked puzzled.
"Brother... you forgot, didn't you?" Chika accused, eyes filling with tears.
"I went all the way to your school to look for you, only to find you flirting with some strange girl!"
Oliver blinked, realizing this was about to become a serious misunderstanding.
"N-no! I didn't forget! Haha, my sweet little sister, always joking..."
He looked around, desperate for backup. "Right, guys? I went to look for her this morning. Just... missed her."
"Didn't we go straight here from school—" Takamiya started.
Oliver shot him a sharp look.
"I-I mean, yes! Exactly like Oliver said!"
Chika sniffled and beamed. "I knew my big brother would never forget me!"
Her best friend blinked in disbelief. "That worked?"
"Ahahaha... yes, yes, of course! I'll make pork ribs for you tonight, Brother!"
"Cute girl! Is she your sister?" Haruko approached, smiling at Chika.
Before she could get closer, Chika protectively stepped in front of Oliver with the glare of a wild animal guarding her cub.
"Uh... sorry, Haruko. She's a little... defensive."
"So cute! Hello, I'm Akagi Haruko," Haruko introduced herself.
Oliver chuckled and gestured to the group. "Everyone, this is my sister, Chika Furukawa. Chika, these are my friends: Mito, Ohkusu, Takamiya, and Noma. And this tall guy is Sakuragi Hanamichi, our basketball club secret weapon."
"Hello everyone," Chika greeted shyly.
"Wow, she's so polite! And adorable!" Mito commented.
"She doesn't look like you at all," Ohkusu joked.
"Pipe down," Oliver sighed.
"And this is Haruko, our schoolmate and... um, Sakuragi's... friend."
Oliver winked at Chika.
Chika's eyes lit up in understanding. "Oh my gosh... I thought you were the one! I'm so sorry, Haruko-san!"
Haruko blinked. "Wait, what?"
"I thought you were trying to seduce my brother! I was so rude... I apologize!"
Haruko laughed and patted Chika's head. "No worries! Let's just get along. Do you like basketball too?"
"I love it! I'm just bad at it..."
"Me too! Let's learn together!"
The two girls instantly hit it off, chattering away. Oliver and Sakuragi resumed training with a shrug.
As the sky darkened, the day wound down.
"Bye Sakuragi-kun! Bye Oliver-kun! I'll come again soon!"
Haruko waved as she left.
"HARUKO-KUN!!! I'LL BE HERE EVERY DAY!!" Sakuragi cried.
"You act like she's leaving the country..." Oliver rolled his eyes.
But in his heart, he was happy.
Sakuragi had found the motivation he needed. Haruko's presence made him train harder than ever, and Chika was around to make sure the team stayed fed and happy.
Days passed quickly.
Haruko visited often, always cheering Sakuragi on.
Chika brought bento lunches so tasty they were instantly devoured.
And Oliver—with daily training, a growing team, and a sense of purpose—was slowly, steadily growing stronger.
Soon, the day of Shohoku High School's entrance ceremony arrived.
And the real story... was just beginning.
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