Three goals out of five — Oliver wins!!
"Ohhhh!! That was amazing for a first-year student!"
The stadium erupted with thunderous cheers.
Unlike the earlier brawl-like duel between Akagi and Sakuragi, Oliver's match had been a real technical showdown. It was fast-paced, full of tension, and displayed refined basketball skill — a clash between true athletes. The audience was thrilled.
"That was incredible!"
Sakuragi's gang—Mito, Takamiya, and the others—rushed onto the court, lifting the exhausted Oliver high into the air again while shouting, "Long live! Long live!"
Even Haruko couldn't contain her excitement. She ran over, fists clenched in front of her chest, her face glowing with joy.
"You have to join the basketball club, Oliver! You're an amazing player! You could be the savior of the team!"
Haruko's enthusiasm didn't go unnoticed by Sakuragi, who immediately inserted himself between them, pointing frantically to his own face.
"Haruko-saaaan! What about me?! I'm supposed to be the savior, right?!"
Haruko blinked, as if only just remembering he existed. "Ah! Yes, of course! Sakuragi-kun is also really great! Let's go talk to my brother! If both of you join the team, making it to nationals might not just be a dream anymore!"
"Hold on—put me down first!" Oliver flailed as he was still being tossed into the air by Mito and the gang. "My bones are falling apart!"
Meanwhile, the students in the stands began buzzing again.
"Wait, wait—are both of them really joining the basketball club?"
"Dude, the club's gonna be stacked this year! They already have Akagi, and now this Oliver guy and the tall red-haired one too…"
"I even heard that Kaede Rukawa is enrolling here this year."
"No way! That's basically an all-star lineup. Shohoku might actually make it to nationals!"
Up on the second-floor bleachers, Kaede Rukawa—the very name just mentioned—snorted quietly and turned to leave. As he reached the exit, he paused and looked down at Oliver on the court. His clenched fists revealed the silent fire burning inside him.
Back on the court, the mood among the current basketball team was less cheerful.
Each player looked uncertain and disheartened as they glanced toward Akagi.
"…Captain…"
Their ace had just been defeated—fair and square. Morale had taken a hit.
"What's with those faces?!"
Akagi's roar snapped them out of it.
"Losing on the court happens! If you lose today, win tomorrow! That's how basketball works!"
He proceeded to punch each teammate lightly in the chest or shoulder.
"If you can't handle one loss, how do you expect to survive real competition?!"
"Y-Yes, sir!!"
"…Hmph."
After setting his team straight, Akagi turned and walked toward Oliver and the others.
Seeing him approach, Sakuragi and his gang quickly put Oliver down. Sakuragi puffed out his chest and stepped forward.
"Well, well! Now you know how powerful we are, Gorilla!"
He smirked as he faced Akagi. "What now? You lost twice today. Are you gonna go bananas?"
Bam!
Akagi delivered a swift punch to Sakuragi's head, producing an immediate bump. Sakuragi collapsed, clutching his skull.
"Owww!! You damn Gorilla!"
"Stop calling me that!" Akagi barked, raising his fist again.
Seeing tension rise, Mito and the others stepped forward aggressively.
"Hey! Take it easy!"
Haruko quickly jumped between them.
"Everyone calm down! My brother doesn't mean any harm!"
She turned to Akagi and waved her arms.
"Big brother, Oliver and Sakuragi really aren't bad guys! They just… look rough around the edges."
Sakuragi sniffled, wiping a tear. "Haruko-saaan… you're the only one who understands me…"
Haruko nodded firmly. "You saw how strong Oliver and Sakuragi are! With them on the team, we really could go to nationals! They're the saviors of Shohoku!"
Sakuragi grinned and added, "Yeah, yeah!"
Akagi let out a sigh and waved her off.
"I know. You don't have to convince me."
Then, without another word, he walked directly to Oliver, who was still sitting on the floor, too tired to stand.
"What's up?" Oliver asked, resting his elbows on his knees.
"…I lost," Akagi said solemnly.
It wasn't just a statement. It was a genuine admission of defeat.
"Don't forget our deal," Oliver reminded him with a smirk, flashing a peace sign.
"Of course. And I've realized something too. You're not the troublemaker I assumed you were. In fact…"
Akagi reached out a hand toward him.
"…I'd like to officially invite you to join the basketball club!"
A collective gasp echoed around the gym.
"I've been on this team for years…" one player whispered. "But I've never seen Captain personally invite anyone before."
"He must really believe in this Oliver guy…"
All eyes were on them.
"Oh?" Oliver tilted his head. "What about Hanamichi?"
He glanced at Sakuragi.
"Didn't we agree both of us would join?"
"This…" Akagi hesitated and then bowed his head slightly.
"As captain, I can't allow someone like him into the club."
"HEY!! What the hell did you just say, you ape?!"
Sakuragi flared up instantly.
"Brother!! That's totally unfair!" Haruko stomped her foot. "Sakuragi-kun is a really good person once you get to know him!"
But Akagi ignored both of them and kept his eyes fixed on Oliver.
"Well?" he asked. "What's your decision?"
Oliver didn't answer. Instead, he dusted himself off, used his hands to push himself up from the floor, and gave Akagi a cool smile.
"Sorry," he said. "Hanamichi and I come as a bundle."
Sakuragi's eyes widened with emotion. "Oliver…"
Akagi's brows furrowed in disbelief. "Why? Why would someone like you stand up for someone like him?"
In his eyes, Sakuragi was wild, unpredictable, and undisciplined — not someone fit for organized team play.
"You jackass!" Sakuragi exploded. "I'm a basketball genius!!"
"Sakuragi-kun! Calm down!!" Haruko held him back frantically.
Oliver simply smiled and shrugged.
"Well," he said, "you heard it."
"Heard what?" Akagi asked, confused.
Oliver raised one finger and said with mock seriousness, "Because he's a basketball genius."
"…You can't be serious."
Akagi eyed Sakuragi with clear doubt.
"This idiot?"
"Captain," Oliver said seriously now, "I'll tell you this — if Sakuragi isn't on the team, Shohoku won't make it to nationals. Not even if I'm there."
Akagi was momentarily stunned.
"You won't know unless you try."
"Well, then let's try."
Before Akagi could respond, Haruko clapped her hands loudly, drawing everyone's attention.
"I've got an idea!"
She grinned brightly.
"My brother just doesn't trust Sakuragi-kun's discipline, right? He's afraid he'll be a troublemaker?"
Akagi nodded cautiously. "That's… correct."
"Then why don't we just let Sakuragi-kun prove himself?"
Everyone turned toward Haruko, waiting to hear more.
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