"Can I ask why you forced my brother to do the spring cleaning yesterday?"
"Eh…"
Sakuragi's sweat poured down like a waterfall as he looked at Chika standing in front of him. Her small stature didn't match the immense pressure she was giving off.
"Wait—Sakuragi, didn't you say you cleaned all this by yourself?" Kogure turned in surprise, looking at Sakuragi for an answer.
"Uhh… this…" Sakuragi stammered, backing up.
One of the basketball members stepped forward. "Little sister, are you here to look for your brother? Who is he, exactly?"
Akagi, ever the towering presence, also approached, his tall frame dwarfing Chika's petite 155cm figure. He bent slightly, trying not to look intimidating.
"You must be the basketball team captain, Akagi Takenori, right?" Chika asked, not answering the question but eyeing him up and down with calm intensity.
"Uh… yes, that's me. What's the matter?" Akagi replied, a cold bead of sweat trickling down his temple.
Though Chika looked adorable at a glance, her demeanor radiated a terrifying aura. Even Akagi, who rarely got flustered, found himself smiling awkwardly, unsure how to handle the pressure.
"Oh, it's you? You're the one who made my brother play a 1v1 match yesterday even though he was clearly exhausted? You used your size to bully him, didn't you?" she said with a sweet, venom-laced smile.
Her calm voice sent a chill through the room. Behind her, it was as if an invisible pressure warped the air—some even imagined the illusion of a battle god standing behind her.
Martial God Prajna?!
Akagi's face paled.
Only now did he realize who she was referring to. Her brother was Oliver?! The quiet yet fierce first-year who had stunned everyone on the court?
He instantly recalled Oliver's devastating ball-handling and elite-level play from the day before—the same Oliver who had nearly beaten him solo. It suddenly made perfect sense.
And worse… Chika was even more terrifying than him.
"N-No! I wasn't bullying him! Your brother's a phenomenal player. I respect his skills immensely. I'd never underestimate him!" Akagi waved his hands rapidly in defense, his voice rising a pitch.
Chika's aura cooled slightly.
"Hmph… Fine. You're not the main reason my brother fainted, anyway," she said, brushing past Akagi and turning her fierce gaze back toward Sakuragi.
After all, it was Sakuragi who'd dragged Oliver to clean the basketball club while he was already exhausted and hadn't even eaten.
"The real culprit... is you, Sakuragi-ni."
"W-Wait! Chika-chan!!" Sakuragi waved both hands desperately as she stalked toward him.
"It's not what you think! I-I can explain! Really! It's not like that!!"
"Too late for excuses!!"
"AHHHHHHHH!!"
What followed was so brutal that several basketball team members covered their eyes in horror. Behind the gym's corridor window, Mito and the others also turned away with pained expressions.
"R.I.P…"
"Hanamichi, you're on your own this time…"
They clasped their hands together solemnly and chanted "Amitabha."
They had learned the hard way just how scary Chika could be. Earlier that morning, while they were enjoying some oden at the school gate, she had suddenly appeared.
"Hey! Morning, Chika. What brings you here today? Want some oden?" Mito had said cheerfully, not knowing he was sealing his own fate.
Now, remembering that moment, he deeply regretted speaking to her at all.
They had all felt the wrath of Chika Furukawa at some point. But today, Sakuragi—the one who'd truly caused Oliver's collapse—was going to face the full force.
Just then, another voice chimed in behind the group outside the gym.
"Good morning, Mito-kun! What are you all doing here?" asked a cheerful voice.
They turned and saw Haruko standing behind them, smiling curiously.
"Huh? Why are you all crowded outside the gym? Is something going on?"
Haruko began moving forward to see what was happening, but Mito and the others quickly blocked her path.
"NOPE! Nothing going on here!"
"Yeah! Totally normal! We're just, uh… watching ants!"
"…Watching ants?" Haruko tilted her head in confusion.
Noma, looking flustered, whispered, "What kind of stupid excuse is that? Are you in elementary school?!"
(Note: In Japan, observing ants is a common elementary school science project.)
"Oh… okay then." Haruko still looked confused but didn't push further.
Then, as if remembering something important, she clapped her hands. "Ah! I heard that Chika-chan came to Shohoku! Do you know where she is?"
"Uh… well…" Mito and the others exchanged nervous glances.
A few moments later…
"What?! Oliver-kun collapsed?!" Haruko gasped, covering her mouth in shock.
"Yes," Mito explained. "You know Oliver's body isn't the strongest. After the 1v1 match yesterday, he still went and helped Hanamichi clean the entire gym. And he hadn't even eaten. When he got home…"
Haruko's hands tightened. "Oh no… is he okay? Have you contacted him?"
"I called his house, but no one picked up. He's probably still asleep," Mito answered.
"Then don't disturb him. Rest is most important for recovery," Haruko nodded with concern.
She hesitated, then asked, "If Chika's at school now… is there anyone at home to take care of him?"
Mito rubbed his chin. "Hmm… I think Oliver mentioned once that he and Chika live alone."
"Ah, but don't worry!" Takamiya chimed in. "Oliver may look delicate, but he's tougher than he seems! He'll be fine!"
"Let's hope so…" Haruko said, still looking worried.
---
Meanwhile, one hour earlier…
"…39 degrees."
Chika took the thermometer out from under Oliver's arm, looked at the reading, and sighed deeply.
"Really now… why did you push yourself so hard? You dummy!" she pouted, lightly tapping his forehead.
Oliver hummed weakly, eyes half-lidded.
"Chika… Aren't you supposed to be at school?"
"How could I possibly focus on school when my big brother is in this condition?!" she huffed, arms crossed.
"I'm calling in sick today. I'm staying home to take care of you."
"You… you don't have to do that…" Oliver said feebly, trying to lift his hand. It twitched, then flopped back down.
"Don't be silly. You're burning up and there's no one here to look after you. How can I leave you alone like this?"
"Chika, be good… okay?"
He raised a hand and patted her head gently.
"If you skip school because of me, I'll feel even worse. I won't be able to sleep… and if I don't rest, I won't get better…"
His voice was weak but kind, as always.
"Even if it's just for me… please go to school."
Chika's lip trembled.
"Wuwuwu… Brother, you're so mean! Saying something so touching like that… How can I say no to you now?!"
Blushing and mumbling, she nodded.
"I get it… I'll go. But only because you asked."
Oliver gave a faint smile, closed his eyes, and drifted off.
Chika picked up her school bag, slipped it onto her back, and quietly opened the door to leave.
"…I'm heading out," she whispered.
But the moment the door closed—
Her entire expression changed.
Gone was the sweet, obedient little sister.
Her eyes sharpened like blades, and her face hardened with cold determination.
She took a deep breath… and began walking toward Shohoku High School.
The day of reckoning had begun.
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