"Mature? Me?"
Oliver looked at Haruko in surprise after hearing her unexpected compliment.
"Yes, yes!" Haruko beamed with a soft smile. "I think Oliver is always thoughtful of other people's feelings. It's really easy to get along with you, and you've never made me upset. Honestly, being around you is really comfortable."
Then she added playfully, "You kind of feel like... a reliable big brother!"
Big brother...
Oliver blinked, slightly amused.
In his eyes, whether it was Haruko, Sakuragi, or even Akagi, they were all just ordinary high school students. Before being transported into this world, he was already a working adult—someone with real-life experience that far surpassed what these teenagers could grasp.
"Hahaha, Haruko-san, you're exaggerating a bit," Oliver said with a chuckle. "Hasn't Hanamichi ever made you angry?"
"Well..." Haruko hesitated, then pouted slightly. "I was really angry when he beat up Rukawa on the rooftop."
"…That's understandable," Oliver nodded, not surprised.
That's Sakuragi Hanamichi for you...
Oliver's lips curled into a faint smirk.
One of the most impulsive, hot-headed characters in Slam Dunk—if Oliver hadn't held back at the time, Kaede Rukawa might have ended up in the hospital for quite a while.
As Oliver glanced at Haruko, who was seated beside his bed, he recalled the rooftop incident and a familiar question surfaced in his mind.
Who does Haruko really like?
This question had puzzled fans for years.
Was it Kaede Rukawa? Or was it Sakuragi Hanamichi?
Both sides had loyal supporters and their own interpretations, and even after all these years, there was still no definitive answer.
But Oliver? He had always been on Team Sakuragi.
In his view, Rukawa was cool and talented, sure—but with that cold attitude and distant personality, it was hard to imagine him in a real relationship, let alone one that would make Haruko happy.
Sakuragi, on the other hand, was simple and silly, but his heart was always in the right place—especially when it came to Haruko.
And now, with the real Haruko sitting right here, this was the perfect opportunity to settle the mystery once and for all!
"Haruko-san, what do you think of Kaede Rukawa?"
"Eh!?"
Haruko was completely caught off guard. Her face turned beet red in an instant.
"W-Why are you suddenly asking about Rukawa-san?"
Tch.
Oliver clicked his tongue in disappointment.
Judging by her flustered reaction, she probably did have a soft spot for Rukawa.
What's so good about that guy anyway? Oliver thought. Just because he's handsome and good at basketball…
…Well, when he put it that way, it was kind of obvious why girls liked him.
"Did Sakuragi-kun tell you something?" Haruko asked, tilting her head.
"Huh? Oh, no, not at all," Oliver replied quickly, waving his hand. "I was just asking out of curiosity."
"So then… what do you think about Hanamichi?"
"Eh? Sakuragi-kun?"
Here we go! Oliver held his breath.
This was it—the moment of truth. He was finally going to learn what Haruko really thought of Sakuragi Hanamichi!
Haruko looked thoughtful for a moment, then smiled.
"As for Sakuragi-kun… I'm always happy when I'm around him. He's so kind to me and always tries to take care of me. He's… a really good friend."
She giggled softly. "And he's really funny too! He always makes me laugh. Honestly, he's kind of adorable. I can't help but want to mess with him sometimes."
…Friend?
Oliver let out a silent sigh and closed his eyes.
It's a long road ahead, Hanamichi. Hang in there.
"Oliver-kun… why are you suddenly asking all these questions?" Haruko asked curiously.
"Oh, no reason," Oliver replied with a big yawn. "Just got a little curious about what kind of guy Haruko-san likes."
"EHH——!?"
Haruko jumped slightly, waving her hands in a panic, her face red as a tomato.
"W-Why is Oliver-kun curious about something like that!?"
"Hmm? Is it weird?" Oliver tilted his head innocently. "You're cute and kind—of course guys would want to know what kind of guy you like. It's perfectly natural, isn't it?"
"B-But still… saying I'm cute and stuff... don't tease me, Oliver-kun…" Haruko muttered as she looked away, her cheeks still burning.
"Hahaha, alright, alright," Oliver laughed. "I'll stop teasing you."
He looked up at her with a gentle smile. "Thanks for coming by, by the way. Sorry I couldn't even get you a proper cup of tea."
"That's not important!" Haruko quickly waved her hands. "Oh, that reminds me!"
She reached into her bag and pulled out a handful of neatly packaged medicated plasters.
"My brother asked me to bring these for you. When he found out you were sick, he was really worried. These are for treating sports injuries. If you're feeling sore anywhere, just put one on—it helps with healing."
"Eh? That ape… actually cared about me?" Oliver blinked in surprise. "Didn't think Akagi had that side to him."
"Oliver-kun… if my brother heard you call him an ape again, he'd definitely be mad!"
Haruko rolled her eyes playfully.
"Hahaha…"
Oliver burst into laughter.
"I'm fine, really. Don't worry about me, Haruko-san. You should head home before it gets too late."
"Well… okay then. Please make sure you get lots of rest."
"I will. Thanks again."
Oliver snuggled under the blanket again, still feeling a little feverish. He didn't actually want Haruko to leave, but he was so tired he couldn't keep his eyes open.
Haruko stood, walked to the doorway, and glanced back at him—alone in bed, his room quiet and still.
So lonely... she thought.
"Since I'm already here… I'll make him something to eat before I go!"
Haruko nodded to herself, walked into the kitchen, and began to prepare porridge.
---
Ding dong!
…
Ding dong ding dong ding dong!
"…Weird… no one's home?"
Sakuragi stood outside the door, his head still bandaged from bumps, holding a bag of croquettes he had just bought.
"Maybe he's asleep?" he muttered. "Wait… the door isn't even closed?"
Sakuragi gave the door a gentle push. It creaked open.
"…I'm coming in, then."
Nervous about disturbing Oliver, Sakuragi quietly removed his shoes and tiptoed inside.
Oliver's room was near the entrance, and the door was left slightly ajar. As Sakuragi peeked inside, he saw Oliver sleeping peacefully, snoring softly.
"…Oliver…"
Sakuragi gently placed the croquettes on the side table and sat at the edge of the bed, staring at his friend with guilt.
They hadn't known each other for long, but Oliver had always looked out for him. Whether it was supporting him when others mocked him or helping him through tough training, Oliver had never once turned his back on him.
In Sakuragi's heart, Oliver had already become more than a friend—he was like a big brother.
And now, because of his own recklessness, that big brother had fallen sick.
Sakuragi clenched his fists.
"I got you the croquettes like I promised," he whispered. "You'll feel better after eating them, okay?"
He paused.
"When you're better, I'll train even harder. I'll join the basketball team with you, and we'll beat Rukawa and that gorilla together!"
He chuckled faintly, then added, "And then… we'll chase after Haruko-sister together. You'll see!"
Just then…
"Tada~! Oliver-kun!"
Haruko entered the room with a steaming bowl of porridge in a small casserole pot, wearing an apron.
"I made some porridge for you! You haven't eaten all day. Come on, get up and eat something warm!"
"AHHH—!!"
Sakuragi nearly jumped out of his skin.
"H-Haruko-sister!? Why are you here!?"
Haruko blinked in surprise.
"Sakuragi-kun!? Why are you here!?"
At that moment, Oliver stirred and blinked open his eyes, groggy and disoriented from all the noise.
"…Huh… what's going on now?"
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