"Tch…" Rukawa Kaede clicked his tongue, clearly annoyed.
Nango slung an arm around his shoulder with a sly grin. "Hehe, not bad, right? This move saves way more energy than all that twisting and turning you like to do."
Rukawa frowned and immediately tried to shake him off.
"Is it just me, or does Nango seem a lot more agile lately?" Yasuda asked curiously.
Kentaro scratched his head. "Yeah… and also way more shameless."
Since Akagi was still in class, practice hadn't officially started. To kill time, Nango and Rukawa had started a one-on-one, quickly drawing everyone's attention.
Most of the team had been expecting an intense, fiery showdown. Instead, Nango simply posted Rukawa up, bullying him under the basket with his back-to-the-basket offense—the same style he'd used against Sendoh. Rukawa had no answer for it and ended up losing miserably.
The anticlimactic match left everyone sighing in disappointment.
"Anyway, jokes aside," Nango said, turning serious, "you should practice those moves too. Posting up saves stamina and adds another weapon to your arsenal. It's practical."
Rukawa didn't reply, but he gave a small nod. He'd already been considering it after watching Nango face Sendoh.
"Heh, come on, I'll help you practice. Push against me!" Nango teased again.
"Get lost."
The two were still bickering when someone at the door shouted, "Miyagi! You're back?!"
Everyone turned. Miyagi Ryota and Sakuragi Hanamichi had arrived together, both sporting fresh injuries that had only been lightly treated. Clearly, just like in the original story, they'd gotten into a fight. Which meant… Mitsui Hisashi's return couldn't be far off.
"Yeah, I'm back," Miyagi said casually.
"Ryota, are you okay?" Yasuda rushed over to him.
"Don't worry, I'm fine. Yasuda, let's play one-on-one."
…
"Wham, wham!" Miyagi made a quick crossover and instantly blew past Yasuda, finishing with an easy layup.
"Whoa! So fast!"
"Yasuda didn't even react!"
Miyagi's speed and ball-handling were as sharp as ever. Even after being hospitalized, his talent carried him through easily.
Kogure, watching from the side, crossed his arms and muttered, "He's got his issues, but his skill is undeniable. He's a strong candidate for next captain."
"Hmph, another arrogant jerk like Nango and Rukawa," Sakuragi sneered, clearly unhappy.
Still, he didn't challenge Miyagi. To him, Miyagi was weaker than Nango, and not worth his time. His true rival was only Nango.
Miyagi, meanwhile, was surprised. "Yasuda, this is pathetic. How could you let a first-year take your spot?"
When Yasuda explained that Nango had already claimed the starting point guard position, Miyagi's plan backfired. His one-on-one win meant nothing.
"Tch… don't underestimate Nango," Yasuda tried to warn him.
But Miyagi waved it off. How strong could a rookie be?
"Well then, guess I'll meet him myself."
He walked over, grinning. "Junior, want to play one-on-one?"
"Sure, Senior," Nango replied with an innocent smile.
"Another showdown!" someone whispered.
"Not really… he's probably just going to post him up again…" Kakuta muttered.
The excitement fizzled immediately.
"Junior, mind if I go first?" Miyagi asked with a grin.
"Of course, Senior." Nango looked harmless as ever.
Heh, sorry kid. I'm taking my spot back today.
Miyagi dribbled, then exploded to the left, using his trademark speed to slip past.
"Ohhh, that speed! As expected of 'Lightning Flash' Miyagi Ryota!"
With a clean lane, Miyagi rose for a layup.
Got it! Easy bucket—
But before he could release, a shadow loomed overhead.
Swat!
Nango blocked him from behind, grabbed the ball, and pushed it out past the arc.
"What?!" Miyagi was stunned. He actually caught up?!
On offense, Nango dribbled casually to just inside the free-throw line. Miyagi braced himself, but—
"Swish!" The jumper went in clean.
"…That's it?!" Miyagi's jaw dropped.
Nango attacked again, this time backing Miyagi down with his size before finishing with a smooth hook shot.
"Swish!" Another basket.
The game was over before it even started. Nango's height and reach completely neutralized Miyagi's speed. And since Miyagi wasn't much of a shooter, Nango only had to sag back and defend comfortably.
"As expected… Nango's just too shameless."
"Yeah, I'm going back to warming up. The captain will be here soon."
The team lost interest, leaving Miyagi fuming.
If this guy weren't my teammate, I'd deck him right now!
Nango scratched his head and smiled sheepishly. "Just lucky, Senior. Thanks for the game."
Damn it! He acts humble after beating me?!
"Hahahahaha!" Sakuragi laughed until he was red in the face. "So much for the next captain! Hahahaha!"
Miyagi's temper snapped. "You got a problem? Want to play too?!"
"Bring it on! You think I'm scared?!" Sakuragi barked back.
Two minutes later, their duel had devolved into a face-pinching contest.
"Idiots," Akagi muttered, smacking both of them on the head as he arrived.
And so, Miyagi officially rejoined the team. Shohoku's strength grew even deeper.
After practice, Akagi pulled Nango aside. "The day after tomorrow, I'll be late. Training will be up to you and Kogure."
"Got it, Captain." Nango smiled, hiding his excitement.
I can't wait.
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