Kuwata held his bathing supplies and said, "Sakuragi, I'm going to wash up first, alright?"
Sakuragi, still inside the room, simply waved his hand, too preoccupied with something else.
"Where the heck did those guys run off to…?"
Hiroshima was a coastal city, so the four who slipped out walked along the beach. The sea breeze washed over them, cool and comforting.
Kano naturally walked with Nango, clinging to him as if glued in place. Watching their lovey-dovey behavior, Eri felt a headache coming on—and apparently, Rukawa Kaede felt the same.
"Oi," Rukawa snapped, "just say whatever you want to say. I want to go back and sleep."
He wasn't stupid—he knew Nango dragged him out here for a serious talk.
Seeing that someone couldn't wait, Nango chuckled.
"You go keep Eri company for now," he told Kano. "I'll talk with Rukawa Kaede."
Kano nodded and skipped back to Eri's side. This time, Eri didn't complain; after being force-fed "dog food" for days, she had grown numb.
Nango didn't bother with introductions.
"If someone had the same skills as you," he asked directly, "but he's taller, stronger, and faster—do you think you can beat him?"
Rukawa didn't reply. The answer was too obvious.
"But," Nango continued, "that's only in a one-on-one. In a real basketball game? It's possible."
That statement made Rukawa pause. He needed time to understand it.
After thinking awhile, he finally asked the key question:
"…How?"
Nango smiled, leaned casually against the railing, and said, "It's simple. Learn to pass."
Rukawa's face darkened. "I can pass."
"No, you can't." Nango shook his head. "Do you know why Moroboshi Dai can guard you, but you can't guard him?"
Before Rukawa could speak, Nango continued:
"And do you know why Moroboshi can lead his team to come back against us, but when you hold the ball, we get caught up to?"
Those questions silenced Rukawa.
"Because he knows you won't pass. So all he needs to do is guard your drive and your shot."
Nango's tone sounded a bit like a math teacher lecturing a failing student, and Rukawa wanted to punch him—but the problem was, Nango wasn't wrong.
"Meanwhile, when you defend Moroboshi, you have to worry about both his offense and his passes. Strategically, you're already at a disadvantage. Add his experience, and you get today's result."
He added, "You should've noticed it—Miyagi was pretty pissed at you today. That's because you don't pass."
After speaking so much in one go, Nango's throat felt dry.
Rukawa nodded slightly—he understood. But he still stubbornly insisted, "I can pass."
"How many times must I tell you? You can't."
Nango raised a hand to stop Rukawa from arguing.
"Passing isn't just tossing the ball out. True passing means giving the ball to the right teammate at the right moment—again and again, until it becomes as natural as your jump shot."
He continued:
"When you attract a double-team and pass to an open teammate—even if he misses—the defenders will hesitate next time they try to trap you. That tiny hesitation might be all you need to score."
"And the teammate you passed to? He'll feel involved. He'll play harder. It's like how when I don't pass to you, you get moody and stop running hard on the next possession."
Rukawa kept a blank face, but Nango snorted,
"Hmph! You definitely do that."
Rukawa remained silent, and Nango clicked his tongue—he knew he was right.
He thought briefly of the original timeline. Rukawa's sudden passing in the final minutes had thrown off Sawakita, but that had been desperation—not habit. If Rukawa had passed from the start, Sannoh would have adjusted and shut him down.
If Rukawa wanted to truly evolve, he had to genuinely share the ball.
Nango tapped his shoulder.
"Let's go get some water. Passing isn't something you learn in one night."
Suddenly, Rukawa spoke.
"You said earlier that in a normal game, you can beat someone stronger than me. What did you mean?"
Nango had almost forgotten he'd said that.
"Teammates aren't tools or burdens," he replied casually. "If you can maximize their strengths, beating someone superior isn't impossible.
Put you and Sendoh on identical teams—Sendoh will win. Because he knows how to bring out his teammates' abilities. You can't do that yet."
Rukawa's face instantly went dark.
He had just been "trashed" by Nango twice in a row.
"If I learn to pass…" he asked coldly, "will I become the number one high school player in Japan?"
They had just reached the store entrance. Nango picked up a bottle of water and answered honestly:
"I'm afraid not."
"…Why?"
Nango turned, grinning brightly.
"Because of me."
Rukawa exploded.
"Boss! I want the most expensive drink you have!"
"???"
Nango stared at him like he was a misbehaving child.
This guy… THIS is how he chooses to get revenge?
Rukawa glared fiercely, but a moment later—both of them inexplicably burst into laughter.
Two young men laughing hysterically while buying water left the store owner completely confused.
"Uh… do you still want these?" the owner asked weakly.
"Yes!" Nango said. "And two more bottles. Please put them together in one bag."
He paid with satisfaction. After tonight, he had said everything that needed to be said.
The rest depended on how much Rukawa Kaede could understand.