Chapter 010
Time flew by quickly, and several months later, Teiko Middle School claimed the National Junior High School League championship. From the preliminary rounds onward, the team had been carried entirely by five first-year players, with all second and third-year students relegated to bench roles.
Winning the junior high league championship with only first-year players had drawn massive attention to Murasakibara and his teammates throughout the competition. After the tournament concluded, Nijimura recognized Akashi's natural leadership qualities and immediately appointed him as vice-captain.
After school, Akashi arrived at the training facility to find Aomine still practicing his slam dunk attempts along with other first-string members. "Alright, everyone can head home now. If anyone wants to stay for additional training, please let me know first," Akashi announced calmly.
"I'd like to train for a while longer, Akashi," Aomine immediately responded. Despite their championship victory, several games had been uncomfortably close calls that made him realize his current strength wasn't sufficient.
"Understood." Akashi looked around and noticed some absences. "Where are Murasakibara and Haizaki today?"
"Atsushi went to buy snacks, and as for Haizaki... he's probably skipping again," Aomine replied after thinking briefly, realizing he genuinely hadn't seen their teammate all day.
Akashi's expression darkened slightly at this news. Midorima, who also disapproved of Haizaki's casual attitude, adjusted his glasses and added: "This seems like the third time this month! Akashi, he didn't request leave from you, did he?"
"You guys talking about Haizaki-chin? I know where he is. I think he went to play arcade games with those guys from Class B," Murasakibara appeared from behind them, carrying a bag full of snacks and speaking in his usual lazy tone.
Seeing Murasakibara's excessive snack purchases, Midorima felt irritated. "It's already after school—why are you buying so much junk food? Eating too much of that stuff is bad for your health, and you should be going home for dinner anyway."
"Eh, what's the big deal? Besides, I'm buying these for tomorrow morning," Murasakibara replied with complete indifference.
This response made Midorima even more upset. "That's even worse! You should eat healthy food in the morning, not this garbage."
Murasakibara was clearly unappreciative of the lecture and responded impatiently: "You're so annoying, Midorima-chin! Stop nagging me!"
"What did you say..." Midorima immediately bristled at the dismissive response. He'd been offering genuine health advice, only to be completely ignored. Unable to let it slide, he continued: "How can you be so stubborn about this? No wonder you act like a child."
"Huh? What did you just say? Watch it, or I'll crush you, Midorima-chin," Murasakibara's tone turned threatening as his irritation escalated.
Aomine sighed helplessly from the sideline. "Here they go again..." He'd long since recognized that Midorima and Murasakibara's personalities were fundamentally incompatible—Midorima's perfectionist tendencies clashed constantly with Murasakibara's casual approach to everything.
Akashi intervened with gentle authority: "Alright, you two, stop fighting over something so trivial. Murasakibara, are you planning to stay for additional training today? I need to keep a record."
"Yeah, I guess I'll stay and train with Mine-chin for a bit," Murasakibara replied with a slight yawn.
Akashi nodded. "Very well. We'll head out first then. See you tomorrow."
After Akashi and Midorima left, Aomine looked at Murasakibara with growing excitement. "Hey Atsushi, how about we play one-on-one? I want to show you the slam dunk I've been practicing!"
"Oh, a slam dunk?" Murasakibara's tone carried mild interest rather than surprise. "So Mine-chin really learned how to do it? I'm actually a little impressed."
"Hehe, come on! Let's play a few games," Aomine said, grabbing a basketball with obvious competitive enthusiasm.
Murasakibara reluctantly agreed to participate. Since Aomine was genuinely strong, the first-years rarely competed directly against each other like this. Just as they were about to begin, Momoi suddenly ran over calling out: "Dai-chan, come here!"
Aomine looked slightly annoyed at the interruption—he'd been looking forward to playing against Murasakibara—but since Momoi was his childhood friend, he walked over and asked lazily: "What's up, Satsuki?"
"Dai-chan, I need you to do me a favor," Momoi said with an expression designed to elicit sympathy.
Seeing her serious demeanor, Aomine's attitude became more attentive. "Alright, what is it?"
"I heard that the new gymnasium is haunted! The court is completely empty, but you can hear basketballs bouncing and sneakers squeaking. Can you go check it out for me?" Momoi pleaded desperately.
Hearing this ridiculous request, Aomine's enthusiasm immediately deflated. "Oh, come on! That's completely stupid—you actually believe those kinds of rumors?"
"It's true! I heard the sounds when I was walking past earlier, but when I opened the door, there was nobody inside. That's why I came looking for you," Momoi insisted anxiously, seeing Aomine's complete skepticism.
At that moment, Murasakibara wandered over with a mildly interested expression. "Oh, you mean that story? I heard about it too, but I don't know if it's real or fake."
"Of course it's true!" Momoi declared.
"Obviously it's fake," Aomine said simultaneously.
Aomine looked exasperated. "Why would you believe this kind of nonsense? Seriously."
"It really is true! If you don't believe me, go see for yourself!" Momoi said with a wounded expression at her childhood friend's complete disbelief.
Murasakibara perked up with genuine curiosity. "Well, I'm kind of interested in checking it out anyway. Want to come along, Mine-chin?"
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