Sachiko stood just inside the gym, the sound of basketballs echoing around her.
She straightened her posture and cleared her throat, her shoes giving a soft click against the floor.
"Excuse me."
The gym was alive with rhythmic sounds—basketballs bouncing in sync, sneakers squeaking against the polished floor, and the low murmur of teammates calling for passes or giving direction.
Nanaho lifted her head, her clipboard resting neatly under one arm. Her eyes settled on Sachiko, a faint trace of recognition in her expression.
"Oh, you're the new vice president of the student council, Sachiko Takahashi, right?"
Sachiko gave a small nod, her fingers brushing against the edge of her blazer as she steadied her voice.
"Yes… that's me."
Nanaho tilted her head slightly, her tone remaining even as the sounds of the court continued behind her.
"So, what brings you here? You came to watch our training, perhaps?"
Sachiko shifted her weight slightly, her hands clasping together in front of her as she looked toward Nanaho. Her voice carried a hint of restraint.
"Well… I came to talk about something important with Kawaguchi. It will not take long, and I won't disturb his practice. Would it be alright if I borrowed him for a short while?"
Nanaho tilted her head a little, her expression thoughtful for a moment before she gave a small nod.
"It's fine. Please, go ahead."
Nanaho raised her voice just enough to carry over the sound of bouncing balls.
"Tetsuo, someone is here for you," she called out.
The rhythm of the gym broke for a moment as the players paused mid-motion, turning their eyes toward the entrance with quiet curiosity.
Tetsuo let out a quiet breath, dragging his jersey across his face to wipe away the sweat. His eyes shifted toward Sachiko, expression flat and unreadable.
She straightened at once, the faintest tension running through her posture.
His expression stayed the same, eyes calm and unreadable. His voice came low, steady, carrying through the still air.
"We are in the middle of practice. Come another time."
His arms hung loosely at his sides, his presence steady and impassive.
Nanaho let out a quiet sigh, shifting her clipboard under one arm as she looked toward Tetsuo. Her voice stayed light, but there was firmness beneath the calm.
"This young lady came all this way to see you, and that's all you can say? On top of that, she's the vice president."
She paused for a moment, her eyes narrowing slightly.
"I don't see any problem with you leaving practice for a few minutes. Go on, Tetsuo. Time is ticking."
The corners of her mouth lifted faintly, polite but sharp enough to leave no room for argument.
Tetsuo met Nanaho's eyes for a moment, his expression unmoving. A slow breath slipped through his nose before he turned from the court.
His sneakers tapped softly against the floor as he walked toward the exit.
Sachiko gave a small bow, her movements neat and careful, then followed after him out of the gym.
Noboru watched them head toward the doors, the corner of his mouth lifting slightly.
Trying to play hard to get, huh, Tetsuo? Serves you right.
Once outside, the sounds of the gym dulled behind the closed door.
A light breeze drifted across the open area, brushing through Sachiko's hair.
"I'm… sorry for pulling you out of practice."
Her gaze stayed lowered, fingers tracing over each other as her voice wavered just slightly.
Tetsuo's voice came low, steady, carrying just enough to reach her over the breeze.
"What do you want?"
Sachiko drew in a quiet breath and placed her hands neatly behind her back, her posture firming as she met his eyes.
"Well… I came on behalf of the student council president, Yoshida Hitomi. She is asking you once again to join the council."
Tetsuo's gaze stayed fixed on her, his tone flat and even.
"This again. I already gave my answer. I'm not joining the council. Basketball is all I'm focused on now."
He stood still, eyes steady, no trace of irritation or interest in his voice.
"But this school—"
Tetsuo was already turning away, his steps steady and unhurried. Each footfall landed softly against the floor, fading as he moved.
"Wait!"
Sachiko's voice broke through the still air, echoing across the open space.
Tetsuo stopped mid-step, his back remaining turned toward her.
Sachiko drew in a breath, her voice steady but carrying a quiet strength.
"The student council exists to help students and make the school better for everyone. To me, that feels more important than basketball."
She paused, watching his back.
"But maybe you feel the same about basketball."
Her hands tightened slightly at her sides.
"So… I have a proposal. Teach me how to play. Let me understand basketball through your eyes. If I find it truly interesting, I'll stop asking you to join the council. But, in return, you'll have to come to the council once and see how we work."
A brief silence hung in the air.
Tetsuo's eyes lowered once, then he exhaled quietly.
"Fine."
Sachiko gave a small nod and stepped after him.
As Tetsuo pushed open the gym door, the sounds inside washed over them again—the squeak of rubber soles, the steady rhythm of bouncing balls, and the low hum of players calling out across the court.
This is the first time he's actually talked to me properly… without ignoring me.
The thought passed quietly through Sachiko's mind, warmth rising to her cheeks.
She turned her head quickly, trying to hide the color in her face as they stepped back onto the court.
On the far side of the court, Hayato passed the ball into the paint where Liam held position, his back pressed firmly against Takahiro and Yukio.
The pressure between them was solid, the sound of shoes scraping mixing with the steady bounce of the ball.
Sweat ran down Liam's temple as he drew a steady breath and lowered his hips.
"Liam, drop your hip," Yukio called out, his tone calm but clear.
Liam adjusted without hesitation, sinking lower and driving the ball into the floor with one strong bounce.
His legs pushed through the resistance, and the defenders shifted back under the force.
With one sharp motion, he spun free and rose upward, the court ringing with the deep echo of the ball slamming through the hoop.
Noboru narrowed his eyes, wiping sweat from his brow with the back of his hand.
"You're a monster, you know that?"
Liam grinned, a hint of laughter in his voice as he caught his breath.
"Eh? You always say that when I dunk! You gotta admit, it looked cool, right?"
Noboru shot him a look.
"As if. Don't get full of yourself."
Liam laughed, the sound bright and unbothered.
"Come on, man, at least admit it looked good!"
Liam grinned and suddenly hooked an arm under Noboru's side, lifting him clean off the ground with ease.
"Whoa—hey!"
Noboru's legs flailed as Liam spun him once and tossed him lightly upward like a child.
"Hey, you idiot! Put me down!"
Noboru's voice cracked, his temper flaring as he shoved at Liam's shoulders the moment his feet hit the floor.
Liam burst out laughing, almost doubling over.
"Hahaha! You're like a child, Noboru!"
Noboru glared up at him, brushing off his jersey.
"That's only because you're basically a two-meter monster, you oversized gorilla."
Weird… Tetsuo doesn't usually do things like that for anyone, Shino thought, fingers brushing the ball as it bounced softly once.
He watched them from half-court, saying nothing.
"I didn't know Tetsuo and the vice president were dating," Hayato murmured, tilting his head as he adjusted his headband.
"Yeah, me neither. Still, kinda surprising, huh? With how dull he is," Takahiro replied with an easy grin, his tone relaxed and teasing.
"Quit the gossip and get back to training. Or maybe you'd like to run with the track team today?"
Nanaho's voice came from behind them, sharp and clear, slicing through the noise of the gym.
The players stiffened almost instantly.
"We'll pass!" both Hayato and Takahiro blurted out at once, startled.
They hurried back to their spots, sneakers squealing as they moved.
Liam's gaze drifted toward the edge of the court, catching sight of Sachiko as she stood near the door.
"Who's that girl…?" he muttered under his breath, tilting his head.
A strange look crossed his face—the kind people make when they spot something irresistibly cute.
His cheeks puffed a little, lips pressed tight, eyes softening like he was trying not to smile.
"…She's cute," he whispered to himself, the words slipping out before he realized.
The girls gathered along the stairs, their voices low as they watched Tetsuo speaking with Sachiko down below.
"Who's that girl with Tetsuo?" one whispered.
"You don't think they're… dating, right?"
"I doubt it. Maybe she's one of their managers," another replied, leaning closer.
"I… I hope so," Harumi murmured, her hands tightening around the railing.
Tetsuo turned toward Sachiko, who stood just off the court with her hands neatly folded in front of her.
The ball rested under his arm.
"Watch carefully. This is a layup."
He moved without hesitation—short, quick strides carrying him forward.
The ball rose, kissed the backboard, and slipped cleanly through the hoop.
"This is a free throw."
Tetsuo stepped to the line, bounced the ball once, then lifted it in a smooth motion.
The net gave a soft swish as the ball slipped through.
"When a player's fouled—makes illegal contact—the other gets a chance to shoot these. Each one's worth a single point."
He stepped back a few feet, eyes steady on the hoop.
"This is a three-point shot."
The ball left his hand with a smooth flick of the wrist, tracing a clean arc before dropping through the net without a sound.
Sachiko blinked, trying to keep up as Tetsuo moved to grab the ball.
"Uh… r-right… a three-point shot…"
Nanaho let out a small, awkward smile as she watched from the sideline.
Poor girl… she thought. Tetsuo isn't even trying to hide that he wants her gone.
Her gaze softened a little, the corner of her mouth curving faintly.
Still… that's a new side of him I didn't know existed.
Tetsuo lifted a hand slightly, motioning for Sachiko to pass.
She blinked, unsure for a moment, then sent the ball his way.
He caught it and began to bounce it at an easy rhythm.
"This is dribbling," his voice came quiet, even.
"It's how we move across the court. If you don't, it's called traveling. If you hold it, carrying."
He shifted his weight from side to side, each bounce steady and controlled.
He threw the ball firmly against the backboard, then jumped and caught it before it touched the floor.
"This is a rebound."
His voice was steady, almost flat.
"When a shot misses, you take the ball back."
He lifted a hand slightly, pointing toward the scrimmage on the other side of the court.
"Over there," his tone remained calm, "they're guarding each other to stop the other side from scoring. That's defense."
He lowered his arm, gaze steady.
"Those are the basics of basketball. Do you understand so far?"
Sachiko's eyes lingered on the motion of the players—their movements fluid, the sound of the ball echoing through the gym.
Her gaze stayed fixed for a moment longer before her lips parted.
"I… understand now," her voice came out low, almost thoughtful.
"I didn't realize basketball had so much to it. I thought it was just… throwing the ball into the hoop."
Her eyes stayed on the rim, expression soft but uncertain.
Tetsuo turned slightly, his tone flat.
"…If that's all, I'm going back."
Sachiko took a step forward, her voice rising a little.
"Ah—wait! Could you… show me how to shoot?"
Her hands tightened lightly in front of her, eyes lifting toward him.
Tetsuo turned without a word and sent the ball toward her with a clean, practiced throw.
The sound of it cutting through the air reached her before the weight hit her palms.
Sachiko flinched, her fingers tightening around the ball as it sank into her hands.
A faint heat rose to her face as she steadied her grip.
Tetsuo's gaze stayed fixed on her.
"Show me how you'd shoot."
Sachiko nodded quickly, drawing a small breath.
"Okay… I'll try."
She raised the ball, her form uncertain—one foot too far ahead, elbows stiff, fingers uneven across the surface.
The ball wobbled slightly in her hands as she tried to find balance.
Tetsuo stepped closer, his shadow falling over her hands.
His eyes moved quietly over her form before he reached out, adjusting her grip with steady fingers.
The touch was firm but without hesitation.
Sachiko froze for a heartbeat, warmth rushing to her cheeks.
"Your hands are uneven. Relax," his voice came low, controlled.
He shifted her fingers into place, then pressed lightly between her shoulders.
"Straighten up. No need to lean forward."
Her breath caught as she felt the faint pressure of his hand against her back.
Tetsuo moved behind her, his steps quiet against the floor.
"Bend your knees for power. Keep your shoulders loose."
His hands brushed lightly against her elbows as he adjusted the angle of her arms.
Sachiko's breath stilled.
He's… really close…
Her cheeks flushed deeper, arms tensing despite her effort to stay calm.
"One motion," his voice came from just behind her.
"Don't forget the wrist."
"Y-yes…" Her voice trembled as she drew in a breath.
Sachiko pushed off her knees, lifted the ball, and let it go with a small flick.
The sound of it cutting through the air filled the short silence before it slipped cleanly through the net.
Her eyes widened.
"It went in…"
She turned toward him, a hint of awe in her voice.
"You're… a good teacher, Kawaguchi."
A small, genuine smile broke across her face, still bright with surprise.
Tetsuo turned, already walking back toward the court.
"…I'm going to resume training. If you want to watch, stay with the others up there."
Sachiko's lips pressed together, a faint frown forming as she shifted to the side.
Don't lump me in with those fangirls… honestly, what a jerk.
Her fingers brushed the wrist that had just released the shot, the faint warmth still lingering there.
The rhythm of the court picked up again.
Tetsuo's pass cut cleanly through the air to Yukio under the rim.
Liam stepped in fast, shoes squealing against the polished floor as he squared up, shoulders tense.
Yukio feinted, then sent the ball out to Takahiro on the wing.
Takahiro caught it, turned sharply, and drove past Noboru with two strong steps.
The scrape of sneakers echoed as he lifted off for a layup—
—but Liam rose to meet him, body twisting midair.
Takahiro adjusted instantly, flicking the ball back toward the arc.
Tetsuo caught it in one motion and released.
The ball traced a clean arc before sliding through the net with a quiet swish.
Yukio grinned, breath steady.
"Nice one, Tetsuo."
Takahiro's grin widened as he jogged backward toward his spot.
"These guys don't stand a chance—even with Liam on their side."
Yukio let out a sharp breath between laughs.
"Let's keep it up. We'll make it to Inter-High for sure."
Their voices mixed with the thump of the ball and the echo of shoes on the floor.
Sachiko stood near the edge of the court, watching quietly.
Her eyes followed the rhythm of their movement—the passes, the calls, the way each player trusted the next without needing words.
So this is what Haruko sees in basketball… she thought.
It's not just the game. It's the people, the effort, the time shared.
Her lips curved into a faint smile as she turned to go.
I'll stop asking him to join the council. But… this time, I didn't leave empty-handed. That small moment we shared… it meant more than I expected.