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Next came the awards ceremony.
The organizers handed the heavy trophy to Nijimura Shuzo.
This was also everyone's opinion, because he was still the captain of Teiko's first team.
A flurry of lights flashed.
Click...click...click...
Countless flashes shone on the Teiko team members.
At this moment, they were the stars.
Of course, there was also Karupin.
Ryu, on his own initiative, put the trophy on Karupin.
The organizers said nothing, and the Teiko team members certainly didn't say anything.
As soon as the awards ceremony ended, a large group of reporters swarmed around.
"Coach Shirogane, Teiko has won this tournament. Is there anything you'd like to say?"
"What's the secret to Teiko's victory?"
"You started with five first-year rookies. Did you anticipate they would win?"
Coach Shirogane maintained his usual benevolent smile.
He was overjoyed with their victory.
He didn't mince words with the reporters' questions, answering them all.
Meanwhile, at Ryu's side, they were also surrounded by a huge crowd.
Ryu and his group were divided.
Akashi Seijuro was alone, surrounded by reporters.
He wasn't intimidated at all, answering all the questions skillfully.
On the other side was Ryu's group.
Seeing the reporters swarming around him like crazed fans, Ryu's eyelids twitched uncontrollably.
He had never experienced anything like this in either his past or present life.
This inexplicable pressure... if it weren't for the entire season of competition he'd endured, he truly wouldn't have been able to stand calmly in front of the cameras.
"Ugh... what's going on? This scene is terrifying!" Aomine Daiki said nervously, looking on with envy at Akashi's fluent answers.
Murasakibara Atsushi was the same.
Not good at communicating, he just stood there blankly, looking completely bewildered.
As for Midorima Shintaro... Midorima adjusted his glasses, his expression calm and collected, but Ryu noticed that his other hand was trembling slightly.
'This guy is really a tsundere.'
Ryu answered the reporters' questions for Aomine and Murasakibara.
With a friendly smile on his face, he inwardly cursed the reporters.
These guys didn't treat their interviewees like human beings at all.
He glanced sideways at Akashi.
An idea surged in Ryu's mind.
'Hmm, from now on, you'll be the one carrying the burden of dealing with reporters! Hehehe…'
Akashi, who was answering questions, suddenly felt a chill on his neck, sensing that something bad was about to happen.
Unbeknownst to him, a pair of silver eyes filled with scheming intent had already fixed on him.
...
The radiant glow of dawn bathed the world, awakening those who had slept soundly all night.
Bathed in the sunlight streaming through the window, Ryu's eyelids trembled slightly, reluctantly opening a crack.
After a long while, Ryu seemed to regain his senses.
Recalling last night's celebration, Ryu felt utterly exhausted.
It had been so much fun.
Purr...purr...
Feeling the familiar tremor against his chest, Ryu instinctively reached out and stroked it.
Meow...
Karupin, awakened from his slumber, opened his sleepy blue vertical pupils and gave Ryu a disgruntled look.
"You bastard, you're disturbing my sleep again! Do you want to die?"
Ryu was completely unfazed by Karupin's threat.
He stretched and then said to Karupin: "I see you're just pretending to sleep every day. Haven't you had enough sleep yet?"
Hmph...
Karupin gave a haughty snort. "What do you know? Sleep helps me recover my energy. Otherwise, how can I attract those females ca t... cough cough... otherwise, how can I help you pass on your ball skills and abilities?"
Ryu stared at him with dead fish eyes, trying to recall. 'Did he just say something? Attract what?'
"Why are you looking at me like that?" Karupin felt a chill run down his spine from Ryu's gaze; a little flustered, his sapphire-like vertical pupils darted left and right.
"I have a feeling you're hiding something from me."
Hearing Ryu say this, Karupin immediately retorted: "Pah, pah, pah... We're practically inseparable now, what could I possibly be hiding from you? Just do your own thing, do I have to tell you everything about my bodily functions?"
"Yeah, huh... Hey, do you even know how to use the toilet?"
"Get lost..."
Slap slap slap slap slap...
Without a word, Karupin unleashed a set of "Meow Fist" on Ryu.
Don't worry, it was just a simple meow punch, no claws used.
After their playful tussle, the two of them went downstairs to the kitchen.
Ryu had to cook for himself.
In his previous life, he can make home-cooked meals were a piece of cake.
Sizzling sounds and the clanging of iron spoons against iron pans soon filled the kitchen.
After eating and drinking to their hearts' content, Ryu took Karupin out the door.
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