Black Basketball: A false start

Chapter 78 Benchmark
"Coach, you're looking for me?" The next day, Kaneki Ken asked curiously as he sat in front of Shirokane Kozo in the coach's office. "The team's training is going steadily, don't worry."

"Don't worry, I didn't ask you here for this." Shirokane Kozo put the cup of water in front of Kaneki Ken, slowly sat down opposite Kaneki Ken, took out Nijimura Shuzo's letter from the drawer and handed it to him, "Take a look, this is Nijimura Shuzo's resignation letter."

"Ah? Captain Nijimura is resigning?" Kaneki Ken was surprised and quickly opened the letter in his hand and glanced at it. "The national competition trials will start next week. I'm afraid it's not appropriate to resign at this time, right?"

"Alas... I have no choice." Shirogane Kozo took a sip from the teacup in his hand, "Xuzou's father's health makes him unable to take care of him..."

"What should we do now?" Kaneki Ken folded the resignation letter and put it back into the envelope, "It won't do for this team to be without a captain..."

"Do you know who Shuzo nominated as the next captain before he resigned?" Shirogane Kozo looked at Kaneki Ken with a complicated expression, "He recommended you."

"Ah? Me?" Kaneki Ken was confused. "What are you talking about? Even if I become the captain tomorrow, I can only be the captain for one more year. I may not even stay in school as long as he does..."

"Hey, look at you, you're anxious again." Shirogane Kozo tapped the table lightly, signaling Kaneki Ken to calm down. "Actually, I asked you to come here for two reasons today. The first one is to persuade you to take over the position of captain."

“……” Kaneki Ken was about to say something when he was interrupted by Shirogane Kōzo.

"Listen to me first." Shirogane Kozo slowly walked to the window and looked into the distance, saying meaningfully, "I believe you have also felt that your teammates are basketball geniuses that are rarely seen in decades. They are not like you. They just play basketball out of love."

"But you are different." Shirogane Kozo looked back at Kaneki Ken, "You are more mature and have clearer goals, so you are stronger than them."

"So, coach, what you mean is..." Kaneki Ken seemed to understand what Shirokane Kozo was thinking, and looked at him thoughtfully, "Do I have to be the captain?"

"It will definitely not be mandatory, Kaneki." Shirogane Kozo said with a smile, "But my plan is that this captain must be you, and you will be the benchmark for the future of Teiko. I hope that after their talents blossom, they will still have a goal to catch up with."

"You really think deeply, Coach Shirogane." Kaneki Ken curled his lips, "I agree to this matter, then what is the second thing you mentioned?"

"The second thing is that I hope you can recommend a vice-captain who will take on the responsibility of team captain after you leave." Shirogane Kozo stared at Kaneki Ken with burning eyes and spoke word by word.

"...Then why don't you just let me recommend a captain?"

"That's different. There's an old saying in Dragon Country, 'Only reputation and tools can't be faked.'" Bai Jin Geng Zao waved his hand, "Only if you continue to be the captain, you can truly serve as a benchmark."

"It's really troublesome." Kaneki Ken shook his head without comment and looked directly into Shirogane Kozo's eyes. "To be honest, it's not easy to choose a vice-captain. If I have to recommend someone, I suggest that Midorima and Akashi share the position of vice-captain."

"Okay, I understand. That's settled." Shirogane Kozo's reaction was beyond Kaneki Ken's expectations.

"Huh? It's decided just like that? Without even asking me the reason or anything? Doesn't this feel like an appointment by the emperor?" Kaneki Ken was shocked by Shirogane Kozo's decisiveness.

"Don't bother. I believe you have your reasons for choosing this." Shirogane Kozo asked with a smile, "Don't you have confidence in your idea?"

"Uh... that's not the case..." Kaneki Ken looked at Shirogane Kozo at a loss, "But..."

"No buts." Shirogane Kozo began to sort out the documents in front of him, "Wait until after tonight to perform your duties, Captain Kaneki."

"Yes!" Seeing that Shirogane Kozao had said this, Kaneki Ken had no choice but to obey the order and leave.

……

In the evening, at the training hall of Teiko Junior High School, "Come, I have something to announce." Shirogane Kozo clapped his hands, "From today on, Captain Nijimura Shuzo will step down as captain, and the new captain will be Kaneki Ken."

"Kaneki is the captain now?"

"That's amazing... You can be the captain in your first year..."

"What about Captain Nijimura?"

"I think I should be the vice-captain..."

Shirokane Kozo's words caused a huge uproar. Although everyone present felt that Kaneki Ken would take over the position of captain sooner or later, they were still shocked by Shirokane Kozo's bold decision.

Shirogane Kozo looked around, taking in everyone's reactions, and then, without giving anyone time to digest the news, he announced the second piece of news: "Akagi Seijuro and Midorima Shintaro will jointly take over the position of vice-captain. Welcome everyone!"

Everyone present was numbed by the shock and raised their hands numbly. Sparse applause broke out in the stadium.

"I became the vice-captain?" Akashi Seijuro clapped his hands mechanically, looking at Kaneki Ken who looked normal not far away and fell into deep thought, "Is it you, Kaneki..."

……

"Kaneki, do you have time to chat?" After the training, Akashi Seijuro came to Kaneki Ken and said to him with a complicated expression.

"Hmm? I am free...but is there anything I can help you with, Akashi?" Kaneki Ken looked at Akashi Seijuro with some surprise.

"Kaneki-san, was it you who recommended me to become the vice-captain?" Akashi Seijuro pondered for a moment and asked directly.

"Yeah, what's wrong?" Kaneki Ken seemed surprised by Akashi Seijuro's question.

"Why did you recommend me..." Akashi Seijuro's face became even more tangled, "Obviously the coach and Captain Nijimura both like you very much, and you're the one who always leads the team to victory..."

"Did you hear something, Akashi?" Kaneki Ken's eyes became playful.

"...Yes, I was outside the door the night Captain Nijimura resigned." Akashi Seijuro pondered for a while and chose to tell the story honestly.

"So what do you want to ask me today? Are you scared, Akashi?!" Kaneki Ken smiled faintly, "Are you afraid that without my leadership, you will be defeated? Are you afraid that your ability is not enough to be the vice-captain?"

Listening to Kaneki Ken's heart-touching questions, Akashi Seijuro stared at Kaneki Ken in a daze without saying a word.

"I don't know what you think of me, Akashi." Kaneki Ken put his hands on Akashi Seijuro's shoulders and looked at him sincerely, "To me, you, like Aomine Murasakibara, are my friends who fight side by side. I recommend you and Shintaro because I believe you and Shintaro have the talent and ability to lead this team to victory."

"Kaneki..." Akashi Seijuro looked up at Kaneki Ken, his clenched fists shaking constantly.

"So, if you feel nervous and scared, just use me as a benchmark! Look up to me, chase me, and when you reach my level, you will naturally know how strong you are." Kaneki Ken patted Akashi Seijuro's shoulder heavily, turned around and gave him a cool back, "Kana~Vice Captain Akashi!"

(End of this chapter)