Slam Dunk: Sakuragi learned from Kawamura Eiki's experience

When the final whistle blew, the scoreboard on the iron rack next to it displayed glaringly bright numbers: Sakuragi's Class 6 had lost to Oda's Class 3.

Sakuragi stood near the free-throw line with his hands on his hips, stared at the scoreboard for two seconds, and clicked his tongue in annoyance.

The images of those dunks are still replaying in my mind.

The moment he jumped, the wind whistled past his ears, the basketball hoop grew larger and larger in front of him, and then with a loud "bang," the whole world shook.

That feeling...

He still remembers the screams of the girls outside the barbed wire fence.

It wasn't the kind of scream of "So handsome, so handsome!" that you'd give to Oda, but rather the kind of "Wow..." sound that comes from being startled yet unable to help but exclaim in amazement.

They're different, completely different.

How can I describe that feeling? It's like taking a sip of ice water on a hot summer day, a refreshing sensation that goes straight from your throat to your stomach.

It felt great.

It was so cool.

It was incredibly satisfying.

He glanced down at his right hand and slowly clenched it into a fist. The texture of the basketball's surface seemed to linger in his palm; the lines were imprinted on his skin, warm to the touch.

"This basketball is really interesting," he muttered to himself.

Takamiya's voice came from behind: "You're laughing even after losing? Sakuragi, have you gone mad from the sun?"

Sakura didn't reply.

There's a murderous aura about him!

Takamiya wisely kept quiet.

Teacher Takeda blew a whistle, signaling everyone to gather.

Students walked over in twos and threes, some of them still whispering about the match they had just watched.

"...Who's that red-haired guy? Jumping so high..."

"...Sakuragi Hanamichi from Class 6...that delinquent fighting king..."

"...That's a dunk, even Oda can't do that..."

"...But he really didn't understand the rules, he went on the field several times..."

"...That jumping ability is terrifying..."

Sakuragi's ears twitched when he heard the words "fighting king," and his chin lifted a little higher when he heard "jump that high."

Teacher Takeda stood at the front of the line, took attendance, and then dismissed the group.

Most of the students headed towards the teaching building, while Oda Ryusei was surrounded by a group of girls who were handing him towels and water, keeping him very busy.

"Sakuragi".

Teacher Takeda called him over.

Sakuragi turned around. Sunlight shone directly from behind Mr. Takeda, making him squint.

"Have you ever played basketball before?" Mr. Takeda asked, his tone tentative.

"No," Sakuragi answered honestly, scratching the back of his head. "This is the first time I've touched a ball today."

Mr. Takeda raised an eyebrow.

"Does seeing it on TV count?" Sakuragi added, "I've been working at a convenience store lately, and the boss keeps playing that... something like BA."

"NBA."

"Yes, that one."

Mr. Takeda paused for two seconds, looking Sakuragi up and down. He was over 1.8 meters tall, with broad shoulders, long arms, and hands large enough to hold a ball with one hand.

What's most frightening is his jumping ability; the height he can jump to dunk after receiving the ball is unparalleled in the entire history of the Heguang Middle School basketball team.

His eyes lit up.

"Sakuragi," Mr. Takeda took a step forward, his tone becoming serious, "you should join the basketball club."

Sakuragi was stunned for a moment.

"You're a basketball prodigy," Coach Takeda said, emphasizing each word.

genius.

These two words were like a pebble thrown into a lake, creating ripples in Sakuragi's mind.

He was stunned.

It was because... it was the first time he had been praised by his teacher.

He was scolded countless times, called a "problem student," a "red-haired monkey," and a "delinquent," but he was also praised by his teachers.

This is the first time, and it's a compliment at the level of "genius"?

Sakuragi Hanamichi, a delinquent who loves to fight, receives his first positive affirmation from his teacher in fifteen years.

His lips began to curl upwards uncontrollably.

First, the left corner of her mouth twitched, then the right side followed, and finally her whole face lit up, like a sunflower blooming in the sun.

"Really?" he asked, his voice filled with a cautious anticipation.

Seeing his expression, Mr. Takeda couldn't help but smile, and then nodded affirmatively.

"Really. As long as you undergo professional basketball training, you will definitely surpass Oda and become the ace of the basketball team."

trump card.

These two words carry even more weight than "genius".

Fireworks suddenly exploded in Sakuragi's mind.

The images popped up one after another:

He stood in the center of the court wearing the basketball team uniform, with Oda Ryusei standing next to him, bowing obsequiously: "Sakuragi-kun, you're a genius. Let me hand you a towel."

Then on the court, he dunked, the rim shook, and the whole arena gasped.

The area outside the basketball court was packed with girls, all chanting his name: "Go Sakuragi-kun! Sakuragi's so cool!..."

Then the girls rushed towards him, each holding a love letter, vying to shove it into his hands.

He stood in the middle of the crowd, arms crossed, frowning in distress: "Ugh, which one should I choose? Being too popular is a problem..."

The scene is so beautiful.

Sakuragi's mouth stretched from ear to ear in a wide grin.

His eyes were squinted into a slit.

He exuded a kind of... how to put it... a kind of sleazy aura that made you really want to punch him.

Looking at his expression, Teacher Takeda's lips twitched, and he vaguely felt as if he had opened something he shouldn't have.

Sakuragi suddenly raised his head, his eyes shining, and clenched his right fist, swinging it fiercely into the air.

"It's decided!"

His voice echoed throughout the entire playground.

"Teacher, I want to join the basketball team!" Sakuragi clenched his fist, his eyes shining. "I want to become the ace!"

Mr. Takeda smiled and patted him on the shoulder: "Okay, come find me at the basketball gym after school tomorrow, and I'll process your admission."

"No need for tomorrow!" Sakuragi said, "Today! Right now! I'll go after school!"

"...PE class is over for today, and the basketball team didn't have any practice either." Mr. Takeda said, half-laughing and half-crying, "Tomorrow's fine, one more day won't make a difference."

Sakuragi thought for a moment and reluctantly nodded.

But the expression on his face showed that he couldn't wait any longer.

The four members of Sakuragi's gang next to them exchanged glances.

Takamiya whispered, "Damn it, this guy's completely out of control."

Da Nan nodded in agreement: "Before, if he got hooked on something, it would only last three days at most. Basketball... how long do you think he can stick with it?"

Noma thought for a moment: "Could it exceed three days?"

Yohei smiled and shook his head without saying anything.

He looked at Sakuragi's somewhat silly smiling face, but his mind was on something else entirely.

He had never seen Sakuragi Hanamichi so happy because of a teacher's words.

genius.

This was the first time Sakuragi had been affirmed by these two words.

Sakuragi stands by the basketball court.

tomorrow.

Join the basketball team.

Become an ace.

His mouth stretched to his ears, revealing an expression everyone was familiar with—that lewd grin.

The four members of Sakuragi's gang looked at his face and sighed at the same time.

"here we go again."