Kuroko's Basketball: I'm not the boss?

Although everyone found it a bit strange, they didn't take it to heart. After Kise waved goodbye to Yuki, the last person to greet him, he left.

He was the only one left in the huge Haichang Basketball Arena.

After an unknown amount of time, a male voice suddenly rang out in the quiet air.

"Honestly, why am I being so sentimental for no reason?"

Kise stopped standing there, picked up his backpack, and left humming a little tune.

This time, however, the tune he sang had no rhythm and sounded more like a muffled groan without any meaning.

.........

.........

The next day, Xiang Yang came to the Haichang Basketball Gymnasium as usual, his movements and demeanor just as before. Even the occasional pessimistic words and complaints that popped out were very much in his style.

No one at Kaijo noticed anything unusual. Even Kise Ryota, seeing Hikaru like this, couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief and went outside.

Great, nothing happened. Looks like I was just worrying too much. Honestly, it's all my mom's fault for making me watch so many melodramatic dramas lately, making me so sensitive now.

Although Kise was complaining inside, his expression betrayed him; the curve of his lips indicated that he was in a good mood.

That's good, that's good...

Chapter 144 Youth is Full of Regret

“I said, is this alright? You just asked Takeuchi for leave without even saying goodbye.”

On the highway, Masako was driving Reiko and Hikaru towards the Japanese airport.

Faced with Yako's question, Xiangyang rolled over and said lazily, "It's no problem. They're all adults... almost adults. It's okay if I'm missing."

He maintained the same posture he had when he was in the passenger seat, lying on his side as if he were asleep.

While driving, Masako glanced at Xiangyang, sighed almost imperceptibly, and didn't say anything more.

Although Masako believed she could read Hikaru's emotions, only he himself knew what he was really thinking.

In the back seat, Reiko Tajima—no, Shi Yimin—was leaning against the window, gazing at the scenery outside the car: the compact houses typical of Japan.

"Four years..."

Shi Yimin murmured, "Four years have passed since I first arrived in Japan."

In contrast, it has been four years since she left China.

"I really miss those days, Mr. Xiangyang. Once we arrive in China, I'll show you around and let you experience the customs and culture of other countries."

Shi Yimin smiled and patted the sunny seat. From her voice, you could tell she was in a good mood.

"Really? Then I'll have to look forward to it."

A muffled voice came from the front seat, as if Xiangyang's face was buried underneath.

Shi Yimin didn't mind and continued to enjoy the scenery outside the window.

The location of the Japanese airport is not remote, and since Masako and her group departed from a point in central Tokyo that was not far from the airport.

Two hours passed.

Masako patted Xiangyang's head skillfully and said softly, "We've arrived."

This time, Xiangyang didn't stretch; he simply got up slowly and opened the car door. He wasn't asleep.

Just as Masako was about to walk to the other side to help Xiangyang out of the car, she paused, stood by the car and looked Xiangyang up and down, as if she wanted to get to know him all over again.

As for Shi Yimin, she excitedly ran out of the car. She was unaware of the "ceremony" the two had performed when getting out of the car, so she didn't notice anything amiss.

"Our flight is at 10 o'clock. We arrived early, so we can relax a bit."

While fixing her hair, Shi Yimin looked at Xiangyang and Yazi and added, "It will take about four hours to get to China. You haven't had airplane food before, have you, Mr. Xiangyang?"

At this moment, Xiang Yang, who was still staring blankly at the airport icon, finally came to his senses. He turned to Shi Yimin and replied, "That's right, I've never been on a plane before." Of course, this only applies to this lifetime.

Having anticipated this, Shi Yimin nodded and said, "Let's go. Although we still have plenty of time, it's always good to find the boarding gate in advance, just in case."

After speaking, Shi Yimin took the lead and walked into the airport gate.

Xiang Yang didn't follow immediately. Instead, he turned to Yako and asked, "Miss Yako, would you like to come in with us?"

"No, I still have some things to take care of in Yangquan."

Masako paused, watching Hikari's lips twitch, but in the end...

It was just two concise words: "Goodbye."

Xiang Yang didn't mind; he was already used to Yako's personality. He nodded and replied, "Goodbye, Miss Yako. Please be careful on your way back."

Masako nodded in agreement, opened the car door, and got in.

Xiang Yang waved to Ya Zi again, then turned and followed Shi Yimin, who had already entered the airport.

Listening to the roar of the sports car engine behind him, Xiang Yang clicked his tongue, thinking to himself: I thought that something he was hoping for would happen at this farewell scene...

Well, given Masako's style of doing things, it would be strange if it weren't like this.

Thinking of this, Xiangyang smiled slightly. It was because he was not good at dealing with sad farewells that he hadn't told anyone he was going to China.

He didn't even tell Kise.

"Sorry, genius, I might have to go back on my word."

As he murmured something, Xiangyang remembered the vow he had made with Kise in the past.

We'll join the national youth team together, then the national team together, and we'll continue playing together until the end of high school.

However, if Xiang Yang could truly accept joining the national youth team on his knees and being looked down upon, then he wouldn't be Xiang Yang.

"I'll join the national youth team, and I'll definitely make it to the national team too. Playing together... is inevitable! It's just... we might have to play the part of brothers turning against each other..."

Xiang Yang gave a self-deprecating laugh, his arms hanging at his sides clenching slightly.

The vows made in youth are hard to come true. They may seem laughable or distant, but it is precisely because of these seemingly impossible things that legendary stories continue to be created in the world.

Years later, when those who care about this ship pay attention to it, they are surprised to find that, in the grand scheme of things, everything seems to have been arranged by God. Perhaps the ending is full of regrets, but the process is full of sighs.

but!

Youth is full of regrets and remorse.

……

……

"Huh? Has Ms. Masako already left?"

Inside the airport, Shi Yimin, who had just gone through security, was surprised to find that Xiang Yang was the only one following behind her.

She thought the two of them were hanging behind her, being all lovey-dovey, because they thought she was in their way.

Noticing that the veteran reporter's gaze was a bit off, Xiang Yang touched his nose and replied, "Ms. Yako said she had some things to take care of at the school, so she left first."

Xiang Yang thought that after this explanation, the reporter, who loved to overthink things, would stop building up her own story. However, to his surprise, Shi Yimin's gaze became even stranger.

It was so strange that Xiangyang felt somewhat uncomfortable.

"Miss Reiko, I'm getting shy when you stare at me so directly."

Xiangyang's habitual joking earned him a roll of the eyes from Lingzi.

"Don't interrupt. What exactly is your relationship with Yako? And my name is Shi Yimin... never mind, just call me Reiko."

Lingzi waved her hand, interrupting Xiangyang's attempt to change the subject, then looked at him with a mocking expression, as if she wanted to hear some gossip from him.

Xiang Yang thought for a moment, but didn't pretend to be stupid, and said, "It's probably more than friends, but less than lovers, right?"

Although in terms of their relationship, the two are practically like an old married couple, but...

So far, apart from massages, Xiangyang and Yazi have not had any proper physical contact, not even holding hands.

Lingzi clicked her tongue and exclaimed, "No wonder you play point guard, your mind is so sharp. I thought you would say something like 'we're just friends,' such a jerk."

In the past, most of the high school students that Reiko had met would pretend to be clueless when faced with emotional problems. Even those who were perfectly clear-headed would just foolishly try to gloss over it, which Reiko found extremely distasteful.

However, we can't blame her, nor can we blame those high school students who are just beginning to experience romantic feelings. At this age, most people are too ashamed to talk about love and are simply denying it.

Of course, outliers like Kise don't count, nor do "fake high school boys" like Hikaru.

"Based on my previous observations, I thought Masako really liked you, but it turns out that you're about to leave and she didn't even come to give you a kiss or anything, she just acted as your driver."

Lingzi shook her head like a relationship guru, finally concluding: "You have a long way to go, young man. Keep going! The chance to climb the social ladder by hooking up with a rich girl is right in front of you!"

Hearing Lingzi's words, Xiangyang shrugged noncommittally. Everyone has their own way of saying goodbye, and Xiangyang himself had undeniably imagined it in his heart.

Japanese anime tropes like farewell confessions and goodbye kisses.

But for Masako and Mukayo, if such a thing really happened, he would be at a loss and feel terrified.

"Ding! Boarding for flight JAXXXX has begun. Passengers, please take note..."

As the airport announcement sounded, Lingzi stood up, straightened her clothes, and waved to Xiangyang.

The two boarded the plane, considering that Xiangyang had never flown before (not really).

So Reiko specially chose a window seat for him so he could enjoy the view outside.

"When the plane takes off, you may experience tinnitus due to the rapid change in altitude. Don't worry, this is normal. Just keep swallowing to relieve it."

Lingzi carefully explained the precautions for flying to Xiangyang. Although Xiangyang had actually flown before, he felt a warmth in his heart. It was nice to feel cared for like this.

Lingzi didn't nag for too long. She didn't treat Xiangyang like a helpless, overgrown baby player. Before long, she picked up the magazine in front of her seat and began to read it with great interest.

Xiangyang rested his chin on his hand, looking out the window. However, the plane hadn't taken off yet, so there was no scenery for him to enjoy. He was simply finding a comfortable position to daydream and think.

Before long, all the other passengers, except for the two of them, had finished boarding, and the once quiet atmosphere became a bit more lively.

After the flight attendants went down to each passenger's seat to check their seatbelts, the plane's announcement system came on again, indicating that the plane was finally about to take off.

hum-

The plane took off slowly, and the smooth flight path meant that the passengers did not feel any turbulence.

As the speed increased, a strong push-back sensation came over him, and Xiangyang's back was pressed tightly against the seat.

Lingzi turned her head and glanced at Xiangyang.