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

Xiang Yang glanced at Takeuchi again, a small gesture that did not escape the reporter's notice. Takeuchi crossed his hands under his nose, making no comment.

In his opinion, with Xiangyang's intelligence, this level of problem was no challenge for him at all.

"Hmm... Shiro Rin has a great team spirit. Everyone on the team has unique strengths. Playing against them feels like competing against a master. They are a great team."

Without receiving a hint from Takeuchi, Xiangyang naturally spoke according to his own ideas, recalling the high emotional intelligence he possessed in his past life.

NBA stars believe their answers to interview questions are quite watertight.

Takeuchi nodded secretly; it seemed his worries were somewhat unnecessary.

"Oh, I see."

The female reporter smiled sweetly, lowered her head and moved her pen a couple of times, as if she was about to write something down. Suddenly, she looked up and a malicious smile appeared on her face.

"By the way, Mr. Xiangyang, I also wanted to ask, if you can still make it to the finals next summer, which team would you most like to face off against?"

Just as Takeuchi was about to take a sip of water to moisten his throat, he heard the female reporter's latest question and immediately put down his water bottle, his face turning somewhat unpleasant.

This kind of question is clearly a trap, especially for those young people who are overly ambitious. It's easy for them to get some "explosive" information!

In his accelerated state of mind, Xiangyang instantly understood the reporter's underlying meaning. At the same time, he also felt Takeuchi secretly poking him under the table. He turned his head and glanced over, and sure enough, Takeuchi was making faces at him frantically.

Takeuchi: Don't answer directly! Be humble!

Xiangyang: Don't want a direct answer? Okay!

Xiang Yang understood immediately. He turned to the female reporter and smiled, "Next question."

Upon hearing this, the previously noisy scene immediately fell silent. The female reporter's smile froze instantly, and her hands, which were taking notes, paused.

Hearing Xiangyang's answer, Takeuchi, who was standing to the side, was so shocked that his jaw almost dropped.

Xiangyang noticed the change in Wu Nei's expression, turned to him and winked: Don't worry, I'm as clever as a monkey.

In their past lives, NBA stars would simply and directly answer any questions they didn't want to answer with: "Next question."

In that instant, countless answers flashed through Xiangyang's mind, but after careful selection, this one was the most suitable!

Just as the atmosphere became awkward and the air grew increasingly quiet, another reporter stepped in to save the day.

"Ahem... Mr. Xiangyang, may I ask what your team's secret to winning the championship is?"

As he spoke, the reporter quietly tugged at the female reporter from earlier, shielding her behind him.

Hmm, this question sounds much more friendly.

Xiang Yang nodded in satisfaction and answered the question.

"Effort is our team's only strength."

Next, the reporters asked questions one after another, but they were all easy to answer and without any linguistic traps.

They were terrified that when it was their turn, Xiang Yang would blurt out "Next question," which would be incredibly awkward—just look at the first female reporter to go up.

Takenouchi was stunned. At that moment, he began to question his more than ten years of interviewing experience.

Is this the only way to answer a question that's asking for trouble?

Seeing the terrified expressions on the faces of the reporters as they asked questions, Takeuchi felt as if he had discovered the door to a new world.

He should try it next time!

……

About half an hour later, the interview finally ended. Watching the reporters leave one after another without any intention of staying for a private interview, Xiang Yang clicked his tongue with a hint of regret.

Interviews aren't that difficult! The reporters were all super nice and easy to talk to.

It sounds great, I love it here! I'd love to come back for another interview next year!

Just as Xiangyang and Wunouchi got up to leave, the last remaining reporter called out to Xiangyang.

"Um, Mr. Xiangyang, I have another question I'd like to ask you."

Hmm? A private interview?

Xiang Yang's eyes lit up. He hadn't had enough yet. He turned around and saw that it was the female reporter who had been standing at the very edge during the interview. She didn't seem to know the other reporters well, and she only asked one question before someone else took over the conversation.

Seeing Xiang Yang stop, the female reporter breathed a sigh of relief, put her pen in her pocket, and said with a smile, "Don't worry, this isn't part of the interview; it's more like my personal question!"

At the end, the female reporter seemed to remember something and quickly added a sentence.

"Of course! Mr. Xiangyang, it's fine if you don't want to answer!"

Xiang Yang nodded in response and gestured for the reporter to ask the question.

"Mr. Xiangyang, is your name Xiangyang?"

Xiangyang: ...

The female reporter seemed to realize that her question sounded a bit silly, and gave an awkward smile as she explained, "Excuse me, what I meant was that there are very few people with names like 'Neon.' Mr. Xiangyang, your name sounds a bit like something from the 'China' region. Do you know what 'China' means?"

Planting flowers...

Xiangyang knew this, of course. Not only that, but he was also from the Chinese nation in his previous life.

“My name is Xiangyang, which was given to me by my parents. I do know how to grow flowers, but I was born in Japan.”

Is that really how it is...?

A hint of disappointment flashed in the female reporter's eyes, but she quickly composed herself, bowed to Xiang Yang, and jogged away.

Watching her departing figure, Xiangyang fell into deep thought, lost in thought.

At this moment, Takeuchi interrupted Xiangyang's thoughts.

"Let's go, your efforts deserve some recognition."

Ok?

Takeuchi's words startled Xiangyang, but he quickly understood and a smile appeared on his face.

Takeuchi smiled, and the two of them walked back to the Kaijo locker room side by side. Everyone else had already left the locker room, leaving only the two of them.

Takeuchi plopped down on the bench, took out his cell phone, and dialed a number.

Xiangyang also took out his phone, looked at the call log from Yazi, and smiled broadly.

Ms. Masako would be very happy to know that he won the championship and successfully entered the national youth team!

Xiangyang secretly decided that he would tell her the news when he went to Shark Gym that night, to give her a surprise!

Let's not call her for now.

Just as Xiangyang was making up his mind, Wuwei dialed the same number.

"Moshi Moshi, Speaker Li Guo, did you watch the finals today?"

"A scout went to check it out? The report is already in your hands? That's good."

"Hmm? You changed your mind? That's good, hahaha."

Takeuchi chuckled as he made the call, not forgetting to give Xiangyang an OK sign.

"Yes, I'm listening. Please continue... huh?"

I don't know what was said on the other end of the phone, but Takeuchi's expression suddenly froze, and the smile that hadn't faded from his face also froze there.

Xiang Yang found it strange. Based on his performance today, there was no reason why he shouldn't be selected for the national youth team. If Akashi doesn't pursue a professional basketball career, Xiang Yang really didn't believe that there were any high school point guards in Japan who could compete with him among his peers. There weren't even any in the national youth team.

"Okay, I'll tell him, goodbye President Li Guo."

After hanging up the phone, Takeuchi pondered for a moment, then forced a smile at Xiangyang.

"Xiangyang, President Li Guo said you performed well and there's no problem getting into the national youth team!"

Xiang Yang remained calm. If what Wu Nei said on the other end of the phone was really true, he wouldn't have reacted that way just now. There should be a "but" after this statement.

Sure enough, Takeuchi rubbed his face and continued, "But you have to go to the Basketball Association for a tryout first, which is probably a physical fitness test. Once you've done that, you can get in!"

Chapter 125 Masako Becomes an Ostrich

Inside a ramen shop

"Kasamatsu-senpai, it looks like it's going to rain."

Kise picked up a mouthful of noodles with his fork and noticed that the sky outside was somewhat gloomy.

The weather forecast clearly said it wouldn't rain today.

Kasamatsu looked up at the window and said, "Let's finish eating quickly and go home."

Kise nodded in agreement, put the noodles he had forked into his mouth, and mumbled, "Speaking of which, we've already won the championship, so why doesn't the coach take us out for a meal or something?"

Kasamatsu shrugged and said, "After all, there are interviews to deal with. Xiangyang and the coach should be celebrating together right now."

Yeah…

Kise looked at the ramen in his bowl and nodded thoughtfully.

Seeing Kise lost in thought, Kasamatsu didn't hold back and slapped him on the head with a chop, saying irritably, "What's wrong with you? You've been distracted ever since you started, and you keep spacing out. Your noodles are going to get soggy if you don't eat them soon."

Faced with Kasamatsu's reprimand, Kise, contrary to his usual behavior, turned his head and squinted at the shop entrance.

I feel a little uncomfortable...

Not long after, Kise's words came true. The light rain outside started to fall on the ground, and at first it was just a few raindrops, but soon it turned into a downpour.

"I told you to eat faster, or we won't be able to go back now."

"Sorry, Kasamatsu-senpai, let's wait until the rain gets a little lighter before we leave!"

……

On the other side of the city, inside the Shark Gym

Masako was reclining on the sofa, holding a magazine in her hand. On the coffee table in front of her was her phone, which was still on, with several red missed calls clearly visible.

Although she was looking at a magazine, she hadn't turned the page in a long time, and it was clear that Masako's mind wasn't on the magazine.

Suddenly, the door to Shark Gym was pushed open.

Masako slowly raised her head. In such heavy rain, besides loyal fitness enthusiasts, only Xiangyang would come to the gym.

Sure enough, Xiangyang stood at the door, his hair and clothes soaking wet, clearly not expecting a sudden downpour.