Full-time comic artist

Baba left the autograph table looking dejected, which puzzled the Donghai basketball team players sitting on the sidelines.

What's even stranger is that every member who went on stage had the same expression, as if their souls had been sucked away by Tori Akino.

He seemed like a completely different person, lost and confused.

Only Kanda Takehito was invigorated.

"Tori Akino-sensei, because of your manga, because of Mitsui Hisashi, I have finally rediscovered my former self. Thank you so much." He bowed, looking like a prodigal son who had returned home.

"I hope you can be like Mitsui," Hibiki Higashino said. "It's very rare to recognize a mistake, and it's even harder to correct it in time. Good luck!"

"Okay!" Kanda Takehito nodded and left with a proud and confident air.

"What's going on?" Yagami was very puzzled. He looked at Kyoko Akagi, who was laughing so hard her stomach hurt, and after calming himself down, he walked over as well.

……

Hibiki Higashino looked at Yagami with a smile on his face.

The match between Meiji University and Tokai University left a deep impression on him regarding Tokai University's captain. From the very beginning, it was he who orchestrated the attacks, demoralizing Meiji University's substitutes. If Meiji University's starters had entered the game later, they could have truly won.

Higashino greeted him, "Long time no see."

"Long time no see..." Yagami hesitated. Did Tori Akino recognize him?

"Thank you for taking care of Hanacho," Hibiki Higashino said, bowing his head to sign his name.

"Oh!" Yagami realized.

It turns out that Hana's good friend, whom she had met once, was Tori Akino Mirai.

He was quite moved by his close relationship with Hua Chao back then.

A bitter smile appeared on Yagami's lips. He understood why Akagi Kyoko was smiling like a fox who had stolen a chicken. She had ulterior motives and wanted to see the basketball team members embarrass themselves.

“I never expected this,” he exclaimed. “Tori Akino-sensei is actually so close to us.”

“It’s just entertainment,” Hibiki Higashino said. “I’m so glad everyone likes it.”

"Yes Yes……"

Night God, who never showed his emotions, almost twisted his ankle when he left. He was truly shocked, his face blank with disbelief.

Next, seeing Akagi Kyoko laughing uncontrollably, Higashino Hibiki shook his head helplessly.

"Wishing you and Hanacho a long and happy marriage—Tori Akino Mirai."

He waved his hand, shooing away Kyoko Akagi, whose cheeks were flushed with rosy clouds.

Hua Chao, the last member of the Donghai basketball team, walked over.

“You have to win,” Hibiki Higashino told him. “If we can make it to the finals, I’ll go watch it live.”

"Definitely!" Hua Chao nodded.

……

The Donghai basketball team members gathered in front of the Mandarake store.

The horse farm and the others were making a lot of noise, but Yagami didn't care. He was too preoccupied with the shocking news he had just learned to pay attention to them.

As Hua Chao walked out, Ma Chang ran over, hooked his arm around Hua Chao's neck, and said, "You little rascal, you're really good with your mouth."

“I’m sorry,” Hua Chao said, pursing her lips.

"I never imagined that Teacher Tori Akino was such a good friend of Hana-senpai!"

"That's amazing, to know such a celebrity."

"As expected of Hanacho-senpai!"

The substitutes chimed in with their own opinions.

After regaining their senses, they were flushed with excitement.

Baba suddenly realized something and pointed at Kyoko Akagi, "Oh! You knew all along! Or rather, you knew before 'Slam Dunk' was even serialized, which is why the female lead's name is so similar to yours."

Kyoko Akagi chuckled and said, "Of course! I'm the model for Haruko Akagi, and I was there when Akino Tori was preparing to draw his basketball manga."

"Ugh! I'm so jealous!" Baba was furious.

"Hahahaha." Kyoko Akagi laughed heartily.

Their playful antics quickly attracted the attention of others.

Meiji basketball team captain Toyonan and his teammates walked over.

Hirota of the Meiji basketball team mocked, "They're from the Tokai basketball team, what a disgrace! Making such a scene here, they've embarrassed us basketball players."

"What!" Baba turned around and glared at them angrily.

He rolled up his sleeves, ready to fight.

"A mere defeated opponent." Hirota curled his lip.

At this point, not only Baba, but also Kobayashi and the others became angry.

"We will definitely win in the official competition!"

"That's right, that's right!"

"Tokai University is no match for Meiji University!"

"Next time, we won't even need our main team to fight; our second team can beat you!"

Passersby, seeing this, all took a detour.

As the conflict escalated, Yagami and Toyo reached out to stop it.

"Anyone who gets into a fight will not be allowed to participate in the official competition."

"The same goes for us."

Silence fell immediately.

Yagami asked, "What are you doing here?"

"Of course, it's to attend Tori Akino-sensei's book signing event," Feng Nan replied.

"This will happen?" Yagami was speechless.

"...Um...I'm late, I can only wait at the door..." Feng Nan replied awkwardly.

The Donghai basketball team burst into laughter, and Baba even showed off his autographed copy of "Slam Dunk" to Hirota.

Seeing the other person grit their teeth in anger made him even happier.

"During the official match," Yagami said as he left, "the Donghai basketball team will definitely win."

“Then I’ll wait and see,” Feng Nan replied.

After their heated argument, the Donghai basketball team members returned to school.

Feng Nan watched their retreating figures, squinting his eyes. "This year's Tokai basketball team is a formidable opponent. But the winner will definitely be our Meiji University basketball team!"

“That’s right!” Hirota shouted, raising his hand.

They were full of fighting spirit, but the moon was almost up, and Tori Akino still hadn't come out.

It wasn't until the security guards came to inquire that they learned that Tori Akino had already left by car from the basement, and they immediately became disheartened.

……

Higashino Hibiki returned home, feeling as if he could barely lift his arms.

He shakily took out his key, ready to open the door, but after three or five attempts, he couldn't get it into the lock.

Just then, the door opened from the inside, and Akemi Akimiya, dressed in casual clothes, blinked at him and asked, "How is it?"

“Not very good,” Hibiki Higashino walked into the room, looked at the steaming dinner on the table, and turned around. “You’ll have to feed me.”

Akemi Akemi made pork cutlet rice for dinner.

In Japanese dramas and anime, police officers often make suspects eat this. Recalling how the suspects enjoyed it, Higashino Hibiki's mouth watered as he looked at the pork cutlet rice bowl.

"Is it that serious?" Akemi Akemi walked over to Higashino Hibiki and poked his arm. "Does it hurt a lot?"

"It hurts!" Higashino cried out, glaring at Akemi Akemi through gritted teeth. "You're heartless, you're cruel."

“I’m sorry,” Akemi Akemi waved her hand, “I was just curious, it’s just an autograph, why did it cause such a fuss? Let me feed you.”

However, you need to wash your hands before eating.

In the bathroom, Akemi Akemi stood beside Higashino Hibiki, her slender hands holding his hands, lathering them with soap and gently massaging his knuckles.

Three minutes later, Akemi Akemi nodded in satisfaction and rinsed off the foam with water.

"All right."

Higashino Hibiki felt as if his hands didn't belong to him anymore. Apart from the ink stains that were hard to remove, his hands were clean and felt very comfortable.

He gave Akemi Akemi a pitiful look and said, "I need to use the restroom."

Akemi Akimiya glared at him, and after a long while, she lowered her head helplessly, "Fine."

……

During the meal, Akemi Akemi held a spoon and shoved pieces of pork chop and rice into Higashino Hibiki's mouth.

Higashino Hibiki savored the taste, swallowed it, and then asked, "Did you wash your hands?"

“It’s not like I’m eating dinner,” Akemi Akemi replied.

Higashino Hibiki's face turned green with anger, but when another spoonful was brought to his lips, he still involuntarily opened his mouth.

Today's pork chop was exceptionally delicious. It was fragrant, tender, and chewy—truly a delicacy among pork dishes.

"Where did you buy the pork tenderloin for the pork cutlet rice? It tastes really good," Higashino asked.

“It was sent from Hokkaido,” Akemi Akemi replied, “along with a letter from Nishimura.”

She took out a letter and handed it to Higashino Hibiki.

After class today, the dormitory manager, knowing that she and Higashino Hibiki were getting along well, handed her over directly.

Higashino was startled. Hokkaido and Nishimura, could it be...?

Shocked, he forgot about his injured arm persona, took the letter directly, and opened the envelope cleanly and efficiently.