Chapter 268: Salvaging Connections

Having gathered their belongings, Fukuda Sogo could finally make their way back to their accommodation. However, a slight problem arose as a crowd enveloped their transportation vehicles, screaming their names.

"...Damn, I thought I was used to that now, but it seems like I can still get pretty nervous." Mochizuki wiped the sweat off his forehead with a sigh.

The fervent crowd, shouting names and showering them with love, proved overwhelming even for the most seasoned individuals. It was entirely normal to feel exhausted after such an experience.

Fortunately, the crowd wasn't as chaotic as some other fans in pop culture, which necessitated proper security measures.

Though loud, they didn't descend into chaos as Fukuda Sogo navigated their way through, which was a relief.

Ishida nodded, releasing a sigh that echoed his sentiments.

Turning to Ogiwara, whose soul seemed to have vacated his body, Ishida chuckled as he remarked, "Ogiwara's gone, guys..."

Mochizuki and Ishida exchanged glances, sharing a knowing look. Suddenly, Haizaki joined them, sporting his usual thug-like smirk as he brandished a marker pen.

Nijimura observed the unfolding event with a sigh, fully aware of what was about to happen to Ogiwara. He then turned to Tsuna, who remained engrossed in his book, and inquired, "...Should we stop them?"

"Let them have their fun. Ogiwara wouldn't even get mad at them for doing that anyway..."

Tsuna nonchalantly responded with his eyes still fixed on his book and elicited a nod of agreement from Nijimura, who cast an empathetic gaze toward Ogiwara.

Surveying the vacant buses, Nijimura's confusion emerged upon noticing that, apart from them and the driver, no one else was present.

"Young Master, is Alex not coming with us?"

"Hmm?"

Tsuna closed his eyes momentarily, then gradually parted his lips, his gaze fixed on the passing scenery outside the window, "...She's attending to some family matters."

"Family? Oh..." Nijimura nodded in comprehension, a smile gradually forming.

"I see..."

At the gymnasium entrance, Seirin paused in their exit, their steps halting as they noticed someone waiting for them.

"...Isn't that?" Izuki tilted his head, scrutinizing the person.

Hyuga furrowed his brow, adjusting his gaze, and asked, "...Why would a player from Yosen High want to see us?"

"Well, I would like to meet Taiga for personal reasons..."

Himuro wore a gentle smile, surprising everyone in Seirin, who then turned to Kagami for an explanation.

Kagami locked eyes with Himuro, and a silent understanding passed between them before Kagami addressed his teammates, slightly bowing his head, "I'm sorry, guys. Could you leave us alone for a moment?"

Himuro raised his eyebrows, observing Kagami's polite demeanor, and muttered, "...Seems like he's picked up some manners in Japan."

He smiled, recognizing that Kagami had not only enhanced his basketball skills but also improved his manners and possibly his social skills.

"Alright, you do your thing..." Hyuga scratched his head in annoyance before sighing, feeling a bit awkward. He then turned to the rest of the Seirin team, shrugging his shoulders, "Let's give them some space..."

After exchanging a quick farewell, Seirin left Kagami and Himuro to their own devices, and a hush settled over the atmosphere.

"..."

Kagami studied Himuro, his eyebrows furrowed, and opened his mouth to speak. However, his expression crumbled into hesitation, and he closed it again.

Seeing this, Himuro suddenly burst into loud laughter, causing Kagami's temple to bulge as he exclaimed, "What? What's so funny!"

"No, my apologies..." Himuro struggled to restrain his laughter, and Kagami's seemingly annoyed expression only fueled his amusement.

After finally managing to stifle his laughter, Himuro shook his head with a smile, looking at the still-angered Kagami. He remarked, "I thought you had improved your social skills. Seems like I was mistaken..."

"..."

Despite his irritation at those words, Kagami found himself unable to refute Himuro as the truth hung in the air.

Sighing, Kagami's eyes locked onto Himuro as he inquired, "...So, Tatsuya, what exactly do you want from me?"

"You're still the same, straightforward as ever," Himuro muttered, exhaling with a touch of weariness.

The kindness in his demeanor seemed to fade as he raised his eyes to the sky, taking a deep breath that carried a weight of unspoken thoughts.

"...I need to apologize for my behavior last time," Himuro eventually spoke after a moment of quiet reflection.

He acknowledged the possibility of causing hurt during their encounter at the Street Ball Competition before the Winter Cup.

"..."

Observing Kagami's prolonged silence, Himuro offered a faint, understanding smile, realizing that obtaining forgiveness wouldn't be a simple task.

They had been childhood friends, considering each other as brothers, especially since there weren't many Japanese kids their age back in LA.

Despite their close bond, conflicts arose, primarily stemming from Himuro's insecurities in the face of Kagami's overwhelming talent, leaving him feeling miserable.

"...Why do you apologize?"

Kagami's confused words hung in the air, prompting Himuro to widen his eyes in surprise. He observed Kagami's expression that was painted with confusion, which was a clear indication that Kagami wasn't even aware of the problem.

This realization prompted spontaneous laughter to bubble up within Himuro.

"I understand now, the problem was with me all along!"

Unable to contain his amusement, Himuro chuckled aloud at the foolishness he had displayed.

Observing Himuro acting out of character left Kagami utterly confused, and all he could do was awkwardly scratch his head. Unsure of how to respond, Kagami decided to wait until Himuro calmed down.

"Oh, god. What a fool," Himuro sighed, shaking his head. Turning toward Kagami, he wore a smile, saying, "Looks like I've been a less-than-stellar friend and brother to you, Taiga..."

"I apologize. I know you've sensed a distance, and it's mostly my fault. I hope we can revive our connection as we did before... as brothers."

With a sincere bow of his head, Himuro expressed his regret to Kagami, feeling a sense of relief as he conveyed his remorse in earnest.

His insecurities were once tied to Kagami's talent. And it was now dissipated entirely after witnessing their recent game. Despite their defeat against Fukuda Sogo, it was undeniable that Kagami's prowess far eclipsed his own.

Shaking his head in a self-deprecating manner, Himuro mused, "...I was merely an average person, after all."

"..."

Kagami was feeling a bit awkward as he shifted his gaze away while scratching his head.

Himuro was unfazed by Kagami's response since he understood Kagami's character well and didn't let it bother him.

A surge of inspiration enveloped Himuro as he recalled Seirin's unyielding resilience in the face of adversity. With a genuine smile, he turned to Kagami and said, "Let's recreate those old times and play together sometime!"

Those words took Kagami by surprise. Himuro was spot on; a noticeable distance had crept into their relationship since their match in LA.

Yet, in that moment, Kagami felt that gap effortlessly closing. He chuckled and responded with a warm smile, "Sure!"

"Haha, how heartening it is to witness you two getting along!"

"What!"

"Ugh..."

Unexpectedly, a sudden embrace engulfed them both, momentarily robbing them of breath. As they caught sight of the blonde hair and heard a familiar voice, simultaneous exclamations escaped their lips, "Alex?"

Alexandra regarded them with a warm smile, her voice breaking the surprised silence. 

"Let's grab dinner together!"

---

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