News From Seniors

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A/N:

To the readers, who are confused with the Japanese schooling system, please refer to {Chapter 44: Back To The Basketball Club.}

There is an A/N right at the start of the chapter explaining the vacation system.

Now, enjoy the chapter.

]

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The first day of the practice continued as Tokiwadai Basketball Club's first-string saw their new captain doing drills different from the club norms.

In a break between drills, Kaitani walked to the coach and inquired.

Kaitani: "Coach, did you assign different drills to Kageyama?"

The coach glanced at the small forward of his team and shook his head.

Coach: "No, those are the drills that he got recommended at the summer camp. What he is doing now is designed for him and his playstyle.

You guys also follow routines according to your position, like the routine that I have set for you and Sora stresses on speed.

Yuki does endurance and strength-based routine.

And, Hyakuzawa is doing a strength-based routine.

Of course, this after you guys do the essential conditioning training."

The coach gazed at Shun before continuing.

Coach: "Shun doesn't play the game according to a single position. He is everywhere, and so is his playstyle, so he needs a body that can facilitate his playstyle.

But, to have an all-rounded body, he needs to focus on all aspects, and that can only be done by either putting in more time or increasing the intensity.

Putting in more time is not possible, so he is opting for an increase in intensity."

He looked at Kaitani and advised.

Coach: "Don't try to copy him, just keep what you are doing, and you would be fine."

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It had been more than a month since Shun had started practicing his current schedule, twenty days in the summer camp, and the rest of the summer break, so he no longer got sore or was dead-exhausted after finishing the routine.

Shun had just finished the major part of his routine.

Shun: "Now only the weight training at the gym is left, but that would be after club-time."

Shun decided to take a break before returning to the skill part of his training.

He looked around and saw Mibuchi sitting near a wall of the gym, so he decided to join him. He walked towards Mibuchi and sat down beside him.

Mibuchi looked at Shun and said.

Mibuchi: "Good work, Kageyama-chan."

Shun nodded and asked.

Shun: "You too, Mibuchi-san. So, what did you do in the summer break, did you take a vacation with your family?"

Mibuchi shook his head.

Mibuchi: "I was a little busy this break, even though I ended up traveling, it wasn't for a family vacation."

Shun took a sip from his water bottle and asked.

Shun: "What do you mean?"

Mibuchi glanced at his junior and spoke.

Mibuchi: "I am a third-year student. We need to prepare for our high school entrance examinations."

Shun nodded and said.

Shun: "Oh, yeah. How is studying going?"

Mibuchi smiled and said.

Mibuchi: "Well, I am studying for the end of the year examinations, but fortunately, I won't have to worry about the entrance examinations."

Shun turned to Mibuchi, and even though he had an idea what he was talking about, he asked.

Shun: "What do you mean?"

Mibuchi faced his junior and announced.

Mibuchi: "I got an invitation to join Rakuzan High Scool in Kyoto, to play for their basketball team.

So, this summer break, I was invited to Kyoto to finalize the procedure and meet the coach and spend time with the Rakuzan team.

I stayed there for a week and played with their team.

Therefore, I am officially on the next year roster of Rakuzan High school as a freshman student.

No need to worry about entrance examination anymore."

Shun's prediction came true.

Shun: 'Well, he is an Uncrowned King, no surprise in an invitation to join the school without going through the usual channels, but to scout him right smack in the middle of the year.'

Shun decided to ask.

Shun: "Congratulations, if I remember correctly, Rakuzan has the strongest high school basketball club in all of Japan.

But, Mibuchi-san I have to ask, isn't it too early for them to invite you.

It was not even the second trimester when they invited you, and you too accepted the offer so early."

Mibuchi nodded, hearing Shun's concern.

Mibuchi: "You are correct. I am the first and currently the only invited player to signup.

The reason they invited me so early is that our season ended early this year if it wasn't for that, then they would've waited till after the Nationals.

Rakuzan didn't want to wait till the usual after Nationals and then extend the invitation together with other schools, so they moved early, and they didn't set up a time limit for me, so don't worry.

I could've waited till the end of the year, and they still would've taken me in.

I didn't see the merit in waiting.

I know Rakuzan is far from Tokyo, but it houses the most prominent high school basketball club in Japan, there was no reason to go anywhere else when they offered me an invitation.

It was a win-win situation for everyone."

Shun nodded and saw Aone standing in the middle of the court, watching the others doing their drills, and without meaning to, intimidating them to work harder.

Shun turned to Mibuchi and asked.

Shun: "What about Aone-san, do you know his plans?"

Mibuchi nodded and said.

Mibuchi: "Aone's family is moving to Miyagi soon, so he has decided to go join them when he finishes middle school here.

If I remember it correctly, he is thinking of applying to a school named Date Tech High School in Miyagi.

Seeing Aone's grades, I think he would be able to get in without any problems."

Shun was stunned, hearing that.

Shun: "So, both of you are leaving Tokyo. I won't be able to meet you guys often."

Mibuchi laughed and spoke.

Mibuchi: "Well, knowing you. I am pretty sure that we would meet at the inter-high and winter cup."

Shun nodded in response.

If anybody were to listen to their conversation and asked what if their schools weren't able to qualify for the National-level tournaments, then both Shun and Mibuchi would've laughed at the person's face.

This was the confidence that both of these players held in themselves.

The confidence that they belonged at the National scene.