Chapter Twenty-Five

The next morning, as the sun gently illuminated the horizon, a familiar sound resonated through the air—a bell signaling the start of a new day.

Long Yan, fueled by determination, embarked on his usual morning run training alongside his companion, Ayako.

Following their rigorous exercise, they made their way to the basketball hall.

Coach Anzai, a figure with a notable belly, entered the hall and surveyed the assembled individuals with a discerning gaze.

A hint of satisfaction crept on his face as he realized that a considerable number of students had arrived.

Before, he couldn't help but feel a twinge of concern, wondering if Long Yan and others would be present as well.

To his relief, most of the expected attendees had indeed made it, putting his worried thoughts to rest.

Taking a seat on a chair, Coach Anzai addressed the eager crowd in a casual yet authoritative tone.

"Since a few students are yet to join us, we shall patiently await their arrival. While we wait here, you all can take a moment to ensure that you have brought all the necessary items."

The room settled into a state of anticipation, filled with a mixture of excitement and curiosity.

They visited Ryonan High School for a two-day practice match, prompting the team members to ensure they had packed all their essential belongings.

Coach Anzai's voice resonated, and Akagi and the rest of the team double-checked their personal items.

With a sense of relief, they confirmed that everything was in order, thankful that no important items were left behind.

The thought of having to go through the trouble of searching and retrieving any missing belongings weighed heavily on their minds.

As another minute elapsed, they heard the unmistakable roar of Sakuragi from beyond the gate.

As everyone laid eyes on his arrival, they couldn't help but inwardly sigh, remarking on his perpetual immaturity.

Without giving him a chance to speak, Akagi greeted him with a fist and scolded him.

"You big idiot! If you knew, you should have been here on time. Everyone has been waiting for you. You have such terrible time management."

He covered his head with his hand, hastily explaining, "Oops! I got too excited last night and overslept. I'm sorry, my bad. I won't dare to do it again."

Witnessing his apology, Akagi's irritation subsided slightly.

Shortly after, Rukawa arrived at the basketball hall, looking drowsy as he carried his school bag.

Kogure wiped the sweat off his face with his hand, realizing they had quite a handful of troublemakers on their team.

He silently prayed that no further issues would arise when they competed against Ryonan High School.

Meanwhile, Miyagi remained absent, failing to show up even at the appointed time.

Akagi furrowed his brow in concern. "Where could that guy have gone?"

"Coach Anzai, it's almost time. We should get going," Akagi said, taking charge and counting the number of team members before reporting to Coach Anzai.

Upon hearing his report, Coach Anzai stroked his chin, a smile gracing his lips.

"Alright, let's go."

"Destination: Ryonan High School"

Once Coach Anzai's instructions were given, Akagi and the rest of the team formed a line and made their way towards the station.

After a few hours of travel, they arrived at Ryonan High School, one of the renowned strong schools in Kanagawa.

Exiting the vehicle, they took a moment to observe their surroundings, ensuring they were at the correct destination.

"Is this really Ryonan?"

Kuwata and a few first-year students gazed at the unfamiliar campus, their curiosity piqued as it was their first visit.

As Coach Anzai stepped off the bus, everyone quickly formed a neat line, prepared to represent their team with discipline and unity.

At that moment, Moichi Taoka, the head coach of Ryonan High School, had been waiting there early in the morning.

Coach Anzai greeted him with a warm smile and a handshake, acknowledging their mutual respect.

Observing Taoka's deferential attitude towards Coach Anzai, Ishii, and the other first-year students couldn't help but sigh in awe.

"Wow, Coach Anzai must be a big deal," one of them remarked.

"Even the head coach of Ryonan High School shows such respect."

"You guys don't know the whole story. Coach Anzai used to be a legendary figure in college, but something happened later..." another student chimed in, hinting at the mysterious circumstances surrounding his coaching career.

Hearing their conversation, Akagi intervened and abruptly cut off any further discussions about Coach Anzai's past.

Coach Taoka and Coach Anzai exchanged hushed greetings and began to warm up to each other's presence.

Coach Taoka took the lead, guiding the team to a designated reception lounge where they would be accommodated.

"Rest well tonight, everyone. I have made all the necessary arrangements," He assured them in a concise statement.

He shared a brief conversation with Akagi, providing some additional instructions or information, before departing from the reception room, leaving the team to settle in and prepare for their upcoming challenge.