21 Team Practice

As Akihiko looked at Alexandra,

Alexandra leaned forward

*Chu*

She gave Akihiko a kiss on the cheek. After that, Alexandra waved Akihiko goodbye as she went back to her car.

Akihiko touched his cheek and at that moment, it felt like a type of kiss that you would get from your mother or some auntie. There was only warmth and affection in it. He looked back as he recalled all the events that had happened today.

A smile formed on Akihko's lips as he entered his penthouse, there he was greeted by Charles who said, "Did you have a great night, Young Master?"

Akihiko had a forced smile on his face as he nodded at Charles. Akihiko just wanted to go to sleep already. Akihiko then said to Charles

"Well, I'm going to head to bed first. Good night Charles."

"Good night, Young Master" Charles replied with a smile on his face.

Akihiko went to his room and immediately drifted away to sleep.

...

The next day

Lunch time.

Akihiko and William were looking at empty seats in the cafeteria, they finally spotted once as they came and sat down. Upon sitting down, the duo heard the other seats move as some people also sat down with them. When Akihiko and William looked at who was the two sitting across them, they were greeted by a boy with blonde hair and another boy with silver hair.

Nash and Jason were sitting across them as they were at the same table. When Nash saw Akihiko, he immediately whispered to Jason

"Let's switch tables"

But as the duo tried to do so, they immediately saw the large influx of people coming to the cafeteria as the two reluctantly went back to their seats.

Akihiko chuckled at their antics as they sat back down. Their table also garnered attention when they saw that Nash, Jason and Akihiko were at the same table. They were basically known as the prodigies of their school when it came to basketball. So naturally, their reputation stood out the most.

The table was amidst an awkward silence as the four people didn't even dare to start a conversation so they could only endure the awkwardness. Akihiko didn't pay any mind to this as he began taking bites of his food. Nash seeing this gave a wry smile because of how carefree Akihiko was.

What felt like eternity, was finally broken by the sound of the bell ringing as Akihiko and William got up. Nash and Jason did the same as Nash finally said "See you at practice" as he pointed at Akihiko. Akihiko then replied, "Okay."

While walking towards their classroom, Akihiko suddenly asked William

"Are you still mad at Jason?"

William then said

"I'm frustrated, that's all. But, I've gotten over it. Thanks to you kicking their asses."

Akihiko looked at his idiotic friend as he gave a smile.

...

After classes

Inside the gym

The basketball club members were all in 3 separate lines as they sat and waited for their coach's announcement.

Alexandra finally spoke out and said

"Today is a very important day, you will be finally assigned to your respective strings. Not only that, you will also receive your jersey's today."

When they had first signed up here, one of the questions here was what their jersey numbers one. This made the jersey's come at a faster rate.

Alexandra's announcement hyped up the club members as they waited for their announcement

"And now without further ado, our starting lineup or our first string consists of the names:

Nash Gold Jr - point guard

Mike Jordi - small forward

Jason Silver - center

Henry Cole - power forward"

Alexandra then continued

"And last but not the least, the team captain for this year:

Akihiko Akashi - shooting guard."

This came as a shock for the other basketball club members because there were 3 first year's in the first string. Not only that, the captain role was assigned to another first year. But, they couldn't complain. After all, they had seen Akihiko's skills firsthand. But being a captain is a different story, so naturally they had their doubts.

But Alexandra already knew what Akihiko was capable of. It would be a waste for her not to utilize what Akihiko had. She then announced the other strings as most of Akihiko's teammates from the tryouts game were assigned to the second string.

But what Alexandra said next shocked them all

"For the last announcement, you will be playing another team from another school TODAY!"

They didn't expect this at all. Most coaches would want their teams to be familiarized with each other before making them face off another team. This was the use of practice games. But practice games were usually against another team from the same school so this was different.

Alexandra then continued as she said

"You will represent Blackstone Institution as your opponent is ##### Academy."

The basketball club members immediately got ready as they were given their jersey's when they were called

Akihiko looked at his jersey as it had the number 23 on it. He was excited as he was finally getting his first real basketball game.

...

Inside the gym

The gym was packed as the other students heard the rumours of a practice game being held at the gym. So naturally, they came flocking here.

One of the players at # Academy was still surprised at the school as he gave a comment

"Man, this school is really meant for them rich kids."

Akihiko looked at the other team as he looked at their names that were written in the coach's notebook

They consisted of:

Walter

Anton

DeShawn

Robin

Gavin

He immediately came to the team huddle as the coach was giving them a speech and strategies.

Once they were done

Akihiko then excitedly said

"Let's go!"

The two teams finally went on the court as it was finally the tip-off. Jason was against Gavin as the two jumped for the tip-off. The tip-off was then won by.....