To The Nationals!

Seiji's life is smooth sailing apart from the fact that he had to deal with Mashiro's antics from time to time. There was even a time when she came out of the bath to show off her 'major' achievement of taking a bath by herself to Seiji, with only a bath towel wrapped around her naked body.

Albeit shaken by the sight before him, Seiji still managed to pass through it with his calm facade and 'calmly' told Mashiro to not do it again. She's a growing young lady so it isn't proper for her to show a sight like that to the opposite sex.

This made Mashiro tilt her head but she still nodded nonetheless.

Like her name, Mashiro, she's like a pure white sheet of paper that isn't tainted by the world around her. Despite her boundless creativity, Mashiro is like a child who still has a lot to learn about the world and common sense.

Aside from Mashiro, another headache inducing person started living in the Arisugawa mansion. Yes, this person is none other than Seiji's precious adopted little sister, Arisugawa Rena.

When Rena started to live in the house, she was at first on edge against the pure hearted Mashiro. However, after living together for a few days, Rena and Mashiro actually hit it off quite well as they often can be seen talking to each other on the couch while watching some animations or reading some mangas.

Seiji didn't expect Rena of all people to get along just fine with Mashiro who have quite the eccentric personality. When Seiji asked her about it, she only said that it was a 'girl's secret' and nothing more.

However, when Seiji asked Mashiro, she said that she got along with Rena because she and Seiji have the same 'color'. When Seiji asked why, she only replied with her usual, "Don't know…"

It's not only Rena who came to live with Seiji for a few days but also their mother and father, Rentarou and Hanna. During those days, the family of four did a lot of catching up as they went around the shrines in the whole Nara Prefecture, having their family time.

Of course, Rentarou didn't forget to tell Seiji about the situation at their side. He talked about how their company, Black Kuma, is on the rise as they sold quality sports apparels all around the globe.

Rentarou even showed the company logo of a jet black bear with glowing baby blue eyes. While their company is on the rise, Rentarou and Hanna never sold any stock on the stock market, literally owning 100% of the company's shares.

His father wanted to give Seiji a share of the company but he declined, saying that it was already enough for him that they raised him up despite not being related by blood. Seiji further stated that even the money he was getting from the arena that they built for him is already too much.

※・※・※・※

On the school side of things, Seiji is doing relatively well. Ever since the school year started, Seiji always strived to get along with his classmates on a basic level.

Aside from the boys from other classes and some upperclassmen who bear some kind of animosity against Seiji, he never encountered anything that could cause a problem. The males aside, there was even a fanclub dedicated for him in their school with many girls as its members. It was even rumoured that they will be attending the Nationals later on.

The Preliminaries in each regions are already finished and they are all only waiting in earnest. Unlike before where the tournament lasts for just three days, it was extended by two days due to the sheer amount of teams that is participating.

The first four days is designated to the round-robin matches and first three rounds of the single-elimination playoff, while the last day is solely dedicated to the finals and the awarding ceremony.

In the Nationals, the top dogs of their own regions or prefectures will be divided into 16 groups, with three teams in each group, and play a round-robin match to determine the top one team of each group. These teams will then move into the playoffs and play in a 16-team single-elimination ("knockout") playoff format with four rounds to determine the best team in the whole middle school basket ball scene in Japan.

The schedule for the Nationals will go on like this:

Day 1: Round 1 and 2 of the Round-robin Matches.

Day 2: Round 3 of the Round-robin Matches and the Round 1 of the Single Elimination Tournament.

Day 3: Round 2: Quarter Finals of the Single Elimination Tournament.

Day 4: Round 3: Semi Finals of the Single Elimination Tournament.

Day 5: Round 4: Finals of the Single Elimination Tournament and Awarding Ceremony.

Since there's only two days left before the Nationals begin, members of the Kyōsen basketball team had to depart, riding a bus. Their cheer leading squad was told to follow them days after the Nationals begin.

On Kyōsen's school grounds, the members of the school's team are saying goodbye to their family members before entering inside the bus.

"You take care of yourself out there, son. We'll also be watching your match once your team enters the finals like you promised."

"Of course dad. Make sure to free your schedules at that time, okay?"

As Rentarou and Seiji spoke to each other, they both heard Hanna's worried voice from the side.

"Make sure not to get injured, okay? If someone hurts you there, just tell mom and I'll beat them up good, okay?"

This made Seiji sweat buckets. He looked at his dad for help but the man just focused his gaze elsewhere. Left with no other choice, Seiji had to reassure his mom by himself.

"Come on, mom. It's not like I'm going to a boxing match or something. Also, I'll be sure to take care of myself, okay?"

"Un, do that, Seiji-chan. Rena-chan, be sure to look after Seiji-chan, okay?"

"Yes yes, mom. I won't let any vixen approach Seiji-sama," Rena said with resolution.

This made Seiji raise an eyebrow as he said, "I don't think that's what mom wanted you to do, Rena."

"Vixens will hurt you, Seiji-sama. That's why it's a part of my duty— Ouch! Why did you flick my forehead again, Seiji-sama!"

"It's your punishment… Anyway, mom, dad, we'll be going now. We'll see you guys soon!"

"Tsss… It still hurts. Uuu… Mom, dad, we'll be going first!"

After saying goodbye to his parents, Seiji turned towards the two who will not be going with them to Tokyo. These two are Mashiro and Kosaki.

"Are you two sure you don't want to come with us to Tokyo?"

"Un, mom needs help in our shop so I won't be going for now. We'll watch your quarter finals to finals game, though."

"Nn… I want to start my manga. I'll go with Saki when she goes to… Tokyo…"

"Alright. Up to you, then. You guys take care, especially you, Mashiro. Mia will be there in the mansion if you need or want to ask about something, okay?"

"Un. Take care too, Seiji-kun."

"Nn… I understand…"

When the both of them thought that Seiji is already done, something unexpected happened. Seiji took a step forward and hugged Kosaki and Mashiro.

He first hugged Kosaki before teasing her, saying, "Here, a hug. It's so that you don't miss me m'kay?"

"Haa…"

Dumbfounded, Kosaki could only nod her head like a robot.

Unlike Kosaki who is still in her initial position, standing as straight as a pole, Mashiro behaved more like Rena. She snuggled with Seiji for a moment before showing a slight smile at Seiji for a split second.

"Did you just smile?"

"Don't… know?"

"No, I saw it. You just smiled…"

Seeing how Mashiro just tilted her head in an innocent manner, Seiji just let go of the topic and patted her head.

"Do your best on your manga. Take it to Tokyo when you come with Kosaki and her family, I want to read it."

"Nn… I will…"

With that, Seiji finally turned around and got inside the bus.

Meanwhile, on Kosaki's side, her brain finally started to function properly once again. Her first reaction, under the curious gaze of Hanna and Rentarou who saw the whole scene unfold, was to wiggle her body while holding her bright red cheeks.

"Kyaaa! What to do… he hugged me… what do I do now!?"

"She definitely had it bad, huh?" Rentarou commented.

"No. I think it's just the beginning phase of her having it bad," Hanna replied.

"Were we like that when we're kids?"

Rentarou's question made Hanna think for a bit before she could reply.

"I think so? You definitely were like an idiot when I accepted your proposal."

"Ah, yes. I remember that time. You even threatened me saying that you will castrate me if I marry any other woman."

Remembering that day, Rentarou felt a shiver run down his spine.

"I wonder if our son will end up getting chopped to death if he were to try and do that?"

His quiet murmurs weren't left unheard by Hanna who have quite the sharp hearing.

"I'm sure he wouldn't. That's why I named him as Seiji. The kanji on his name came from 'conquer' and 'be affectionate' so I'm sure there will be no problems."

"You gave him his name with that thought in mind? You really are quite scary sometimes, honey."

"Fufufu… It's just a woman's instinct."

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To be continued…

[A/N¹: Okay! Nationals are approaching! Sorry, can't really write the progression of Seiji's relationships with basketball scenes being constantly on my mind.]

[A/N²: In the Nationals, I wouldn't only feature the match between Seiji's team and their enemy. I will also be featuring the match between other teams who are of importance. Well, that will only begin during the Single Elimination Tournament.]