THE PERFECT FORM

( Birds chirping)

Takahiro: hey Yukio wait up

Yukio: oh good morning Takahiro

Takahiro: good morning

Takahiro: I heard that the freshmen and sophomores has mixed gym class for first session today, so you know what that means

Yukio: yeah the perfect time to scout potential players and build a solid team

(Yukio): I wonder what surprise awaits us today, I'm looking forward to it

(Makoto): damn, first session in the morning and the physical component no less, so frustrating

(Makoto) : I didn't even get much sleep last night with all that ruckus in the apartment next door

Shino : um, Kurai

Makoto: huh, oh it's you, what do you want?

Shino: I heard that a mini- basketball tournament will be held for us freshmen for this session

Makoto: and what does that has to do with me?

Shino: well, we need 5 persons to play and I'm an introvert. You're the only person I've talked to since I started attending this school

Shino: so I'm asking if you could fill one of the spots please!!

Makoto: okay, okay , quit making a scene out of it

Makoto: I'll play, I'm going to ask our other classmates if they are willing to join as well

Noboru: there's no need to do that I will participate

Shino: you're Noboru Takemoto right?

Noboru: I see that you still remember my name how flattering

(Makoto) : how could he forget it when you made that dumbass introduction yesterday

Shino: thanks for joining however we need two more persons

Noboru: don't worry man I got you covered

Noboru: Naomi!!

Naomi: what?

Noboru: longtime no see , how long has it been like two years

Naomi: oh it's just you

Noboru: What's that supposed to mean

Naomi: Anyways what do you want?

Noboru: do you mind filling a spot on our team for the class vs class basketball game. If we want to win we'll need help from someone with your expertise

Naomi: ah sure, why not

Noboru: okay

(Noboru): okay, so now we need someone with height, ah found one

Noboru: hey you there in the middle row, you're Kawaguchi right?

Tetsuo: yes

Noboru: would you like to join us for the basketball game we need five persons to participate

Tetsuo: I don't mind

Noboru: alright so now we got five let's go

(Shino) : this guy made conversing look so simple , I wish that I was as charismatic as him

Takahiro: let's hurry the first game is about to start

Yukio: give me a minute Takahiro

Takahiro: oh so the first match up is class 1T and class 1H , I wonder which team will win

Yukio: definitely 1T, be sure to keep an eye on them . We are recruiting players after all

Takahiro: yes

Yukio: so , Makoto is playing ,this will be fun

Makoto: so for the whole ten minutes we'll be playing man to man defense is everyone okay with that?

Everyone: yes

Makoto: as for offense….

Naomi: don't worry I can make layups and near jump shots

Shino: how did you learn how to make a layup shot? Did you play for the girls basketball team in junior high school

Naomi: well, actually I use to play basketball with the boys in my community, so after a while I just figured it out

Noboru: I can also make layups

(Makoto looks at Shino)

Shino: you already know

Makoto: what about you Tetsuo

Tetsuo: I'll just pass the ball around

Makoto: so now that we've devised a plan let's go win

Takahiro: it's time for the jump ball

( Tetsuo wins the ball)

Takahiro: whoa, look at that jump, he's got crazy athleticism

Makoto: alright, lets make a basket

(Passes the ball to Naomi)

(Naomi scores a basket)

Sachiko: nice shot, Naomi

(Yukio): what a great pass, he saw an opening in the defense and instantly seize the opportunity to pass , it was perfectly calculated

???: Oh crap , they stole the ball

(Noboru makes a layup)

Naomi: nice shot Takemoto

Noboru: call me Noboru and yes, it's only natural

???: Another steal

(Makoto makes a layup)

Takahiro: well what do you know, you were right about the outcome

???: Crap!!

Yukio: they stole the ball again , there's only ten seconds left, let's see what they'll do

???: I won't let you embarrass me any further !!!

Makoto: I don't need to

Makoto: ( passes the ball to Tetsuo)

Tetsuo: (shoots a three pointer)

(Makoto): what the… why did he shoot that

(Swishes)

(Everyone falls silent)

Makoto: hey Tetsuo I didn't know you could play

Tetsuo: I just got lucky, that's all

Yukio: Takahiro ,do you know that first year ?

Takahiro: no it's the first time I'm seeing him, I haven't seen him in any junior high school matches either.

(Yukio): this guy just popped up on the radar, but that shot he made was so flawless. Where did this guy come from

(Yukio): I'm sure that this time we might make it

(Sachiko): if I remember correctly, Tetsu-kun always had this worn out basketball with him and he knew how to play as well. There is no other explanation it has to be him

Hayato: 29-0 that's not bad , but we will show them how it's done, right Liam

Liam: yes

(Shino): 1O vs 1S , scores: 10-2. We might really have a shot at this

Hayato: are you ready Liam

Liam: yes

(Liam wins the tip off)

Takahiro: how is it the first that I'm noticing this second year, he jumps so high

Hayato: fast break!!!

Hayato: ( passes the ball to Liam)

(Liam dunks the ball)

???: that was a badass dunk

(Shino): that guy is so cool, he probably flew over 40 inches , wow!!

Yukio: I think that guy is Liam Ainsworth , a foreign exchange student. He transferred back when we're in our second year of high school

Takahiro: oh I see , didn't he came to Japan to become a professional track athlete?

Yukio: yes but , he seems quite decent at basketball . The next match up is a crossover between juniors and freshmen right?

Takahiro : yes it is

Yukio: pay keen attention to the next upcoming match. It will definitely be 1T vs 2O, I want to see how it will turn out

(Liam dunks the ball )

???: That guy is a beast

???: A freak of nature I'd say, they will definitely win this thing

Hayato: here you go Liam, Slam dunk the ball!

Liam: I already know, you don't have to tell me

(Liam dunks hard )

Shino: Ma ..Makoto look at the score board

(Makoto) : what the…42 to 0 in just 10 minutes that guy is a beast

Shino: unfortunately I heard that they were our next opponent

Noboru: you're right, it's unfortunate for them , because I'm here

(Naomi): he never changed did he

Naomi: do you think we can win against that player?

Makoto: there is always a solution to every problem, so we still have a chance against them

Naomi: I'm not sure , that guy is scary

Makoto: I know, in basketball height and jumping abilities give you a great edge however , there are other ways for people like me to be more effective

???: The next match up is class 3T vs class 3H

Yukio: let's go Takahiro

Takahiro: yes-

???: Um, we forfeit the match, there is no way we're going to embarrass ourselves In front of all these girls

Yukio: okay suit yourself

(Makoto): why did that class forfeit the match? Is it because they are on the basketball team?

Takahiro: so that means we get to see class 1T vs 2O sooner than I expected

???: You guys are allowed a 5 minute break before the next match

Shino: okay

(Makoto): so that guy with the headband is playing a guard role in this game while that tall guy is playing center as far as I can tell the other players are extras so at least we can come up with a strategy.

Makoto: Takemoto and Kawaguchi, I need both of you to guard that tall player

Noboru: don't worry we both got this

Makoto: Nakamura and Katsuragi , although it may be a tough task I want both of you to defend three players is that okay?

Naomi: I get what you're doing, those three are extras right?

Makoto: yes

Naomi: I got you covered

Makoto: the only thing, we can do now is hope that my analysis is not wrong

???: It's time for the jump ball

???: This game will be intense

Takahiro: everyone seem excited for this game

Yukio: well of course, they both crushed their opponents so it will actually be a fun game this time

(Blows whistle)

(Ball thrown up)

(Liam): I will definitely win this ball for the team

(Liam): what the… how can he reach this high, he has a way shorter reach and height than me . Wait… it can't be is he jumping over forty inches?

( Liam Ainsworth wins the tip off)

(Yukio): it was a close tip off, however, if you compare their heights and widespan it's more like that first year won it

(Hayato catches the ball)

Hayato: Alright let's go Liam

(Makoto steals the ball)

(Hayato): crap, I didn't see him

(Makoto scores a layup)

(Hayato): (smirks) the bastard actually has great intuition

Takahiro: whoa, Kurai is great

Yukio: well with the intelligence he has, figuring out Nakajima's weakness was easy. Nakajima relies too much on Liam which made his offensive plan clear to us and their team. However….

(Liam catches the ball in the post)

(Noboru): damn this guy is strong

(Liam): if you think both of you can stop me then think again

(Liam spins into a dunk)

???: That guy is awesome

Takahiro: that guy actually has post moves , he is more skilled than I thought

Yukio: indeed

(Yukio): if we had a player like him on the team it would help a lot with my versatility. Heck, I could even play point guard if I train him right

Makoto: let's get back a point

(Makoto passes to Naomi)

(Naomi pass to Noboru)

(Noboru pass to Shino)

(Shino): what should I do?

Tetsuo: pass me the ball

(Shino): oh it's Kawaguchi

Shino: here catch!!

Hayato: Liam get him

(Tetsuo shoots a three pointer)

(Swoosh)

(Ball bounces on the floor)

(Shino): what the…

???: Wow , so cool

???: that guy just swish a three pointer so cool

???: nice lucky shot dude

Takahiro: his three pointers are dead on

Yukio: you're right , no beginner to the game can be able to do that, its takes consistency and years of practice

(Yukio): looks like class 2O is in trouble with that first year

(Hayato dribbles the ball up court)

(Passes it to a teammate)

Hayato: pass the ball to me!

(Hayato Shoots a two pointer )

(Swish)

Yukio: looks like it's on now, from here on out it's going to be a serious game

(Naomi into the lane for a layup shot)

(Naomi):oh no he's definitely going to block this

(Liam leaves her be)

(Naomi scores a layup)

(Naomi): it actually went in

???: why didn't you block the shot Liam

Liam: I can't help it, she's a pretty Japanese girl

Liam: don't worry , I'll get it back

(Liam scores a dunk)

(Noboru makes a layup)

(Hayato scores a three pointer )

(Makoto scores a layup shot)

( Hayato's teammate scores a layup)

( Tetsuo scores a layup)

(Liam scores a hook shot)

(Tetsuo scores a three pointer)

(Hayato scores a three pointer )

(Makoto): damn, these guys won't let up. To be honest if it wasn't for Kawaguchi, we would probably loss big time.

(Makoto): Katsuragi is open

(Makoto passes the ball to Shino)

(Shino breathes heavily)

Makoto: Shino the ball!!

Shino: huh?

(Shino): no

???: Out of bounds, class 2O's ball

Makoto: let's get back on defense

(Hayato dribbles the ball up court)

(Makoto): his dribble rhythm has changed, what is he thinking?

(Hayato goes up for a shot)

(Makoto) : I won't allow you

(Makoto): what the, it's a fake

(Hayato throws the ball)

(Makoto): what is he doing that shot is off

(Liam catches the ball in mid-air and slams it in the basketball rim)

???: An alley-oop , what a dunk!!!

???: That guy was literally flying

(Hayato ) : I'm so sorry first years but the victory is ours

Takahiro: I guess the game is over

Yukio: very unlikely, there is still five seconds remaining

Yukio: where do you think that first year is

Takahiro: what do you mean , what the…

(Makoto passes the ball to Tetsuo)

(Hayato) : oh no, they caught us off guard

Hayato: Liam stop him

(Liam runs back on defense)

Liam: I won't let you pass me

(Tetsuo steps back and shoots a three pointer)

(Liam): how did he…

(Yukio) : it is perfectly clear now , that first year is a rare player to come by and he will become our one way ticket to the interscholastic this year

(Whistle blows marking the end of the game)

(Swoosh)

???: Game over, class 1T wins

???: Whoa, he was so calm under so much pressure

???: What's that guy's name?

(Liam): this guy single handedly beat both me and Hayato, I can't believe it. Well that's what makes basketball so interesting

Naomi: I can't believe it, we actually won

Noboru: well , I didn't doubt it for a second, nice shot Kawaguchi

(Makoto): this guy is the real deal, a genuine basketball player with the talent of shooting threes , he is amazing

(Shino): we won , I should be happy but… I did nothing at all to help them, I was only a burden. Why am I so useless and hopeless no matter how much time I devote to basketball.

Makoto: hey, is everything alright, Katsuragi?

Shino: o..oh yes

Yukio: Takahiro

Takahiro: huh?

Yukio: we definitely need to recruit that guy on our team

Takahiro: easier said than done, I mean if he was interested in the first place he would have came to the court yesterday

Yukio: don't worry, I'll find a way. On that topic I can't wait for us to play against them

(School bell rings)

Takahiro: well that seems very unlikely

Yukio: wait I thought we had double sessions today, how is it already over!

Takahiro: let's go, Yukio class is about to start

Yukio: yes