Chapter 227 - Fleeting Hopes and Dreams
(1)
"Alright, great work on the second semester! Cheers!!"
As Watanabe-kun spoke, the banquet began.
The second semester finals were over, and I had successfully earned credits in every subject.
I thought I'd be able to relax a bit starting from my third year, but it was obvious that I'd be forced to accompany Airi in her campus life, and my course schedule would be packed tight once again.
Well, it's easier on the mind if I just tell myself it's okay to fail a few classes.
Also, starting next week, I'll be heading to Nagano for a training camp.
Soba!! Soba is waiting for me!
Since Airi won't be there, it'll be all-you-can-eat.
...Or so I thought, until Airi snatched some money out of my wallet.
"Giving Toya-kun money is pointless because it'll just vanish into food, so no!" she said...
It's okay, I still have the secret weapon known as a cash card!!
"I'll be angry if the money in your account decreases, okay?"
"It's my allowance, so it's my business how I use it, right!?"
"Maya-san told me, 'Since you're the person who will become Toya's wife, I'll leave his financial management to you.'"
Ha, I've been played.
"I'll pay you back when I return."
"Maybe I should start managing Eita's finances too," Sashihara-san said, and Kiritani-kun resisted desperately.
"I-I don't spend it on food!"
"You probably buy useless toys and games!"
"I let Kazu-san use his as he likes. I only hold onto the living expenses, but otherwise, I let him be free," Kana-san said.
She looks like a goddess to me.
"Men only use their cunning to find loopholes in things like this... using a cash card is the same thing, right?"
Emi-san seems to be on my side as well.
"U-ugh... just don't waste it, okay," Airi said, putting the money back in the wallet.
"Airi, what do you want for a souvenir? Is soba okay?"
"Is soba the only thing that exists in Nagano in Toya-kun's head?"
"There are other things."
"Like what?"
"Nozawana."
"..."
"Ah, there's cheesecake too!"
"Is there nothing but food in Toya-kun's head!?"
No, it's just that no matter where I am in the country, I only think about food.
"Why don't you buy some wine?"
Emi-san suggested.
"Then, let's go with that," Airi accepted Emi-san's suggestion.
I'll have to buy something for everyone in the Basketball Club too.
"Senpai, it's not like you're going there to play!"
Sakura-san gave me a warning check.
"Toya, when do you leave?"
Watanabe-kun asked.
"Starting next week."
"Are you going on Monday?"
"That's what it said in the invitation."
"For things like that, don't you need to arrive the day before to adjust?"
"It'll probably be fine."
"If you say so..."
"Well, let's stop talking about that for today and make some noise!"
As Mika-san said, we all made a racket until morning.
(2)
"Well, take care."
"You too, be careful on your way home, Airi."
Airi drove me to the airport terminal.
I'll be going to Nagano using a plane and the Shinkansen.
I left early in the morning and arrived at the training camp location before noon.
There was still time before the gathering hour.
Maybe I'll eat some soba before I go.
Thinking that, I ate lunch and then headed to the training facility with my luggage.
Everyone was already practicing.
As I stood there blankly wondering what to do, a staff member approached.
"Who are you? What did you come here for?"
Even if you ask me what...
"I'm Katagiri, I've been told I'll be participating in the camp starting today..."
"Ah, you're the one... hold on a second... Kurosawa-kun, come here for a moment."
A person of a similar age wearing a jersey approached.
"This is Katagiri Toya-kun. Show him to the locker room."
"...Yes."
Guided by Kurosawa-san, I changed into my gear in the locker room.
"Where did you come from?"
"From my hometown."
"What did you come here for?"
Huh?
"As for what, I came because I was called..."
"You've got some nerve arriving last despite being a newcomer."
"I came first thing in the morning, though?"
"You probably didn't know since it's your first time, so I'll tell you: the other members arrived last night."
Then how are they handling the lodging?
"I've heard the rumors. Apparently, you've become arrogant after taking down our team single-handedly."
This person has a way of speaking that grates on the nerves every single time.
"I wasn't alone, I had teammates."
"I've heard about your skill, too. I bet you've been acting like the big fish in a small pond."
"...What are you trying to say?"
"That kind of thinking won't work here. If you have no motivation, you'd better just go home."
If I had no motivation, I wouldn't have come in the first place.
Once I finished changing, I was guided to the lodging room.
"Put your luggage there. No need to unpack. You'll probably drop out on the first day anyway."
"You won't know until you try, right?"
"It irritates me to see someone with such naive thinking. If you have no motivation, you should have declined from the start."
Why do I have to be told this much?
"I don't see why you have the right to go that far."
"What? You have something to say? If you want to say it, I'll listen. Though it'll probably just be more naive thinking."
"If the team is made of people with such 'naive thinking,' the number of representatives who would lose to them must be pretty limited, right?"
It seems they haven't left any achievements in the last few years.
"What did you say!"
Kurosawa-san spoke to me with naked hostility.
"What are you two doing? The meeting has started."
When the staff member came to call us, we headed to the gymnasium.
When we reached the court, everyone was lined up.
"I'll introduce him. This is Katagiri Toya-kun, who will be joining practice starting today. He plays basketball at his local university. I think you all know his skill. Go on, Katagiri-kun, introduce yourself."
Told by the staff member, I introduced myself.
"So, what did you come here for today?"
Does the head coach have the same mindset as the manager?
"I just came because I was called."
"...Well, fine. Just stretch for now. The rest of you, resume practice."
I began stretching as the head coach told me.
When I finished stretching, I asked the coach what to do next.
"Why don't you think for yourself for once? ...Go run outside."
For someone who was invited, the treatment is poor.
I felt like I could just be left alone and go home.
After receiving a bench coat from the staff member, I ran outside.
Perhaps due to the results of my daily practice, it wasn't that difficult.
But no matter how much time passed, no one came to call me.
As I was running aimlessly, a staff member came to call me.
"How long are you going to keep running? Come back once you've warmed up your body."
I wasn't told that.
When I returned to the gymnasium, the coach said, "Just join D-team. Go against A-team."
With that, practice in a game format began.
Usually, we start with footwork or shooting practice.
"That's something you're supposed to finish before practice," Kurosawa-san told me.
This person picks a fight every single time.
The teams were divided into four, from A to D.
A consisted of the starting members, and B consisted of the substitutes. From C onwards, they weren't even allowed to sit on the bench.
I was handed a bib. My number was 5.
"Katagiri, you handle the game-making for D-team."
Huh? Isn't that the role of the PG?
"Here, you follow my instructions. If you're dissatisfied, you can go home."
Having no choice, I took the ball.
The practice format was 5-on-5 using a half-court. It was likely for confirming tactics and such.
I was entrusted with the offense first.
The opposing PG took a defensive stance.
It seemed to be a man-to-man half-court press.
Hmm, as expected of a representative player, there are no gaps in the defense.
However...
Taking one step back from the defense, I released a 3P with a super quick motion.
It went in without hesitation.
For defense, I decided to mark the opposing PG. I began dribbling cautiously.
With a high-waisted dribble like that...
The ball was easily stolen.
The opposing defense changed.
They closed the distance to prevent me from shooting.
Since he was taller than me, shooting might be difficult.
You only shoot from long range or middle range, that's a bad habit of yours, Senpai, Sakura-san had told me, right?
I performed a fake motion with my eyes. The opponent jumped, and I broke through the side with a dribble.
Two others entered the press.
I sent a pass to pierce the open hole.
However, the D-class opponent was surprised by the sudden ball and dropped it.
I called out "Don't mind it" to the opponent.
"Katagiri, you don't need to say unnecessary things. In the first place, it's your mistake for failing to communicate."
I wanted to complain, but since it was pointless, I took a defensive position.
The opposing playmaker was indeed number 4.
I marked number 4.
Then, a member of the opposing team circled behind number 4 and received a pass. I stepped between the opponent with the ball and number 4 to defend, but number 4 set a screen.
I switched and took the defense of number 12.
Number 12 immediately went for a shot.
An incredibly fast quick motion.
I knew about that from Sakura-san's DVD.
However, it seemed I had more jumping power.
I blocked it beautifully, and the ball became a loose ball.
I won't let them treat me like this and say whatever they want.
With that thought, I took the loose ball out of sheer stubbornness.
I went straight into a fast break.
The opponent's return was fast, and number 7's defense immediately attached to me.
He was the person called the Ace Killer.
To avoid a steal, I guarded with my right hand while dribbling with my left.
After a short time, number 4 came for a double team.
In times like this, it's better to attack aggressively without fearing a charging foul, someone had said.
I dribbled through the gap between number 4 and number 7.
With an ultra-low posture.
If they move forward even half a step, it's mine.
My teammates are useless.
In that case, it's individual play.
I won't let them block from behind.
I took a shot with a quick motion.
The ball went swish into the goal.
"Nice shot!"
A teammate called out to me.
I couldn't say I was out of stamina anymore.
The blood had rushed to my head.
I completely shut down the opposing number 4 and scored a shot by slipping through number 7's defense.
And so, ten minutes passed.
However, the coach's words were cruel.
"Toya, member change. Swap out."
Did I make some mistake?
Was the one-man play bad?
But there was no one to receive the ball even if I passed!
I protested to the coach, but it was in vain.
"You're being tedious, Toya. Member change. You watch the movements of the other members carefully."
I reluctantly left the court.
I was bathed in cold stares from my teammates.
That's what happens when you try to stand out alone.
Those kinds of looks.
There was no point in worrying about it.
I watched the movements of my teammates intently.
(3)
A local player was selected for the representatives.
Hearing that, I immediately went to Nagano for an interview.
As expected of the representative team, their play is magnificent.
First, Sawa-senshu, number 4. Even when challenged by a double team, he brilliantly broke through with a dribble and passed to the post.
The one receiving it is the center, Musashi-senshu, number 6. The opponent was a center over 2 meters, but he didn't care and slammed a dunk over him.
When they enter defense, Minami-senshu, number 7, shines. He alone guards the pass and dribble courses of the opponent's ace.
And when they desperately go for a shot, he blocks it beautifully.
When the ball goes to number 4, he immediately passes it.
The one receiving that pass is Aoi-senshu, number 10. He receives the pass in mid-air and immediately completes an Alley-oop.
When that happens, the opponent is forced to solidify the inside. Then, the pass goes to the outside.
The one taking the shot is Kakitani-senshu, number 11. He releases a 3P with a fadeaway in a super quick motion.
The game between A-team and B-team became a one-sided development.
Next was the game between A-team and D-team.
The player of interest was, of course, the local player who joined this time, Katagiri-senshu.
When he entered, it became a one-sided game for D-team.
He completely shut down Sawa-senshu, unilaterally broke past Minami-senshu, and hit a 3P with a super quick motion.
He wasn't tall, but his jumping power was on a different level. His shooting form had improved since the practice games, and his shot, using his whole body as a spring, reached the highest point faster than anyone else, and that peak was higher than anyone's.
The crowning achievement is that he can shoot from anywhere once he enters the half-court. To top it off, he uses a fadeaway.
No one could stop him.
However, he was substituted after ten minutes.
Did they dislike the one-man play?
D-team didn't know where his passes were coming from. They couldn't fully respond to Katagiri-senshu's eccentric play.
A no-look, no-motion pass isn't something that can be received immediately.
During the break after practice.
Everyone is practicing shots.
I tried interviewing the coach, who was observing the situation.
"It looks like you'll be fine for next term. The Universiade main tournament."
"I'm doing this with the intention of winning. Everyone intends that."
"How is he... Katagiri-senshu doing?"
"Come to think of it, you were a local magazine reporter... Yes. I was surprised by his talent."
"Then why the member change in the middle?"
"First, it is urgent to make him learn cooperation with other players. It's faster to make him grasp other players' play than to let him play alone. He seems to be the type who passes by intuition."
"Then, to the starting lineup?"
The coach grinned.
"...I'm undecided. As to which position would be best to put him in."
"May I interview him?"
"As long as you don't interfere with practice, go ahead."
I interviewed Katagiri-kun, who was taking shots from 0 degrees.
"It's been a while. I can't believe you switched from soccer to basketball."
He stopped shooting and responded to my interview.
"You're from OS, if I recall..."
"I'm happy you remember. I was moved from the soccer department to the basketball department."
"Katagiri! You're interfering with practice! Do the interview outside!"
With that, I went outside with him.
I bought a sports drink from the vending machine and handed it to him.
He opened the cap and gulped it down in one go.
"How is it? The representative practice."
"It's tougher than I thought. They won't let me practice the way I want. This is the first time I've had this experience."
"First time? You usually did as you pleased?"
"There weren't many people who said various things. Though it's not quite like that since I entered university."
"Do you want to go home already?"
He shook his head.
"If I go home just like this, I won't be able to face everyone. I'm thinking that I'll make it into the starting lineup even if it's out of sheer stubbornness."
"That's the spirit. Good luck."
"Yes."
"Well, get back to practice. Sorry for taking your time."
"No, thank you for the juice."
Saying that, he returned to the court.
I tried interviewing other A-team players as well, but they all said in unison.
"I won't hand over my position to that guy," they declared with enthusiasm.
And so, the first day of practice ended.
(4)
By chance, I ended up in the same room as Kurosawa-san.
"Is it okay if I make a quick phone call?"
"Do whatever you want."
I went outside the room and touched my smartphone.
"Hello, Airi."
"Ah, Toya-kun, how's practice~?"
Airi's voice sounded nostalgic. Even though not even a day had passed.
"Toya-kun will be a starter right away, right?"
"No, it wasn't that easy."
I told Airi about the content of the practice.
"I see~. Basketball is a team play, after all. It's pointless to stand out alone."
"That said, if I just pass haphazardly, it gets cut without mercy."
"Even Toya-kun has things to worry about."
"It's more of a complaint than a worry."
"Uuu..."
Airi seemed to be worrying about something.
"Yeah, I have to tell you. If you have time to whine, go practice. I'm sure everyone is still practicing."
"You're right."
So, what is she worrying about?
"I want to tell you to think only about basketball for three days, but it's lonely not having phone calls."
I laughed.
"I am thinking about basketball. But I won't forget about you, Airi."
"Are you okay?"
"Yeah, hearing Airi's voice gave me energy. Thanks."
"Mm. Well, good luck with practice."
"Yeah, I'll do my best."
After hanging up, I returned to the room.
"Were you calling your girlfriend?"
I remained silent.
"...I was also one of the players whose future was highly anticipated, despite how I look."
Eh?
"You wondered why I'm just a manager, right? Due to repeated injuries, I became useless."
"..."
"That's why it irritates me to see someone like you who has talent but is wasting it. I'm sure there will be people who push themselves to the point of injury just to steal your position. When that happens, can you stand to watch it?"
I remembered Mizushima-kun.
"If you have no motivation, just go home. You're a nuisance to everyone."
I silently left the room.
Heading straight for the gymnasium, the A-team members were practicing.
Everyone stopped practicing when they saw me.
I also silently began practicing.
"It's been a while, Toya. My name is Sawa Masato. Call me Masato."
"Nice to meet you, I'm Toya."
"We were all thinking about your position."
Aren't they thinking too fast?
"I think SG is the best after all. Your shooting power is insane. Your passing vision is even better than mine."
"Though no one receives them."
"That's exactly it. From now on, I think you'll probably be put in A-team. It'll be practice for receiving your passes."
"It's better to start doing that now," Kakitani-kun, number 11, said.
"Is that okay? It means stealing your position."
"It's frustrating, but your shooting power is greater than mine, so it can't be helped. Besides, I heard you can drive too."
"Toya, practice is a fight for positions, but when it comes to a game, we have to cooperate. You're probably confused because it's your first experience," Masato said.
"Practice must be tougher than the game. Only by surviving the struggle for existence in practice can you win in a game."
"Don't think about holding back. Yuichiro might have told you otherwise, but having someone without motivation is just a nuisance."
That was Aoi-kun, the SF.
"I'm telling you, there are plenty of people who can only hit 3Ps. If you don't polish things other than shooting, you won't even be able to stay in D-team."
Aoi-kun said that and left the court.
"Aya also had a period of struggle. Various things happened in high school," Masato said.
Everyone is struggling. I acquired the position of representative like a windfall.
I didn't want to do it, and I'm doing it reluctantly.
But that kind of thinking doesn't work here.
Those without motivation are sifted out.
It was full of people who, even if sifted out, clung on desperately.
There's a limit to what one person can do. Even if you're expected too much, you can't do what you can't do, so let's just go at your own pace.
Airi had said that.
But the reality here is different.
Only the five who survive by competing and polishing each other can stand on the court.
What they carry isn't just expectation.
Naturally, they also carry jealousy and resentment.
Going to win as a united team.
That starts to seem like naive thinking.
What should I do?
For now, I have to win a position.
Throw away naive thoughts, and snatch one thing from each other.
A bond that can only be built by those who fought within the team and were called comrades-in-arms.
I also carry the expectations of the members from the local university, Watanabe's group.
Fleeting hopes and dreams are in a place that can be reached.
I just have to reach out desperately and grab them.
"Toya! You came here to practice, right? Let's practice the formation," Masato said.
"Masato is the PG, right? I'll match Masato."
"Got it, then let's do 3-on-3."
With that, practice began.
On the first day, I came to realize the weight of being a representative.