Chapter 9: The Rising Star of Easton High

Chapter 9: The Rising Star of Easton High

What a nice place to zone out. Aside from the bathroom, the public transportation bus has its way to my reminisce in the morning as well. Another day has come, and I have to do my best. Well, isn't it the fundamental principle that we have to abide by? When we feel like giving up, isn't doing the best the thing that can satisfy us? Whether it failed, it's like, "that's the best that I can do" there's nothing we could do about it, right? I want to believe that. That is pure crap; I've been doing my best for the past years and getting compliments. Most of my best is not enough. If it does, I won't be like this. Scared of the crowd and drowning at night. I can't even explain my reason because if I do, some lunatic will assume I need good therapy or I should just learn how to forget. Someone might pamper me and think I'm the most extraordinary person, so how dare anyone does something terrible to me?

The best I should do right now shall not fail. It should exceed Yokohama's expectations, at least. For whatever purpose, I am doing this. Yokohama definitely convinced me well to do my best. I would owe it to him even if he had the most terrible mood swings.

Everything's getting fine. How can I contemplate or overthink? My personality remains intact despite my fears. It's truly amazing. From social anxiety, I can level up to bipolar disorder of some sort.

This is one of those days again. I just let out a sigh. There's no morning meeting for today, and I consumed all my spare time here in the bathtub. I'm one step away from drowning myself.

But nobody's going to know.

_________

Dragging yourself out of misery is the best. This morning, I am not in the mood. But as time flies, I'm currently on the basketball court watching my fresh from yesterday's new team. They still bicker, and they throw rather aggressively, but aren't they just energetic? More importantly, as I was walking my way to school, I came across a flier a random student threw out. It might be creepy for me to do, but I saw a basketball drawing on it. It seems that on Monday, there will be a friendly match against a neighboring high school. It's none other than Seikan High School; they are famous for their basketball team, and they even have a foreign student along with them. But I fear not, this is the rising stars of Easton High School.

This, what I mean, is a bright future.

Unlike other clubs who will start on Monday, ours started today. We already have a budget, and the principal is aware of the Monday-friendly game. That is why I have them gathered today and excused them for the rest of the class.

I have them all lined up. I will be their standing coach as of now. If I wasn't able to handle this, then I would hire a coach. But as of now, I hate to admit that my ego is on the line.

Ranking them to their heights:

Furukawa Saji - 193.04 cm

Yokohama Ryuusei - 190.50 cm

Nakajima Jiro - 190.50 cm

Ando Takashi - 187.96 cm

Saito Daisuke - 185.45 cm

Suzuki Kise - 182.88 cm

Hasegawa Seijuro - 182.88 cm

"Just by your height, guys, I feel confident."

Of course, Yokohama had something to say. "I feel happy that you finally had your confidence." It was lively and sarcastic at the same time.

"She is our coach, kid. What's your name again?" The way Furukawa said it might have snapped one of Yokohama's nerves.

"Yokohama Ryuusei."

“Oh that brat. By the way I am Furukawa Saji.”

"Brat?"

"Yes."

I feel the urge to intervene. "I was just about to say introduce yourselves, but okay, Nakajima, please continue the introduction. Nervously, he started to introduce himself, and the rest followed.

Even if we survive their delayed heated argument, the two of them are potentially a train wreck waiting to happen. But didn't Furukawa just defend me against Yokohama's natural sarcasm? He did say I am the coach.

"For our first training, do your stretches, then run ten lapses around this court."

"Yes, boss!" Furukawa and his friends said in unison, while Yokohama and Suzuki were left with a bewildered gaze.

I went to the nearest bench to watch them. They are very energetic. As a matter of fact, Yokohama and Furukawa are racing. It made everyone pressured about the speed, so they had to catch up. Furukawa and Yokohama continued to exchange murderous glances at each other. Knowing Yokohama, he will not let himself be second.

The lapses are done. I am happy that they are a tie. The others are exhausted; however, the two alphas are just as heated.

Since yesterday there are no balls, I have immediately requested a set of balls for basketball to be delivered right this morning. They arrived perfectly in time.

"The first thing to do is to shoot."

I had them lined up based on their skill. I had Suzuki second to the last and Yokohama third to last since I haven't assessed them yet; it is safe to have them perform later on. I started off with Nakajima.

"I want everyone to watch Nakajima shoots, look at the way he lifts his feet, his posture, and his hands, plus everyone had to do 5."

Nakajima did the shot perfectly. Everyone is eagerly observing. There was no problem with Furukawa, up to Suzuki. I never expected the two of them to be good at it. Both of them are just perfect. Last is Ando, which unlike last time today, was able to do a two over 5, which is a great leap from yesterday's 0.

"Now I want everyone to dribble for 1 minute straight, easy, right? Then next, we will start to practice on passing."

"This is rather a fast pace. Is everyone catching up?" Yokohama asked the group.

"Well, we are fine," Hasegawa answered.

"I'm still alright." Saito.

"Let us drink water first," Yokohama suggested.

I nodded and decided to give everyone a water break. While they were busy drinking, Yokohama approached me. "Why do I feel like you are up to something?"

"Because I am."

"When are you gonna tell?"

"After the practice." I smiled at him, suggesting that I would not spoil it for him.

I gathered them in the middle of the court. "We will not do a regular passing by a partner. It is more like you guys will be running while passing the ball. To add a twist, one of you will have to shoot. All seven of you will run. The ball will start from Furukawa; then he will pass it to Yokohama, then Yokohama, then Suzuki, then Ando, then Hasegawa, then Saito, and lastly, Nakajima. The first to shoot will be Furukawa, and then you guys will follow that certain pattern. Also, since you guys are running, make the pass very quickly. If one fails, we will start from the top. Remember that there are two basketball rings. You guys are not supposed to run back and forth just to make a shot, and it is going to be one shoot per ring."

"Does that mean after Saji shoots the ball, he will pass it to Yokohama, and until we reach the next ring, Yokohama has to shoot it? Then it will proceed to the rest?" Saito asked.

"That is right."

"Isn't this thrilling." Furukawa.

"You better not miss." I want to facepalm myself right now. Yokohama has gone childish. And Furukawa doesn't back down, either. He is childish as well.

Thus, the battle begins. Although it was supposed to be a team play, it became a battleground. The first pass came from Furukawa, which was more like throwing a spear at an enemy. Yokohama catches it with bloodshot eyes, and I feel bad for Suzuki since he has to catch his rage. As a matter of fact, it almost fell on Suzuki's hands, but he managed to pass it on to Ando. Unfortunately, it slipped into Ando's hand. I blow the whistle signaling them to repeat again.

_____

Another day passed by. We've been training for two days now, and I haven't announced the Monday-friendly game. They seem energetic, though. Apparently, Yokohama loses his composure at sport. But at least I feel like he could be him; during normal days, he is a perfect prince. I also kept this thing a secret, as per his request, since he can't afford losing reputation. But I doubt, once word gets out about the Monday competition, I bet some students will get curious in this court. That's how I picture it, and it is not far from possible.

"Furukawa, you brat!"

"You are just too weak for this Vice President."

"Hey, guys—"Nakajima's new role is to babysit the group. It was clearly unintentional. The rest of the group has no problem with each other. It's just Furukawa and Yokohama.

"Boss, how about you go gentle—"Saito was just peacefully talking to Furukawa, but instead, he got a murderous glare from Yokohama.

"Daisuke, you are sweet as usual." Furukawa’s teases Yokohama further.

"Yokohama, it's not like that…."

Saito is right. But obviously, even if Yokohama has his childish whims, he still manages his anger.

I may not like their fight, but I'm not worried at all. This is all just getting exciting.

"Tanizaki!" Nakajima called me, pleading.

I approached them completely unbothered. The moment Yokohama caught a glance at my expression, he immediately looked away. I understand that very much. He is more pissed at the fact that I don't seem worried.

Oh, that's because I started this basketball team, forcing him to join.

"Excuse me, guys! I want to excuse Ryu!" Akemi's cute voice echoes through the gym. Beside her is Rumi.

"Are you his girlfriend or something?" Furukawa nonchalantly said. It seems that he got used to teasing Yokohama as if it was breathing.

"No, Mr." Akemi clarified. "By the way, you come to Chi!"

I wonder why Akemi is calling us.

"Would you do me a favor?"

"Sure, what is it?"

"Can you walk Chi to the bus station?"

"I don't ride at the bus station."

"Oh, that is sad."

Furukawa suddenly appeared beside us. "Don't worry; I will give her a ride. I also don't ride at a bus station; I can even drop her home."

Without hesitation, Akemi is happy and thankful. "Well, that's right, thank you so much—"

"Akemi, he can be a serial killer."

"Oh my gosh, really?"

"I will give her a ride home instead."

"Hold on, didn't you just say you don't go to the bus station?"

"I didn't say I don't have a car?"

"She's my coach."

"She's my president."

I can't believe they are fighting over the simplest thing. Sighing, I've decided to end it.

"Don't worry, guys, calm down. There are others here too. I'll ask the others. Thank you so much, Akemi." I've just decided to flee the scene.

Nothing changes when Akemi leaves, her little time of appearance becomes fuel for Furukawa and Yokohama to fight even more. I don't wish for it to stop. The other members are panting, trying to reach their speed. It gives the team pressure to be able to handle their teammates. This might be hard for others, but I can see good potential in this one.

I smiled as I watched the two nemeses kill each other through their pass. I will call their hatred ball, throwing a "killer pass."

_________

I ended up with Saito. I don't want to take anyone's ride. Saito is the only one that commutes among them. Well, Furukawa dropped him home most of the time, or he could call his driver, but Akemi requested to escort me on the way home or at least at the bus station.

I wanted to ask him why he is a member of a delinquent group. He seems really soft, and I feel like he can't even throw a punch.

"You've been staring at me, coach."

I immediately look away in embarrassment. I mean, it was creepy of mine.

"Do you want to ask something?" He insisted as if catching a fish.

"Ummm, no…"

"Well, can I tell you a story then? It makes walks like this fun, you know."

I just nodded.

"Well, I hate this school. I don't even want to go here. I don't excel at school, and I always got into fights." As he continues with his story, I can't believe this soft-hearted guy who looks as if he doesn't even lie his entire life is, as a matter of fact, getting into a lot of trouble.

"I am boastful. I admit nobody likes me because of being too cocky. Most of my classmates from middle school happen to be here as well. They remember me, and here, when you are cocky, they outcast you. That's how I met Saji and his friends. They just grabbed me one day, and we're instantly friends. In this school, it's rare to have delinquents like us."

Your parents must have wanted all of you to be good kids, that's what I want to say. But I can't; they have their own reason that I do know boundaries.

"Well, I really didn't want to. The special reason I chose this school is for the archangel."

"What?"

He chuckled. "Hey, isn't it wrong to have a crush on a famous girl on TEEN WEEKLY?"

"But why?" I asked because, weirdly, that is me.

"Well, because she is kind. I don't know if she remembers this, but there was a time when I was badly bruised. The people on the bus are scared. I'm bleeding really badly. That archangel helped me. She gave me her seat, and she used her handkerchief to wipe my soiled face. I was too weak to argue. She would have brought me to that hospital, but since I am stubborn, she was left with no choice but to bring me to cafe fasolia."

I tried to trace my memory from that time. It turns out he is the blonde-headed guy on the bus. He probably dyes his hair similar to its original color, or he outgrows them. He looked much different. How can I distinguish, anyway, that his face is heavily puffed at that time? Still…

"I wanted to meet her again. It's that she vanished. I no longer see her ride a bus, I wait, and sometimes I experiment at different times. But she's not there. On her graduation day, I attended, and that's when I dyed my hair to its natural color. I used my cousin as an excuse to see her. She did not attend the graduation ceremony, and the host said she was sick."

"But she's not here at EHS?"

"I got my friends, and it will be fine."

I can't drop a word. That's because it's me he's talking about. It feels awkward, and I can't feel anything about the situation. Those days are blurry. I was spending my allowance on car fuel since I'm using our family car, and my uncle drives it for me. Those are the time that I can no longer face the crowd. I have really terrible attacks. At that time, I was not breathing at all, but I forgot my struggles that day and focused on helping him.

"It's such a small world." He says, "let's go!"