"And that was why I was late to class that day," Fumika complained. "All because of that Asahara-senpai but at least the first part of our plan was moving forward. Now moving on to the next part which is to..."
"Hold on," Asato-senpai stood up. "Why are you the one explaining everything? Give us a chance too."
"That's because this was my plan."
"Which needed all of us to make it work or else it wouldn't have gone the way you wanted. Besides, the next thing in your plan was fully from us so let me tell it."
"But I want to tell it!"
"You can't be this selfish, Hibari-chan. Give us a chance too."
"Well in that case, why don't we ask Sendoh or Shiroma-sama to do it then?" Fumika's eyes shifted from Sendoh to Kou and lingered on him way too long.
"That's because Sendoh has done too much and Kouichi is a terrible storyteller."
Before Fumika can say no, Asato-senpai turned to me with a wide grin. "Yuki-chan, so what happened next was Sendoh came to us..."
...
Kouichi slammed angrily on the locker door. "Why did that idiot keep this away from me?"
The whole time Sendoh was telling us about the recent events revolving around Yuki-chan, Kouichi was agitated and ready to blow his lid off. Luckily Sendoh made Kouichi promised to stay calm until after he told him everything.
Truth be told, Shunpei was really surprised to see his best friend reacting this way. Kouichi had always been laid-back and level-headed no matter how bad events can be even during basketball which made him the best person to be the captain. These traits of him keep everyone calm in the worst possible situations so he had always admired his best friend.
However, for some kind of reason when it comes to Yuki-chan, Kouichi shows sides of him that Shunpei never knew existed. He has known Kouichi since their first year and never has he seen him acted this way before. He must really care about Yuki-chan.
Shunpei always felt maybe Kouichi has feelings for Yuki-chan but whenever Shunpei asked him about it, he denies it point-blank as though the idea of him liking Yuki-chan was crazy. What's so crazy about it anyway? Yuki-chan is pretty, nice and has the sweetest smile when she finally smiled.
Shunpei admitted to himself if Kouichi had no connection to Yuki-chan whatsoever, he would have liked to get closer to Yuki-chan as more than just a friend. But seeing how overprotective Kouichi can be, it would be better for Shunpei to stay away because no way in hell was he going to suffer Kouichi's wrath. Sure, teasing and fooling around with Yuki-chan is fun just to get a rise in her and Kouichi, but for real, no way.
Which was why he wished Sendoh good luck in this. Wasn't sure what was the exact relationship between Yuki-chan and Sendoh, but he could feel a spark between them. He wasn't the only one that saw it, of course. Kouichi wouldn't admit it but Shunpei could feel his annoyance whenever Kouichi saw them together.
Kouichi turned sideways towards the entrance. Looked like he was about to go somewhere. However, Sendoh interjected immediately. "Captain, I'm not done yet."
"I've listened enough. I'm going to see Yuki now."
Kouichi began to stalk out of the locker room but Sendoh quickly stood in front of the door to block Kouichi. "Captain, I'm afraid I can't allow that."
"Move away, Sendoh. This has nothing to do with you."
Sendoh's remained impassive then he leaned on the door. "This isn't just about you. This has everything to do with us. The basketball team. If you are to go near Sasaki right now, all of our efforts would be in vain."
"Fine, not Yuki then. I'm going to have a word with this Asahara girl."
"And do what?"
"She and I are going to have a talk which will end with her backing off from Yuki. And I'll do whatever it takes."
"With what? Threaten? Intimidation? I've told you, Captain. She's not an ordinary student that we can just mess around with. This could make things worse and if somehow you got into any trouble, Sasaki will just end up being worried and guilty."
Kouichi clenched his fist. "I can't stand idly by doing nothing!"
"I am not asking you to. We already have a plan in place that will help Yuki and not make us stoop down to that Asahara's level. This is why I'm here right now."
"You don't understand. Yuki has suffered too much because of me and I can't allow that to happen again."
"You are referring to the event when you were in Junior high, aren't you?"
Kouichi's eyebrows shot up. "H-How did you know?"
"Sasaki told me so I get why you're so worried about her."
"She told you? You?"
"Yes, so I know how you are feeling about all this and your urge to help Sasaki. I want to help her too so let's work together on this."
Kouichi stood there for the longest time as his eyes were locked onto Sendoh and Shunpei knew Kouichi was conflicted. Shunpei crossed the room and stood in between them.
"All right, no fighting," Shunpei tried to sound as light as possible, hoping his voice could dispel the tension between the guys. "We all want to help Yuki-chan so let's just do it together, shall we? If Yuki-chan found out you guys were fighting over her, think about how she will feel."
Kouichi looked like he was going to say more but Shunpei lightly turned him around and pushed him to the bench then make him sit down. Sendoh relaxed and stood straight but did not attempt to leave the door unguarded.
"Let us talk about this like non-violent gentlemen, alright?" Shunpei said. "Tell us, Sendoh. What should we do now?"
"As I have told you the first plan is already being taken care of by Hibari. The next two things in the plan will be up to us. First, we will need the help from all of the basketball team players to engage with their respective fans."
"Fans? Why?" Shunpei asked in astonishment.
"The reason Sasaki had the target on her back in the first place was because of us. The rest of the girls think that she must have done something to get close to the basketball players that were normally reserved and distant. So if we could somehow close that gap between the players and fans, the rest of the fans will not have that judgement anymore and Yuki won't be a target."
"How can you be so sure this will work?"
"I have talked to a few of them and they don't hate Sasaki. It was more of jealousy to see her so close to us. I've even asked Hiroaki and other freshmen from the basketball team to try it out and they all came to the same conclusion as me. They genuinely wanna know us more and Sasaki just happened to be put under a spotlight that garnered the hatred."
"So what can we do?"
"The players with the most fans are the juniors and seniors so we will need you to do something about this, Senpais. We need you to talk to the other players about this. Get them to be more open to the fans, at the very least until things settled down. And the most important part is to invite the students to our training session this Friday."
"Friday? Why?"
"We need them to be there to witness the next thing I'm here to ask of you. This is the only thing me and Hibari can't handle and it needs to come from the both of you."
"What?" Kouichi finally voiced up.
Sendoh took a step forward. "Taoka-sensei."
...
"What if it doesn't work, Kouichi?" Shunpei asked in the office room.
"I've talked to Mizumoto and it will work. Stop worrying and stand up straight," Kouichi smacked Shunpei on his back. "Shhh, someone's here."
Taoka-sensei entered the room and looked around. "They are late again? Every damn year," Taoka-sensei complained and sat down on the chair which was in between Kouichi and Shunpei.
"Good afternoon, Sensei," greeted both Shunpei and Kouichi.
Shunpei glanced over to the door. A power play. This was so typical of Kosugi-sensei but exactly what they needed now.
"We mustn't let them take too much stuff from us this year. Still don't understand why the principal can't just invest more in the basketball team. Had to make me go through this every year," Taoka-sensei grumbled as he leaned into his chair.
After a few minutes of waiting, the door finally slid open and entered the female basketball team. Rokuda Saori with her tomboy haircut was the first that entered. Shunpei was still amazed by her height. She was the tallest among the girl basketball team and was just slightly shorter than Shunpei himself.
Next came Mizumoto Hidemi, the captain of the team. As pretty as ever. Shunpei truly likes the vibe Mizumoto exudes whenever she's in the same room as him. Shunpei has a little crush on her so seeing her from time to time made his heart leap. Kinda envy the fact that Kouichi and her are from the same class. Why are the girls he's interested in had to be connected to Kouichi?
Finally, the woman that they've been waiting for stepped into the room with a wide smile. Kosugi-sensei was dressed to the nines as usual with a sundress and a pair of high-heels. Her golden hair was loose and wavy. Truly one of the hottest teacher in the school.
Similar to the guys, Kosugi-sensei sat on the chair while the other two girls stood on each side of their coach. "Sorry, I am late, guys. I was having a nice chat with the principal. Anyway, how's the weather?"
Taoka-sensei sighed out loud. "Let's not waste any time with chit-chats and get down to business, Kosugi-sensei."
"As straightforward as ever, Taoka-san. Very well then," Kosugi-sensei smiled and fished out a long list of paper from her bag and set it on the table. "Let's start."
With that, the discussion of the year has begun. Shunpei peeked at Kosugi-sensei's list of demands. It has the details of what she wanted for her team this year such as the club day, budget allocation, sports equipment and more.
The tension between the both of them was as intense as ever. From what Shunpei had heard, it had always been like this ever since Kosugi-sensei had taken over the female basketball team 5 years ago. Under the coaching of Kosugi-sensei, they have been steadily getting into the best 8. Last year, they made it into the best 4 and because of that, the principal had been ensuring the facilities and resources are distributed to the female team, hoping they would triumph.
This meant that the male and female team had to share. Of course, it's not like Kosugi-sensei had any outrageous demand but Taoka-sensei hated sharing and wanted the best for his team so he tried to resist as much as possible. Instead of causing Kosugi-sensei to back down, it backfired and made her ask for more.
Twenty minutes into the discussion and it was even more heated than Shunpei had imagined. The students' role here was to observe and act as witnesses to what their Sensei agreed upon. Although it was the first time Kouichi and Shunpei joined this meeting, they had heard stories about it from their Senpais last year so they have an idea of how it will play out. It was just as entertaining as their Senpais had described.
"I can't give you that much money. Last year you took 30% and I couldn't go to training camp in Nagoya and had to go to the rundown area in Takayama. Now you are demanding 40% for such a small team? You have less than 10 members and we have more than 30 members here. Come on, we can't do that."
Kosugi-sensei tilted her head playfully. "We have the extra budget this year, don't we, Taoka-san? That's what I heard from the principal just now. Don't be so stingy. 40% isn't that much. You will still get more than what you got last year."
"Didn't you just hear what I said about Takayama? Did you know their basketball hoops are so rusted that Shiroma didn't dare to dunk because we were afraid we might snap it in half? 30% is all you get."
"Still too little. My girls need new jerseys. How about 38%?"
"No to that. 32%."
"36%. Because we are friends."
Taoka-sensei sighed out loud. "35%. That's all I'm willing to go for. Take it or leave it."
"Absolutely. That's good enough for us, right, girls?"
Mizumoto and Rokuda just nodded their head in agreement with a smile. Shunpei admired Kosugi-sensei's negotiations skill. So far, she's getting things that she wants and didn't seem to affect the male team.
"Are we done?" Taoka-sensei asked.
"I think that's all," Kosugi-sensei said.
Shunpei glanced over to Kouichi nervously. He wanted to voice out about Yuki-chan and ask if they had actually forgotten about the plan. But Kouichi remained still and kept looking ahead.
Before Kouichi could move a muscle, Mizumoto leaned over and whispered in Kosugi-sensei's ear.
Kosugi-sensei looked at Taoka-sensei. "Oh right, last thing on the list."
Taoka-sensei rubbed his head tiredly. "There's more?"
"Rumour has it that your team will have a newcomer. I was wondering if I can get that person to join my team."
Taoka-sensei frowned. "What? Why would you want my players? I get that you are lacking members but my guys still can't play for the female team."
"Ah, don't worry about it. I won't take your boys from you. It's actually another person that I'm referring to. A girl by the name of Sasaki Yuki."
Shunpei stared at Taoka-sensei's back and bit his lips. The plan was to use the rivalry between the teachers to fight for Yuki. Truth be told, it was a huge bet that he and Kouichi decided on. The only safe way to help Yuki-chan and the best they can do at the moment. Mizumoto and Kosugi-sensei, please make it happen.
"What?" Taoka-sensei glanced at her in astonishment. "How did you know about that girl?"
"Let's just say that I like to stay updated regarding any news related to you. Heard that you want to make her a manager but I feel like that would be wasted."
"And tell me, what is it about her that caught your attention, Kosugi-sensei?" Taoka-sensei clasped his hand on the table and leaned forward.
With a smirk, Kosugi-sensei leaned into her chair. "Nothing much, honestly. All I know is that you want her which kind of made me want her too."
Kosugi-sensei added a wink which just made Taoka-sensei flared up more. "That's a ridiculous reason. We found her first."
"As far as I've known, she's not officially your manager since you're still thinking about it. In that case, I can take it as though you're still unsure if you want her, right? So may I take her off your hands?"
This was it. Taoka-sensei's response will decide it all.
"She has already agreed to join as our manager. I would suggest you not waste your time."
"Well, how about I have a little chat with her? I'm sure I can persuade her like how I've persuaded you for the past few years."
Taoka-sensei sat quietly and didn't reply. Then suddenly, he stood up and Shunpei can feel his anger building. "No, I'm not going to give her to you! You've taken enough from me! Sasaki is ours!"
"Come on, Taoka-san. I'm sure your boys can live without her. Right, Shiroma and Asato?"
Shunpei and Kouichi didn't have the chance to respond because their coach was already overreacting which was exactly what they needed.
"No means no. She will become our team manager. I'm not giving in to you anymore, Kosugi."
"My, my. Dropping honorifics. You must really want her," Kosugi-sensei's grin widened as she got up from her chair. "This just makes me want her more. Tell you what, let's play a fair game. You and me, let's have a race and see which of us can get to her. Whoever convinced her first shall get her, okay?"
Taoka-sensei was about to retort something at Kosugi-sensei, but she glanced at her watch and headed towards the door.
"Ah, look at the time. I have somewhere else to be. Come on, girls. See you again soon, boys and Taoka-san."
And they quickly shuffled out the entrance.
Taoka-sensei turned around at Shunpei and Kouichi with his fist clenched. "Get me Sasaki Yuki now!"
"Sensei, she must have already left school already."
"Then do whatever you can to get to her first before Kosugi-sensei. There's no way I'm letting her win anymore. Do whatever you can to make Sasaki join us."
Kouichi took a step forward. "Sensei, we can talk to Sasaki but just now Kosugi-sensei said it will be a race between the both of you. So do you still want me and Shunpei involved?"
"Oh, right, right. Both of you shouldn't. She might end up accusing me of cheating if I let both of you handle it. I'll talk to the principal and get her in with us tomorrow. What's her class?"
"1E."
He nodded his head. "Alright, let's welcome her as our team manager during our practice tomorrow and make it official. I'll go get her while the both of you handle the practice."
"Yes, Sensei!" Shunpei exclaimed excitedly. They actually did it! He was thankful for Kosugi-sensei for putting on such a nice act.
"Good, good. I'll see you both tomorrow," Taoka-sensei said and walked out of the meeting room.
Shunpei immediately turned to Kouichi who was smiling in satisfaction and they both high five. "That's done. Now let's go meet Sendoh and Hibari-chan at our meeting place and give them the good news."
"Yeah, let's," Kouichi said.