Sakuragi guntai were about to enter the main hall when a familiar voice called out Sakuragi.

"Sakuragi…Sakuragi…over here!"

Sakuragi turned around and saw a boy wearing glasses. It was their former vice-captain Himinobo Kogure.

"Hey glasses-boy! What are you doing here in Shohoku? You failed some subjects, didn't you?"

"Oh no, no,no Sakuragi. I'm just here for my little sister. She'll be studying here now. Her name is Yuri."

Sakuragi noticed the girl at the back of Kogure. The girl was exceptionally pretty. She has short hair that complemented her heart-shaped face. She was wearing such a nice smile. You really saythat she's a very friendly and cheerful person. The walked towards Sakuragi and held out her hand.

"Hi! My name is Yuri Kogure. You're Sakuragi right? I heard a lot about you from my brother. I'm also a second year student. I used to go to an all-girl school but it closed down. That's why I'm here in Shohoku, where my brother studied.

Sakuragi was stunned to see a beautiful girl standing in front of him with her hands held out. If not for Mito's pat on Sakuragi's shoulder, he would have still be mesmerized. Sakuragi quickly grabbed Yuri's hand for a hand shake.

"Erm… it's-s-s a-a-a ple-a-a-sure-e-e me-e-eting you-u-u, too-o-o Yu-u-u-ri-i."

His hands were cold upon shaking her hand, yet, he felt warmness in her hands. And it not for the second bell, he would have hold it longer.

"Oh, I better go to my class now, Himonobo."She looked at Kogure who gave her a nod.

"Uhm…Sakuragi, can you please walk to my class. You see, I'm still not familiar with Shohoku"

"Yes..Su-re, I'll be-e-e glad-d-d to-oo."

"Oh, thank you, Sakuragi."

"Well, I better go now Yuri, said Kogure. "Take care of my sister, Sakuragi"

With that Kogure waved goodbye and left.

"Shall we go now, Sakuragi"

"Su-u-u-re-e-e"

So the two of them walked together to the main hall. The sakuragi guntai followed them and kept teasing Sakuragi. However, Sakuragi was busy talking to Yuri who never seemed to run out of words.

"So Sakuragi, can I call you Hanamichi? That's what you're friends call you, right?"

"Sure, Yuri. You can call me Hanamichi."

The stammering of Sakuragi was now gone. He becomes more comfortable being with Yuri. He is now touring Yuri around the Shohoku campus. His friends didn't come along. They said they like to leave them two alone. When they reached the side of the gym, Yuri stopped.

"Hey, Hanamichi, You're in the basketball team, right?"

"Uhm, yes. Why'd you ask?"

"No special reason. You know, Hanamichi, I think you're a great basketball player."

Sakuragi was shocked to what Yuri said. He didn't tried that Sure-I-am-cause-I'm-tensai attitude. Instead, Sakuragi turned red with embarassment. He looked like a bomb ready to explode.

"Really? What made you say that?"

"You see, I watched my every game of Shohoku because of my brother. That's why I was able to watch you play too. And from the way you play, you're one of the best, Hanamichi."

"I'm not really that great Yuri. I'm just an amateur."

"I know that. My brother told me all about it. But that is what makes you a great player. Because eventhough you only started playing last year, you were able to beat some of the other experienced player."

Sakuragi could not respond to such flattery. No one has ever praised him like Yuri had. And it felt so wonderful inside.

"Uhm, Hanamichi?"

"Ah, yes, Yuri. What is it?"

"I'm just wondering. Could you teach me how to play basketball sometime."

"Didn't you're brother taught you basketball?"

"Well, he did. But only few because he's always busy with other things like school subjects."

"Well, in that case, I'll be happy to teach you."

The school bell rang. The two walked in the hall to get to their classes. As they we're turning around a corner, Sakuragi bumped into a girl.

Note: This is the second chapter of my story. I have to say, This fanfiction is really long. I made my new character, Yuri related to Kogure so that it feels like the old characters are still there. For Akagi, there is of course Haruko. For Mitsui, Just watched out. Okay? Hope you keep a watch for the coming chapters. Reviews are always welcomed.