Chapter 2
The Return of Tensai
The way back to Kanagawa was a bit surreal for Sakuragi. For three months, he was stuck there in the four corners of that room and just being outside felt really good and refreshing.
"So, how does freedom feel?" Yohei asked gleefully.
"I really need to get to a basketball court right now, Yohei," Sakuragi said as he started to do a shooting motion with his hand.
"Hanamichi, you can't. You need to rest for at least two to three weeks. The team needs you for the games, you know that."
"Fine, at least give me a basketball to hold."
"Later, when we get to the station."
For the next hour, Hanamichi continued to do his shooting motion while staring out blankly at the passing landscape. It was unusual for him to stay that way. So, Yohei and Takamiya decided to cheer him up.
"Hey Hanamichi, ready to do some slam dunks when you get back?" Takamiya asked.
When he turned around, Sakuragi had a large smile plastered on his face. "Shohoku will welcome back its number one ace! The Tensai Basket Man, Hanamichi Sakuragi! Mwahahahahahaha!"
Just you wait, Rukawa, Sakuragi thought. I will beat you once and for all!
"You're Shin-ichi Maki's brother?"
These words echoed throughout the gym. All of the upper classmen and even the other freshmen were in shock to hear that in front of them was the younger brother of Kanagawa's #1 player.
"Go on, go on," Coach Anzai smiled.
"Shinji Maki, 189cm, I can play all the positions on the court."
"Why here and not Kainan or any other school for that matter?" Miyagi asked.
"Two reasons: Coach Anzai," Everyone looked to the smiling coach. "…and Hanamichi Sakuragi."
"Say what!" Ayako exclaimed. Everyone followed suit.
"I want to play alongside one of the best big men in the prefecture…at least to my brother's opinion."
"Did he just describe Sakuragi?" Yasuda asked Miyagi.
"I guess he did," Miyagi shrugged.
Out of nowhere, a ball went flying straight at Shinji. In one move, he caught the ball with one hand and spun it on his finger. Everyone looked to where the ball came from and saw Rukawa.
"Idiot. He's just dumb and big…" Rukawa smirked.
"Say what?" Shinji took one step towards him.
All Rukawa did was turn around and run towards the basket. When he reached the free throw line, he jumped and flew through the air to do a dunk. What happened next was both astonishing and scary at the same time. Out of nowhere, Shinji came from behind and swatted the ball out of the hands of Rukawa. This elicited a collective gasp from the team since nobody actually noticed Shinji run towards him. But, as they came down, both of them sprawled onto the hardwood of the gym floor.
The entire team rushed to the two of them and helped them both up. "Now you know, Rukawa," Shinji said. "This isn't your team."
Sakuragi crashed onto his bed. His very own bed. Even through all the events that had happened to him, this was still home sweet home for him. As he began to dream, he felt he was back on the court, shooting jump shots, making the common shot, and blocking shots. He loved basketball, and there was nothing that could stop him from playing again.
The next day, Sakuragi went straight to the community court. When he got there, he saw a familiar face shooting on the court.
"Megane-kun!" Sakuragi exclaimed. It was Kiminobu Kogure, Shohoku's vice captain a year ago.
"Sakuragi! When did you get back?"
"Oh, yesterday." Sakuragi beamed.
As they were talking, Kogure saw the basketball clutched in Sakuragi's hand. "You're not thinking of playing, are you? You're supposed to be injured."
"Of course not! You know why? Because I am Tensai! Nyahahahahaha!"
It never fails, Kogure thought. "Pass me the ball."
"Hmm?"
"Pass."
Sakuragi made a chest pass to Kogure. Once he caught it, Kogure pulled up and did a perfect jump shot. There was only one problem though: it rattled out of the rim.
"Er…that should have gone in," Kogure laughed. When he turned to Sakuragi, he was a bit surprised to see Hanamichi asking for the ball.
"Pass."
Kogure picked up the ball and did a bounce pass. Once Sakuragi caught it, his mind immediately transported him back to his last game with Shohoku in the Inter-High against Sannoh. That last shot, with three seconds left on the clock, was Sakuragi's finest hour. And just like that shot, he did the same move on the court. It was the exact copy as the ball went through the net with only a swish as its sound.
"That never fails to amaze me." Kogure breathed.
"Why don't we settle this on the court, freshmen against seniors," Ayako said to ease the tension around Shinji and Rukawa.
"Yeah, that sounds like a good idea," Miyagi mused. "With your permission, of course, Anzai-sensei."
"Certainly," Anzai smiled. "This will be good for the team."
With that, Ayako turned to the team. "Well, you heard them, form into teams!"
Everyone went to opposite corners of the gym. To the left, Miyagi and the seniors huddled together as they discussed strategy. "Alright, we're a bit shorthanded here considering that there are three of them that we have to watch out for." Miyagi spoke. "Rukawa, you're taking Shinji. Show him how Shohoku really plays basketball. I'm taking Kai."
"What about Mitsuoka?" Shiozaki asked.
"You and Yasuda will mark him."
A whistle from Ayako signaled the teams to go to the center. "Okay boys, I want every player here to be in one piece afterwards, okay?"
However, Rukawa wasn't listening. There was only one line in his mind.
"Shinji, you're going down!"
After Sakuragi finished a few jump shots, lay-ups, and dunks, he was feeling good about himself, bordering on cocky and arrogant, that he was ready to go back to practice. However, as he made his way to the nearby fountain, a shadow from the distance approached him. "Feeling up to a little one-on-one?"
It was Akagi.
"Gori?"
And he got a large fist come down on his head for his actions. "Ouch! You're going to re-injure Shohoku's ace!"
"Idiot! When will you ever learn?"
"I know everything there is to know already!" Sakuragi boasted.
"Then show me." Akagi grinned.
"Bring it on, Gori," Sakuragi smiled.
