His body finally relaxes. Before letting her go, he strongly pushes her body to his own, while giving her neck one last fervent bite. He then moves a bit away and stares at her naked torso.
- That sure was a pleasant interview, Miss Aida. - He says with a roguish smile.
- I'm just the best at my job, Mr. Domoto. - Yayoi answers with some pretended innocence. - Just as you.
- Haha... - Goro moves away and starts getting dressed. The hotel room is all messed up. - You're too generous with your words, Miss Aida. I even failed to take Japan's best team to the best 16.
- Everybody looses sometime. Besides, you are still in charge of the All-Japan Youth team.
- And late for their first training session, for further information. I'll finally meet your so-called genius.
- My genius? So... Is it right for the All-Japan head coach to call a up a player because of some lover's advice? - The young journalist starts to dress quickly.
- Well, that may depend on the lover, sweetie. Further on, Mr. Takato also thinks it's a great idea to call him up. He is my new assistant coach, so it would be rude not listening to him.
- I see. You sure did listen to Mr. Takato. This time, there are 4 players from Kanagawa in the team. That's more than any other prefecture.
- Such an observant woman you are, Miss Aida. You know, when te national team mission is over... Well, may be even before that. I would be really up to concede you another interview.
- Well, we'll see. I'm a quite busy journalist, you know?
- That's what you always say.
- And that's why you lost to Shohoku, you see? You're such a confident punk... Actually, you should have called Akagi and Mitsui too.
- You think so? Hey...wait a minute...I don't remember telling the whole squad I picked.
- You sure have heavy sleep, Mr. Domoto. She fastly kissed his mouth and turned away. - Bye Bye, Sweetie!
THE ALL JAPAN YOUTH BASKETBALL TEAM - SUMMER 1990 (By Goro Domoto)
#4 FUKATSU Kazunari (Captain)
H: 182cm W:71 kg Y: 3rd S:1 T: Sannoh High C: My playmaker and in-court representative. Would change him for no one.
#5 YAMAOKA Hajime (Vice-Captain)
H: 196cm W:83 kg Y: 3rd S:3/4/5 T: Gadai Nishi High C: Great offensive power and notable mobility for his size. Superb rebound ability. One of my favourites. A must-call despite having failed to make it to the nationals this time.
#6 MOROBOSHI Dai H: 190cm W:79 kg Y: 3rd S:1/2/3 T: Aiwa Gakuen High C: One of the fastest and strongest guards with exceptional ability to penetrate and score. A must-call.
#7 KAWATA Masashi H: 191cm W:96 kg Y: 3rd S:3/4/5 T: Sannoh High C: Exceptionally strong and unmatched in technique under the basket. Another must-call.
#8 MURAKAMI Bunko H: 198cm W:89 kg Y: 3rd S:4/5 T: Sasaoka High C: A strong and hardworking centre who led his unknown team to the top 4 in the nationals. Shintai University has recently given him a scholarship to join their team. He replaces Hakuta's Madoka Sada, who got injured in the first round of the interhigh.
#9 RUKAWA Kaede H: 188cm W:76 kg Y: 1st S:2/3/4 T: Shohoku High C: Kanagawa's Super Rookie, whose playing is similar to that of Eiji Sawakita. He replaces Sawakita, who is travelling to America.
#10 OZAKI Jiro H: 195cm W:85 kg Y: 2nd S:4 T: Rakuan High C: Strong and quick forward who defeated Yamaoka in Kyoto regionals and took his team to the best 8 in the nationals.
#11 TSUCHIYA Atsushi H: 181cm W:70 kg Y: 3rd S:1/2/3 T: Daiei High C: A guard with superb dribbling, passing and shooting ability who took his side to win the nationals. Everybody is waiting to see him in the national team.
#12 MAKI Shinichi H: 184cm W:79 kg Y: 3rd S:1/2/3 T: Kainan High C: A brillant player with top technique and fitness. Has also become a must call-up.
#14 JIN Soichiro H: 189cm W:73 kg Y: 2nd S:2 T: Kainan High C: Best 3-point shooter in Japan.
#15 MORISHIGE Hiroshi H: 201cm W:102 kg Y: 1st S:5 T: Meihou High C: The Interhigh's best rookie. Insanely big and powerful centre. He led his unknown team to the best 8 and lost only to champion Daiei. Goro is running to the basketball court. Then he stops and walks. - I am the national youth team's head coach. - He thinks. - I am supposed to be important. Important people don't run.
Goro finally arrives at the court. Player are already standing in line. Mr. Takato is talking to them as Mr. Azuma and Mr. Sugimoto stand near him.
- So, after this absolutely planned not-so-brief introduction... - Says Takato to the players, as he sees Goro approaching. - You can say hello to a man who always shows up exactly on the right time. The All-Japan Basketball Youth Team's Head Coach,
Sannoh high's Mr. Goro Domoto!
The whole team turns to Goro and greets him. Goro notices his guy Kazunari, who had obviously realized that introduction was improvised, giving him a knowing smile.
- Well, i'm glad to see you all. - Mr. Domoto starts talking. - You have already met the All-Japan Youth Basketball Team's brand new assistant coach, Kainan High's Mr. Riki Takato. You should have also been introduced to our fitness coach, Sannoh High's Mr. Sho Azuma; an to our physio, Sannoh High's Mr. Ko Sugimoto. As most of you should know, this is the last training mission of the national youth team before next winter's Asian Junior Championship.
When speaking those last words, Goro notices a glare in the eyes of the most ambitioud and experiencied members of the squad:
Kazunari, Yamaoka, Moroboshi, Masashi and Maki. He could also feel the big hopes and determination of some new members of the squad, such as Ozaki and Morishige. Tsuchiya, brand new Interhigh's MVP, still seemed quiet and happy. On the other hand,
the ones like Rukawa and Jin had kept themselves expressionless, with their eyes lost.
- Of course, nobody has his place in the Asian Championship guaranteed. Those who have been in the time for a while prefectly know that you don't stay here if you don't keep up your hard work. Even if you impress me, you might be left out by another player who impresses me the most. But it's up to you not to let that happen. All of you excel in basketball skills. There is no time for dribbling, passing or shooting excercises here. To be able to take ourselves to the international level, we' ve got to focus in two important aspects. The first one is fitness, and the second is tactics. Our first training sessions will focus on the first one, so Mr. Azuma here is going to test your physical condition as high performance sportsmen. This is not a high school club, so you better show him what you are really made off. Ok?
- YES, SIR! - Answers the team in unison.
- That's the attitude - Mr. Domoto says. - Now, this is not a conference either. So stop lazing around and follow Mr. Azuma to start today's excercises.
- OK! - Calls Sho energetically. - To start, we're going in a full round to the city. Keep up to me or you might get lost. I won't be waiting for anyone.
Many player seem to feel astonished by the task, specially the new ones.
- Come on, dudes! - Says Kazunari to his team mates. - We represent our nation here, men. You know? Not hesitating allowed, Ok, men? Let's go. JAPAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAN! - Loudly shouted the captain with enthusiasm.
- FIGHT! - Replies the team with determination.
- One! Two! One! Two! One! Two! - The eleven players shout while following Azuma out of the court.
- Wait a second... - Goro thinks... - Eleven? What the...?... - ¡Takato! - He says. - Why the hell he isn't here?
- Well, he's kind of an unpunctual person. - Takato answered in laughs. - He should be here any second. Not that he's the only one late today, though. You still have some lipstick on your face, Mr. Head Coach.
Goro feels embarassed and swallows his anger.
- You didn't tell them about the practice match. - He then says. - Right, Mr. Takato?
- Oh, sure i didn't. It would be boring not letting any surprises left for the next few days. And talking about surprises...
Here is the player who have heard so much about.
A spiky haired tall and fit man had entered the court. He looks calm and joyful. With a big smile, he speaks.
- It's good to see you all. Mr. Domoto, Mr. Takato. - He greets. - I though i overslept, but I seem to be the first here.
#13 SENDOH Akira H: 192cm W:80 kg Y: 2nd S:2/3/4 T: Ryonan High C: Everybody in Kanagawa calls him a genius, despite having never made it to the nationals. Has been called up for testing in place of Jousei's Mikoshiba, who didn't do so well in summer tournament.
- YOU IDIOOOOOOT! - Shouts Mr. Domoto in anger.
