Chapter IV

Chapter IV. Practice Game for Shohoku

For the winter trials once again Shohoku and Ryonan had a practice game and this time, Ryonan went to their school.

"Hah! This is your debut Tagokeshi don't let me down." exclaimed Coach Taoka.

"Don't worry coach. Piece of cake. This time they're gonna lose with us leading 12 points!" the proud Tagokeshi said.

"More like piece of chicken!" Fujima laughed.

"What's that Sendoh doing? At a time like this he always gets late!"

"Maybe he overslept again coach." explained Koshino.

"Darn that Sendoh."

Coach Taoka making his 'I'm going to kill Sendoh when he gets here' face made the newbies tremble in fear. At last Sendoh came up the train with the 'I'm sorry I overslept please don't hurt me' face. Even the passengers were scared of Coach Taoka's face.

"What's that old man doing?" gossiped some passengers.

"Old man?" That hit Coach Taoka so much he remembered his first encounter with Sakuragi making him rub his butt.

"Coach is doing that thing again." complained Uekesa.

"Come on coach?! Can't I guy get his sleep?! I'm sorry." apologized Sendoh.

"Oi, Hikoichi, is Sendoh really always late?"

"Yup. Even in practices sometimes, but at times like this? He often does."

"We just don't know why." answered Uekesa.

Girls can hear Sendoh's voice from the barring walls of the train. They rushed to where they can hear Sendoh and screamed at him like wild animals. Sendoh being popular flashes a big smile and waves his hands in order not to offend his adoring fans. They saw Coach Taoka about to yell at Sendoh, they made the look which said…'Don't yell at Sendoh or we'll report your abuse to the police old man.'

I still can't get angry at him for being so honest. Thought coach.

"Darn that Sakuragi."

"Sakuragi?" Tagokeshi remembered.

"Do you know him Tagokeshi-san?" Hikoichi asked as he would always do.

"Yep. And he referred to himself as a genius and ace of Shohoku. He wants to beat you Sendoh."

"Sakuragi. Huh. Still didn't change. I'm sure he's improved a lot by now."

"So, it's true he's a self proclaimed genius?"

"Yes it's true Tagokeshi-san and he's as tall as you. He even came against Hanagata of Shoyo and put up against Maki of Kainan and our dear Uozumi." yanked Hikoichi.

"Oh c'mon Hikoichi that was just beginners luck." Koshino said in disgrace.

"He even stole a ball from Sendoh." Hikoichi added.

"Yes I know that he's as tall as me." exclaimed Tagokeshi.

"Have you met him Tagokeshi-san?" asked Hikoichi.

"Last night. When I came across Rukawa who, I am going to beat this day!"

"Rukawa? Still practicing after normal practices? He sure does want to beat you Sendoh-san," Hikoichi said with the 'you're a god Sendoh' look.

Long after their talks, they came to Shohoku. Students would stare at them wondering where's Uozumi and who's that tall fellow behind Coach Taoka.

"So tall like Sakuragi. With a weirder hair color."

"RUKAWA! RUKAWA! RUKAWA!" Rukawa's fans marched infront of them.

"The nerve," Coach Taoka said.

"Shohoku…so this is it?" asked Tagokeshi.

Ryonan entered Shohoku's walls with pride. Students complementing Sendoh, and minding the strange player.

"Who is that guy?" asked one of Shohoku's students.

"He's so strange."

"Maybe he's just a reserve player."

"No. I heard Coach Taoka recruited him from Rukawa's school." said a reporter.

"So, he worked with Rukawa?"

"Maybe he's as good as him." answered Hikoichi's sister the reporter.

"This will be an exciting match."

"Sister!" exclaimed Hikoichi.

"Hikoichi. Good luck, tell Sendoh my regards too. Say, what's with the blond guy?"

"Oh, he's a friend of Rukawa's, but wants too seek revenge, I really got things messed up."

"Okay! I've to check this!"

"Me too! Later sis." They bid goodbye to each other.