Gu Jin was diligently guiding everyone in practicing the Cash Step; at this moment, he was less like a player and more like an assistant coach. Unconsciously, an hour passed.
After the class bell rang, Shimamura Yoko appeared at the entrance of Ryonan Gymnasium.
As soon as she appeared, many people noticed her.
"What a beautiful girl."
"Tall and cute."
"She's exactly my type!"
Sendo interjected, "She's already taken."
"Ah? Sendo, you know her?" Koshino asked in surprise.
"I've met her," Sendo smiled, "She's Gu Jin's girlfriend."
"Ah?!" Everyone exclaimed in surprise.
"That Gu Jin, his girlfriend is actually so beautiful."
"Oh no, oh no, I'm so jealous, truly envious."
Everyone talked non-stop, one after another.
"Yoko." At this moment, Gu Jin also saw Shimamura Yoko at the entrance.
"Jin." Shimamura Yoko smiled and waved at him.
"Yoko, Teacher Taoka happens to be looking for you," Gu Jin said.
"Ah?" Shimamura Yoko was a little surprised.
Gu Jin took Yoko's hand and walked towards Taoka Moichi.
"Ooh-woo--"
This again caused everyone to tease, and Yoko's cheeks immediately flushed crimson.
"Coach!" Gu Jin called out.
Shimamura Yoko also politely asked, "Teacher Taoka, are you looking for me?"
Taoka Moichi nodded and said to her, "Shimamura, the Ryonan Basketball Team's cheerleading squad was just established today, and I'd like to formally invite you to join the Basketball Team's Entertainment Department. The school will provide subsidies during this period, and I very much hope you can come. You don't need to worry about your studies; to support the cheerleading training, the school will specifically arrange tutoring times and teachers."
A hint of surprise flashed in Shimamura Yoko's eyes, "Me... can I really?"
"Of course!" Taoka Moichi's tone was firm, "Are you willing?"
"I am willing!" Shimamura Yoko immediately agreed.
Taoka Moichi then said, "Oh, and the Ryonan Basketball Team is still missing a manager. I think you're very suitable. I heard from Gu Jin that you were a team manager in junior high?"
"Yes, Teacher Taoka," Shimamura Yoko replied.
"Then it's settled," Taoka Moichi decided, "You will receive subsidies for both the cheerleading squad and the manager position."
Shimamura Yoko was overjoyed in her heart—she knew very well that Ryonan's subsidies were always generous.
After training, Taoka Moichi took the basketball team and the cheerleading squad to a high-end barbecue restaurant in Kanagawa Prefecture.
This meal was clearly expensive, probably costing him two months' salary. But Taoka Moichi's face was full of joy, without a hint of regret.
He had his reasons for being happy.
Firstly, he had found a genius player like Gu Jin, which was like striking gold.
Secondly, the school board was paying special attention to the Ryonan Basketball Team this year, and he had not only been promoted but also received a significant salary increase.
Thirdly, and what he cared about most—he had finally met the daughter of his savior.
Half a month ago, Chief Ono personally went to see Chairman Shenmu, and he happened to be in the office. When the name "Shimamura Yuji" came up in their conversation, Taoka Moichi's heart still gave a sudden tug.
Scenes from over a decade ago instantly flooded his mind: that figure safely handed his daughter over to him, but he himself was shot three times and fell in a pool of blood. Taoka Moichi would never forget this kindness in his lifetime.
Initially, he insisted on sending money to Shimamura Yuji's widow, Shimamura Konan, but whether he sent it under his real name or anonymously, she firmly returned it. She was a woman with an inner strength, never willing to easily accept charity from others.
Later, he could only give up, but this debt always weighed on his heart. Now that Shimamura Yoko had come to Ryonan, it was as if heaven had given him a chance to repay his kindness.
"Officer Shimamura, you protected my daughter with your life," Taoka Moichi murmured to himself, "Rest assured, I, Taoka Moichi, will do everything in my power to protect your daughter."
Thinking of this, he tilted his head back and took another gulp of sake, his eyes welling up with a warm wetness.
"Yoko, eat more. Order whatever you want, don't be shy with me," Taoka Moichi greeted her warmly, his tone full of care.
"Teacher Taoka, I'm already very full," Shimamura Yoko said, a little embarrassed.
"Eat a little more, look at you, child, you're too thin." Taoka Moichi insisted, picking up the communal chopsticks and placing a large piece of grilled meat into her bowl.
Gu Jin, beside her, also echoed, "Yoko, eat more."
Shimamura Yoko looked at the meat piled in her bowl, but a question mark formed in her mind—she really didn't understand why Teacher Taoka was so good to her, so unusually good.
After several rounds of drinks and dishes, everyone gradually dispersed.
Because Ryonan was far from home, Gu Jin and Shimamura Yoko first returned to school to retrieve their bicycles. The bike ride would take half an hour.
On the way, Shimamura Yoko softly said, "Jin, Teacher Taoka seems exceptionally good to me. The way he looks at me... reminds me of my father."
Gu Jin explained, "Yoko, you don't know yet, do you? Among the hostages Uncle Shimamura saved back then, was Teacher Taoka's daughter. He's good to you because he's always remembered that kindness."
"So that's it..." Shimamura Yoko suddenly understood, sighing softly, "It's been over a decade, and he still remembers..."
"Yoko, Teacher Taoka is a kind and loyal person. He'll remember that kindness his whole life." Gu Jin looked at her and said earnestly, "We also need to work hard. He's taking such good care of us, we can't disappoint him."
Shimamura Yoko nodded heavily, "Mm, I will definitely work hard."
"Jin, look right!"
Shimamura Yoko's voice carried a hint of urgency. While steadying her handlebars, she turned her head diagonally forward, her gaze fixed on the street corner.
Gu Jin followed her gaze, his eyes narrowing—under the dim streetlights, several hooligans were gathered in a circle, trapping a red-haired figure in the middle.
That wild red hair was particularly striking in the night. Who else could it be but Sakuragi Hanamichi?
"Sakuragi?" Gu Jin subconsciously squeezed the brake, and his bicycle screeched to a halt at the roadside.
Shimamura Yoko also braked, frowning as she looked at the scene, "They seem to be... causing trouble for Sakuragi?"
The hooligans had their backs to the street. One of them, with dyed yellow hair, was elbowing Sakuragi in the chest, cursing obscenely.
Sakuragi stiffened his neck, clenching his fists. His red hair trembled slightly in the wind, like a lion about to explode, but he was tightly encircled by the group, unable to advance or retreat.
Gu Jin narrowed his eyes. He recognized the hairstyles of those people.
But according to the plot he knew, Sakuragi shouldn't have encountered them at this time. So why was he cornered by this group here?
"Yoko, wait here." No sooner had Gu Jin finished speaking than he dismounted his bicycle and quickly walked towards the street corner.