The K楠 noodle shop's rolling shutter closed earlier than usual, and a note on the glass read, "Closing early today" — Ryonan was departing for Hiroshima tomorrow to participate in the National Tournament.
Warm yellow lights still glowed inside the noodle shop, where Sakuragi Zhe Xiong, Sakuragi Xiaonan, Shimamura Yoko, and Sakuragi Hanamichi and Gu Jin sat around a small table by the window, with a steaming hotpot and a few side dishes arrayed on it.
Sakuragi Zhe Xiong put down his chopsticks, his brow furrowed into a "river" character, his gaze sternly fixed on Sakuragi Hanamichi: "Don't even think about it. This trip, your money will be managed by Xiao Jin and Yoko. Not a single cent is allowed into your pocket."
Sakuragi Hanamichi immediately grew anxious, pushing himself up from the table: "Dad! When we're out, you have to give me some autonomy, right? I am the genius Sakuragi Hanamichi!"
"Autonomy my foot!" Sakuragi Zhe Xiong interrupted him unceremoniously, tapping his chopsticks on the table. "Give up that idea. With Yoko and Xiao Jin there, you won't starve, will you?"
Gu Jin, sitting nearby, was drinking soup and couldn't help but lower his head, his shoulders trembling slightly — he was clearly trying to suppress his laughter.
"You brat, what are you laughing at?" Sakuragi Hanamichi turned to glare at him, a vein throbbing on his temple.
Gu Jin looked up, a smile still lingering on his lips: "Is laughing not allowed?"
"It's just not allowed to laugh!" Sakuragi Hanamichi retorted, his neck stiff, like an agitated cat.
"Oh, talking back?" Gu Jin raised an eyebrow, deliberately drawing out his words, "Do you believe me if I say I'll make sure you don't even get to drink ramen soup for the next few days?"
"You... you're going to infuriate this genius to death!" Sakuragi Hanamichi slammed the table in anger, making the steam from the bowl waver.
"Alright, alright, stop bickering," Sakuragi Xiaonan said with a smile, her eyes full of gentle worry. "Hurry and eat properly. You three children will be gone for so long, and my heart, well, I just can't quite let go."
"Mom, don't worry!" Sakuragi Hanamichi immediately put on a triumphant expression, patting his chest to assure her, "With me, the genius Sakuragi, I'll definitely take good care of them!"
"You're the one I worry about the most," Sakuragi Zhe Xiong poured a bucket of cold water on him without mercy, then turned to Yoko and Gu Jin, his tone softening a little. "Look after him on the road, and don't let him cause trouble everywhere."
Yoko nodded seriously: "Dad and Mom, don't worry. Gu Jin and I will keep an eye on Sakuragi."
The warm yellow light illuminated the food on the table, and also the uncontainable anticipation in the boys' eyes — the Hiroshima court awaited them.
At six o'clock the next morning, as dawn was just breaking, Ryonan's team had already gathered on the Kanagawa Prefecture platform.
Uozumi walked at the front, carrying a bulging sports bag, followed by the yawning Koshino and Uekusa. Sendo had one hand in his pocket and the other carrying a light backpack, his steps leisurely, as if he were going on a picnic.
Gu Jin and Shimamura Yoko walked side by side, Yoko clutching the train tickets and team roster, occasionally counting the members.
At the very end of the line were two particularly striking figures: Fukuda Kiccho frowned, glaring at Sakuragi Hanamichi, while Sakuragi, with his neck stiff, wore an arrogant expression that said, "If you don't like it, come fight me."
"I say, Sakuragi, is your bag filled with rocks?" Fukuda looked at the bulging sports bag at Sakuragi's feet, his tone full of disdain.
"None of your business!" Sakuragi immediately bristled, pulling the bag behind him. "This contains this genius's secret weapon, and winning the National Tournament depends entirely on it!"
"You?" Fukuda sneered. "It'll be a miracle if you don't drag us down on the court."
"What did you say?!" Sakuragi rolled up his sleeves and was about to charge forward, but Uozumi, standing nearby, firmly held him back.
"Both of you, shut up!" Taoka roared, and the two immediately fell silent, though they continued to glare at each other like two fighting roosters.
Gu Jin and Shimamura Yoko walked side by side, exchanging a smile at the sight of these two clowns.
Yoko clutched the train tickets, softly counting the names: "Uozumi, Ikegami, Sendo, Koshino, Uekusa... Fukuda, Sakuragi — alright, everyone's here."
When the Shinkansen pulled into the station, Sakuragi darted on first, deliberately bumping Fukuda.
"You did that on purpose, didn't you?" Fukuda followed him, poking him in the back.
"So what if I did?" Sakuragi turned back, made a face, and quickly found a window seat. Fukuda followed close behind, plopping down next to him and deliberately nudging his elbow towards Sakuragi.
"Stay away from me!"
"Is this seat yours?"
The two bickered back and forth until Taoka walked over and gave a heavy cough between them, at which point they grudgingly fell silent, though they continued to push each other's feet under the table.
The scenery outside the train window gradually changed from city buildings to fields and paths. Sendo leaned back in his seat, closing his eyes to rest, a faint smile on his lips.
Aida Hikoichi took out his notebook, diligently reviewing the opponent data he had previously organized.
Koshino and Uekusa huddled together, quietly discussing the weather in Hiroshima.
Sakuragi suddenly poked Fukuda: "Hey, when we get to Hiroshima, do you dare to buy me an ice cream cone first?"
Fukuda gave him a sideways glance: "Why should I?"
"What do you mean, 'why should I'?" Sakuragi immediately raised his voice, glaring back righteously. "I want to eat one! Is that even a question?"
"If you want one, buy it yourself!" Fukuda turned his face away, deliberately avoiding his pleading look.
"I didn't bring any money!" Sakuragi shouted, his neck stiff, and leaned closer. "We're teammates, what's wrong with you treating me to one? You're not trying to be stingy, are you?"
"Dream on!" Fukuda snorted, but subtly straightened his back — he had clearly taken the words to heart.
The three-hour train ride flew by amidst their squabbling. When the announcement "Hiroshima Station, arriving soon" came over the loudspeaker, Sakuragi and Fukuda stood up almost simultaneously, then both "hmphed" at each other the moment their eyes met, yet instinctively straightened their uniforms.
Taoka stood up and clapped his hands: "Everyone, stay sharp! Get off the train and head to the hotel first. No slacking during afternoon practice!"
"Yes!" everyone responded in unison, Sakuragi and Fukuda's voices particularly loud, not forgetting to glare at each other.
As luck would have it, Fukuda and Sakuragi were assigned to the same room during check-in.
Taoka Moichi instructed in a deep voice in the hallway: "Put your things away quickly and get ready. Meet in the lobby downstairs in half an hour. No tardiness!"
"Yes!" everyone responded in unison.
As soon as Fukuda and Sakuragi entered the room, they each sat on the edge of a bed.
After barely two seconds of rest, Fukuda frowned and glanced at Sakuragi's feet, his tone full of disgust: "Sakuragi, don't you wash your feet?"
Sakuragi crossed his legs on the bed, nonchalantly raising his chin: "I like it this way!"
"Even if you like it, it's not allowed." Fukuda moved over, trying to get as far away from him as possible. "Then can you at least not take off your shoes yet? The smell is already drifting over!"
"Tch, making a fuss over nothing." Sakuragi grumbled, but still grudgingly pulled back the foot he was about to kick off his shoe, muttering, "If I don't take them off, I don't take them off, who cares..." As he spoke, he deliberately leaned closer to Fukuda, prompting Fukuda to push him away.