The atmosphere in the Ryonan High School conference room was as heavy as ice. School Director Shinboku Rin sat at the head of the table, his face so grim it looked like it could drip water, his gaze like a sharp blade piercing Miyamasu Zehei, who stood opposite him.
"Miyamasu Zehei," his voice was not loud, but it carried an undeniable authority, "who gave you the power to privately approach Gu Jin and force him to transfer schools?"
Miyamasu Zehei stiffened his neck, trying to maintain composure as he argued, "School Director Shinboku, what I did was ultimately for the good of the school."
"For the good of the school?" School Director Shinboku Rin's voice suddenly rose, full of sarcasm, "Do you know that your actions have completely damaged the school's interests?"
"School Director, you're exaggerating," Miyamasu Zehei didn't seem to realize the seriousness of the problem and stubbornly insisted, "Those were more than ten multimedia classrooms! Isn't that the greatest value Gu Jin can bring?"
"Foolish! Utterly short-sighted!" School Director Shinboku Rin was furious, slamming his hand on the table, "Do you think these small benefits can measure everything?"
Miyamasu Zehei's face flushed from the scolding, but he still wouldn't give up, trying to bring up his connections: "School Director, you didn't make your stance clear last time. And I consulted with the high-level members of the school board beforehand—Araki, the Director of Affairs, and Coach Aotsuki both agreed!"
School Director Shinboku Rin's gaze swept sharply towards the two people sitting on either side: "Araki, Aotsuki, is what he said true? You agreed?"
Araki, the Director of Affairs, quickly waved his hand, his tone vague: "At the time, I thought the plan might be feasible, but I never told him to do it that way."
Coach Aotsuki immediately followed, his tone also carrying a hint of disassociation: "My reply to Assistant Miyamasu was 'can be considered,' but I didn't instruct him to do those things."
"You... you..." Miyamasu Zehei was both shocked and angry, pointing at the two of them, unable to speak.
"Enough!" School Director Shinboku Rin interrupted sharply, his gaze returning to Miyamasu Zehei, enunciating each word, "Miyamasu Zehei, now, please resign!"
"Why?" Miyamasu Zehei's voice suddenly rose, like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, "Just for a student?"
"Idiot!" School Director Shinboku Rin stared at him, his disappointment almost overflowing, "Don't you ever read the news? Do you know how much influence Gu Jin has now after this Public Welfare Cup? He is now a prominent signboard for our Ryonan! What you've destroyed is the school's infinite possibilities for the future!"
The last sentence landed like a heavy hammer, striking Miyamasu Zehei's heart and instantly turning his face ashen.
"Fujisawa Eri, a sixteen-year-old girl, has more foresight than you! What do you think she's trying so hard to poach Gu Jin to Ryokufu High School for?" School Director Shinboku Rin's voice was filled with disappointment.
Miyamasu Zehei still had a trace of unwillingness, stubbornly saying, "She's just a rich but immature little girl, most likely a whim of recklessness."
"Idiot! Simply incorrigible!" School Director Shinboku Rin suddenly stood up, pointing to the door, "Get out of Ryonan now, I don't want to see you again."
"I refuse!" Miyamasu Zehei shouted, his neck stiff, "I'm going to appeal to Chairman Tamaki! School Director Shinboku Rin, you have no right to force me to resign!"
"My meaning is Chairman Tamaki's meaning," School Director Shinboku Rin's eyes were cold, without a ripple, "If you're unconvinced, go find him. But now, disappear from my sight immediately, disappear from Ryonan!"
"Araki, Aotsuki, you two listen carefully as well," School Director Shinboku Rin's gaze turned to the two of them, his tone stern, "From now on, for any decision involving Gu Jin, you are not allowed to act on your own. Also, immediately set about improving his treatment."
He paused, emphasizing his words: "Chairman Tamaki has already instructed that from now on, no matter who tries to poach Gu Jin, or what conditions they offer, they are to be directly rejected, no further consultation needed."
The color instantly drained from Araki, the Director of Affairs' face, his hands unconsciously clenched, his voice carrying a subtle tremor: "Yes... yes, School Director Shinboku, we've noted it. We will absolutely, absolutely not interfere with Gu Jin's affairs again. I will arrange for his treatment immediately and ensure it's implemented as soon as possible..."
He secretly glanced at School Director Shinboku Rin's tense profile, his heart pounding—even Chairman Tamaki himself had intervened, was Gu Jin's importance truly that great? He had said "feasible" just now, and now he felt a cold sweat on his back.
Coach Aotsuki also shed his previous composure, his fingers unconsciously rubbing on his knees, and quickly responded: "Don't worry, School Director Shinboku. From now on, for anything concerning Gu Jin, we will definitely report to you first, and we would never dare to act on our own again."
His Adam's apple bobbed, secretly glad that he hadn't made his "can be considered" too definitive just now, otherwise he might be in the same situation as Miyamasu now.
The Chairman himself had instructed to reject poaching, which showed that this matter had reached the highest level. Their little schemes just now, in retrospect, were like walking on a knife's edge.
Compared to this respectable and stable job, the "petty gains" offered by Ryokufu were truly not worth it.
At the same time, the opening ceremony of the Public Welfare Cup 3v3 tournament kicked off at the Kanagawa Prefecture Gymnasium.
The stadium was already packed with people. Mainstream media reporters from Kanagawa Prefecture occupied the best positions with their long lenses and short guns, and even a few well-informed tabloid reporters squeezed into the crowd, their recording pens and cameras on standby—this match, which brought together several star players, was destined to be extraordinary from the start.
The electronic screen suddenly lit up, and the match-up list scrolled into view:
Gu Jin, Uozumi Jun, Godai Tomokazu VS Maki Shinichi, Kogure Kiminobu, Hasegawa Kazushi
A stir instantly rose from the sidelines.
"It's about to start, this match is definitely going to be exciting."
"Of course, they're all masters."
On the court, Gu Jin, wearing Ryonan's dark blue uniform, stood near the center line, his gaze calmly sweeping over the opposing team.
Maki Shinichi stood with his hands on his hips, his dark face bearing his usual sharpness. When his gaze met Gu Jin's, he nodded slightly, with a hint of scrutiny;
Kogure Kiminobu pushed up his glasses, a gentle smile on his face, but he was secretly adjusting his stance, not daring to relax in the slightest;
Hasegawa Kazushi's lips were tightly pressed together, his eyes hiding a stubborn refusal to lose.
Uozumi Jun stretched his shoulders, his tall frame casting a shadow under the basket. He turned his head to look at Gu Jin beside him, his tone carrying an unconscious trust: "Gu Jin, how should we play later?"
There was no extra preamble, as if this had already become a habit—unconsciously, this junior, two grades below him, had long become his most reliable spiritual pillar on the court.
Even when facing a strong opponent like Maki Shinichi, as long as Gu Jin was by his side, that inexplicable sense of certainty in his heart would not waver.
Gu Jin met his gaze, his fingertips tapping the floor twice, his voice not loud but penetrating: "Uozumi, you hold the paint under the basket. If you get the ball, go straight for the score, no one can guard you. If they dare to double-team, Nango will have an opportunity."
He turned to look at the eager Nango, "Stand firm outside the right three-point line. When the ball comes to you, don't look at anyone else."
Uozumi listened, then gave a heavy "Hmm," his slightly tense shoulders completely relaxing, leaving only focus.
Godai Tomokazu waved his arm from the side, his eyes shining: "Okay, I'll listen to you!"
The referee's whistle sounded at the right time. Gu Jin looked up at the opposite side, and Maki Shinichi's gaze also happened to sweep over, with a hint of interest—this game would clearly not be ordinary.