"…This is just a personal thought of mine… please don't overinterpret it…"
Coach Takeuchi's Office
Takeuchi sat expressionless in his office, staring at the TV. The basketball talk show currently airing featured Rakuzan's head coach, Shirogane.
Beside him, Kota was half-lying on the sofa, leisurely sipping from Takeuchi's private tea collection.
"Tsk tsk tsk… Coach, you've got pretty good taste, don't you?"
Kota smacked his lips slightly, savoring the bittersweet fragrance lingering in his mouth, sounding genuinely surprised.
He really hadn't expected that Takeuchi — who usually dressed like a walking laundry basket —would have such refined opinions when it came to tea. At the very least, this was something Kota had never encountered on the market before.
Just as Kota was about to take another sip to enjoy it properly —
Bang!
Takeuchi slammed his palm heavily onto the desk, producing a thunderous sound.
The sudden noise interrupted Kota mid-motion. He looked at Takeuchi's hand suspended in midair, trembling slightly, and asked with concern:
"Did that hurt?"
At those words, Takeuchi froze just as he was about to rub his palm, then replied calmly, "Not really."
After that, he pointed angrily at the TV screen with his other hand, grinding his teeth.
"Did you hear what that old bastard was saying?!"
Kota glanced at Takeuchi. The coach discreetly moved the hand he had slammed under the desk, and judging by the cold sweat suddenly forming on his face, it clearly hurt a lot more than he was letting on.
"Heh… a man who refuses to admit weakness."
Kota shook his head without exposing him and played along.
"Well, Kaijo and Rakuzan are rivals, after all. A little verbal sparring is normal. Besides… Coach, I think he's actually younger than you. Calling him an 'old bastard' might be a bit much."
Takeuchi's expression stiffened for a moment before quickly recovering. He cleared his throat and stared at Platinum Eiji on the TV with disdain.
"Age-wise, sure, I'm older. But have you seen his face? Compared to me, he looks way older."
"Look at that full head of white hair! Does anyone honestly think he's only forty or fifty? My dad has fewer white hairs than him! And those wrinkles—just looking at them makes me sick! Tch!"
By the end, Takeuchi even spat toward the floor, as if that alone could vent his frustration.
Kota looked at Takeuchi with a speechless expression, then turned to glance at Shirogane.
To be fair, Takeuchi wasn't wrong. Shirogane's appearance and aura screamed "middle-aged man." Combined with his naturally white hair, it was easy for outsiders to completely misjudge his age.
Still, Shirogane had sharp facial features. Even his wrinkles added a sense of composure and maturity.
In fact, among Rakuzan's fanbase, quite a few fangirls who liked the "mature uncle" type became fans purely because of Platinum.
As for Takeuchi…
Yeah. Let's not go there.
Kota stretched lazily and pulled out a slip of paper from his pocket. Written on it was a list of first-year students whose strength was sufficient to compete for Kaijo's starting lineup.
"Coach, take a look. These guys all have solid potential and immediate combat ability. With proper development, they can absolutely serve as starters."
Takeuchi took the paper, squinting his eyes as he read softly.
"Fukuhara Toshihide… Shimamura Toshiaki… Tanaka...?"
He looked up in surprise.
"Isn't this the center you said was weaker than Kobori? Why is his name here?"
His confusion was obvious. Kota had explicitly stated earlier that Tanaka wasn't suitable for a major role, yet now he appeared on the provisional starter list.
Seeing Takeuchi's puzzled expression, Kota scratched his cheek.
"Well, since you weren't very optimistic about the Run-and-Gun system, I figured I'd include him in the starting list. Who knows? Maybe with training, he'll surprise us."
As he spoke, Kota even winked at him, looking thoroughly considerate.
Takeuchi rubbed his chin, deep in thought. After a while, he shook his head.
"No need. Build the lineup however you see fit. Since you're that confident in Run-and-Gun, don't worry about my feelings. My trust in you is one hundred percent."
Then he paused and gave Kota a suspicious look.
"Though… you're actually the type to consider my feelings? I thought once you decided the starters, you wouldn't even bother showing me."
At that moment, Kota's body jolted.
The next second, he looked utterly wronged, his voice trembling.
"Coach… is that really how you see me? That hurts…"
Seeing Kota on the verge of tears, Takeuchi panicked. He hurriedly patted Kota's shoulder.
"Kota, I was joking! Don't take it seriously! Even if you didn't tell me, I wouldn't mind! You've always done great. With you as captain, I'm completely at ease!"
With that, Takeuchi even stood up to pour him another cup of tea—only to be refused.
Kota waved his hand weakly, choking back sobs as he exited the office.
Click.
The door closed softly behind him.
Takeuchi stared at the door, sighing regretfully.
"He's still just a kid who barely became an adult… too sensitive. I really need to be more careful with my words."
Outside the office, Kota wiped away the tears he had forcibly squeezed out and let out a long breath.
"Seriously… comforting your own coach is such a hassle. Looks like Coach Takeuchi genuinely thinks I added Tanaka to the starting lineup for his sake…"
"This is bad. How am I supposed to explain it to him once the official matches start?"
Kota rubbed his nose in frustration as he headed toward the court.
In truth, putting Tanaka in the starting lineup had nothing to do with easing Takeuchi's concerns—
It was to hide Kaijo's true strength.
A warped strategy like Run-and-Gun—one that carried both glaring flaws and extreme advantages—was obviously not something you revealed right from the start.
Using it as a killing blow against key opponents—that was its true value.
As for dealing with weaker teams before official matches? Just put Tanaka on the court as camouflage and confuse the opposition.
After all, against anyone below Miracle-level, Kaijo could still dominate even playing four-on-five.
"Whatever."
Kota shook his head, casting the thought aside.
Walking to the edge of the practice court, he raised his voice.
"Twenty-minute break! After that, we're playing… freshman training matches!"
…
…
"Mm… these groups should work!"
With a black pen clenched between his lips, Kota looked over his draft and announced loudly:
"Fifteen teams total! Remember your team numbers. Once I call your name, head to your assigned court!"
Kota scanned the area, muttering, "That's strange… where's Takumi?"
"I'm here, Captain Kota."
Before his words even settled, Takumi appeared right in front of him as if summoned.
"Need something?" Takumi asked.
Kota thought for a moment, then asked, "Where's Yuuki?"
Takumi replied, "Outside the gym, chatting with his girlfriend."
"Oh, chatting with his girlfriend—wait, WHAT?!"
Kota snapped his head up so fast the black pen fell from his mouth.
"When did he get a girlfriend?! And aren't high schoolers banned from dating?!"
Half gossiping, half confused, Kota asked — just as Yuki walked in through the entrance.
Not only that, he was holding a cup of milk tea, already partially drunk.
Kota narrowed his eyes and examined Yuki carefully.
When he noticed faint red marks on the top of the straw—
Kota shot to his feet and sucked in a sharp breath.
Taking the fallen pen from Takumi, he circled Yuki slowly, wearing an unmistakably suggestive grin.
"Yuki… did you do it?"
Yuki: "?????"
The pure-minded Yuuki stared blankly at Kota, clearly not understanding.
Kota chuckled and nodded toward the milk tea.
"Someone else drank that first, didn't they? There's lipstick on the straw."
Yuki's face instantly turned bright red. He hid the milk tea behind his back, panicking.
"N-no! It's not like that! It's just—just—"
"Alright, alright. I'm not interested in awkward high school romance. Relax."
Seeing Yuuki flustered, Kota casually wrapped an arm around his shoulders.
"Sure, you're underage and technically breaking school rules—but don't worry! Your Captain Kota is open-minded and tight-lipped. I'll keep it secret for you~"
Kota smiled subtly while sneaking a glance at Yuki's neck.
"No marks… looks like she's a good kid. That's fine—less chance of him getting scammed by some sketchy woman."
Satisfied, Kota patted Yuki's shoulder and turned serious.
"Alright, enough messing around. I'm organizing training matches, but we're short on referees. I need you to help out."
"Takumi, you too. Lend a hand."
Neither Yuki nor Takumi refused.
Kota had always held immense authority within Kaijo, and ever since Kasamatsu graduated and Kota officially entered his third year, that authority had only grown stronger.
Calling Kaijo "Kota's team" now wouldn't be an exaggeration. Even Takeuchi consulted him before making major decisions.
Watching the freshmen familiarize themselves with their temporary teammates, Kota leaned back in his chair, hands behind his head, completely at ease.
"From now on…"
"This is my team."