After the game, the Shohoku team agreed on a time and place to meet again in the afternoon. Once that was settled, everyone split up to find their own lunch.
Nango naturally chose to eat with Kano and stroll around the area. They didn't come all the way to Hiroshima just to stay locked in the hotel or their stadium seats.
They found a small, cozy restaurant that looked promising. As soon as they sat down, Kano asked in surprise,
"Sakuragi really just left like that?"
"Shh!" Nango quickly gestured for her to lower her voice, then sighed helplessly.
"Yeah. I couldn't even catch up to him to cheer him up."
Eri, flipping through the menu, huffed disdainfully.
"That guy is really self-willed. Honestly, zero team spirit."
Nango gave a wry smile. 'You people from Ryokufu weren't saints either,' he thought privately.
"Nango, tomorrow is the last game, right?"
Truthfully, staying in Hiroshima was boring for the girls. They weren't familiar with the place, and their time was chained to Shohoku's matches. Kano had actually wanted to go home for days now. But Shohoku kept winning—stronger than anyone predicted—dragging their stay longer and longer. At least tomorrow was the final game. They would be back in Kanagawa the day after, at most.
Nango knew Kano stayed only to support him, so he reached out and gently pinched her cheek.
"Yeah. After we get back, you can choose where we should go."
Kano clapped softly, bright-eyed.
"Okay! Then you have to do your best tomorrow too!"
"Of course. I'm bringing the trophy home." Nango chuckled, then leaned in mysteriously.
"By the way… want to come with me to pick someone up tonight?"
"Who?" Kano blinked, completely curious.
"My parents."
"..."
Kano froze. Eri, half-hidden behind the menu, rolled her eyes.
'Hmph. Let someone else deal with you now, brat.'
Meanwhile, another table far away was much less peaceful.
Steam rose from the ramen bowls, but Sakuragi hadn't touched his.
Yohei put down his chopsticks and asked worriedly,
"Sakuragi, are you sure it's okay to ditch the team like this?"
"Another bowl!" Takamiya slapped his empty bowl onto the table.
"Who cares? Let Hana-da decompress."
Okusu slurped his soup.
"Right. Whatever it is, talk later. Let's at least finish lunch."
"I think Yohei's right—"
BANG!
Sakuragi slammed the table, scowling.
"Too noisy! Are you eating or not!? If not, give it all to me!"
The three froze. Their survival instincts kicked in immediately. They shielded their bowls like endangered animals. They knew very well—Sakuragi would steal their noodles.
Takamiya subtly checked the kitchen entrance. If the waiter appeared, he'd sprint to protect the food.
Then, suddenly—
A soft, delicate hand patted Sakuragi's shoulder.
He whipped around, ready to snap—
But froze.
"H-H-Haruko-san?"
Haruko and two friends stood there. She had been worrying about him but never expected to bump into him here of all places.
For a few seconds, she didn't know what to say. She simply smiled.
A gentle, warm smile.
A smile that sweeped away Sakuragi's frustration like a cool spring breeze.
Takamiya slurped loudly.
"Haruko, are you guys here for ramen too? Pretty good place—come sit!"
"Ah! Yes, yes, yes! Haruko-san, sit here!"
Sakuragi leapt up, clearing seats at lightning speed.
The people originally sitting there took one look at Sakuragi's face and wisely evacuated with their bowls.
After ordering, Haruko said softly, "Sakuragi… you played very well today. Thanks to you, we were able to win."
Sakuragi's smile faltered. His frustration crept back, but because it was Haruko, he couldn't lash out—only give an awkward grin.
Haruko continued gently,
"If you hadn't kept Morishige Hiroshi from getting the ball, Shohoku wouldn't have pulled ahead. It's because of your defense that we won."
Sakuragi shook his head bitterly.
"But once he did get the ball, I couldn't stop him."
The Sakuragi Gang exchanged glances.
So that was it.
The thing their idiot leader would never admit—not unless it was to Haruko.
"Adversity defeats the weak and strengthens the strong," Haruko said softly.
"Have you heard that saying?"
Sakuragi shook his head.
She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and looked straight into his eyes.
"I believe you're not weak."
Sakuragi froze—completely overwhelmed.
Haruko-san… truly an angel…
He opened his mouth emotionally—
"Haruko-san, I—"
And then Takamiya cut in like a divine punishment.
"Haruko, who said that quote?"
Sakuragi looked ready to commit actual murder.
"Nixon," Haruko replied.
"Ohhhh~~!" The three idiots nodded in instant fake understanding.
"Yosh!" Sakuragi clapped loudly. "Thank you, Haruko-san! And thank you, Nixon!"
"..."
Sakuragi obviously had no idea who Nixon was, but acted like they were best friends.
Takamiya—once again—started to dig his grave.
"Sakuragi, Nixon is—"
"Mmm!!"
Okusu blocked his mouth immediately and hissed,
"Idiot! Even if you tell him, he won't get it!"
Feeling much lighter, Sakuragi's hunger suddenly returned. He devoured a whole bowl of ramen in seconds.
"Waiter! Two more bowls!"
Yohei laughed quietly.
Haruko really works miracles. He's finally back to normal.
Back at Nango's table, the conversation wasn't going as smoothly.
Trying not to laugh, Nango said,
"Kano, you really don't need to be scared. My parents are nice. My mom already knows about you."
"No no no!" Kano shook her head violently.
"I'm not going! I'm not mentally prepared!"
They were dating, yes—but they were only 16. Meeting the parents at this stage was terrifying, especially for someone shy like Kano.
Eri watched silently like an amused bystander.
"Alright, alright…" Nango surrendered.
"I'll go alone this afternoon. You two stay in the room and behave. Don't wander off, okay?"
Seeing Kano's panic, he didn't push her further.