Chapter 12 - Finals, Ahead. (1/2)

It was Day 4 of the Tokyo preliminaries, and Shun had just returned from school, the coach had ordered to take the day off. They had played two matches yesterday and needed the rest.

Shun did his piled-up homework from yesterday and today and proceeded to do some chores around the house. When his mother returned, he served her tea, and they talked about their day, as usual.

Mom: 'A new family is going to be moving in next door in a few days. We will be getting new neighbors. I wonder what kind of people they are.'

Shun was a little surprised to hear that someone was moving in next door, and he too wondered what kind of people would they be.

Shun: ”Do you want me to go buy a gift for them, it is a Saturday tomorrow, and I am free. I could go shopping.”

Mom: 'Yes, that is a great idea. How about you go to a florist and buy a house plant. We will go greet them when they arrive.'

Houseplants were a good welcoming gift; they were easy to care for and brought some natural feel and color to the house.

Shun: ”Ok, then it is decided I will buy a houseplant tomorrow.”

When Shun's father came home, and they told him about the new neighbor while eating dinner, he decided to contribute by making a list of useful places around the neighborhood.

Shun went for a short run while his parents went for their daily couple's walk.

As Shun had returned from school without going to the club, he didn't get the chance to collect Teiko's match video from the coach, but even if he did have the recordings, Shun decided not to watch them.

Shun: 'My next opponent is not Teiko but Shoei. I shouldn't care about Teiko and focus on Shoei. I shouldn't become conceited by thinking that only Teiko is the only team that could be any challenge.'

Shun went to sleep with his mind free any thoughts about Teiko.

On Day 5, while Shun was busy buying a Houseplant for his new neighbors, Kiyoshi Teppei and Nakamura Taichi, from Shoei Middle School were reviewing Tokiwadai's match video at Nakamura's house.

Nakamura: ”So, how about it Teppei, do you think you can go against Otsubo Taisuke.”

Kiyoshi: ”Otsubo is taller than me, but I am faster than him. It might be a little troublesome in competing against him for rebounds, but I won't loose in blocks and scoring. How about you do you think you can compete with Aone Takanobu and that first-year rookie, Kageyama Shun.”

Nakamura: ”Good! That the spirit, there is no reason to assume defeat just because they are the reigning champions. As for Aone and Kageyama, I think Aone and I are at the same level, but we don't know much about Kageyama Shun. True, the last five minutes against Iwatobi were amazing, and his scoring in the semi-finals was also great for a first-year, but from what I can see, he plays like a point guard.”