Chapter 74 - Stepping Down (1/2)

Outside one of the faculty offices in Teiko Middle School, Nijimura Shuzo readied himself to go in and talk with the assistant coach of the first-string.

He took a deep breath and knocked on the door.

Nijimura: ”Nijiumra here.”

A voice from within the faculty office called out to Njimura.

Sanada: 'Come in.'

Nijimura opened the door and stepped inside. The room was similar to a classroom; it had a green board, a few bulletin boards, and the layout of the room was similar to a typical classroom.

Instead of the desks and chairs used by students, work stations were set up in the room for teachers to use.

Cabinets and drawers lined the wall of the room, filled with records of students, academics, among other things.

Nijimura saw that the office was empty, and only the assistant coach Sanada was present in the room.

He stepped forward to the assistant coach's desk.

Sanada looked at the first-strings captain and the best power forward in the middle school scene.

Sanada: ”Nijimura-kun, what is it that you wanted to talk about?”

Nijimura looked at his coach and stated his reason for the visit.

Nijimura: ”It is about the matter we talked about earlier.”

Sanada realized what Nijimura was thinking and sighed.

Nijimura saw that Sanada understood what he was talking about and cut straight to the chase.

Nijimura: ”I really thought it over, but I feel this is the best way.

Both for the team and myself...”

Nijimura paused for a moment, put together the words in his mind, and spoke.

Nijimura: ”...please make Akashi Seijuro the team captain for the first-string.”

Sanada looked at the player with a bright future in front of him and sighed as he spoke his thoughts.

Sanada: ”I don't get it. You also suggested Akashi be vice-captain last year when he was only a first-year.

Both the head coach and I sensed his potential, so we made an exception and allowed it...”

He looked straight into Nijimura's eyes and asked.

Sanada: ”... but why are you in such a hurry to relinquishing your spot to him?”

Nijimura thought for a while if he should tell him the reason, and decided that he should come clean and avoid any misunderstandings.

Nijimura: ”My father's been in the hospital since last spring.”

Sanda wasn't expecting Nijimura to deliver such a heavy reason, and a gasp escaped his throat.

Nijimura continued without minding Sanada's reaction.

Nijimura: ”His condition's stable now, but they're unsure what will happen by the nationals.”

Nijimura looked at the floor near his feet and continued.

Nijimura: ”But if something happens, I'll throw everything aside, even mid-game, and head to the hospital.

Even if it doesn't, if I heard his condition worsened, I probably couldn't play calmly.”

Nijimura pulled his sight up and stated with conviction.

Nijimura: ”I love basketball, and accepting my father's condition was scary.

That is why I couldn't bring it up until now. I am really sorry.”

Sanada frowned as he knew that none of this Nijimura's fault and family was very important.

Nijimura could have continued to act as the captain by not bringing up this matter, but he didn't that showed that he cared about the club, and wanted nothing but good for it.

While Sanada wasn't happy, he nodded.

Sanada: ”All right. I will relay this to the head coach.”

Nijimura bowed slightly and said his thanks to Sanada.

Nijimura: ”Thank you, coach. I will leave now.”

-*-*-*-*-*-*-

As Nijimura exited the faculty office, he saw someone standing outside the room.

Nijimura: ”Oh, it's you, Akashi.”

Akashi, who was approached by Nijimura, greeted him.

Akashi: ”Hello.”

Nijimura noticed that something was wrong with Akashi's expression and body language.

He frowned and questioned his junior.

Nijimura: ”Wait, you overheard, didn't you?”

Akashi didn't hide the truth and replied truthfully.

Akashi: ”Just the last bit.”

Nijimura grumbled at Akashi's answer.

Nijimura: ”The part I wanted you to hear the least.”

Akashi looked up to his captain as he came near him.

Nijimura smiled a little as he congratulated his junior.

Nijimura: ”It's a bit early, but you are the captain from now on, Akashi.”

Akashi: ”It hasn't been decided yet.”

Nijimura frowned as he spoke.