Chapter 165 - After Nationals (1/2)

Yuki entered the gym for another day of practice.

He looked inside the gym and announced his entry.

Yuki: ”Good Evening!”

He looked for the person he wanted to speak to first. He scanned the court. Yuki found the captain of the first-string and walked towards him.

Yuki tapped Shun's shoulder in greeting and talked.

Yuki: ”Kageyama, did you watch the games?”

Shun, who was dribbling a ball, turned to his teammate and chatted back.

Shun: ”Yo. Yeah, I saw them.

Especially on the other four favorite teams.”

He clicked his tongue and continued.

Shun: ”Even though we didn't have the footage of the award ceremony, I can imagine Kise Ryota's grinning face.

And, even imagining that pisses me off.”

The day before yesterday, Teiko Middle School won its second-consecutive National championship and, yesterday, Coach Koetsuji had handed them all of Teiko's games and a couple more on Shun's request.

Shun and a few others had gone to their home and watched the games.

Teiko had played against Kiyoshi Teppei's Shoei Middle School and Hayama Kotaro's Ryuo Middle School.

And both times, Teiko had become active to take on the best player on the team.

In the National tournament, Shoei and Ryuo were the teams that had the worst loss amongst the teams that Teiko had played against, even though they were the best of Teiko's opponents.

Shun: ”They didn't play at the level they played against us.

Murasakibara was borderline lazy.

Aomine didn't use an ounce of skill. He got past his defenders with only using speed.

Midorima, he played as he usually does, but he too didn't run around the court, actively looking for passes.

Kise was having fun, waiting for his defenders to catch up to him, so that he could have iso-plays.

Akashi didn't move on either offense or defense, just support.

Well, all of them scored a minimum of twenty points.

And, Kuroko played for half a game; Teiko's offense was at it's highest in the time Kuroko was on the court.”

Shun stopped his dribbling and shot the ball to the basket. It revolved around the rim before falling into the net.

Shun: ”It wasn't fun to watch. There was no hustle.”

A solemn expression surfaced on his face as he grunted.

Shun: ”Let's hope they don't slack off, or else it won't be worth it to crush them on the court.”

At this point, Kaitani arrived at the court and jogged towards Shun and Yuki. He greeted them, and the first question he asked was.

Kaitani: ”Oye, which was your favorite game of the Nationals?”

Yuki and Shun greeted their teammate, and Yuki thought about the question before answering.

Yuki: ”Meiho Middle School vs. Aiwa Middle School, that was a satisfying game to watch.”

Shun chuckled as he added.

Shun: ”Ah, Hanamiya Makoto trying to play rough against Eikichi Nebuya.

It was funny seeing Aiwa's center and power forward being pushed around by Eikichi.

It was even more fun seeing Hanamiya's pissed face.

All of Hanamiya's tricks just amounted to hitting a huge rock with pebbles.”

Kaitani laughed as he commented.

Kaitani: ”The big dude just laughed it off when they tried to hit him with the rough stuff.

Then seeing the Aiwa guys taking a moment after colliding a screen by Meiho's Eikichi.”

Shun stretched his arms and said.

Shun: ”But, Hanamiya sure has skill.

He gained some serious points out there against Meiho.

It was because Eikichi Nebuya was productive on both sides of the court that Meiho won and Aiwa lost.”