Capítulo 3: Chapter 3 - First practice

The day has come that Yū will be participating in his new club practice. As Yū stepped into the deserted gymnasium for the first official practice of the basketball club, he couldn't help but feel a mix of disappointment and apprehension. Turning back so he can leave the deserted gymnasium, he went into an abrupt stop as he saw Teppei and his soon-to-be teammates.

One is a tall and well-built young man. He possesses a rugged and determined demeanor that is evident in his sharp facial features. His eyes are intense and focused. He has short, spiky black hair adds to his sporty appearance, giving him a serious and disciplined look.

Another is tall and has medium-length black hair that is parted to the sides but with one strand of hair between his eyes. He also has very thick eyebrows.

The last person is a short boy with relatively short, spiky, dark brown hair and short bangs. His most distinctive feature is his mouth that's curved like a cat's.

"Yo, you were early, eh? Yū" Teppei grinned.

Yū nods.

"These ar-

"I'm Hyuga Junpei, I'm a shooter." The spiky-haired boy said while brandishing his glasses.

"Oy, don't interrupt me so casually!" Teppei shouted visibly acting upset.

The thick eyebrows dude just looks at Yū and nods.

Junpei smacks him at the back and told him to introduce himself properly.

"I'm Shinji Koganei! and the dude with thick eyebrows is Mitobe, Rinnosuke Mitobe. Pleased to meet ya!" the shortest person of the four spoke.

"Sorry, but Mitobe doesn't really speak," Junpei said while scratching the back of his head.

Yū looks at them and nods. then he said, "Yūsuke Takahashi. I am pleased to meet all of you as well."

"Let's head inside lads," Teppei said.

"Ou" The other four said in unison.

They all got settled in and changed clothes. They gathered on the benches and started talking about getting to know more about each other and what they should practice. Yū on the side is looking at the team and then it hit him.

"Teppei." Yu said.

"Yeah?" Teppei replied almost instantly.

"Do we have a coach?" Yū asked.

"No" Teppei replied cheerfully.

Yū flatly looked at the cheerful Teppei, and that made him want to smack the guy. Yū thought so there is no coach,

Then how would I learn? he asks himself.

"Teppei, how will I learn? I might have read the rules and how-to's in my free time but that isn't enough" Yū said concernedly.

Teppei gobsmacked. "Yū, that was the longest sentence I've ever heard from your mouth!"

Yū is irate even with all his stoicness. "I'll punch you."

Teppei just laughs it off till he got smacked in the head by Junpei. Teppei then immediately addresses Yū's concern.

"Well don't worry about it. We don't have an official coach that is. But we have someone who will help us, her name is Aida Riko. Her father is a sports trainer, so ever since she was young he was exposed to athletes, so she will surely know what we need" Teppei grins.

"And when will we meet her?" Yū asks.

"Tomorrow" Teppei said, and Yū just nods.

"Let's practice and teach you all the basics!" Teppei shouted for the others to hear.

And so, they spent the rest of the day practicing and Teppei teaching Yū what he lacks.

The next day, the sun rose on a new day at Seirin High School, marking the beginning of a crucial phase for the newly formed basketball team. The players gathered in the gymnasium, their anticipation palpable as they awaited their coach.

As the team exchanged greetings and shared words of encouragement, Yū maintained his stoic demeanor, his piercing gaze scanning the room, taking in the familiar faces of his teammates: Rinnosuke Mitobe, a reserved and dependable presence; Shinji Koganei, a lively and talkative player; Hyūga Junpei, a determined and skilled shooter; and Kiyoshi Teppei, the charismatic and indomitable leader.

The gymnasium doors swung open, and Aida Riko, the team's coach, entered with a mischievous smile on her face.

As the players chatted and stretched, the gym door swung open, and a young woman with lively eyes and a clipboard in hand entered. It was Aida Riko, the team's dedicated manager. Her arrival caught Yū's attention, and he watched as she made her way toward the team.

"Good morning, everyone! I am Aida Riko. The new coach and manager for this team." Aida said.

The team greeted her with a chorus of greetings and nods.

"Morning, Riko! This is Yūsuke "Yū" Takahashi, our new teammate. Yū, meet Aida Riko, our newly amazing coach."

Yū acknowledged Aida with a respectful nod, his stoic expression unwavering.

"Nice to meet you, Yūsuke-kun! I've heard great things about you." Aida said.

Yū curtly nods.

Aida's eyes sparkled with curiosity as she studied Yū. She sensed there was more to him than met the eye, a hidden potential waiting to be unleashed.

"Well, since you're new to the game, we'll start with a little evaluation to assess your current abilities. Nothing too intense, just a chance for us to gauge where you stand." Aida said.

Yū nodded in understanding, his focus unwavering.

"Alright, everyone, let's gather around. I want each of you to strip down to your shorts. We'll be taking some measurements to evaluate your physique." Aida instructs the team.

The room fell into a momentary silence as everyone processed Aida's request. Yū maintained his composed demeanor, while the other players exchanged glances, a mix of surprise and amusement evident on their faces.

Yū calmly removed his shirt, revealing a toned physique sculpted by years of athletic training. As Aida moved from player to player, taking measurements and jotting down notes, she couldn't help but be impressed by Yū's physical attributes.

"Yū, your stats are impressive. Your height, wingspan, and muscle distribution are well above average. What's your secret?" Aida was surprised by what she saw and asked.

"Proper diet and consistent training." Yū curtly replied.

Aida continued her evaluation, asking Yū a series of questions about his athletic background and experience with basketball. Yū's responses remained concise but revealed his dedication to self-improvement and his lack of previous basketball knowledge.

"It's incredible, Yū. With your natural attributes and the potential you possess, you have the makings of a remarkable player. I can see you becoming a key asset to our team." Aida expressed.

Yū's expression remained unchanged, his stoic façade intact. Aida's words resonated within him, sparking a flicker of curiosity and a newfound determination to explore the possibilities basketball held for him.

As the evaluation concluded and the team prepared for their training session, Aida couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement. With Yū and Teppei as the driving forces, she saw a team brimming with potential, ready to overcome any challenge that lay ahead.

Little did they know, their journey together was only just beginning, and the bonds they would forge on and off the court would shape their basketball careers in ways they couldn't yet imagine. As the team gathered around for their first practice, they can't see the small smirk that Yū has as the excitement of playing a different sport is getting to him.