MANZURINA

The third game — but the first I could attend since arriving in Japan—was against Takahata High School, and I could feel the tension in the gym. It was my first time seeing the team in action since I arrived in Japan, and there was so much to absorb.

Shohoku started strong, but there was a hiccup when Sakuragi fouled out in the first half. Ugh, classic Sakuragi, I thought, but honestly, he was still strong on the boards. His rebounds were getting better, and I could see how much potential he had. But for now, he was still a bit of a novice in terms of fundamentals. I was already brainstorming some drills that could help him refine his skills, especially in terms of accuracy and timing. After all, his energy could be a huge asset if we could smooth out the rough edges.

Mitsui, on the other hand—Hisashi—was a true veteran. His 3-pointers were still deadly, even though I could tell he was still holding back. He was here, but it was clear that something was off. His injury, the one I saw him nursing when he arrived late to the game, seemed to be bothering him, but he pushed through. I knew his history with injuries made him a bit more reserved about his physical limitations, but it didn’t seem to stop him from sinking those threes. What a beast, as always.

As for the rest of the team, the bench was weak. I could see it during regular practice, and I knew we needed to push them harder. So when the team lined up for their warm-up laps before the next game, I decided to jump in. I ran behind them, Ayako’s fan in hand, waving it as a motivational tool. Run, boys, or you’ll get whipped!

I wasn’t about to let them slack off. My pace matched theirs, and I made sure no one tripped or injured themselves. I’m fast, sure, but I also wanted them to know I was there for them. My court name in the USA was "Speedy," and that was no joke. I wasn’t just quick on offense—I could run with the best of them when it came to conditioning. Wait until they find out I have an alter ego, I thought with a smirk. But that’s irrelevant for now.

The fourth round came, and we faced Tsukubu High School. Sakuragi fouled out again, this time in the second half, which didn’t help matters. But the team still pulled through and managed to win. We advanced to the quarterfinals, and I could feel the momentum building. But something was still nagging at me. It wasn’t just about the team—it was about Hisashi.

I couldn’t ignore the remnant injury on his face, the one he succumbed to since the Takahata game. He’d shown up late, and I noticed the strain on his body as he moved. Was it something that happened before he arrived? I wasn’t sure, but I knew something was off. The way he seemed distant, yet still engaged on the court, made me wonder.

After the fourth game ended, I approached him, trying to bridge the gap between us. “How are you feeling?” I asked softly.

There was a brief pause. I could feel the awkwardness in the air, but I didn’t care. I wanted to make sure he was okay. He turned to me, his expression unreadable for a moment, before he finally spoke.

“I'm okay,” he said quietly, his voice almost a whisper. “Thanks for asking, Lin-chan.”

He’s still calling me by my first name… I couldn’t help but smile a little. That’s a good sign.

“I heard from my cousin. I’m glad you’re doing better,” I said, giving him a gentle smile.

There was an almost imperceptible change in his face—like something shifted. A tiny smile appeared, and then, before I could react, he wrapped his arm around my shoulder in a tight squeeze.

It wasn’t dramatic or overly emotional, but it was enough to make me pause. I looked at him, and his grin—subtle but there—was enough to make my heart skip a beat.

“Welcome back…Lin,” he said softly—with that emphasis on my first name.

I had to take a deep breath to keep my composure. Okay. OKAY, this is fine. I smiled, keeping it together. “Thanks, Hisashi. I’m happy to be back,” I said, my voice steady, but there was a softness behind it. Then, quietly, I added, “...and to see you again. It’s been awhile. I missed you.”

"Watch and learn," I say with a grin, not waiting for any response from the guys or anyone else. Without hesitation, I dribble the ball from the entrance and immediately pull off a fast break. The Shohoku team members are too stunned to react in time, and within seconds, I’m dashing and dancing around them. The ball had been hurtling toward a random bystander, but in a flash, that bystander—me—was zigzagging her way through the court.

First, I slide past Miyagi with a quick cut to the left, then Kogure as I use a behind-the-back dribble to evade him. And then there’s Mitsui, without recognize him at the time. He tries to block me, but I step around him, my quick footwork making it impossible for him to catch up. They’re all too stunned to do much else, watching as I flow across the court.

Now comes the real challenge: Rukawa and Sakuragi. I see the height difference between us, and I know they’re likely going to try to stop me. Rukawa moves first, but I fake left, then go right. It’s too fast for him to adjust, and by the time he turns around, I’m already past him. Sakuragi, presumably the tallest player on the court, attempts to move into position for a block, but I’m already too quick. I sidestep him with a smooth spin and finish with a lay-up — *swoosh* — easy.

After that stunt, I felt a rush of satisfaction. My grand entrance was a success.

I scan the court for familiar faces—Coach Anzai, Takenori, and Ayako, who’s watching me intently. After spotting them, I walk over to introduce myself.

"Pardon my tardiness. I got lost until the four gentlemen guided me here," I say, gesturing at the four guys still standing by the entrance. "Won’t happen again, gentlemen," I add, giving my cousin a formal nod. "…And to you too, Mademoiselle, feel free to call me Lin," I say to Ayako with a wink, savoring the playful tone.

From the corner of my eye, I notice a shift in the air. The first guy I passed—Ryota Miyagi—looks a little... jealous? I can almost hear the thoughts running through his mind. Wait, does he think I’m hitting on a woman? Or does he think I’m a dude? I turn around, meeting his gaze, and that’s when he realizes his mistake.

“Wait, you’re a girl?” he blurts, clearly startled.

I smile and turn back toward Takenori and Coach Anzai. "Isn't it about time for a proper introduction so we don’t get any more… misunderstandings?"

Takenori sighs, clearly used to the antics of his team, and Coach Anzai chuckles softly. The two of them share a knowing look before Takenori gathers the team’s attention.

“Alright, listen up, everyone,” Takenori begins, his voice commanding the room. "This is Lin Akagi. She’s a point guard for the women’s varsity basketball team in the US and is slated to take over as the captain of her team once she starts her final year of high school, after summer break ends.”

The team listens intently as Takenori continues, “She volunteered to help us this summer as the assistant coach. Her knowledge and experience, especially her American training and playing style, will be invaluable to us as we prepare for nationals. We need all the assistance we can get to maximize our chances of winning.”

I don’t add anything to the introduction. Instead, I bow slightly, my classic American-style smile tempered by the seriousness of the moment. As I straighten up, Coach Anzai adds his own thoughts.

"Like Mitsui, Miss Lin was a district MVP for her middle school, when she still played in Japan. Her continued involvement in basketball in the US is a testament to her dedication. I look forward to seeing her methods and urge all of you to be open-minded.”

As the room settles, I glance toward Mito back at the door and give him a wink. Now you know, Mito. ;)

A few murmurs fill the room, but it’s the reactions from two players that stand out. First, there’s Sakuragi.

“Lin...san...are you Gori’s sister?” Sakuragi asks, his face full of confusion.

“Gori?” I blink, genuinely puzzled. "What’s that?"

“If you’re Gori’s and Haruko-san’s sister, that means I’ll call you Akagi-neesan,” he declares with a big grin, clearly proud of his deduction.

I blink again, and before I can respond, Ayako whispers in my ear, “Sakuragi has feelings for your cousin, Haruko.”

Oh. Oh! I think to myself, a realization hitting me. So, he’s trying to get on my good side to get welcomed as a brother-in-law? A mischievous grin forms on my face. Very well, we’ll play this game.

"Whatever makes you happy... Hana-chan!" I say, using a casual, nonchalant tone, giving him a sweet smile. "Good thing you're so cute!" followed by a teasing wink.

The reaction is instantaneous. Sakuragi’s face turns bright red, and the entire room bursts into laughter. Mito, Noma, Ohkusu, and Takamiya all crack up, and even Coach Anzai chuckles. The laughter spreads, with Sakuragi trying his best to hide his embarrassment.

I grin, satisfied with the chaos I’ve caused. After a few more moments of laughter, I lean toward Ayako and whisper, "This will be an interesting summer. I'm glad I got here when I did and not a day later!"

Ayako smiles warmly. "It’s going to be fun," she agrees, clearly enjoying the lighthearted moment.

Takenori sighs, shaking his head. "Bunch of idiots..." he mutters, though I can see the affection behind his words. Whatever, you know you love me, Taka-nii.

Coach Anzai chuckles deeply, his hearty laugh filling the room. "Oh ho ho ho ho," he booms, thoroughly entertained by the scene.

The afternoon sun beat down as I made my way toward the gym, mentally kicking myself for forgetting to ask my cousins how to get to the specific building. "Darn, I should've asked so I don’t wander around. At this point, I’ll definitely be late… NOT a good impression!" I muttered to myself, a little pout creeping onto my face.

Oof, I definitely stand out, which makes me look even more suspicious... I thought to myself, glancing down at my outfit. Tall, wavy-but-short pixie cut, a bit of curve, curvier than what you'd expect from an East Asian thanks to my American diet, on both top and bottom—only to be emphasized by an intentionally oversized collared shirt tucked into my faux jeans. At least I was wearing sneakers in case I needed to run.

I walked a little further, trying to shake the feeling that I was completely out of place here, when I suddenly noticed a quartet of men walking together, heading in the same direction. They looked... sketchy, but not? Something about them seemed off, but they didn’t seem threatening. Hmm, what harm is it to ask them? Eh, what the heck, why not?

"Hey guys, do y’all know where I can find the basketball gym? I promised several people I'd be there by the top of the hour," I asked, trying to sound as casual as possible. I didn’t care who answered me at this point—even an ‘I don’t know’ would’ve sufficed.

The guys stopped, sizing me up for a moment. I couldn't help but wonder if they were staring because of my appearance—was it because I was half-Japanese, half-Chinese, or was it just that I didn’t look like I belonged? Either way, one of them, a guy who looked to be the leader, gave a friendly grin and answered.

"We’re about to head there to watch our friend practice. You can come with us," he said, nodding toward the gym.

“Thanks! I appreciate it. Show the way, kind sir!” I replied, lightening the mood with an exaggerated gesture—like a gentleman asking a lady to dance, though I didn’t extend my hand. I didn’t expect to make anyone laugh, but it worked. The leader chuckled, and the other three guys seemed to brighten up, too. The atmosphere lightened, and the awkwardness I’d felt earlier started to fade.

The leader, still laughing, noticed that I wasn’t a student or staff. "So, what brings you to the gym, exactly? You don’t look like you're from around here."

I could tell there was a hint of caution behind his friendly tone, like maybe someone else had tried to get in with ulterior motives before. I tucked that thought away in the back of my mind and shrugged it off. "Oh, I’m just here to help out. You know how it is," I said with a grin.

As we walked toward the gym, I chatted casually with the four guys. The leader introduced himself as Mito Yohei, and the rest of the crew were Noma, Ohkusu, and Takamiya.

"Nice to meet y’all. I’m Lin Akagi. You can just call me Lin," I said with a smile. "I’m about to start 12th grade... Wait, no, high school year four? No, you don’t have that in Japan. Oh wait, THIRD YEAR! Sorry, I always mix up the US and Japanese school systems," I laughed, feeling a little embarrassed.

The guys chuckled at my confusion, and Mito nodded. "Don’t worry, we get it. The school systems are way different."

The group subsequently exchanged looks, clearly intrigued by my last name. Mito raised an eyebrow. "Akagi... Are you Captain Akagi’s relative? I didn’t know he had two sisters!"

I couldn’t help but laugh. “Oh, no, I’m not the captain’s sister. I’m his younger cousin. And I take it you know his actual sister, Haruko? She’s my younger cousin. I’m staying with them for the summer. We may be cousins, but they might as well be my siblings, even though I live far away in the US,” I explained with a light chuckle.

"Ah, that explains it!" Mito said, his tone brightening. "Well, I can’t wait to see how Hanamichi responds when he meets a third Akagi."

I blinked at that. “Hanamichi? Is that by any chance the same person as Sakuragi? I think Haruko mentioned him when we were talking about my job expectations here,” I admitted, pondering.

“Job?” Takamiya asked, looking puzzled.

“Haha, wouldn’t you like to know?” I teased with a mischievous grin. "You’ll know soon enough after I properly introduce myself. But first, the gym! Are we getting close?”

“We are,” Mito said, pointing to the building ahead of us.

Just as we neared the open doors, I prepared to thank them when something unexpected happened. A basketball came flying toward me from inside the gym, hurtling toward my face.

“WATCH OUT!” someone yelled.

Instinct kicked in, and I raised my arms, blocking the ball. Miraculously, I managed to catch it midair before it hit the ground.

“Whew, that was dangerous. You guys okay?” I asked, turning to the four guys, who had clearly passed the door just before the ball flew toward me.

“We’re fine, but you? Nice block!” Noma called out.

“I know more than just blocking, gents. Watch and learn,” I said with a wink, preparing for my grand entrance. After all, my faux jeans stretched comfortably, and my sneakers were made for moments like this.