The alarm rang, waking Tetsuo from his sleep. He yawned as he turned it off.
"It's already three o'clock—time for my morning jog. I have to get ready," said Tetsuo as he drank some water, brushed his teeth, and put on jogging pants and a hoodie.
"If I remember correctly, I had a basketball, and it should be right here… Ah, found it. It's been a while since I used it, so it's a bit worn out. While jogging yesterday morning, I saw a basketball court not too far from here. It should be a good place to practice," Tetsuo thought to himself.
Before leaving, Tetsuo opened Usagi's room door to check on her.
"She's still sound asleep. I'll write a note for her in case she wakes up," he thought, as he scribbled a note and locked the apartment door.
"Alright, I think I've stretched enough," Tetsuo said as he started jogging.
"I think it's somewhere around here… Found it. Huh? Someone else is here," Tetsuo said to himself as he spotted a girl bouncing a basketball.
She then attempted a mid-range shot, but the ball hit the rim and missed. The girl placed her hands on her knees, breathing heavily as sweat dripped from her face.
The basketball rolled over to Tetsuo's feet, and he picked it up. The girl looked at him curiously as he passed it back to her.
"Thank you," she said.
"How long have you been out here?" Tetsuo asked.
"Well, since one. I was really anxious and couldn't sleep, so I came out here," the girl replied.
"Oh, I see. So, what are you doing out here so early?"
"I just wanted to practice a little before school."
"So, you play basketball then, right?" she asked.
"Well, you could say that."
"Are you able to shoot?"
"Yes, I guess so."
"Can you show me how to shoot, please?"
"Alright, just watch me."
Tetsuo bounced the basketball a couple of times before setting up and shooting a three-pointer, which swished through the net.
"Whoa, that was amazing! The flow of his power on the basketball was so authentic," the girl thought to herself.
"Nice shot! That was an impressive display. So, can you watch me and tell me what I'm doing wrong, please?"
"Okay, I guess. Show me."
The girl dribbled the basketball and took a deep breath before shooting a mid-range shot, but it missed, hitting the backboard.
"I just don't know what I'm doing wrong. The ball just won't go in!" she said in a frustrated tone.
"You rely too much on your arm strength for power," Tetsuo began. "Try to focus more on your leg strength. Your legs are the foundation of your shot—they generate the power you need. Right now, you're using only your arms, which is why your shots feel forced and inconsistent."
Haruko tilted her head slightly, trying to process his words.
"When you shoot, think of your body as one connected motion. Start by bending your knees slightly. As you jump, your legs should explode upward, and your shooting motion should be smooth and controlled. It's all about transferring energy—from your legs to your core, then to your arms, and finally into the ball.
"Now, about your form. When you took that shot earlier, your arm was straying to the right. You need to keep your shooting hand straight and aligned with the basket. Your guide hand—your non-shooting hand—shouldn't push the ball; it's only there for support and balance. When you release the ball, make sure your wrist flicks naturally, like you're reaching into a cookie jar on a high shelf. That follow-through is crucial—it helps the ball get proper backspin, which gives you better control and a softer bounce off the rim if you miss."
Haruko listened carefully, nodding along as she tried to visualize the steps.
"Another important thing," Tetsuo continued, "is your release timing. You need to let go of the ball at the peak of your jump, not when you're coming back down. If you release too late, you lose power, and the shot will fall short. But if you release too early, you won't have enough control. You want to release at the highest point of your jump while keeping your body balanced.
"And lastly, don't forget your eyes. You were looking at the entire hoop instead of focusing on a specific target. Pick a spot—either the front of the rim or the center of the basket—and lock your eyes on it. This helps with accuracy because your brain and body will naturally adjust to aim for that exact spot."
Haruko furrowed her brows in concentration. "So, I need to use my legs more, keep my shooting arm straight, release at my peak, and focus on a target?"
"Exactly," Tetsuo confirmed. "It may feel unnatural at first, but once you get used to it, your shots will feel smoother and more controlled. Now, try it again."
"Um… you explained well, but I don't really follow," she admitted.
"Here, let me demonstrate again," said Tetsuo as he took another shot, which swished through the net again.
"Just rely on your leg strength, release the ball at the peak of your jump in one motion. Keep your hands straight to guide the ball toward the hoop, and align your body with the rim. Trust me—it will be hard to miss."
"I see, I understand. I'll give it a try then," said the girl.
"Alright, just remember what he told you," she thought to herself as she shot another mid-range shot—this time, it swished through the net.
"What? I can't believe it—it actually went in!" she said in shock.
"See? It's not impossible to score. You just have to do the right thing."
"That's the first shot I've made since I came out here. I didn't think I could actually pull it off. Thank you!" she said as she hugged Tetsuo.
"I didn't do much… so could you please let me go?"
"Oh! I'm so sorry—it's just that I was so happy!"
"I haven't told you my name yet, have I? My name is Takahashi Haruko. And you?"
"My name is Tetsuo Kawaguchi."
"Do you play basketball for your school or just as a hobby?" asked Tetsuo.
"I play for my school—I attend Hachioji Academy," replied Haruko.
"I'm certain my sister also attends that school… This is a small world, huh?" Tetsuo thought to himself.
"Believe it or not, I'm actually the power forward for my team. I might seem small to you, but I'm the best defensive player we have.
"The only problem is that I can't make a single shot in a game—not even a free throw or a layup—which led to us losing in either the first or second round. Even though my teammates try not to show it, they're disappointed in me. They see me as a burden, and they've started talking behind my back, calling me names.
"But this year will be different. Since it's my last year in junior high, I want to become someone my teammates can rely on when they feel pressured. I also want to convince my parents that my time and effort aren't being wasted.
"The tournament is in four months—I have to be ready by then."
"Oh, I'm sorry for making you listen to all that. I don't know why I'm telling you this," said Haruko.
"It's okay. I don't mind listening."
"Oh, I see… Well then, thank you for listening to me and for showing me how to shoot. It means a lot," said Haruko as she smiled.
"Continue practicing the way I showed you until you're ready to leave," said Tetsuo, and Haruko nodded in agreement.