All three members of the newspaper club started interviewing the basketball team.
"So you're the coach of the team, right? It's so great that you're training with your team despite getting older," said Airi to Takahiro.
"Um… I'm actually a player. I'm in my third year of high school," said Takahiro, sounding a bit depressed.
"What? Really? I'm so sorry!" said Airi.
"No worries, I get that a lot," Takahiro replied.
"So, what's your name?" she asked.
"My name is Takahiro Morikawa."
"So, Morikawa, how long have you been playing on this team?" Airi continued.
"I've been playing for two years, going on three now," said Takahiro.
"Okay. Has this team been successful in any of its matches?"
"We haven't played any official matches yet, but I'm sure we can go all the way this time around," said Takahiro.
Meanwhile, another player approached Yuri.
"My name is Noboru Takemoto. And what's yours, beautiful?" he said smoothly.
"You can just call me Yuri, like everyone else," she replied.
"I must say, the name Yuri truly matches that divine face of yours."
"Um, thanks, I guess..." Yuri thought to herself, This guy is a bit weird.
"So then, what position do you play on the team?" she asked.
"I play all positions! Someone as talented and versatile as me can't possibly be limited to just one," Noboru said confidently.
This guy is absolutely full of himself. He's nowhere near six feet tall. I don't know what weird fantasy he thinks he's in, but he's delusional, Yuri thought to herself.
Meanwhile, Airi continued her interview.
"So, Nakajima, do you think this team has what it takes to reach the Inter-High?" she asked.
"Of course, we are capable. We just need to prepare and put in the hard work, and then I'm certain we'll make it," Hayato replied.
"How long have you been playing on the team?"
"Well, this should have been my second year, but unfortunately, I suffered a serious injury during a practice match, so I had to miss the whole tournament last time. But I'll make up for it this year," said Hayato.
"I see. You were injured in your first year? I'm truly sorry to hear that."
"Don't worry about it. In fact, I'm already fully healed up."
Kanae approached the team captain.
"You're the captain of the basketball team, Yukio Hamaguchi, right?" she asked.
"Yes," Yukio nodded.
"How do you think this team will fare in the upcoming basketball tournament?"
"If I'm being perfectly honest, Toshigawa Academy's basketball team will probably only make it to the fourth round at best. Even though we have a decent team, we lack enough players to rotate effectively on the court. Then there's the issue of stamina—we might struggle to play a full game. And, of course, there's always the possibility of one of us getting injured."
"You're also forgetting the fact that you need at least seven players to even qualify for the tournament, which is a major requirement," Kanae pointed out.
"Yes, I'm aware of that. I've already come up with an idea of what needs to be done," Yukio said.
Meanwhile, Shino was practicing his dribbling.
I don't have time for their interview. If I rest now, I'll never catch up to Tetsuo. Noboru seems to be enjoying it, though. I'll just keep practicing, he thought to himself.
Rie nervously approached Shino, her heart pounding.
"Um, hello Ka… Katsuragi," she stuttered.
"Oh, Morioka. What are you doing here?" Shino asked.
"Well, you see... I'm part of the newspaper club," she said hesitantly.
"Oh, I see. I had no idea."
"If it's not a bother, ca… can I interview you?" Rie asked shyly, avoiding eye contact.
"Sure, go ahead," Shino agreed.
Meanwhile, Yuri was still dealing with Noboru.
"Did I mention that I was a great basketball player in middle school? I scored thirty points in my debut game. Even I was shocked at how amazing I was!" Noboru boasted.
Does this guy have an off switch? He's the most annoying and self-centered person I've ever met, Yuri thought, feeling exasperated.
She glanced over and was shocked.
"Huh? Rie is actually interviewing someone?" Yuri thought to herself.
Rie, still a bit nervous, asked, "So... what's your favorite color?"
"That's not really related to basketball, but my favorite color is orange. There's actually a funny story behind it. Do you want to hear it?" Shino asked.
Rie nodded.
"One time, I was helping my father paint my cousin's room yellow. He was rushing me for more paint, so I mixed some more—but I accidentally spilled another color into it without realizing. So when my father started painting, the paint turned out orange instead of yellow.
"He got so angry that he threw the bucket of paint at me. The paint wouldn't wash out for weeks, and from that day on, everyone called me 'Pumpkin Head.' That's how orange became my favorite color," Shino explained.
"Haha, P-pumpkin head? That's such a funny name!" Rie chuckled.
"Yeah, that name stuck with me until junior high," Shino said as they both laughed.
Yuri smirked to herself. What? Could it be…? Is Rie interested in that guy? How intriguing.
"Hey! Are you even listening to me?" Noboru complained.
This guy is so annoying… Yuri thought to herself.
"Um, I have to interview that guy over there now, so please excuse me," she said quickly.
"Oh, okay. If you want more details, you can listen after you're done!" Noboru replied eagerly.
Phew, I finally got rid of him. Yuri sighed in relief and turned to her next target.
"Um, excuse me..." she said.
Tetsuo ignored her, shooting a three-pointer that swished perfectly.
"Can I ask you a few questions?" she tried again.
Tetsuo ignored her once more, sinking another three-pointer.
Yeah… he's totally ignoring me. I'll just leave him be, Yuri thought, disappointed.
And with that, the newspaper club finished their interviews.
"Thanks for your cooperation," Kanae said.
"Fukazawa, I'm also going to need an overall medical report for each of them so I can make the article more enticing. Be sure to get it done for me," she instructed.
"See you guys around! I'm expecting great things from you this year. You may be a small team, but if you have the guts to fight, you'll be alright," Kanae added before leaving.
"S-see you later, Katsuragi," Rie said shyly as she was about to leave.
But then, Shino grabbed her hand.
"Call me Shino. And if it's okay with you, can I call you Rie?" he asked.
"Ye… yes, Shi…no. See you tomorrow," Rie stuttered, her face turning red.
He held my hand! He actually called me Rie! And I called him by his first name… Shino. I'm so glad. This is like a dream come true! she thought happily.
Yuri smirked. "That's the first time I've ever seen you so talkative—and with a guy, no less. Wait, don't tell me… do you have a crush on him?" she teased.
"Wha… what?! No, it's not like that!" Rie protested, blushing furiously.
"I'm right on the money, aren't I?" Yuri pressed.
"No! Quit jumping to conclusions!"
"But you're as red as a tomato. What else am I supposed to think?"
"I am not! And lower your voice—he'll hear you!" Rie whispered urgently.
"Yes, yes, your secret is safe with me."
"It's not a secret! Just stop, please!"
Meanwhile, Noboru patted Shino on the back.
"Shino, I didn't know you were such a playboy," he teased.
"What do you mean? We're in the same class—you know we're both the class representatives," Shino replied.
"That's not how I see it, but okay."
"Alright, sorry for the delay, everyone. Let's get back to training," said Yukio.