Sakuragi bend down obediently to let the doctor inspect his back. Its been 3 mths since he had his back injury during the match wih Sannoh's basketball team.
"Hmm...It seems that your back has improved. The muslce that was twisted previously is no longer twisted. Incredible I should say," the doctor commented as he set down on his chair.
Donning his shirt back on, Sakuragi asked whether he could play basketball again.
"Yes you could but....,"the doctor stared wide eyes at the chair where Sakuragi was sitting to the opened door.
Sakuragi slung his sports bag onto his shoulder. Grinning like a simpleton, Sakuragi thought of ways to suprise his fellow comrades in Shouhoku basketball team. Laughing out loud, Sakuragi went on walking home with more determination.
Everyone looked at him fearfully. "Kawai,"the whispered.
"Nishi! Concentrate harder on the game. Use your legs more to jump high enough to smack the ball, Yasuda," Ryota shouted.
Ryota sighed as he looked at the basketball ring. the only peron who could swat a rebound ball without exerting a large amount of energy other than Akagi is Hanamichi Sakuragi.
Thinking of him made Ryota misses that read haired monkey. Although Sakuragi was a pest at times--(or was it everytime???), he was also a savior when in time of need. Ryota still remembered about the game between Sannoh and Shohoku last year. Even though his back was badly injured, Sakuragi still persist on being in the game until the end. Whether it is determinationor just pure stubborn and egoism, Ryota cares naught.Without him, Shohoku may not even win the game.
Ryota sighs. Thingking of him makes his head pounds. "I wonder what the monkey is doing now..," he muttered.
A pat on his shoulder brought his concentration back. Ryota turned and blushed hotly.
"Ayako-chan,"
"Ryota-chan! Don't think too much about Sakuragi. I know you misses him like I did. But remember you are now the captain of the team. So you better have your wits near you," Ayako commented, smiling.
Mitsui sighs. The practce between the senpai and juniors are not getting any interesting. Although the juniors are tougher and more stronger than usual, there was no excitement and fun in it. Even with the entering of our soon-to-be-rookie Ken Hishashi, the atmosphere is still stale. True that Ken had exhausted him with his manuevers but without the red haired monkey of Hnamichi, the match is still not fun.
There is nobody to make stupid mistake and go mad about it. There is no atmosphere of egoism to make Mitsui blow his top at. But the most importantly there is no Hanamichi's stupid actions to laugh at.
Truth to be told, I do miss that red haired monkey.
Rukawa wipes his forehead. The practice match was good. But there was something missin. Hanamichi. Even though both of us resented each other, I still miss him. Who is going to compete with me and make me laugh secretly? I do hope that bakka doesn't pamper his back too much else I will certainly get bored here.

PS: Ken Okoshi is a new freshman who is darn good in basketball. He is a new character and so is Nishi