I was waitting for and watching RDCworld1's stream, so I forgot to post the chapter after finishing class. I'm sorry for that.
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As the players returned to the hotel around noon, exhaustion from their intense morning training sessions began to settle in. Koganei, stepping into the bedroom alongside Sendou, felt a wave of relief wash over him. Surprisingly, he found himself not as tired as he had originally anticipated. Settling down at the desk, Koganei reached for his laptop, a familiar sight that had become a portal to his online world.
Meanwhile, Sendou, having just finished his refreshing shower, observed Koganei's actions with a warm smile. His attention was soon caught by the laptop screen, where a video from the Rising_Hooper channel had been posted. As Sendou glanced at the view count, he couldn't help but be amazed. "I didn't know your subscribers were this engaged," he commented with genuine surprise. "20k viewers within one hour is quite impressive."
Koganei, rather modestly, shrugged his shoulders in response. "Even I don't know why they're so active," he admitted. "But I appreciate their support." His appreciation for his online followers was evident, even though he couldn't quite fathom the seemingly sudden surge in engagement.
After creating the YouTube channel, he didn't think he would be able to gather 100k subscribers in a month. However, after thinking about it, he kind of understood why. In 2014, there weren't much Youtubers who posted well edited videos like Koganei. During this time, being a Youtuber was kind of a niche thing even though it was starting to become more professional.
However, the quality of one of his videos is one of the reasons he caught on fire this early. Having parents who own a film studio has its perks, after all. Additionaly, while looking at his comment section, Koganei saw multiple international people saying good stuff about the videos. That meant that his videos started reaching people outside of Japan and that was a good thing.
As the 15-minute vlog came to an end, Koganei couldn't help but smile while reading a certain comment. The connection he had formed with his subscribers was truly unique and heartwarming. "Whenever we don't post for more than a week," he chuckled, "they start panicking, wondering whether something happened to me." The bond he had built with his fans was truly special, and their concern for his well-being touched him deeply.
Sendou, joining in the laughter, shared the sentiment. He could understand why the fans would worry when Koganei's content was absent for an extended period. They had come to rely on Koganei's videos for their basketball fix and his unique insight into the game. In between laughs, Sendou playfully asked when Koganei would be releasing another game analysis video, knowing the anticipation his fans had for it.
Koganei responded with a mock dismissive shake of his head, a playful gesture to tease his new friend. He left the question hanging, keeping Sendou in suspense, before excusing himself to go take a refreshing shower. As the water cascaded over him, Koganei couldn't help but reflect on the incredible journey that led him to a place like this, a gathering of the best prospects in the nation.
In the quiet solitude of the shower, Koganei let his thoughts roam freely, envisioning the path that lay ahead.
Emerging from the refreshing shower, Koganei felt an undeniable sense of contentment as he slipped into the tracksuit provided by the organizers. While he hadn't officially earned a spot on the national team, the fact that he was considered a reserve member evoked immense happiness within him. In his previous life, Koganei had never received a call-up to any national team at any level, so the recognition he was currently receiving felt incredibly fulfilling. Being a reserve member of the U16 national Japanese team was a promising step forward, and he was determined to seize any opportunity that came his way.
As Koganei and Sendou left the room, heading towards the lunch area located on the fifth floor, a sudden thought crossed Sendou's mind, prompting him to inquire about Koganei's plans for high school. "Where do you plan to attend high school?" he asked, his memory failing him momentarily as he struggled to recall the name that Kiyoshi-senpai had mentioned. The name on the tip of his tongue, Sendou sought Koganei's help in remembering.
Amused by Sendou's momentary lapse, Koganei couldn't help but smile warmly. "That school is called Seirin High," he corrected, his voice filled with a hint of excitement. The name itself held a special place in Koganei's heart, as it represented the school he had chosen to join. With newfound enthusiasm, Koganei continued, "I will also be attending Seirin High. It's located just a five-minute walk from my house. It seems like we're going to have one incredible team with Kiyoshi joining us there."
Sendou's eyes widened in genuine surprise at Koganei's revelation. The thought of having Kiyoshi, a player of immense skill and experience, alongside Koganei at Seirin High was truly amazing to Sendou. Although he knew nothing about Seirin High, he predicted that in a year or two, with those two players, they might be serious contenders for a national championship.
As Koganei and Sendou arrived at the bustling lunch area, Koganei's eyes scanned the room, trying to locate Kenji. Spotting his friend waving him over, Koganei happily made his way towards their table, with Sendou trailing behind. Joining Kenji, Koganei also noticed Kiyoshi sitting with him, prompting a friendly greeting as he exchanged a dap with both of them. Since the game earlier that morning, a connection had formed between Koganei and Kiyoshi, allowing them to grow closer. While they weren't yet inseparable, they could officially be called friends.
With the players around them already engrossed in their food, Sendou glanced around before asking, "Have you guys picked your food yet?" Curiously, Kiyoshi shook his head, explaining, "No, we were waiting for you guys." With that, he got up from his seat, signaling for the group of four to head towards the buffet section. As they filled their plates with an array of delicious options, Koganei's mischievous side couldn't resist calling out to Murasakibara, who had an astonishing amount of food piled onto his plate. Through laughter, Koganei jokingly teased him, "Hey, Mura! You can eat slowly, nobody's going to fight you for that food." In response, Murasakibara shot a glare towards Koganei, growling, "Shut up!" The unexpected reaction prompted even more laughter from the group of players in the restaurant.
Returning to their table, plates filled with a delectable mix of dishes, the four of them settled down and began to enjoy their meal. In between bites, Koganei turned to Kiyoshi, recalling something that Sendou had mentioned earlier. "I heard from Sendou that you'll be going to Seirin High. Is that true?" he inquired, a flicker of anticipation dancing in his eyes. Perplexed, Kiyoshi nodded in confirmation, curious about where Koganei was going with the question.
Sensing the suspense building, Koganei took a moment before continuing, his voice filled with excitement. "The two of us," he began, pointing at Kenji, who had finally caught on to what was happening, "will be going to Seirin High too." The words hung in the air, and Kiyoshi's astonishment was quickly replaced by a wide smile. "I hope we'll cooperate well," he replied warmly, envisioning the greatness that could be achieved with the trio together.
The conversation flowed effortlessly at their table as the four players indulged in a delicious meal. They shared stories, jokes, and their aspirations for the future. Sendou, still awestruck by the revelation that three camp members would be attending the same school, couldn't contain his curiosity any longer. He turned to the trio and asked, "Why would you guys choose a school like Seirin? I don't remember hearing about a high school team called Seirin." The question held a touch of perplexity, reflecting his lack of familiarity with the school.
Koganei glanced at Kenji and Kiyoshi, silently acknowledging their shared reasoning. "For Kenji and me, it's simply because Seirin is the closest school to our respective houses," he explained matter-of-factly. The practicality of the decision was clear; proximity made it a convenient choice.
Kiyoshi also had the same perspective. His eyes sparkled with passion as he added with conviction, "I told you before—as long as basketball is fun, it doesn't matter where you play." He shrugged casually as if telling Sendou that the essence of the game is not confined to specific schools or teams. His words resonated with Koganei and Kenji, prompting them to wholeheartedly agree with smiles spread across their faces.
A while later, amidst the laughter and chatter, Koganei interrupted the lighthearted atmosphere, his expression turning serious. "I did some research about the school," he began, his voice filled with determination, "and found out that Seirin didn't have a basketball team. So, with four other friends, including Kenji, we decided to create a team there. Coach Kimura will be our coach since Yuuki let him go."
Hearing those words, Kiyoshi's attention was solely captured by the mention of a name—Coach Kimura. His eyes widened, leaning forward as he exclaimed, "Kimura Shinozaki?" The excitement in Kiyoshi's voice was impossible to miss, as his admiration for the famed basketball player radiated from him.
Surprised by Kiyoshi's enthusiastic reaction, Koganei looked at Sendou. The latter couldn't help but laugh, explaining to Koganei that Kimura Shinozaki was Kiyoshi's favorite basketball player. He had modeled his own game after Kimura's playstyle, despite playing a slightly different position.
Grinning at the revelation, Koganei and Kenji exchanged knowing glances. Their decision to create a basketball team at Seirin High, coupled with the opportunity to be trained by Coach Kimura, suddenly felt even more significant. For Kiyoshi, it could be an experience that would increase his chances of reaching greater heights in the future as the person he modeled his game after would be the one coaching him.
Sendou, still amused by his friend's fandom, looked at the trio with a mix of curiosity and admiration. "That's incredible," he mused, realizing the impact that the opportunity held for Kiyoshi. "To have the chance to learn from your idol as your coach, it's like a dream come true." His words echoed the sentiment shared by the others at the table.
As the conversation continued, Sendou couldn't help but express his confusion about Coach Kimura's departure from his previous team. "Why would Yuuki Junior let go of such an impactful individual? Didn't he lead them to the finals?" he pondered aloud. The question hung in the air, a tangible mystery.
Koganei shrugged, a playful glint in his eyes. "We don't know all the details, Sendou. Maybe once you join us at Seirin after graduating, you'll find out," he answered, a mischievous smirk playing on his lips. Sendou shook his head, not surprised by the response. After spending some time with Koganei, he kind of understood the latter's personality and thought process. At least, he thought he did.
The playful banter continued at the table as they finished their meal, savoring the last few bites. The camaraderie among the group was undeniable, with laughter filling the air. As they rose from the table, each feeling a renewed sense of determination and anticipation, they bid farewell to the lunch area and made their way back to their rooms.
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The afternoon passed swiftly as the players engaged in their training sessions. The atmosphere in the gym buzzed with dedication as each group focused on honing their specific skills. The sound of basketballs hitting the court echoed through the space, accompanied by the occasional shout of encouragement or instruction from the coaches.
At 4:00 PM, the players made their way back to the hotel, weary but satisfied with their efforts on the court. As they settled into their rooms, anticipation grew for the upcoming dinner. They knew that refueling their bodies would be essential after a rigorous day of training.
During the short period of downtime, some players decided to take advantage of the hotel's amenities. The sound of laughter and splashing water could be heard coming from the pool area, where a few camp participants cooled off and relaxed. Others, particularly those who were not familiar with the city, took the opportunity to explore Tokyo, immersing themselves in the vibrant atmosphere of the bustling streets.
Meanwhile, Sendou, always prepared for entertainment, called upon Koganei, Kiyoshi, Kenji, Shinomiya, and Fukatsu to join him in a gaming session with his PS3 (he developed a close bond with Shinomiya and Fukatsu after being teammates in the morning game.). As they huddled around the television, the group quickly bonded over their shared love for both basketball and gaming. The competitive spirit between them added an extra layer of excitement to their matches.
In the midst of their gaming session, Koganei couldn't help but bring up the incident from earlier in the morning. With a playful grin, he turned to Shinomiya and asked, "So, it was you who left the gym door wide open this morning? You had me worried." (AN__: One of the assistant coaches told him that after he asked) Shinomiya sheepishly nodded, admitting his forgetfulness. He explained that he had gotten caught up in his training and had simply forgotten to close the door. The revelation sparked a lighthearted discussion between Shinomiya and Koganei, as they exchanged tips and strategies for their individual drills.
The conversation soon turned to their shared desire to start training together. Shinomiya and Koganei expressed their intention to meet early the next morning for extra practice, and to their surprise, the other four eagerly volunteered to join them. They couldn't bear the thought of being left behind and wanted to make the most of their time at the camp.
Excitement filled the air as they made plans, discussing which drills to focus on and how they could push each other to improve.
As dinner time approached, the players reluctantly put the controllers down, their smiles lingering as they realized the friendship they had developed during the gaming session. With a renewed sense of unity, they made their way to the dining hall, looking forward to sharing a meal and more moments of laughter and friendship.
As the players finished their dinner, they were directed to different conference rooms, based on the teams formed in the morning, to engage in a film review session. In one of the rooms, Akashi, Aragaki, Koganei, Shiraishi, and Kiyoshi gathered, anticipating the insights they would gain from the coach's analysis.
Inside their assigned conference room, Koganei and his teammates found themselves joined by an assistant coach, who would guide them through the film review. The room was dimly lit, the focus solely on the big screen at the front. Excitement and anticipation filled the air as their coach prepared to share their strengths, weaknesses, and strategies for improvement.
For the next two hours, the assistant coach led a detailed analysis of the game they had played earlier that morning. He dissected each sequence, pointing out moments of success and areas for improvement, providing valuable insights to the eager players. They listened attentively, eager to absorb every nugget of information that would help them grow as a team.
The coach highlighted their cohesive teamwork despite playing with each other for the first time. He also praised their communication and quick decision-making on the court. He acknowledged their understanding of spacing and movement, which allowed for efficient ball movement and open scoring opportunities. The players exchanged satisfied glances, recognizing that their dedication and hard work were paying off.
However, the film review session also revealed areas that required improvement. The coach pointed out instances where their defense was lacking, emphasizing the need for better positioning and anticipation. He stressed the importance of rebounding, urging them to be more aggressive under the boards as Nobe and Murasakibara torched them in that area. The players listened intently, taking mental notes and eager to implement the suggested changes in their upcoming training sessions.
As the film review came to a close, the assistant coach presented each player with a small booklet containing some of the plays used by the national basketball team at various levels. He explained that starting from the next afternoon, they would incorporate these plays into their training sessions. The booklets held a wealth of knowledge, offering them a chance to expand their basketball IQ and adapt to more complex game situations.
Filled with renewed motivation, the players left the conference room, discussing the insights they had gained and buzzing with anticipation for the days ahead. This film review session gave them a clearer understanding of their strengths and weaknesses, providing them with a roadmap for improvement. They knew that the remaining days of the camp would be demanding, yet they were eager to put in the work required to elevate their game.