SlamDunk II - Episode 2: New Comer (Author - Kensho Agizuki)

Inside the clroom, Hanamichi is sleeping on his desk mumbling.

Hanamichi (asleep): I am Tensai basketball man Sakuragi Hanamichi. You can never beat me…

The clgiggled as they turn towards Hanamichi who is mumbling in his dream.

Teacher (nerves bulging on the forehead): Why you!

Yohei (thought): He sure looks quite comfortable. Makes me want to sleep too.

In his dream, Hanamichi was picturing himself having a game between the no. 1 Sannoh. 20 seconds left in the clock. The score is 88 – 87 Sannoh. Rukawa inbounded the ball to Ryota from their court. Walking along ping center court, Ryota was double teamed by two Sannoh players.

Ten seconds remaining on the clock. Ryota then dashes towards the defense careful not to commit an offensive foul. The Sannoh guards seeing this held their position. With that, Ryota turns 180 degrees clockwise pivoting from the left foot leaving the 1st defender guarding him. Adjusting from Ryota’s movement, the second defender moves towards the direction where Ryota was going making a gap between their two-man defense against Ryota. Seeing this, Ryota, with a single bounce of the ball, turns another 180 degrees but this time counter clockwise.

Seeing Mitsui wide open, Ryota took the chance and ped the ball to Mitsui from the gap between the two Sannoh defenders. Seven seconds left on the clock, Mitsui, not wasting too much time, aims to shoot from the 3-point area. Eiji, Sannoh’s ace, then faced him not making it easy for him to score. But, scoring was not really on Mitsui’s mind. Mitsui then, threw the ball to the air as if going for broke. This puzzled the Sannoh players and was unable to react quickly and except, looked and trailed at the ball going towards the basket.

Four seconds left. As the ball was in the air near the ring, Sannoh’s center Masafumi is ready to take the rebound. But out of nowhere, Hanamichi leaps in the air to catch the ball and slammed it in front of Sannoh’s center Masafumi. Score is 89 – 88 Shohoku wins. The court roared with cheers as Shohoku claims the number 1 title in Japan. Then, Haruko tapped Hanamichi on the back. Hanamichi blushed and said; “This game is for you.”

Hanamichi (still asleep): This is game is for you…

Haruko (waking Hanamichi): Sakuragi-kun, Sakuragi-kun.
Hanamichi (half awake): Ha… Haruko-san

Haruko (smile): Sakuragi-kun, clis over. Its time for practice.
With that, Hanamichi immediately sat up straight and wiped his eyes. Seeing that it was all a dream. He then faced Haruko and blushed.

Hanamichi (blushing): Ha… Haruko-san, is clreally over?

Haruko (nods): Um! You were asleep during the whole clSakuragi-kun. Are you ok?

Hanamichi (getting redder): Ha… Ha… Don’t worry Haruko-san. Tensai is always fine.

Haruko (nods in agreement): Okay Sakuragi-kun. I’ll see you in practice.

Hanamichi (nods): Hai! (Ok!)

Yes. Hanamichi and Haruko are in the same clthis year. It happened when Hanamichi was in the hospital. The Sakuragi-guntai (Sakuragi army) decided to enroll Hanamichi. During the enrollment, the Sakuragi-guntai came across Haruko who in turn is also about to enroll. The Sakuragi-guntai also wanted to be in the same clas Hanamichi but the slots left are only two. Which was given to Yohei and Hanamichi.

Hanamichi (in docile face mode): Haruko-san…

Just then, Rukawa walks pin front of Hanamichi. Their gaze met and sparks of electricity started to fly. Yes again. Rukawa is in the same clas Hanamichi and Haruko. (Maybe that’s why Haruko chose this cl…)

Rukawa: Hurry up aho (idiot)

Hanamichi: Why you kitsune (fox). You don’t need to tell Tensai what to do.

Rukawa (sighs): Do aho (big idiot)

Hanamichi: Die kitsune (fox).

With that Hanamichi and Rukawa started scuffling inside the clroom.

Yohei: There they go.

Ten minutes of scuffling ped, Hanamichi and Rukawa are now both in the gym.

Ryota: Ok everybodyemble.

With that, the whole Shohoku teamembles in front of Ryota.
Ryota: Mina (everyone), Anzai sensei has something to say.
Anzai: HO! HO! HO! Arigato Ryota-kun. I can see that all of you are all working hard and everyone seems to be improving.

Hanamichi (patting Anzai sensei’s chin): HA! HA! HA! Ofcourse! A tensai like me always improves. You really recognize my talent oyaji (old man). HA! HA! HA!

Ayako (whips Hanamichi with her paper fan): Show some respect for the coach.

Hanamichi: Itai (ouch).

Anzai: HO! HO! HO! Now, I need to see how you have improved in a real game.

Shohoku Team (Puzzled): Huh???

Anzai: I have organized with coach Takato a practice game against Kainan High in their school gym in 5 days.

Shohoku Team (shocked): Nani!!! (What!!!)

Ryota: Kainan High, in their own court.

Mitsui: Kainan…

Rukawa: …

Hanamichi (thought): Kainan High… Redemption…

Other Players: Kanagawa’s no. 1 team.

The team became quiet. Daunt and uneasiness is in the air. Ayako notices this and do what she does best… Consoling…

Ayako: Oi! Oi! (Hey, hey). What’s with the long faces? Aren’t we Shohoku? The team that defeated the no. 1 in Japan? Aren’t we the one who defeated Sannoh High?

Everyone (looking at Ayako): …

Ryota: She’s right guys. If we could have defeated Sannoh, Japan’s no. 1 team. Then we can take on Kainan.

Mitsui: I agree.

Hanamichi: HA! HA! HA! Ofcourse with Tensai back on the team, how can we lose?

Ryota and Mitsui (sweat drop): …

With that, the whole team came back to life. They all know the true potential of their team. They are Shohoku High. The team that defeated Japan’s No. 1 high school basketball team Sannoh High.

Ryota (clapping hands): Alright everyone, practice 3 on 3. Sakuragi, Shiozaki, and Rukawa. You both are on the same team. Mitsui, Yasuda, and me are your opponents.
The rest of you guys form groups of three.

Hanamichi (fuming): Nani?! (What?!) Why do I have to pair with the Kitsune (fox)? This is not fair! Hey Ryo-chin! You’re not fit to be captain! Maybe I should fill that place!

Ryota (veins swell): Nani?! (What?!)

Mitsui (smirk): I agree too!

Ryota (explodes): You’re going to do as I say or you’ll clean the whole campus!!!

Hanamichi (mumbles): blah… blah… blah…

Mitsui (frown): Show off…

With that, Hanamichi and Mitsui both go to the center of the court and prepare for the jump ball. The ball is tossed, signaling the start of the game. Hanamichi jumps touching the ball before Mitsui could even reach it.

Hanamichi: You can never beat Tensai in jump ball!

Mitsui (thought): Damn! He just came out of injury and still he can jump so high…

Anzai: Hmmm…

Hanamichi tapped the ball towards the direction of Shiozaki. Shiozaki got the ball and dribbles towards the opponent’s goal. Ryota sinks into a defensive posture preventing Shiozaki’s advance towards their goal. Hanamichi, upon landing immediately dashes towards his opponent’s goal. This caught Mitsui off guard and the dashing Hanamichi left him behind.

Hanamichi: Shiozaki! P!

Anzai (thought): Hmmm… Sakuragi-kun has been on an injury and now, he seems fully recovered. Heaven was so kind to him that it did not take his talents away.



FLASHBACK:

When Sakuragi was hospitalized, coach Anzai sensei was afraid that he might not be able to play again. Such an injury would make a person give up and loose hope. Luckily for Hanamichi that the heavens were not cruel to him and still let him play.

END OF FLASHBACK

Seeing Hanamichi dashing, Shiozaki immediately pes to Hanamichi but the cutting Ryota intercepted the p.

Ryota: Fast Attack!

Mitsui and Yusuda immediately dashed towards their opponents’ goal. Shiozaki immediately gives chase to Ryota while Hanamichi curses under his breath and also gives chase.

Ryota then pes to Mitsui. But, to Mitsui’s surprise, Hanamichi was already in front of him.

Mitsui (thought): Damn he’s fast!

Ryota (thought): How could he?

Hanamichi: Just try and pme Mitchy. Just try and pTensai. (Genius)

With that, Mitsui grinned and sinks in to a lower stance. He then dashes towards Hanamichi. Hanamichi didn’t move an inch, anticipating Mitsui’s next move, he sank into a lower pose and keeps himself light footed to be able to move faster.

Mitsui then moves to the right of Hanamichi. Hanamichi followed. Just then, Mitsui takes 180 degrees turn to the left. This caught Hanamichi off guard. Mitsui took this chance and leaves Hanamichi behind. Just then a hand from behind Mitsui slapped the ball away.

Mitsui: Nani?!

FLASHBACK:

As Mitsui was about to leave Hanamichi behind, Hanamichi quickly followed Mitsui behind and thus slapping the ball out of Mitsui’s hands.

END OF FLASHBACK

Hanamichi: I told you Mitchy, you can never…

Just then, Ryota recovered the loose ball.

Ryota (dashing): Arigato (thank you) Hanamichi!

Hanamichi (blushing): Aaaah! Ryo-chin!

Ryota dashes towards the goal area. He sees Yasuda open and he immediately pes the ball to him. Yasuda get the pand was about to make a slam dunk when he sees a shadow figure behind him. It’s Rukawa.

Too late, Rukawa slapped the ball out of Yasuda’s hands.

Yasuda (thought): Damn!

Rukawa then gets the ball and dashes towards the other side of the goal area. Ryota sees this and sets himself in front of Rukawa to stop him. Rukawa then dashes towards Ryota. Upon nearing Ryota, Rukawa turns 360 degrees to the left. Ryota anticipated this and moves to where Rukawa was going. But he was never prepared to what Rukawa was going to do next.

Within 180 degrees, Rukawa then flicks the ball to his left side. Completing the 360 degrees turn, Rukawa gets the ball and bursts to Ryota’s left side. Everybody in the gym was amazed and is in awe by Rukawa’s move. Rukawa then continues to dash towards the goal, leaps, and dunks it hard to the ring.

Everybody in the gym was speechless. Time must have stopped during Rukawa’s attack. Anzai sensei just looked on and smiled.

Anzai (thought): The National Championship is not a dream anymore…

Hanamichi (thought): Damn you ego maniac kitsune! (Fox!). You are stealing tensai’s stardom.

As Hanamichi turns to his right he sees Haruko red and complete with stars in her eyes.

Haruko (thought): Sugoi! (Amazing!) Rukawa-kun…

Hanamichi (vein swell): Shi-ne! (Die!) Kitsune (Fox)!

Yasuda then inbounded the ball to Ryota. Ryota brings the ball towards their opponent’s goal. Upon reaching half-court, Ryota notice that Hanamichi is closely guarding Mitsui, while Rukawa closely guards Yasuda. Shiozaki on the other hand is also closely marking Ryota.

Ryota (thought): Heh! These guys are playing for keeps!

Ryota dashes towards Shiozaki’s defense. The suddenness took Shiozaki by surprise that he was unable to react fast enough. Soon, Shiozaki is left staring at empty space.

Ryota reached the foul line and jumps to shoot but Hanamichi out of nowhere is in front of Ryota’s face.

Ryota (thought): What the?!

Ryota, unable to comprehend with the situation at hand desperately tries to shoot but to his failure. Hanamichi slaps the ball in mid air. Special Technique: “Fly Swatter”.

Ryota (thought): When did he get there?! Damn!

Shiozaki immediately gets the ball and sees Rukawa dashing towards the goal area. Rukawa signals Shiozaki for a p. Shiozaki, without hesitation throws the ball to Rukawa.

Hanamichi: Don’t pit to the kitsune! (fox!)

Just as the ball was about to reach Rukawa, Mitsui came in front and snatched the ball away and dashes towards their goal area.

Mitsui: Don’t count me out just yet.

As Mitsui reaches the three-point line, he releases his most powerful and deadly weapon. His 3-point shooting skill.

Mitsui: Yosh! (Alright!)

Hanamichi moves towards Shiozaki and gives him a steaming lump.

Hanamichi: Humph! Baka! (Idiot!)

Just then, the gym door opens and a figure of a tall man carrying a backpack can be seen in front.

Man: Ah, excuse me. Is this the basketball club?

Ayako and Haruko walk towards the man’s direction.

Ayako: Yes. This is the basketball club. I am the team manager. What can I help you with?

Man: Oh. I want to join your club. Here is the registration form.

Ayako (examining the form): Hmmm… You are Agizuki Kensho. Cl1-A. Ht. 188 cm, Wt. 90 kg. Hmmm… You’re a transfer student from the Philippines.

Kensho (smiling): Hai! My mother was Japanese and my father was a Filipino. Since my father got a job here in Japan, we kinda migrated here.

Ryota feeling a little bit jealous move towards Ayako.

Ryota (jealous): Ahem!

Ayako: Oh! By the way, this is Miyagi Ryota. Shohoku’s team captain. Ryota, this is Kensho. He wants to join the basketball team.

Ryota (extending a hand): Hello Agizuki-san.

Kensho (receiving the hand): Hello senpai!

Ryota: So, Agizuki-san, how long have you been playing basketball?

Kensho: Oh, I started playing since I was 10.

Ryota: And what’s your position in your team?

Kensho: I usually play guard – forward in a team.

Ryota: Hmmm… I am Shohoku’s point guard myself. Could you show me your skills?

Kensho (red): Well…

Ryota (smiling): Come on! Don’t be embarred! Show us what you’ve got.

Kensho (red): Ok… If you say so captain…

Ryota: Good. Shiozaki! Ball please…

Shiozaki pes the ball to Ryota.

Every member of the Shohoku Basketball club is now eyeing the newcomer.

Ryota: Here Agizuki-san. Come and try to pme.

Kensho: … Ok…

Kensho then slowly pats the ball. Ryota on the other hand sinks into a defensive position. Seriousness lines the face of Ryota while Kensho emits a calm expression.

Hanamichi (thought): Hmmm… This is interesting…

Rukawa: …

Mitsui: Hmmm…

Ayako (smirking): Show-off

Kensho then bursts towards Ryota. Ryota anticipates every move Kensho is going to do which results in Kensho not being able to pRyota.

Kensho (smiling): Hmmm… You are good senpai!

Ryota: You are not bad yourself.

Kensho again slowly pats the ball. Ryota keeps himself light-footed anticipating Kensho’s next move.

This time, a line of seriousness can be traced on Kensho’s face.

Gradually, Kensho’s dribbling became faster. Setting up ten feet away from Ryota, Kensho burst into a shocking speed towards Ryota.

Anzai (thought): Hmmm…

Ryota watches Kensho carefully waiting for the right moment to strike. Just then, Kensho flicks the ball to his left side.

Mitsui (thought): Not good, Ryota is going to steal the ball.

Rukawa (thought): Steal…

This is what Ryota is waiting for, he then goes to steal the ball but to his horror, the ball is not to where it was suppose to be and he sees Kensho bursting towards his left side ping him.

FLASHBACK:

As Ryota was sure to steal the ball, Kensho, upon touching the ball with his left hands immediately flicks it behind towards his right side.

Catching it with his right hand Kensho then bursts towards Ryota’s left side with shocking speed.

END OF FLASHBACK:

Ryota (shocked): Nani?! (What the?!)

All the Shohoku players who witnessed Kensho’s play where all amazed at what Kensho has done.

Mitsui (thought): Impossible…

Rukawa (thought): Interesting…

Haruko: Sugoi!

Ayako: Unbelievable!

Anzai: Hmmm…

Hanamichi (thought): How did he?

Then Kensho easily lays the ball into the hoop.

Kensho: …

Ryota then approaches Kensho

Ryota (picking up his senses): Well Agizuki-san, you are a good player. Where did you learn to play like that?

Kensho (blushing and scratching his head): He! He! By watching TV I guess…

Ryota (smiling): Well Agizuki-san, welcome to the team. Come and meet the cast.

Ryota and Kensho went to where the other members of Shohoku are.

Ryota: Mina! (Everyone!) This is our newest team member. Agizuki, Kensho from cl1-A.

Everyone: Hello!

Ryota: Agizuki-san, this is our coach. Anzai-sensei.

Kensho: Pleased to meet you sir.

Anzai: The pleasure is all mine. Welcome to Shohoku basketball club.

And so, a new member has come to Shohoku Basketball club. But still, there is a long road, which still needs to be crossed.


-----Sorry bout me being one of the characters. I just couldn't think of any names anymore...