48 Welcome Back
Benjie was hugged by both Megumi and Hideki, Hideki was really happy to see again his best buddy after their first year of Middle School.
So Hideki began to ask Benjie questions, "So when did you come back to Japan?" to which he answered "Just yesterday" Hideki asked, "So you're joining us?" Benjie replied, "Yeah, but…" Benjie pointed at his knee and said "Still healing, doc said I can play but only for a limited time, and as much as possible not to hurt this knee first. He told me it would most likely heal at College."
Hideki was still sad by the news, about Benjie's knee but, it is what it is, Benjie's knee's still hurt but the caveat is that he can still play a little, but what it meant for Hideki is that Benjie is a one time-usage player, after playing a game, he may or can play again after it is fully healed.
Then Hideki asked one question "Why? I'm not that good with injuries, but how did it turn out that way?" Benjie chuckled and said "Well, I aggravated the injury while in rehab after an emergency back in the states, basically I used it nonstop on that emergency for 30 minutes and it aggravated to the point where I am limited when I can exert it. I should've most likely healed at 90 to 100% this time, but it is what it is, I helped and I can live with that."
Hideki smiled at that and then asked a last question "So, are you gonna be our second manager?" Benjie nodded and said "Well, yeah, I promised Megumi to help her on the managerial duties, and of course I can't really stay away from basketball, I can relieve my 'itch' by helping and shooting with a set shot"
Hideki reached out his hand and said "Welcome to the team Benjie, glad to have you on board. Player or not, this is a big commitment. Everybody's on board to confess buck naked if we don't get the number 1 spot. But don't worry you're safe for now, but if you played, it's revoked"
Benjie was smiling whilst shaking Hideki's hand and then his eyes blinked thrice and saw Megumi giggling, as if saying at Megumi 'What did you get me into' Megumi shrugged him off.
Hideki then faced Tsuchida and said "Thanks also for joining Tsuchida, I know this is a new team and this is a new experience for you, but I hope you'll be acclimated here, and feel welcome."
After saying that he shook Tsuchida's hand and Tsuchida said "Thanks for having me, hope I can also help in ways." Hideki told him "It's fine, me and Benjie will teach you about basics in basketball." Hideki looked at Riko and told her "Coach Riko, why don't we let Benjie teach Tsuchida basketball after the exercises? While we do the drills? I can vouch for Benjie's skills and teaching."
Riko nodded and said "Sure, I've heard stories of him from you and saw him play before" Benjie was looking at Riko and asked, to no one in particular, "Wait, she's the coach? Isn't she like our age" Hideki shrugged and said well she's uncle Kagetora's daughter so she got some of Unc's sports quirks and she's pretty knowledgeable about basketball to be honest."
Benjie extended his hand to Riko and said "Hi Coach, I'll be working under you and… Wait who's the captain?" Riko pointed Hideki and said "Your buddy's the captain" Benjie had his mouth agape and said to Hideki "Wait what? Captain again? Looks like your charisma knows no bounds Hideki!" Then they both laughed, but Hideki said "Well, to be honest, Teppei nominated me to be Captain and I accepted, oh yeah, Teppei here is the team's founder and we're the founding members. Well you and Tsuchida can still be considered the founding members."
Benjie just chuckled and said in a whisper "hehe nice" while pumping his fist.
Riiko then blew her whistle and said, "Okay boys, break's over, let's continue on the last set of exercise, then we'll run through our offensive sets. Then Tsuchida, do you have your sports gear with you?" He nodded and Riko then said, "Okay, nice! Get changed so Benjie can help you teach basketball, Benjie if you have your sports gear with you, you can also change into it, and you can change into it whenever we have practices."
Benjie nodded and said "Yes coach! I have my gear here with me, Megumi told me to bring mine in the case I have to get kind of physical"
---
The team conducted their practices as usual, and since they registered the team, it is kind of too late to participate in the Kanto Tournament.
The Kanto Tournament usually begins at April and they began practice with a week before registration stops so they can't really participate, Hideki and Riko said they're not ready yet and will prepare instead for the Inter-High Preliminaries next month.
There are also the Rookie Tournaments after the New Year.
Actually, the only important Tournaments would be the Inter-High and the Winter Cup as it involves teams from the whole nation and teh cream of the crop, line the Middle School Nationals, with participants all over the nation it would solidify their status at the top.
---
3 weeks before the Inter High Preliminaries, on a Friday Lunch, they gathered in the cafeteria to try the school's famous sandwich, which will bring them luck in the Inter High. After eating in the cafeteria, Hideki told the team "Guys mom bought me this camera, so let's take a group picture!"
Teppei and Koga were the ones who were excited for this and said "Yeah sure! Let's have our first official picture!" Benjie and Megumi nodded at this and said Yeah, this would be a piece of history if we ever achieved our goal"
Hideki then said "Okay, let's take the picture after practice later" The team nodded at this.
----
After the practice they took the team's first group photo.
(A/N: almost the same as canon but with the OCs)
In front was Riko and Megumi with Megumi's hand over Riko's shoulder and Megumi smiling wide, Riko was looking over her team with confidence. Koganei was beside Megumi with hands on his knees and posing with a 'peace' sign. Mitobe is at Koganei's back with Izuki on his left. On Izuki's left is Teppei and was smiling widely and has his hand on Hyuga's shoulder, who's in front of Teppei, with a scowling face. Hideki is on Teppei's left also has his hand on Teppei's shoulder and has a big confident smile. Tsuchida and Benjie are on Hideki's left, Benjie is having his arm around Tsuchida's shoulder and they both have a rather relaxed and calm face.
This was Seirin's first ever team photo.
Terms used:
Set shot - Basically like a Jump Shot, but without jumping, your power is all exerted by your upper body, mostly arms.
Team position:
Captain: Hideki
Vice-Captain: Hyuga
Managers: Megumi and Benjie
Coach: Riko
Adviser: Takeda-Sensei
Team In-Game Position:
Center: Teppei, Hideki
Power Forward: Mitobe, Hideki
Small Forward: Hideki, Koga
Shooting Guard: Hyuga, Koga
Point Guard: Izuki, Hideki / Teppei
Jersey Numbers:
Hideki #4
Hyuga #5
Izuki #6
Teppei #7
Mitobe #8
Koga #9
Tsuchida #10
Bench Players:
Koganei - Small Forward / Shooting Guard
Tsuchida - Power Forward / Small Forward
