Summer Camp

Shun looked at the coach, who sat on the couch in the living room of his house, sipping tea with a relaxed smiled on his face.

Shun was leaning into the single-seater couch and had sunk into it.

Usually, Shun wouldn't do it, but he wasn't in a good mood, and the two adults in the house didn't mind that his behavior after yesterday's events.

Shun's dad came into the living room with a tray of snacks and set it down on the table. He sat on the couch opposite to the coach and asked.

Dad: "So, Koetsuji-san. Please, do tell us about this summer camp that you talked to us about yesterday."

Coach took out the same documents that he had showed Shun day before yesterday and placed them on the table.

Coach: "As I told Shun, this training camp is being organized by FIBA, and they are the prime authority on the sport of basketball in the world.

They decide the rules and regulations when it comes to basketball, and they organize international competitions."

Shun's dad picked up the papers from the table and began reading them. He looked up at the coach and said.

Dad: "And, why are they organizing this camp?"

The coach pointed at Shun and explained.

Coach: "The future of any sport is the youth. The more the youth like the sport, the brighter the future of the sport will be.

As I just mentioned, FIBA is the prime authority, and guiding the youth also comes under their duties. So, every year they pick up a select few young players from all around the world, and they get to participate in a summer camp."

The coach took a sip of his tea and continued.

Coach: "FIBA has connections all around the world, they invite the best youth coaches from all around the world, and players get to experience the collective advice from those coaches.

Plus, meeting different people from all around the world widens the horizon of players.

You end up meeting a lot of new people and talented peers, and that end ups changing the mindset of how you approach things."

Shun's dad pointed out to one of the pamphlets and asked.

Dad: "So, Shun was selected for this international camp."

The coach nodded and replied.

Coach: "There is an age limit for the camp is sixteen to eighteen years old but, the recruit almost always takes place from within seventeen and eighteen years old.

Shun shouldn't be allowed in the camp, but I submitted some of his training and game clips, and I received positive feedback from the organizers.

They have made an exception and have extended an invitation to Shun. I need to give them a response soon. So, any questions?"

Shun was the one who decided to ask.

Shun: "How long is the duration of the camp, and when it is?"

The coach glanced at his student and asked.

Coach: "The camp's duration is twenty days, and it starts two days after the start of your summer vacations. This time the timings match up perfectly for you."

Shun's dad placed another question.

Dad: "Where is it being held?"

The coach smiled and answered.

Coach: "This time, they are going to the country where basketball thrives and talent gathers. The camp will take place in the hotspot of basketball, United States Of America."

Shun's dad looked at the other two and said.

Dad: "It will take a lot of effort on my part to convince his mother. I think she would go crazy if she doesn't see him for such a long time, but the main question is."

He looked at Shun and said.

Dad: "Son, do you want to go?"

Shun looked at his dad like he was looking at a stranger.

Shun: "Of course, I would go."

Shun's dad chuckled and turned to the coach.

Dad: "What about the stay there, flights, and who will chaperon him?"

Coach: "You just need to give me the okay, and a person from FIBA will come to explain the whole process.

I can tell you that you won't have to pay for anything. The whole camp is free of cost. That is the level of FIBA's camp, they work on donations from all leagues in the world, and they also get money from all the competitions they organize.

So, I can say this with certainty that Shun's stay there would be comfortable. FIBA would use footage from the camp as an advertisement, so they will keep the players there as comfortable as possible."

Then he turned to Shun and said in a serious voice.

Coach: "But, not all would come comfortably, you would need to work hard to get the best coaching there."

Shun sat straight up and asked.

Shun: "What do you mean?"

Coach looked into Shun's eyes and said.

Coach: "Just like in our club, we have strings according to the level of players, the training camp will also be divided into levels.

As soon as you get there, you would be put to the test and then divided into different levels.

Higher the level, the better the coaching facilities will be.

You will get the rest of the details in the camp."

Coach sighed and said.

Coach: "I don't know how high you would be placed. You lack the physique when compared to the older high school players.

Skillwise they would be the most talented young players from all around the world, who have been playing basketball at the high school level, so their skill might also be greater than yours."

Then the coach put an expression of certainty and spoke.

Coach: "But, when it comes to potential. I am certain that you would be at the top. So, go there and learn as much as you can in those twenty days."

Shun felt his heartbeat a little faster when he thought of the competition and talent that he would encounter in the camp.

An excited smile appeared on his face as he said.

Shun: "Yes, I would look forward to it."

-*-*-*-*-*-*-

That evening when Shun's mother returned home, the two Kageyama boys made sure that she would be in a good mood.

Both of them cleaned the house, prepared dinner, and took care of Shun's mother.

When she was rested and fed. Both of the guys sat her down and told her about the camp's duration.

She yelled loudly, grabbed Shun, and hugged him tightly.

Mom: "No! I can't live without my Shun for that long. No! He can't go. I won't allow him. No! No! No!"

While Shun was having difficulty breathing in her mother's tight hug.

Shun: "Ugh. Mom... I can't breathe."

By the time they went to sleep, Shun wasn't sure that his mother would give permission, but when he got up the next morning, his mom and dad were sharing lovey-dovey glances with each other.

Shun looked at his parent when he entered the dining room. Shun's mom saw him and smiled at her son.

Mom: "Shun, it will be difficult for mom, but you can go to the camp, but you have to call me every day, okay?"

Shun nodded. Shun's mom smiled and then turned back to go to the kitchen.

As she passed by Shun's dad, she looked at him and blushed a deep red. She increased her speed and rushed into the kitchen.

Shun's dad smiled widely and then turned to his son, to see Shun looking at him weirdly.

Shun's dad gave him a lop-sided smiled and showed him a thumbs-up.

Shun didn't need to even guess what happened last night. He knew it all from the interaction.

He may want a little sibling badly, but he didn't want to think about his parents' sex life.

Shun: 'There goes my appetite.'