Chapter 26: The Alumni Are Coming!
Sahori: "And these guys! They're rejecting the traditions and practices since the Senpais' time! They don't listen to us upperclassmen!"
As soon as we entered the gymnasium, Sahori-senpai started passionately arguing to the alumni Senpais that the current players are disrespecting the alumni generation.
Maybe he was talking about this even before we got to the gymnasium?
Now a second-year at university. A Senpai from four years ago glares at us.
Scary. Isn't he already an adult?
For the current second-year captain, a university first-year Senpai is a great Senpai who directly coached them, considered as alumni year one.
That Senpai becomes submissive to an even more senior alumni from year two.
The atmosphere is heavy.
Alumni 2: "Sahori, the purpose of the alumni visit isn't to force you to obey us. Though if you're changing things without reason, that's out of the question."
The Senpai silenced Sahori-senpai with dignified words.
Practice begins. Practice is tough and harsh because the Senpais are watching.
The alumni join in, and we do intense training. It's almost the same as yesterday's university practice.
In reality, the current practice is tougher than it was during the previous captain's time.
Even so! The alumni's demands are tough! Strong! We can't slack off!
Sahori: "Hey! Don't slack off! Senpai! Please scold them!"
Sahori, looking pleased while watching the practice, urges the Senpai to push us even harder as we struggle through an even tougher physical training than usual.
Did Alumni 2 Senpai grab Sahori by the scruff of his neck?
Alumni 2: "Why are you trying to give us orders since earlier? Weren't you still a current player until recently? Aren't you supposed to show the greatness of the Senpais? Show your back to the juniors!"
Oh, continuing?
Alumni 2 Senpai starts lecturing Sahori.
You! Always trying to ingratiate yourself with those above!
It's because you spoiled them!
Furthermore, Alumni 1 Senpai gets scolded.
Why are you rejecting the juniors' innovations?
Their generation's average height is shorter, and their scoring ability is lower than yours!
Sahori, looking dissatisfied,
Then shouldn't we raise our scoring ability like before?
The Senpai gets angry!
If the players change, the tactics change! If the tactics change, the practice has to change too! In the past, the members were suited for offense-focused individual skills, but the current members are better suited for defensive and organized offense and defense, so the physical training menu has a higher intensity load than in our time!
What are you even looking at! You join in too!
The alumni explained to us,
Sahori has been rejecting the practices and team style that have continued since the Senpais' generation, mocking them, and not listening to us third-years!
It's our generation! Don't interfere! That's what he said?
Doing lax practice lazily... I can't stand watching the basketball club rot! That's what he came to appeal directly to us...!
Everyone glares at Sahori-senpai.
Sahori, getting angry in return,
Sahori: "Aggressive fast breaks are our tradition and color, right! Even if height is low, even if scoring ability is low! It's fine even if we lose with that!"
Anyway, he doesn't like that the juniors don't follow his instructions.
It feels like he doesn't want the juniors to achieve more than his generation did.
Really pathetic...!
The alumni are hardliners! Sahori is on trial!
They want to condemn Sahori.
Alumni: "If you say that much, then try a match in the afternoon, third-years versus first and second-years."
Sahori: "We've already retired, you know?!"
Alumni: "Even if you say you've retired, it hasn't even been two months since the summer tournament, right? First game of a doubleheader. Just do it!"
Sahori, harshly scolded by the Senpai, glares at us resentfully,
He tried to cut the physical training short, but the alumni Senpai didn't let him escape.
Good, I thought the alumni Senpai was on Sahori's side...!
Sahori, getting worked just like us. No need for honorifics anymore, right?
Even doing the same practice, Sahori can barely keep up.
...This person definitely has talent, maybe a genius type.
Even so, he has a tendency to make excuses, doesn't push himself, and can justify his lack of practice.
Talent and stuff like that are issues at the nationals or pro level, but at our level, it's about practice volume and seriousness, right?
This person thinks losing after trying hard is uncool... If he's going to lose, he'd rather have an excuse ready! That kind of person.
I can't understand it.
Why on earth was Airi-senpai dating this person?
Plenty of practice in the morning, and after lunch, practice in various offensive and defensive situations in game-like formats!
Sahori: "!! Afternoon match, right?!"
After doing offensive and defensive situations? Don't slack off, okay?
It seems Sahori thought he could face the match with no stamina concerns after the lunch break.
But when he heard it would be a match after solid practice, he protested that it was unfair.
Alumni: "Cut it out! How is it unfair if you all do the same practice and then play a match? The current players are at peak fatigue on the third day of training camp! Don't slack off!"
Sahori: "Why? Weren't alumni practices just a legal way for alumni to haze their juniors?"
The Senpai, now really mad,
Alumni: "Huh?! So that's how you saw us during alumni practice back then? The alumni always led by example in practice! If you're going to show off, then show that we Senpais can handle even this tough a practice with ease!"
Practice is brutal even in the afternoon.
But because the Senpais lead by example, we desperately hang on.
And then, the final match begins.
Current players vs. third-years.
After that, a doubleheader: current players vs. alumni!