I want to reach 20 paid subscriptions on Patreon this week to complete this novel, as it has been over a month since the last subscription.
patreon.com/ayan41x
----
The arena was filled with a cacophony of noise.
Ryu, carrying Karupin, squeezed through the crowd towards the designated spot.
The eyes of the human and cat scanned back and forth, trying to find that bright spot from their memories.
After a long while, Ryu stared blankly at Karupin in its arms and transmitted its voice.
"Are you mistaken? There's nothing here. If there really was energy, there would be a trace of it!"
"Impossible. I have great confidence in my senses. I've never been wrong before."
Karupin insisted righteously.
"I'm sure it's in this direction, not far from us."
Hearing Karupin's unwavering certainty,
Ryu fell silent for a moment.
It still believed Karupin.
Besides, such a thing would be exceptionally beneficial to both itself and Karupin.
It had no reason to deceive itself about this.
If Karupin wasn't lying, then it meant that colored energy did indeed exist in the vicinity.
It was just that, for some reason, the energy was sealed or obscured, making it difficult to find.
Thinking this, Ryu's gaze began to sweep over the surrounding audience.
[Eye of the Ice Emperor] activated.
In an instant, the weaknesses of the surrounding crowd immediately appeared in his field of vision.
He looked around.
Suddenly, Ryu noticed a spot where the weaknesses were far fewer than those of the others.
When he focused his gaze, his expression faltered slightly.
Huh?
That's…
Long golden hair, emerald green eyes, a green hooded jacket, and towering, steep peaks, and red-rimmed glasses.
'This attire, could it be…'
As if sensing Ryu's gaze, the figure turned its head and looked in their direction.
The two locked eyes.
"Oh... Cool Boy, and CuteCat."
Hearing the enthusiastic greeting, Ryu finally recognized the person.
Alex Garcia.
He was Kagami Taiga and Himuro Tatsuya's basketball coach in the US.
Soon, Ryu realized something.
At this time, it seemed this kissing maniac had indeed arrived in Japan.
His presence in this arena meant...
Ryu subconsciously glanced at the scoreboard.
On the scoreboard at this moment:
Seirin vs. Rikkai.
Don't misunderstand, this Rikkai is different from the Rikkai in The Prince of Tennis.
There's no tennis here, no Yukimura Seiichi or Sanada Genichiro.
It's simply the Rikkai from Kuroko's Basketball.
That's all.
However, it must be said, Rikkai is a school with considerable popularity and strength, regardless of the world.
Ryu couldn't help but feel a pang of sympathy for this.
"Is Cool Boy here to cheer for the team too?"
Alex's sudden question jolted Ryu awake.
He replied.
"Ah...no...I guess so!"
Ryu initially wanted to say no.
But then he thought about it; Seirin wasn't entirely unfamiliar, and with Kuroko on the team, cheering him on was only natural.
Alex, upon hearing this, immediately became excited.
"Really? That's amazing! I haven't been in Japan long and I'm not familiar with the area. Could you be my guide?"
Uh…
Ryu's eyelids twitched.
This girl is really outgoing!
A passionate American woman—who could resist that?!
"Found her."
Just then.
Karupin suddenly transmitted his voice to Ryu.
"Ryu, I've found the source of that energy."
Ryu's expression remained unchanged as he faced Alex, but inside he was incredibly excited.
"Are you sure? Where?"
Meow…
Karupin nuzzled his head towards Alex.
"Right in front of you. The source of the energy is coming from this woman."
Hearing this, Ryu looked the blonde beauty up and down.
Feeling Ryu's undisguised, naked gaze.
Alex didn't show anger or embarrassment; instead, she revealed a charming and alluring smile.
"Cool Boy, you're making me blush if you look at me like that. Of course, if you want to ask me out, I'd be happy to!"
Ryu's lips twitched uncontrollably at her suggestive words.
Ahem...
Ryu coughed twice and then said.
"Ah! No, I'm really sorry, it's just that I rarely see girls with such high physical abilities as you. This is Japan, after all, so I was a little surprised."
This was an excuse he subconsciously made up.
After all, it's always a bit impolite to stared at girl like that.
Besides, what he said was true.
Sure enough, upon hearing this, Alex's eyes lit up, and her gaze towards Ryu became even more intense.
"Oh... Cool Boy, you're really good with words. It seems you're not as simple as I thought!"
Alex, despite wearing glasses...
However, her years of experience playing basketball and coaching allowed her to immediately recognize Ryu's superhuman physical abilities.
"Cool Boy, are you a basketball player too? Oh, by the way, my name is Alex Garcia, from the United States."
"Ah, hello."
Ryu smiled back and continued.
"My name is Shirogane Ryu, just call me Ryu. I'm also a participant, but it's not our team's game time yet."
Alex understood.
"I see. So, Ryu, would you like to watch the game with me?"
Hearing this, Ryu didn't hesitate and nodded in agreement.
"Such a beautiful lady invited me, of course I won't refuse."
He thought to himself.
'Karupin said that energy originated from Alex in front of me, this is a good opportunity to investigate closely.'
"Oh! By the way, let me tell you a secret."
Alex whispered to Ryu.
"I know one of the players who's about to take the court."
Huh?
Ryu chuckled.
"Is that so? Looks like you have a wide circle of friends!"
Tsk tsk tsk…
Alex extended a slender finger and shook it at Ryu.
"Not friends, but mentor and student. I'm a basketball coach!"
"Really? Beautiful female coaches are quite rare. You're only the second one I've seen."
Hearing Ryu's words, Alex pouted, feigning anger.
"Am I the second? Then who was the first?"
Ryu answered.
"Actually, among these participating schools, there's one whose basketball coach is also a stunning beauty!"
"Oh, I see!"
Alex's eyes lit up with interest.
"I really want to meet her!"
Ryu said.
"She's the basketball coach from Yosen. You'll see."
The two chatted.
They talked about everything, casual conversation, getting along very well.
After an unknown amount of time.
The players from both teams finally emerged from the tunnel.
The surrounding spectators stopped their noisy discussions and erupted in cheers.
Alex pointed to a tunnel below.
"Look, that redhead is my apprentice. What do you think? Isn't he very manly?"
Ryu nodded.
But his attention was entirely focused on his conversation with Karupin.
"We're so close now, but we still haven't found anything. Where on Alex, did you say?"
Karupin looked equally puzzled.
"I don't know either, but I'm certain that energy is emanating from this woman beside me."
After a moment of silence, Karupin's eyes suddenly lit up, and he spoke.
"Find a way to make contact with her. Maybe we can find something."
Contact?
Ryu looked at Alex, then at Karupin in his arms.
What to do?
He couldn't just shove Karupin into her arms!
After a moment of silence, Ryu's eyes suddenly lit up.
He lifted Karupin up and said to Alex.
"Oh right, I forgot to introduce him. This is my partner, Karupin. Want to try holding him?"
"Really? Can I?"
Alex's eyes sparkled with excitement.
She took Karupin from Ryu's arms.
Alex was overjoyed, like she'd received a beloved toy.
"What an adorable kitten!"
Karupin enjoyed Alex's gentle caresses while trying to connect with the energy emanating from her.
After snuggling in Alex's arms for a while, Karupin telepathically told Ryu,
"No! Ryu, I'm absolutely certain now that the energy is coming from this woman, but I can't directly absorb it from her."
"What do you mean?"
Ryu asked, frowning.
Karupin replied helplessly.
"It means that to absorb this energy, I need a medium."
A medium?
Ryu was silent for a moment, recalling the images of Karupin absorbing energy.
He said somewhat uncertainly,
"You don't mean you want me to be the medium, do you?"
Karupin nodded matter-of-factly.
"That's right, exactly. You need to find a way to stimulate the energy within this woman, or directly touch her physically. As long as you act as the medium, I can successfully absorb it."
Upon hearing this, Ryu's lips twitched repeatedly, and his eyelids twitched as well.
Arouse?
How do I arouse her?
Do I have to take her to do some strenuous exercise?
In that instant, Ryu imagined countless bizarre scenarios.
He shook her head.
'Perhaps inviting her to play basketball is a good idea.'
Thinking this, his gaze began to drift towards Alex.
Alex seemed to be teasing Karupin, but her senses were actually quite sharp.
Feeling Ryu's gaze, she pretended not to notice anything.
However, she was thinking to herself.
'Could this cool boy be captivated by my beautiful face? Why is he staring at me like that? Although he's handsome, could he actually be a pervert? Judging from his appearance, he doesn't seem like the legendary sadist…'
Forcibly banishing the strange thoughts from her mind, she muttered to herself.
'Pah, pah, pah... What am I thinking, Alex? How could you think like that! He was just openly looking you up and down, he didn't do anything, what are you thinking? What if you misunderstand him?'
Ryu, of course, had no idea what Alex was thinking.
He was currently racking his brains trying to figure out how to approach her.
A sudden handshake or hug felt too abrupt.
And the contact couldn't be too short.
This was putting Ryu in a difficult position.
It required skin-to-skin contact, and for a considerable amount of time—it all felt a bit inexplicable.
'Um...'
Finally, Ryu spoke.
"Alex, I have a request. I wonder if you can grant it?"
'Here it comes…'
Alex appeared calm, but inwardly she was thinking to herself.
'I knew it! This handsome, cool boy in front of her is about to make a request. It must be something outrageous. Should I agree? Or not? If it's just a kiss, I'd be happy to.'
She was lost in thought.
Ryu's next words followed.
"Um… I think… could I…"
Before he could finish, a slender finger blocked his lips.
Alex smiled sweetly and spoke softly.
"No, little Ryu, you're too young. It'll affect your development! I'm a very conservative person!"
Ryu blinked, completely bewildered.
What is this?
"What do you mean 'too young'? What do you mean 'conservative'?"
"You... Alex... conservative?"
Ryu rolled his eyes wildly.
However, he still sensed the peculiar meaning in Alex's words.
Ryu's eyes widened, his face filled with disbelief.
'Does she think I'm a pervert?'
Ryu rolled his eyes even more, speechless.
his gaze towards Alex turned resentful.
"I said, Alex, you've misunderstood something. I'm not some kind of weirdo with ill intentions. I didn't mean anything by it. I just wanted to...want to...um..."
'Damn, what am I thinking? I just wanted to get to know her a little, but it's been taking a while. This really makes me look like a lecherous pervert with ill intentions.'
For a moment, Ryu felt completely flustered.
Seeing Ryu's expression, Alex chuckled.
'Oh! Boy, looks like you're having a lot of trouble right now! Trying to win over your older sister? That's so funny. How about I give you a chance?'
Ryu rolled his eyes at her, then lowered his head and fell silent.
Hahahaha…
Seeing Ryu's embarrassed expression, Alex covered her mouth and chuckled, her tongue involuntarily sticking out as she licked her pink lips.
She thought Ryu looked incredibly cute at that moment.
'I really want to taste what it's like!'
Ryu felt a sudden, inexplicable tingling sensation throughout his body.
But just then…
The surrounding audience's noisy discussions turned into excited cheers.
"Is the warm-up over? Is the match finally about to begin?"
"Seriously, I can't wait!"
"One of the most anticipated dark horses of the year, they're really something to look forward to."
"I wonder if Rikkai can withstand Seirin's attack."
----
I want to reach 20 paid subscriptions on Patreon this week to complete this novel, as it has been over a month since the last subscription.
patreon.com/ayan41x