Chapter 98: Hot Pot
In the locker room, Daiki Aomine was bursting with excitement, nonstop reliving the game.
“That was awesome, seriously awesome! That alley-oop was way too cool!”
Atsushi Murasakibara, already changed, sat on the bench eating a snack bar, completely ignoring Aomine.
Miyamoto Tokima watched Aomine flailing around, speechless, the corner of his mouth twitching.
Shuzo Nijimura’s forehead twitched as he kicked Aomine squarely in the backside.
“Calm down already, you idiot!”
Aomine grabbed his butt and instantly behaved.
Kōzō Shirogane laughed heartily and patted Nijimura on the shoulder.
“Nijimura, can’t you let your junior celebrate winning his first championship?”
With the coach speaking up, Aomine immediately nodded along.
“Exactly! Nijimura-senpai is just too—”
Nijimura fixed him with a cold stare.
“Too what?”
Aomine faltered.
“Not… not a bad person. Not a bad person…”
Nijimura didn’t press the issue. He was a little excited himself.
Tetsuya Kuroko smiled quietly as he took out his phone, sharing his happiness with his childhood friend.
Miyamoto Tokima stood up.
“Everyone, let’s go eat together later.”
Kōzō Shirogane smiled warmly.
“We should. Today’s on me.”
Atsushi Murasakibara’s eyes lit up instantly.
“Food. Food. Food.”
Seeing his reaction, everyone burst out laughing.
Shogo Haizaki changed clothes nearby. When no one was paying attention, a small smile crept onto his face.
‘A championship… this actually feels pretty damn good.’
Suddenly, someone kicked him from behind.
“Which bastard ambushed me?!”
Haizaki spun around angrily, only to see Shuzo Nijimura.
“Nijimura-senpai, what was that for?!”
Nijimura whistled impatiently.
“Hurry up and get changed. We’re waiting on you.”
“Tch, got it.”
The others laughed again.
Embarrassed by all the staring and laughter, Haizaki sped up.
Once everyone was ready, Teikō finished their interviews with the reporters before leaving the gym together to look for a place to eat.
...
On the way, Satsuki Momoi walked beside Miyamoto Tokima. Watching the team ahead chatting and laughing, she smiled softly.
“Tokima, do you think we’ll always be like this?”
Tokima rested his hands behind his head and smiled.
“We will.”
Momoi’s smile deepened.
“No matter what you do, I’ll always be with you.”
Tokima turned his head and gently ruffled her hair.
“You’re really thoughtful, Satsuki.”
Momoi pouted and swatted his hand away.
“Hmph! You’re such a dense idiot!”
Tokima laughed and lightly pinched her cheeks.
“Oh? Is Satsuki sulking now? What should I do about that?”
He put on an exaggerated thinking pose.
Momoi kept pouting, her eyes drifting toward him. Suddenly, before anyone noticed, Tokima leaned in and kissed her.
“Alright, not mad anymore, right?”
Momoi’s face flushed instantly. She nodded shyly.
“Hey, Tokima, you—huh? Momoi, why’s your face so red?”
Aomine suddenly turned around.
The others followed his gaze and looked at Momoi.
Her face grew even redder.
Tokima spoke up calmly,
“It’s hot. She’s flushed from the heat.”
Aomine didn’t think much of it. He ran over with a mischievous grin.
“Tokima, Akashi, Midorima, and I all agreed—we’re eating hot pot!”
Tokima blinked.
“There’s… hot pot here?”
Shintaro Midorima pushed up his glasses.
“Of course.”
...
“There really is!”
Tokima stared at the massive hot pot restaurant. A long line stretched outside, and servers hurried back and forth inside—it was packed.
Midorima adjusted his glasses.
“This place opened last month. The flavor’s incredible, so business has been booming.”
Atsushi Murasakibara stared blankly.
“But… with this many people, when’s it going to be our turn? I’m already hungry.”
Tetsuya Kuroko suddenly pointed at the restaurant sign.
“I think I know why.”
Everyone followed his finger.
The restaurant’s name read clearly—
“Miyamoto-Style Explosive Spicy Hot Pot.”
Atsushi tilted his head.
“What’s special about that?”
Everyone stared at him in silence.
Then Aomine pointed at Tokima, then at the sign.
Only then did Atsushi realize.
“Miyamoto-chin! Is this your family’s hot pot place?!”
The fact that Tokima came from a wealthy family was already common knowledge at Teikō.
Tokima froze for a moment.
“I’m not sure. I’ll call my dad.”
After making the call and getting confirmation, Tokima walked back and looked at Midorima.
“You guys knew this was my family’s place all along, didn’t you? You were planning to skip the line using me.”
Midorima and Akashi said nothing, but their expressions gave them away completely.
Tokima sighed helplessly.
“Alright. My dad already made arrangements. Let’s go.”
Aomine jumped up instantly.
“Wooo! Hot pot!”
While Aomine was still celebrating, Atsushi had already rushed inside.
So there was a faster one.
Tokima rubbed his forehead and led everyone in.
With his father’s instructions already given, they were quickly shown into a private room.
Once the staff realized the young master was present, dishes and drinks were served promptly.
Knowing that Momoi and some others might not handle spice well, Tokima ordered a yin-yang pot.
Aomine stared at the bubbling red broth, drool practically forming.
Midorima adjusted his glasses.
“Aomine, I recommend the clear broth. The red one is extremely spicy.”
Aomine scoffed.
“Hah. Real men only eat red broth.”
Midorima shook his head, picking up a slice of meat from the clear broth.
“Suit yourself.”
He started eating.
Seeing that, Aomine immediately grabbed a piece of meat from the red broth and stuffed it into his mouth.
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