1/

Kyoto, Japan.

A narrow building in the Gion area, a small comic book shop on the second floor.

In the space where he couldn't turn around, Simmons and the owner of the comic book bookstore, the red-haired middle-aged "Sakuragi" (real name Ono Yamako) stared wide-eyed. Across them was the "Slam Dunk" national contest volume that Simmons couldn't find in Kyoto City.

A brand new set of national contest volume comic books.

Neatly packed in a cardboard box, with the books facing up, arranged in order.

Like a freshly released Jia Yao, it also exudes the aroma of ink.

Simmons pressed the comic book straight up, his jaw about to fall on the middle-aged Sakuragi's head, and he was speechless in shock. He probably didn't expect to find such a well-preserved set of 20-year-old comic books on the streets of Kyoto that night.

"What's wrong, Mr. Simmons? Isn't that what you're looking for? ”

"Yes. But..."

"But what?"

"Ah, nothing but. It just appeared in front of me all of a sudden, and it seemed a little uncomfortable. Simmons touched the back of his head and said with a smile, and anyone who had read the manga could probably associate him with Sakuragi Hanamichi's smile at a glance.

"There's nothing to be out of your hands on, Mr. Simmons. As I said, this whole comic book is for you. The middle-aged Sakuragi bent down, reached into the counter, and said, "If you need it, I have the whole set of "Slam Dunk", I'll help you move it out." ”

"No, no—but, Mr. Ohno, why do you say that this comic book is specially for me?"

"Mr. Simmons, you watched "Slam Dunk", didn't you notice the story of Sakuragi Hanamichi going to the basketball shoe store to buy shoes?"

Ben Simmons shook his head in confusion, and he added: "I only started watching it recently, starting from the tryouts in Xiangbei, and I don't seem to have noticed this plot." ”

"Oh, that's okay too." The middle-aged Sakuragi took out another box from the top of the bookshelf behind him, but he didn't open it, and carefully rested it next to the comic book. He said: "The story is about Haruko accompanying Sakuragi Hanamichi to a basketball shoe store to buy shoes, which is also a small store in Ichisaka, which is similar to mine. Sakuragi couldn't choose the right shoes, and at the last glance, he took a fancy to the air jordan, which the shoe store owner treasured, and forcibly took it away at a low price. This clip of buying shoes appeared twice in the entire slam dunk master, although Sakuragi was forced to buy and sell every time, but I have to say that without the pain of the shoe store owner, there may not be Sakuragi's soaring and blockbuster in the end... Ah, am I having too many spoilers?! ”

"Not at all. So Sakuragi Hanamichi's special training really worked?! Simmons couldn't help but ask, but he was not so much concerned about the plot in the comics, he might be more concerned about his 30,000-ball shooting practice, whether it would really work.

"This... It's better for you to take the national competition roll and see for yourself. The middle-aged Sakuragi shoved the book in front of Simmons and smiled slyly.

"But... I can't take your book for nothing. It's in such a good condition, it should be collectible. How many yen should I give you? ”

"No—"

"Why?"

"You still don't understand the comic plot I just said, Mr. Simmons? I am the generation that was moved by "Slam Dunk" and cherished the dream of basketball. I've also played in national tournaments, and I've been on the bench for the team..."Recalling the past, there seemed to be something special flashing in the eyes of the middle-aged Sakuragi.

"But I'm my height," he gestured to Ben Simmons with the top of his head before touching the other man's shoulder, "there's only so much for the basketball dream." I wasn't destined to play basketball, and after the national tournament, I tried to join the university team, but even the Japanese university team brought together the best of the country, and I was so tall and skilled that even if I practiced hard and didn't have enough talent, I couldn't rank at all. Later, after graduating from university, I returned to Kyoto and worked in the company, but only the basketball dream of "Slam Dunk" was the one I couldn't let go of. I've always wondered how as an ordinary person can pass on the dreams I've had to the next dreamer..."

"So you came up with the idea to open this comic book store!" Simmons is like a detective who solves a crime.

"That's right. Just like the owner of the basketball shoe store in "Slam Dunk". Although it is a sneaker that I cherish and cherish, I really meet someone who is destined, that kind of talented basketball wizard, who realizes the maximum value of sneakers with his own dreams, and I am happy to endure the pain and cut my love. ”

"But how do you know that I am the destined person you are waiting for?"

"You're Ben Simmons after all! NBA Rookie of the Year and the most promising man to dominate the league in the next decade. If you're not destined to be a person, then I really don't know who is. ”

“…”

"Don't hesitate, take it." The middle-aged Sakuragi was a little excited, and wanted to punch Simmons in the chest with his fist, but probably out of the unique Japanese reserve, he only waved it and took it back.

"But what about this box?" Simmons pointed to the box that the boss had taken from the top of the bookshelf.

"Give me your sneakers."

"Sneakers?" Simmons can't think of anything to do with basketball shoes and comic book store owners.

"Yes, it's the same pair of shoes that Sakuragi Hanamichi is going to go in "Slam Dunk"-" Store manager Ohno lifted the lid of the box, and a new pair of retro Air Jordan 1 like the treasure of the Great Demon King finally revealed its true face.

Red and black color scheme.

"I've got it for you, too! I deliberately chose the size of a basketball player when I received it that year, I hope you can wear it! ”

Ben Simmons took the AJ1 and turned the sole over to look at it, and it was exactly his size!

2/

Shenzhen, China.

Inside the room of the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Luohu District.

This is the fourth stop of Yang Yiming's China tour. After days of running, this half-day activity caught up with the heavy rain in Shenzhen, and outdoor activities could not be carried out, Yu Xiaochun did not change to other activities, Yang Yiming could finally take a rest in the room.

The torrential rain rattled the windows of the hotel rooms. Even with the air conditioner on, the humid and stuffy air seems to be able to find a gap in it. Yang Yiming was stuck in the soft hotel bed, bored with the TV channel, tiredness hit, and his eyelids slowly closed...

The phone rang in his room, interrupting his sleep.

"Hey..."

"Hello Mr. Yang. This is the welcome department, there is a courier for you, you need to go downstairs to sign for it..."

"Go downstairs? You sign for me, I'll pick it up later. Yang Yiming didn't understand why there was a courier sent to the hotel, and sent it directly to him.

"No... The courier is a bit big, and you may still need to sign for it in person..."The other party's tone was a little embarrassed.

"yes... What is the courier? ”

"I'll show you." The other end of the phone seemed to be checking the order of the courier, covered the receiver again, and asked a few words to the people around him, and then answered the phone and said, "Hello Mr. Yang." The courier for you is shoes, basketball shoes. ”

"Basketball shoes? Just a pair of basketball shoes? ”

"No, Mr. Yang, it's a whole box of basketball shoes. Someone delivered you a cart of basketball shoes. ”