MTLNOVEL Chapter 48 Bonus chapter
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Of course, Eriri was only teasing Lucien D. Blackthorn. Her tone might have been sharp, but there wasn't a trace of real anger in her eyes. She had that mischievous smirk she always wore when she had the upper hand in banter.
Lucien chuckled faintly, his lips curling into a small, tired smile. After a few more exchanges, their playful back-and-forth ended in shared laughter that echoed warmly through the otherwise quiet hospital room.
After they'd talked for a while about school gossip and little day-to-day matters, Eriri finally stood, carefully gathering the neat stack of freshly inked Slam Dunk manuscript pages from the table. She hugged the drawings against her chest like they were treasure.
"I'll take these home and review them properly," she said, her voice brisk but with a hint of excitement. "The midterms are in two days, so I can't stay too late. Need to get some studying done if I don't want Mom breathing down my neck."
Lucien gave a slow nod. He was used to the ebb and flow of her visits — short bursts of chatter and energy that lit up the room before fading into quiet once she left.
After Eriri left, the silence in the ward seemed almost louder than usual. Lucien shifted on the bed, feeling a dull ache in his side and the familiar weight of fatigue creeping over him. With a soft exhale, he pulled the blanket higher and let himself drift into rest.
---
The next two or three days passed in a steady rhythm of work and treatment.
Lucien, determined not to waste the sudden burst of creative momentum, managed to finish the remaining Chapters 16, 17, and 18 of Slam Dunk's second volume. His lines were firm despite the occasional tremor in his fingers, and the panels flowed with the easy confidence of someone who had begun to see the characters moving in his mind as vividly as real people.
The hospital days were punctuated by his scheduled medication and checkups. The targeted drugs he was taking now were starting to show signs of effectiveness — something the attending doctor confirmed after his latest examination. The improvement wasn't miraculous, but it was real.
The doctor even called Lucien's father, who was away seeking further medical consultation, to share the small victory.
---
Thursday afternoon brought a welcome change of pace. Eriri reappeared at the ward's door, still in her school uniform, her hair slightly mussed from the wind outside. The midterms were halfway done, and she'd just finished her English exam.
"I survived," she declared dramatically, closing the door behind her. "So… let's see those new chapters."
Lucien slid the neatly stacked drawings across the table toward her. "The last three of volume two."
Eriri pulled a chair beside his bed and started reading. As the panels passed under her eyes, she leaned closer, lips twitching in thought. When she finished the final page, she looked up, a sparkle of amusement in her gaze.
"I think Sakuragi Hanamichi should just join the Judo Club," she announced matter-of-factly.
Lucien blinked. "...What?"
She gestured with the last page. "Think about it. The end of this arc is basically Aota Ryuhiko — you know, the Judo Club's president — trying to recruit Sakuragi. He even pulls that ridiculous coercion-and-bribery routine. And then what happens? Sakuragi trashes him in a judo match but still insists on basketball. Personally, I think the Judo Club's more his style."
Lucien shook his head slowly. "Eri… you're prejudiced against him."
"Prejudiced? Hardly!" she huffed, hands on her hips. "He's childish, arrogant, always showing off, and has zero team spirit. The Judo Club would be perfect for him — all brawls, all the time. He'd be in heaven."
Lucien gave a quiet laugh. "Sakuragi's not a born fighter. You can't see how motivated he actually is? Once he set his mind on basketball, he didn't back down."
"Hmph. Motivated, sure — by Haruko's smile, maybe. That's the only reason he's still hanging around the team. You've seen him. The guy practically freezes when she walks past."
Lucien fell silent, knowing there was no winning a verbal spar with her in this mood. But inwardly, he had to admit — she wasn't wrong. Sakuragi's reasons for playing weren't exactly pure.
Eriri's expression shifted almost imperceptibly. As another illustrator, she understood better than most how it felt to have one's work criticized. A thought crossed her mind — Did I just discourage him without realizing it?
Her voice softened. "Anyway… it's your story. My griping doesn't mean anything. I'm just complaining."
Lucien offered her a faint smile. "You know… you might be right about one thing. He does like Haruko. But, Eri, sometimes girls can be the spark that makes guys work harder, push themselves, become more than they were."
Eriri tilted her head. "Oh? Is that so?"
Lucien's gaze lingered on her, more serious now. "For someone as beautiful as you… I wouldn't be surprised if there are boys at our school trying to improve themselves just for a chance to talk to you."
She froze, momentarily at a loss for words. The comment was casual, but it was also… a compliment. And coming from Lucien, it made her heart skip just a little.
Still, Eriri Spencer Sawamura was not about to show her fluster. She puffed her cheeks slightly and forced a haughty tone. "Well, I'm not Haruko. If anything, Kasumigaoka-senpai's the Haruko type. Even the basketball captain confessed to her."
Lucien chuckled. "Probably because of her figure. And unlike Sakuragi, he's not just being childish — he's obviously drawn to her body. Honestly, what guy wouldn't notice a figure like that?"
The first half of that statement had Eriri nodding in agreement… until the second half hit her. She stiffened, her mind grinding to a halt.
Wait. Did he just imply… I don't…?
Her eyes narrowed dangerously.
Lucien noticed the sudden change and immediately realized his slip. His eyes darted away, and unfortunately for him, they landed on her modest chest before he turned sharply toward the wall.
Well… it is a little… but that doesn't mean I don't—
He wisely said nothing.
---
That night, back at home, Eriri uploaded the last three chapters of Slam Dunk volume two to her online serialization page under her pen name, Eri Kashiwagi. Once the upload bar hit 100%, she shut her laptop with a satisfied click.
Tomorrow was the last day of midterms — two more subjects, and she'd be free for the weekend.
Somewhere else in town, the latest issue of Manga Jump had just hit the stands, sparking excitement among readers. Eriri studied late into the night, driven partly by the thought of the freedom to come.
---
Meanwhile, Makishima Shouma — third-year, Class A, Toyonosaki Academy, captain of the basketball team — was lying in bed scrolling through his phone. His homework was done, but his mind was restless.
A few days ago, he had done something bold — impulsively confessing to Kasumigaoka Utaha of Class 3C. He'd been ready for the inevitable polite rejection.
Instead, she had looked at him with that cool, unreadable smile and said:
> "If you can lead your team to qualify for the national high school basketball tournament this year… I'll consider going out with you."
It was the first time she had ever given such an answer. To any boy.
Makishima had been both thrilled and unsettled ever since. The tournament was only weeks away, and as captain, he knew exactly how slim their chances were.
For Kasumigaoka-san… I'll risk everything.
He clenched his fists under the covers.
Just then, his phone buzzed — a message from a junior teammate.
> "Senpai, check out this manga I've been reading! It's about basketball. I think you'll like it!"
He tapped the link. The page loaded, and the title appeared before him.
Slam Dunk.
End of the chapter
250 power stone= 1 extra chapter