Rukawa confronts Minami on the court, asking him what he thinks the best highschool basketball player should be like. As Minami ponders, Rukawa answers for him, saying that it ought to be someone who can lead his entire team to the championship. (Ah! Rukawa's finally starting to openly realise the importance of teamwork!) Sakuragi overhears the conversation and turns to look at Rukawa with his strange... look... on his face. Could it be... He really is finally starting to look at Rukawa in a different light? 

Minami arrives, wanting to meet Rukawa. Sakuragi in all his noseyness secretly follows them as he thinks Minami's after revenge over Toyotama's loss. He's however blown away when it turns out Minami wants to make peace with Rukawa, and the Toyotama player gives him an ointment to help heal his eye. Out loud Sakuragi proclaims his excitement at the possibility that the ointment's poisoned. Well, I think he's just in denial of his concern... If he weren't the least bit worried for Rukawa he wouldn't have bothered following him and all that.