A (very) incomplete list of things I loved in TSC: (obviously, spoilers)
Jean having no sense of time at the beginning. he has literally zero idea how much time has passed and has no frame of reference. it feels like weeks; we only know because we read the original series
the shift once again, this time from Jean's POV, from Nathaniel to Neil! it being a mark of respect
seeing how Neil really relayed the deal with Ichirou to Kevin and Jean (that Neil totally glossed over in TKM)
all of Jean's internal and spoken insults for everyone around him but especially all the Foxes
Jean's complete and utter disdain for short people and how many there are, just, everywhere. why are short people allowed? they should be illegal
Andrew's single word in the entire book being, "Leaving." just classic
the whole scene where Jean watches the final game? where he is so invested in how the Foxes are doing that when they win he shoves the tv?
Jean mentally adding Andrew into the Perfect Court because they need a goalkeeper, deciding that if Kevin and Riko die it would be ok because Jean, Andrew, and Neil were enough to rebuild around
Jeremy standing at baggage claim playing with a yo-yo until he gets it tangled in his headphones
Cat teaching Jean to cook
Jean being adorably horny and constantly swayed by beautiful people
Cat thinking Renee is hot
Jean just...not understanding how people function if their every move is not controlled at first? and then starting to come around?
Jean buying clothes! picking out things for himself!
Jeremy buying people in need gift cards because he can
Barkbark von Barkenstein being the silent unwitting center of a tiny war between Jean and Jeremy
Rhemann starting to realize what Jean/the Ravens have been going through at the hands of their coaches and needing to take a minute or fifty to get over it
Jean finding himself adopted into a queer family and just rolling with it
Jeremy and his complete and utter avoidance of every possible personal problem. nothing to see here, folks
Jean's glee when the Trojans first curse, being absolutely certain that this is revealing some deep well of depravity
the Trojans' techniques for staying sportsmanlike on the court (while really aggravating the fuck out of their opponents)
the fact that Neil and Jean together are basically a buddy comedy (which I NEED MORE OF)
Neil from an outside perspective as a weird little man who can negotiate without flinching with dangerous people, navigate an unfamiliar city after briefly studying printed off Mapquest instructions, coolly order a hit in the middle of a restaurant, and develop a convincing lie at the drop of a hat
Neil's tactless but relentless kindness?
"A cool evening breeze. Rainbows. Open roads. Friends."