Basketball System: Rebound of the Underdog

A week had passed.

Kai wasn't sure if it was a miracle or just exhaustion that things seemed to be going well within the basketball team. They were working surprisingly well together—passing, communicating, and executing plays during practice, which made Coach Xu Wei believe they could actually have a medal finish.

Even Marcus, who had once looked at him like he was gum stuck to his shoe, now settled for cold indifference instead of outright loathing. It wasn't ideal, but it was progress.

Unfortunately for Kai, his success on the court was overshadowed by the mounting disaster of the opening ceremony with Fernando Ching.

The Elite Five were sprawled across a bench in the gym during their break, sweat clinging to their jerseys as they shared water bottles and snacks. Kai sat on the floor in front of them, legs stretched out as they talked.

Well, they talked.

Kai just stared at the floor, mentally replaying every missed attempt from the past week.

"So, how's it going with the old man?" Zheng asked casually, leaning back with his hands behind his head.

Kai let out a heavy sigh, slumping further down. "There's no progress."

Max, sitting on the far end, raised an eyebrow. "None? At all?"

"Zero," Kai muttered. "We haven't landed a single attempt. He blames me every time. Every shot I make is too low or, too far, or too slow. If he had a third hand, I swear he'd point a finger at me from every direction."

Max snorted at that. "Well, you've still got tomorrow to figure it out," he said, his voice cheery, trying to inject some optimism into the conversation.

Kai glared at him, unimpressed. "Wow. Comforting."

Max held up his hands defensively. "I'm just saying! It's not game over yet."

"Feels like it," Kai grumbled, burying his face in his hands.

Mr. Liang's voice still echoed in his head: Again, Kai. Again. Over and over.

And no matter how perfect he tried to make his throw, Fernando's shot would still miss.

"You're really stressing over this," Jian observed, taking a bite out of the cookie that his mom had kindly baked for the team. She even made a special cookie just for Kai for bringing Jian back to life—or whatever that meant.

"You've got two things going against you: a ceremonial ball filled with liquid and an old man who probably hates your guts."

"Great analysis," Kai muttered dryly.

Jian ignored him. "But if you think about it logically, Fernando doesn't want to fail."

Kai frowned and sat up a little straighter. "What do you mean?"

Jian shrugged. "He's grumpy and kind of a jerk, yeah, but why would he sabotage the opening ceremony? It would make him look bad, too. It's not just your reputation at stake, Kai. It's the basketball team and the shooting team."

There was a pause as everyone considered this. Even Jimmy, who typically loved taking jabs at Kai, was quiet.

"You're saying he wants to succeed?" Kai asked skeptically. "Because it sure doesn't feel like it."

"Probably," Jian said with a shrug. "Maybe he's just…not great at showing it. You should ask him why."

Kai pursed his lips, the idea sounding absurd at first. Fernando wasn't exactly someone who looked approachable.

The man had spent the entire week being cold and condescending, with his arms crossed and a glare that could kill. Kai was convinced he didn't like him, plain and simple.

Still…Jian had a point. If Fernando truly wanted this to work, then there had to be a reason for his attitude. Maybe, deep down, he really did want to succeed.

Kai sighed again, running a hand through his hair. He glanced at Max, who gave him a thumbs-up. "Don't give up now, man," Max said. "One more day. You've got this."

Kai rolled his eyes. "You're terrible at pep talks."

"Hey, I'm trying."

***

Later that day, they gathered again for yet another practice session. The sun was already beginning to dip below the horizon.

Mr. Liang looked like he was on the verge of losing his mind—or perhaps what little remained of his mustache. His frustration was at its peak as he barked orders at Kai and Fernando.

"Again!" Mr. Liang snapped, his voice shrill.

Kai stepped up to the line with the ceremonial ball cradled in his hands.

He could feel Fernando's gaze boring into the side of his face. Kai's muscles ached, and his palms were already slick with sweat, but he said nothing.

He just adjusted his grip, took a deep breath, and threw.

The ball sailed forward in a near-perfect arc. Kai froze, watching it move, hoping this time would be the one.

Fernando raised his rifle and fired—crack.

The shot missed. Again.

The ball entered the basket, and Mr. Liang's trusty companions had to retrieve it once more.

Kai clenched his fists and turned to Fernando, trying to keep his frustration in check. Fernando, as usual, didn't look even slightly bothered.

"You shot too early," Kai muttered, narrowing his eyes.

"And your throw was wrong," Fernando snapped back.

Mr. Liang pinched the bridge of his nose, clearly at the end of his rope.

"This is hopeless," he muttered under his breath, pacing back and forth.

Kai bit his lip to stop himself from saying something he'd regret. He bent to pick up the ball again, his mind racing. He replayed the moment in his head—the throw, the timing, the shot.

Something was wrong. But it wasn't him.

Fernando turned away, clearly expecting to start over, but Kai watched him more closely this time. The rifle in his hands was steady, but his stance looked…tense.

Then, the realization hit him.

Kai froze, the ball gripped tightly in his hands. It wasn't that Fernando wanted to sabotage the ceremony. It wasn't even that he was angry with him. The problem was that Fernando…couldn't do it.

Kai stared at the older man, suddenly seeing the situation in a different light. Fernando's confidence was all bravado. His sharp words and his cold demeanor—those were a shield.

Kai's throat went dry as the pieces fell into place. Fernando wasn't missing the shots because of him. He was missing them because he couldn't hit them.

He stood there for a moment, stunned, as Fernando adjusted the rifle, pretending not to notice Kai's gaze.

"Kai!" Mr. Liang barked. "What are you waiting for? Do it again!"