Basketball System: Rebound of the Underdog

The basketball team lined up in an orderly manner, which was very contrary to how they usually were when Yuze and Lina were the only ones supervising them during training.

Kai looked at his teammates and saw them looking at the coach with unreadable expressions.

"Good afternoon," Coach Jin started off. "I'm sure most of you know me. But for those who don't," he said, glancing at Kai with great emphasis.

"I am Coach Jin—the coach of the basketball team," he said with a wide smile.

Kai clicked his tongue. How was he supposed to know that he was the coach?

It wasn't like he ever came to their games!

"Coach," Yuze said, clearing his throat, also appearing awkward around the middle-aged man.

"Yuze," Coach Jin chuckled. "It's been a while."

Yuze wordlessly nodded.

"I heard that the team is doing quite well this season," he remarked. "A lot of students and faculty members are talking about you, surprised by your sudden improvement."

"I'm happy that you are able to manage this team," he complimented.

"It wasn't only me," Yuze said. "Lina makes most of our plays."

"I see," Coach Jin said, not even bothering to thank Lina.

"Well, like I said, I have heard a lot from the students and faculty alike about your game with the Feng Foxes. I heard there was a large crowd for you."

"There was a bigger crowd than we anticipated," Kun said, a small smile forming on his face.

"Hmm," Coach Jin hummed. "And yet you lost."

Lina pursed her lips. "Yes, we did lose. However, it was an honorable loss since it was with the top two school within the city, which is the Feng Foxes."

"I already know that," Coach Jin deadpanned. "All I'm saying is that you guys could have won that game."

He finally turned to Lina, but his gaze was anything but friendly.

"I appreciate you making plays for the team because of my absence. I'm a pretty busy lad if I say so myself."

Lina pursed her lips to hold back her real thoughts. He was a P.E. teacher! He only came to school on Tuesdays and Thursdays for his classes, so why was he acting like a business man?

"However, you are the team manager," Coach Jin said.

"For that, you shall take on the role of maintaining the team morale, not writing the plays."

Lina frowned in confusion. "But I've been writing plays for the team since I was in my first year."

"I know," Coach Jin smiled. "And now, I shall take that role."

"From now on, I will act as a coach to all of you, guys!"

***

Dylan clicked his tongue as he bit off the ice cream that Mingze had kindly brought for them.

Kai didn't want to leave just yet, so he decided to join the second-string team during their training.

[Official Practice: +5XP]

[Unofficial Practice: +2XP]

[Current level: Intermediate (86)]

"Coach Jin came back?" Dylan asked, scoffing as he said his name.

"Yeah," Kai said. "It's pretty weird. This is the most structured training program we've ever done, but for some reason, I don't feel as tired compared to Lina's training regimen."

"That's because he doesn't know how to tailor a training program," Dylan said.

"Yup," Sunny said. "He probably just gets them on the internet and teaches it to you guys like he was the one who made them."

"Hmm," Kai hummed. "Do you think it's a bad thing—having him back on the team?"

"Personally, no!" Dylan exclaimed. "While it will help the team become more structured and, in a way, more efficient, I feel like he's also hindering your growth."

"He hasn't been there long enough to know your guys' strengths and weaknesses, so he's going to cluster you as a group rather than an individual."n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

"Moreover," Dylan continued. "Why is he suddenly showing interest in coaching the team? It must be because you guys are starting to get recognized. He must want the attention to."

"Agreed," Tony said, almost choking on his popsicle.

"Anyway, it's still up to you how you're going to see it. Coach Jin only started coaching three years ago, and he hasn't been present ever since so who knows? It might be for a good change," Dylan said.

Somehow, that made it more confusing for Kai.

Just then, he saw two familiar people from his peripheral vision—Zeren and Lina.

His back straightened as he saw Zeren following after Lina, with the latter seemingly annoyed by his presence.

A small smile appeared on Kai's face as he watched Lina push Zeren away.

"I have to go," Kai said, earning confused looks from the second-string team.

However, when they saw that he was running to where Lina was, they all nodded in understanding.

"Ah, young love," Dylan muttered dreamily.

Explore more at empire

Kai followed after Zeren and Lina and heard their conversation.

"Come on now. Why won't you just let me punch him? He disrespected you!"

"It doesn't matter," Lina said. "It's not like he's going to change his mind. I can tell that he's disgusted."

"But he doesn't have to be disgusted," Zeren muttered. "If you don't want me to talk to him, then let's just kick him out of the team."

Lina sighed and faced Zeren. "You know that we can't kick him out. He's an indispensable player of the team now."

Just as she said those words, her gaze met with Kai's, which made her eyes widen in surprise.

Zeren frowned in confusion and turned around to see what Lina was looking at.

Then, his frown deepened when he saw that it was none other than Kai.

"Well, speak of the devil," Zeren chuckled.

"Zeren," Lina sighed. "Let's just go."

"No," Zeren stubbornly said. "I'm going to talk to him right now."

"Zeren," Lina said in a warning tone. "If you keep on doing this—"

"You're hurt," Zeren said in a serious tone. "He can't keep getting away with hurting you."

Now, it was Kai's turn to be confused. "Did I...hurt you?" he asked, his gaze directed toward Lina.

Lina sighed and raked her fingers through her hair.

"Whatever. I'm leaving," Lina said, leaving the two boys alone in the empty street.

"Lina, wait!"

Kai was about to go after her, but Zeren held onto his arm, not letting go.

Kai glared at him. "Let go. I need to know if she's alright."

"She's alright because she's not with you," Zeren spat.

"Why do you keep saying that? Did I do something so wrong?" Kai exasperatedly asked.

Zeren shook his head in amazement. "I can't believe you're still not aware that you're being an asshole."

"I really thought you were a decent guy," Zeren continued.

"But how can you hate on Lina just because she's disabled?"

Kai's frown deepened.

"Disabled?" he asked.

"You started ignoring her after you found out about her leg, didn't you?" Zeren asked.

Just then, Kai realized what Zeren was talking about.

He had his own suspicions. After he touched Lina's leg back then, he realized that she must be wearing prosthetics.

However, he didn't want to assume anything and waited for Lina to tell him herself.

Yet, it seemed like it created an even bigger misunderstanding.

"How can I hate her, though?" Kai muttered.

When I understand it better than anybody else.