I Really Want To Play!

That was the only logical explanation he could find.

He reincarnated.

Although it didn't sound very logical, that was the only possible explanation.

"How is this possible?", Reo muttered to himself.

He then noticed another thing. His voice had changed.

He looked down on his body and discovered something else.

He had shrunk!

Well, not really shrunk. To put in more precisely, he was now in the body of what seemed like a 10-year old.

'Did I end up in a different universe?', Reo recounted back of all the scenarios he read from light novels in his past.

This seemed like the exact situation that they described in the novels.

But shouldn't he be getting some super cool powers or something?

Thinking about it, Reo decided to leave it aside for now and get ready.

That man previously gave him about 10 minutes to get ready and join him for breakfast. The last thing that he wanted now was to get a harsh scolding right after he came into this world.

Standing up from the bed, Reo made his way to the attached bathroom in his room.

However, after taking a few steps, he stopped abruptly.

'This feeling....My body!', Reo looked down at his hands and legs in shock.

It didn't hurt anymore. His limbs didn't hurt anymore!

'Can it be...',as Reo thought of a possibility, he decided to test his theory out.

Taking a deep breath, he released the tensed muscles in his legs as he jumped high into the air.

Landing on the ground, Reo took some time to get his balance right.

After all, this was his first time jumping so freely.

"It really is real. My body...it's cured", Reo whispered with an emotional look with some tears leaking from his eyes.

He....someone who was born with a weak body was finally cured. He would no longer be considered a cripple and useless by everyone else.

He could finally rely on himself and forge his own path!

This was truly a miracle! A miracle!

After taking some time to rejoice about it, Reo quickly calmed himself down.

He was getting a bit too excited now and if his father came back again to see him like this, he would probably start worrying about his mental health then.

So, after taking some time to clean himself and freshen up in the bathroom, Reo went downstairs for breakfast.

Along the way, Reo noticed that this house didn't differ much from his original house.

Sure, it's layout was different but the size was still quite similar as well.

His family was never a well-to-do family to begin with in the first place so he was quite used to living in a cooped up house.

Actually, he was grateful to even have a house after living 7 months on the streets alone.

When he arrived at the kitchen, he saw his father jovially eating his breakfast while gazing intently at the small television in the corner.

"That's right you heard it! Today at Sport's Direct, we are having a 50% discount on more than 80% items in the store! So, don't waste time and grab them all now before the stock runs out", the enthusiastic ad campaign on the TV played loudly as the person on the screen made an excited look on his face.

Reo was shocked when he heard this.

50% discount on 80% of the items in Sports Direct just for National Day?

Since when did Sports Direct become so generous?

His father then turned to Reo, "I'm quite surprised that Sports Direct is so generous this year".

Reo sighed in relief. At least he was not the only person who thought that this was too much.

"It was only a 40% discount on 50% of the items last year. At least they are not so stingy this year", his father remarked casually.

That one remark made Reo's vision blur as he nearly fell over.

Was that really something that you could say so casually?

This was Sports Direct they were talking about! Sports Direct!

They were the #1 Sports Retailer in the UK which then proceeded to dominate the world with their expensive and famous products.

Almost every professional league bought their equipment from that store but here you are saying it like it was something normal!

His father, however, didn't noticed Reo's shocked appearance and proceeded to call out for him to come have his breakfast.

Not having much of a choice, Reo walked over to the dining table and sat down.

. . . . . . . . . . . . .

After having breakfast which in Reo's opinion was quite delicious, he and his father made their way towards the Tokyu Plaza Omotesando Harajuku which was one of Tokyo's most esteemed shopping malls.

Along the way, Reo was astounded by what he saw.

Everywhere he looked, it was basketball!, basketball! and basketball!

Even if this is a dream, wasn't this too exaggerated.

Posters and ads all over the buildings were either featuring some unknown players doing dunks or three-pointers or even just showcasing a random piece of basketball equipment.

Sure, there were other advertisements as well but over 60% was just featuring basketball.

Seeing Reo's shocked gaze, Reo's father felt like his son was acting strange.

"Son, are you ok? Are you having a fever?"

Hearing his father's voice, Reo couldn't help but ask.

"W-What is all this?"

Reo gave his son a weird look.

"This? Isn't this the usual advertisement for basketball? Although, there are some good stuff this time around"

Reo's father then gazed at the billboards in interest.

Seeing his father getting distracted so easily, Reo was frustrated.

How the hell was any of this normal? This was close to fanaticism.

"I mean, what is all this. Why are there so many ads about basketball?", Reo questioned this time with a serious look.

Reo's father definitely felt that something was wrong with his son now.

"I don't really understand what you are saying but if I have to put it in simple terms. It's because basketball is our national sports"

'Was our national sports always so celebrated? Also, wasn't our national sports, sumo?', Reo thought in his head.

"In fact, every country in the world has it's national sport as basketball but we have a particular history with it"

"I'm pretty sure that they thought you in history about Kobô Daishi. He was the one who brought fame to our country by utterly destroying all those other Asian Teams in the court and made basketball our national sports", Reo's father finished.

Reo felt his head spinning.

Kobô Daishi?

You mean THE Kobô Daishi who was the most revered Buddhist leader of all time in Japan?!

The one who was know for all types of legends and miracles?!

Only in this world, he was know for all types of legends and miracles in basketball instead!

Seeing Reo's shocked expression, his father chuckled a bit before ruffling his hair.

"Well, it's not like I expect you to know all of that"

"After all, you never liked basketball to begin with"

As Reo's father said this, a hint of sadness flashed through his eyes but it quickly disappeared.

Reo was once again stunned to silence.

He hated basketball?! What bullshit!

He had always wanted to play basketball but now, it turns out that the previous owner of this body had actually hated basketball.

Reo couldn't help but secretly curse at the previous owner in his heart.

Reo then realized something important.

He had always wanted to play basketball but right now, what was stopping him?

His weak body? His old age?

All of them were now gone!

He was only around 10 years old now. He had ample of time to train and become strong.

So, looking at his dad with a determined gaze...Reo stated his wish.

"Dad, I want to play basketball!"

His father was stunned for a second before putting on a carefree expression and ruffled his hair.

"What are you saying now, you brat? Do you really have fever or something?"

Reo didn't care about his father's words as he reached up and pulled his dad's hand from his head.

"Dad, I'm serious. I really want to play basketball!", Reo repeated his words once again.

This time, his father didn't take his words as a joke and stared at his son seriously, wondering what was up with him.

This boy had always hated basketball ever since he knew of the sport. It was also the reason why he kept on failing his history exams since majority of it had at least something to do with basketball.

Seeing his son's sudden change in attitude made him wonder if this boy really had a fever.

However, when he looked into his son's eyes....he halted all those thoughts.

Those eyes....

He felt a shiver down his spine when he saw those eyes.

Those were the eyes of determination. He had seen it countless of times back when he was still schooling.

Those were the eyes of a champion that never surrendered.

Those eyes were proof that what Reo said was real.

"You really want to play basketball?", his father asked in a solemn voice although there was a glint of hope in his eyes.

Reo nodded furiously as he replied, "Yes, father. I really want to play basketball!".

His father kept quite for a second as he processed all that was happening.

His son who hated basketball wanted to play basketball now. It was honestly quite ironic.

Then again, he wouldn't reject it if his son really wanted to play the game.

So, with a smile on his face, he put his son into a headlock.

"Alright, you brat. Since you are so keen on playing, let's go to Sports Direct and see if we can get any good balls on discount"

Reo would have normally rejoiced but with his father dragging him through the streets in a headlock, it was hardly worth celebrating.

"Ahh! Dad, let me go! My head is gonna fall off!"

"Hahaha, never. You have to take responsibility for putting me in such a joyful mood", his father shamelessly said.

Reo nearly spurted blood when he heard that.

In his head, he was constantly asking one thing.

'How in the world did I end up with such a shameless father?!'