Recollection

When I picked up the ball, my little brother immediately went into a defensive stance.

"Oh" I said surprised.

I had the ball in my hand as I began to commence my move.

I had not began dribbling as I have been holding the ball in a defensive stance. To test Sei-chan's defenses, in a quick pace I jabbed my right leg forward. This threw Sei-chan off as I didn't plan to go easy on him. He reacted by stepping to the right but what I did was just pull-up.

*Swoosh*

The ball went in, nothing but net.

I planned to teach him some lessons in life. Sei-chan retrieved the ball and once again, the ball was in my possession yet again.

Sei-chan looked more focused and looked intently at me. I just smirked and once again, I got into an offensive stance. I once again jabbed my right leg forward. Sei-chan gave a childish smile as he stepped forward in order to counter me.

What I did was just dribbled the ball to the opposite direction to just do a simple crossover. This completely threw him off guard as he slipped and fell to the ground while I just pulled up and shot the ball directly

*Swoosh*

The ball went it, I helped my little brother up and I saw that he was pouting. I patted his little head and began to say.

"Sei-chan, there's nothing wrong at all with losing."

I continued,

"Everyone loses, even the all-time greats" "What matters is you get back up, stronger than ever"

I finished by patting his head

"It's okay to lose sometimes, Okay Sei-chan"

We played another round but this time, I intentionally missed my shot to give my little brother the possession.

The ball was in my little brother's hands as he began dribbling the ball. He was looking at me with focused eyes as he began to make his first move.

He did a simple crossover as he went past me, this made him surprised because he didn't expect it to be that easy. But what surprised him even more is that the ball was not in his hands anymore as I stole it at the exact moment he passed me.

"What!" Sei-chab said in a dumbfounded tone as I regained possession of the ball

He had admiration in his eyes when he looked at me. I just gave him a smile and poked his forehead.

"Until next time my little brother, I have stuff to do"

He nodded and didn't throw a tantrum. Kids his age would usually throw a tantrum if they were in his position, but due to my father's strict teachings, he's become more mature and understanding than people his age.

While walking away, I took one last glance at Sei-chan and saw that he kept on practicing, I saw a fire light in his eyes.

I just gave a proud smile as I walked

But what Akihiko failed to notice was his eyes were flickering for a moment.

...

I went into my room and laid down on my bed. There were a lot of things inside my head right now. I just stared at the ceiling and the silence was there to accompany me. Touching the basketball once again was surreal.

It made me remember my past life. I was once a basketball player, not a regular one. But I was destined to be a star. But it happened, my whole career went into shambles after I got a career ending injury when I was in college. I was like an angel that had lost it's wings. I then recalled my past family. They were very similar to my current one, though in my eyes, they're both irreplaceable for me.

My family was a rich one and more on the traditional side. So from a very young age, I was taught proper etiquette. From the day I was born, I was filled with responsibilities for the family business.

My father was a world renowned doctor, so after hearing of my injury. He immediately treated me, but it was all for nothing because it was untreatable. I couldn't move my legs. Everyday was hell for me. To watch in envy as I sit alone in the darkness, seeing people enjoy the game that I once loved.

Basketball was my escape, but ever since that day I had nothing to do. My pride was wounded as I couldn't even do simple things such as going to the bathroom myself. I didn't dare to find love either? Who would love a cripple? Not only that, if there were people that were interested in me, it was only for the fact that I was rich.

The only thing that I did was read mangas or watch anime because it was the only source of enjoyment that I could find. When I watch those sports anime, I recall my past. The thrill and excitement when you have your first game and the adrenaline when you play. It all reminded me of when I was fine. In fact, one of the Akashi's backstory reminded me so much of myself so much that it made me chuckle.

I was suffering each day until my father discovered the cure for diseases such as cancer. That is the same cure that I'm going to make for my mother. But it was too late, as soon as it was publicized. Human greed was too much. Human life is limited, and the richest people know that. So when an opportunity comes such as this, greed will overwhelm them.

People kidnapped me as they wanted to monopolize my father's cure. Of course, what can a poor little cripple do? I was tortured for several days until my father finally showed up. But when he arrived. It was also the last time that I saw him as everything faded into black.

I took a deep breath after remembering my past. But now, I should focus on the present. I now have a family, a healthy body and much more opportunities. This time, I will not waste it.

I will also become, the best in the world.

A task that I was not able to accomplish in the past...