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After the game, Alexandra huddled the team up for a briefing.

"After the game, I expect you guys to know each other more. This is really important because I want you guys to be able to trust each other."

Trust is a very important factor when it comes to basketball. Trust builds confidence, and with confidence, you and your team have a much greater chance of achieving a higher level of play.

Alexandra also called Akihiko to stand beside her as she said

"And this is your captain, so I expect you guys to listen to him"

Alexandra then continued

"We also have a goal for this year, we must win the 14 and under National Championship from the AAU."

Hearing the prospect of a tournament perked their ears up. One of the curious members said

"Coach, when will it be held?"

Alexandra answered

"Next month."

Akihiko was excited, if you told him years ago that he'd be able to play basketball again. He'd call you crazy for thinking about such a thing. The pure adrenaline that you receive when playing basketball, that's one of the feelings Akihiko missed the most.

....

Inside the gym

No one was here anymore as everyone left except a single person

Akihiko was still practicing inside. It was late at this point at the school.

*Huff* *Huff*

Akihiko breathed hard as he continued to practice his play. Right after he finished, Akihiko heard a voice behind him.

"Today's youth still have that fire burning inside them huh."

Akihiko was startled because he felt that the voice was very startled when he heard the voice. The voice was very familiar. At the same time, he didn't know whose voice it was. Akihiko looked back and saw that it came from a figure that had a height of 6"6 and was wearing a hoodie and a mask to cover his face.

"Who are you? and why are you here? Akihiko asked without even a single trace of fear in this voice.

"I just came to watch the basketball game here because your dean invited me." He said as he unmasked himself.

"Wait a min-, you're K-kobe B-bryant!"

When Akihiko saw who it was, he was shocked. But then again, this was a school for very rich kids.

The gym itself, was too large. Far too large for a middle school institution. Heck, it even had a suite at the top.

"I saw your game earlier, and I had to say, that was very good passing. But, that's not all you can do, right?" Kobe said

Looking at the chance in front of him, Akihiko took it and asked

"Please play me, 1on1!"

Kobe was surprised as he then replied

"sure."

Akihiko had the ball as he was in a triple threat position once again. But he felt some kind of pressure coming from Kobe. If there was a huge gap between a regular guy against an NBA player, then the gap between a regular guy against an NBA star is even greater.

Akihiko is going to experience first hand on just how big the gap was. Akihiko first did a jab step, but Kobe didn't even flinch. Akihiko then did a hesi to a crossover as he drove to the rim. Kobe was still on him so it would be very hard to even try to score. The size difference was too large.

Akihiko then suddenly stopped as he spun to the right side and went for a lay-up. But Kobe reacted immediately as if he already saw it coming as Akihiko's lay-up was completely shut down.

No words were needed to be exchanged to each other because their play will say it all.

Kobe got the ball and was in his signature triple threat position. Kobe then began to do his signature footwork moves. Akihiko thought he was trapped in some kind of illusion as Kobe went ahead and did a jab step. Akihiko immediately reacted but this gave Kobe a chance as he pulled up and sank the shot.

'That jab step.... I swear I had felt like he had already passed right through me. It was too believable.' Akihiko thought as Kobe again got the ball.

Kobe was once again in a triple threat position. This time Kobe went for a jump-shot as Akihiko immediately reacted by jumping. But Akihiko realied 'It's a fake?!'

As he thought about that, Kobe immediately went for a reverse pivot as he spun and shot the ball right after for a reverse fadeaway.

*Swoosh* the ball went in as Kobe once again had the ball.

As Akihiko focused on defense, Kobe said

"Don't hold back."

After saying that Kobe went for a jumper and purposely missed the shot as Akihiko now had the ball.

Akihiko was in a triple threat position. Suddenly he closed his eyes as he searched for something. He reached and reached until he got it. In his mind scape, there was a huge fog that covered the entire land. But he got what he wanted as when he opened his eyes; Akihiko's presence changed.

This raised Kobe's eyes as when he looked at Akihiko's eyes he suddenly said

'Just like him, the dean didn't lie to me about that.'

Akihiko did a jab step to which Kobe once again didn't flinch. But when Kobe thought Akihiko was going to do a crossover again when he saw his position. What Akihiko did surprised him because he went for a spin move to the right. But Kobe still reacted, but Akihiko was far from over. From Akihiko's position, he was able to do a reverse pivot as he went and did that. After that Akihiko went for a fadeaway as Kobe contested the shot a tiny bit.

Akihiko smiled as he thought he would score. But it seemed like the world acted against him as the shot hit the corner of the rim and just stayed in place there.

Akihiko had a frustrated smile on his face as the ball was stuck on the corner of the rim....