Chapter 75 (Truth behind Victory)(S3)

"... Why?" Said Ivan.

"There is something hidden. I am going to see and talk with Ivan, you all go to your homes safely. See you all tomorrow." Said first ranker and started moving towards Ivan and his teammates went to go to home.

Ishan, Elisa, Sara, Ahi, Sia and Yu in a line and in front of them, Jiyu, Ivan, Eiro, Aid, Era and Cyet and started having a handshake.

Ishan was going to pass from Ivan but he suddenly stopped him and said, "Stop there only. Let's have a private talk." With anger.

Ishan was scared but he has to go with Ivan. First ranker also followed them.

"So... Why did you let yourself lose the game? And your team was involved in the match. Elisa could have blocked and took the ball but she jumped early like it was already her plan." Said Ivan with anger to Ishan in a room.

First ranker was listening their conversation secretly.

"... What do you mean?" Said sweating Ishan.

"And what you did with first ranker, you could've gained at least 100 points, don't you? But you stopped showing again in the fourth quarter. Why? Was losing the only motive of yours?"

Ishan laughed and said, "Go and ask from my new sister."

And Ivan and first ranker were shocked. Ivan beat on Ishan and first ranker started laughing but without making any voice.

"How can you say that to Elisa?!"

"So aren't you dating her all the time in college?!"

First ranker was laughing loudly but from inside but was hiding his voice to not be caught.

"Ah... Kids nowadays. Anyways, leave the topic and... Just tell me, what was your plan? Why did you chose to lose despite it was already declared by your skills that you'll only win?" Ivan became serious again.

Ishan said, "Just because I don't wanted to hurt my friends, that is that much simple."

"And what about till half quarter and then the game in third quarter?"

"Till first two quarters, Sara and everyone was just observing and letting you all raise your pride and overconfidence. Then at third quarter,, to bring you'll back to ground. We started our actual match to stop the overconfidence and play with best. At fourth quarter, we stopped slightly our strength and we chose to lost because Jiyu and everyone's hardwork couldn't be wasted. That's all."

And Ivan was shocked and sat on knees. First ranker was also a little bit shocked but still angry that why didn't Ishan showed any mercy to him.

"There is a lot of things which matters for me more than basketball, like Sara, you, my all friends and parents. If I will have to stop playing for any of these, I can. But it's not for you, big brother, basketball is everything for you, isn't it? When I was of three and mama took me to a court where you used to play, I for the first time saw basketball and you enjoying and totally lost in it. But what's now?"

Ivan was left questioning to himself.

"Do you remember your own made 5 techniques which you used in it until you went to high school. You started playing less and studying and hanging out more with wrong people for whom you still regret. Did you saw in the third quarter, I used 5 unknown teachniques? It was yours."

And Ivan and first ranker were more shocked now.

"You... You remembered it?"

"I can't copy a technique totally and if you have used that 5, you could easily defeat me but you have forgot about it. It's very hard to copy your that 5 so I just copied of it around 10%, but if you could have played by it like the way you used to play, you would be more invincible than me."

And now Ivan started recalling everything in his past with a shock in his mind.

"I am going to dedicate my whole life to basketball!" Said young Ivan when he was of 7, when Ishan was born.

"I am not a natural talented player. I just started playing since I started watching your game and getting interest in it. But you have forgot everything like nothing actually happened." Said Ishan

And Ivan's eyes became full of tears and said, "I... I forget who I was?"

"Yes, you are the fake big brother. Real one would be happy and have already gone to nationals, I guess."

And first ranker was more shocked that Ishan said something like this to Ivan and he entered in the conversation with shouting, "Do you have any respect for your brother that you are saying like this?!"

"Ah... I knew you are listening till now. So do you also want to cry?"

"What?!"

"Insecurity of losing any game which kept you as a coward till you enter the college. Then you started playing but still feeling insecure that if you lost in front of a large audiance due to which you don't join in tournaments, am I right?"

And the first ranker was also defeated and he sat on his knees and said, "How... How do you know that?"

Ivan suddenly smiled and stood and said, "Whatever... You are, Ishan. I... Should say thanks to recalling the things. Anyways..." Ivan became normal and asked, "... What about your hardwork? You put 105 hours in the week to remember everything of the game and improve more. If I calculate it with our team's hardwork in a month, it will still be less."

And the first ranker was now more shocked that Ishan practiced around 105 hours in just a week for the match?!

"What?! You practiced 105 hours in a week... Just for this match?!"

"It doesn't matters for me, my friends are more important than basketball as I said. And if we add their hours together, then it will be much higher than of mine solo, so yes, I appreciate their hardwork. , thanks to you."

And suddenly Ishan's stomach made noise that Ivan and first ranker made laugh and Ivan said, "You have just eaten of breakfast and dinner in the last week, then let me give you a treat then."

"It will be humble of yours." And Ishan started leaving and moving towards the ground to gather with everyone and wait for Ivan for his treat.

"Noah, let's do for what made us happy everyday and night and for what we dream for."