Half-assed determination

On a round table sat 7 people. Horikita, Ayanokoji, Kushida, Sudo, Ike, Yamauchi and finally Yuto, who was sitting next to Horikita with a ambiguous smile.

____________________________

2 hours ago..

Horikita sighed and asked. "How did you know that I told Ayanokoji recruit the 3?"

Yuto shrugged, "He told me"

Horikita scowled at Ayanokoji, who calmly explained, "I asked him for help recruiting the 3 as he is more influencial than I am. I didn't even say that you were the one who was making the study group. I didn't know that he was going to forsee that I would ask Kushida for help aswell."

Indeed, Yuto had anticipated Ayanokoji seeking Kushida's assistance and calculated that any resulting ripple effect by his presense would be inconsequential. Sensing the opportune moment, he resolved to make a demand from Horikita.

_________________________________

Present.

Horikita glared at Yuto, 'Sly bastard!' 

Horikita initiated the study session, but Yuto seized every opportunity to address her by her given name, grated on her nerves. However, what further annoyed her was the utter stupidity displayed by Ike and Yamauchi. Sudo's aggressive demeanor and Idiocy set him apart in a league of his own, making the study session even more pestiferous.

"Did you just call me incompetent?!" Sudo yelled at Horikita.

"Yes, you can't solve a basic simultaneous equation, I can't help but shudder thinking about where you'll end up in the future." Horikita stated matter-of-factly.

Sudo gritted his teeth in frustration, and was on the verge of grabbing Horikita's collar when Yuto intervened, his expression dead serious. "Let's not go there," Yuto cautioned. Sudo shuddered, recalling what Yuto had done to the third years.

He retracted his hand and grumbled, "Studying is pointless anyway! If I want to have good future, I can just go pro in basketball anyways!" And proceeded to leave, prompting the other two to also leave.

'Ripple effect huh?' 

"Pro my ass! I bet I can beat someone like you in basketball with a hand behind my back" Yuto provoked. Sudo's brows furrowed as he shouted "You wanna go?!" Ike and Yamauchi smirked as they knew Sudo would win while Kushida showed concern. Horikita however was shocked on how that lazy Yuto stepped up to support her.

"Sure, but if you loose, you and your goons are going to shut up and sit and study."

"Like hell I will lose!"

_____________________________

The seven of them arrived at the basket ball court.

"I don't wanna waste my time here so let's just do first to 3 baskets" Yuto suggested.

"Sure." Sudo scoffed.

"For further handicapping myself, you can start with the ball"

All the six had a mutual thought, "Is he actually serious about handicapping himself!"

As the match began, Sudo seized the early lead, weaving past Yuto's defenses for the opening point and scoring the first basket 10 seconds into the game. Cheers erupted from Ike and Yamauchi.

"The result is obvious!"

"This will be quick"

The other 3 had nothing to say. 

 Yuto remained composed, his left hand tucked behind his back, a smirk playing on his lips.

With a girn, Yuto seized control. Despite the handicap, his dribble was fluid, his movements graceful. Sudo endeavored to contain him, but Yuto's finesse was unmatched as he jumped for a successful dunk.

The crowd's jaws dropped!

"How the hell did Kazuki score" Yamauchi shook his head in denial

"What a monsterous vertical" Ike mumbled

Sudo meanwhile thought, 'A lucky fluke..'

With the score tied at 1-1, A cold sweat dropped from Sudo's side as he was dribbling the ball, Yuto shifted into high gear. With lightning speed, he stole the ball, darting effortlessly towards the basket. With a flick of his wrist, he scored, the ball swishing through the net.

Ike and Yamauchi were actually in the verge of faintling. they have been together with Sudo for the past month and knew his unmatched talent in basketball, but to seeing him getting wrecked like this was a big time shocker.

Kushida and Horikita were also taken aback. 

"Why didn't Kazuki-kun tell anyone that he was good in Basketball?" Kushida asked in a questioning tone.

No one replied.

Sudo was visibly agitated.

As the final point approached, Yuto stood poised, his ego unwavering. With a swift dribble, he evaded Sudo's defense, his gaze fixed on the hoop. In a breathtaking display of skill, he launched the ball from half-court, the crowd holding its breath as it arced towards the basket.

It went in.

The aduenice had zero words.

Sudo, had zero words.

He simply stared at Yuto with inferiority in his eyes. His whole life, all he did was play basketball in order to go pro, but in a single day, he was humbled by some who didn't even pursue basketball. Not just that. He didn't even play seriously! Sudo was in the verge of tears.

Ike and Yamauchi meanwhile, saw at Yuto in a new light.

"Dudeee, you were like so cool. Super cool."

"Can you teach me how to do that dunk! pleaseee"

Yuto smiled and said "Sure, but wait a second" as he turn to Sudo, who was looking at him with a mixture of emotions. Yuto stood directly parallel to Sudo and slapped him! Everyone, including Ayanokoji was flabberghasted!

Sudo put his palm on the area where Yuto slapped him, slowly turned to Yuto's face and made eye contact with him.

"With that half-assed determination, forgot going pro, even playing in street-side tournaments would be good for you." Yuto grimaced.

Those words were it. Sudo's legs gave up as he placed his knees with the ground and his forearms for support, he looked at the ground with a hoarse breath.

All the sudden he shouted, "DAMNNNN IT!" then broke down. He cried silently as he thought of what Yuto said.

Ike, Yamauchi and Kushida all came running to Sudo, who was still crying on the floor. Kushida came up to Yuto and slapped him on the cheek. "Kazuki-kun, you went too far."

Yuto was just expressionless and went up to Horikita, "I agree with Kushida-san, you went too far." 

"It was nessesary. I had to break him. To allow him to build himself anew."

Horikita threw a confused glance and Ayanokoji knew perfectly well what Yuto meant.

"I'm sorry Suzune-chan, but I don't think he can attend today's study session. He probably will attend starting tomorrow but doubt he can actually pay attention. I even doubt if he will do well in the upcoming exam but I assure you that he will get better. Probably the best he could be. So in simple terms this is a-"

"Long-term investment" Ayanokoji cut in to which Yuto just nodded.

"I see, but I hope the others attend."

"They will." Yuto and Ayanokoji said at the same time in the same, indifferent tone.