Project Kazuya Dribbler!

Akira woke up early, sunlight barely streaming through his window. He squinted at the clock—5 AM. 

Why did I wake up so early... It's better to just go back to sleep... Wait! I remembered! Mission turn Kazuya into a dribbling machine starts today.

He jumped out of bed, suddenly energized.

This was going to be great.

Akira quickly got dressed, grabbed his basketball, and left the house two hours earlier than usual.

First part of the plan: find Kazuya's house. When we met he said he lived about two streets away from the basketball court. He came from the left... It must be from that direction.

Well, now just ring the bell…

Akira looked around, but he couldn't find a doorbell anywhere. He glanced from side to side, puzzled.

Where's the bell? Alright, if it's not going to be the easy way, it's going to be the hard way.

Without hesitation, Akira started climbing the side of the house, finding footholds on the bricks and window ledges. He reached a window, peeking inside cautiously. Kazuya was inside, glued to his computer, watching basketball videos.

Excellent! He's already in the mood!

Akira grinned and knocked on the window, startling Kazuya.

"ARGH!" Kazuya screamed, toppling off his chair in a panic. He scrambled to his feet and rushed to the window, eyes wide in shock.

"Akira?! Are you crazy? What are you doing at my window?"

Akira casually took the basketball out of his backpack and held it up.

"Are you kidding? It's time for intensive dribbling training."

Kazuya blinked, still processing the situation.

"It's 5 AM, and you're at my window. Are you some kind of psychopath?"

Akira tilted his head, thinking it over. "I don't think so."

Kazuya sighed, realizing there was no point in trying to understand the madness.

"I'm going to get changed. Wait for me in front of the door. No more climbing, please."

"Positive, young grasshopper."

When Kazuya finally came downstairs, Akira couldn't resist commenting.

"So, Magic Johnson, huh?"

Kazuya nodded, a bit embarrassed. "Yeah, he's my idol. His passing, his vision… it's what I aspire to."

I understand the admiration for Magic Johnson, if it weren't for Michael Jordan I would probably have him as my supreme idol. He was truly a star. So Kazuya's talent with passing came along with a lot of observation...

They arrived at the court, where Akira began to explain the basics of dribbling, making skillful demonstrations that left Kazuya wide-eyed with admiration.

"Now, you try," Akira instructed. "Faster! Smoother!"

Kazuya struggled at first, but Akira was patient, guiding him through each motion, each step.

This will take some work, but it's good that he's light and small. It'll make it easier for him to learn the fundamentals.

Training continued throughout the week, two hours before class, two hours after. Every day, Kazuya pushed himself harder, determined to improve. By the end of the week, his progress was astonishing—he was unrecognizable from the clumsy player he had been just days ago.

Damn, Akira thought, who would have thought he was the same as he was a week ago… Learning so quickly… It's a stroke of genius… From his instructor! Logical! It's impossible for someone to learn so much in one week without a completely talented instructor! I'm a genius! I would teach a fish to dribble if necessary!

"Hey! Akira! Look at this!" Kazuya called out, interrupting Akira's self-congratulations.

Kazuya quickly dribbled under his leg, executing the move with surprising fluidity.

"Wow, that's really good."

"I think I'm already at the same level as your dribbling," Kazuya said with a proud grin.

A vein on Akira's forehead twitched.

Calm down… 

He picked up the basketball from the ground.

"I taught you everything you know," Akira said, taking a deep breath. "Not everything I know."

With that, Akira began to frantically move the ball from one hand to the other, the dribbles connecting like video game combos. Kazuya tried to defend, but as if he were invisible, Akira slipped past him, leaving him on the ground and finishing with a layup.

"You are on a completely different level… Insane…" Kazuya muttered, still on the floor, staring up in awe.

Maybe I exaggerated, but it's good for him to be able to see how much space he has to evolve

"Don't stress. I've been practicing for years. You're doing fine."

As the training session came to a close, the start of the season was approaching fast. Both boys felt the excitement and the pressure building, but they knew they were ready. Akira couldn't wait to see what Kazuya would achieve next.

This is just the beginning, Akira thought, watching Kazuya walk off the court, already dribbling with more confidence than ever.