Chapter 6: I Might Not Be Fit, but I Definitely Know Ball!

Basketball, a sport I understood well enough, was fast-paced and intense. Normally, the hoop would be 10 feet high, but for our P.E. class, they'd lowered it to 8 feet, probably to spare us from too much humiliation. The game is played on a rectangular court, with each team defending their basket and attempting to score in the opponent's.

So basically, think of football (soccer), but on a much smaller playing area, and instead of kicking, you use your hands. Of course, both sports are more complicated than this, but that's all that really needs to be known.

As for the time limit, we have until the end of class, which is about 45 minutes, but seeing as most students can't last a full game like that, I'm sure our coach will intervene when he sees fit.

"Alright, teams, take your sides, and captains, choose your starters. Meet in the center of the court!" Our coach walked to the center, holding the ball in his hands. It seemed like we weren't just deciding who gets the ball first—we'd be fighting for it!

I turned toward Yūta, waiting for his decision.

"Fujimiya-san, go ahead!"

Of course…

Not really having the energy to be suspicious, I just went to the center, and no surprise.

"Get ready to lose, Amane~," Itsuki taunted. He sure had some nerve talking smack before even seeing what I could do.

"Yeah, yeah."

"Look at this! You already can't handle your loss, and it's going to be on my court to make it even better!"

I stared Itsuki down, my eyes locking with his as I matched his taunting energy.

"Let's not get it twisted. You're the challenger here!" The smile on my face widened, referencing my blue-eyed king, and I waited for the signal.

[Confidence Level 1 (0/10) → 10/10 → Level 2!]

[Confidence Level 2 (0/50)]

Perfectly timed, a whistle blew, signaling the start of the game. I immediately rushed for control of the ball, completely stunning Itsuki. But my friend, that's something you should never do in a game like this.

I rushed past him, dribbling the ball with my right hand as I entered the three-point range.

Two defenders stepped into my path—one of average height and the other shorter, both lunging to block my way. But with a quick fake to the right and a smooth crossover, I sent one stumbling and the other frozen in place.

"Stop him, Irido-san!"

Itsuki gave his best warning, but Mizuto couldn't have stopped me even if he wanted to. I maneuvered past him as he stood in a daze, finishing with a layup.

Swish~

Landing back on the ground, I could feel that I used a little too much energy, but with this strong opening, I probably didn't have to worry. When you show that you're a good player, people tend to start comparing themselves, and if they're worse, they don't even try. Unless you have a good leader! A good leader can turn an average team into a good team or a good team into a great team.

I turned around to see Itsuki and Yūta completely in disbelief.

Itsuki: "O"

Yūta: "Eh?"

"Your turn now, Itsuki!" I resumed the taunting.

"AMANE, YOU BASTARD!"

Fweeeet~!

"Language, kid!" The coach got mad. Yikes.

"I don't care! This dude has been hiding his talents from me!" Itsuki came to his side of the court, and I returned to my side. After a team scores, the other team gets possession. If this wasn't a part of the rules, I'd have fun not giving Itsuki a chance at all!

Mizuto passed the ball straight to Itsuki, whose eagerness was radiating off him. He rushed toward our net, but I interfered, giving him pressure. He passed the ball to the average-height dude from earlier.

One of my teammates had a good guard on him. Realizing he couldn't do anything, the dude passed the ball to another teammate, who was being guarded by Yūta.

"Better luck next time!" Yūta caught the ball before the plain-looking dude could even react.

I linked up with Yūta as he ran down the court, giving him support with Itsuki right behind us. Yūta matched me from earlier and did a rather solid layup.

Swish~

"Akazawa-san, I don't think you stand a chance!" Yūta... bro went straight for the throat.

Itsuki had an imaginary tick mark on his forehead (in my eyes). "I'll show you two!"

Yeah, alright~ I couldn't take him seriously, not because of his skill but because of his team's.

... ...

[Sometime later; Approaching the end of the class]

"Hah~ Hah~" Thirty-five minutes of straight sports is totally not within my endurance level yet. My lungs were taking in any oxygen they could get, and my legs were killing me. Most of everyone was the exact same, except for Itsuki and Yūta, who were visibly tired but not exhausted.

The score is [21-21], and the coach informed us that there is time for one more team to score. I really need to get in a position to dunk; I stealthily tested it out over the game, and I can do it—barely, mind you—but I can do it. With this last play, I'll do it!

"Kadowaki-san! Pass me the ball!" Yūta stood out of bounds, passing the ball in like Mizuto had done for Itsuki earlier in the game. I caught it and took a rather slow approach to the enemy net. I needed as much energy as I could get!

"Haha, it's over, Amane!"

"You can try getting in my head later, Itsuki."

"I don't have to. You're exhausted!"

"You must not have realized yet."

"What?"

"The reason you're even this close in score is simply because I hadn't tried yet!"

"...Dude, why are you acting like some anime character."

"Damn it, Itsuki! Why'd you ruin it?!"

"'Cause it's cringe, bro."

"Touche... HMPH!" Feeling recharged enough, I ran past Itsuki, who actually kept his guard better than I thought. I joked with him in order to set up the opportunity, but he was ready!

Squeak~!

Squeak~!

We both maneuvered around our teammates, completely zoning them out as I went for his net and he tried to stop me. Mizuto was in my way, and passing the ball would be the better option... Having two defenders on me wasn't preferable, but I needed to ensure I got the ball to someone competent.

Yūta!

With a quick glance and an even quicker pass, Yūta got the ball. He was on the left side of the court right behind the three-point line. For better or for worse, he also got quickly guarded by two defenders. Mizuto retreated back for some reason, giving me the perfect opportunity. I signaled for Yūta, and I got a firm nod.

"Hah!"

"I don't think so, Amane!"

I jumped, and Itsuki matched me.

"Fujimiya!" Yūta passed the ball straight towards me, and unfortunately for Itsuki, I was taller. I caught the ball mid-air and slammed it down into the net, knocking Itsuki down right on his butt!

Bam~!

I didn't hold on to the net, thus landing on the ground right above Itsuki. I put out my right hand to try and help him up.

[Side quest: Completed] 

I put the system prompt to the side, I didn't wanna look like a lunatic after all. Instead, I started talking with Itsuki.

"Why did you challenge that? I'm like three inches taller than you, and my wingspan is much longer."

"So what? I couldn't let my team down."

"I don't think our classmates would care all that much. It's not like this is a proper game; it's a P.E. exercise."

"Doesn't matter where or when it happens, a game is a game."

"Haha, I see."

"I'll be honest, though. I'm exhausted, man, and starving!"

A thought entered my mind, and looking at Itsuki, I asked, "Wanna go out and eat after school? On me."

"Seriously?!" The supposed fatigue vanished from Itsuki.

"Can I invite Kadowaki?"

"Hmm, sure."

"Cool! Hey, Kadowaki-san!"

He was talking with the coach about something and Itsuki's sudden shouting acorss the court definitely caught his attention. Yūta turned toward us, his brown hair swaying as he did. 

"Yeah?" He matched the shouting energy. 

"Wanna go hang after this with me and Amane?"

"Count me in!"

"Alright! Meet ya at the gates!"

"Sweet!"

Itsuki turned back toward me. "Let's go get cleaned up! There is food waiting!"

"Hahaha~" A hard laugh escaped me.