At the end of the classes, with most students leaving the school, Lucas headed to the outdoor court, which hadn't been used the previous day due to the rain. When he arrived, he observed some students playing basketball, while others seemed to be practicing their goal kicks.
Although the school didn't have sports clubs, it still provided space for students to practice sports after classes, as long as no teacher was using the area.
— Now, the person I should look for is... certainly that guy over there.
Lucas recognized only one person among all those who were practicing. He was an athletic and muscular young man, the result of his constant sports practice. His skin was tanned, and he had light brown hair and blue eyes. Anyone who saw him would say he was a handsome man, attracting the attention of many girls.
Next to the court, protected by the surrounding fence, there was a group of girls watching and cheering for the young man who had just scored a basket.
— ...I have no idea how to play basketball, but it should be fine.
Entering the court, Lucas was approached by a tall young man with black hair.
— Hey, it's dangerous to enter here. — the young man warned.
— Excuse me... Can I join? — Lucas asked, a bit hesitantly.
— Do you have any experience playing?
— None.
— So, you're a newbie... Come on.
Lucas followed the young man to a corner of the court, where some students were sitting, watching the others play. He made a quick introduction, stating his name and class, before joining them, leaning against the fence as he watched the basketball game in progress.
— Well, it doesn't seem so complicated, right? — Lucas thought, trying to stay positive while watching the game.
In the game, the athletic young man he had noticed earlier made an incredible basket and received applause from the girls who were watching. Lucas couldn't help but feel a twinge of envy, but he knew it was impossible for him to do something similar at that moment.
After some time, the game came to an end, and the players headed over to the group of spectators, including Lucas. Those who were tired sat on the ground, allowing the spectators to enter the field.
Watching this dynamic, Lucas realized that the ones resting were probably experienced players who trained first and then let the less experienced ones practice amongst themselves. This way, the games would become more balanced, and the difference between the teams would diminish.
However, when Lucas decided to join a game with the other newbies, he encountered a big problem. He had taken the sport superficially, just trying to understand its rules while watching, hoping he could at least join the practice, but a detail that he had forgotten was his complete lack of experience and skill, in addition to his status in the system, which was so low that he'd probably lose to a child.
— How can I... be so weak!? — he thought, looking up at the sky, struggling to catch his breath.
Lucas found himself defeated, lying on the court after his frustrated attempt to join the basketball game. He realized he had completely underestimated the difficulty of the sport and his own lack of skill.
As much as he tried his best, Lucas found that even the slightest physical contact was enough to easily knock him down. Moreover, for some inexplicable reason, the ball always seemed to find its way to his head whenever someone tried to pass it to him.
The young man had lost count of how many bruises and aches he had accumulated in a single game, to the point of worrying even the opposing team, who began to avoid getting close to him.
Lucas felt disheartened and embarrassed by his disastrous performance in the game, but at least he knew that his original goal was not to become a basketball player.
— Hey, are you okay?
— Yeah, somehow... — Lucas replied before turning his head to see who was asking.
Standing next to him was the athletic character he remembered from the anime. The young man helped him to get up and started a conversation.
— Your name is... Lucas, right? — asked the athletic young man, recalling the brief introduction Lucas had made when he joined the court.
— Yes.
— Pleasure, my name is Renato. I was watching you and... You're new to basketball, right?
Lucas nodded, finding it a bit strange to talk to an anime character.
— Look, I don't know how to say this, but... It might be a bit dangerous for you to start practicing now.
— ...
Lucas remained silent, knowing there was no way to contest that.
— I'm not telling you to give up, alright? — Renato said, with a somewhat embarrassed smile, one hand behind his head. — Why don't you start by doing warm-ups with us every day? We always do some physical exercises before starting, and that can help you.
Hearing the proposal, Lucas made an internal sigh of relief, happy to have a way to accomplish his goal.
— Okay... Oh, can I ask you a favor? Do you know how I can get the locker room key? Since I need to go back home clean for personal reasons. — he asked, trying to imply that there would be issues if he returned all sweaty.
— Hm... I can get it for you, as no one else has used the locker room since they prefer to just leave school and clean up at home.
— Really? Thank you!
— Hahaha, it was nothing. I'll get it, but remember to return it after you're done.
— Alright!
With that, in exchange for a body full of bruises and muscle aches, Lucas achieved one of his goals, a shower.
[To be continued...]
??? — In a way, this was the easiest of the three goals.
S — Why didn't he just ask the teachers for the key or something?
??? — It would be a bit strange for a non-sports student to request the locker room key, especially knowing that he'd need it daily.
S — I see... By the way, I'm glad he didn't play soccer.
??? — I wonder if he'd take a kick to the face and faint...