Akira went home restless, lost in his thoughts.
Something's wrong... I smell rats whenever I hear about this. Four players losing their heads like that in a friendly? No way...
"...So, I was thinking of training my shooting and becoming like Larry Bird! What do you think?"
"Huh? Uh, yeah..." Akira blinked, snapping out of his daze. He wants to train shooting? I didn't catch a word of that. "I agree with all that."
"You didn't listen to me, did you?" Kazuya huffed, raising his eyebrows. "Alright, what's going with you? It's impossible to lose tomorrow's game."
"Well... Four players getting ejected? That's really odd."
"People get a little crazy over basketball; it happens."
"In a tournament, maybe. But in a friendly? And the team that got players ejected was leading by a huge margin. Why would they go all out like that?"
"With you putting it like that, it sounds like they bought the ref for a friendly. You're overthinking, Akira."
It's not the ref. Someone's playing dirty, baiting fouls. I'm sure of it.
"Well, I'll see you tomorrow, Akira!"
"Yeah, see you."
That night, Akira couldn't shake the unease. He tossed and turned in bed, thoughts racing.
"I hate playing against dirty players. I didn't think I'd see this in Japan." His eyes landed on a sock lying near his bed. He balled it up. "If they try any tricks, I'll score until they beg me to stop." Akira threw the makeshift ball at the hoop hanging on his door, nailing a perfect swish.
The next day
Akira and Kazuya arrived at school and hopped onto the bus, finding Hiroshi and Daichi already seated.
"Man, I hope I get some court time today... Don't tell anyone, but I was practicing shots in my backyard before coming here. I'm hot like a griddle right now."
This guy cracks me up.
"Imaginary defenders give you a hard time?"
"Shut up!"
"Hey, let me talk to you guys," Daichi said, leaning over.
"Oh, sure," the duo replied in unison.
"You remember Coach talking about the four ejections, right? I've got a friend on Shoei's team. He wasn't at the game, but he said one of the twins stepped on a player's heel and injured them."
Akira's expression shifted instantly.
"Wow, that's rough," Kazuya muttered sympathetically.
"Rough? He said the whole team thinks it was intentional. And that the fouls called were sketchy. Could just be sore losers, but watch yourselves out there."
I knew it! These guys are dirty... The worst kind of players in basketball. Akira's leg bounced as his foot tapped the floor.
"Relax, rookie. No need to get scared."
"Scared? They should be the ones scared." Akira smirked from the corner of his mouth.
Everyone laughed.
Arriving at the gym, the crowd buzzed with excitement. Kamata West was already warming up, and Akira's gaze locked onto the twins.
It's them... These guys. They're the problem. The thieves.
"Alright, everyone to the locker room!" Coach Yamamoto called, ushering the team inside.
"Listen up. Like I told you yesterday, this game is about training your ability to stay composed. For a team to cause four ejections, they punish risky plays. This will be excellent preparation for Nationals and our final friendly."
"Coach! I don't think it's just discipline. I think—" Akira was cut off as Yamamoto raised his hand.
"Let's not jump to conclusions. You're all kids—so are they. Kids lose their heads for no reason." But he nodded subtly at Akira.
I get it... Coach knows there's foul play, but he wants us to figure it out ourselves. Fine. I've faced players like this in the U.S. These clowns don't stand a chance against me.
"Alright, let's talk about basketball."
Kenta clenched his fist at the same time as Daichi. These two were the only ones who didn't know if they were in or out.
Coach started to tap the pen on the clipboard. Finally, he crosses something out and sighs. "Well! the starting lineup will be: Hiroshi, Daichi, Renji, Mitobe, and Akira."
"Nice!" Daichi sigh in relief.
"I didn't take the spot.."
The team moved to the center of the court as the game was about to begin. Akira found himself standing close to the twins.
"Hey, this foreigner must think he's hot stuff after playing well against a team of nobodies, huh, brother?"
"Yeah, beating a bunch of weaklings is quite the accomplishment for someone with no talent."
Are they talking about me?
Akira turned to face them, his expression one of genuine confusion, as if the idea that someone could refer to him that way was utterly incomprehensible.
His face said more than words ever could, and the twins' smugness faltered, their irritation flaring in response.