Renji dedicated himself in studying various training regimens and physical education techniques, striving to find practical yet effective exercise routines. His goal was to understand how to design workouts that would yield the best results.
He has numerous ways to improve one's talent or physical capabilities. The secret to one's breakthrough and discovering your talent or potential. The process of gaining actual experience and steady improvement. One has to ask him for advice as he was the Solomon of Basketball.
One morning, after finishing their move, Renji gathered his team. Marlin, the star player, was on the basketball court at the school gym. Spectators filled the stands, many of whom were cheering for their favorite player. Marlin, who was both the team's top scorer and MVP, had a banner with his name displayed prominently. As the "Copycat" titleholder and a prodigy capable of mastering all six archetypes of basketball techniques, Marlin was revered as the best student in the team.
The game was intense, and the energy in the gym was palpable. Marlin, skillfully dribbling the ball, moved with precision. His first dribble was sharp and quick—left, then right, and back to his left. With a sudden burst of speed, he changed direction to the right, leaving his opponent off balance. The defender fell, hitting the wooden floor hard. Marlin continued, but now faced two more opponents guarding him closely. His teammates were heavily guarded, making it difficult for them to move. Marlin analyzed the situation, anticipating the defenders' movements.
In his mind, Marlin strategized, "Their feet are shifting toward my bait. I need to wait for them to fully commit and then move in the opposite direction."
As he had predicted, the defenders shifted to the right. Seizing the opportunity, Marlin exploded to the left, bypassing his guards effortlessly. The defenders crashed to the floor, unable to keep up with his swift maneuvering.
"His feints and fakes are flawless," murmured one of the defenders who had been left reeling. "If only I could be as great as him."
Marlin continued his advance, drawing the attention of the remaining defenders. With only two opponents left to guard the basket, they double-teamed him. Marlin anticipated their move and passed the ball to his teammate positioned for a three-pointer. He sprinted to create space and called out for the ball.
"Pass it to me!" Marlin shouted.
His teammate complied, and Marlin, already prepared, bent his knees and leaped with the ball. He applied the perfect amount of force and released it with precise timing.
The ball sailed through the air.
"Whoosh!"
"I knew it would go in, even if I closed my eyes," Marlin said confidently, visualizing the ball's trajectory.
"Chook!" The sound of the ball going through the hoop signaled the successful shot.
"Yeah! We won! You should have dunked it, though. You hesitated!" Andres, a friend of Marlin's, exclaimed.
"Whoa! I thought you were going to dunk it! Great call!" Johnson added, giving Marlin a friendly pat on the back.
"We love you, Marlin! Ahhhhhh!!!" the fans screamed in unison.
Marlin acknowledged their cheers with a wave. He was not only a basketball star but also a campus heartthrob, excelling in various sports. His half-Japanese heritage gave him a unique appearance—his features were a blend of cuteness and handsomeness. His sharp yet innocent eyes, combined with his fair skin and youthful face, made him stand out.
"Ahhhhhhh!!! He waved goodbye! Maybe he was waving at me!" one of his fans shouted excitedly. She was petite with a charmingly youthful appearance.
"No, he was definitely waving at me! Look how adorable he is! If he leaves this school, there will be no one as handsome as him left," said another fan, who had flawless white skin, pouty lips, and a curvy figure.
"I just wish I had a picture of him to remember this moment. Even though summer vacation is coming, I still don't have a single photo of him," lamented a girl with a ponytail.
"He's just playing hard to get. Once he moves on to senior high, he'll be out of our reach. He'll go wherever he wants," another fan said, expressing her sadness.
"That's a shame. I wish he'd remember us, but I doubt he will. He's been so distant lately," the girl with the ponytail replied.
Their coach, meanwhile, was filled with pride for his team. Ren, now older and relegated to a coaching role while his friends continued to play basketball, was overwhelmed with mixed emotions. His own career in basketball had faded, leaving him with a deep sense of loss.
One evening, as Renji prepared to leave the gym after his sister had gone home, he wheeled his wheelchair out into the bustling city streets. The vibrant red lights of passing vehicles illuminated his path, and he noticed the sympathetic gazes from strangers who observed his condition. It was disheartening, yet somewhat encouraging to see that people acknowledged his struggle.
Crossing the road, he pushed his wheelchair with care. The vehicles slowed down for him, except for one. A bright yellow car sped through the intersection, its lights glaring in the dusk. Ren shielded his eyes from the blinding light. The bystanders, realizing the imminent danger, called out.
"Hey! Slow down!"
But it was too late.
Irkkkk!!!
The brakes sounded and the car still did not stopped immediately. All in a collision course with him.
Whoosh!!!
The car slammed it's front to his face. Without any mercy of stopping.
Bang!
The impact was catastrophic. Renji's wheelchair was shattered, and he was thrown to the ground. His eyes, once open, gradually closed as his life slipped away in an instant. The speeding car did not stop, and the driver did not take responsibility. In a world often marked by cruelty, Renji's fate was a harsh reminder of life's unpredictability.
As he moved on to the afterlife, there was a pull to his soul. The one that was sucked into a hole that could pass through time and fate. His soul forced the time to regress itself.