Ren's slumbering soul was awakening, as though he was being summoned for a purpose. His eyes remained closed as he felt the cool, air-conditioned air fill his lungs. He reached out and touched his side, feeling the cushion and bedsheet beneath him.
Upon realizing he was in a bed, Ren grasped his pillow, experiencing its cushioned resistance in his hands. The sensation was unexpected. Why was he in this place? He could not remember falling asleep after the accident. In his confusion, he reached for a cloth—perhaps his blanket—which had been draped over him to shield him from the cold breeze of the air conditioner.
He could feel everything as if he were a whole person again.
"Was I in a coma before?" he wondered.
With a sense of bewilderment, he opened his eyes and surveyed his surroundings. The room he was in felt familiar—it was his old room from the past. As he moved his feet, he was astonished to find he could actually feel them. Overwhelmed with realization, he lifted the blanket to see his toes wiggling.
"Wow, I have them back!" he exclaimed. "I'm not a cripple anymore! But wait, could this all be a dream? It feels too real for a dream. Maybe it's a regression? I've read about those in novels."
He stood up and, full of joy, began jumping on his bed. However, his exuberance led him to bump his head against the ceiling with a loud thud.
"Boom!"
"Ouch, ouch, ouch! I forgot I'm taller now," he said, wincing. He spotted a tape measure and quickly measured his height. Standing upright, he saw the result: 6 feet.
"Wow, I'm this tall now? Was I always this tall in the past?" he wondered. He glanced at the calendar and saw that it was 2024—the same year he was about to start college.
It was summer break before college, and he had time on his hands. Excitedly, he donned his jogging pants and sweatshirt to make the most of this opportunity. He found his mother slicing vegetables in the kitchen and kissed her on the cheek.
"Bye, Mom! I'm going to play basketball!" he announced.
"Wait, what? Your ball!" she exclaimed, but he was already out the door.
He dashed outside, running with exhilarating speed. The feeling of being able to move freely again was incredible. His laughter echoed as he sprinted, enjoying the simple pleasure of having his feet back. It was a long-awaited sensation he had missed as he grew older, and now he had a chance to break free from the dilemma that had plagued his mind and nearly driven him mad.
He continued running until he was exhausted. Sweat trickled down his face, and the fresh air filled his senses. The once-familiar surroundings now appeared more vibrant and beautiful than ever. The lush greenery, the smiling faces of people, and the world he had once known seemed to have transformed.
The effort of running, the exhilarating rush, and the wind against his face were all a nostalgia for him. His body, initially numb, gradually adapted. He had forgotten how to use his skills from the past, having become accustomed to being a cripple. The sensation of being a prodigy seemed distant, but now he could walk again.
As he ran along the sidewalks and bicycle lanes, he approached the nearby basketball court in his neighborhood. A deep sense of longing filled his heart. His dream was within reach once more. He could finally seize this second chance and play basketball again.
The memory of the game felt like a distant, unreachable dream, but now it was real. He approached the court, tears welling in his eyes, as the burning passion to play once again ignited within him. He watched the teenagers playing, their every move fueling his desire to join in.
He hadn't held a basketball since he was paralyzed, but now he could. The sensation of the ball, its weight, and touch felt like a distant memory. All he could do was wait for the ball to come near him to at least touch it.
Three teenagers were playing, each displaying basic skills but lacking experience and passion. One was a consistent shooter but was often distracted by the defender, missing the hoop. The ball hit the rim and bounced off the backboard with a loud bang. Two players grabbed the rebound, while the third one, with a higher leap, managed to catch it. The remaining player was good at defense and dribbling. After stealing the ball, he dribbled between his legs twice, dashed to his left, and attempted a layup, though his timing was insufficient to reach the hoop.
Ren observed that while they had potential, their lack of experience would hinder their growth compared to the prodigies he had known. Even though Ren had been a talented copycat, he felt intimidated by their remarkable skills. Comparing their talents to those of the basketball prodigies seemed almost unfair. Yes it was, of course.
But, it would also be bad if he was a puffed up arrogant kid who would be prideful. Nothing would make sense if he was all bark and not bite.
Yet, it was a good time to practice. To stretch the limits of one's body. All it could be a starting point for his dream. The secrets of his knowledge would be used by its creator himself! He would at last test his knowledge if it was indeed effective or not. Meaning, he could achieve his dream this time around. All in all, a chance.
In that moment, Ren understood the magnitude of his opportunity. He had been granted a chance to relive his past and pursue his dream once more.
The prospect of playing basketball again filled him with hope and excitement. The very idea was of course enthralling and magnificent. He could at last let loose with all he got as he has this chance. As he approached the court, he was determined to make the most of this second chance. Letting all out perhaps?