Renji was caught up in the excitement of the game. The vibrant scene before him, with the players dribbling and shooting, was a stark contrast to his recent, quieter life. They had just finished a round of intense play when one of the teenagers, in a moment of overzealousness, stole the ball. The ball, however, wasn't tightly held, and it bounced away erratically. It ended up rolling towards Renji.
Tap, tap, tap...
The ball made three distinct bounces before Renji managed to grab it. As his fingers closed around the familiar sphere, a wave of nostalgia swept over him. The texture of the ball, its surface worn from countless games, evoked memories of better times. His eyes welled up with tears, and his vision blurred as emotions overwhelmed him. The realization that he was holding the ball again, that he could still participate, was too much for him to handle. He tried to compose himself, but a sniffle was enough to draw concern from the teenagers around him.
"Sir, are you okay?" one of them asked, extending a hand to help him up. "Yes, of course!"
Renji took the offered hand and rose to his feet, feeling a bit self-conscious. "I'm sorry," he said, his voice choked with emotion. "I missed the times when I could still play. Can I join you?"
"Of course, mister," the young man replied with a grin. "But don't expect us to go easy on you. We'll get serious." He then took the ball from Renji and introduced himself. "I'm Kishi, and this is Jin."
Renji nodded, recognizing the name Shin from a previous conversation. "Nice to meet you. So, he's Shin, huh?" he asked, recalling the shooter type he had seen recently. He has flawless shooting but was easily distracted. He has to learn to shake his defender or learn to shot create.
"Yep, that's right," Kishi said with a chuckle. "Let's get started! The first team to score 12 points wins. The losing team has to buy our snacks. Bwahahaha!" He laughed heartily, his voice rang around the court.
Renji's heart sank a bit as he remembered he had left his wallet at home. "Damn, I'm doomed," he muttered to himself. "I have to play seriously or I'll end up in debt." He knew he had to give it his all. Or else, he would be in dire straights. His money was not with him this time.
The teams quickly decided who would hold the ball first. With the decision to start with a free throw, Renji found himself with the ball. He dribbled it three times to get a feel for it, then focused on the hoop. Using his instincts, he took the shot. Unfortunately, his throw lacked the necessary power. Though his aim was true, the ball hit the outer rim of the hoop and bounced back to him. Though it was a straight one.
"Oops, I have to shoot it with more strength," Renji muttered, his face reddening with embarrassment.
"Okay, our ball!" Kishi declared, seizing the opportunity to lead his team.
Renji and Shin assumed their defensive positions. Renji was tasked with guarding Kishi, who was the point guard, while Shin had to handle the shooting guard, Jin, who was stationed under the hoop. Shin faced a tough situation, as Jin, being a Center, was a formidable defender against his shots.
Kishi began to dribble the ball, slamming it onto the floor with each bounce. He attempted a crossover, and Renji, still adjusting and lacking recent practice, struggled to keep up. Kishi's movements were quick and precise, putting Renji at a disadvantage. Kishi then passed the ball to Jin, who leaped gracefully to catch it mid-air. Jin executed a hook shot with finesse.
"Score! 1 – 0," Kishi announced, the scoreboard reflecting their early lead.
Renji was determined not to let the mismatch demoralize them. He quickly formulated a strategy. "Our opponents will exploit our mismatch. But later on, try to create space and shake off your defender. I'll pass the ball to you once you've managed to get past him," he instructed Shin.
"Sure!" Shin replied, nodding in agreement.
The two teammates exchanged a high-five and resumed their defensive positions. Renji's focus sharpened as he squared off against Kishi. He was resolute in his determination to either steal the ball or force it out of bounds. It was crucial for him to prove himself, especially since he hadn't scored yet.
With renewed determination, Renji guarded Kishi closely. Kishi dribbled aggressively, but Renji saw an opening. Before Kishi could fully secure control of the ball, Renji executed a quick flick of his wrist, managing to steal the ball. It skidded away and went out of bounds, giving Renji the opportunity to regain possession.
He picked up the ball and felt a surge of exhilaration. The tactile sensation of dribbling, the rhythmic bounce, brought back memories of his past games. Despite his lingering doubts about matching the skill of the five prodigious players he admired, Renji decided to rely on simpler techniques.
He dribbled the ball with growing confidence, feeling its energy. "Game?" he asked, looking at Kishi.
"Sure!" Kishi responded with enthusiasm, ready to continue the match. It will be a worth it match and will always be remembered in his mind. "This will always be remembered as my first game!"
Renji took a deep breath and prepared himself. The game was back on, and with every bounce of the ball, he was more determined to prove his worth. The stakes were high, but Renji was ready to give it his all, no matter the outcome. The thrill of the game, the camaraderie, and the chance to relive a cherished part of his life fueled his resolve.
This would be his first, and it will be remembered. He would cherish this moments, the moments where he will unleash his skills. As he would be adapting and apply his knowledge to his future endeavors. The goal was not to win but to adapt as soon as possible.