I jolted upright, heart racing, surrounded by the familiar sound of squeaking sneakers and the rhythmic bounce of basketballs. I was back in the gym, the smell of polished wood and sweat filling my senses. Voices called my name, slicing through the haze of confusion in my mind.
"Yuki! Focus up, man!" Jamal shouted, the deep timbre of his voice pulling me from the remnants of my past life.
I blinked, struggling to piece together what had just happened. One moment I was standing on the brink of death, contemplating my end, and the next, I was here—alive and in my teenage body again. It felt surreal, like a dream I couldn't quite grasp.
"Hey! Yuki!" Riku chimed in, nudging me with his shoulder. "You good? We're about to run drills. Don't zone out on us!"
I shook my head, trying to clear the fog, but my mind raced with questions. How was this possible? Had I really been given a second chance? My teammates' laughter and banter faded into a background hum as I felt the sudden urge to escape the gym. Ignoring their calls, I dashed toward the bathroom, my heart pounding louder than the echoes of the basketball court.
I burst through the door, my breath hitching as I stepped up to the mirror. Staring back at me was the reflection of a younger version of myself—no grey hairs, no wrinkles. My once-dull eyes sparkled with life, vibrant and full of potential. I couldn't help but admire my youthful features; the sharp jawline, the full lips, and the tousled hair that framed my face perfectly. I looked cute—almost unrecognizable.
I splashed water on my face, hoping it would wake me from this bizarre dream. But when I looked back into the mirror, my heart dropped.
A transparent screen hovered in front of me, glowing ominously.
[Yuki, DO YOU CHOOSE TO ACCEPT YOUR FIRST MISSION?]
"What the hell?" I exclaimed, my heart racing even faster. I felt a rush of adrenaline course through my veins. This couldn't be real. But it was. The thrill of being alive, of having another shot at my dreams, drowned out the doubts in my mind. Without a second thought, I accepted the mission.
I didn't care if it was a dream or some twisted illusion. I was ready to embrace this new reality. I had wasted enough time wallowing in regret; I wouldn't let this opportunity slip through my fingers.
My mission was clear: I had to take out Akira, the very person who had crushed my dreams in my past life. My heart surged with excitement at the thought. In my previous life, I had been the hero, the good guy, but Akira had always stolen the spotlight. This time, I would write my own story. I would be the main character, and Akira would finally pay for what he had done.
I took a deep breath, feeling a rush of determination wash over me. The sound of my teammates laughing outside pulled me back to reality, but this time, it felt different. I could feel the energy buzzing through my body, and I was ready to take on the world.
When I stepped back onto the court, the energy was palpable. The gym was alive with chatter and the sound of basketballs bouncing. I joined my teammates, who were running drills, their voices rising above the thumping bass of the music blaring from the speakers.
"Yuki! Finally!" Jamal grinned, tossing the ball my way. "Thought you were going to space out on us again. We need you focused for the championship this weekend!"
"Yeah, man! We can't win without our star player!" Riku added, clapping me on the back.
Their words filled me with a sense of purpose. I was back, and I was ready to seize my future. But then, as I scanned the gym, I spotted Hana on the sidelines, her hair glowing under the gym lights as she cheered for our team. But my heart sank as I realized she was cheering for Akira, her eyes sparkling with admiration as she watched him effortlessly sink shots. It stung, but I pushed the feeling down.
However, there was another girl in the gym—Rika—who had always been on my side, cheering me on from the beginning. She was cute, with bright eyes and a bubbly personality, but I had never seen her as more than a friend. As she caught my eye, she beamed at me, there was hope in her expression. I couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt; I had taken her support for granted.
As I warmed up, I couldn't help but steal glances at Hana. She looked just as beautiful as I remembered, her smile lighting up the room, but the way her gaze lingered on Akira twisted my stomach. I had to show her the new me, the one who wouldn't be a victim anymore.
"Alright, team! Let's break for a minute!" Coach Saito called, wiping sweat from his brow as he approached us. "I want you all to visualize our strategy for the game. Yuki, what's our play for the final quarter?"
The question snapped me back to focus. "We'll run a double screen for Jamal, then I'll take the three-pointer if the defense collapses," I replied confidently, the words flowing from me as if I had rehearsed them a million times.
"Perfect! Let's make it happen!" Coach Saito nodded approvingly, a smile breaking across his face.
With renewed energy, we dove into practice, each shot I made fueling my confidence. I could feel the adrenaline surging through me as I practiced my moves, each dribble echoing the rhythm of my heartbeat. I was faster, sharper, more focused than ever.
But then, in the midst of it all, I spotted Akira again, his presence commanding attention. He sauntered in with an air of arrogance, his fans trailing behind him like moths to a flame. I could feel my heart rate spike as he laughed with his friends, completely unaware of the storm brewing within me.
"Look who it is," Jamal muttered under his breath, glancing at me. "You good?"
I nodded, my fists clenching at my sides. Akira was still the same: tall, athletic, and charming. He strutted across the gym, his eyes scanning the room until they landed on me. A smirk curled on his lips, and for a brief moment, I felt my confidence waver.
"Hey, Yuki!" he called, his voice dripping with condescension. "Ready to get schooled again? I heard you're still trying to relive your glory days."
Laughter erupted from his group, and I felt a familiar anger surge within me. This time would be different. I wouldn't let him undermine me like before. I would take control.
"You know, Akira," I shot back, stepping closer. "Things have changed. You're not the only one who's grown."
His expression shifted, the smile faltering for just a moment. But then he recovered, leaning back casually. "Oh really? I guess we'll see about that. The championship game is coming up, and you'll have your chance to...flop again."
The challenge hung in the air, electric and charged with unspoken tension. I could feel my teammates' eyes on us, and I knew I had to deliver.
"Let's make it interesting," I proposed, a bold grin spreading across my face. "Loser quits"
Akira's laughter faded, replaced by a glint of intrigue. "You think you can take me on? I'd love to see you try. Just remember, Yuki—if you can't handle the heat, don't step into the kitchen."
The tension crackled between us, and the gym felt like it was vibrating with energy. I could see the gears turning in my teammates' minds, and I knew I had to deliver.
"Game on," I declared, feeling the fire within me ignite.
As the practice session resumed, I felt a rush of excitement and adrenaline running through me. The stage was set, and I was ready to take back control of my story. With each shot, each dribble, I visualized the victory ahead.
But as the practice came to a close, one thought loomed large in my mind: I had to execute my mission flawlessly. Akira was no longer just my rival; he was the embodiment of everything I had lost. This time, I would make sure he felt the pain I had endured.
As I walked off the court, I caught Rika's eye, and she smiled at me—her support invigorating my spirit. But Hana's gaze lingered on Akira, her admiration evident, a stark reminder of the challenge ahead. I couldn't wait to show everyone, especially Hana, the new Yuki, the one who would rewrite his destiny.
But as I stepped outside, the air heavy with anticipation, I felt a chill run down my spine. This was more than just a game; it was a battle for my future.
And I was ready to fight!!