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Chapter 5 - The Dreaded choice

As I stared at the screen, my heart raced, confusion and fear gripped me. The prompt hovered ominously before me, glowing with an unnatural light: 

[Yes or No]

I didn't hesitate; desperation coursed through me. YES.

The world around me faded into darkness, an abyss where time lost all meaning. When the darkness receded, I found myself in a stark, white room, the sterile scent of antiseptic flooding my senses. The screen still glowed before me, but it now displayed a figure beside it—my older self.

He stood there, looking almost ethereal. His hair was a rich chestnut, slicked back, and his features were sharp and defined, a testament to years of hard work and determination. His physique was muscular , was old yet looked agile, like that of a professional athlete, and his expression bore a mixture of warmth and stern resolve. 

"What the hell is going on?" I croaked, my voice shaking. "Is this some kind of sick joke?"

"Yuki," the older me said, his voice calm yet commanding. "You need to trust me. I'm here to help you."

Help me? My mind reeled at the absurdity of it all. "Help? You want to help me? My mom is gone! I need her back!" The tears streamed down my face as I thought of her comforting presence, her laughter, her unconditional love. "Please! Just bring her back! I can't do this without her!"

My older self's expression softened, but his gaze hardened with purpose. "I'm sorry, but our mother has played her part in our lives. She's not meant to be part of your success. If you want to become anything, you need to trust me. You need to let go of the past."

His words sliced through me like a dagger. How could he say that? Didn't he understand how much I needed her? "No! There has to be another way!" I begged, my voice breaking. "Anything but this! I can't lose her again!"

My older self took a step closer, his presence emanating a strange authority. "Listen carefully, Yuki. In this world, it's either Akira or you. One must fall for the other to rise." His voice was low and serious, leaving no room for argument.

"Akira?" I stammered, disbelief coursing through me. Memories of our childhood flashed through my mind—those carefree days when we played together, dreams of becoming basketball stars dancing in the air. "He's the reason for everything! He stole Hana! But to take him down in that way… I can't!"

"You must," the older me insisted. "In order to gain the skills and abilities necessary to succeed, you need to take him out in the championship game. I will guide you through this. You'll level up and gain points as you complete missions. Those points can be used to enhance your skills in basketball and life. This is your chance to change everything."

His words echoed in my mind, but the idea of crippling Akira felt foreign and wrong. My heart raced, a storm of emotions brewing within me. "Isn't there another way? Can't we coexist? Can't I just prove myself without hurting him?" I felt sick at the thought it.

The older Yuki's eyes bore into mine, almost with compassion. "I know this is hard, but it's the only way. You need to prepare yourself mentally and physically. I'll give you the tactics you need to succeed. Take him out at the last quarter, right as he's about to take a shot. Trust me; it's the only way you can rise above this."

His words resonated in my mind, tugging at my conscience. A part of me wanted to scream, to reject this horrific path, but the other part—a darker part—felt the intoxicating rush of power at the prospect of success. The thought of being seen as more than just a loser, as someone who could finally stand tall and proud, was hard to resist.

"How can you ask me to do this?" I whispered, feeling small and defeated. "I can't just… not like this."

The older Yuki's expression softened, his eyes glimmering with understanding. "You were given a second chance, Yuki. This is about survival and success. You can't be a hero and a victim at the same time. Sometimes sacrifices must be made. You need to be prepared to face your destiny head-on."

The room faded again, a swirling vortex of emotions and doubts, and suddenly, I was back in my old high school gymnasium, the familiar scent of polished wood and sweat enveloping me. The atmosphere was electric, filled with the sounds of cheering fans and the rhythmic bouncing of basketballs.

The championship game between the Yamato Tigers and the Kagawa Knights was about to begin.

The gym was packed with students, parents, and community members, their voices merging into a chaotic symphony of excitement. The buzz of anticipation hung heavy in the air. I could see Hana in the stands, her eyes sparkling, cheering for Akira with an energy that made my stomach churn. How could I focus with her rooting for him?

My teammates were warming up, their expressions screamed determination . Jamal, my closest friend, was at the three-point line, shooting baskets with ease, while the third member of our trio, Kenji, was stretching nearby.

"Yuki!" Jamal called out, snapping me back to reality. "You good? You look a bit pale, man."

"Yeah, just… thinking," I muttered, forcing a smile. Inside, I was a whirlwind of emotions. The weight of my older self's words loomed over me like a dark cloud.

As the announcer's voice boomed through the gym, I took a deep breath, trying to steady my racing heart. "Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the championship final! Today, we have an exciting match-up between the Yamato Tigers and the Kagawa Knights!"

The crowd erupted into cheers, and the energy in the room surged. I felt dread, I felt exhilaration easing itself through me.

Taz, added his signature flair. "Good day, everyone! I'm Taz, and I'm here with my co-commentator, Kenji Sato! This is set to be an epic showdown!"

"Absolutely, Taz! Both teams have shown incredible skill this season, but the question remains: who will take home the championship trophy today?" Kenji Sato replied, his voice steady and confident.

As the players took their positions on the court, I felt a familiar surge of adrenaline. This was it—the moment that would define everything. I scanned the court for Akira, and there he was, the star player of the Yamato Tigers, a confident smile on his face, surrounded by his teammates. He was everything I had once aspired to be, and now I was supposed to bring him down.

I closed my eyes for a moment, remembering the older Yuki's words. "Take him out. One must go for the other to shine."

The referee blew the whistle, and the game began.

As the ball flew into the air for the tip-off, I felt a rush of determination flooding my veins. I had a mission, and despite the moral weight of it, I knew I had to focus on the task at hand. The game was my battleground, and I had to rise.

Every dribble, every pass, every shot was amplified in my mind. The stakes were higher than ever before. I fought to keep my eyes on the prize, pushing aside the memories of our childhood friendship with Akira.

Midway through the first quarter, I caught glimpses of Hana in the stands, her cheers ringing in my ears. The sight of her only intensified the fire within me, reminding me of everything I had lost. The thrill of the game filled the air, but beneath it all, the burden of my mission weighed heavily on my heart.

As the clock wound down, I could feel the tension mounting. I needed to wait for the right moment—the moment when Akira was poised to take his shot. The plan was clear, and I had to execute it flawlessly.

Suddenly, I saw Akira making his move. He received the ball and began to drive toward the basket, his eyes focused and determined. "Now," my mind screamed. This was it.

As he approached the three-point line, time slowed. My heart pounded in my chest. 

Was I really going to do this? 

History was about to repeat itself, and in this moment, everything hinged on my decision. I had to either save myself or condemn my ex childhood friend.

I took a deep breath and lunged forward, just as Akira prepared to shoot.