The glow of the holographic screen flickered softly in the dim light of my room. My older self, a mirror image of who I was but more confident and polished, stood before me, a presence that felt both familiar and unsettling.
[Next Task Assigned]
1. Recruit five individuals to join your team:
- Takeshi Nakamura
- Hiroshi Yamamoto
- Kazuki Fujimoto
- Riku Sato
- Shun Watanabe
The names appeared one by one, each printed clearly on the screen. I squinted at them, my heart sinking. This was just another ridiculous game, another burden thrust upon me. I had just dealt with Akira; I didn't want to drag more people into this mess.
"No," I said defiantly, shaking my head. "I don't need to do this. I've taken out Akira, and I have Hana now. What more do you want from me?"
My voice wavered, frustration bubbling beneath the surface. Why couldn't I just be left alone? I wanted a normal life, not this endless cycle of challenges and missions. The holographic screen pulsated, as if in response to my turmoil.
"You need to understand, Yuki," my older self replied, his tone serious. "This isn't just a game. It's your life. You have one chance left to make something of it. If you waste this opportunity, you will be doomed to repeat your past failures."
I felt a cold knot tighten in my stomach. "How do you know all of this? You don't know anything about me!"
His expression softened, and he leaned slightly closer, as if trying to bridge the gap between us. "I am you, Yuki. We are the same person from different realities. I've lived through your mistakes, and I've learned. That's why I'm here—to guide you. You mentored me in my past life, and now it's time for you to learn and grow as well."
My mind spun with confusion. "So, I'm supposed to be a mentor too? To who? Is this some sick cycle? Why can't I just live my life without all these stupid games?"
"Your life is not a game, Yuki. But the system, the very fabric of our existence, intertwines with reality. The sooner you accept this, the better equipped you'll be to face your future," he explained, his eyes locking onto mine with an intensity that made me shiver.
"No!" I shouted, my voice echoing in the stillness of the room. "This is my life, and I refuse to treat it like some kind of simulation!"
But the hologram flickered as he continued, "The system is real, and reality is the system. You cannot separate them. The choices you make here have consequences that ripple through your existence."
As his words sank in, I felt a weight pressing down on me. I wanted to scream, to lash out at this version of myself who was supposedly here to help. But instead, the hologram dimmed and vanished, leaving me in silence, alone with my thoughts.
The screen flashed one last time:
[You have one week to recruit all five individuals to your school squad.]
The deadline loomed like a dark cloud over me. I slumped back against my bed, staring at the blank wall. My thoughts swirled, mixing my frustration with a hint of determination.
"I'll find them," I muttered to myself, my voice barely a whisper. "But I don't have to like it."
As I lay there, my mind raced. Who were these people? Did I even have the energy to recruit them? I didn't want to drag anyone else into this madness.
But as the hours passed, an unsettling realization crept in. If I didn't complete the task, what would happen? The thought of returning to a life of despair, of watching everyone move on while I remained stagnant, pushed me to sit up. I needed to find out who these people were and why they were important.
The first name on the list caught my attention: Takeshi Nakamura. I grabbed my phone and began to search for information.
"Takeshi…Takeshi…" I muttered, scrolling through my contacts and the web. A picture of a tall, lanky guy with unruly hair appeared on my screen, along with a brief bio. He was a sophomore like me, known for his exceptional basketball skills. But more importantly, I remembered that he was Akira's younger brother.
"Great," I said sarcastically. "Now I get to deal with family drama on top of everything else."
I hesitated, anxiety clawing at my insides. Confronting Akira's brother was not how I envisioned my day going. But I steeled myself; I needed to try.
With a deep breath, I decided to head out. I slipped on my shoes and grabbed my hoodie, feeling a mix of anxiety and determination.
The sun hung low in the sky as I made my way to the court, the vibrant colors casting long shadows. As I approached, I could see Takeshi practicing his shots, the sound of the ball echoing through the air. He was alone, focused, his brow furrowed in concentration.
"Here goes nothing," I whispered to myself as I stepped onto the court.
"Hey, Nakamura!" I called out, my voice firm despite the fluttering in my stomach.
He paused mid-dribble, looking up with a mixture of surprise and curiosity. "Yuki? What do you want?"
I approached him, trying to mask my nerves with confidence. "I'm here to talk about joining the Kagawa Knights."
His expression shifted from curiosity to skepticism. "Why would I want to join your team? My brother's career is done because of you."
The anger in his voice stung, but I pressed on. "I understand you're hurt, and I'm not asking you to forgive me. But I'm not here to talk about Akira. I want to talk about going pro together."
He crossed his arms, skepticism deepening. "You think I want to team up with the guy who put my brother in the hospital? You're delusional."
"Listen, I get it," I replied, my frustration boiling over. "But think about it—if we join forces, we could both take our careers to the next level. I know what I did was wrong, but Akira's injuries aren't the end of your basketball journey. You could be a part of something bigger."
Takeshi's eyes narrowed, and I could see the conflict raging within him. "Why would I trust you? You might just be using me to make yourself look good."
"I'm not trying to use anyone," I insisted, my voice steady. "I'm trying to build a team, and you have skills that could make us unstoppable. This is a chance for both of us. We could dominate the courts and go pro together."
He paused, glancing away as if weighing his options. "What's in it for me? Why should I risk my reputation by teaming up with you?"
I took a step closer, speaking earnestly. "Because I know what it's like to be at the bottom, and I want to rise. If we work together, we can support each other. I don't want you to live in your brother's shadow. You can carve out your own path, and I can help with that."
Takeshi looked at me, skepticism still in his eyes, but I could see a flicker of interest. "I'll think about it, Yuki. But don't count on me."
With that, he turned back to the hoop, launching the ball into the air. It swished through the net effortlessly, but I could see the doubt still lingering in his eyes.
As I left the court, my heart sank a little. This was going to be harder than I thought. I needed to find a way to convince him and the others to join my cause.
The clock was ticking, and I had to act fast.