Basketball System: Rebound of the Underdog

Kai let out a deep breath as he went to the center position. In front of him was Xander Jackstone, a transfer student from the United States who was a few inches taller than him. Although Kai had gotten taller throughout the season, he couldn't beat the guy's foreign blood.

The aura he exuded couldn't be matched as he settled in the middle. Xander was no stranger to Kai Guo. He was all Chaoxing had been talking about. However, even then, Xander believed he could outplay the popular player.

Speaking of Chaoxing, he looked excited as Kai readied himself for the jump ball.

Jian shook his head and turned to the side. It didn't matter if Kai played or not. However, of course, there was an underlying curiosity in the back of his mind—one that he would never admit!

On the other hand, Jimmy's stance faltered. He felt his heart stop as he looked at Kai.

What was he doing here?

Why was he here when Kimmy promised she would stall him for at least two quarters?

He glanced at the bench of the Shizi Dogs and saw that Lina was still nowhere to be found. Was their relationship strictly that of a manager and a player? He was sure he saw them kissing in the court he spotted in the further parts of the city.

Kai let out a deep breath as he squatted slightly. He could feel the curious gazes of his teammates, to which he merely smiled in response.

He then remembered why he had come—and why he was late.

Kai wasn't one to make rash decisions. Basketball had been his life even before he transmigrated to Kai Guo's body. In fact, it was his final goal to play at the finals of the Interhigh Nationals.

He was already here, so why would he run away at the final minute?

All this time, he didn't doubt himself. He knew he worked hard.

However, Zheng's loss must have struck a chord within him.

Was hard work enough to topple someone like Jian Niu? A perfect guy with perfect skills, a good family life, and a great circle of friends—who didn't even need to practice?

Was hard work enough to beat someone like Jimmy Wang? A guy who was born with a golden spoon in his mouth and was the son of the head of the national basketball committee?

Then, he asked himself—what was he doing all of this for?

For pride?

To show his family that he was someone they could be proud of? But who even was his family?

With that, Kai left to go find Lina—the one person he considered to be his 'rest.'

However, as he went out of the court, Yuze called his name.

"Kai!" he exclaimed.

Kai frowned and turned around, faced with their captain, who appeared to be having a hard time running up to him.

Kai paused for a while and looked behind his back before focusing his gaze back on Yuze.

"Captain," he muttered as Yuze made his way in front of him. There was a slight frown on Yuze's face, but it was overtaken by the concern in his eyes.

"Where are you going?" Yuze asked.

"To look for Lina," Kai answered.

Yuze pursed his lips, appearing unconvinced. "Is that really the reason?" he asked.

Kai paused for a while. Was that really the reason? Partially, yes. He really wanted to hear the comforting words that only came from her.

However, if you asked him on a deeper level—then that was not the only thing that he wanted.

He wanted to escape.

The noise.

The expectation.

The feeling of nobody being there for you.

The nagging voice in the back of his mind making him feel he wasn't good enough.

All of those drove him crazy.

It was the first time he had felt so many emotions all at once, and it wasn't a good feeling.

Yuze sighed and walked even closer to Kai, placing a hand over his shoulder.

"I think I understand what you feel," he muttered.

Kai frowned, looking up at him, causing Yuze to chuckle.

"Of course, I can never truly understand it. However, I want you to hear this."

"You know that I've been feeling lost for the past few years," Yuze started off.

"Like I said, you made me realize that maybe I am not fit to be a basketball player. I do not love the game as much as you do. You love basketball so much—and I don't want to see you lose that love over a temporary overwhelming feeling."

Kai pursed his lips. How could Yuze read him so well?

He wasn't their team captain for nothing. He was quiet, but he observed all of his teammates well.

"You're talented, Kai," he continued, squeezing his shoulder. "You know, I just don't say these words to anyone else. I only tell it to those who are better than me."

Kai's expression softened.

"And I know that look," Yuze continued, making Kai curious once again.

"That scanning look," he smiled, remembering his past. "You're looking for someone—your grandma, perhaps?"
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Kai's breath got caught in the back of his throat. Was he getting his fortune read right now?

"I used to do that, too," Yuze chuckled. "I wanted my dad to watch me. I wanted him to acknowledge me. I thought it would never get better, but look at us now."

"It actually got better," he said, shaking his head in disbelief, chuckling to himself. "Isn't that crazy?"

"One moment, you're out there worrying, desiring…resenting something. You spend more than half of your life believing that things won't get any better. It feels like the world is against you, and every single problem is on your back."

"Then, one day, the universe just hands it to you at the most unexpected moment. I feel as if it's the world's way of making it up to us," he softly said.

"So," he continued, looking into Kai's eyes with a wide smile. "I know how hard you've worked."

"I'm sure the universe won't disappoint you when your time comes."