The gym was empty, save for the echoing rhythm of a basketball striking hardwood.
Thump… thump… thump.
Yuuto Kai stood at the top of the key, sweat dripping freely down his face. His knee brace dug against his skin with every movement, the faint ache a constant reminder of what he had lost and what he was fighting to regain.
But tonight wasn't like the other rehab sessions. Tonight wasn't about grinding through pain or counting reps until his arms burned.
Tonight, he was testing something new.
The system pulsed faintly.
[Skill Activated: Match Awareness Lv.1]
Yuuto's vision sharpened. For a brief instant, the world wasn't just wood, paint, and hoops it was alive with luminous threads. Thin, ghostlike trails of light stretched across the court, sketching passing lanes, flashing defensive rotations that hadn't even happened yet.
Yuuto's breath caught. His heart hammered faster.
"…This… this is insane."
He bounced the ball once, twice, then jab-stepped forward.
A phantom projection flickered before his eyes the silhouette of an invisible defender lunging at his fake, half a second before Yuuto even moved. He adjusted instinctively, slipping the ball behind his back into a smoother dribble.
The ball struck the floor with a smack, his sneakers squeaking as he pivoted. It wasn't perfect his body still lagged behind the vision but the feeling sent adrenaline surging through him.
It's like seeing the game before it happens.
He drove toward the paint, stopped short, pulled into a jumper. The ball kissed the rim and fell through.
The doors to the gym creaked open.
Yuuto startled, snapping his head toward the sound.
"Still here, Kai?"
Marcus Lee walked in, tall frame relaxed, towel slung around his neck. His Shujin jersey jacket hung loose, and a grin tugged at the corners of his mouth.
Yuuto flushed, sheepish. "Couldn't stop. Something… clicked."
Marcus raised a brow. "Clicked, huh?" He strolled across the court, grabbed a ball from the rack, and spun it on his finger. "Well, don't hog the gym. Let's see if you're actually improving or just sweating for no reason."
Yuuto smirked nervously, already bracing himself. Marcus wasn't just his teammate he was one of the team's anchors, physically imposing and tough to beat even when Yuuto was at full health.
But maybe… with this skill
One-on-One Drill
Marcus dribbled at the top, shoulders squared. His first step was quick, confident. Yuuto lowered into a crouch, heart pounding.
Then it happened. The system flared.
A faint arc of light appeared around Marcus's body, projecting his path.
He's driving right.
Yuuto slid early, planting his good foot and cutting him off. Their shoulders bumped hard Yuuto's body protesting, his knee screaming but Marcus stumbled.
"What the?" Marcus blinked, caught off guard.
Yuuto exhaled shakily, a small smile tugging at his lips. "Surprised?"
Marcus chuckled, resetting at the top. "Don't get cocky. That was one play."
He attacked again. This time he faked left, trying to bait Yuuto. The system shimmered faintly, warning him. Yuuto steadied, refusing to bite.
Marcus pulled up for a contested jumper. The ball clanged off the rim.
A low whistle slipped from Marcus's lips. "Damn… guess you've been grinding."
Pride swelled in Yuuto's chest. His lungs burned, but victory tasted sweet.
Then the panel reminded him:
[Skill Limitation: Match Awareness Lv.1 lasts 15 seconds.]
[Cooldown: 3 minutes.]
And just like that, the glowing threads vanished. His vision dulled back to normal.
The very next possession, Marcus blew by him with a strong crossover and scored easily at the rim.
Yuuto gritted his teeth. "Tch"
Marcus smirked, bouncing the ball back. "Still gaps in your game. But that's fine. That's basketball."
Yuuto bent over, palms on his knees, chest heaving. Sweat dripped onto the hardwood. His mind replayed the visions the lights, the warnings, the predictions.
It's not a cheat code. He clenched his fists. It's a tool. And tools are only as good as the one using them.
Break on the Bleachers
The drill wound down. The two collapsed onto the wooden bleachers, panting. The gym lights buzzed faintly overhead, bathing the court in gold.
Marcus tossed his towel over his head, then nudged Yuuto's shoulder. "Feels good to be back, huh?"
Yuuto's chest rose and fell, but a smile tugged at his lips. "More than anything."
Marcus studied him for a long moment, his expression unreadable. Then his smirk softened into something closer to pride. "Then don't waste it. Guys are watching. Coach is watching. Hell, even rivals are watching. You prove yourself here, you're gonna have a target on your back."
Yuuto's smile faded into a sharper edge. His eyes narrowed. "Good. Let them watch. I'll be ready."
The system pulsed faintly again.
[Hidden Quest Unlocked: Rise of the Underdog]
Objective: Earn recognition from your teammates during official practice.
Reward: Skill Upgrade Potential + "Team Chemistry Boost."
Yuuto's pulse quickened. He clenched his fists until his knuckles whitened.
This wasn't just about proving himself anymore. Not just about showing he could still walk, still dribble, still shoot.
This was about his team. His brothers on the court.
If the world was going to put a target on his back then he'd damn well be strong enough to carry it.
Closing Scene
The lights above flickered as the janitor entered to start cleaning. Marcus stood, stretching his arms. "C'mon, Kai. Court's closing."
Yuuto lingered, gaze sweeping over the lines, the rim, the hardwood he'd once thought he'd never touch again. His chest tightened.
"Yeah," he murmured. Then louder, more certain: "Yeah. Let's go."
As they left, the faint system glow shimmered once more in Yuuto's vision:
[Progress toward Quest: Rise of the Underdog – 3%]
The comeback wasn't just a dream anymore. It was alive, beating in his chest with every dribble, every breath.
And soon… the world would see it.