The spark I had planted in my friends was no longer just a flicker. One by one, they came to me with the same uncertain look in their eyes, asking the question they hadn't dared before: "Were you serious?"
Yuji Ohkusu
Yuji approached me first, his long arms dangling at his sides, tall and lanky like he didn't quite know what to do with his body. He found me on the cracked court behind school, dribbling alone in the morning.
"When you said baseball for me…" he muttered, scratching his head, "…did you really mean it?"
I stopped the ball under my palm and smirked. "Completely. Your reflexes are sharp, and your reach? That's gold. In the outfield you'd cover ground no one else could. At the plate, pitchers wouldn't know what to do against your swing once you learned control."
Yuji stared for a moment, then laughed awkwardly. "Heh… maybe you're right. At least it sounds better than just wasting time. Guess I'll give it a try."
I clapped his shoulder. "Good. Don't waste what you've been given."
Chuichirou Noma
Noma came next. Broad-chested, solid like a boulder, his presence always dominated the group even without words.
"You really think rugby suits me?" he asked one afternoon, half doubtful, half excited.
"You're built for it," I answered immediately. "Strength, mass, and stamina. You're already a wall. Train hard, and no one will be able to push you off the field."
Noma grinned wide, slapping his chest with pride. "Sounds perfect. If I'm a wall, then I'll be the strongest damn wall anyone's seen."
Nozomi Takamiya
The last one to come was Nozomi. Always laughing, always hiding his insecurities under jokes, the heaviest of us all. On our way home one evening, he stopped walking.
"Hanamichi… when you said I could be good at judo, you weren't just messing around, right?" His hand patted his round belly as he spoke, a nervous grin on his face.
I looked him dead in the eyes. "Nozomi, what you think is weakness is actually your advantage. That weight, that center of gravity, combined with your raw strength—it's a nightmare for anyone in judo or wrestling. You could turn it into power."
For once, his smile wasn't a joke. "Heh… then I guess I'll give it a shot. If you believe it, I'll try."
I nodded. "That's all I wanted to hear."
The Finals Night
When the NBA Finals began, the Mito household turned into a small stadium.
It wasn't just me, Yohei, Noma, Yuji, and Nozomi packed into the living room. Their families were there too—their parents sitting side by side with Yohei's, tea cups and beer glasses on the table, snacks piled high.
All eyes were fixed on the television: Detroit Pistons vs. Portland Trail Blazers.
The games were war. Drexler and the Blazers played with fire, but the Pistons were merciless. The "Bad Boys" defense crushed every run, every highlight, every attempt to steal momentum.
Each Pistons victory sent the room into chaos—cheers, clapping, laughter echoing off the walls. The fathers shouted at the screen like coaches, the mothers gasped at every foul, and we kids roared with joy.
And when the final buzzer sounded, when Detroit stood tall as back-to-back NBA Champions, the entire room exploded.
Yohei leapt into the air, fists pumping. Noma slammed the table with a cheer. Yuji threw his arms around his father, laughing. Nozomi almost knocked over a tray of snacks, hugging his mom with tears in his eyes. Even the parents, usually so cautious, couldn't hide their relief and happiness—their trust in me had paid off.
The bets had won. Money flowed back to every family. For the first time, they could breathe easier, worry less, maybe even dream bigger.
After the Celebration
Later, the five of us slipped out into the park. The night air was cool, the streetlights buzzing softly, our laughter still carrying from the celebration.
"With this money, my parents don't have to work late shifts anymore," Noma said proudly.
"Mine too," Yuji added. "They'd never admit it, but I know this saved them."
Nozomi leaned back on a bench, smiling. "Feels like… we're not just fighting to fight anymore. Feels like we've actually got something to aim for."
Yohei smirked, but his eyes were serious. "I'm joining the soccer club tomorrow. No more excuses."
The others cheered him on. I stayed quiet, just watching them.
They're incredible, I thought. Rough edges and all, they're people who could shine if they believe in themselves. I have to treasure them. They're not just friends—they're family now.
My Plan
But deep inside, my mind was already racing. The money we'd won—it was only the beginning. With it, I could upgrade my training, buy better equipment, maybe even find specialized coaching.
If I want to dominate this world, I can't just train harder. I need to train smarter. I need to plan ahead.
As my friends laughed under the stars, I smiled too. Not just at the joy of the night, but at the road ahead.
The court was waiting. And so was the world.