COTE: The Best Version of Me

Chapter 7 - Imminent conflicts

Time skip - 4 weeks later - April 29th

The sound of the ball bouncing against the wooden floor echoed throughout the gym. It was mid-game, and adrenaline was pumping with every dribble, every shot. Sweat was pouring down my forehead, but my thoughts remained clear, as if the heat of the match had only sharpened my senses. It was the second half of the basketball game. 

Eiichiro, Hirata, Sudou, and I were up against four seniors of the basketball club. It was a close but not hostile game, with both sides having fun and at the same time aiming for victory.

Sudou, with his robust body, dominated the paint. His playing style was aggressive and precise, managing to block and grab rebounds with ease. He was a good example of a Two-way player. Eiichiro, on the other hand, radiated energy, running enthusiastically around the court, his occasional laugh reflecting his competitive yet carefree spirit. Hirata played strategically, distributing the ball with smooth and precise passes. As for me... I was learning every second.

At first, my involvement in the match was observant. I analyzed the rhythm, positioning, and movement patterns of both my friends and my senpais. My body automatically adjusted to each play, each deflection, as if every minute on the court was making me better. At first, I barely touched the ball, but gradually, my actions began to flow more smoothly.

"Hey, Kiyotaka, pass it to me!" Eiichiro shouted, running down the sidelines.

I held the ball, watching the senpais move to try to block me. Two of them rushed towards me, but I kept my cool. A diagonal pass cut through their defense, landing right in Eiichiro's hands, who shot without hesitation. Successfully, the ball passed cleanly through the basket.

"Nice move, Eiichiro!" I exclaimed, giving a slight smile.

"Hey, Kiyotaka, you're starting to get the hang of it, huh?" Eiichiro joked with a raised thumb, while Sudou was already preparing for the senpais' next attack. I knew that this game wasn't just about strength or speed, it was also a test of adaptation, something I mastered naturally. I could feel the senpais' watchful eyes as they moved with impressive fluidity. Their team was tight-knit, playing in a coordinated manner, but that didn't intimidate me.

The senpais' next attack was quick. They worked well as a team, and the ball passed between them as if they were choreographing a show. Sudou was preparing to block, but one of the senpais made a feint, dodging to the side and shooting a three-pointer. The ball was thrown in a perfect arc, but at the last moment I jumped, extending my arm and deflecting its trajectory.

"What?!" one of the senpais exclaimed, surprised by my intervention. Despite his surprise, a competitive smile formed on his face upon seeing my successful defense.

This excitement... I can feel it on my skin. 

Alright... I'll speed up.

The ball fell into Hirata's hands, who quickly ran down the side of the court, giving me a quick glance. He knew I was already in position. The pass came my way, fast and accurate. I caught the ball and, without hesitation, accelerated towards the hoop.

Two senpais stepped forward to block me, but instead of trying to dodge, I forced the pace, feinting a dribble to the right and turning to the left, with the agility I had observed in Sudou. The movement was more fluid than I expected, as if my body was molding itself to the surroundings. I jumped at just the right moment, slamming the ball into the basket with force.

"Holy shit, Kiyotaka! What a move!" The sound of impact echoed through the gym, followed by Eiichiro's screams.

The adrenaline coursed through my body, but I kept my expression calm. It was as if each second was becoming clearer to me, each move more intuitive. My body responded almost automatically, while my thoughts calculated the next move, the next strategy.