The Stubborn Boys Of The House

[I will become the greatest basketball player ever!]

[Hohoho it seems you have unders...What did you say?! A basketball player?]

Jii-chan looked like he took a huge blow but he quickly recovered. A confident look appeared on his face and a glow returned to his smiling eyes.

[Kuro it's still too early to decide! Come with me to the backyard.]

I followed the green slime who was slightly bigger than my kaa-sans. I wonder what kind of special ability jii-chan has. We came to a wide backyard with neatly trimmed green grass enclosed by tall black net fences. This must be a personal training spot for jii-chan.

[Hoho! I will show you how great soccer is! Don't blink and watch my move!]

Jii-chan went hopping toward a machine loaded with soccer balls and pressed a button. The sound of a motor running could be heard and it shot out a soccer ball 5 meters into the air.

Suddenly, the air around jii-chan felt different. His gaze turned sharp and a gentle breeze moved the grass around him. I kept staring at him and all of a sudden, he disappeared and left behind an after image. Fast! Extremely fast! I watched with excited eyes as I saw him reappear in the air next to the ball. He performed a header and the ball went through the goal with amazing accuracy and speed. So this is sports with super powers! It felt much more extreme when you see it in person. I was already blown away when I was watching the monsters playing basketball on TV but seeing jii-chan in the flesh felt even more amazing. He went up at least 4m in the air! Thats 1m higher than the height of a basketball hoop!

This jumping ability! I have to get him to teach it to me. My body was already shaking in excitement thinking about it. I had tried to jump in my new slime body but I felt the limitation, even if I fully grow to jii-chan's size, I wouldn't be able to reach those heights with the way I am jumping. There has to be some technique to it. Jii-chan was too fast so I couldn't even catch a glimpse of it.

[Ugh. It seems age is catching up with me, I feel exhausted after a single power move. Hoho!]

After a cool showing, jii-chan came next to me. I noticed that the green colour in his gel body has faded and turned into a lighter shade of green. He was looking pale at the moment. I immediately asked him the burning question in my heart.

[Jii-chan how did you jump so high up in the air!?]

[Hoho! Do you want to learn it?]

[YES!]

[Then will you become a soccer player?]

[NO!]

[You want to learn this jumping skill?]

[YES!]

[Become a soccer player like me!]

[NO! Is there any way you will teach it to me without me becoming a soccer player?]

[Hmph very well! If you want me to teach you, you'll have to earn it. Steal the soccer ball away from me then I will teach you the secret to my jump! Hoho!]

Jii-chan tilted his body slightly and started dribbling the soccer ball around. What amazing control. I am going to give it my all to steal the ball. I have to learn that jump no matter what!

[Otou-san.. Asking a new born child to steal a ball from a soccer player.. Furthermore you are an evolved variant. Isn't that bullying..Why don't you just teach it to Kuro.]

Lisa kaa-san couldn't keep silent anymore and tried to persuade jii-chan to agree to teaching me.

[Hoho! If he wants to become a basketball player, then show me the resolve!]

[Sigh the boys of this family are all so stubborn..]

Lisa kaa-san shook her head knowing she won't be able to convince jii-chan otherwise. She knew he had always been stubborn about certain things and would never go against what he had said.

Since it has come down to this, I just have to do it. After gathering force below myself, I launched myself forward and rushed towards the ball. Jii-chan used simple left and right movements to move the ball away each time before I could reach it. I had no trouble keeping up with this basic level of movement. Although there was alot of side to side hopping, I could do it with ease due to my own self training.

[Hoho! Not bad for a newborn. Then how about this!]

He started dribbling the ball around and added short dashes. This time my experiments with speed came into play. Although I could not change directions quickly, I am able to catch up to jii-chan by applying more force. My idea is to keep close to him and my chance will definitely come! While it would be logical to let jii-chan tire himself out, it wasn't my way of doing things. Since I was the one asking for the favour, I will do it on his terms. Suddenly, jii-chan slowed for a moment, so I used all my strength to make a dive for the ball. I also manipulated my body to extend. I managed to touch the ball but immediately, jii-chan kicked it up slightly and maintained control.

[Oh ho! You have great awareness and good body control. That is impressive but how long can you keep it up?]

Just like that, I went full power hopping in all directions, extending my body and doing full power dives. Our showdown was like a bullfighter manipulating the bull with a red flag. I know had no way of matching up a professional in terms of technique but I know my own advantage. Stamina! Its also time to confirm my suspicions I have about my variant powers.

The match went on for over an hour. The fatigue accumulated and soon it was a battle against my mind. With every passing second, my body was hurting more and my mind was telling me to stop. I kept my focus and was able to charge at full power only because I forced it. My body was visibly lighter in colour than when the match first started. The look on jii-chan's face became more surprised with every full power dash and soon, he was looking at me with a wide smile in his eyes.

[Ahh, I tripped. Hoho!]

Jii-chan awkwardly fell onto the floor but it was obvious he was controling his fall. The fall was so slow anyone could tell he was faking it.

[Thanks jii-chan!]

Since he gave me the chance to win, I will take it! I need to learn that jump! Using one last full body dash, I took possesion of the ball.

Gella kaa-san who also joined to watch the show stared at jii-san with judgy eyes and complained.

[Otou-san if you had the intention to teach Kuro in the first place, why hold on for over an hour making Kuro chase you nonstop!]

Jii-san's face turned crimson and but he tried to maintain his act.

[I don't know what you are talking about. Anyway a loss is a loss. I will teach you the technique. I am surprised by your otherworldly stamina but the thing I admire the most is your will! The body is only as strong as the mind. A strong will is the secret to true greatness. Seems like other than inheriting my stubborness, you inherited my unrelenting will too! You are my grandson indeed!]

[So you do know you are stubborn! Teehee!]

Gella kaa-san said, seemingly amused. :P