Persuaded

"Alright, I got it. I'll find a chance to talk to my mom later!" Moyun's voice was slightly hoarse, but filled with determination. He knew this wasn't just an ordinary conversation — it was the beginning of his pursuit of a dream.

The night breeze blew gently, bringing a slight chill. Standing under the streetlamp, Moyun's shadow stretched long on the pavement. He looked up at the sky, his eyes flickering with unwavering resolve. Taking a deep breath, he seemed to be inhaling all the courage he could muster.

"Tomorrow's game in Tokyo — let's head there together in the morning" Shiro's voice suddenly broke the silence of the night, filled with anticipation and encouragement.

Moyun stopped in his tracks, turned around, and a light smile appeared on his face.

"Yeah, sounds good. See you in the morning!" His voice was brimming with energy, as if he could already see the sunrise of a new day. Clenching his fists, he felt a newfound excitement for the future.

Shiro watched Moyun leave, his smile growing wider. He knew that once Moyun worked things out with his mom, his entry into the basketball team would only be a matter of time. He believed they would both achieve their dreams.

The moonlight illuminated the path ahead as Moyun walked toward home. Each step felt like a step toward success, bringing him closer to his passion.

Back home, as soon as Moyun stepped inside, he locked eyes with his mother. A heavy silence filled the room. They both knew what was on each other's minds, but neither was willing to be the first to bring up what had happened that morning.

In the end, it was his mother who broke the silence. "Moyun…" She spoke softly, and Moyun looked up, a mix of hesitation and anticipation in his gaze.

Taking a deep breath, she continued, "It's not that I don't want you to play basketball. It's just that high school is a crucial time for your studies. You need to focus now so you can get into a good university. After that, you can play all you want." She gently placed a hand on his.

Moyun frowned and replied firmly, "But basketball is my passion!"

His mother's eyes widened in frustration. "That doesn't mean you should lie to me! You promised to stop playing, yet you went behind my back. If you don't focus on your studies now, what will you do in the future?" Her voice sharpened.

Moyun lowered his head and sighed. He understood that her strictness came from a place of concern, but he couldn't grasp why she always prioritized academics over everything else — over what truly made him happy.

Seeing his downcast expression, his mother softened. Realizing she might have been too harsh, she adjusted her tone and said gently, "I know you love basketball, but you also need to be realistic. Only through hard work in school can you build a secure future. Once you're in college, you can join the basketball team there. But for now, your priority should be preparing for your exams."

Moyun looked up, his voice steady but filled with emotion. "Mom, I understand that you're worried about my academics. But basketball isn't just a hobby for me — it's a part of my life. It helps me relieve stress. High school is overwhelming, and I need a balance."

"And honestly, I knew you wouldn't approve, which is why I had to hide it from you"

His mother fell silent, staring into his determined eyes. In them, she saw an undeniable love for basketball, a fire that refused to be extinguished.

"I'm not asking to neglect my studies" Moyun continued. "I just want to chase my dreams while keeping up with school. If I can't even do what I love, what's the point of it all?"

His words carried weight, a plea for both understanding and permission.

His mother's expression wavered. Perhaps she had overlooked his feelings all this time.

Sensing the shift, Moyun pressed on. "I don't want to look back on my high school years and only remember endless studying. I want memories worth holding onto!"

His mother let out a long sigh. She could see how much this meant to him. Walking up to him, she placed a gentle hand on his shoulder.

"Alright" she finally relented. "I'll give you a chance. But you must promise me that your studies won't suffer. And once you're in your final year, no more basketball — your focus has to be on your exams"

Her gaze held both hope and concern. "Can you do that?"

A wide smile spread across Moyun's face. He knew this was more than just permission—it was a sign of trust.

"Thank you, Mom. I promise"

His mother's expression softened as she ruffled his hair. The tense atmosphere finally lifted. She motioned for him to sit as she brought out dinner.

"Alright, enough of that. Let's eat! How was your guitar practice today?"

"It was alright" He picked up his chopsticks and started eating.

...

At the break of dawn, Moyun stood at the meeting point, his heart pounding with a mix of excitement and nerves.

He glanced around, eagerly waiting for Shiro and the others to arrive.

Not long after, Shiro appeared in sight, walking toward him with three others.

The golden morning light filtered through the trees, casting a warm glow over them.

"Let me introduce you" Shiro said with a grin. "This is my girlfriend, Satsuki Momoi" He held her hand, eyes full of affection.

Momoi smiled warmly and gave a polite nod.

Then, Shiro gestured toward the two other players. "This guy here is Yuki Kawamura, the captain of our basketball team, and this is my former Teiko teammate, Shuuzo Nijimura."

Hearing their names, Moyun nodded in greeting. "Nice to meet you all. I'm Xu Moyun, from China"

After exchanging pleasantries, Shiro turned to the group and said, "Alright, let's head to Tokyo."

He waved over the driver, and the five of them climbed into the car, beginning their journey.

Inside, Moyun gazed out the window, silently praying for everything to go well.

Meanwhile, Shiro and the others chatted freely, their laughter filling the car, easing some of Moyun's tension.

Outside, the city skyline grew clearer as Tokyo's towering buildings gleamed under the morning sun.