Chapter 16: The Game Against the Former Captain

The next morning. In the school hallway after classes, Jen Ryu and So Ho decided to approach the former captain who would be playing against them.

"Jung Ho." — Jen Ryu called out to him, waving his hand.

"What do you want?" — Jung Ho replied, turning to face the newcomers of the club.

"We have a request for you. Can you help us in the game?" — Jen Ryu asked anxiously.

"Why would I help you?" — Jung Ho looked at him in confusion.

"You clearly want to reclaim your position as captain and play as a team, not as a lackey, right?" — So Ho asked him.

"My team is perfectly fine with me, and Ming You rightfully earned the role of captain. I think I've already said that, so you can go." — Jung Ho turned away from them.

"But you can't just betray part of your team for some money. Put yourself in our shoes! We just want to train and improve in basketball together with the team, just like you!" — Jen Ryu exclaimed.

Jung Ho stopped and for a moment thought about the team that existed before Ming You. The joyful and happy scenes of training and harmless games with the team, the sense of respect for opponents even after a loss.

After a brief pause, Jung Ho hesitantly said:

"Fine, I'll think about your proposal, but don't forget to train and prepare for the game." — Jung Ho headed towards the school gym.

"Thank you! At least Ming You hasn't completely stripped you of your humanity; we will be very grateful!" — Jen Ryu shouted.

So Ho and Jen Ryu also parted ways.

Meanwhile, in the school locker room. Jung Ho opened the door and entered, calling out to the sleeping Ming You, who had his head thrown back:

"Ming You, the newcomers approached me asking for help in the game. It wouldn't be such a big deal if I let them win one round, right?" — he reported uncertainly.

Ming You lifted his head and replied:

"Why would you lose?"

"I haven't given them a final answer yet, so I wanted to know what your decision would be regarding this." — Jung Ho spoke slightly insistently.

"You already know that winning is the main thing for me, even if the game is against my own. But I have a better solution for an easier victory for you." — A cunning look appeared in Ming You's eyes.

"Okay, I understand. I won't let them win." — Jung Ho was about to turn and leave, but Ming You stopped him:

"Wait, you haven't heard the plan for the next game."

"What plan?" — Jung Ho turned back towards Ming You, waiting for instructions.

"First, tell the newcomers that you agree to a draw, so they think I have complete control over you and that if there's a draw, I won't suspect anything." — Ming You said as if he didn't control him.

"So this round will be a draw?" — Jung Ho asked in surprise.

"Of course not, you need to score as many points as possible, so your score is a hundred times more than theirs." — He said cunningly and confidently.

"Then what's the point of agreeing to a draw?" — Jung Ho asked again.

"Listen, you'll tell them to let you score easy points in the first half of the game, and in the second half, you'll pretend to be exhausted, so I supposedly won't suspect anything and will let the newcomers score. But in reality, in the second half, you'll play at full strength since you won't have to exert yourself in the first half." — Ming You finished explaining, preparing to execute his previous plan.

"I got it, but why do I need to score a hundred times more points than them? I'll win anyway." — Jung Ho still had doubts.

"It's simple, you need to completely crush them so that in the remaining three games, they are in total despair." — Ming You showed a sinister smile.

"Alright, I'll try." — He finally said, waving his hand as he left the school gym.

Meanwhile, Ming You began to get ready, while Jung Ho was already heading to the streetball court to talk to the newcomers of the club.

As he walked along one side of the sidewalk towards the basketball court, on the other side, So Ho, Jen Ryu, and three other unremarkable players were approaching. As the newcomers were packing their things and getting ready to warm up, Jung Ho waved his hand and approached them:

"Hey, guys, about helping in the game..." — he said slightly uncertainly.

"So you agree?" — Jen Ryu and the others already looked happy.

"Partly, but the problem is that if I lose, Ming You will start to suspect me, and if he finds out about the betrayal... Who knows what he will do." — Jung Ho portrayed fear, but he had a rough idea of what Ming You might do for betrayal.

"That bastard. We definitely need to kick him out of the team! Or better yet, out of school altogether!" — Jen Ryu said angrily.

"But we can play to a draw, then he won't suspect me." — Jung Ho said calmly.

"Great! So we score two points, then you score one, and so on until the end of the game. Thanks for your help!" — Jen Ryu was already on edge.

"N-no, not quite. If we score like that, Ming You will definitely figure out that I'm in cahoots with you, but I have a better idea." — Jung Ho tried to portray fear as best he could, but in the end, he just looked insecure.

"You're right. We're listening." — So Ho agreed with the decision, waiting for the game plan.

"Basically, in the first half of the game, you let me score, and in the second half, you'll score. This way, I'll pretend to be exhausted in the second half of the game, thus not raising any suspicions from Ming You and allowing you to make a draw." — Jung Ho was still unsure, but he said it as his captain instructed.

"Jung Ho, you're the real captain of this team. We won't let you down!" — Jen Ryu raised his hand, and Jung Ho uncertainly high-fived him.

A few minutes later, as the sun set, players and a crowd of people began to gather at the court. Jung Ho was warming up on one side of his hoop, while the five newcomers were on the other side.

As the spectators placed their bets, Ming You approached Jung Ho and gave him instructions:

"Jung Ho, you'd better warm up your three-point shots; in the first half of the game, you'll be scoring like that."

"Why take unnecessary risks?" — he asked in confusion.

"Did you already forget that your points are doubled? Your three-pointers will count as four shots with your advantage, instead of two for a regular game." — Ming You insisted.

"Okay, I got it." — Jung Ho ran to the three-point line and began warming up his shots.

When the spectators finished placing bets and the players lined up at the center line, referee Song Wo announced the start of the game and made the jump ball.

The ball flew up and was already coming down, and Jung Ho grabbed the ball and ran to the corner of the three-point line. Two defenders rushed at him, but they only pretended to block him. As soon as Jung Ho took the ball in both hands and assumed a shooting stance, the two defenders were slightly surprised but jumped only a couple of seconds after he leaped.

As if in slow motion, he watched the ball, after his shot, effortlessly glide into the hoop.

"Yes!" — he shouted, raising his hands to the sky. — "This is just the beginning!"

Applause and cheers erupted from the crowd. The newcomers exchanged glances, slightly surprised at how confidently Jung Ho had started the game.

"That was amazing!" — Jen Ryu exclaimed, unable to hide his excitement. — "If he keeps it up, we won't have to worry!"

"Yeah, but don't forget that this is just the first half of the game," — So Ho replied, holding back his enthusiasm. — "We need to keep an eye on his game."

Referee Song Wo blew the whistle, and the game continued. Jung Ho took his position again, preparing for the next shot. This time he decided to try something new. He deceived the defenders by bouncing the ball off the pavement and suddenly, with both hands, standing on his toes in a shooting stance, but it was just a trick, and the defenders fell for it, even though they were acting lazily, but then Jung Ho quickly changed direction and slipped past them.

"Hey, where are you going?!" — shouted one of the defenders, trying to catch up with him.

Ignoring the shouts, Jung Ho rushed to the hoop and, making a powerful jump, threw the ball from a distance. The basket accepted the ball again, and the spectators erupted in applause once more.

"He just knows no bounds!" — someone in the crowd commented.

"This isn't just a game; it's a show!" — another spectator replied, admiring Jung Ho's skills.

Meanwhile, on the bench of the newcomers, Jen Ryu and So Ho exchanged glances, realizing that Jung Ho's plan was working.

"He really is scoring, just as we agreed!" — Jen Ryu whispered, his eyes shining with excitement.

"But we must not forget about the second half," — So Ho reminded him. — "He has to pretend to be tired to avoid suspicion."

As the game resumed, Jung Ho, as agreed, began to feign exhaustion. He moved slowly across the court, pretending that he was struggling. But deep down, doubts tormented him. On one hand, he wanted to follow Ming You's plan, who promised him generous rewards for victory. On the other hand, he felt drawn to the newcomers, who seemed genuinely trying, as he had once been a newcomer to the club who wanted to show what he was capable of and move forward with the team.

"Maybe I should ease up a bit?" — he pondered, watching the newcomers trying to score. — "But what if Ming You gets angry? He might take away the pleasures he offers for victories."

Nevertheless, the excitement and allure of money, girls, and fame that awaited him after a win proved stronger. He decided not to let the newcomers score; instead, he would show them who was in charge.

"It's time to act," — he whispered to himself, gathering all his strength.

Suddenly, he surged forward, deceiving the defenders, and with two quick steps, executed a powerful shot from the three-point line. The ball flew into the hoop again, and the spectators erupted with cheers of excitement.

"Incredible!" — shouted one of the fans. — "He's back in the game!"

Feeling the thrill take over him, Jung Ho continued to attack. He scored one after another, leaving the newcomers in complete shock. They hadn't expected him to switch gears so quickly and start dominating the court again.

"What's happening?" — So Ho exclaimed as Jung Ho scored another three-pointer. — "He's not going to stop!"

"We need to regroup!" — shouted Jen Ryu, realizing that the situation was spiraling out of control.

With each new shot, Jung Ho increased his lead. He felt the support of the spectators, and it fueled him. He was not going to stop.

"This is just madness!" — commented one of the spectators, watching as Jung Ho scored basket after basket. — "He's leaving no chances for the newcomers!"

Eventually, the game came to an end, and Jung Ho proudly looked at the scoreboard. The score was 101-0 in his favor. He knew he had shocked the newcomers and left them in complete bewilderment.

"How is this possible?" — Jen Ryu whispered, unable to believe his eyes. — "We were sure we could handle it..."

"He just left us no chances," — sighed So Ho, realizing their plan had failed.

Jung Ho turned to the newcomers and smiled:

"I hope you're not too upset. It's just a game. But I would advise you to practice more."

As the spectators erupted in applause, they began to gather, discussing Jung Ho's incredible performance. He knew his plan had worked, and although he wasn't going to betray Ming You, he had still left the newcomers in complete shock and confusion.