Chapter 21: The Final Game?

Meanwhile, sunlight streamed through the windows of the school gymnasium as the rookie basketball team of Yoshido, who had not shown up for the games, gathered around Coach Chang Wo. The atmosphere was tense, and each of them understood that today they needed to discuss something important.

"Coach Chang Wo, we... we wanted to talk about the recent games," one of the rookies began, his tone nervous.

"Yes, go ahead," the coach nodded, raising an eyebrow. "What do you have?"

"We played streetball," the rookie continued, his voice trembling. "Against one of the main players. Ming You."

"What happened?" Chang Wo asked, his eyes narrowing.

"We... we lost all three games," he confessed, looking down. "And now the fourth is already underway. We had to pay money to the thugs for the losses."

"Thugs?" the coach exclaimed, his face paling. "What do you mean?"

"They organize these games," the player explained. "We play for money, and if we lose, we have to pay back the debt. And Ming You... he has become the leader of these thugs."

Silence hung in the air. Chang Wo clenched his fists, his face turning stone-like.

"This is unacceptable," he said, trying to maintain his composure. "Do you understand that this could end badly? You can't play with fire."

"We didn't know he would become a thug," the same player said, his voice shaking with fear. "We just wanted to show that we could play."

"And now we have huge debts," another player added, tears welling in his eyes. "If we don't pay... They are threatening us and our parents."

"I can't just call the police," the coach said, his voice becoming quiet. "Nothing serious has happened. But that doesn't mean I will leave you in trouble."

"Coach, what should we do?" asked the player who had first reported the games, his voice barely above a whisper. "We can't keep playing, but we can't just walk away either."

"We need to go to the court," Chang Wo said firmly. "I won't leave you alone with this problem. Let's see what's going on."

The rookie team exchanged glances, and a mixture of fear and hope was evident in their eyes. They quickly dressed and headed outside.

Moments earlier, the signal for the end of the first half had sounded, and Haru Lin, having given his all as the ball was passed from hand to hand among the five players, stopped, breathing heavily. He had just won against five players, and his individual score looked impressive. Cheers erupted from the spectators who had bet on him, but he paid them no mind, his thoughts occupied with what awaited him on the bench.

Haru made his way to his team, where Ming You, Jung Ho, Hun Ren, and Lu Shen were already seated. Ming You, with his cold and impassive expression, sat with his arms crossed. He showed no emotion, but his eyes were sharp.

"Keep playing how you want," he said, his voice steady and calm. "But don't let your guard down. They will try to catch you off-guard."

Haru Lin nodded, though emotions swirled within him. At that moment, he needed to focus on the game.

"You played great," Jung Ho encouraged him, his voice full of enthusiasm. "But don't relax. You have the advantage, but that doesn't mean they can't outmaneuver you, especially with such quick passes."

Hun Ren, sitting next to him, simply nodded silently, his face indifferent, as if he were in another world. Haru knew that Hun always remained on the sidelines, but in moments like these, his support was important.

"Hey, Haru!" Lu Shen exclaimed, grinning at his teammate. "You're not going to relax when we have a chance to make this game even more interesting, are you? Make sure they don't catch their breath!"

Haru smirked in response, but deep down, he felt the tension. He understood that the second half would be decisive, and he needed to show everything he was capable of.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the court, the team of five players gathered around their captain, So Ho. So Ho, with a serious expression, looked at his teammates.

"We can't let them continue like this," he began, his voice full of determination. "These rules are absolute nonsense."

"That bastard Ming You thinks he can break us so easily," exclaimed Jen Ryu, his eyes blazing with anger. He couldn't contain his emotions and showed middle finger towards Ming You's bench. "We need to show them that we can beat these scum even by their own rules!"

"We need to focus on fast play," Mei Yu interjected, his voice calm and measured. "If we keep emphasizing quick passes, we can bypass his defense faster. He won't be able to catch us if we act quickly and cohesively."

"Yes, exactly!" Jen Ryu chimed in. "We need to seize every opportunity. If they think they can intimidate us, they are sorely mistaken. We will show them that a real team is not just one player!"

So Ho nodded, his confidence growing. He looked at his teammates, and a flame of determination ignited in his eyes.

"Mei Yu is right, we need to play as one," he said. "Each of us must do our part. We can't let Haru Lin and his team think they have already won. We will do everything we can to take this game back!"

Mei Yu, with his perfect understanding of team play, added, "Let's focus on passing the ball quickly and effectively. If we can create space and use it, we have every chance of success."

"I sincerely hate Ming You for being a scumbag," Jen Ryu shouted again, his voice full of fury. "He doesn't understand that we won't give up so easily!"

"Yes, and we won't give him a chance to beat us," So Ho concluded, his confidence resonating in every word. "We will show them that a team is not just one player, but a whole group that can work together."

The whistle blew from Sung Wo to signal the start of the second half. So Ho, the team captain, stood at the line, his eyes gleaming with determination. He silently took the ball, and it flew from his hands, heading straight to Jen Ryu.

"Take him down!" So Ho shouted, and Jen Ryu, like a bullet, surged forward, catching the ball. He was full of energy, his heart pounding in sync with the rhythm of the game. Haru Lin, standing still, realized that his opponents were moving as one.

"Don't give him a single chance!" So Ho yelled as Jen Ryu, after being chased by Haru Lin, passed the ball to Mei Yu. Mei Yu, handling the ball with ease, quickly passed it back to Jen Ryu as he slipped past the defense.

Haru Lin barely had time to react as Jen Ryu received the ball again and, without a second thought, threw it at the hoop. The ball sliced through the air, and at the moment it hit the rim, Haru felt his heart clench.

"Great start, guys!" So Ho shouted, raising his arms in the air.

"Their confidence is quite strange," Haru whispered, gathering his strength. He found himself in a tough situation. He rushed forward, trying to steal the ball, but So Ho's team was too coordinated.

"Not so fast, you little lapdog of a bastard!" Jen Ryu taunted as Haru attempted a three-point shot. Jen Ryu easily blocked the ball, sending it flying off to the side.

"You're too overconfident!" he yelled after blocking the shot as the ball landed in Mei Yu's hands.

Haru Lin felt anger boiling in his veins.

"Just one shot, just one!" he said to himself, gathering all his will.

He tried to shoot the ball again, but So Ho's team worked together seamlessly. So Ho, receiving the ball from Jen Ryu, made a quick pass back to Jen Ryu as Haru Lin stood in front of him, and Jen Ryu confidently tossed the ball into the hoop once more.

"Come on, guys! Another point!" So Ho yelled, and his team scored again. Haru Lin, standing still, felt his chances slipping away. He couldn't afford to give up. He knew he had an opportunity, and he had to use it.

Gathering his thoughts, Haru decided to try shooting the ball from the center of the court. He took a deep breath, focusing on the hoop.

"Hey, look at him," Jen Ryu pointed at him with a smirk.

But to Haru Lin's dismay, the ball flew wide.

"Damn!" he cursed as he saw So Ho's team launching another attack.

"Stick to the same plan!" So Ho encouraged them as they began passing the ball to each other again. Mei Yu, specializing in passes, skillfully maneuvered around the defense, and soon the ball was in the hands of one of the players. He shot, and the ball hit the rim with a dull thud.

"You're too predictable, Haru Lin!" Mei Yu smirked as Haru Lin tried to intercept the ball again. He realized he needed to change things up. He decided to use fakes to outsmart the defense.

"Catch me if you can," he called coolly, starting his dribbling. He quickly maneuvered the ball around himself, trying to confuse the defenders. But Mei Yu was too attentive. Suddenly, he swiped the ball from behind Haru, and it rolled across the court.

"Catch!" Mei Yu yelled, passing the ball to Jen Ryu, who, without hesitation, shot again. The ball easily swished through the net.

Haru Lin felt his chances dwindling. He knew So Ho's team was working in harmony, but he refused to give up hope. He resolved not to surrender.

"Persistence!" he told himself, gathering all his strength and focus.

He rushed to the center as the five-player team gathered at the hoop. Haru Lin saw the hoop in front of him and, without thinking, shot the ball from the center of the court. At that moment, all eyes were on him.

"Wow..." Lu Shen commented.

The ball arced through the air, hit the rim, and to his surprise, went inside.

"I made it!" Haru Lin shouted, raising his arms in the air. His score increased by 8 points, and he felt a rush of adrenaline.

"That bastard... his points... screw him!" Jen Ryu growled angrily.

But Haru Lin's joy was short-lived. Suddenly, Coach Chang Wo stepped onto the court with several players.

"Stop! The game is over!" he shouted, interrupting Haru's moment of triumph.