Chapter 18: The Conversation

On the way back home, Kudo took the opportunity to talk to Sugiyama, trying to gauge his thoughts and feelings about his current situation.

"Shota, your fundamentals are solid, especially for an inside player," Kudo began, complimenting his cousin.

"Really?" Sugiyama's face lit up at the praise from his idol.

"When did you start playing basketball?" Kudo asked, steering the conversation.

"I started in my second year of middle school," Sugiyama replied after a moment of thought. "It's been about two and a half years now."

"That's impressive. You're way ahead of where I was at your age," Kudo said. "I didn't start playing basketball until high school."

Sugiyama's curiosity was piqued. "How good were you in high school, cousin?"

"Honestly, I was just starting out in high school," Kudo admitted. "You know, without a good coach to guide you, it's easy to go in the wrong direction or even stagnate. But I was lucky. My high school coach, Coach Tadaoka, was excellent at developing players. While his in-game strategies weren't the best, his training methods were top-notch. Even Coach Anzai praised him. Of course, there's a catch—you have to endure his brutal training regimen. If you give up, it's all for nothing."

Kudo paused, noticing the thoughtful expression on Sugiyama's face, and continued, "Shota, how's the coaching on your current team?"

"It's... okay," Sugiyama replied hesitantly, though his tone and expression suggested otherwise.

Kudo nodded, understanding the unspoken dissatisfaction. "The Lingnan team I played for in high school wasn't very strong either. In my three years, we only made it to the prefectural co-finals once, and we didn't advance further. Looking back, it's a real shame. High-intensity games against strong opponents are crucial for improvement, especially for high school players. If I had made it to nationals and faced powerhouse teams, I would've improved much faster. Instead, I spent my freshman year as a substitute, wasted a lot of time, and only became a starter in my sophomore year. It wasn't until my junior year that I became a core player."

"That makes sense," Sugiyama said quietly.

"My physical talent wasn't great, and I started basketball later than most," Kudo continued. "I was already behind from the start. If it weren't for my father's support and connections, which helped me get into Fukasawa Sports University, and meeting Coach Anzai, I wouldn't have achieved what I have today. A good coach can make all the difference."

Sugiyama nodded, deep in thought.

Kudo pressed on, "Your team didn't perform well this year, but with you, they have the potential to become strong. You're already better than all of Shoyo's inside players. If I were your coach, I'd focus on developing a few good teammates or recruiting strong defenders. With that, your team could easily make it to nationals. Chiba Prefecture has two spots, and this year's teams aren't as strong as Shoyo. Your chances might even be better than ours, considering the competition in Kanagawa."

"Cousin, Kanagawa is really a fierce battle zone," Sugiyama remarked.

"Exactly, and that's what makes it exciting," Kudo said. "Shota, do you think your coach will make the changes I mentioned?"

"I'm not sure..." Sugiyama hesitated. His coach seemed content with their current results and had no plans to push the team further. If it weren't for the solid foundation he'd built in middle school, Sugiyama feared he might have been wasted.

Seeing Sugiyama's silence, Kudo didn't push further. He had planted a seed, and now it was up to Sugiyama to decide what to do with it.

Later that night, Kudo lay in bed, reflecting on the day's events. "I've planted the idea in Shota's mind, but I need to do more to convince him. With him on the team, reaching nationals would be a breeze, and we might even challenge Hainan's dominance in Kanagawa."

Kudo analyzed Sugiyama's reactions. "His coach is clearly ineffective, and his teammates aren't strong enough. Shota's passion for basketball is evident, but he's frustrated with his current situation. If I can offer him a better opportunity, he might take the bait."

"The system wouldn't have issued this quest if Shota were content with his current situation," Kudo reasoned. "I'll find a chance to talk to him more deeply tomorrow. For now, I need to sleep."

With that, Kudo closed his eyes and drifted off to sleep.

Meanwhile, Sugiyama lay awake in bed, his mind racing with thoughts about what Kudo had said.

Originally, Sugiyama had been dissatisfied with the Urayasu Commercial High basketball team, but his family had insisted he attend the school, leaving him with no choice. Now, after a year on the team, he was increasingly frustrated with his teammates' lack of skill and his coach's lack of ambition. Kudo's analysis had only deepened his desire to leave the team.

But leaving wasn't simple. He'd have to convince his parents, and he wasn't sure how to do that.

"I'll ask my cousin tomorrow how he convinced his family to support his basketball career," Sugiyama thought. "Maybe he can help me persuade my parents too."

As he lay there, Sugiyama made a silent vow. "No matter what happens, I won't give up on basketball. It's my dream."

With that resolve, Sugiyama finally closed his eyes, determined to find a way forward.