Benchwarmer’s Awakening

The sound of sneakers screeching against the polished wooden floor filled the gym. The rhythmic pounding of the basketball echoed as the starting players moved like a well-oiled machine, executing perfect passes, swift dribbles, and clean shots.

Meanwhile, on the far end of the bench, Ryota Sakamaki sat slumped over, his head resting against his palm. His school's jersey hung loosely over his lanky frame, completely free of sweat. After all, why would he be sweating? He hadn't even touched the ball.

"Hey, Sakamaki! You awake?" A sharp voice snapped him out of his daze. It was Coach Goro Tanaka, arms crossed, glaring at him. "If you have time to daydream, how about paying attention to the game?"

"Uh, right! Of course!" Ryota straightened up, pretending he had been analyzing the match like some genius strategist.

Tanaka sighed and turned back to the court. "Hopeless."

Ryota winced at the comment but couldn't even argue. He was hopeless. He wasn't fast, he wasn't strong, and he sure as hell wasn't skilled. His shooting accuracy was worse than a drunk old man playing darts, and his dribbling was about as reliable as a cheap WiFi signal.

The only reason he was even on the team was because they needed extra bodies for practice.

Maybe I should just quit, he thought for the hundredth time.

The game ended with a predictable result his school got wrecked. The starters looked exhausted, wiping sweat from their brows, while Ryota and the other bench players stood up and stretched as if they had just finished watching a movie.

"Alright, listen up!" Coach Tanaka barked. "We've got another practice session tomorrow morning. If any of you slack off, don't bother showing up to the next game!"

Ryota let out a long sigh. "Tomorrow morning? Why do I even need to come?" he muttered under his breath.

"What was that?"

"Nothing, sir!"

As the team started packing up, Ryota dragged himself toward the locker room. That's when he felt it.

A strange tingling sensation crawled up his spine. His vision blurred for a moment, and a sudden dizziness hit him. He blinked rapidly, shaking his head.

Then-[Ding!]

A floating blue screen appeared before his eyes.

[Basketball System Activated]

Congratulations! You have been selected as the user of the Basketball System!

Complete quests, level up, and unlock legendary skills to become the ultimate player!

Your journey to greatness begins now!

Ryota froze.

He rubbed his eyes. The glowing screen didn't disappear.

"...What the hell?"

Did he hit his head too hard on the bench? Maybe he was having some kind of stress-induced hallucination.

But before he could question it any further, another screen popped up.

[New Quest: Make 10 Free Throws in a Row]

Reward: +1 Shooting, Unlock Basic Skill: [Perfect Shot]

Penalty for Failure: Muscle Cramps for 24 Hours

"What kind of punishment is that?!" Ryota yelled, startling the other players.

"Oi, Sakamaki, who are you talking to?" One of his teammates gave him a weird look.

"Uh…no one! Just... hyping myself up!" He forced a grin and quickly jogged toward the court, hoping no one noticed how insane he looked.

He glanced back at the system screen.

"This has to be a joke... right?"

But if it was real if this system actually worked then maybe, just maybe, he wouldn't have to stay a useless benchwarmer forever.

Taking a deep breath, Ryota stepped to the free-throw line.

It was time to find out if this was his ticket to greatness... or just a cruel prank from the basketball gods.

Ryota bounced the basketball a few times, staring at the hoop. His heart pounded. If this system was real, he had to see it for himself. If it was fake, well... he'd just embarrass himself as usual.

"Ten free throws in a row? Yeah, right. The most I've ever made is three before airballing the next one."

Taking a deep breath, he lined up his shot and flicked his wrist.

The ball arced through the air clang!

The ball hit the rim and bounced off.

"...Welp."

A new system message appeared.

[Missed Shot]

Attempts Remaining: ∞

Ryota frowned. "At least there's no limit."

He took another shot.

Clang!

And another.Brick.And another.Airball.

By the seventh miss in a row, Ryota groaned and sat on the floor.

"Okay, maybe this system is just trolling me."

[Tip: Proper Shooting Form Increases Accuracy]

Would you like to activate [Basic Shooting Assist]?

Ryota blinked. "Shooting assist? What is this, a video game?"

[Yes] / [No]

He hesitated, then tapped [Yes] in his mind.

A strange sensation washed over him. It was subtle, like a whisper in the back of his mind telling him to adjust his stance. His feet shifted slightly, his grip on the ball felt more natural, and for some reason, he just knew the right angle to release the shot.

Taking a deep breath, he lifted the ball and flicked his wrist.

The ball soared cleanly through the air swish!

It went in.

"...What?"

Ryota grabbed another ball and shot again.

Swish.And again.Swish.

One after another, he made every single shot like he had been a pro all along.

By the time he hit the tenth consecutive free throw, a new notification popped up.

[Quest Complete!]

Reward: +1 Shooting

New Skill Unlocked: [Perfect Shot]

Ryota felt a rush of energy. His body felt lighter, his arms steadier. He pulled up his stats screen.

[Player: Ryota Sakamaki]

Shooting: 2 → 3

Dribbling: 1

Passing: 1

Defense: 1

Stamina: 1

Speed: 1

Jump: 1

"Wait, my stats are that low?" Ryota muttered.

But before he could dwell on his depressing numbers, the system displayed another message.

[New Passive Skill: Perfect Shot]

When activated, increases shooting accuracy for open shots.

Ryota's eyes widened. "Wait… does this mean I won't miss anymore?"

He grabbed another ball and ran to the three-point line. Usually, his range barely extended past mid-range, but with excitement rushing through his veins, he fired away.

Swish.

The ball went in perfectly.

He took another three-pointer.

Swish.Again.Swish.

"Holy crap…" Ryota whispered.

For the first time in his life, he felt what it was like to be good at basketball.

But before he could fully enjoy the moment, a familiar voice called out from behind.

"Sakamaki…?"

Ryota turned around and saw his teammate, Rei Kisaragi, the team's ace player, standing there with his arms crossed, eyes narrowed.

Rei glanced at the balls rolling on the floor, then at Ryota. "Were you just hitting those threes... on purpose?"

Ryota gulped.

He had been so caught up in testing the system that he hadn't noticed someone watching.

"Uh… I mean…"

Rei stepped forward, holding out a ball. "Shoot another one."

Ryota hesitated. If he hit another perfect shot now, Rei might start asking questions.

But he also couldn't miss on purpose.

Taking a deep breath, he took the ball and fired.

Swish.

The ball dropped through the net cleanly.

Rei's eyes narrowed even further.

"…Since when could you shoot like that?"

Ryota let out a nervous laugh. "Uh… lucky streak?"

Rei didn't look convinced.

The system pinged in Ryota's mind.

[New Quest: Survive Rei's Interrogation]

Reward: +1 Mentality

Penalty for Failure: Extreme Social Anxiety for 24 Hours

Ryota's face paled.

"Wait what the hell kind of punishment is that?!"

Ryota wiped his palms against his shorts, forcing a casual laugh. "W-What do you mean? I've always been decent at shooting, you know?"

Rei's expression remained blank. His sharp eyes scanned Ryota like a detective analyzing a suspect. "That's funny. Because last week, you airballed five free throws in a row."

"…Uh, growth spurt?"

[Quest Updated: Survive Rei's Interrogation for 2 More Minutes]

Reward: +1 Mentality

Penalty for Failure: Extreme Social Anxiety for 24 Hours

Ryota nearly cursed out loud. Why is this system out to ruin my life?!

Rei spun the basketball in his hand before tossing it at Ryota. "Alright. If you're really that good now, let's test it. One-on-one."

Ryota's heart skipped a beat. "W-Wait, isn't it kinda late for that? And besides, I'm just a benchwarmer, y'know? No need to"

"Scared?" Rei smirked.

[New Quest: Play One-on-One Against Rei]

Bonus Objective: Score at Least Once

Reward: +1 Speed

Penalty for Failure: Rei Will Publicly Call You a Fraud

Ryota almost collapsed on the spot.

He wasn't dumb Rei was on a completely different level. The guy was the ace of their team. Ryota wasn't even a role player. He was the guy who handed out towels and clapped when real athletes did something cool.

But if he backed down now, not only would Rei humiliate him, but he'd also fail the system's challenge.

Taking a deep breath, Ryota gripped the ball.

"…Fine. Let's do this."

Rei nodded and stepped back, getting into a defensive stance. His eyes gleamed with amusement, like a cat playing with a mouse.

Ryota felt sweat forming on his forehead. Okay. Think. How do I get past a guy who's way stronger, faster, and better than me?

The system suddenly beeped.

[Tip: Utilize Your Strengths]

Weaknesses: Dribbling, Speed, Strength

Strengths: Shooting

Ryota took the hint. He wasn't gonna out-dribble or outrun Rei but if he could create just a little space, he could take a shot.

He dribbled once, stepping back slightly. Rei didn't react, watching him carefully.

Ryota faked right then quickly pulled up for a three-pointer.

It wasn't the smoothest movement, but swish.

The ball sank through the hoop.

For a second, neither of them spoke.

Rei's eyebrows lifted slightly.

"…Not bad."

Ryota let out a breath he didn't realize he was holding.

[Bonus Objective Complete!]

+1 Speed Earned!

His legs suddenly felt lighter, like an invisible weight had been lifted.

Rei dribbled the ball back to the top of the key. "Alright. My turn."

Ryota's confidence immediately vanished.

In a flash, Rei exploded forward. Before Ryota could react, Rei was already at the rim, casually laying the ball in.

Ryota stood frozen.

He's so fast!

Rei picked up the ball again, smirking. "One more round?"

Ryota gulped. He had won one small battle but the war was just getting started.

As Rei tossed him the ball, the system chimed in once more.

[New Quest: Don't Get Skunked]

Reward: +1 Stamina

Penalty for Failure: Coach Will Think You're a Lost Cause

Ryota wiped the sweat off his face.

"Alright, System... if you've got any more tricks, now's the time."

To be Continue