Basketball System: Rebound of the Underdog

[Balls caught: 9]

[People eliminated: 6]

[TOTAL: 15]

[Current rank: Rising Rookie (41)]

[New Skill: Receptor Reflex]

[You are able to anticipate passes and position yourself precisely, showcasing impeccable receiving skills on the court.]

Kai smiled to himself as he watched his small upgrade. However, Bao tapped his shoulder, causing him to snap out of his happiness.

Kai looked at his friend, who was now shaking his head in disapproval.

"Don't look too happy," Bao said.

Kai finally glanced around and saw that his classmates were looking at him strangely. Then, he saw Rambo getting carried away from the field on a stretcher, his hands still covering his precious jewels.

Kai pursed his lips and turned the corners of his lips down. Now, he looked like a weirdo who enjoyed seeing his classmates suffer!

But then again, as he glanced at Bao and his other teammates, it seemed like fate was just working its course. Kai didn't even aim at his family jewels. Rambo was the one who caught the ball with his balls instead!

Miss Cherry sighed as she stood in front of the class.

"Class, I'll go and follow Rambo to the clinic for now. Stay here for a moment and wait for me. We'll proceed with the girls' game right after."

The class all nodded, excited to be left unsupervised since they were now free to do whatever they wanted.

"Don't do anything strange, alright?" she warned.

"Yes, Miss Cherry," the class said in unison, although their eyes were already shining with mischief.

Miss Cherry ran to where Rambo was, and as soon as they were out of sight, the other students went to the canteen while others went closer to the cheerleaders and football team to watch their practice session.

Suzy sighed as some of Kai's classmates looked at their team with bright eyes, finding the attention a bit burdensome.

"Let's go there," Bao said, pointing to the bleachers near the football team.

"Are you a fan of football?" Kai asked as they sat next to some of their classmates.

Bao nodded excitedly. "You don't even know! I watch all of the team's football games. I'm very interested in collecting my favorite team's merchandise, too."

"I see," Kai said, observing the football team and how they played.

"Do a lot of people want to join the team?" Kai couldn't help but ask.

He was curious as to how the most popular sport in their school was treated differently than basketball.

"Of course," Bao excitedly said. "Our football facilities are one of the best in the city, and the team always makes it to the semi-finals. They might not be the best since Yin Yang and Feng Arts are still the richest schools in the city, but the Snakes are very good at what they do."

"In fact, since there are way too many students who want to try out every year, they put a quota as to how many people are allowed to try out based on qualifications and physique."

"Well, did you get in?" Kai asked.

Bao clicked his tongue before shaking his head.

"Not really," Bao said. "I was a player when I was younger, but I'm not any good. I'm still practicing until now, though. So maybe I can try out next year."

Kai nodded, patting his friend on the back to comfort him.

Then, he focused his gaze on the field once again. Compared to the Shizi Dogs, the Shizi Snakes were definitely more taken care of by the school.

They had a basket filled with new footballs, their goalposts appeared to be polished well, and they also had a good amount of players. Moreover, they had a coach—one that looked very passionate about his job and not just a random dude who Kai still hasn't seen.

It seemed like the coach was strategizing for the team, probably coming up with new plays that they could use for their very first game of the year.

The players nodded enthusiastically, going to their posts as they engaged in a practice game.

Kai looked around and saw a lot of people looking toward their way, making him feel a bit greedy.

He also wanted to have this kind of audience and attention for the basketball team. However, it seemed like the students weren't actually interested in the Shizi Dogs at all.

The game started, and Kai watched, although he didn't even know how the rules worked. All the players needed to do was guard the ball, pass it to their teammates, and make it into the goalpost, right?

It somehow reminded him of basketball, but more focused on the lower body and with a bigger goal area.

Kai looked around and couldn't help but look at the players' physiques. He wondered if all of them actually liked to play football…or if they were interested in other sports, such as basketball.

One of the goalies, in particular, appeared very much like a basketball player. He was probably as tall as Kai, maybe a few centimeters shorter, and he also had a very lean body.

However, it seemed like he wasn't very good at his job as the ball went past him, making the other team score and the students on the bleachers cheer.

"Yes!" Bao exclaimed, even standing up to show his support for the person who just scored.

Kai raised his eyebrows in surprise.

"You like that guy?" Kai asked.

Bao excitedly nodded. "Yeah," he said. "He's the captain of the football team—Justin Liang."

"That's a pretty mundane name," Kai remarked.

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"But he's anything but mundane," Bao retaliated. "His skills are one of the greatest in the city. If the basketball team has Yuze, then the football team has Justin. That's also the reason why the basketball team and the football team have this sort of rivalry," he muttered the last statement, making Kai unable to hear him.

"Huh?" Kai asked.

Bao shook his head.

"Nothing," he quickly said. "Just know that Justin Liang is not someone to be taken lightly in the world of high school football. He's a legend in the making!"

Just then, their conversation was interrupted when Kai suddenly felt something bump into his feet. His canvas shoes, the ones he usually wore to school, were pretty thin, so he felt the impact pretty quickly.

Bao and Kai glanced at the item on Kai's feet. Bao's eyes widened when he realized what it was.

"What's the ball doing here?" he muttered.

"Hey!"

A deep voice suddenly exclaimed, making Kai lift his head once more.

Justin Liang, who was standing from afar with a deep frown, waved his hand to capture their attention.

"The ball," he exclaimed, louder this time.

"Kick it back here!"