"Hey guys! For losing your game, I will treat you all to a cafe!" May announced.
"Huh!? How was that a reward when we lose?" Asked Shin.
"Well just to let you all have it easier to move on." She said.
"We can just move on fine, no need to worry." Aizawa said.
"Still, I want to have a coffee!" May protested.
"Okay sure, fine, we will accompany you." Renji said begrudgingly.
They went to walk in the streets and it was after school. The sun was beginning to set and then the streets became busier. They all talked while on the way and Renji was still recuperating from his wound. Though it healed on the surface. It was still aching sometimes. He should not exert his body too much or else he would suffer from it.
They arrived and Renji as well as the others went inside to the nearby coffee shop. They entered with a sweet smell of espresso and other types of coffees. To Renji, it was just accompanying May to her treat. Making the other get interested and they all went to accompany them.
They went to the nearby table and then saw the outside of the coffee shop entering a tall student from the other school. Called Taikio University in the north side of the country.
Finding someone from a far school was unordinary. When he saw the face, Renji was dumbstruck.
"Aoi?" A mutter escaped his lips. "How come you are here?"
"Ah, hehe, I was just lost. I am finding you to be exact. I want to recruit you in our team." He said.
"What? You dare recruit him right in our faces huh? Wait, Aoi? You are Aoi of the Prodigies?" May asked. Now that she saw him, she was a fan!
"Um yes!" he voiced out.
"Yes! Give me an autograph!" She said to him. Grabbing her notebook.
Aoi then signed it with his signature and then May hugged it.
She immediately went to look at Renji. '"So you are acquaintances? Wait, you are really Renji of the Prodigies?" She was shocked and still, unbelief was in her mind.
"Sorry, but I am already in this team. And also, I lost my copycat abilities so I am not worth much." He said.
"Renji, Let's make them our first friendly match! It would be worth it! Knowing that you are acquaintances, we could use them to practice!" She said.
"Wait, how about a 1v1? If I win let me recruit you. If you win, we will agree with the friendly match." He said.
"Yes! Renji beat him up!" May shouted.
"Wait, he is obviously stronger than me!" Renji protested. "I am just a mere weak kid to him."
"Renji, just play, we just want to see Aoi in the flesh to play!" Aizawa said.
"Wait guys, he can beat me easily!" Renji exclamed.
They immediately went to the nearby basketball court and then they prepared to brawl it out. His teammates were watching and he would have to deal with it. He would be unmatched with Aoi but still, he has to do his best.
It was a total landslide to the score as per his prediction. Aoi was unmatched! He was their ace in the past high school years. Their greatest scorer!
With his abilities like supreme slasher and aerial abilities, he could easily beat him.
All Renji has to do was play along. But with his 100 percent stamina, it would be different. Maybe he could do something and even score at least once.
They all watched with the intent to see the greatest player of the Prodigies and it was Aoi!
Renji was the greatest copycat of their team but he could not even be compared to Aoi.
Then they removed their uniforms and were in their shirts. They looked at each other and Aoi gave the ball to Renji.
"You first, I will give you a handicap, I will not use my 50 percent but only 40!" Aoi declared.
"Bro, I lost my copycat abilities so it will be a greater handicap on my part!" Renji protested.
They immediately went to smile. His teammates were cheering for him.
"The one who could reach 12 points will be the winner, play hard and play clean everyone!" May shouted.
Renji then dibbled the ball.
So it started!
He tried to slam the ball with all he got. No need to be merciful even with his enemy giving him a handicap. He has to do his all! Or else his enemy would win.
Renji then tried to set his tempo and make his enemy to fall on his hesitation drive to the left. Then he immediately went to the other side and slammed the ball on the process and saw that his enemy was not following, he immediately dashed and then leaped to the rim. Sending a slam of his ball on the ring.
Bam!
"Yes! Renji finally made a point!" May shouted.
Renji immediately went to see Aoi and he was just standing there without motion. He immediately turned and then smiled. "What's that? Don't tell me you are not practicing, all these years? You even turned slower!"
Renji then turned sour and bit his lips. Yes I indeed became weaker. But that's still early to judge. What about I will use my 100 percent? In turn, use your all too. That is if you respect our friendship and camaraderie in the past."
"As past teammates we must go all out and show my new team who is Aoi and who is Renji of the Prodigies!" Renji announced.
I like that idea, sure!" He said to Renji. "But I know you will regret it."
"I will be your rival from now on. And I will not regret every decision I make!" Renji declared.
"Rival? Sure, I like the idea." Aoi then combed his hair upwards with his hands and then breathed out. "Let's go!"
"Renji! Win against him and I will reward you with a kiss!" May yelled.
"Huh!?" All of his teammates perplexed.