Sora was really angry this time, stepping on Yuuto's foot and refusing to let go.
Her fierce yet milky (cute) face looked like a little angry lioness.
Yuuto knew he had to answer this question properly.
He touched his hair before saying, "Why we are so close, I'm not clear either. Probably because Kazuha feels that she and I are the same kind of people?"
"Same kind of people?"
"Yeah, I heard she used to play the viola, but later gave it up for some reason."
"Probably that's why."
What do you mean probably that's why?
Sora was dissatisfied with this reply but still withdrew her foot.
In her mind, she had already fantasized about that shameless rich woman presumptuously thinking she was the same kind of person as Yuuto. No one understood their world, so she shamelessly ran over attempting to get warmth from Yuuto.
Worthy of a top student, using idioms like that.
Tsk tsk...
.....
Back home.
Yuuto hung up Old Ma's black and white photo again, lit a few incense sticks, and rolled onto the bed.
The moment the game ended, the system had prompted him that he had harvested a victory point, enough for one simulation.
"Simulation, start!"
As his voice fell, a panel appeared in front of him.
[Simulator Starting]
[Random Talent Draw]
[Drawing Talent: Death Coil]
[Congratulations on obtaining Purple Talent: Death Coil]
[Death Coil: Greatly improves defensive stability. Improves standing block ability, chase-down block ability, steal ability, off-ball chase defense ability, and on-ball marking ability. Increases the probability of causing offensive player turnovers (Note: This talent can only be activated in one-on-one situations)]
"Death Coil? A defensive talent?"
Yuuto had actually guessed most of it just seeing the talent name.
Is this talent good?
Of course, it's good!
But compared to defensive talents, he still preferred offensive talents in his heart. Or at least give some passing talents.
After all.
At this stage, he doesn't have enough stamina to maintain high levels on both offensive and defensive ends simultaneously.
Trade-offs need to be made to have enough stamina to finish the full game.
If he maintains the highest level, wanting both offense and defense.
He estimates he won't have much stamina left after playing three quarters.
"However, true superstars are two-way players. Sooner is better."
Yuuto was relatively satisfied with this talent draw.
At least he didn't draw blue or green talents.
Talents are also graded: Green, Blue, Purple, Red—four grades.
Talents cover everything; there is nothing Yuuto can't think of, only what the system can't draw.
[After winning the game against Yamaguchi High School, you obtained a Victory Point.]
[Upon returning home, you couldn't wait to carry out the second simulation.]
[You only walked out of your room at dinner time. You saw Haruka's footsteps were unsteady; one look and you knew he was squeezed hard by Nao Yorihime.]
[Sora seemed to still be angry. She planned not to speak to you until tomorrow morning.]
[Tonight, you didn't go out to practice because there is still a game to play tomorrow.]
[The next day, you put on your sportswear and went out. Sora changed into her school uniform. Enhanced by the JK outfit, she looked even better.]
[You complained that Sora wore pantyhose on such a hot day. Sora said angrily, "A person who reads 18+ magazines every day has no right to lecture me. And don't you like pantyhose the most?"]
[You said self-righteously, "That's different. If you wear them, others will see."]
[Sora was silenced, blushing and speeding out of the house. Before leaving, she didn't forget to smash a wristband onto your face, printed with her cartoon avatar.]
[You were conflicted, not knowing whether to wear it or not. This damages your macho persona.]
[You followed the team to the competition venue again. The National Tournament schedule is too dense; there are games to play almost every day.]
[Having defeated Yamaguchi High, your morale is high. Your defensive level in the last game was recognized by the geezer coach. He assigned you to mark the opponent's key player today.]
[You gladly accepted, planning to test the toughness of Death Coil.]
[The game started. He (The opponent) matched up against you, a shooting guard 7cm shorter than you.]
[The opponent was prepared. After studying your tapes, they concluded that the reason your defense is strong is due to extreme explosiveness and a strong body.]
[He planned to play technique with you. He started to show off his dribbling skills in front of you.]
[You felt like he was a juggler. You defended him until he retreated repeatedly.]
[You caused his turnover. The ball was stolen by Sakurai Ryō. The opponent was shocked; this was different from the you they learned about.]
[In the counterattack, you assisted the cutting Ota for a dunk. You continued to defend the opponent's key player.]
[The opponent became more cautious, but was still defended by you into repeated retreats, from the free-throw line all the way to outside the three-point line.]
[The opponent felt as if possessed by a vengeful spirit, unable to shake you off no matter how hard he tried.]
[His face turned beet red, feeling difficult even to breathe. He turned the ball over. You guys scored again through a counterattack.]
[Your excessively powerful defensive ability attracted the attention of the opposing head coach. Your opponent called a timeout.]
[After returning, you found that the opponent's key player no longer held the ball. He was defended by you into fear and started looking for scoring opportunities off the ball.]
[You followed like a shadow. The opponent couldn't break free from your coil. His mentality collapsed a bit.]
"So strong? As long as it's one-on-one, I can defend this tightly even off the ball?"
Yuuto found that he seemed to have underestimated defensive talents.
Such talents are indeed not as brilliant as offensive ones.
Fans like to see offensive battles, want to see flashy scoring performances, and generally don't pay much attention to defensive players.
However.
Any team in history that achieved success is inseparable from some superb defenders paying silently behind the scenes.
The 2004 Detroit Pistons relied on defense to drag the Lakers into a meat grinder and stir them up, winning the third championship trophy in team history.
That was one of the greatest victories for a "civilian" team.
People mocked them for winning ugly, but the Detroiters stood tall.
Because they were champions!
Every defensive stalwart in history possesses a blazing fighting spirit that cannot be knocked down.