[MANDATORY QUEST]
[OBJECTIVE: WIN ALL 3 MATCHES]
[TOTAL REWARD: 45 SKILL POINTS]
[FIRST COMPETITIVE ALTERCATION: TEAM 8 VS TEAM 7]
[20 - 10 IN TEAM 7'S VICTORY]
[REWARD CLAIMED: +15 SKILL POINTS ADDED]
[PROFILE]
[PHYSICAL:]
[POWER: 25/100]
[STAMINA: 40/100]
[VERTICAL: 26/100]
[SPEED: 38/100]
[BASKETBALL:]
[SHOOTING: 33/100]
[DEFENSE: 18/100]
[ATHLETICISM: 28/100]
[IQ: 72/100]
[PASSING: 31/100]
[SKILL: 28/100]
[ABILITIES: HEAVENLY SHOT {LEVEL 1}]
[SKILL POINTS AVAILABLE: 20.3]
Ari was livid inside, though his face remained mask of mild satisfaction. Just two more matches remained, and he'd get 45 skill points total. The number shimmered in his consciousness. Golden Treasure waiting to be claimed.
The villains had won, and Team 8 were motionless on the court. All three of them were staring downward at the polished hardwood beneath their feet. Everyone around them seemed upset. Not with them in particular, but a sort of disappointed confusion that hovered around their temples. But no one made fun of Team 7 again, that's for sure.
The Students who'd screamed for Team 7s destruction now sat quietly and respectfully. The frauds weren't frauds at all. And it was their fault for falling for the lie.
Yet He?
He wasn't surprised by this outcome, not at all. AriToru had known—somewhere beneath the anxiety that Team 7 would triumph. Yet simultaneously, standing here in the aftermath of the match and breathing in the charged air of the Pavilion. Part of him still couldn't believe this victory was real and happening.
The second year referee shredded himself of his disappointment, his voice was heard. Waking the stunned. He was about to make it official.
"First Round Match."
"Team 8 versus Team 7."
(Team 8) 10 - 20 (Team 7)
"Winner, TEAM 7!!"
This had been the match everyone watched, alongside Isami Nagi's contest, which had concluded just before theirs. But unlike this unfortunate result, the way Nagi's match went was much expected by the Yoshimura Students. Of course he'd win, he's the number one rookie.
It was Team 7s victory that was the narrative violation.
Team 7 had doubled their opponents' score. They defeated Ethan Carter, 20 to 10. Ethan was probably second only to Isami in raw ability.
But Ari was having none of this. Bathe in the silence? He sighed to himself and walked back toward the bench. He didn't bother looking at anyone. Not the crowd, not his opponents, not his teammates. He felt like he was walking on glass.
Watching Ari walk back snapped Haruto and Santiago from their stunned reverie. They followed also.
Ari collapsed onto the bench and immediately grabbed his
Nut mix. He began eating again.. like it was a job, in a way it was. For he was determined for that 10,000 calories.
[CALORIC INTAKE: 6,470/10,000]
[64.7% COMPLETE]
[YOU HAVE 3,530 CALORIES REMAINING TO COMPLETE QUEST ONE]
Watching the systems translucent messages shook Ari's mind. It made him remember all he had to do. Go through the day's remaining demands. He had to play two more matches. He had to continue eating until he hit ten thousand calories. Then go to the gym, workout, come outside and then sprints afterward
What was he a donkey?
But the potential skill points. Ahh, they were too delicious looking in his head. He licked his lips just thinking about them. About how much he'd improve with 45 skill points and 30 skill points. 75 skill points in one day... *delicious*
[QUEST 2: SPEND 30 MINUTES IN THE GYM PERFORMING OF PHYSICAL WORK]
[REWARD: 10 SKILL POINTS]
[QUEST 3: SPRINT TOP SPEED FOR 40 YARDS]
[REPETITIONS: 10]
[REWARD: 10 SKILL POINTS]
[I MYSELF DOUBT YOU WILL ABLE TO COMPLETE THEM]
[BUT]
[THE GEAR SEES YOU HIGHLY]
*Well seems the Gear is a much better judge of my abilities than you System* Ari smirked to himself.
[AS THE GEAR SAYS]
[IS AS THE WORLD IS]
Just then Ari was dazed back to present by bus friends voice.
"I still can't believe we won."
Haruto's voice was reverent. His blonde hair plastered to his forehead with sweat, his expression was like he was exhausted but still euphoric at the same tim_
Ari suddenly felt overwhelming thirst—his throat felt like sandpaper. The boy had been chewing down nuts and almonds without remembering to drink water. Now his throat was like sand and granite. He lunged for a water bottle. Drank. Spilled down his chin, soaked into his white bib, but he didn't care.
Santiago, ever polite, sipped his own water more calmly. He was watching Ari, who looked like a desperate, blood-starved vampire consuming sustenance.
*I thought we'd lose this match because of our opponents. And yet we demolished them. Because of him.* Santiago? He didn't understand Ari.
And Ari didn't understand him either. With so much physical superiority. *And yet he's so calm and reserved.* Ari admired that in a way. Even his etiquette was better than Ari's own.
Haruto was also drinking, though with more restraint than Ari's desperate attempt not to choke. "That last block, Santiago—that was..." He tried copying the motion with his pudgy arms. "Out of this world. You turned into a monster."
Santiago smiled shyly "I just... it was nothing special."
Ari's void-black eyes fixed on the Dominican giant. Here he sat, humble again, when just now during that crucial block he'd looked like a murdering titan. Violence and competition.
"I just followed my instinct," Santiago continued, "I knew we could not let that match go to... their hands. And I wanted to end the match very quickly."
Ari placed a hand on Santiago's massive shoulder as he eased himself back against the bench, his body was finally beginning to relax. "You certainly ended it alright." Ari chuckled.
While his gaze smoothed across the court to where Team 8 had retreated to their own bench. Despondent expressions painted their faces, regret, or shame. The wound of such an unexpected defeat. But Ari watched Arakawa Shingo particularly, the 6'10" power forward who had been rendered insignificant. "You made a dominant player like him look irrelevant in this match. You're a monster, Santiago."
Santiago truly was. Seven-foot-two at sixteen with that sort of coordination and defensive instincts. His rim protection depended on his footwork and movement rather than just height. *He might be somewhat passive with the ball offensively, but on defense_*
[YOU ARE RIGHT TO BE INTIMIDATED]
Ari felt a hot rush run down his spine along with a vein in his temple.
*I.. I never said I was intimidated*
[RIIIIGHT.]
[HE HAS A STANDING REACH THATS SOMEWHERE FROM 9'5 TO 9'8]
[YOUR HEAVENLY SHOT DOESN'T MEAN ANYTHING TO A PLAYER LIKE SANTIAGO]
[NOR DO MOST BOOM JUMPS AS YOU JUST SAW]
*Yes... That's right. That Shota. He did a BOOM JUMP just at the end didn't he?*
[INDEED HE DID]
[DID YOU HEAR THE SOUND OF IT]
*Yes. Like a bomb under water*
[THATS WHERE YOU GET THE BOOM FROM]
Ari looked at Shota. Who was enraged and kicked off a water ball.
*He can do BOOM JUMPS*
[NO HE CANNOT. MOST OF JUMPS ARE 44 TO 48 INCHES. THE BOOM JUMP WAS A PEAK EVENT]
Ari blinked.... *Peak Event?*
[ITS DIFFERENT FROM BEING LOCKED IN. ITS LIKE WHEN YOUR BODY BREAKS IT'S LIMITS FOR A PLAY]
[WHEN YOU THROW AWAY YOUR BODILY SAFETY AND RHE CHAINS AROUND YOUR BIOLOGICAL LIMIT TO REACH A CERTAIN...PEAK]
[THAT WAS A PEAK EVENT FOR SHOTA]
Ari gulped. He remembered the sound. The BOOM. Even now it sent shivers down his spine. And Santiago still blocked it.
[PEAK EVENTS ARE ALSO A PREMONITION]
*Cause they give you an idea of a players ceiling?*
[...
[WELL LOOK AT YOU ALL SMART AND INTELLIGENT]
*Fuck you* Ari tried not to smile.
[YOU ARE RIGHT. SO IN SHOTAS CASE. NOW WE KNOW WITH A BIT MORE TRAINING HE COULD CONSISTENTLY HIT THE 50+ JUMPS (BOOM JUMPS)]
[LIKE DEEVAY MURRAY OR ISAMI NAGI]
Santiago smiled to himself, as he found Ari's compliments deeply motivating. He knew shot-blocking and space domination were his strengths and had spent years developing those skills back home before coming to Japan. And somehow—right now, sitting on this bench after victory—he wanted to excel at more. He wanted to develop his offensive game. He wanted to become complete.
Goro was asleep again. He had his head tilted back against the railing, eyes closed. But something, perhaps the shift in crowd energy, perhaps his internal clock woke him up. He stretched long like a cat, and leaned against Norikai Yori's larger frame. Resting his head on the vice captains shoulder.
"How did the match end?" His voice carried sleep-roughened edges.
"Twenty to ten. The bad guys won."
Goro hummed thoughtfully, processing. *Bad Guys... Must have been a shock to all these people watching.*
He leaned off Yori to stand resting on the railing.
"There's no narrative in basketball. The better team wins regardless of perception." His eyes opened finally. Golden Brown, texture like sun. He noticed Yori's face. Ah those mature features were glowing with suppressed fire.
"You saw something that captured your attention?"
Yori turned, impressed as always by his captain's ability to read him. "I did."
He looked back toward Team Seven's bench, his grey eyes were focused specifically on Santiago. "The tall kid on Team Seven is extremely good at blocking shots. Even for his size he's athletic. Reacts aggressively ."
Goro followed Yori's gaze to the long-haired Dominican, who wore an enormous smile that transformed his intimidating frame into something almost innocent. "Better than you?"
Yori twitched, his competitive nature would not let him admit. "I didn't say that—I just said he's really good."
Then Yori's attention shifted abruptly to a different court. Group 4s area, where Isami Nagi lounged on his bench, having just finished demolishing Team Three in his second match.
"One thing I will say, however..." Yori's voice dropped slightly. "The number one rookie is a better scorer than me."
Goro's golden eyes widened fractionally. genuine surprise.
"...Who's the number one rookie?"
Yori groaned... A cough-like eek sound before he composed himself.
"Isami Nagi!" He tilted his chin toward Group Four's court. "That one."
Goro's eyes showed recognition. "Oh. I remember him." A pause. "So you're saying he's not just athletic?"
"No."
Goro's eyes narrowed thoughtfully. "Mmm. I'll have to see it to believe it."
Yori turned with an annoyed glare, his grey eyes flashing. "I DID want you to see it, but someone slept through the WHOLE THING."
Goro showed absolutely no remorse. "Ah well. I'll see him play eventually. Right now I'm more interested in the Team 7 boys." He faced forward again, his attention returned to where Ari sat consuming nuts. Norikai Yori just sighed, accepting defeat. He knew Goro would last maybe ten more minutes before falling asleep again.
"Wait..." Goro's eyes moved to look at Yori, though his head didn't turn. "What were the scores of this....this emm... Nagi's matches?"
"Team 5 versus Team 6 ended twenty to zero. Team 6 didn't get to touch the ball" Yori leaned forward slightly, counting courts and identifying players. "Team 5 versus Team 3 ended twenty to six."
Goro showed no visible reaction. His face remained impassive, his posture relaxed. But Yori could feel heat emanating from his captain's body—subtle, dangerous, the kind of competitive fire that suggested Goro was genuinely intrigued now.
"Get up, Team Seven!"
A different coordinator. Or Ref. She was a beautiful, slender second-year with long black hair and wispy bangs. She blew her whistle with authority, the sound pierced through the ambient noise.
TWEEEEEET.
"Second round match. Black versus White. Team 9 versus Team 7."
Ari's face went cold. He WAS NOT ready. Santiago felt his exhaustion grew then and there by ten percent. Haruto looked like he might cry "Alreadyyyyy?"
The pretty coordinator rolled her eyes with theatrical exasperation. She checked her watch. "Minimum ten-minute break for all teams. Chop chop." She clapped her hands sharply. "Let's go. Get up. Or I forfeit you."
Ari was eating as much nut mix as his mouth could physically hold, it made his cheeks bulge. Then he paused....CHOKINGGGG
He grabbed a bottle with desperate panic and drank like his life depended on it. Santiago panicked immediately, he smacked Ari's back with force that would have injured a smaller person. "Ari-san!"
Haruto was laughing at the sight.
The female coordinator blinked with dawning regret. *Are these boys really....good? I saw them win, sure, and they were impressive, but looking at them... Her internal monologue painted across her face. *Eeeeek*
"Disgusting." She put the whistle to her lips again. "I swear if you make me blow this whistle at you one more time, you forfeit."
They scrambled urgently..."We're coming! We're coming!"
Team 9 was already on the court, their expressions were wary. Two of them stood around two meters tall. The taller of the two was 6'9". The third was roughly Haruto's height, maybe 6'1", with the compact build of a point guard.
Ari recognized immediately that their previous advantage against Team Eight wouldn't translate here. As much as he didn't want to acknowledge it, one significant reason for their first victory had been Team Eight's initial underestimation. If they'd played intensely from the start, if Ethan Carter had unleashed his full power from the start, maybe the result might have been different.
But Ari knew, there were no "maybes" in basketball.
*Only did and did not do* Only results, final scores.
*There are winners and there are losers.*
*There is nothing in-between*
They lined up. The female coordinator positioned herself between the two teams to flip the coin.
*So cinematic* Ari thought. *Again with the coin toss. Why not just tip off instead?*
[BECAUSE THIS IS MORE CINEMATIC]
[SO FAITH]
[AND LADU LUCK]
[WISH TO HAVE A SAY]
The coin landed with black facing upward. Team Nine would start with possession.
"Team Nine... uh, Team Nine starts with the ball." Despite her tough-girl act, the referee looked uncomfortable standing between such large athletes. Each of these boys she felt could snap her like a twig... It was a claustrophobic and intensely revolting position. Man does not like to be intimidated.
Ari walked past Santiago toward his defensive position. He leaned close.
"I'm going to be passing the ball to you a lot."
Santiago knew he would. Team 9s tallest player reached only to Santiago's chin. It was easy money.
"A lot a lot?" Santiago asked excited, almost childlike.
Ari smiled while jogging back. He nodded. "A whole lot."
Team 9 played aggressively from the opening possession. They'd learned from Team 8s mistake, they WOULD NOT underestimate this team led by the pale, thin goth boy with unnerving eyes.
But when the ball reached Santiago's hands, Naoki Shimizu was his name. The 6'9 power forward guarding Santiagos...and Truly, he experienced what Arakawa Shingo had faced. The Dominican giant was simply immovable, like a tree. A great great tree. Shimizu pushed, shoved, my he tried every physical tactic he could.
But. It was all Futile.
Santiago BACKED him down with casual power, established a deep post position, and scored whenever he wanted.
Naoki could not compare to Shingo. *It really is easy money*
The score became:
(Team 9) 7 - 13 (Team 7)
When Team 9s second tallest player was forced to provide help defense on Santiago. It was smart to double him, leaving his man to try collapsing on the giant, it opened massive space for Team 7s scorer: Aihara Haruto.
Ari simply fed the ball to Haruto, who stood wide open. Low presence. You don't have your eyes on him. You can't find him. Till the ball does. And by then...SNAP.
Another aggressive three-pointer. SNAP. Another one. The lead grew exponentially.
The match ended decisively:
(Team 9) 9 - 20 (Team 7)
"Second Round Match."
"Team Nine versus Team Seven."
(Team 9) 9 - 20 (Team 7)
"Winner: Team Seven."
The students of Yoshimura High watched with mounting amazement, their collective prejudice eroded away. So easy...so easy under the repeated evidence.
*FRAUDS MY ASS. THOSE GUYS ARE REALLY GOOD*
The thought rippled through the crowd, unspoken but palpable.
Tomomi was giddy. She was so happy. Her small hands gripped the edge of her sweater. Yes...yes that was it. Basketball kept you at the edge. All the time... It kept you at the edge.
Her eyes were tracking every movement behind them thick glasses. She wanted to cheer, She desperately wanted to. Scream her support....but....she couldn't bring herself to do it publicly. *Who knew... basketball was... so fun.*
[SECOND COMPETITIVE ALTERCATION: TEAM 9 VS TEAM 7]
[20 - 9 IN TEAM 7'S VICTORY]
[REWARD: +15 SKILL POINTS ADDED]
[SKILL POINTS AVAILABLE: 35.3]
[ONE MORE MATCH TO GO]
Ari swipped the sweat off his face. His eyes were glaring into space once more.
[YOU FEEL YOU CAN FUCK UP ANYONE THEY PUT INFRONT OF YOU DON'T YOU?]
Ari laughed inside. *That's the idea*
Ethan's Team 8 absolutely demolished their next opponents, Team 11. They channeled the anger and humiliation from their defeat against Team 7 into pure merciless aggression. No hesitation, no mercy, no letting up even when victory was secured.
"Second Round Match."
"Team Eight versus Team Eleven."
(Team 8) 20 - 7 (Team 11)
"Winner: Team 8."
Despite the match taking a mere thirty minutes—they still didn't look happy. Ethan's face remained dark, Shota's jaw stayed clenched, Shingo's eyes held lingering frustration. The score didn't matter. Only one result mattered, and they'd failed at it.
The same beautiful coordinator with black hair and the no-nonsense demeanor returned, her whistle ready.
Ari hoped desperately that the numbers emerging from her mouth would be five. Team 5, Isami Nagi's team. He wanted to face the Prince Cobra immediately.
"Final round match. Black versus White. Team 5 versus Team 7."
Ughh. Ari groaned inside. Maybe it was for the best—some rational part of his brain acknowledged he was exhausted, that facing Nagi now would be suicidal. *As if.* His competitive nature immediately rejected that rationality.
AriToru was hungry. And pain would come. But the Pale One would prevail...at whatever cost of his humanity.
Team 7 final match, against Team 11. Haruto scored most of their points even though he was tired. In a three-on-three game to twenty, three-pointers were precious as DIAMONDS.
And when you possessed a stealthy, accurate three-point sniper like Haruto, whose low presence made him get anywhere, life became significantly easier. At least when opponents lacked the lockdown defensive capability and athleticism of players like Shota or Ethan.
TWEEEEEET!
"Final Round Match."
"Team 4 versus Team 7."
(Team 4) 11 - 20 (Team 7)
"Winner: Team Seven."
The Yoshimura students still largely hated Team 7. They just simply didn't fit the archetype of boys who dominated basketball. Ari looked like a malnourished goth, all pale skin and dark eye circles. His hair was so messy. So black and thick and baby hair everywhere....yuk
Haruto was chubby and soft, the opposite of athletic ideal. Santiago was even better...but he was far too intimidating to be anything more.
They looked like creeps. Ouutsiders.They were the kind of boys you'd expect to see in the library or computer lab, not commanding a basketball court.
But the students respected them now. Respect had been earned through results. Three consecutive dominant victories that couldn't be dismissed as luck or fluke.
Ari finally allowed himself to breathe. It was over. All forty-five points secured. Now only the daily tasks remained. The gym work, the sprints, the continued caloric consumption.
[THIRD COMPETITIVE ALTERCATION: TEAM 4 VS TEAM 7]
[20 - 11 IN TEAM 7'S VICTORY]
[REWARD: +15 SKILL POINTS ADDED]
[SKILL POINTS AVAILABLE: 50.3]
[MANDATORY QUEST: WIN ALL THREE MATCHES]
[MANDATORY QUEST COMPLETED]
[BONUS: +5 SPEED]
[BONUS: +4 DEFENSE]
[BONUS: +2 ATHLETICISM]
[PROFILE]
[PHYSICAL:]
[POWER: 25/100]
[STAMINA: 40/100]
[VERTICAL: 26/100]
[SPEED: 43/100] +5
[BASKETBALL:]
[SHOOTING: 33/100]
[DEFENSE: 22/100] +4
[ATHLETICISM: 30/100] +2
[IQ: 72/100]
PASSING: 31/100]
[SKILL: 28/100]
[ABILITIES: HEAVENLY SHOT {LEVEL 1}]
Ari stared into space, his void-black eyes unfocused.
...
...
...
Then the Pale One used his thoughts to speak to the Servant.
*Well?*
[WELL WHAT?]
*I... I won.*
[YES]
[IMPRESSIVE]
A silent silent stretch.
*That's it? "Impressive"? I just beat all three teams*
[AND THE GEAR IS PLEASED]
[HOWEVER]
[YOU DID NOT BEAT ALL THREE TEAMS]
[TEAM 7 BEAT ALL THREE TEAMS]
[YOUR BIGGEST CONTRIBUTION CAME IN THE FIRST MATCH]
[AFTER THAT YOU MOSTLY DISAPPEARED]
Ari felt like strangling the translucent text appearing before his eyes. The system knew exactly what it was doing. It always got him mad at the wrong time.
[THE SECOND MATCH WAS SANTIAGO CRUZ DOMINATING]
[SCORING CLOSE TO THE RIM BECAUSE TEAM 9 HAD NO ANSWER TO SUCH.... SUCH MASS]
[THE THIRD MATCH WAS AIHARA HARUTO GAME]
[TEAM 4 COULD NOT FOLLOW OR GUARD HIM TIGHT ENOUGH]
[OVERALL YOUR CONTRIBUTION...]
The text paused. A small span before the next message.
[...SIGH]
[YOU DID WELL, TORU ARI]
Warmth flooded through the heart of the Pale One. Joy. Joy. Primarily the Joy from the fact that even the cynical servant could not deny how hard he'd played. The compliment itself was secondary to the acknowledgment of effort.
Santiago was staring at the gothic boy called Toru Ari, and like many people in the bleachers behind them, he noticed something peculiar.
Haruto just hummed to himself—he'd witnessed this behavior before.
"IS HE TALKING TO HIMSELF?!" Santiago's internal scream manifested as wide-eyed confusion.
He was. Not speaking audibly, but clearly mouthing words, looking at empty air as though someone stood before him conducting conversation. His lips moved, his eyebrows raised and lowered, his expression shifted through emotional ranges responding to something only he could perceive.
No one commented aloud. Maybe he was mentally impaired. Yes, that seemed the most charitable explanation. Better not to draw attention to it.
The final matches concluded across all groups. That was it for Day Two.
Coach Hosei came forward. He brought his hand forward and slowly took the microphone. The Pavilion was deafening, students were high. Having witnessed hours of entertainment, their voices hoarse from sustained screaming.
"That's it for the second day."
The noise EXPLODED again—cheers, jeers, relieved exhalations from competitors who'd survived.
"I'm proud of some of you. Most of you played your hearts out and broke all limits." He scratched his beard with lazy satisfaction, his designer suit somehow making him look both more professional and yet more ridiculous. "Like yesterday, the names will be sent to your phones. They'll also be posted on boards around campus." He gestured vaguely with his hands.
"So. That's it. Go rest. Tomorrow will arrive."
The basketball players stood or sat for extended moments, processing, recovering. Some looked proud—Ari, Santiago, Haruto among them. Others who'd performed poorly looked deeply troubled, their faces were painted with anxiety...they could be eliminated.
Ari knew he needed brief rest before hitting the gym for the 2nd Quest and then the sprints for the 3rd Quest.
*Ughh.*
He didn't want to do it—every muscle in his body wanted the bed, to sleep, to stop all these physical demands and enjoy laziness as his reward instead.
Santiago and Haruto were already discussing plans—Santiago wanted them to come to his dorm room, his gentle voice carrying excitement about celebrating their victories.
"No, you two go ahead."
Santiago's face fell slightly, disappointed that Ari wouldn't join them.
"But where will you be?"
Ari was quiet for a prolonged moment, considering how to answer without sounding insane. "Umm.. the gym. I've got to work on something."
Santiago and Haruto looked at each other. Then back at Ari like he was completely deranged.
*Ah. He's obsessed.*