Before the basketball match kicked off, both sides agreed on a 10-minutes recess.

  Mike’s team used this time to warm up. They partially warmed up back when they were practig shooting drills, but they had cooled down sihehey were busy messing with Ben for the past hour or so.

  “Say, Mike,” Larry spoke while stretg his arms. “Why didn’t you just accept the 1v1? Wouldn’t that be faster?”

  “Hm.” Mike gave a vague response as he dribbled a ball. Holy, he had no idea either. Why didn’t he accept a 1v1 against that ? He couldn’t quite put it into words but his instincts told him it was risky.

  “Heh.” James snickered. “Don’t tell me you’re scared of that dude?”

  “Hmph, as if.” Mike shot a gre at James, making the guy squirm a little. “It just makes more seo py 3v3. I mean, basketball is a team game, right? It should be pyed with teams.”

  “Really?” Larry asked. “Isn’t 1v1 your stro suit?”

  “So what if it is? It doesn’t ge the fact this is firstmost a team game. Besides, if they think they challenge us as a ‘club’, it makes seo make them bring more than one pyer, right? That Lars guy might be good at basketball but I’m sure the rest of them suck hard.”

  It was difficult to assess Lars’s skill level at a gnce, but his tall posture and sturdy frame implied he was quite the athlete. And, seeing as he dared to challenge Mike head-on, it was clear he had some basketball experience. But, the same couldn’t be said about the nerdy boy by his side.

  Yuel, was it? Mike vaguely recalled the name. Holy, the guy didn’t leave much of an impression. He was nothing more than a backup for Lars, who was the actual main force of the club. I gonhis Yuel guy pys Support, heh.

  Uh Lars, there wasn’t any hint that this Yuel fellow was any good at basketball or at sports at all. Maybe he wasn’t a fatass like Ben, but her did he have an athletic build. Yuel looked like one of these skinny nerds, the typical gamer who pretended he was an athlete while sitting on his ass the whole day.

  Seeing this guy was arked the 3v3 idea. It was far safer to challenge an unknown enemy when he had weak teammates dragging him down. This way, no matter how good Lars was at basketball, there was no ce he’d ever win, not even by act.

  And, to add some more spice to the setup, Mike nominated Ben as the third member of that lousy team. That was going to be the final nail in Lars’s coffin. It was the perfect setup, far safer than accepting a 1v1 against an oppo of unknown skill.

  Hmph. It’s not like I think Lars actually got anything on me. Mike scoffed. But, better safe than sorry. I ’t embarrass myself in a 1v1. They challenged us in our own game, on our own turf. So, we gotta mop the floor with them no matter what.

  Mike’s preparations were fwless. No matter how good Lars turns out to be, the guy won’t be able to carry that sorry excuse for a team all by himself. That dumbass dug his own grave when he challenged Mike.

  The agreed 10 minutes have passed. Both teams gathered at the ter of the court.

  Good. Mike smiled to himself. The eeam plied with his request to a T and dragged Ben to participate in this match without objeg any further. Holy, I was expeg them to resist a little more. Oh well. It gonna a cakewalk. Though, I’m not sure I care for that look on Ben’s face...

  “Huh, so you’re pying.” Mike towered over Ben and gred at the fat kid.

  “A-Ah, yeah...” Ben stuttered and averted his eyes. “You asked me to py, right?”

  “I sure did,” Mike said pinly. “Heh, thought you’d run away or make excuses. Looks like you got some balls if nothing else.”

  “Hey,” Lars interrupted the intimidation session. “What’s up, dude?”

  “Hmph.” Mike shrugged. “I was just making sure our friend over here got his shit together. It’d be a shame if you lose this match because of him, you know?”

  “No problem.” Lars grinned fidently. “Ben gonna rock this game, just you watch!”

  “Hah. Yeah, right.” Mike snorted and turned his back to the two s.

  “I-I am...!” A squeaky voice made Mike pause and look back.

  “Huh?”

  “W-We pn to win!” Ben mustered all the fleeting ce in his body to squeeze out these words. “S-So, I py to the win, right?”

  “Huh?” Mike’s face torted a little. “Well, duh. Of course you gonrying to win. Or what, you were pnning to be a scarecrow or something?”

  “O-Okay then.” Ben rongly. There was an irking glint of determination in his eyes.

  “Wait, don’t tell me you actually believe you win?”

  “on’t know until we try.” Beed his eyes from Mike’s spearing gre.

  “Yeah, exactly!” Lars tuned in. “You never know how things gonna turn out until it happens, yo!”

  “Hmph.” Mike scoffed. I’m already used to seeing this idiot spout whatever nonsense he wants, but now even Ben is saying that shit? That unfounded fideta be iious or some shit. I better not catch the flu from it.

  Where was that nonsensical fidening from? The eeam was at a clear disadvantage from every possible angle. Mike pulled all the necessary strings to guarahat was the case.

  Aheir morale was abnormally high. They weren’t quaking in their boots as he expected.

  These fuckers are really thinking they got a ce. Mike grimaced. Okay, bring it on. We’ll destroy your asses. You’ll be g to your mamas after we’re doh you!

  “We’ll start on the offense,” Mike decred. His sharp tone made it clear there was no room for bargaining.

  “Okay,” Lars didn’t even try to object.

  Tch, you’re that fident, huh. Mike clicked his tongue as he hit the ball against the floor. I really hate guys like you who pretend they achieve anything so easily. Do you think you’re special just because you made it into the Mancers club or something? If so, you’re in for a world of pain!

  “James,” Mike passed the ball. “You know what to dht?”

  “Yep, no problem!” James saluted. “Leave the passing to me.”

  “Right.” Mike nodded.

  Out of the three of them, James’s passes were the slickest. As such, he was the best fit for opening the game. He’ll definitely deliver a ve pass.

  “Give it to me,” Mike ordered as positioned himself ohree-pointer line. “I’ll score in 5 seds.”

  “Roger.”

  All six pyers assumed their positions on the court. Meanwhile, the fuy from the Cssmancers club stood he scoreboard. They agreed he’ll hahat part.

  This mofo better not be cheating. Mike shot the guy a gre just in a case. Judging by the nervous rea the message got across. “You try cheating and I’mma dunk your ass into the basket.”

  Everything was set. The game was about to start with Mike’s team on the offensive, per his demand.

  It was a little forceful of a demand even by his standards. Things like that were usually decided by a flip. But, Mike didn’t want to cut any ers. He capitalized on anything to gain the upper hand, no matter how small it was.

  That’s how you win games. Mike thought. Gotta be prepared for anything. I’m not gonna give them any ces to catch me with my pants down, especially not on my turf.

  With James opening the game on the offehe team should be off to a good start. But, unbeknown to them, one pyer was carefully analyzing all their movements and words, brewing a ter-pn right uheir noses.

  So, that’s how they start off. Yuel o himself. So, let’s go with pn No.3 then.

  “I’ll challenge him,” Yuel announced.

  “You sure?” Lars asked.

  “I believe this is the best arra. Meanwhile, you should stick close to Mike as we discussed. Acc to Behe most dangerous pyer they got.”

  “Okay, gotcha.” Lars nodded and lowered his voice. “So, watcha pn to do?”

  “For starters, I’ll try to steal the ball,” Yuel said pinly. “Then, I’ll pass it to you.”

  “Sounds solid but ya think it gonhat easy?”

  “We’ll see,” Yuel said. “I have a trick that might work at least once.”

  “Hehe, sounds good!” Lars snickered. It was always fun watg the wild things Yuel came up with for basketball. This 200 IQ dude pyed so differently from everybody else.

  “Stay outside the three-pointer line,” Yuel instructed. “You score from there, right?”

  “Of course! Who do you think I am?” Lars fshed his teeth in fidence.

  “Good. I’ll pass to the outside. They won’t expect that the first time.”

  “Gotcha!”

  With the p in motion, Yuel advaoward the ter of the court to intercept the enemy’s opening attack, to front James, the “passing expert” acc to Ben.

  For the first round, the team on the offearted off from the ter of the court. Yuel received the ball and thely passed it back to the oppo in front of him. This was the handshake gesture that sighe beginning of the game.

  Now, let’s put Ben’s information to test. Yuel trated oarget in front of him.

  Acc to Ben’s intel, James was the passing specialist in this trio. He was often tasked with opening attacks or and delivering the ball to the best attacker, Mike.

  As for James’s skill in other areas, Ben didn’t have anything special to say. Most likely, the guy was rather mediocre. At least, that’s what Yuel was ting on.

  That’s why, out of the three oppos, Yuel had the most fiden fag James. It sounded like this guy was the weakest link when it came to one-ouations.

  On top of that, James seemed like the biggest brat of the gang. Ben attested that James teo be too spontaneous for his own good. Simirly, Yuel also profiled the guy as a goof.

  Pyers like that are the easiest to trick. Yuel lowered his arms and stood straight in front of his oppo. His entire body was rexed. He didn’t apply even the smallest hint of pressure on his oppo.

  Naturally, that made the oppo raise an eyebrow.

  “The heck?” James cocked his head. What’s with this zy stance? Is this guy a total scrub or something? That ain’t how you defend, bruh.

  James dribbled the ball a few times as he carefully examihe boy in front of him. There was nothing intimidating about this guy, not in the slightest. He wasn’t tall, his frame wasn’t buff, and his stance made him look like a scarecrow.

  I get past him ez. James cracked a ugh. Yeah, let’s do that. o pass from all the way out here. I’mma get past him and then pass. Ezpz.

  James dribbled the ball a few more times, then he caught it in his hands. He had to get moving soon or else somebody will pin about the shot clock.

  Okay, let’s py this cool. James snickered. I’mma pretend like I’m going for a pass, then I’mma break through! The coolest shit ever! I probably don’t eveo do that kinda stuff against a scrub like him, but it’s more fun this way, hehe.

  James raised the ball with both hands and directed it in Mike’s dire as if he was about to pass the ball. However, his true iion lied elsewhere! And, there was no way his scrubby oppo will ever figure it out! Or, so he believed...

  It’s a feint. Yuel could tell by James’s body nguage. The snickering boy looked like a brat about to pull a prank. As I suspected, he’s not that good in 1v1 situations.

  James raised the ball as if to pass it to the right, then broke into a dribble on the left!

  Gotcha, bitch! James grinned as he dribbled past his scrubby oppo. That scrub stood no ce!

  Even without this feint, that Yuel guy probably couldn’t steal a ball even if his life depended on it. And, James just outpyed that n00b with a pro move! This was an absolute victory!

  Okay, now who do I pass to? James checked both sides.

  From this awesome position, it was easy to get the ball to either Mike or Larry. Once he gets the ball to either one of them, the attacker will vert into a goal ezpz. James just had to pie of ‘em ahem the ball... wait, what ball?

  Wut? James blinked. His hand tihe dribbling motion by instinct, but it was dribbling through empty air!

  “Wha-!?” James jumped in panic. Where did the ball go!? Did he drop it somewhere during the feint? No, he wouldn’t make a dumb mistake like that, would he!?

  “Where the heck...!?” James turned around and searched the area behind him.

  The ball was nowhere on the ground. Well duh, of course it wasn’t. There was no way James would drop the ball like that in a middle of a simple dribble. Sure, he didn’t take club practice too seriously but he wasn’t a scrub.

  Then, where? Where did that dang ball go!?

  Think! James racked his brain. Where could I lose it? I dribbled past that scrub and now I’m here... oh.

  He finally found it. The ball was right there, in the least likely position. It was in the oppo’s hands!

  What? When? How did he... James was at a loss for words. It was impossible. That dude was standing there like a scarecrow! He doesn’t even know how a defeance looks like! Not to mention, I faked him like crazy! Then, how...?

  “James, you dumbass!” Mike barked. “What are you standing there fet the ball back!”

  “A-Ah, right!” James sprioward his oppo but it was too te. The enemy won this exge.

  I did my part. Yuel passed the ball toward Lars.

  It was an easy pass to deliver. Mike artially marking Lars, but he was only cautious about Lars venturing deeper into the court. It was the most natural line of py to defend against, as most pyers had to get close to the basket in order to score.

  However, Lars was an exception to that rule. He ecial type of pyer who didn’t care about getting close to the basket. Therefore, it was easy to send him a pass to the outside that won’t be interrupted. Although...

  “Sorry, it’s a little off!” Yuel warned. His amazing coordination struck again.

  “No problem!” Lars darted toward the ball. “I’m already used to it, haha!”

  “I’m gd to hear it...” Yuel made a face.

  This was so me. Even though Yuel successfully outsmarted James and stole the ball, he failed to do something as simple as delivering a proper pass. Sigh.

  Luckily, Lars was the receiver. That athletic goof will get the ball for sure even from this subpar pass.

  “Got it!” Lars reached the ball and started dribbling. As he turned around, he came face-to-face with a defender who has been stig to him like a gumshoe.

  Mike stretched his arms wide to block the path ahead. “You’re not getting through.”

  “Yeah, ya right.” Lars grinned fidently and g the basket. “I ain’t getting through.”

  “Huh?” Mike raised an eyebrow. That wasn’t the rea he was expeg. And, what’s with that fident grin? It didn’t make any sense. Lars should be feeling pressure from this tight mark, not ughing it off.

  “More like, I don’t o get through.” Lars assumed a shooting position, with his eyes locked on the basket.

  “Huh?” Mike could only blink in fusion at this. Is this guy for real? He’s going for a 3-pointer from all the way out here???

  Sg a 3-pointer was already hel hard evetempted from the very edge of the 3-pointer line. Yet, this madman was about to shoot the ball from at least five steps away from said line.

  Hah. Whatever. Mike turned around and ran toward the basket. Assuming he’s not pying mind games with me and he’s actually shooting, then he gonna miss for sure. I’ll just get the rebound and start an offense.

  WHISH! Lars actually sent the ball flying toward the basket. Turned out this wasn’t an attempt to lower Mike’s guard or anything sophisticated like that. This idiot really thought he could score from all the way over there. The nonsense of this knew no bounds.

  Fortunately, Mike repared. He positioned himself underh the basket, ready to snatch the ball at any moment. Ohe ball misses the target and falls down, Mike’s team will restart their offense!

  As, things didn’t quite go as expected. The ball... it passed through the basket. It actually went in, without even grazing the hoop. It was a goal.

  “Whoa!” James excimed. “Yo! Did you guys just see that shit!?”

  “Heh, that was sure something...” Larry shuddered a little.

  He actually did it. Mike couldn’t believe it either. A fluke? No, he was fident he’ll score it from all the way over there. Is that for real?

  The trio locked their eyes on the magi who pulled this impossible trick. They expected to see some hint of surprise on his dumb face, but he only had ohing to say to them.

  “First blood, yo!”

  At that moment, Mike and Co. started realizing they were dealing with a basketball freak here...

  DarkestCymore