Basketball System: Rebound of the Underdog

"Wait here a second," Kai said, cutting their conversation short.

The boys were disappointed since their Doraemon talk was halted. They followed Kai's movement, where he then settled in front of the garbage bin.

Kai was hidden by one of the food racks, but he could clearly see Potato Boy from the other side of the store.

Kai observed his form as he raised his hands above his head with the crumpled chip bag in his grip.

A small smirk appeared on his face when he realized that his form was quite good—one that would come from someone who had played basketball before.

"I was right," Kai muttered.

Then, Potato Boy threw the ball high into the air, creating a beautiful arc toward the garbage bin.

Although the plastic's movement was fast, Kai intercepted it quickly and went in front of the garbage bin, catching the plastic as if he were blocking a real basketball.

The cashier stopped in his tracks while Potato Boy looked at Kai with wide eyes. Then, Kai raised his head, smirking at Potato Boy.

"Caught you," he said, causing Potato Boy's eyes to widen even more.

Meanwhile, the three idiots waiting outside observed the situation through the glass.

"What the heck is he doing?" Jinping muttered.

"Potato Boy," Kai said, about to approach the guy when he suddenly burst into a sprint.

"Hey, come back here!" the cashier exclaimed, but Potato Boy was already out in the streets.

Kai's eyes widened, and he quickly followed after him.

"He's fast," Kai muttered as they sped through the park.

"That's good," he continued.

"Stop following me!" Potato Boy exclaimed, but that pushed Kai to run with more earnest.

Then, his smirk widened.
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"But I'm faster," he said.

Meanwhile, Jinping and his friends looked at each other in confusion.

"What's happening?" Yuan asked.

"I don't know," Hui responded. "But I think we should follow after our fellow Doraemon lover!"

"That's right!" Yuan exclaimed, turning to Jinping.

Jinping sighed and shook his head.

"Let's go," he grumbled, also sprinting toward the two distant figures that were now in the park.

Kai quickly caught onto Potato Boy, and he quickly pulled him to a secluded area.

Potato Boy's eyes widened in surprise, and he tried to get away from Kai.

However, it was no use since Kai had the strength of a polar bear.

"Let go," Potato Boy urged.

"No can do," Kai said. "Don't you remember me?"

Potato Boy clicked his tongue. "At this point, everyone knows you at school. Let go. I'm not in the mood to fight."

"Fight?" Kai muttered, confused.

Just then, the three idiots arrived at where they were.

Yuan leaned on the wall while Hui leaned on his friend. Jinping rested his hands against his knees and glared at Kai.

"You were so fast," he said. "Why did you even break into a sprint?"

Potato Boy froze when he realized that he was surrounded by four renounced troublemakers in the school.

Although he was already a second-year student, he knew of the first-year students because of their reputation.

"Man up," he whispered to himself, squaring his shoulders.

He was the same height as Jinping, but his build was definitely smaller than theirs, which made him feel small once again.

Moreover, the two other students looked at him with such heated glares that he found himself getting intimidated.

Kai raised his large hand, causing Potato Boy to freeze.

Jinping, too, went closer to him, and that was when he felt like his world was going to end.

He quickly covered his face.

"I'll do anything that you want!" he exclaimed, feeling fear consume his body.

Jinping and Kai turned to each other with wide eyes, wondering why Potato Boy was exuding so much fear.

"Well, I didn't think it would be this easy," Kai said.

With his statement, Potato Boy opened his eyes, expecting to be punched.

However, instead of Kai's fist landing on his face, his hand landed on his shoulder instead.

Even then, it felt strangely painful, which was proof of Kai's strength.

However, what was more surprising was the friendly smile on his face.

"That's great," Kai exclaimed. "I didn't think you'd agree right away, but I'm thankful."

The other boys turned to Kai, wondering what he was talking about.

"Welcome to the basketball team," Kai said with a wide smile, making them even more confused.

"You can't back out now!"

With that, he squeezed Potato Boy's shoulder, making him buckle in pain.

Meanwhile, Jinping turned to him with wide eyes.

"Wait, what?"

***

The basketball team stared at the newcomer with raised eyebrows, wondering why he was wearing the light version of their uniform.

It appeared to be big on his frame, making him look even skinnier.

"Who is this?" Yuze asked as he entered the court.

Kai smirked and walked to where Potato Boy was, wrapping one arm around his shoulder.

"Guys, this is Andy," Kai introduced.

"Our new teammate."

The Shizi Dogs, with the exception of Jinping, were surprised by Kai's statement.

"New teammate?" Lina asked with a small frown. "Did you consult this with us?"

Kai shook his head. "Nope. But I'm consulting it with you right now. I think Andy fits our team really well."

Yuze's eyes narrowed. "And who are you to decide that?"

Kai smirked and passed the ball to Andy, who caught it despite the unpredictable circumstances.

When he felt the others' attention on him, Andy couldn't help but gulp.

"Andy," Kai said, turning to him with a wide smile.

"Show them."

Andy gulped as he bounced the ball on the floor.

He could still feel their burning gazes on the side of his face, but he tuned them out by closing his eyes and letting out a deep breath.

"Why did I even agree to this?" he muttered before positioning himself from where he was at.

"What's this?" Jet muttered. "He's not going to move closer?"

Then, Andy went to a shooting position before throwing the ball high into the air.

Swoosh.

Then, everybody became speechless.