The System Makes Me a Player

The ball stopped at the center of the court and the final whistle echoed through the gymnasium. The scoreboard showed 5–0 for Yamu, and yet, there was no exaggerated celebration.

Takumi walked over to the bench where the water bottles were. His eyes met Kelvin's, who was still watching from the stands, arms crossed. The atmosphere between the two was one of silent recognition — like two predators finally seeing each other in the same jungle.

Next to Takumi, Leo wiped his face with a towel and leaned back, exhaling deeply.

"Two touches and it's in," he said, staring at the gym ceiling, "That duo was good. But we didn't even break a sweat"

Takumi replied in a low, emotionless voice

"I'm not playing for them today"

Leo raised an eyebrow

"Kelvin?"

Takumi didn't answer, but his silence was enough.

Up in the stands, Ian and Dante were still standing.

"Did you see that?" Ian said, "These guys are machines. One short pass, one long, and goal. They don't even celebrate"

"It was beautiful to watch," replied Dante, more serious than usual, "But… there's something missing"

"Like what?"

"Emotion. Instinct. They do everything right… but it feels like they're just playing to play. Like something's missing inside them"

Kelvin stepped down two steps slowly, eyes still locked on Takumi. Then he turned to the two

"He's number 11"

"Takumi?"

"Yeah. That one. The one who barely smiles. He plays beautifully, but his eyes are restless"

"You ready?"

Kelvin lowered his head for a second, like he was accessing something deeper beneath the surface. The system flickered briefly in his mind, notifying

[Opponent confirmed: Takumi (#11) and Leo (#8) – Yamu]

[Challenge – Doubles Championship]

[Win the championship]

[Reward: Random Special Ability]

He exhaled

"Of course I am"

***

Two hours of break.

The gym started to empty slightly. Some people went out to get snacks. Others just needed to rest their ears, buzzing from the constant noise. The organizers opened part of the court so players could stretch and relax.

Kelvin, Ian, Dante, and Alisson sat at the side, where a few simple benches were set.

"I heard this court was used in a regional tryout once," said Alisson, sipping water, "And watching you guys play here... it feels like you're exactly where you belong. At the top"

"Alisson, let me tell you," Ian laughed, "I hope you're ready to save everything"

"I've been preparing just for moments like this, Ian"

Kelvin sat with his legs stretched out, eyes locked on the partially empty court. The ambient noise felt distant.

"Takumi's different. He doesn't play to show off. He plays flawlessly"

"You ever played against someone like that?" asked Dante

"No, never actually. The guy wants to beat me at all costs. I can feel it. Like defeating my style is a personal challenge to him"

Alisson leaned back on the floor and crossed his arms.

"That's the good part. He plays with logic… but you play with something he can't understand"

Kelvin raised an eyebrow

"And what's that?"

"Dribbling, Kelvin. Up until now, no one's been able to get past your dribbles — literally no one"

Kelvin gave a slight smile

"Let's hope he underestimates that"

On the other side of the gym, Takumi and Leo sat in silence. Their coach spoke softly, almost like telling a secret.

"The boy from Sanu… he's not ordinary. He doesn't follow fixed patterns. He's reactive, but way too fast to predict"

"So what now?" asked Leo, "What's the plan?"

Takumi answered without even looking at the coach

"Observe. Adapt. Then dominate"

Leo chuckled

"You sound like a robot when you say stuff like that"

Takumi finally turned his face

"He caught my interest the moment I saw him play. But... I don't think he can beat me"

***

40 minutes left until the final.

The crowd began returning. The stands filled again. People standing. Phones ready. Even a few teachers showed up, curious. News had spread through the school — and beyond it: the final would be Kelvin and Ian (Sanu) vs. Takumi and Leo (Yamu).

Dante looked around, laughing nervously

"Bro, there's even people from outside the city here. I wish I was on the court right now"

"All these people are here for Yamu. They rarely play these tournaments, especially doubles. Some came just to see Takumi," explained Kazana

"But they're going to leave here knowing Kelvin," Ian added

Kelvin finished stretching. The system was silent now, but a different energy ran through his muscles. As if the interface itself understood this wasn't just a game.

It was a turning point.

He stood up and put on the number 11 jersey again — the black uniform with blue accents looked even darker under the lights.

The court awaited. So did the gym.

"I really want to win this, Ian. I don't think I've ever wanted anything as badly as I want this right now," said Kelvin, firm

"Make that two of us," replied Ian, "It's time"

During the break, the organizers — realizing this would be a huge final — had brought in speakers to make things feel more professional.

Then the organizer's voice echoed over the sound system

"Ladies and gentlemen, presenting… the grand final. Kelvin and Ian, representing Sanu. Takumi and Leo, representing the invincible Yamu"

The crowd stood up, shouts taking over the gym.

The two duos entered the court.

"There they are…" murmured Dante, standing up in the stands

"I have a feeling this is going to be historic," replied Kazana, adjusting beside him

Ian walked side-by-side with Kelvin toward the center. Alisson, now wearing the black-and-blue uniform, was already positioned in goal.

At the sideline, Coach Rafael finally appeared, holding a clipboard. His eyes passed over Kelvin, then Ian, and finally stopped on Takumi. He paused, as if analyzing an invisible variable.

"The time has come, huh?" he said, approaching the group. "Kelvin, Ian… I just want you to play like you know how"

"Rafael, what are you doing here? You came to support us?"

"Just to observe. You guys made it here without me, so I don't think I'd be much help now," he said, laughing

Kelvin looked at him firmly

"Thanks a lot, Rafael"

Rafael nodded and stepped off the court.

Kazana leaned forward, catching Dante's attention.

"You think Kelvin can handle the pressure?"

"Definitely… Ever since I talked to him, I could tell he's special. He won't fold that easily"

Dante pointed at his phone.

"There are already over five hundred people watching the live stream the organizer set up. And the title? "The most anticipated final of a tournament that wasn't supposed to be this big""

"It's because of Yamu. They don't show up at just any tournament… And today, they did. This place became a real arena," Kazana added

Rafael walked to the sideline, where some other coaches stood. His eyes stayed fixed on the court. He knew Yamu's style of play.

But Kelvin…

Kelvin was a variable no one could predict.

Ian looked at him and smiled.

"Ready?"

Kelvin adjusted his shirt and closed his eyes for a second. The interface pulsed gently in his mind.

He opened his eyes.

"Ready. Let's win"

On the other side, Takumi adjusted the armband. The number 11 glowed subtly under the gym lights. Leo rolled the ball between his feet without urgency.

"He's going to try to break us with his dribbling. He'll look for gaps in milliseconds," said Takumi, looking at the center line

"And us?"

"We close the gaps. But if he goes beyond that… we adapt"

The crowd was getting louder. Phones were up.

The bets had been placed.

All eyes were on them.

From atop the bleachers, the tournament coordinator raised the mic one last time

"Let the grand final… begin"

The whistle blew