First to 30

With the modified rules, we both stuck to a single half of the court, giving me a better fighting chance.

"4-3, I lead. First to 100, or would that be too straining?" Chika asked.

"100, if I'm allowed to down a pain killer or two," I replied.

"Hmm, then let's just do 50. Maybe even 30."

"You think I can't keep up?"

"What good is your victory if you're too pained to walk after it, or worse, you get injured during the game."

Her concern vs my adrenaline rush... I wanted to play, I really wanted to despite the state of my body. But Chika Tetsu herself is giving me a PSA not to, and there's no corporate sponsorship behind it, it's all her.

"15 minutes. Whoever's ahead at that point, wins."

"Bet is still on, naturally," Chika smirked as she tossed the ball to me.

This time, I took my shot instantly, retaking the lead at 6-4.

"Hmm, this pattern won't favor me," Chika frowned as I got in position before tossing the ball to her.

"You're thinking you'll be able to get past me?"

"Of course," Chika smiled as she began to charge.

However, she was surprised by how easily I was able to block her path.

"All that shuffling can't be good for you."

"Actually, it's part of my physical therapy regiment."

"Really now," Chika frowned as she attempted to take a shot.

"Nope!"

With a tiny hop, I managed to smack the ball away, though the impact of the landing still made me grimace a bit.

"See, you can't be doing such reckless movements, no matter how insignificant they might seem to you," Chika pouted.

"If I can't jump, I can't exactly block you very well."

"Hmm, then no jumping," Chika smirked as she leaped up to perform a shot.

Clang!

Off the side rim.

"Ara, guess slam dunking's the only way for me to really get a score," Chika frowned.

"That's good for me, since all I need to do is keep scoring from the 3-point line, which is effortless," I huffed as I scored another 3 points. "9-4, you sure 30's fine?"

"Oh? you think I'll let you get 7 more shots in?"

"What makes you think I'll let you get one more in?"

Chika's smirk began to widen as she cracked her soldiers. "So cocky. I got one of those little hoops to practice with."

"That doesn't help here. The balls for that are small, and the hoop probably isn't as high."

"Well someone's picky," Chika pouted as she began dribbling.

She quickly made a dash, but rather than try and block her, I first retreated to the hoop, stretching my arms up and circling around under it like a hockey goalie. Slowly, Chika stepped back, then confidently tossed the ball up in the air, underhanded. I felt like an outfielder witnessing a home run as the ball landed perfectly in the hoop.

"9-6, hmm, I just need three to tie."

"But now I get the ball."

"And I can still jump," Chika smirked as she ran to the hoop and grabbed onto the rim, swatting my throw away.

"Cheeky... But I get the ball again," I glared as this time, I went for a special overhand toss.

Chika stared at the trajectory and confidently stayed in place, but much to her shock, the ball bounced off the backboard and just barely bumped off the rim into the hoop.

"Ah, no fair. You didn't say you had tricks like that," Chika pouted.

"You never asked, nor would a magician reveal his secrets."

"So why couldn't you make things work if you're so good?"

If we weren't in the middle of a game, I'd have probably got all depressed, but on the court, confidence is always charged.

"Because the coaches don't want the game to be decided by me standing all the way back and taking pot shots at the hoop like an artilleryman. Not like that would be the whole game, but they told it to my face, 'Prime-time basketball where a team wins by throwing the ball back to the guy on the other side of the court to make a hail marry bullseye, is only gonna get more groans than eyes glued to the screen. There's no sniper in basketball. You wanna play, you gotta be able to dribble and run down the court. Can't do that? You're out.'"

"And they couldn't be persuaded?"

"I could see the point. Remember, this is a sport where players refuse to take free throws underhand because they think it's "uncool". Well Lenny Bard proves "uncool" gets the points."

"Just like you, huh."

"Yeah..."

Before we knew it, the score was 27-22 in my favor. Just one more 3-pointer and I win.

"One more 3-pointer... Not going to let that happen," Chika smirked as she confidently tossed the ball back behind her.

To her credit, she came close, but the ball bounced off the back rim, sailing back to me.

"So, may I have the floor?"

"Nope," Chika winked as she began trying to swat away the ball.

Guess it's time to reveal my full power.

Channeling all the dribbling skill I had, I kept the ball away from Chika as I slowly made my way to the hoop. Then to give her a taste of her own medicine, I did a high toss, which scored me 2 points.

"Ah, now the score's gonna be wonky... How about a free throw?"

"You're giving up?"

"With how you moved just now, that should have been 3 points, but rules. So, take a free throw."

But you'd need to foul-"

Flick!

I stared oddly as Chika flicked my arm.

"PENALTY! Chika Tetsu, number 22! 5 yard penalty, automatic first down!" Chika shouted in an announcer voice.

"Alright, if you insist," I chuckled as I took my free throw and scored, winning the bout 30-22.

"And I lost... You know what that means, right? Batsu time, just like in your story."

"Batsu-"

"Yes. So, how should I style my hair now?"

"That's the batsu?"

"Yeah, I figure a little style change is fair. So? I tie it up in buns, dye it pink?"

Once again, allow me to reiterate how the magic of the court maxes out my confidence and erases my unease. As such, I ended up saying something without thinking.

"Shave it bald!"

"Heh?"

And then, the magic of the court wore off and I was left with mortification and possibly, a very disappointed Chika.