Rematch at Yoyogi Park

A mix of Japanese, African, Americans, and Chinese streetball players stood outside the white chalk lines that formed the border of the court and cheered for the young players in the center. The group of everyday regulars on the court possessed a wilder, uninhibited energy that was lacking in most Japanese youth that played the sport. You couldn't blame the rowdiness on just the foreigners, however, because even the Japanese regulars were cheering us on with informal encouragement.

I was happy that this arrangement made by the coach wasn't an inconvenience for them.

I felt a tap on my shoulder from Hayato.

"It's alright, dude. These guys are competitive just like us. They want to see good basketball."

I gestured the others into a group huddle with rigorous clapping that reverberated across the court.

“Does everyone remember the game plan,” I asked everyone.

“Yep,” Hayato nodded.

“Me too,” Ryuuji said.

“I may need a reminder,” Kyoko said, quizzically pointing her index finger against her chin.

“Alright, I’ll say it just one more time. We play our own game, at our own pace. Our opponent’s play an aggressive game of basketball. They’ll try and score on the inside, and try and frustrate you with their aggressive defense. If you're tempted to confront them when they play rough, ignore the impulse and just pay them back on the other end of court."

"Oh okay, that makes sense," Kyoko said, nodding excessively.

"Okay. Hayato, I'll need you to stay on the right wing and spot up shoot. If they double you, either Ryuuji or I will screen for you, and then you'll be expected to dunk."

Hayato scrunched his face at the suggestion, humming to himself.

"Look, I know you don't want to rely on your athleticism, but you won't need to dunk too often. Just in a late game crunch when things get really chippy."

Hayato straightened his back and inhaled and exhaled through his nose.

"Okay, captain, understood."

"Ryuuji, since you've learned the most from our crude one week training camp, you'll be expected to put yourself in a position to shoot if either Hayato or I can't shoot the ball."

"I'll bounce around the court so fast, they won't see me coming," Ryuuji grinned enthusiastically, miming himself moving on the court while grunting.

"I'd rather you try and not waste your energy," I said, shedding a bead of sweat before even stepping on the court.

I desperately hope we can pull this together.

"And Kyoko, I've never witnessed a speed demon like you before. I actually felt terrified every time I missed a shot, because I was worried you'd snatch the ball from me."

"Does that mean I can terrorize someone else now," she asked with a sparkle in her eyes.

"Yeah. Every time a player misses, grab the rebound and burst down the court and dunk."

She nodded and gave a thumbs up, with Shun appearing alongside her to mimic the sentiment.

"Wait, captain, what's Shun doing again," Ryuuji asked.

"I'll be cheering you on the sidelines. Go team. You have a reasonable chance of winning. Yay," Shun said, using his hands to project his deadpan voice.

"I appreciate your enthusiasm, Shun."

The referee hit the center of the court and initiated the game.

Each team entered their respective side of the court.

I wasn't surprised that the Minamoto siblings were playing together. Karin always wanted to play against me, even if it was just at boy's practice, but of course, the school would never allow it. Aoi was pretty much a lock, considering the flashes of talent he already displayed. But the final player was someone I'd never for a second fathom Mamoru asking to play on his team. He must've really wanted to win this game at all costs.

Nagisa Yamashita, a nondescript-boy with fluffy black hair and red-eyes was always a thorn in our team's side. He single-handedly ended our season last year with several timely shots in the last few minutes of our last game.

"Okay. This'll be a full court game. First to twenty points wins. The game will be played four-on-four. Winning team gets access to the best picnicking spot in the park. Catering will be provided to the winner as well. On the count of three and the blow of my whistle, we'll begin."

Shun and Fumiko continued to cheer us on, nearly drowned out by the raucous crowd behind them. Coach Kamikita simply stood next to them, with his arms sternly crossed over his chest. I noticed that after taking a brief glance at me, he spent an inordinate amount of time looking at Mamoru and Karin.

"One."

"Two."

"Three."

The referee flung the ball upwards and the free-for-all for the first possession began.

***

Mamoru managed to snatch the ball mid-air without missing a beat. He looked to the side where Nagisa already awaited him.

"Yamashita, you know what to do," he said, flinging the ball towards his chest.

"Got it, captain," he said with a smirk.

Yamashita burst forward. I motioned for Ryuuji and Hayato to stay back and I took the challenge of defending him. I outstretched my arms and slid my feet whenever he tried to bob and weave to the side.

With a tricky pivot, he whispered something before passing me up.

"Can you stop me this time?"

I temporarily froze when he said those words, the lag giving him enough time to flick a high-arced shot towards the basket. He turned around before he saw the result of his shot, the ball entering the net with a resounding swoosh.

The score was now 2-0.

"Hey, it's just like old times. I missed that look of shock on your face, Kenta," Yamashita said, with a manic smile that bared his teeth.

I tried to keep my breathing steady. That jerk clearly hasn't forgotten about our last match.

Once I regained possession of the ball. I decisively gave my next command to Hayato.

"Hayato, can you pick up Yamashita for me?"

"Sure, but I thought you always wanted to beat him yourself," he said.

"Things are different now. I have to focus on the other captain if we want to keep this close."

Hayato nodded as he found his position on the court. Everyone appeared to know where their spots were at this point. That saved me a lot of potential headaches.

I assumed that Mamoru would take on the challenge of guarding me, but if I did my job, it wouldn't have to come down to a direct showdown with him.

I passed the ball to Hayato, Nagisa and Mamoru taking on the job of defending him.

I freed myself up for another pass from Hayato, but this didn't go unnoticed. Karin slid over from the middle to head me off. Her sudden jump in front of me nearly caused me to throw the ball away into the stands, desperately clutching the ball to my chest to save the possession.

It was only during moments like this where I saw the Minamoto family resemblance. She eyed me as Mamoru did whenever he defended me. She kept her focus not on the ball but on my feet and shoulders, calculating what to do next in real-time. It was a more passionate version of Fumiko's curious analytical gaze.

When she engaged me like this, all her personal feelings for me went out the window.

"I really regret that someone as talented as you couldn't try out for the boys' team."

"Are you tryin' to throw me off," she asked, a subtle shift in her breathing and loosening of her shoulders following.

The thought crossed my mind, but I knew she wouldn't bite even if I tried it.

I tried to find an opening to go through her, but her speed and athleticism kept me from shaking her. Someone who's just as athletically gifted as I was wasn't going to be blown by so easily, so I had to change my approach.

I backed up against her, dribbling a few times before pivoting to the left and gripping the ball with both hands. She was now mesmerized by the movement of my feet and shoulders, but it wouldn't help her. I shifted to my left and right a couple more times, before deciding to shoot with my left hand.

The ball heavily arced itself as it slid off my fingers, the ball rattling against the rim a couple of times before decisively forcing itself through the net.

The score was now tied 2-2.

"Got ya, Minamoto-san," I said, smiling.

Her brother jogged toward her and briefly stopped to talk to her.

"Listen, I know you still have unresolved issues with him, but remember why I asked you to play with us," he said.

"You needed my talent, supposedly," she said, pouting before sticking out the tip of her tongue.

"I may be the leader, but you were always the most talented between the two of us. I won't be able to fully make up for what the coach decided with your situation, but we both agree that Kenta is needed for the continued success of the team."

"Yeah, I know you desperately want him to become his old self again."

Mamoru patted her back before the two of them returned to their positions on the court.

My old self.

What was so great about him? A jock full of hot-air and with the tunnel-vision of a bull chasing after an elusive piece-of-cloth that he’d never have. When I really thought about my last relationship, and how many instances of Eri losing consciousness mid-conversation, I could scarcely think of any difference between me and my old self. My angry teammates after a loss only accentuated this reality.

But then again, why was I going through the trouble if I didn’t care.

I began to wonder what the actual stakes were in this game.