“I changed my mind. I don’t want to leave this team yet.”
Charles frowned at Jonathan’s change of mind while the rest furrowed their brows. Atlas arched a brow, while Hugo tilted his head to the side. Meanwhile, Zoren blinked innocently, and then Dean sneered at Jonathan.
“You can’t just do that,” Dean mented, back at it again. “Weren’t you saying it’s for the team?”
“Taking the bench is for the team, of course. However, if I really want to win, then I should play on this team as well.”
“Do you think you can learn this game in the blink of an eye?”
“You want to see?” Jonathan took a step forward, almost reaching his limits with this irritating guy.
Dean had always been annoying, even in their first lives. However, he was more annoying in this lifetime. After all, back then, Dean was the type who would always keep his mouth shut if he didn’t have anything nice to say.
The only time Dean would recklessly open his mouth was when he was in front of Zoren or arguing with him. It was the only time Dean would show emotions, albeit most of them were negative.
“This is the only time I’m going to repeat this.” This time, Charles’s tone turned harsh and cold, darting his eyes between Dean and Jonathan. “Antagonizing each other won’t help. Plus One, you can’t just change your mind. Even though I know you’re motivated, Dean has a point. Determination isn’t enough to win, especially if you don’t know the game.”
“What if I can learn it?” Jonathan returned, his tone confident. “Coach, I admit I’ve never played this game before. However, I play other sports that keep me physically active and fit. I’m a quick learner, so if I’m given enough time, I’m sure I can keep up with those guys.”
He tilted his head toward their opponents, eyes fixed on Charles. “Just give me a chance. If I don’t improve, then I won’t say a word, even if this guy opens his mouth again.”
“How much time is enough for you?” Charles asked. “I can’t give you more than half of the second quarter.”
“Five minutes is enough… or less,” Jonathan said. “I’ve been watching the game during the first quarter, so I’ve already got a grasp on it.”
“I don’t believe him,” Dean remarked, only to be ignored by Charles and Jonathan.
The two looked at each other as if gauging one another’s resolve. Charles stayed quiet, observing, and reconsidering the situation. Five minutes was still plenty of time since they still needed to score and close the gap.
“I believe him,” this time, the quiet Hugo spoke his mind. “Dad, let’s give him a second chance.”
Surprised, Jonathan and Charles turned to Hugo. But this time, it was Atlas who spoke.
“I’m already used to seeing his face on the court, so we might as well keep him.” Atlas nodded. “Besides, I’m afraid that Mark will only ruin the game.”
“I don’t think Mark is good at this, even though he claims he has experience,” Zoren mented. “I also need that much time to get a grasp of the nature of this game. So, if I don’t improve in less than five minutes, then I’ll also accept that I might get kicked out of this team.”
Hugo and Atlas glanced at Zoren in surprise, not expecting to hear that, considering Zoren’s sentiments earlier. As for Jonathan, he briefly cast Zoren a look before shifting his eyes back to Charles. At the end of the day, it was still Charles’s decision.
“I don’t doubt him,” Jonathan expressed, referring to Zoren. “If anything, this guy might get kicked out first.”
Dean’s face twisted a bit before he sneered. “Like I said, I played this game before. Mark can sit on the bench like a princess.”
“Fine,” Charles sighed, seeing that these men were more determined now than earlier. He didn’t care if the taunting of each other motivated them even more; it wasn’t all that bad to give them a second chance.
They could still salvage the situation if this decision wasn’t a mistake. However, Charles’s gut feeling told him it was better to keep these five together.
“I’ll give you five minutes,” said Charles sternly, his eyes scanning their faces. “If the situation hasn’t improved, I’ll get Mark in the game and take out the least performing player in those five minutes. You got it?”
“Yes, sir!”
Charles nodded, sliding his eyes toward the enemy team. “Don’t forget, the team you’re up against aren’t professional players. Just like you, none of them play basketball for a living. Don’t let them make you look like pathetic fools. Don’t let them stomp on your pride. Got it?”
“Yes, sir!”
“Good.” Charles nodded again, clearing his throat as he moved on to discuss what they would do next. Using the whiteboard and markers, he showed them their new positions and strategies.
And just like that, a plan was formed.
In the first five minutes of the second quarter, Jonathan and Zoren would stay on the sidelines to study the game. To make the first five minutes more productive, despite letting the enemy score a point, Atlas and Hugo had to make Max show all of his cards—or at least half of them.
After all, Max was the best person for Zoren and Jonathan to study and analyze. If they could understand and get used to Max’s style of play, they would be able to predict his next move.
And just like that, they made their first score.
—
[Present Time]
Charles nodded at his team in satisfaction, glancing at Dean, who had just made a point without a problem. Even though no one tried to stop Dean, one could tell he wasn’t lying. He knew how to play the game; he was just lazy in the first quarter.
“Keep it up,” he whispered, watching as the game resumed.
With his arms crossed under his chest, he kept his eyes on his team’s movements and where the ball was headed. In less than two minutes, everyone heard the bell again, signaling that another point had been scored.
The two points on Hugo’s team quickly added another two.
Another two points from the ever-dearest Dean.
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