Basketball System: Rebound of the Underdog

After Ashley's suggestion, the ride to the hotel became a silent one, except for the occasional groan or grunt as someone shifted in their seat. It was then that the exhaustion hit them—battered both physically and mentally after their humiliating scrimmage. When they arrived, though, their jaws dropped. The hotel was magnificent, clearly designed for athletes of the highest caliber. It stood tall, the glass windows reflecting the evening sky. The lobby alone was worth the price of admission, with marble floors, lush green plants, and a chandelier that looked like it had been plucked straight out of a movie. "Whoa," Max said, stepping in first and spinning in a slow circle. "We're staying here? For real?" "Yes, for real," Jimmy said, dragging his feet toward the reception desk. "They're not going to dump Global Games athletes in a cheap hostel. Besides, haven't you been to this kind of place before? It can't compare to the hotels I've been in." "Yeah, but we're not athletes yet," Max said, ignoring the jab. His eyes lit up when he saw the elevators. "Do you think the rooms have those fancy, remote-controlled curtains?" Zheng chuckled as he wheeled his luggage in. "You're way too excited for someone who just got dunked on." Max shot him a look. "Don't act like you didn't get cooked, too. Jaw-Long crossed you so hard; I think your shoes are still on the court." The group snickered, even Jian, whose face cracked into a rare smile. Once they got their room keys, the receptionist delivered news that lifted everyone's spirits. "You each have your own room," she said with a bright smile. Max nearly jumped. "No way. Individual rooms? No bunk beds? No snoring roommates?" "You look too thrilled for the individual room," Zheng noted. "What are you going to do on your own?" Max smiled sheepishly. "You know…stuff." "Gross," Jimmy shook his head. "I'll game all night long, of course," Max added. "The walls are soundproof, right? They have to be." Ashley sighed and shook her head. "This is only for now," she said to the boys. "Once the athletes from different countries arrive, you will be having roommates again." Max pursed his lips. "Well, this is still a start," he muttered. With that, Ashley led them to their respective rooms. Kai followed the group quietly, suddenly feeling tired. His legs felt like metal as he trudged to his room. It must be because of the long flight and going straight to the game without a proper warm-up. When he opened the door, he was greeted by an elegant space with a king-sized bed, crisp white sheets, and a view of the city skyline. However, Kai barely noticed any of it due to his exhaustion. He plopped on the floor, groaning as his back hit the carpet. He'd stayed on the floor on purpose, too tired to shower and not wanting to dirty the bed after the game. Staring at the ceiling, he couldn't shake the game from his mind. The profiles of the professional players were still fresh in his memory. Dong Chen. Caleb Wu. Muyang Zhang. Jaw-Long Lee. Marcus Han. Each name felt heavier than the last. Marcus alone had a career most athletes could only dream of, and the others were no slouches either. Heck, Marcus was more than half of Kai's age! He had to consider whether to call him his senior in basketball or an uncle. Kai pulled out his phone and started scrolling through their profiles. He found highlight reels, stats, and articles about their exploits. He couldn't believe they'd shared the court with such talent—even if it had been a one-sided beatdown. "What level are they even on?" he muttered to himself, rubbing his sore shoulder. It wasn't just their physicality. Their coordination and their awareness—it was on another level entirely. However, Kai wondered just how far they were to his current level. He knew he didn't play to his best capacity in the game. It seemed like the chemistry within the Elite Five wasn't that great either. They had a lot of overlapping roles, and they embodied the saying—'Too many cooks spoil the broth.' On the other hand, what Ashley said was right. The older players had been playing together for a long time—representing the country, all while experiencing victories and losses. It would be weird for them to lose in the game against high schoolers. He sighed, closing his eyes. His body ached like he'd been hit by a truck. If this was what professional basketball felt like, he had a long way to go. Suddenly, his phone buzzed. It was a message in the group chat they'd set up for the trip. Ashley : Do not forget the onsen. The replies came quickly. Max : Nope. Hard pass. Jimmy : Why would I sit in hot water with you guys? Gross. Jian : Yeah, not happening. Zheng : I don't think we're up to that level of closeness yet, Ashley. I'll pass for now. Kai : "..." Kai set his phone down with a shrug. No way he was going to the onsen either. He hated the idea of sitting in a steamy room with his teammates, especially after a day like this. But ten minutes later, after lying on the floor and feeling like he'd been run over, he reconsidered. Maybe the onsen wasn't such a bad idea. His muscles were screaming for relief, and the thought of soaking in hot water was starting to sound more appealing. He grabbed a towel, threw on a robe, and headed to the onsen. The hotel was quiet as he made his way through the halls, following the signs that led to the bathing area. When he slid open the door to the onsen, though, he froze. Sitting in the steaming water, looking equally stunned, were Max, Zheng, Jimmy, and Jian. For a moment, they all just stared at each other. "You've got to be kidding me," Kai said, breaking the silence. "You all said you weren't coming."