Part- 410:

  James had never been particurly involved in sports beyond Judo, but something about basketball intrigued him. He wondered how his skills would transfer from one sport to another. His agility and reflexes, hohrough months of training in martial arts, might give him an edge on the court. As they ehe gym, the sound of boung basketballs echoed off the walls, the rhythmic dribbling creating a buzzing atmosphere. The gym was filled with the excited chatter of other students, some of whom were already shooting hoops, while others were warming up.

  Tahera looked back at James, giving him an encing smile. “Yoing to do great,” she said.

  James gave a half-smile iurn, feeling a surge of nervousness mixed with excitement. For the first time in a long while, he wasn’t sure what to expect. He was stepping into a new world, not one based oing his strength or his intellect, but his ability to adapt to something unfamiliar. And maybe, just maybe, he would discover a alent he hadn’t knowed.

  “Alright,” Kiyoshi said, g his hands together. “Let’s get started! Don’t worry, James. We’ll help you get the basics down. Just remember, basketball’s all about timing and positioning. We’ll work on that first.”

  As James took a few tentative steps onto the court, he couldn’t help but feel a sense of possibility. This might be the beginning of somethiing. His journey with Judo had taught him the value of persistence, and maybe the same lessons would apply here. All he had to do was show up and give it his best shot. And who knew? Maybe basketball was the sport that would finally let him unleash the full range of his talents.

  The court was waiting for him, and James was ready to take the first step.

  As the group made their way towards the basketball court, the sun’s warm rays pressed gently on their backs, creating a peaceful sense of anticipation. The ctter of shoes against the pavement, the rhythmic thumping of basketballs against the court, and the occasional whistle could be heard in the distance. James, normally a man of a, found himself in a rare moment of quiet refle. His mind raced as he pted what was to e. The basketball court was not fn to him, but this was different. This wasn’t just a casual game among friends; it was a itment to a eam, to a new sport. He couldn’t help but feel a mixture of excitement and trepidation. What had he gotten himself into?

  His gaze swept over the youudents walking alongside him, their eyes filled with curiosity as they noticed him among them. It was no surprise — James was a senior, and his reputation preceded him. As a rising star in the Judo world, he had built a name for himself at the national level, and that had earned him plenty nition from the school’s undercssmen.

  “Hey, isn’t that senior James from the ninth grade?” one of the youudents murmured under his breath. His voice carried the unmistakable tone of admiration. “He was the star at the Judo nationals, right?”

  “Yeah, but I don’t get why he’s ied in basketball,” another replied, their voice tinged with curiosity and fusion.