Part- 416:

  The game tihe pace pig up as the teams exged fast breaks and quick passes. The sound of sneakers squeaking against the polished wood of the court was now joined by the rhythmic dribbling of basketballs, the occasional whistle from Kiyoshi, and the shouts of pyers calling out to each other. The atmosphere was electrid despite the intense petition, James felt a wave of exhiration flood through him with eaent. His earlier shot, still fresh in his mind, had given him an ued burst of fidence.

  As he jogged down the court, he g Kiyoshi, who had been him closely. Kiyoshi’s expression was still one of disbelief, as if trying to process what had just happened. He had clearly expected James to be a beginner—perhaps someone who would take time to adapt to the game. But the shot James had made, from su improbable angle and with such accuracy, defied the expectations.

  After a particurly fast break, Kiyoshi caught up with James he three-point line. He motioned for him to stop and looked him square in the eyes.

  “How did you do that?” Kiyoshi asked, still incredulous. “You threw it like an amateur, but it went in perfectly. Was that pure luck, or skill you’re not telling me about?”

  James chuckled, the sound light and carefree, but beh it was a quiet fidence. He wiped a bead of sweat from his forehead before meeting Kiyoshi’s gaze. “Holy? That’s only the sed time I’ve ever touched a basketball in my life.”

  There was a brief silence as Kiyoshi stared at him, his brow furrowing in disbelief. He had been a seasoned pyer for years, and even though he had seen some amazing pys, this one was something else. A shot from an ued pyer—an amateur at best—had just made the eeam rethink everything they thought they knew about James.

  “You’ve never pyed before?” Kiyoshi finally asked, his tone a mix of curiosity and skepticism.

  James shook his head with a smile. “Nope. Basketball’s o me. But I’m a quick learner.”

  Kiyoshi’s eyes narrowed as he sidered James’s words. The shot James had made wasn’t just good—it erfect. Too perfect for someone who had just picked up a basketball. Kiyoshi’s petitive nature fred, the athlete in him uo resist the temptation to test James further.

  “Alright, let’s see if it was just luck, then,” Kiyoshi said, tossing the ball baes. He stepped back, watg closely with his arms crossed. “Show me again. From the same spot.”

  James caught the ball with ease, his fingers adjusting instinctively to its feel. He g the hoop, the basket seeming to be to him. There was no fear, ation. The court had bee a familiar space, the rhythm of the game flowing through his veins like a current. This was his moment, and he wasn’t going to let it pass.

  Without a sed thought, James use sloth view and dribbled owice, and then uhe ball into the air with a flick of his wrist.

  Bullseye Skil.

  The ball flew in a perfect arc, spinning gracefully as it headed toward the hoop. Time seemed to slow as the ball desded, the sound of the court fading into a singur focus oarget.

  Swish.

  It nded ly in the basket. Another fwless three-pointer.