Basketball System: Rebound of the Underdog

Fei was practically floating on air that morning. Her heart fluttered with excitement, and she had been dreaming about this date for so long—the day she would finally go on a date with Kai.

It was a sunny Sunday, and they had a whole week off afterward.

Fei wanted to savor every moment and stretch the day out as long as possible. She even wanted to hang out with Kai until the night!

She had carefully planned every detail, down to the outfit she would wear and the places they would go.

Everything had to be perfect.

She stepped out of their family car, taking a deep breath as she adjusted the beret on her head.

"I'm heading out, young miss," her driver said.

"Wait," she exclaimed, taking a sidestep to look at herself in the reflection of the backseat window.

Fei smiled when she saw her outfit. She was wearing a semi-long white skirt that flowed elegantly with each step, a strawberry pink tank top that brought out the rosy tones in her cheeks, and a delicate scarf draped around her neck for a touch of sophistication.

Her makeup was refined, making her look just a bit more mature than her usual self.

"Alright, you may go now," she smiled before closing the door.

As she walked towards their meeting place at the park, she noticed people glancing her way, and she couldn't help but feel pleased.

When she reached the park, Fei took a seat on a bench, her hands clasped in her lap.

She watched the ducks in the nearby pond as she waited for Kai to arrive.

Finally, she saw him.

Kai was walking towards her, but her excitement quickly deflated like a balloon.

He was wearing a simple white shirt paired with Shizi High's basketball jersey shorts and a pair of well-worn sneakers.

He looked like he had just rolled out of bed! Fei's heart sank a little, the fantasy she had built up in her mind crumbling ever so slightly.

But then he smiled.

"His face is still the best, though," Fei muttered, comforting herself.

His jaw was freshly shaved, and even in his casual attire, he looked effortlessly handsome.

"Hey," Kai called out, jogging the last few steps. "You're early."

Fei forced a smile, shaking her head. "No, not really. I just got here too," she lied.

She couldn't stay mad at him—not when he was looking at her like that.

"So…where should we go first?" Kai asked.

"I've got everything planned. Just follow me," she smirked.

She started walking towards the cafe she had picked out for them. It was the perfect spot for a quiet, romantic start to their date.

Fei glanced at Kai from the corner of her eye and tried to hold his hand, but he scratched his head absentmindedly and looked off into the distance, muttering something about the weather.

Fei sighed inwardly. Did he just avoid her deliberately?

As they reached the cafe, Kai walked in first, holding the door open for Fei. The small bell above the door chimed as they entered, drawing the attention of a few customers.

A woman seated near the entrance glanced at them and smiled politely before turning to her companion. "Oh, it's nice that you've brought your aunt with you," she commented lightly.

Fei's eyes widened in shock, and she had to bite her lip to keep from saying something snarky.

Aunt?

Really?

Was the real aunt in question calling her an aunt?

She was about to retort, but Kai just laughed it off before walking inside.

They found a table near the window, and Fei couldn't help but notice how Kai practically collapsed into his chair like he'd just run a marathon. She tried to keep the mood light, smiling as she looked at the menu. "What do you feel like eating?" she asked.

"Anything, really," Kai replied, scanning the menu quickly. "I'm starving!"

When the food arrived, Kai dug in with gusto, eating at a speed that left Fei in awe. She picked at her food, trying to keep up a conversation, but it was difficult when Kai was more focused on his plate than on her.

The cafe was bustling with people, and just as Fei was about to suggest dessert, an elderly man and his young grandson approached their table, looking around for an empty spot.

Kai, always the gentleman, immediately stood up and waved them over. "Are you done?" he asked Fei, his voice filled with concern.

Fei hesitated, still wanting to order something sweet to share.
Experience more on My Virtual Library Empire

But before she could say anything, Kai had already made the decision for her.

"Here, take our seats," he said to the grandpa and the little boy, who beamed up at him in gratitude.

Fei could only purse her lips and nod in agreement, standing up slowly.

As frustrating as it was, she couldn't help but admire Kai's kindness, even if it did mean their cafe time was cut short.

Kai walked over to the counter and paid for their meal, much to Fei's surprise.

"You didn't have to do that," she said, a small smile creeping onto her face despite her disappointment.

She turned around and clenched her fists in victory. "He's definitely into me," she muttered before turning back to him.

"It's no big deal," Kai shrugged, grinning. "Besides, I'm the one who ate most of it, right?"

As much as Kai didn't want to go on a date with Fei, he also felt that it wasn't nice to let her pay for the meal.

They left the cafe and stepped back out into the sunshine. Kai stretched his arms above his head, looking more awake.

"Is it over now?" he asked, sounding a tad too excited.

Fei took a deep breath, determined not to let her earlier disappointments ruin the rest of the day. "Let's go to the arcade," she suggested, her voice brightening at the thought.

Kai scratched the back of his head. "I guess," he muttered. "I do like the arcade."

They arrived at the arcade a short while later, and Fei was feeling hopeful again.

Kai must be a tsundere!

"He'll warm up to me soon," Fei muttered under her breath. "They all do," she smirked.

She imagined them playing games together, maybe winning some cute prizes, and enjoying each other's company without any distractions.

But the moment they stepped inside, Kai made a beeline for the basketball machine, his competitive streak kicking in.

Fei followed him, a little unsure but still trying to stay positive.

She watched as Kai lined up his first shot, his eyes narrowing in concentration.

Swish! The ball sailed through the hoop effortlessly, and before long, a small crowd started gathering around them. People began to recognize Kai, murmuring excitedly among themselves. Some even pulled out their phones to take pictures or videos.

Fei stood off to the side, her perfect date slipping away with each cheer from the onlookers. She crossed her arms, leaning against a nearby wall as she watched Kai beat the machine's high score.

"I lost…"

"…to basketball."