Basketball System: Rebound of the Underdog

By the time the sun had turned orange, the barbeque party was in full swing. More athletes came by, and although it was a party, there was still a sense of competition in the air. At the same time, it was a chance for them to unwind and relax amidst their thorough preparations for the Nationals or the next season.

However, for Zeren, the atmosphere was anything but relaxing. He watched Lina as she walked away from the crowd.

He had been meaning to talk to her for the longest time. After leaving the Shizi Dogs, he hadn't found the courage to speak with her again. However, seeing her in such a state triggered something in Zeren's heart.

His heart pounded in his chest, and before he could second-guess himself, he followed her. Enjoy new adventures from My Virtual Library Empire

"Lina," Zeren called out, his voice steady despite the turmoil inside.

Lina paused, her back still to him.

For a moment, she stood frozen, and Zeren felt a flicker of hope. But before he could take another step, something yanked him to the side.

"What the—" Zeren's words were muffled as a hand clamped over his mouth. His eyes widened when he realized it was Kun who had pulled him behind a large post.

"What are you—" Zeren started to ask, but Kun kept his grip firm, shaking his head to silence him.

Kun gestured for Zeren to stay quiet and then pointed toward where Lina had been standing.

Zeren followed his gaze and saw Kai jogging towards her, his movements quick but hesitant. Lina turned to face him, her sad eyes brightening with a hint of excitement that made Zeren's heartache in a way that was all too familiar.

Kai slowed as he reached her. "Can we talk?" he asked, his voice soft.

Lina hesitated for a second, appearing uncertain.

But then she nodded, and the two of them began to walk away together, a small but unmistakable distance kept between them, yet their connection was obvious. They were close, even in their awkwardness.

Zeren felt a sharp pang in his chest as he watched them leave. He yanked himself free from Kun's grip and turned to him with a glare. "Why did you stop me?" Zeren demanded, clicking his tongue. "I was the first to get to her. I should be the one talking to her right now!"

Kun remained calm, meeting Zeren's glare with a level gaze.

"Well, you see," Kun started with a chuckle. "They're awkward."

"Although the team hasn't acknowledged it, I think everybody has noticed that they're not the way they used to be."

"As you know, we got into the Nationals," Kun added with a wink. "So, they need to fix it before the competition so we could win!" he cheerily chimed.

Zeren closed his eyes and let out a sigh of frustration.

"So that's all this is about? The team?"

"Yes," Kun nonchalantly said. "Isn't the team the most important?"

Zeren sighed, feeling all of his frustration spilling. He had kept it to himself for too long, and Kun became his breaking point!

"You don't get it, Kun. I've liked Lina for a long time. I mean, from the very first moment I saw her, back when we were just kids. She was sick then, remember? But even though she was fragile, I felt this overwhelming need to take care of her.

"It's always been like that."

"Always."

Zeren's voice shook as he continued. "I've been there since the very beginning. I've watched her grow from afar. I've supported her. I've kept my feelings hidden because I thought—no, I hoped—she'd notice me one day. But now, after all this time, it all comes down to this.

She's with someone else. It feels like every effort, every moment, every silent confession…It was all for nothing."

Kun was quiet for a moment. When he finally spoke, his voice was softer. "Is that the reason you left the team?" he asked.

Zeren let out a long, weary sigh. "You can't blame me," he said, his tone flat, drained of the energy that had fueled his earlier outburst.

"Although, I did also join the Feng Foxes because I thought it was a good opportunity and that I would have a bigger chance to go to the Nationals."

"But still! A part of it is because of Lina."

"Why am I even explaining this to you?" he exasperatedly asked.

"You won't even understand," Zeren said in a bitter voice—a resignation that came with the realization of his unrequited love.

But Kun only shook his head with a small smile.

"I do," he replied quietly.

"Trust me. I understand."

Zeren's eyes widened.

"You—" he began, but the words got stuck in his throat. He didn't need to finish the sentence. The look in Kun's eyes told him everything.

"...like her, too," Zeren whispered.

Kun's gaze softened.

He didn't confirm or deny it blatantly. However, Zeren felt it.

They were the same.

Kun continued smiling as he spoke. "She treated me like an older brother, and I teased her like a little sister," he began. "I never dared cross the line because there was no line for me in the first place. It was just…friendship."

Zeren listened, his heart heavy as he realized how much he and Kun had in common despite their different approaches. Kun had buried his feelings deep, accepting his role in Lina's life without complaint.

"You know, Zeren, time doesn't matter in these things. You can love someone for years, for a lifetime even, and it still doesn't mean you're meant to be with them."

"Sometimes, you're meant to like someone, but you're not meant to be liked back in the same way. So you stay, watching from afar, wishing things could be different."

"But they never will," Kun whispered.

They both stood in silence, watching Kai and Lina walk further away, their figures growing smaller as the distance between them and the two boys grew.

And in that moment, they realized just how much youth could be filled with heartbreak.