The team confidently approached the streetball court, preparing for the upcoming game. All the players were wearing the club's signature uniforms — black jerseys with red trim. Jung Ho walked in front, intently stretching his wrists, his gaze fixed on the basket. Behind him, lagging a bit, Haru Lin and Lu Shen were exchanging jokes. Hong Ren, as usual, kept to himself, silently sipping apple juice through a straw from a cardboard carton, his face remaining impassive.
"Hi-hi!" Ming You smiled hypocritically, waving his hand at them.
Lu Shen was the first to turn his gaze towards him, waving back:
"Hey."
"Ready for the game?" Ming You asked them, causing Jung Ho slight bewilderment:
"Maybe you should explain the game first?"
"The referee will do that. I just warned them that we would be playing here."
"Jung Ho said the game would involve bets, isn't that too risky?" asked Haru Lin, scratching the back of his head. Ming You grinned with feigned friendliness:
"For us players, it's not a risk. The spectators place the bets, not us. And even if we get a chance to place bets, there's nothing to worry about, because we are the players, not the spectators."
Lu Shen grinned widely, turning his gaze to Haru Lin:
"Oh, Haru, you manage to jerk off in extreme situations, so you're used to taking risks."
"Sounds like you're the one who takes risks like that, which is why bets don't bother you. But since we, as players, aren't particularly at risk, I suggest we start the game."
Jung Ho, not letting Lu Shen answer, cracked his knuckles:
"We should warm up first."
Ming You threw an arm over his shoulder.
"You're right," he looked at the team, "Shall we?"
The team spread out across the court, starting their warm-up. Jung Ho and Ming You immediately headed for the hoop, practicing shots from different distances — their movements were precise, and the ball easily swished through the net.
Haru Lin and Lu Shen worked on their dribbling, alternately weaving the ball between backpacks placed on the ground, sometimes accelerating, sometimes sharply changing direction.
Hong Ren, having finished his juice, joined them, warming up with a series of stretches near the faded out-of-bounds line, his arms and legs smoothly extending in clearly defined poses.
After twenty minutes, the first spectators began to appear near the benches by the court. Sung Wo, the game referee, walked leisurely towards the center of the court.
"Looks like it's starting," said Lu Shen, nodding towards the referee and the spectators.
"I ask you players to split into pairs," began Sung Wo, causing great confusion for Lu Shen:
"But there are five of us!"
"In that case, I ask one debtor to sit on the bench."
"Debtor?" Lu Shen was surprised.
Sung Wo slowly turned his gaze to Ming You:
"Player number forty-four, Ming You, you cannot play in games without consequences for the players until you repay your debt."
"Debtor? Ming You?" Jung Ho asked stunned, casting a glance from the referee to Ming You, who replied without hesitation:
"The main thing is that the game is without consequences."
"Okay, we'll definitely help you with your debts," Jung Ho put a hand on his shoulder. Ming You professionally feigned shyness, turning his gaze away:
"You really don't have to, guys."
"Anyway, the game is without consequences, so don't worry," interjected Lu Shen, followed by Haru Lin:
"Jung Ho is right, we'll help you."
"After all, we are one team," Hong Ren suddenly added. Ming You, heading towards the benches, thanked them with even more hypocritical politeness:
"Thank you, friends."
"And now, players, split into pairs," Sung Wo interrupted them, looking over the remaining players.
"Well, jerk-off buddy, with me?" Lu Shen elbowed Haru Lin, to which he replied with a grin:
"Are you suggesting a Dutch rudder to me?"
"Ah, screw you!"
"Well, Jung Ho, it'll be the two of us against these jerk-offs," Hong Ren said in an indifferent tone, provoking "anger" from Lu Shen:
"Since when did you become so talkative?"
"Before we move on to the rules, I ask two players to sit on the benches," Sung Wo continued, pointing with his thumb to the benches behind him.
Lu Shen continued to be perplexed:
"Huh? Two of us are debtors already? What the hell?"
"No, just do as you're told, don't delay the game!" Sung Wo said in an aggressive tone.
Jung Ho stepped forward:
"Alright, Hong, let's go."
"Heh-heh, chickens," Lu Shen said mockingly, raising his head high.
"If those two are on the bench, how are we supposed to play? One on one or what?" Haru Lin addressed the game referee, to which he replied:
"For now, go to opposite sides of the court and stand at the free-throw line of your respective hoops."
"Get your ass ready, Haru!" Lu Shen made a face, taking his position at the free-throw line. Haru Lin, turning around, tossed back with a grin:
"Planning to jerk off to my ass? Or even worse, maybe you're a latent gay."
"Go fu...!"
"Please pay attention to the game." Sung Wo clapped his hands.
He moved closer to the edge of the court near the spectators' benches, and two organizers in black jackets tossed him two basketballs.
Sung Wo bent down and rolled the two balls along the asphalt to different halves of the court. When the players picked up the balls, he continued loudly:
"Two players – number six and number nine – will compete in shooting accuracy. There will be a total of three shots from the free-throw line and one from the three-point line. But in case of a complete tie, the players will start shooting from the center."
Lu Shen puffed out his chest, spinning the ball on his index finger:
"In that case, with my experience, I'll definitely beat you!"
Haru Lin ignored him, and Sung Wo turned his back to the players, facing the spectators:
"Now I address you, the spectators. You can place a bet on both players at once. The bet must be this – will the player hit or miss. But you can also place a bet differently –
There is a common pot in the game, which spectators can increase, but you can only add to the pot in favor of one player."
"What are we supposed to do?" Haru Lin asked him, squeezing the ball with both hands. Sung Wo turned back to the players and continued:
"Now, let's move on to the game rules – you have ten seconds to take your shot; if you are late, the shot will not count. The second rule – do not step over the line, but you are allowed to step further back. Now, the game pot – I, the referee, will name the starting amount for the shot. Your task is to get the ball in the basket. But one of the players has the right to raise the amount. In case of refusal – it will be counted as a loss, and a win for the other – without the need to make the shot. A player can agree to the raise, or can raise it even further."
"Great, that means it'll be even easier for me to beat you, Lu."
"Don't even dream about it!"
Sung Wo raised his whistle:
"If everyone understands the rules, it's time to start the game! The total pot amount is one million won! The amount for the first shot is one hundred thousand won. Spectators can now place their bets, ten seconds start now!"
The spectators began shouting over each other one after another:
"Fifty thousand on number nine missing!"
"Seventy thousand on number six missing!"
"Thirty thousand on number nine missing and thirty thousand on number six hitting!"
Lu Shen, chuckling loudly, raised his hand:
"Hehe, I double the amount!"
"Huh?" Jung Ho was surprised, sitting on the bench.
Haru Lin showed two fingers:
"Then I double it again!"
"Multiply by ten!" Lu Shen dropped the ball and showed his palms, spreading his fingers.
Haru Lin lifted the ball slightly into the air:
"I agree!"
"The amount has increased to four million won! Ten seconds, go!" Sung Wo blew his whistle and started the stopwatch, turning it towards the spectators.
Haru Lin froze at the free-throw line, the ball lying heavily in his palms. The crowd fell silent, only rapid breathing could be heard. Ten seconds. He abruptly raised his head, his gaze aiming at the hoop. Knees slightly bent, his fingers checked the grip on the ball's skin. Inhale – and a sharp push upwards. His wrist straightened at the last moment, imparting spin. The ball described a high arc, almost grazing the rim, and swished through the net.
Lu Shen squeezed the ball a little tighter, his knuckles turning white. His gaze slid over the backboard, calculating the angle. Eight seconds. He straightened up sharply, tossing the ball upwards with strong backspin. The impact against the backboard was hard; the ball bounced off the square with a dull thud, hung for a moment on the edge of the rim – and dropped down, catching the net.
Sung Wo stopped the stopwatch, which displayed four and a half seconds remaining:
"First shots counted! The total pot amount is eight and a half million won! The next shot amount is five hundred thousand won!"
"Multiply by ten!" Lu Shen shouted.
"I agree!"
Sung Wo whistled again:
"The amount has increased to five million won! Ten seconds!"
Haru Lin stood at the line, the ball in his hands seemed weightless despite the tension in his fingers. Ten seconds. Inhale. A sharp rise onto his toes, his wrist straightened at the last instant – the shot. The ball soared up, hit the edge of the rim, spun around the hoop, making everyone on the court hold their breath.
One revolution, a second – and finally, with a sharp rustle of the net, it dropped through.
Lu Shen, without unnecessary hesitation, bounced the ball once on the asphalt. Time was tightening, but his gaze remained cold. Finally, he jumped and took the shot – short, sharp, without an arc.
The ball didn't even touch the rim, flying through the net with a dry snap.
Sung Wo spread his arms:
"Zero misses so far! The total pot amount is fifteen million won! The amount for the shot is one million won!"
"Holy crap..." Lu Shen's mouth fell open.
"Ha-ha, Lu, losing steam already? I multiply by two!"
"The hell with you, I accept!"
Sung Wo whistled again and restarted the stopwatch:
"The amount has increased to two million! Time starts now!"
Haru Lin stood at the line, the ball trembling slightly in his hands. The wind blew directly into his face, making it hard to concentrate. He exhaled sharply, lifted the ball higher than usual, feeling its weight.
Ten seconds. A sharp push with his legs, his wrist snapped straight – the shot came out a bit stronger than needed. The ball hit the back of the rim, hung on the edge, spun, once again silencing the entire court.
A wobble, another one – and finally it slid off, slapping dully against the asphalt.
"Ha-ha! The money is mine, loser!" Lu Shen laughed loudly, until his laughter was cut off by the game referee:
"Ten seconds have passed. The shot is not counted."
"Ha!" he snorted, before processing the referee's words. "Wait, WHAT? Haru missed, so the win goes to me!"
"A win without a shot is only counted if the opponent refused the raise. In your case, you both agreed to the doubled raise, number six missed, and you failed to take your shot in time," Sung Wo brushed him off, causing Lu Shen's anger mixed with bewilderment:
"What the hell!"
"Don't sweat it, Lu, we're not losing anything anyway," Haru Lin approached him, heading towards the benches.
The game referee Sung Wo scanned the front benches:
"Next players – number ten and number twelve!"