The team opened the gate and entered the court. The ground beneath their feet was uneven, covered in cracks and traces of grime.
Haru Lin grimaced, lifting his foot and shaking off something sticky from his sole with disgust.
"Hey, this whole court is filthy!"
Lu Shen glanced over the rusty hoops and chipped curbs, then snorted discontentedly.
"Maybe we should go to another one?"
Ming You, standing a little apart, just smirked, locking his hands behind his head.
"I specifically chose such an unreliable court. First, no one hangs out here. Second, do you really think a court where people are betting against us won't have traps like these?"
Jung Ho crossed his arms over his chest, his dark eyes carefully scanning every corner.
"If everyone is against us, we must overcome this obstacle."
Lu Shen spun around sharply to face him, his face spreading into a bold grin.
"As if we couldn't handle it!"
Haru Lin snorted, glancing sideways at him.
"Strange to hear that from you."
"Screw you!"
Ming You clapped his hands, getting their attention. His smile was too wide, too unnatural—clearly for show.
"Well, let's start with a few laps around the court." He paused, then added with a hint of challenge: "Try not to fall!"
Jung Ho raised an eyebrow.
"And you?"
"I'm on strategy duty. If I were training, I wouldn't have enough time to think everything through properly."
Lu Shen immediately exploded.
"What a lazy bastard!"
Haru Lin stretched and tossed over his shoulder:
"Unlike you, he at least has brains. You're not just dumb, but you also complain."
Silence fell for a second, then Lu Shen let out a stifled exhale.
"Damn, alright, screw it then."
The others exchanged glances but didn't argue. Jung Ho was the first to step forward, his gaze already focused on the upcoming training. Haru Lin lazily stretched and followed him, and Lu Shen, still grumbling, trailed behind.
Ming You remained standing in place, watching as they started to run. His smile slowly faded, and his eyes turned cold and calculating.
Lu Shen, having not even taken three steps, tripped and crashed to the ground.
"Damn it, the court is too uneven!" he cursed, dusting off his palms.
Haru Lin barely kept his balance, hopping on the spot.
"You're right about that, running here is damn near impossible..."
Ming You continued to stand aside, his lips twitched, but he suppressed a smile.
"This is just a warm-up. You need to learn to cope with difficulties. It will help you in the game."
"Heh, after difficulties like this, we'll crush everyone even on a proper court!" Lu Shen snorted, getting up. Haru Lin, running past him, added:
"As if we wouldn't crush them!"
Jung Ho, breathing heavily, also ran past:
"Watch your step!"
Ming You watched as the team gradually grew tired. Their movements became heavier, their breathing—ragged. He moved closer to the gate, trying to encourage them.
"Listen, my strategy will require speed, so I suggest you push harder! Try running again, but this time, focus on controlling your balance. It will help you with dribbling."
Jung Ho slowed his pace, wiping sweat from his forehead.
"Then maybe we should run with the ball?"
Lu Shen immediately perked up.
"Right, it would be more effective with the ball!"
But Ming You shook his head.
"No, then you'll start tripping. And I'm worried about all of us, so you need to learn to maintain your balance at high speed first."
Jung Ho sighed but nodded.
"Thank you, soon we'll definitely be ready! For now, guys, let's pick up the speed!"
"Heh, let's go then!" Lu Shen burst forward, but after a couple of steps, Haru Lin cried out.
"Damn, my foot!"
Hong Ren, trying to keep his footing, slipped and crashed to the ground.
"Damn it, this is impossible!"
"Ow!" Jung Ho grabbed his shin, his face contorted in pain.
Ming You tilted his head, a deceitful smile playing on his lips.
"Hey, be careful. No one in the game will give you a chance."
Jung Ho tried to stand up but immediately grabbed his leg again.
"I-It seems we p-pushed too hard..."
Lu Shen, breathing heavily, raised his fist.
"Hey, we're not thinking of giving up, right, guys?"
Haru Lin, sitting on the asphalt, just smirked maliciously.
"Screw you!"
Heavy breathing, drops of sweat on the asphalt, tense muscles—the team was clearly exhausted. Ming You watched them emotionlessly, a thought flashing through his mind:
"I could suggest they continue, using a challenge or an appeal to their ambition to manipulate them, but it would be more beneficial to let them push themselves to the point of exhaustion..."
He sighed and sharply raised his hand, stopping them.
"Alright, everyone take a break now. Don't even think about continuing until you've recovered your strength."
Jung Ho, still clutching his side, nodded.
"O-okay, ten minutes and we continue!"
Lu Shen snorted, wiping his forehead.
"Five minutes is enough for me."
Haru Lin smirked slyly.
"I'm sure even less than a minute would suffice for you."
"Heh, good one!..." Lu Shen started, but then caught himself. "Damn it, you little punk! You're the one who's quick on the trigger!"
"And you still have energy for stupid arguments?" Hong Ren turned to them, lowering himself into a squat with difficulty.
Lu Shen and Haru Lin turned to him in unison and answered briskly:
"Yes!"
Jung Ho, having caught his breath a little, stood up.
"I think we're ready to continue."
But Ming You sharply raised his palm.
"Stop. Until you all tell me in unison that everyone is fit to continue, I won't let anyone exhaust themselves needlessly."
Lu Shen immediately straightened up, grinning widely.
"Heh, what's the matter, weaklings? I'm ready!"
"As if you wouldn't be ready!" Haru Lin retorted, standing up next to him. Jung Ho stretched and nodded.
"Shall we start then?"
Hong Ren sighed and stood up after them.
"If everyone's for it, then let's go."
Lu Shen threw a challenging look at Ming You.
"What now? Gonna try and stop us, huh?"
Ming You just spread his hands, pretending to surrender.
"If you're really this energetic, I don't have the strength to make you rest..."
Haru Lin clapped his hands, his eyes burning with excitement.
"Good! Let's push harder, guys!"
The team took the balls from their backpacks. They began their training—dribbling in front of themselves, behind their backs, through their legs, and they also made sharp bursts. But because of the uneven, wet asphalt with patches of slippery mud, they kept falling. However, they sincerely believed that the pain was making them stronger.
"This is good," thought Ming You, watching the chaos on the court. "The more they fall, the more confidence I have. I'll be able to use their weaknesses in the game."
...
30 minutes later. Having finished the training, the players, despite their injuries and fatigue, tried to cheer each other up. Jung Ho, breathing heavily, grinned:
"Huff... That was one of those trainings that really made us stronger..."
"Yeah, I can really feel my leg muscles have doubled in size..." Lu Shen stretched, grimacing in pain. Haru Lin immediately seized the opportunity:
"And something else of yours has shrunk, heh..."
"Screw...!" Lu Shen swung, but Haru nimbly dodged.
"I can't feel my legs at all after that..." Hong Ren groaned, sinking onto a bench. Jung Ho shook his head in response:
"No, we shouldn't think so pessimistically..."
"We have every chance! We are strong, and I believe in us!" Ming You called for their attention, yet his thoughts were different:
"Hehe, their chances are zero."
But the team didn't notice his doubts. Jung Ho smiled:
"That's a much better attitude!"
Lu Shen energetically clenched his fists.
"Yep, after a training like that, nothing can threaten us!"
Ming You nodded, pretending to fully share their enthusiasm:
"But no one canceled the time for a breather. I've already prepared a plan."
"Can't wait!" Jung Ho fidgeted impatiently.
"First, rest and pull yourselves together. I'll explain everything on the way to the court."
The team nodded in agreement, anticipating the game. They quickly packed the balls, changed their shoes, slung their backpacks over their shoulders, and, limping slightly, set off for the streetball court.
Jung Ho, walking alongside Ming You, asked:
"What about the plan?"
"Sharp drives with sharp passes. The backup plan is a double team: me and Jung Ho. The others must rely on speed and agility. But the main thing is—we concede the first two points."
Lu Shen frowned.
"Do we have to save our aces only for the end of the game?"
Haru Lin nudged him with his shoulder:
"I think your twisted ace is enough, Lu."
"Screw...!"
Ming You continued, ignoring their squabble:
"That's not all. For the first two rounds, you play your hardest—but make it seem like that's your limit. You're tired after training, so use that. Let the opponent relax."
"No one here is tired!" Haru Lin retorted defiantly, raising his head.
Lu Shen suddenly pointed a finger ahead:
"Hey, we're here already..."
The court greeted them with noise—spectators were slowly gathering, opponents were warming up by the adjacent hoop. Team Yoshido approached the free hoop and dropped their backpacks behind the out-of-bounds line.
Lu Shen bared his teeth in a grin:
"Time to kick their asses!"
"If we don't kick their asses, then I'll kick yours!" Haru Lin added maliciously.
"I'll kick them, but will you?"
Ming You, stepping aside, tossed over his shoulder:
"Guys, the game starts in twenty minutes. I'll check the bets—maybe we can earn a little extra after the win."