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Chapter 19 - Chapter 19: My Goal Is to Dominate the Country!

"Are there any video recordings of the games?"

Oliver was taken aback by the question. He never paid attention to that sort of thing. But now that he thought about it, he did recall spotting a camera positioned in the center of the audience during the game. It must have been recording.

"Then there should be a video. Why?"

"You still ask me why?!"

Chika was nearly hyperventilating from excitement. Her small frame quivered, her chest rising and falling with each rapid breath.

"Brother, you saved the day in just ten minutes! You led your team to defeat that super rookie Kaede Rukawa!"

"Yeah, didn't I tell you before my shower? You just didn't believe me."

"How was I supposed to know you weren't joking? You always exaggerate!"

"Unbelievable..."

Oliver splashed a handful of water in Chika's direction, hitting her square in the face.

"Meow!"

"Get out! Whatever you want to say, say it when I'm done here!"

He yanked a towel, half-pushed her out of the bathroom, and slammed the door shut.

"Hey! I just wanted to know..."

Chika, pouting at the closed door, eventually settled on the couch, arms crossed, waiting for Oliver to finish bathing.

About ten minutes later, Oliver, clad in pajamas and drying his hair, stepped out of the bathroom. Chika eagerly handed him a glass of chilled milk with an uncharacteristically sweet smile.

"What's with the hospitality? Huh?"

Oliver raised a brow, accepting the glass.

"Pocket money is running low. I need a favor."

"Knew it."

He took a sip.

"No, seriously! How did you suddenly become so good at basketball? Last time we raced in the long jump, we were even. Now you're some kind of superstar?"

"Uh... Have you ever seen Kanagawa at four in the morning?"

"You're usually snoring at that hour."

"True."

She wasn't buying it.

Oliver grinned, then bolted up the stairs to his room. Chika dashed after him, bursting through the door and diving face-first onto his bed.

"Get off!"

Oliver groaned, sitting down at his desk.

"Okay, okay. Honestly, I don't really know how. I was just watching games, analyzing the pros, and... something clicked."

"Ooooh! That's called an epiphany, right? It's a big thing in your country!"

Chika's eyes sparkled.

"Then that means you're a genius!"

"Genius? Eh... maybe not. I still struggle against stronger players. I need to train harder."

Chika flopped onto her back, kicking her legs in the air.

"You're graduating tomorrow, right? What high school are you choosing? Ryonan is strong. Or maybe Shoyo? They're both top-tier for basketball."

Oliver leaned back in his chair.

"I'm going to Shohoku High."

"Shohoku? The one just down the street?! But their basketball team is... well, kind of a joke. You should be going to a serious basketball school!"

Oliver smiled.

"Well, Shohoku is near your school. I can protect you that way."

Chika's face went bright red.

"P-Protect me? You're being weird! You never said stuff like that before!"

She twiddled her fingers, flustered.

"...You didn't care much about me before."

That stung a little. But it was true. In his old life, Oliver had been distant. His past self was moody, unsure, and avoided Chika out of awkward teenage pride. But now, as someone reborn into this world with a clearer perspective, he knew better.

"I was childish before. Time to grow up."

Oliver gently ruffled her hair.

"Besides, wouldn't it be more fun to lead a no-name team to victory than join an already-strong one?"

He leaned in with a grin.

"I even found a secret weapon."

"Secret weapon?"

"Yep."

Sakuragi's goofy red-haired face flashed in Oliver's mind.

"He's rough around the edges, but with training, he's got potential. A lot of it."

"Hmm... Then maybe Shohoku really could win the county championship."

Oliver chuckled.

"County? Too small."

He raised a single finger.

"My goal is to dominate the entire country."

"Eh??"

"I want to win the National Basketball League. That's my dream."

He said it simply, but the room seemed to brighten from his confident smile. Chika stared at him, stunned.

Her brother used to be unsure of everything. Now he looked like a young man with a purpose. He'd become kinder, more dependable, and incredibly cool. Not to mention—really, really good at basketball!

Maybe he really could become someone amazing...

"Okay, okay. If you're done hanging around, go back to your room."

Oliver waved her off and pulled out a notebook, flipping to a blank page.

Chika stood, hesitating.

"Oh... okay. Good night."

She quietly returned to her room, casting one last look over her shoulder.

With the door closed, Oliver started jotting down drills: shuttle runs, frog jumps, squats...

He twirled the pen in his hand, muttering to himself.

"And I need to unlock more functions from the system too..."

Outside his window, the night was still.

Inside, a new future had already begun.

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