It was game day again, and the basketball center was already alive. The sound of sneakers squeaking against polished wood echoed through the gym, whistles cutting through the noise, and voices rising from the crowd that had gathered around the court. Another weekend, another matchup. Darius and Malik arrived together, slipping through the entrance and scanning the space. A game was already underway, and a few of their Bayview Junior Hoops teammates were posted near the sideline, watching with quiet focus.
They walked over, exchanged daps, and settled in beside Eli and Daren. The mood was light, but not loose. Everyone knew what today was.
Eli wasn't watching the game in front of them. His eyes were locked across the court, focused on a group of players in matching tracksuits — their next opponent. His posture was still, but his jaw was tight.
Malik noticed first. "Yo, what's up with dude?" he asked, nodding toward Eli.
Daren followed Eli's gaze and answered without looking away. "He's watching the Southside Titans."
Malik squinted. "That's the Titans? Who's that — the assistant coach or something?"
He pointed toward a tall figure sitting behind the players, wearing the same tracksuit. The guy looked like he belonged in college, not middle school.
"Nah, man," Daren said, chuckling. "That's Khalil. He's part of the team."
Malik frowned. "I'm not talking about the kid with the weird hair. I mean the tall dude behind him."
Everyone turned toward Malik with the same look — like, that's exactly who you're talking about.
Malik caught the vibe and shook his head. "Nah. That's a grown man. I'm not playing with that dude."
"He's actually our age," Daren said. "We played him last year. He was a problem. We won, but it wasn't easy."
"You think?" Malik muttered, eyes still on Khalil.
Eli finally spoke, voice calm. "It was his first serious game. He's probably way better now. A lot can change in a year for someone like him."
Darius leaned in. "You're telling me he's only been playing for a year?"
"Yeah," Eli said. "But trust me — it won't feel that way when you're guarding him. I heard he can dunk now. Fourteen years old and can dunk. Insane."
Daren patted Eli's shoulder. "In Eli we trust. He'll keep him at bay, right?"
Eli didn't smile. "I don't have a choice but to take him down today."
Daren nodded and stood, leading the team through the corridor toward the locker room. The mood stayed light, but there was a current underneath it — something sharper. Daren kept the energy up, cracking jokes, hyping the squad, but no one was laughing too loud.
Darius walked in silence, focused on the Hustle System. The interface pulsed in his mind — clean, stable, recently upgraded.
[PROFILE UPDATE]
Name: Darius Kingsley Position: Combo Guard Age: 14 years, 9 months Weight: 135 lbs Height: 4'4"
[ATTRIBUTES]
Speed: 12 (+2)
Acceleration: 11 (+2)
Vertical: 4 (+1)
Strength: 11 (+1)
Stamina: 15 (+2)
Ball Handling: 7 (+2)
Passing Accuracy: 11 (+2)
Mid-Range Shot: 10 (+2)
Three-Point Shot: 6 (+2)
Free Throw: 7 (+3)
Driving Dunk: 0 (+0)
Layup: 9 (+2)
Perimeter Defense: 13 (+2)
Steal: 10 (+2) Block: 6 (+1)
Interior Defense: 9 (+1)
[MENTAL ATTRIBUTES]
Basketball IQ: 70 (+15)
Composure: 68 (+18)
Consistency: 65 (+15)
Leadership: 80 (+7)
Work Ethic: 99 (+4)
He didn't smile at the numbers. He didn't react. He just absorbed them, filed them, and kept walking.
As they turned the corner, someone stepped out of the bathroom — tall, broad, and moving fast. He bumped into Darius, who was walking in front.
"My bad, man. I wasn't watching where I was going," Darius said, steady.
The figure turned. It was Khalil.
He stared at Darius, back slouched, eyes half-lidded like he didn't care. Eli stepped in without hesitation.
"Khalil, you look good," Eli said evenly. "Better than the last time we met."
"I am better than the last time you saw me," Khalil replied, straightening his back and standing tall. He looked down at Eli, who was tall himself — but not like this.
Daren stepped between them. "Come on now. Stop with the hostility. What's up, Khalil?"
Khalil nodded, but didn't speak.
Another player stepped out of the bathroom, wearing the same Titans tracksuit. He paused, startled by the number of Bayview players gathered. Daren recognized him immediately.
"Yo! Tyrese, how you doing, man?"
"Daren? What is this — you guys swamping bathrooms now?"
"Not at all," Daren laughed. "Eli and Khalil are on it again."
Tyrese turned to Khalil. "Come on, man. Don't fight with the opponent here. I thought we agreed to crush them on the court. You don't want to get disqualified, do you?"
"Sorry, captain," Khalil said.
Daren tilted his head. "You guys think you'll actually beat us?"
Tyrese smiled. "We know. You'll see for yourself."
"Come on, Tyrese," Daren said. "You've beaten us before, but that streak's not starting today."
The hallway went quiet. It was just a corridor, just a few players, but the tension felt like tip-off had already happened.
Coach Anderson's voice broke through from down the corridor. "Aye boys, come on, let's go!"
Everyone turned and started walking toward the gym.
Malik stepped closer to Daren and whispered, "Could've sworn bro is taller than before."
"Yeah," Daren said. "Those two mean business today. But don't worry — we've done everything we need to win."
Darius, walking last, glanced over his shoulder. Khalil was doing the same. Their eyes met — quiet, locked, unreadable.
Khalil turned to Tyrese. "That guy… is he new?"
"Yeah. I've never seen him before. Why?"
"I don't know. There's something off about him."
Tyrese looked again, then shrugged. "Don't worry. He doesn't look like someone who'll pose a threat."