Afternoon – Tenkuu Gakuin Gymnasium
Inside the locker room, Ryota sat on the wooden bench, his body heavy with exhaustion. Sweat dripped down his neck as he stared blankly at the floor. The muffled sound of running water came from the showers nearby while Reiji patted his back gently.
Reiji: patting his shoulder Hey, don't look so down, man. We played great out there.
Ryota (sighing deeply): I missed too many shots... I couldn't even help properly.
Reiji (smiling faintly): You still scored. And that shot earlier? Everyone was shocked. Even Jung didn't expect it. You did well.
Ryota (lowering his head): Still... we lost.
Reiji (grinning): So what? You think one loss makes you a failure? Come on, bro. Losing's part of getting better. Next time, we'll win. Together. Besides, that game was your first real match no hell, it was the only time I saw you play basketball. I was surprised you could even play!
Ryota looked up, a small grin breaking through his disappointment. Just then, the locker room door opened. A familiar voice spoke up.
Yori: That was quite a game, son.
Ryota turned around, eyes widening slightly. His father, Yori, stood there, arms crossed with a warm smile.
Ryota (surprised): Dad? You watched?
Yori (smiling proudly): Of course. I had to see what my son could do. You improved a lot.
Ryota (scratching his head awkwardly): Thanks, Dad... but we lost.
Yori (chuckling): Losing doesn't matter if you're improving. You looked alive out there. Not like the old Ryota who stayed up all night eating noodles and playing video games.
Reiji chuckled as Ryota's face turned red.
Ryota (embarrassed): Geez, Dad... you really had to say that in front of him?
Reiji (grinning): He's right though. You're a different guy now.
Yori (nodding): You've changed. You're finally living right. Going to the gym, eating healthy... I'm proud of you, Ryota.
They walked out together, the golden light of the sunset glowing through the gym windows.
Ryota: See you tomorrow, bro... take care.
Reiji: Yeah. Get some rest. You'll need it... see you also soon sensei take care both of you.
Outside, the campus was quiet. The air was cool and the sky turned orange as Yori and Ryota walked toward the parking lot.
Yori: You know, I never thought I'd see you so serious about something.
Ryota (smiling faintly): I didn't think I would be either. But... this feels right.
Yori: Keep going. This suits you.
Ryota (laughing softly): I guess this will be my life from now on, Dad.
Yori smiled proudly before heading to his car. Ryota waved goodbye as his father drove off. The lot grew quiet. Ryota stared at his reflection on the car window, his expression turning serious again.
Ryota (quietly): I need to improve more. I can't stop here. I have to level up. I'll get stronger.
He gripped his bag tightly and got into his car. His next stop was clear.
Evening – Local Gym, Matsumoto City
The neon lights buzzed as Ryota entered the gym, flashing his VIP card. His trainer, Kenji, spotted him from across the room and walked over in disbelief.
Kenji (surprised): Ryota? Didn't you just train yesterday?
Ryota (smiling confidently): Yeah. I'm back.
Kenji (raising a brow): Are you sure? Most guys can't even move after the first day.
Ryota: I'm fine. I feel great. Let's train again.
Kenji (scratching his neck): You're seriously something else. Alright, warm-up first.
They started stretching and doing push-ups. Ryota's movements were more fluid than before. Even the warm-ups made him feel stronger.
SYSTEM:
[SYSTEM UPDATE]
+1 Ancestral Level Acquired
Current Level: 9
Select Four Attributes to Enhance
Ryota (thinking): Hmm... I sucked at shooting earlier. Let's fix that. All to shooting.
SYSTEM:
[UPDATED STATS]
Stamina – Level 10
Flexibility – Level 6
Strength – Level 10
Speed – Level 4
IQ – Level 12
Shooting – Level 6
Ancestral Level: 9
Ryota smirked, feeling energy surge through his arms. Kenji handed him dumbbells and supervised as Ryota lifted with steady form.
Kenji: 30 kg this time. You sure about that?
Ryota (nodding firmly): Yeah. I'm ready.
He lifted the weights, his muscles trembling slightly. Sweat poured down, but he didn't stop. People nearby began watching.
Gym Member 1: That's the same skinny guy from yesterday, right?
Gym Member 2: Yeah... he's insane.
Gym Member 3: He's actually kinda cool when he's focused.
Ryota ignored the whispers, his eyes locked on his reflection in the mirror. His determination burned bright. Minutes turned into hours.
SYSTEM:
[SYSTEM UPDATE]
+1 Ancestral Level Acquired
Current Level: 10
Select Four Attributes to Enhance
Ryota (thinking): Let's go with speed plus two, IQ plus two.
SYSTEM:
[UPDATED STATS]
Stamina – Level 10
Flexibility – Level 6
Strength – Level 10
Speed – Level 6
IQ – Level 14
Shooting – Level 6
Ancestral Level: 10
Ryota exhaled, his body trembling with fatigue yet filled with satisfaction.
Kenji (smiling): You're good, bro. But take it easy, alright? Overdoing it won't help.
Ryota (smiling tiredly): Yeah... I know. Thanks, Kenji.
Kenji: I'm heading out. Take care, Ryota. You're one determined kid.
Ryota: Take care too.
Ryota leaned against the wall, staring up at the ceiling lights.
Ryota (quietly): I'll get stronger. No matter what.
Night – Local Gym Locker Room
He went to the shower area, wiping the sweat from his face. Just as he reached for his towel, he noticed someone standing nearby, the same guy from before, with green and pink hair. The guy turned his head slightly and walked toward Ryota.
???: Hey... aren't you the guy who played that 2v2 match earlier at Tenkuu?
Ryota (blinking): Yeah, that was me. Why?
???: You suck.
Ryota (frowning): Wow, thanks. You really came here just to say that?
???: grinning slightly But... you're improving fast. You were weak before, weren't you? In just days, you've gotten better. I respect that. I'm Zhu Shi. I'm from the other section.
Ryota (confused): You're weird. But... thanks, I guess. I'm Ryota. Kagawa Ryota.
Shi (smirking): Yeah, I know. waves lazily See ya.
Shi walked away without another word, leaving Ryota standing in silence.
Ryota (muttering): That guy's strange...
A gym assistant nearby chuckled.
Assistant: Yeah, he's like that. Don't take it personally.
Ryota shook his head and left the gym, driving home under the night sky.
Late Night – Kagawa Residence Court
Back at home, the night was quiet. Instead of heading to bed, Ryota walked straight to the backyard of his house. The cool breeze brushed his hair as he picked up a basketball.
Dribble. Dribble. Miss. The ball bounced off the rim and rolled away.
Ryota (panting): I have to get better... I have to... what happened to me earlier... I was like a monster... now it's hard to dribble, but that time when we were playing I was dribbling so fast it's like an adrenaline coming through my veins.
As he bent down to pick up the ball, a familiar voice echoed in his mind.
Rui: Hello, Ryota. Congratulations on reaching Level 10 Ancestral Level. You've unlocked new skills. Please select three skills to learn.
Ryota (startled): What??? Skills??
Rui: Correct. Choose three among these.
A glowing list appeared before his eyes.
Rui:
Between the Legs
Behind the Back
In and Out Dribble
Pullback Dribble
Pound Dribble
Retreat Dribble
Step Back
Side Step
Euro Step
Hop Step
Drop Step
Power Move
Fadeaway Jumper
Hook Shot
Ryota (in awe): Holy hell... that's a lot. Why didn't you tell me about this earlier, hmm... which three should I take?
He thought for a moment, gripping the ball tightly.
Ryota (determined): Alright... Euro Step, Behind the Back, and Between the Legs.
Rui: Confirmed. You will acquire these skills tomorrow upon waking.
Ryota (grinning): Every ten levels, huh... imagine if I reach a hundred. Thirty skills... that'd be wild.
He dropped the ball and looked up at the moonlit sky.
Ryota (softly): I'll get stronger. I promise.
The wind brushed through the court as his system screen faded, leaving him standing in silence, determined, focused, and ready for tomorrow.
Saturday Morning – Kagawa Residence, Matsumoto City
The faint thump of a basketball echoed through the still night air. The moon was still visible in the sky, casting a pale glow over the small backyard court. The clock in the living room showed 3:04 AM. While the world slept, Ryota was already awake, standing at the center of the court with a focused gaze. His breath came out in soft white puffs under the cool dawn breeze.
He dribbled the ball slowly, feeling the familiar rhythm against his palm. Each bounce echoed like a heartbeat. His mind was sharp, filled with curiosity about what he had unlocked last night.
Ryota (thinking): Alright, let's see what these new skills really do.
He started slow. A single dribble between the legs. Then another. Smooth. Controlled. His body moved naturally, as if the skill had been his all along. He shifted to a behind-the-back dribble, the ball snapping from one hand to the other with perfect precision. The motion felt too natural to be new.
Ryota (thinking): This feels... automatic. Like muscle memory.
He stepped forward, planted his right foot, and performed a Euro Step toward the rim. The ball glided from his fingertips as he leapt off his left foot. It arced beautifully and fell through the net without even brushing the rim.
Swoosh.
Ryota blinked. He could barely believe it. He picked up another ball and repeated the sequence again, Euro Step, Behind the Back, Between the Legs — faster, tighter, cleaner. His feet began to move like they had a rhythm of their own.
Ryota (faintly): Not bad... not bad at all.
The air around him felt alive. Every shot he took splashed through the net. His focus narrowed until there was nothing but the sound of the ball, the rim, and his steady breathing. The once quiet backyard now pulsed with energy as he dribbled, turned, spun, and attacked invisible defenders.
He felt something building deep within him. His movements grew faster, more refined. Then suddenly, a familiar voice echoed in his head.
[SYSTEM UPDATE]
+1 Ancestral Level Acquired
Current Level: 11
Select Four Attributes to Enhance
Ryota (thinking): Hmm... let's go with Shooting by 2, and Flexibility by 2.
[UPDATED STATS]
Stamina – Level 10
Flexibility – Level 8
Strength – Level 10
Speed – Level 6
IQ – Level 14
Shooting – Level 8
Ancestral Level: 11
He caught his breath, resting the ball against his hip. His body didn't look much different, but he could feel the improvement in his coordination and balance. His jump felt lighter, his release faster, and every motion flowed with precision.
It was still dark, the city just beginning to stir. The sound of birds and the faint hum of early trains filled the background. Ryota leaned against the wall and smiled slightly.
Ryota (thinking): I never thought I'd be doing this. I used to sleep through mornings like this. Now I'm training before the sun even rises. Guess I've really changed.
He walked to the bench near the wall, reaching for his towel and water bottle. As he sat, his phone buzzed beside him. He glanced at the screen.
Ryota (thinking): Huh? A message from Reiji?
He opened it and read the short text: "I'm coming to your house in an hour."
Ryota (thinking): Coming here? What's he up to this early?
He shrugged, taking another drink. By the time the clock struck 4:10, Ryota was already finishing his cooldown. He had practiced non-stop for an hour straight, drenched in sweat yet energized. The faint orange glow of sunrise began to creep through the skyline.
Not long after, Ryota heard footsteps near his gate. He turned and saw Reiji walking up, holding a plastic bag filled with drinks and snacks.
Reiji: Yo, Ryota!
Ryota: What's up? Why are you here this early?
Reiji: What, a friend can't drop by anymore?
Reiji grinned, looking him over from head to toe. His expression turned amused.
Reiji: You really changed, man. You used to look like a zombie, all bones and eye bags. Now look at you — fresh haircut, clean shirt, and actual muscle showing. Can't even see your bones anymore!
Ryota: Ha ha, are you here just to tease me or what?
Reiji: Maybe a little. He looked around the backyard, noticing the new hoop and setup. So you've been training secretly, huh? New ball, new rim, cones, and even weights? You're serious about this.
Ryota: Yeah. I'm trying to be healthier now. I want to be like you and Dad — a real basketball player.
Reiji: So that's why you haven't been online lately. No more late-night gaming sessions, huh? But still, less than a week of training and you already played well against Jung and Yoshito. That's... kind of suspicious. You sure you're not taking anything?
Ryota: No way. I don't need that. This is all hard work and focus.
He reached for his wallet and showed a black VIP gym card.
Ryota: See? Proof I'm doing things the right way.
Reiji: whistles You even got a membership. Nice. Alright, show me what you've been working on. Let's go one-on-one right now.
Ryota: You sure? You'll lose your breakfast.
Reiji: Ha! We'll see.
They laughed as they moved to the court. The sound of sneakers scraping against the concrete filled the air. They began a light match, the ball bouncing sharply as they took turns attacking and defending.
Ryota moved with surprising speed, weaving the ball between his legs before cutting to the right. He jumped, faked, and Euro Stepped past Reiji, finishing with a clean layup.
Reiji: What the hell, that's new!
Ryota: Just learned it. Pretty cool, right?
They kept playing, exchanging quick moves and laughter. Reiji landed a fadeaway jumper while Ryota nailed a clean step-in three. Sweat glistened on their skin as they pushed each other to move faster and sharper.
After a while, they sat down near the steps, sharing the snacks and drinks Reiji brought.
Reiji: You're a fast learner, Ryota. Seriously. You've improved like crazy in just a few days.
Ryota: Thanks. Watching you guys play made me jealous. I wanted to experience it myself instead of just being the guy on the sidelines.
Reiji: I get that. You've got potential. Just don't burn out too early.
Ryota: Don't worry. I know my limits.
Reiji grinned, finishing his drink before standing up.
Reiji: Alright, I gotta head out. See you Monday, man. Keep it up.
Ryota: Yeah. Thanks for dropping by.
Reiji waved and left through the gate. Ryota stayed behind, looking at the basketball resting near his feet. He smiled faintly, then spoke softly.
Ryota (thinking): Wait... I won that match. Does that mean I get something?
Ryota: Rui, do I get any points for that?
Rui: That wasn't a serious match, Ryota. No EXP gained.
Ryota (thinking): Figures. He probably wasn't even trying. Guess I'm still a long way from his level.
He sighed but quickly pushed away the thought. Rui's voice chimed again in his mind.
Rui: If you have remaining energy, I suggest jogging.
Ryota: Not a bad idea. Let's go.
He went inside, changed clothes, and headed out with a bottle of water. The sun had risen now, painting the streets gold. The city was waking up, but Ryota was already deep into his second training of the day.
He jogged through the park, maintaining steady pace. After a few laps, he spotted a few locals playing basketball at a nearby court. They waved him over, and Ryota joined without hesitation. The game was casual, but Ryota moved like lightning — quick cuts, precise passes, and clean finishes. Time passed faster than he realized.
After three hours of running, dribbling, and scoring, the familiar notification appeared before his eyes again.
[SYSTEM UPDATE]
+1 Ancestral Level Acquired
Current Level: 12
Select Four Attributes to Enhance
Ryota (thinking): Let's go all in on Speed.
[UPDATED STATS]
Stamina – Level 10
Flexibility – Level 8
Strength – Level 10
Speed – Level 10
IQ – Level 14
Shooting – Level 8
Ancestral Level: 12
He stopped, breathing heavily but smiling. The morning sun was high now, and sweat soaked his shirt completely. He could feel the difference already — his steps were lighter, his movements faster.
Ryota (thinking): I can feel it. I'm faster. Stronger. This system... it's really changing me.
He sat on a bench, catching his breath. His phone buzzed in his pocket. He unlocked it and read the message.
Reiji (text): Hey, I added you to the school basketball team. We've got a few new guys joining too.
Ryota's eyes widened. The water bottle slipped from his hand, rolling across the pavement.
Ryota (in shock): A team? A basketball team?
His heartbeat quickened. Excitement and nervousness mixed together as he leaned back, staring at the sky.
Ryota (smiling faintly): So this is really happening... I'm part of a team now. Guess it's time to see how far I've come.
The wind brushed against his face as the sun glared brightly above. He stood up, picked up his basketball, and began to dribble once again — each bounce steady, confident, alive.
His new journey was just beginning.
To be continued...