Basketball System: Rebound of the Underdog

Kai's frown deepened as she looked into Suzy's eyes.

She was looking at him with her usual annoyed gaze, which made Kai click his tongue.

"I'm going," he said, but Suzy held onto his arms to stop him.

Her eyes widened when she felt his toned and sweaty muscles. He became even more ripped since that time they ran away from the Daxue Dolphins.

What the heck did he do in such a short amount of time to be so ripped?

The other players were still the same, yet he was already so different!

"What is it?" Kai asked with a sigh, causing Suzy to snap out of her fantasies about Kai's muscles.

"I wanted to talk to you," Suzy said, avoiding his gaze.

Kai narrowed his eyes in suspicion.

"I'm having a hard time believing that you actually wanted to meet with me."

Suzy pursed her lips. "Is it so hard to believe?"

"Yes," Kai deadpanned. "You hate me."

Suzy let out a deep breath.

"Whatever," she dismissed him.

"Anyway, I have something to give you."

Kai waited for her to continue.

Suzy pursed her lips as she reached into her bag, bringing out some white pieces of cloth and placing them on Kai's palm.

"What is this?" Kai asked.

"Socks, obviously!" Suzy exclaimed. "You can't even recognize normal everyday items?"

Kai shook his head. "I know these are socks," he deadpanned. "But what are they for?"

"They're for you," Suzy shyly said.

Honestly, she didn't know what was going on inside her mind when she decided to buy socks for Kai, but when she saw them while she was out with her dad, she couldn't pass up on the chance.

Her dad was even suspicious of why she was spending so much money on male socks, but Suzy lied and said that they were trendy these days.

As a result, her dad bought her the three most expensive pairs.

What he didn't know was that her daughter would only be giving it away to another man!

"You've bought new shoes, but your socks aren't any good," she spat.

"How do you expect to beat the Xing Stars again if you keep on pulling your socks at any given chance!"

Kai frowned as Suzy continued to insult his socks. Well, to be fair, what she was saying was right.

The garter on his socks was already worn out. Worn-out garters were the best when it came to briefs, but they were pretty uncomfortable with socks.

"How long have you had those socks? They're already browning like those ancient maps—"

Kai clicked his tongue. "I get it. I get it. Don't rub it in my face now."

Suzy's insults made Kai wonder if she was gifting him socks out of her own volition or if she was just a perfectionist and couldn't stand the presence of ugly things.

Nonetheless, Kai took the socks. He wasn't going to refuse free stuff now—especially after receiving so many insults from Suzy.

Meanwhile, Lina impatiently tapped her foot on the ground as she waited for Kai to return.

She glanced at her watch and saw that only seven minutes had passed.

However, she was already getting impatient.

It was supposed to be five minutes at max!

Her curiosity couldn't take it.

With that, she stood from the bench and went out in the front so she could sneak to the back without being noticed by Kai and the unknown girl.

She stayed behind the wall, only peeking her head to see what was happening.

Her eyebrows immediately furrowed when she saw a head filled with luscious blonde locks.

There was only one person in their school who had such bright hair and got away with it.

"Here," Suzy said, giving Kai the two other pairs of socks that her dad bought.

"These are so many," Kai said, looking at the three pairs of socks.

Then, he frowned when he saw the brand embroidered into one of them.

"Isn't this expensive?" he asked.

"It's not," Suzy quickly said. "Just accept it. It's not like I'll be able to use it anyway."

She looked away shyly as Kai smiled.

"Thanks, I guess," Kai said. "I'll use it in the next game."

"Okay," Suzy softly said. "I'll watch the next game."

Lina took a sharp breath as she leaned against the cold, hard wall.

"Suzy," she muttered.

"Since when were they so close?"

She felt something tug at her heart, so she went back inside the court.

Meanwhile, Kai couldn't stop smiling since he got some free stuff! Now, he can play even better without tugging at his socks from time to time!

He went back inside the court after thanking Suzy once more, frowning when he saw that Lina was already packing up.

"Lina?" he called, causing the girl to turn to her with a deep frown.

She didn't say anything and continued packing up, which made Kai even more confused.

He jogged to where she was and held onto her arm.

"Wait, what was it that you were planning to say?" he asked.

Lina pursed her lips before shaking her head.

"Nothing," she said. "It wasn't anything important."

"Really?" Kai asked. "It felt as if you were going to say something important."

Lina let out a deep breath as she faced Kai.

"It's alright," she said with an obviously fake smile. "I need to go for now. My dad has called already."

"Oh, okay," Kai said. "I'll see you tomorrow."

Lina nodded and finally walked away, leaving Kai all alone and still a little bit confuseNôv(el)B\\jnn

As soon as she was gone, Kai scratched the back of his head.

Is it just him, or was Lina acting strange?

"It feels like she's ignoring me again," he muttered.

Kai stood there for a while, trying to find another reason why Lina was being hostile once again.

Just then, Bao's voice echoed in his mind, causing him to halt.

"Then, there must only be one reason!" Bao excitedly said.

"She must be jealous!"

"Jealous?" Kai muttered.

He blinked rapidly before a chuckle escaped his lips.

"Nah."