"Humph, what a narcissist." Johnathan snorted before continuing. "I have a deal where you can win money, a good amount at that. All that you need to do is to win the basketball game against a professional basketball player."r
"A one on one?" Jack asked to confirm. He didn't want to waste much time playing a full game. As long as he defeated the professional and earned money, then he would have completed the system task.r
"Come on Jack. How can a one on one match be interesting? It's going to be a full game. Though, you will be in one of the teams there. Of course you will be starting, that's why I asked you about your skills." Johnathan sighed as he spoke.r
"But that will take a long time." Jack complained. He wasn't willing to spend the whole hour just to play something that he wasn't passionate about.r
"This is the best that I can do. So, it's up to you whether you agree to play or not. If you are not going to play, I might as well look for another person to replace you." Johnathan said. His voice wasn't accommodating to say the least.r
Jack could only shake his head. Since there were only two days, Jack would not give up on a chance that had presented itself. Since this was the only game that was available at the moment, he might as well take it.r
Although it was no longer going to be a one on one against the professional, it was still a match against professionals. Even if he had to carry the whole team, as long as he won, then there would be no problem at all.r
"Okay then. At what time am I supposed to be there?" Jack agreed before asking.r
"Just make sure to be at Gunja Arena before 3 o'clock." Johnathan replied before hanging up.r
After leaving the mall, Jack and Celine went into a restaurant. There, they had their lunch. And once again, Celine insisted that she was the one that was going to foot the bill.r
"Since I'm the one that's taking you out, I'll take care of the bills." Celine stated seriously.r
Hearing her words, Jack began doubting his identity as a man. Could it be that Celine saw him as a girl or something? After all, this was a line that a man was supposed to say to a girl, right?r
Shaking his head to dispel the thought, Jack followed Celine. He had already informed her of the venue and the time that he was supposed to be there. So, there was no need to worry that they would be late.r
Currently, it was still 1:30 pm. There was still an hour and a half before the time for the game. So, the two of them went around.r
Celine had made sure to take him to the places that he had not known of, even though he had been strolling the city for almost a week.r
They did several simple things like buying some ice cream as it was summer, taking candies and playing games on the street stalls. But of course, the games at the stalls ended up with Jack being chased away by the stall owners who were already crying bloody tears due to the losses that they had suffered.r
Celine had already parked the car to the side and they were simply moving around on foot.r
After over an hour of enjoying themselves, the duo thought that it was finally time for them to head to the venue of the game. So, they went back to where the car was parked before Celine drove towards the venue.r
….r
Gunja Arena, one of the several basketball arenas present in Kartu city. The arena was big enough to accommodate 15,700 fans. Although it wasn't the biggest, at least, it was considered good enough amongst the mid level basketball teams.r
Although the stadium had such a huge capacity, it was almost empty. The seats that were occupied were those that were at the front. And, in total, there was only about three hundred people who were here to watch the game that would take place here.r
Additionally, the temperament of the people here was different from the usual basketball fans. These guys had a demeanor of big shots and they were all wearing branded clothes.r
Whether it was the ladies or the gentlemen, they all looked excited. After all, this wasn't just any type of basketball game, but a competition between two opposing factions in the industry.r
At this time, inside the locker room, there was a group of fifteen people who were engaged in a heated discussion. There was one thing common in the expressions of all these people, it was that, they were all angry and at the same time frustrated.r
These were the players of a basketball team known as Roosters. They were currently talking about how there was going to be another person that was going to play instead of one of them.r
"I don't know what coach thought about, so that he brought a person that we don't even know to play this match."r
"That's right. I have been playing NBA for five years now. But I have never heard of a person called Jack. This is completely absurd."r
"Maybe he is from abroad?"r
"What abroad? Do you think that they would rather have a player from abroad playing a game here with a mid level basketball team?"r
"And, look at the time. It's already ten minutes to 3. But that guy hasn't even arrived. What kind of attitude is this?"r
"I suggest that we all team up and tell the coach that we don't agree on this matter."r
"That's right."r
Just then, there was a sound of footsteps. And before long, a man with black hair that had several spots of grey walked in. He was wearing a black track suit and there was a whistle that was hanging around his neck.r
Seeing the man, the players stood up and spoke in unison. "Coach!"r
"Hmm. Just sit down." The man nodded and waved at them. Then, as he looked at the players before him, he suddenly noticed that there was someone who was missing.r
"Hasn't the person that I told you come yet?" He asked with a frown. They were supposed to be on the court by 3. So, they were supposed to be getting ready to go to there by now. But, Jack had yet to arrive?r
"That's right coach. Just look, what kind of player is this?"r
"Yes, it's already almost time for the game. Yet, he hasn't arrived. Till the time that he's going to change, how long would that be?"r
"Coach, you know that we have never played with him before. For such an important game, I think that it would be better if we play ourselves rather than having an unfamiliar person with us "r
"He's correct. We aren't familiar with his moves. So, it's obvious that our coordination won't be good."r
As he listened to the complaints, the coach could only let out a frustrated sigh. He was the one that had been developing the team since it was a very low level team. It had been rising with his support till the mid level.r
But, there was only one problem, he wasn't financially stable to be able to support the team at this level by himself. Having no other choice, he decided to seek support.r
He had found someone who was looking for a team that could play for him as they were competing against one of his competitors for a plot of land that was up for development.r
Since neither of the sides could agree, they had decided that they would decide who was going to take the plot according to the results. The two sides had agreed to take two mid level teams.r
So, when that person knew that they were in need of financial support, he had agreed to take them in. As long as they won the match, they would gain his support. Their performance in the league wasn't bad. So, they had agreed.r
But, their opponents just happened to be their archenemies. They had been competing with each other for long. But, the number of wins and losses for both sides were the same.r
That meant that today's match would decide who was going to take the lead. They were not willing to lose. So, the players had been long prepared for the match.r
But just today, the coach came in and told them that there was a change. There would be a single player who didn't belong to either of the team. And, this player will have to participate in the match.r
The players were indignant when they heard about this. Although they didn't know who was going to play on their opponent's side, they thought that they would play better as they had been practicing together for such a long time and the coordination between them was so good.r
Even the coach didn't want that to happen. But since this was organized by the one that had given them the chance, there was no way that he could refuse.r
"I don't want it either but we don't have a choice." The coach stated.r
Just then, someone entered the locker room. It was none other than Johnathan. He looked around and frowned. "Where's Jack?" He asked the coach.r
"He has yet to arrive. I wonder if he will be able to do some warm-ups before the match begins. There's less than ten minutes." Coach stated.r
Johnathan's frown deepened. He took his phone and made a call. "Hey Jack, you are late. Where the heck are you? Didn't I tell you that you were supposed to be here by now?"r
"What? You told me to be there by 3pm. There's still almost ten minutes before the time. How can it be that I'm late?" Jack's voice came through.r
Johnathan's face darkened. "I told you that the match was going to start at that time. That means that you were supposed to be here and ready to play by 3 o'clock. So, where are you now?" Johnathan asked.r
"Celine, how far are we from Gunja Arena?" Johnathan heard Jack. It seemed that the two were together. Thinking of this, he kind of understood. Jack was late because he was spending time with Celine.r
Wasn't this guy so serious about the match? I found one that's perfect and yet he's out there flirting. Now, I'm getting pissed off just thinking that while I was out to look for an opportunity for him, he was actually enjoying himself.r
"We should be there in around eight minutes. Didn't you say that we should be there by 3 o'clock? We will be there two minutes earlier." Celine's voice was heard next.r
Johnathan almost spew a little of blood when he heard Celine's serious voice. They were still thinking of arriving at 3 o'clock? That was when the match was going to start!r
"Just what are you guys doing. You should hurry up and get here before three. Otherwise, you will be late!" Johnathan shouted.r
"Why are you blaming me? You should have been clear that the game will take that amount of time. Why the heck did you say that I should be there by 3 o'clock? You should have said 2:30 pm instead." Jack complained before hanging up.
