Chapter 891: A good sport

WHISTLE!

The emotion was high, everyone holding their breath as they watched the ball tossed in the air. Hugo and Max, at the front, immediately displayed their jumping prowess, their arms stretched, reaching for the ball.

Hugo’s and Max’s eyes shone with determination, their fingertips stretching as they reached for the ball. The sides of Hugo’s mouth curled into a smile as his fingertip made contact with the ball, tipping it in his team’s direction.

"Oh, oh, oh!!! Hugo got the ball!" the spectator cheered excitedly, and everyone followed the ball’s trajectory.

It headed straight to Atlas.

Those who had bet on Hugo’s team brightened up. They were all present during the time Atlas played with the basketball team, so their hopes and expectations for his miraculous gameplay were high.

But alas, just as Atlas casually raised his hand to grab the ball, someone else appeared on his side and slapped it away from his hand.

"Huh?" Atlas looked down at his hand, still in position to hold the ball. "Where did it go?"

Hearing the sound of dribbling and shoes screeching on the floor, Atlas lifted his gaze, only to see one of Max’s team members running down their court.

DING!

"One point for Max’s team!!!" Everything had happened too quickly—or rather, so smoothly—that everyone only realized what had occurred when the spectator yelled into the mic with enthusiasm. "Wow, wow! It was only a few seconds, but team Max already gained their first two points!"

"What is happening—Atlas, what are you doing?!" Charles barked from the bench, running his hands through his hair in distress.

Meanwhile, Hugo could only rest his hands on his hips as he scanned his opponents, who were giving high-fives to each other. When his eyes landed on Max’s, he saw the man giving his teammates high-fives instead of gloating. In the past, Max had only believed in himself, thinking he could win even if he were alone. The loss Max had against the basketball team was a slap in the face for that mentality.

Although that had happened twelve years ago, and many things had changed since then, Hugo was still surprised to see Max transform in such a way.

Hugo slowly scanned his teammates, sighing heavily, especially when he saw Zoren clapping for the team.

"He knows our opponent just scored, right?" Hugo wondered to himself, shaking his head. He then shifted his attention to the rest of the team.

Atlas shrugged at him, showing not the slightest trace of concern. Dean was yawning, and Jonathan was standing there like a statue.

"What a piece of work," Hugo sighed, regretting ever thinking this game would turn out how he imagined. "I should’ve known these guys were just dragged into this game because of me and Max’s unsettled dispute."

The whistle blew again, gaining everyone’s attention. The referee passed the ball to the rightful team to resume the game.

Sneakers screeched on the floor, the ball dribbled, and cheers from both the crowd and the game harmonized in the air. As the timer neared zero, those who had placed their bets on Hugo’s team grew quiet and nervous. Even the basketball team, who had been cheering for Hugo and his teammates so fiercely, ended up watching the one-sided game in frustration.

Max’s team had been scoring almost every other second, dominating the game as if they had no real opponents. Hugo’s team, on the other hand, hadn’t scored a single point, and there was only a minute left in the first quarter.

"What in the world is happening?" one of the audience members whispered in disbelief. "I put all my money on Senior Hugo’s team."

"You put your money on them?"

"Why? Is there something wrong? Senior Hugo and Senior Atlas have won before."

"You... oh goodness. Do you even know the odds when we bet? Almost everyone placed their bets on Senior Max’s team. We did so because, even though Senior Max isn’t playing anymore, he still owns one of the teams in the professional league. Meaning, whether or not he wants to, he’s still surrounded by professional players."

"But that doesn’t mean he’s playing."

"But he’s still involved in basketball. The other team, on the other hand... Senior Hugo might still have it in him, but Senior Atlas is a busy man. I don’t think he’s touched a basketball since that last game. Can’t you see what he’s been doing all this time? He’s just jogging, as if he’s pretending to move around the court!"

"Not to mention, if this were a quiz bee, I’d put my money on their team. After all, not only is Senior Atlas on their team, but the unbeatable top 1 of the Star Section is there. However, has any of us ever seen the top 1 play any sports?"

There was a momentary silence as the group looked at each other, then at the person who had placed their bet on Hugo’s team, offering an apologetic glance. Some other groups were also discussing the situation.

"Even if there’s this ’import player’ the President announced, he’s quite... pathetic, isn’t he?" one of the audience members from another group commented in a disheartened tone. "He’s not doing anything at all. I don’t think he even knows how to play."

"Just what do you think they’re doing? He’s just watching everyone—the three of them are just watching!"

"Hey, the transferee called Blacky is trying!" another girl added, looking toward Zoren, who was also running around the court, though he looked more like a coach as he hung out in the corner. "And he’s a very good sport. He keeps congratulating the other team."

"I’m getting suspicious about him. It looks like he’s happy that his opponent is scoring and isn’t concerned about their score."

*****

At the same time...

"Penny..." Nina looked at Penny worriedly, having overheard the conversations around them.

Benjamin, who was behind them, could only clench his fists and grind his teeth. "You people... how dare you mock him..."

Haines, Slater, and James held onto their seats, horrified. They couldn’t listen to the comments going around as they watched this "horror film" unfold right before their eyes.

"Well..." Penny sighed heavily, unable to deny that her brother’s team was pathetic. She could only smile subtly, as Zoren was there, looking so cute and handsome! "... At least, my husband’s sportsmanship is undeniable."

’So undeniable that people are starting to think he’s actually on Max’s team,’ Nina thought to herself, only to suddenly hear a thunderous roar from the crowd.

When Nina looked, she saw Zoren holding the ball.