Basketball System: Rebound of the Underdog-Chapter 450: A Mysterious Stinging Feeling

Jimmy stormed into their room like a squirrel whose nuts got stolen in broad daylight.

Jian and Chaoxing, who decided to stay in before their game with the Ying Eagles, looked at the younger guy with wide eyes as he huffed curses under his breath.

"I hate that guy."

"Who the heck does he think he is?"

"And why does Kimmy have to like someone like him?"

"He’s not even that good-looking!"

Chaoxing turned to Jian with inquiring eyes, but the taller guy just shrugged, having no idea why Jimmy was acting in such a way.

With that, Chaoxing cleared his throat, capturing Jimmy’s attention.

"What?" he exclaimed, glaring at the two of them.

Chaoxing raised his hands in surprise and chuckled. "Woah, easy there, tiger."

Jimmy sighed and sat on the edge of his bed.

"What are you even grumbling about?" Chaoxing asked.

Jimmy crossed his arms in front of his chest. "Kai Guo," he said with narrowed eyes.

Chaoxing’s eyes widened in excitement. "Are you finally interested in watching him? Do you guys want to watch his game with the Knights tomorrow morning? It’s going to be awesome since the two have been rivals since—"

"No way!" Jimmy exclaimed, cutting him off.

Chaoxing frowned in confusion. "Why did you mention his name then?"

"Because I hate him," Jimmy said, raising his chin high in the air.

"Hate is a very strong word," Chaoxing said.

Jian sighed and shook his head, going back to his game since he wasn’t interested in talking about the likes of Kai Guo.

"I don’t care," Jimmy huffed. "I hate that guy."

"Care to tell me why?" Chaoxing asked.

"Well, for one, I should be the first-year player of the year! However, that guy is all that everybody’s talking about. Can you believe it? I started this year so strong."

Chaoxing scratched the back of his head. "You can’t really hate him for that. He’s very skilled, so it’s only obvious that people will talk about him."

"Not only that, but he told me earlier that we wouldn’t even get to the finals!" Jimmy added, not caring about what Chaoxing had to say.

Jian’s eyebrows raised in surprise, but that wasn’t enough to truly capture his attention. Meanwhile, Chaoxing’s brows furrowed.

"Did he really say that?" he asked.

Jimmy pursed his lips. "He said that I should work harder if I wanted to play with him."

Chaoxing shook his head, finding the situation ridiculous. "That doesn’t even sound offensive! I think you just have a one-sided beef with that guy."

"And last but not the least—Kimmy likes him!" he exclaimed.

That statement was definitely enough to capture Jian’s attention. He frowned as he slowly let down his phone despite the game being at its peak. He was being trash talked in the chat, but he was more interested in what Jimmy had to say.

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"Ah, I see," Chaoxing chuckled. "So, this is what it’s all about. You’re so overprotective of Kimmy."

"It’s not that," Jimmy sighed. "But liking this guy is a mistake. He was even on a date with two pretty girls a while ago."

Chaoxing placed his fingers under his chin. "Well, Kai’s looks are definitely top-tier. If he ever makes it into the Elite Five, he would be the most popular member."

That struck a chord in Jian’s heart.

"So, that’s not really unexpected. Besides, he’s a decent guy. Maybe, he’s just friends with those two girls. I think you just have a sister complex."

"I do not!" Jimmy exclaimed. "I didn’t even mind when she said she liked Jian."

Jian wanted to speak, but Chaoxing cut him off before he could.

"Well, Jian doesn’t like her, so it’s only safe to assume that she has moved on. I mean, I would, too. Imagine running after this guy!"

Jian pursed his lips and tilted his head to the side. "Gave up?" he muttered.

"I agree," Jimmy said, making Jian from even deeper. "But, she could cut off her feelings for Jian without liking that Kai guy! She’s even rooting for the Dogs instead of us."

An ache went through Jian’s heart, but he didn’t act on it. Instead, he grabbed his phone once more and started playing—more aggressively this time. His teammates were still trash talking him, and for some odd reason, he also felt bad about it.

It was strange.

He usually wasn’t so triggered like this.

"Anyway, anything I say wouldn’t convince you," Jimmy sighed, glaring at Chaoxing. "You’re already a big-time fan of Kai Guo."

Chaoxing sheepishly smiled. "I just think he’s pretty cool! I really want to play with him someday. I hope I get the opportunity to do that."

Jian frowned amidst their conversation. What Chaoxing said was awfully familiar. Then, he remembered where he had heard it before. Chaoxing also spoke about him like that before.

"Aside from that, I really want to be friends with him. I know he’s younger and all, but I have a hunch that I can learn a lot from him! He’s truly a cool guy."

Jian stood from the bed, capturing their attention. Chaoxing and Jimmy looked at him with raised eyebrows.

There it was again—that stinging feeling.

"I don’t feel good," he muttered.

"Are you alright?" Chaoxing asked, still confused.

Jian didn’t say anything and stormed to the bathroom, opening the door before slamming it shut, confusing the two other players even more.

"Now, what happened to him?" Chaoxing asked.

Jimmy clicked his tongue and went under his covers.

"Whatever," he said. "Don’t talk to me."

Chaoxing looked back and forth between the lump on Jimmy’s bed and the bathroom door, where Jian was. Then, he shook his head.

"Goodness, this team is confusing."

Meanwhile, inside the bathroom, Jian merely stared at himself. He didn’t like how his reflection looked. It was as if he had…emotions.

He clicked his tongue and shook his head before turning off the lights, engulfing him in complete darkness.

However, even then, he still didn’t go out. Instead, he pulled the cover of the toilet and sat on it, leaning against the cold porcelain.

Then, he opened his phone and went to a basketball forum. Stay updated through novelbuddy

Before he could stop himself, he had already typed out two words—a name.

"Let’s see what’s so special about you."