Well, it seed like Kai Guo was actually not having a field day.
Zheng, Jian, Jimmy, Max, and Kai lounged near the bench, their jerseys slightly wrinkled from last night's practice.
"Man," Zheng said, spinning a basketball on his finger. "The ga yesterday was legendary! I swear, with Marcus and Kai in one team, we can actually have a podium finish!"
Kai smirked, crossing his arms in front of his chest. "That would only happen if the old man actually acknowledged that we're a good pair."
"Caleb's not too bad," Jian chid, scratching his chin.
"You guys are a great duo, too," Zheng said.
"And ?" Jimmy asked, turning to the group with boasting eyes. They rely stared at him but didn't say anything.
The five of them had definitely gotten closer (but of course, they wouldn't admit that just yet). With less than a week before the other delegates arrived at their hotel, they were getting ready to stay in one room.
Their chatter quieted when they noticed Coach Xu Wei standing at the side of the court.
Zheng jumped up and placed his hand over his chest. "What the heck, coach?" he exclaid. "How long have you been there?"
Coach Xu Wei didn't answer. Instead, he continued staring off into the distance. His shoulders were hunched, his hands stuffed into his jacket pockets, and his eyes darted around the court like a guilty kid caught with a stolen candy bar.
"Coach?" Max called out. "Everything okay?"
Xu Wei jolted slightly. He cleared his throat and forced a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes. "Ah, you're here. Good, good."
The five exchanged glances.
"Why do you look like that, coach?" Max asked, squinting. "You're not sick, are you? Oh goodness! Do you need arthritis dication?"
Coach Xu Wei glared at the young player. "Kids these days," he muttered. "It's not any of that sort," he added.
"I'm fine. We're just gathered here today...uh, with the other athletes," he said, scratching the back of his neck.
Jimmy frowned. "Other athletes? Like, the entire training complex or just basketball players?"
Xu Wei hesitated, then muttered, "Everyone."
"Everyone?" Kai perked up, his curiosity piqued. "I thought we were going to train and have a practice ga again."
The four other players groaned. "Oh, here goes Kai again with his basketball agenda. Do you love playing basketball that much?"
The look in Kai's eyes didn't change as he nodded. The others pursed their lips.
Xu Wei opened his mouth to reply, but before he could, the gym doors creaked open, revealing the veteran players.
The young players glanced at them, and it seed like they were on the sa page as Coach Xu Wei.
They seed awfully nervous—which they hadn't looked like for the past few weeks. They were always confident and even borderline cocky!
They sat next to the younger players quietly. Coach Xu Wei then took his position beside them.
The Elite Five watched as they simultaneously let out a deep breath.
They glanced at each other in confusion.
"Now, there's definitely sothing wrong," Kai said. "Why is it that you all look defeated?"
Jaw-Long sighed, his shoulders slumping. "All the other athletes are coming here today."
Caleb nodded, glancing at Jimmy. "Your dad was the one who initiated it," he said, glaring at the younger.
Jimmy frowned. "How's that my fault? He's the head of the committee," he said.
"Don't athletes usually et even earlier?" Kai asked. "We'll have our clothes revealed and have a practice for the opening, right?"
"Yes," the older players said in unison. "But don't expect much," Jaw-Long added.
Kai tilted his head to the side. "Why? Won't we have any participation in this?"
"We will—in the back, at least," Dong chuckled, crossing his arms in front of his chest.
Max's eyes narrowed. "Why do I have a feeling that you guys are losing confidence?"
Marcus sighed and shook his head. "You guys are being over dramatic. We're fine. Why are you still scared of the other national teams?"
"That's because they're scary!" Muyang exclaid. "You know I have a sharp tongue, but I can't even say anything against them. "Especially those shooting bastards."
"Those equestrians are harsh, too," Caleb muttered. "I t them once, and they nearly ran over with their horses."
"Don't ntion the swimming team! They finish with a dal each year, so they think they have a right to talk over to us."
"Oh, and one more thing," Coach Xu Wei muttered.
"The Chinese Basketball Won's Team," they said at the sa ti.
"Oh, I love them!" Max exclaid. "I watched them during the 2020 Global Gas, and they nailed it. I was sad they only got bronze, though."
The older n glared at him. "You can't love those girls! I'm glad they only got bronze. Otherwise, they would be rubbing it in our faces every day that they've won gold," Muyang said.
Kai frowned. "What's wrong with them?"
"Nothing," Marcus muttered. "They're good. They had better finishes than us."
"You're just saying that because you like their team captain," Caleb muttered.
Marcus turned to glare at the younger player while the others glanced at each other with wide eyes.
"Actually," Jaw-Long said, his voice turning more serious. "There's really nothing wrong with them. For the past few years, China has been winning dals left and right. We're either first or second each season—bagging the most dals!"
"Of course, though, other teams would be better at their sports…and there would be teams that hadn't brought a dal ho for what? More than thirty years now?"
"Let's just say that even if we're well respected by those who love basketball, we're taken as a joke everywhere else."
Kai's expression hardened. "Because we haven't brought any results for the past years."
"Yup," Dong said. "So, don't feel too sad if the other players don't take you too seriously. It's the way it has been for the past years now. You'll get used to it."
Max pursed his lips.
"So, not only do we have to prove ourselves to you, guys. But now, we have to prove ourselves to the other athletes, too?"
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