Basketball System: Rebound of the Underdog

Kimmy looked at the ranking with disbelief.

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She knew that Kai was good. However, to surpass the four Elites was just the next level. Being in the second spot during his first year was insane. Even Jian didn’t accomplish it right away!

She couldn’t help but smile. Her interest in him just increased a thousandfold.

Just then, she heard her brother hum, so she snapped out of her thoughts and looked at him.

Kimmy instantly recognized the look in her brother’s eyes.

It was the same look he had when he asked his dad for an entire shoe store. It was also the same look he used when he wanted an allowance increase.

In short, it was the kind of look Jimmy made when he wanted something desperately.

"No, you’re not," Kimmy said before Jimmy could even speak.

The older twin frowned as he looked at her. "I didn’t even say anything."

"But I already know that you want something. I don’t know what that particularly is, but you need to stop it right now."

Jimmy sighed and shook his head. "You’re so uptight."

Kimmy pursed her lips. "Fine, what do you want? You can’t get Kai out of the rankings just like that. Ashley monitors the ranks very well."

"I know," Jimmy said. "But it’s not like Dad will manipulate it if it doesn’t work in his favor."

Kimmy glared at Jimmy.

Jimmy raised his hands in surrender. "I don’t want that," he said. "I have some pride."

Kimmy sighed in relief. "Good," she said. "Just do your best in the finals, and maybe you’ll get some good results."

Jimmy didn’t seem to hear her statement, and he made another suggestion. "What we can do is tweak the rankings in real-time—right before Dad could even see it."

Kimmy frowned once more. "What are you talking about?"

Jimmy smiled as he leaned against the couch.

"The two of us wouldn’t be able to surpass Jian—that’s already a given."

He glances at the rankings once more before continuing.

"Unless Kai scores sixty points in the next game and Jian only scores around forty, then it would be very unlikely. However, once Jian graduates, the one in second place will automatically move up to the first place."

Kimmy clicked her tongue. "I know how ranks work, weirdo. Where are you going with this?"

"This means that it’s a battle for the second place," Jimmy said, crossing his arms in front of his chest.

"Our gap is around eighteen points," he continued. "I believe it would increase even more if he scores as usual during the last game. So, my increase in ranking would only be possible if he doesn’t play."

Kimmy’s eyebrows raised. "What the heck do you mean by that?"

Jimmy shrugged. "I don’t know—you’re the person who likes him. I’m sure you’ll figure it out."

Kimmy frowned. "You’re stooping so low."

Jimmy sighed. "Look," he said. "Kai is still going to be in the Elie Five even if he doesn’t play this game. Can’t you do this for me? It’s just a one-rank difference!"

"You said it yourself!" Kimmy exclaimed, standing from her couch. "It’s just a one-rank difference! Why are you so caught up with it?"

"Because it means the world for Dad!" Jimmy shouted, rendering Kimmy speechless. "It might just be a one-rank difference for your crush, but it means the world to Dad, okay?"

"He has already set his eyes on me becoming the number one Elite before I could even step foot in Juren High. That’s how important it is to him."

Kimmy’s gaze softened. "Do you want me to talk to Dad?" she asked. "I think we can fix this if—"

"Fuck that," Jimmy cursed. "Once he has his eyes set on something, it would not change."

Kimmy ran her fingers through her hair. "We can still try."

"Kimmy," Jimmy said, looking into her eyes. "Just do this for me, huh? This will make everything better. I’ll tell Dad to lay off on the expectations with you, too."

Kimmy sighed in frustration. This wasn’t how she wanted it to go.

"Let’s say that I agree," she said, which made Jimmy perk up.

"It’s hypothetical!" Kimmy quickly added. "Don’t get your hopes up just yet."

"How can I even do that?" she asked. "What the heck do we have to let Kai Guo stop playing in the finals? You know I won’t stoop as low as injuring him. That’s just disgusting."

"I won’t ask you to do that," Jimmy muttered. "He’s pretty close with their manager, right?"

Kimmy’s brows furrowed. "What do you mean?"

"I think they’re in a relationship," he said, making her livid.

"Where did you get that information? A cheerleader from their school told me they were just friends!"

Jimmy shrugged. "It’s just a hunch of mine. However, why don’t we test it during game day? Talk to Kai about her. Get him out of the game. I think he’d be ready to drop the game if it was for her."

"You’re insane," Kimmy said with wide eyes.

"Am I really?" he asked. "I’m sure you would also like to see it for yourself. You’ve liked him for a while now, right? Even longer than Jian?"

Kimmy bit her lip. "Not longer than Jian," she muttered.

She had liked Jian even before she entered Juren High. Her fantasies of him were quickly shattered after seeing how he truly played, though. She thought he was a cool player, but he was just pathetic.

Even then, she continued to chase after him, but he never gave any motive. He was always cold—unlike Kai, who was friendly and exuded a warm aura.

"You’re thinking about him right now, huh?" Jimmy asked with a smirk.

"I’m not," Kimmy scoffed.

"Sure, sure," Jimmy said, not believing her. "You have that look in your eyes."

"How about this," he continued. "I only need him to stay out of the first two quarters. It doesn’t have to be the whole game. I’m sure I would be able to catch up to him that way. Then, you’ll see if those two are really in a relationship."

"Kai would still be in the Elite Five…and we would all be happy, right?"