Basketball System: Rebound of the Underdog-Chapter 617: It’s Not Plagiarism

Kai wasted no time.

After training in their gym, he went straight to the buffet with his teammates. There were already a lot of people inside, and they could see from afar that the table was empty of banana muffins.

However, Kai's mood wasn't dampened.

He looked around the area until his eyes landed on the woman who promised to give him three banana muffins.

But, as soon as their gazes met, a dreadful look appeared on her face. Kai frowned slightly. He didn't have a good feeling about this.

He walked to where she was, and it seemed like she wanted to go back into the kitchen.

"Ma'am," he said, causing her to halt.

She turned around with a guilty look on her face.

"Did you…save me the three banana muffins?" Kai asked, sounding like a small child.

The middle-aged woman pursed her lips. "I'm sorry," she said, causing Kai's heart to drop.

"I tried to save you some. I really did. However, the German men's basketball team saw me and said that it's unfair to save muffins for other athletes."

"But they eat it every day," Kai muttered. "I'm only asking for three pieces."

"That's how it is, really," she muttered. "Sometimes, the ones who have more still want the most."

Kai let out a deep breath.

"I'm sorry," she apologized once more.

Kai shook his head. "It isn't your fault," he said.

"I told the chef team to bake more muffins for you for the next few days. However, I can't promise I can save you some."

"It's alright," Kai said. "We have a game tomorrow with their team."

"Oh, you do?" she asked, appearing excited.

"I'll make sure they enjoy every little bit of those banana muffins," he muttered.

"Because those are the last ones they're going to eat."

***

Still feeling down because of the lack of banana muffins, Kai was about to head back to his room.

However, he suddenly got a text from Aiden.

Aiden: Yo! Meet up with me.

Aiden: I'm serious! Please, please, please.

Aiden: I need to tell you something important!

Aiden: IF YOU DON'T COME, I'LL STEAL YOUR GIRLFRIEND.

Kai shook his head in amusement. It wasn't like he could actually steal Lina. However, since he was done with his morning training, and the banana muffins still couldn't be found, he decided to go to the court to get some more exercise in…and to meet with Aiden.

He started walking to the court, popping his earphones in when he received another notification.

He frowned when he saw it was from his grandma.

Grandma: Where are you?

Kai tilted his head to the side.

Kai: I'm walking to the basketball court.

Grandma: The indoor one?

Kai: No, the outdoor one near the city's hospital.

Kai: Why are you asking all of this, Grandma?

Grandma: Alright. Stay there.

Kai's frown deepened. "What was that?" he muttered. His grandma didn't text him often, yet now, he was asking where he was.

"Strange."

With that, he shrugged and continued his journey to the court.

As always, this particular court was empty throughout the day. The only person in it was Aiden, who seemed to be bouncing in his wheelchair.

"What's up," I said as I entered through the gates.

He turned his head so fast I was afraid he might get a concussion.

"You came!" he exclaimed.

Kai shrugged. "Well, I didn't have anything to do at the hotel, so I reckoned I could get some shots in here."

Aiden clicked his tongue. "You didn't come here to meet with me?"

"No," Kai deadpanned.

"Well then, you'll still have to listen to my story."

Kai shook his head and grabbed a ball, dribbling it on the court before making his shot. As he did this, Aiden rambled about his writing competition.

"So," Aiden started off. "It started in the morning. We were all briefed that it should be an 800-1000 word essay done in an hour. It was already pretty nerve-wracking since I was a slow writer."

"We waited until all of the contestants arrived before they gave us the theme."

Kai continued with his drills while listening to Aiden.

"And then, they finally revealed it—Losing and Letting Go."

Kai paused for a while, glancing at him. "And I had just the perfect essay!" he exclaimed, grabbing a crumpled piece of paper from his wheelchair's compartment.

Kai tilted his head to the side. "Isn't that the essay I wrote?"

"Well, technically. I wrote it," Aiden smiled.

"Shut up," Kai said, stopping his drills. "You used the essay I wrote?"

"Like I said," Aiden insisted. "I was the one who wrote it. I was just…inspired by your creation."

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Kai clicked his tongue and shook his head. "I can't believe it. So, how did it go?"

"Well," he said, a suspicious look on his face. Kai's eyebrows raised as he took in Aiden's expression.

"I don't like where this is going," Kai muttered, shooting once more before focusing his entire attention on the lunatic in front of him.

"I won!" he exclaimed, making Kai shake his head. "Not only that, but they granted the winner—"

Before he could finish his sentence, someone shouted, causing the two of them to halt their conversation.

"Kai!"

The both of them turned toward the source of the familiar voice, freezing in their spots when they realized who it was.

"Grandma?"

And no, it wasn't just Kai who said those words. It was also Aiden.

The old woman's eyes widened, and fortunately, it seemed like she was way too out of it to notice that Aiden had called her grandma, too.

Aiden couldn't believe his eyes as the old woman walked to where the two of them were. Kai, too, felt like he was in a simulation. His grandma never came to his games! She said she would only come when he reached the championship for the Global Games.

So, what was she doing here?

She looked at them, tears welling up in her eyes.

"I can't believe it," she started off.

"The two of you have finally met."