"Suit yourself, my job was to offer," he tossed over his shoulder, already turning to leave.
His footsteps echoed loudly on the tiled floor, but before he could reach the door handle, So Ho sharply raised his head:
"Wait, we need time to think over your proposal."
Ming You stopped, then slowly turned around. His lips stretched into a mocking semblance of a smile.
"What's there to think about? Either you have a way to cover the debts, or I'll bury you even deeper in debt with my advantage, so it's either yes or go look for a few jobs."
"Hold on, give us five minutes!" burst out from So Ho. Ming You turned back to the door and threw over his shoulder in a cold tone:
"You had time, but you wasted it on doubts and swearing at me."
"Fine, we agree!" So Ho turned to the stunned team and continued, "Guys, if you think logically, in the round with Ming Yu we'll have a chance not just to win one of the rounds, but to pay off all our debts, and with an advantage, so we shouldn't miss this opportunity."
"But what about..." one of the players tried to interject, but Ming You cut him off:
"Excellent, agreed. I'll see you tomorrow evening at the same court. If you manage to lose, blame only yourselves."
The heavy locker room door slammed shut behind Ming You with a dull thud. The last thing the newcomers saw was his careless wave, as if he'd just stepped out for a moment, not abandoned them before the face of uncertainty. Tension hung in the air, thick as the silence before a storm.
Mei Yu was the first to break. He jumped up from the bench so sharply the wood creaked under his weight. He stared at So Ho, clenching his fists.
"What the hell should we dance to his tune for? You know yourself he's planned a game against us, why did you fall for it?"
So Ho, after a few seconds of silence, answered him anxiously:
"It's our only chance, and I don't want to miss it for us. It's definitely very strange that the rules are on our side and he's definitely up to something, but if we'd left everything as it was, we would have lost one hundred percent, because Ming You is the strongest in this team not only due to in-game strategies but also physical strength."
Each player digested So Ho's words. Fear, anger, doubts – everything mixed in that silence.
And then Jen Ryu's voice sounded:
"Maybe that's how it is, and this scoundrel really is up to something, but damn it, we have to seize the chance! We have no other opportunity, so let's gather our strength and destroy him in this game!" He looked around at the others, and a fire burned in his eyes that hadn't been there a minute ago. "Everyone wants to see Ming You leave the team, don't they?"
"Decided, we'll crush him!" Mei Yu raised his fist in response, and his shout was picked up by the others.
One by one, the newcomers rose from their seats, shaking off the stupor. Some slapped their comrades on the shoulder, others muttered curses under their breath, clenching their gear. The locker room door creaked open, letting in a strip of bright light, and they stepped out into the hall.
...
The evening of the next day. The outdoor basketball court, lit by dim streetlights, gradually filled with spectators. They gathered by the benches, whispering in anticipation of the game.
Ming You appeared first. He wore a black basketball uniform with blood-red trim, the number 44 clearly visible on his back. He methodically tossed the ball with one hand, catching it with a dull slap. His lips were stretched in a feigned, cunning smile, but his gaze remained cold and empty, as if something inaccessible to those around him was hidden behind the mask of excitement.
"You're here again, Ming You?" came Taek Jung's voice.
He gave a "respectful" bow before approaching, then asked with a thoughtful expression:
"What's your plan?"
"New rules," answered Ming You, deftly catching the ball. "I'm going to set rules in favor of their team and cancel my advantage of doubled points."
"Rules in favor of five players?" Taek Jung was surprised, raising his eyebrows. "Can't wait to find out what you've really got planned, hehe. And you really believe they'll accept it?"
"They already have," Ming You smirked, throwing the ball into the hoop. "Increasing points is just a way to make the game more interesting. And they'll think they have the advantage."
"You're not afraid this might backfire on you?" asked Taek Jung, admiring his confidence. "That's a pretty bold move."
Ming You easily sunk the ball into the basket, and after it fell through the net, he just smirked and said:
"Boldness is what separates the winners from the losers. I know how to control the game, and they won't be able to stop me."
At that moment, the team of five players, led by So Ho, approached the outdoor court, heading towards the opposite hoop. So Ho, walking in front, stopped sharply and stared intently at Ming You from a distance. His eyes narrowed, clear distrust readable in them, but, gritting his teeth, he remained silent, not uttering a word.
Mei Yu, slowly taking the ball out of his backpack, carefully looked over the entire team and said confidently:
"Ready for the game?"
"Of course," So Ho replied, his voice sounding confident, though a hint of doubt flashed in his eyes.
Ming You, observing the team of newcomers who were intently warming up at the opposite hoop of the court, slowly moved towards the center line. His gaze slid over the figures of his opponents, noting their stiff movements and tense faces. The more clearly he felt their nervousness, the stronger his excited desire to test their limits grew, causing a slight smirk to touch his lips.
"Come on, guys, don't slack off," So Ho shouted, his voice full of determination.
Ming You and So Ho briefly locked eyes, but even that fleeting contact was enough for a spark of tension to pass between them. So Ho looked at his opponent with open hatred – his eyes burned with a cold fire, and his tight lips betrayed the rage he was barely holding back.
Unlike him, Ming You maintained complete indifference: his gaze was empty, as if devoid of all emotion, and the barely perceptible smirk on his lips only emphasized his deliberate detachment. This mask of aloofness acted on So Ho like a red rag to a bull, making him internally tighten with even greater anger.
"So, friends," announced the referee Sung Wo, drawing the crowd's attention. "Today we have a special game! Against the team of five players will be... Ming You!"
The crowd cheered and began placing their bets. Ming You grinned at his opponents.
"For the team of five players, points will be doubled!" the referee continued.
Whispers and doubts spread through the crowd, but most still decided to bet on the five players. Taek Jung, however, looked at Ming You with admiration:
"Ha-ha! So that's what you planned!" he said with a smile. "Besides the players, you managed to outsmart the spectators too, that's impressive."
"Five players with a point advantage against what looks like a weak me will make the spectators place the wrong bets," Ming You replied coldly, his seemingly empty eyes sparkling with excited anticipation. "Only I will be the winner, even the spectators will lose."
So Ho, standing on the opposite side of the hoop, clenched his fists, ready for the tip-off. Ming You leisurely walked to the center, but his posture was demonstratively relaxed.