"I'm stuffed!"
After eating and drinking his fill, Oliver stretched lazily, washed up briefly, and prepared to return to his room for a well-deserved rest.
"…Are you seriously taking that fish with you to sleep?"
Qianhua stared in disbelief as she watched Oliver carry the washbasin toward his room, the fish still swimming inside.
"Oh, it's just my first time raising a fish. I couldn't help but want to spend a little more time with it."
Oliver chuckled, brushing off her concerns.
Qianhua gave him a skeptical look but didn't bother arguing. She simply turned and headed upstairs to her room.
Click.
As soon as he heard the sound of Qianhua's door closing, Oliver breathed a long sigh of relief. Without hesitation, he locked his own door tightly behind him.
"You humans… have so many ways of cooking fish," the fish said, speaking the moment they were alone.
"I never imagined you'd go to such lengths. Honestly, I can barely recognize my kind anymore. Humans are brutal…"
"That's the way of nature. The strong eat the weak. What? Do you want to try a frying pan next?"
Oliver shrugged casually.
The fish turned in the basin and eyed him with a sharp look. "You're being rather rude, young man. For your information, I'm almost thirty years old. Based on age alone—be it among fish or humans—it's only proper that you address me respectfully. Call me Uncle Fish."
"Alright, Uncle Fish… Let's just settle on Yu Sang, shall we?"
(Note: "Sang" (桑) in Japanese is a respectful suffix akin to "sir" or "mister.")
Yu Sang didn't reply. He just stared blankly and let out a slow stream of bubbles.
"So… what exactly is your plan now? You're not going to eat me?"
Yu Sang turned his head and asked seriously.
"You picked me up from Sayuri because you wanted to grow taller by eating me, right? So, what's with the hesitation now? Are you suddenly feeling sorry for me?"
"I've already accepted my fate," Yu Sang said, his tone as solemn as a warrior marching to battle. "Save your sympathy for someone else. I don't need it!"
Oliver rolled his eyes. "Sympathize with you? I might've felt a bit weird about it at first, but not anymore."
He sat down and poured himself a glass of water from the table, then approached the basin.
"Even if I did eat you, it might only make me grow a little taller. And there's no guarantee the system would reward me with something to help. Honestly, it'd be like killing the goose that lays the golden eggs—totally not worth it."
Yu Sang tilted his head. "Then… what are you doing with that glass?"
"I came up with a brilliant idea," Oliver replied with a sly grin. His eyes glinted with mischief.
"Since Sayuri said your essence could be extracted by making soup, then in theory... fish soup is basically a lightly boiled fish bath, right?"
"So if I just drink your bathwater directly, wouldn't it have the same effect?"
"Excuse me??" Yu Sang stared at him, completely dumbfounded. "That's… that's beyond disgusting!"
"Shut up! It's brilliant. This way, you live, and I grow taller. It's a win-win!"
Oliver didn't wait for another protest. He dipped the cup into the basin and scooped out some water, examining it with a complicated expression.
"…Let me make this clear," he said. "If this doesn't work, you're going into the pot."
"Fine! Do what you want!" Yu Sang huffed and turned around, showing his tail.
Oliver ignored the dramatic gesture and looked down at the cup of slightly murky, fishy-smelling water.
Should I drink it?
Do I really want to?
Honestly, it's gross.
Especially when you think about it… Yu Sang has the voice and attitude of a grumpy old uncle. It's like drinking foot-washing water from your uncle.
But… if I don't drink it, I won't grow taller…
Oliver took a deep breath, his face serious.
Just think of it as a magical potion for height growth!
"Oli Ge, let's do this!!"
With a fierce determination, Oliver tilted his head back and downed the entire cup.
"Ugh! Ugh… ughhh!"
His face twisted in agony. "Why is it so fishy?!"
Yu Sang flicked his fins proudly. "Don't look at me. Maybe I'm just too nutritious. My nutrients are overflowing."
"They better be," Oliver groaned. "If this doesn't work, you're buying a house in my stomach!"
He grabbed a glass of clean water to rinse out his mouth, then collapsed onto his bed in frustration.
---
Tomorrow was the practice match against Ryonan.
He had to rest well and be in top form.
As he lay down, Oliver's gaze turned sharp and serious. Ryonan High School was one of the top four basketball schools in Kanagawa Prefecture, and every team member was a formidable opponent.
Their center, Uozumi, was a towering 202 centimeters tall. Though his technique was a bit rough, his sheer size made him an intimidating force on the court. In the paint, he could easily overpower opponents with brute strength alone.
Their power forward, Fukuda Kicchou, was a bit weak on defense, but offensively, he was a monster. His cuts to the basket were lightning-fast, and paired with the support of their ace player Sendoh, he became even more dangerous.
However, based on what Oliver remembered, Fukuda had been suspended for attacking a referee. So tomorrow, his spot would likely be taken by Ikegami Ryoji—an all-around average player but a solid defender.
As for their guards, Koshino Hiroaki and Uekusa Tomoyuki, they weren't as flashy, but both were reliable. Uekusa especially had earned praise from Coach Taoka, who called him a "mistake-free guard."
But none of them compared to the true star of Ryonan…
Oliver's eyes narrowed further.
Akira Sendoh—the small forward and undisputed ace of the team.
With refined technique, strategic insight, calm under pressure, and elite athleticism, Sendoh was called a "genius" by those in the basketball world.
Oliver could sense it during the exhibition match earlier that night—Sendoh hadn't been playing seriously. He was just testing the waters.
In other words, Sendoh's real strength was still a complete mystery.
"…Man, I really wish I could grow taller already!"
Oliver sighed deeply.
Basketball is a sport designed for tall players, and this reality hits harder the higher you aim. No matter how hard you train, if your opponent has the physical edge—longer limbs, broader reach—then your efforts often won't be enough.
It was brutal, but true.
Even now, after gaining the support of the system, Oliver could feel the limitations of his body. The powerful skills and abilities gifted by the system were effective, sure—but not limitless. Against truly skilled players like Akagi, he found himself exhausted in one-on-one situations.
He needed more than skills.
He needed a stronger foundation.
He needed height.
Physical fitness was the foundation of all excellence in basketball. Without it, even the most miraculous techniques would fall flat.
And that's why…
"It all depends on you now… Yu Sang…"
Oliver glanced at the basin beside the bed, where Yu Sang floated motionless at the bottom, seemingly asleep.
"If this ridiculous plan actually works…" Oliver whispered to himself, "then ruling the Slam Dunk world won't just be a dream…"
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