The mornings never changed.Four a.m.—I was already running. Push-ups, sit-ups, jump squats. Then dribbling drills in the silence of dawn, my breath fogging in the cool air. My body was sharper every week, but my focus never wavered.
Still, even discipline couldn't erase the tension that hummed through me. The second round of the NBA Playoffs had begun. And with it, the moment of truth.
The Second Round Predictions
I had written them in Yohei's notebook a week earlier. Clear. Confident.
East Semifinals
Detroit Pistons over New York Knicks.
Chicago Bulls over Philadelphia 76ers.
West Semifinals
Los Angeles Lakers over Phoenix Suns.
Portland Trail Blazers over San Antonio Spurs.
I told Yohei: "Every single one of these will happen. If they all do, then your parents need to place the big bet on the champion before the Conference Finals."
He hadn't answered, but the look in his eyes told me he was already preparing himself.
The Games
One by one, the newspapers confirmed it.
Pistons beat the Knicks. Isiah Thomas and the "Bad Boys" were too much.Bulls defeated the 76ers. Jordan soared higher with each game, headlines calling him unstoppable.Lakers over Suns. Magic Johnson smiling in every photo, business as usual.Blazers crushed the Spurs. Clyde Drexler leading the charge.
Exactly as I had said.
When Yohei came running to school with the morning paper, his face was pale. "All four," he muttered. "All four were right. Again."
I only smirked. "Told you."
At the Mito Household
That night, Yohei sat at the table with his parents. The television murmured in the corner, but all attention was on the newspaper spread before them.
His father tapped the headlines with a calloused finger. "Every one of his predictions was correct. Not just once. Twice. That's not chance."
His mother still looked uneasy. "But it's still gambling. What if—"
Yohei cut her off. "Mom, Dad… you've seen it too. Hanamichi's not the same as before. He's focused, disciplined. He doesn't waste words anymore. He told me himself—this is only the first step. He wants to use this chance to build his future."
Silence. His father leaned back, arms crossed, thinking hard. Finally, he sighed.
"Fine. We'll do it. But only once. If he's wrong, that's the end. If he's right…" His eyes narrowed slightly, a strange mix of caution and curiosity. "…then maybe that boy really is destined for something big."
Yohei nearly collapsed in relief.
The Training Never Stops
While Yohei argued with his parents, I never slowed down.
At school, my classmates had started whispering about me.
"Look at Sakuragi's arms. Did he always look like that?""He's faster too. I saw him sprint across the yard—like a track runner.""Man, if he wasn't such a delinquent, he'd be a monster athlete."
They weren't wrong. My legs felt like compressed springs now. I tested my vertical one morning and touched the backboard with ease. Another few months, and the rim wouldn't be safe.
Even my friends had noticed.
"Oi, Hanamichi," Noma said, poking my shoulder. "You're turning into a beast. If you keep this up, you'll crush everyone in any sport."
Yuji laughed. "Forget sports—he looks like he could dunk on us just standing still."
Nozomi slapped my back with a grin. "You're making the rest of us look bad, big guy."
I only smirked. This is just the beginning.
The Decision
When Yohei pulled me aside after class, his voice was low but urgent.
"They agreed," he whispered.
I raised an eyebrow. "Your parents?"
He nodded. "Yeah. They'll place the bet before the Conference Finals, just like you wanted. But they said if you're wrong even once, it's over."
I chuckled. "I won't be wrong."
Yohei stared at me, still half in disbelief, half in awe. "You really believe that, don't you?"
I met his gaze, my voice calm and sharp. "I don't believe, Yohei. I know."
Resolve
That night, lying on my futon with the ball rolling between my palms, I allowed myself a moment to breathe.
This was the turning point. With this bet, I could build the first foundation of my future. A future that would take me from Japan to America, from high school gyms to the NBA draft.
My body was growing stronger. My game was slowly returning. And now, with money about to fall into place, the path was clear.
Nothing in this world could stop me.