Basketball... how should one put it? It's a very popular sport, liked by many people.
However, in China, table tennis is prevalent, while in America, it's American Football. Other major nations also have their own preferences.
Although basketball is an activity that attracts global attention, in terms of overall audience, it really doesn't have as many enthusiasts as football.
But even so, that doesn't hinder its charm as a major global sport, let alone the fact that Mukuro really likes this sport.
Carrying a basketball bag, after settling in Tengu City, Mukuro knew Mio definitely had something on her mind. Often unable to see her sister, she began finding her own amusement.
Games, music, binge-watching dramas... After trying many, many things, Mukuro suddenly discovered she had fallen in love with basketball.
That's right, basketball.
First, she watched video streams of games, then started going to basketball courts and gyms. Mukuro found the way boys looked at her disgusting. Clearly, their skills weren't great, yet they liked showing off various moves in front of her.
They were always pestering her for her phone number and such.
Gradually, she stopped going to places like gyms. She found a relatively remote basketball court. Although it was dilapidated, with weeds growing wildly at the edges, cracks in the concrete, and no net on the hoop, its advantage was quietness. Mukuro truly liked this place.
Coming here again alone, planning to play basketball by herself, Mukuro heard the sound of a basketball as she arrived at the court.
Thump... thump... Swish!
The sound of a clean shot through the net.
A youth… probably a youth, at least Mukuro felt he looked around twenty, wearing a black casual shirt, looking refreshing and clean.
Under the blue sky and white clouds, the youth's movements on the court alone were quite pleasing to the eye. His physical fitness was remarkably good, and even though his shooting form was somewhat strange, the ball always accurately went into the basket.
"Hmm... Impressive."
His body moved in ways that completely defied physics, all with maneuvers she had never seen before.
Having never watched Kuroko no Basket, otherwise Mukuro would definitely have recognized that Ryuya was using moves straight from Kuroko no Basket.
Clang...
Suddenly, as the sound of the ball swishing through the net and bouncing on the ground echoed, the basketball rolled towards Mukuro.
"Hey, buddy, mind tossing the ball back?"
"Ah? Bu... buddy?"
Looking at the basketball at her feet, then at her outfit today, Mukuro was certain she was wearing sportswear.
An orange basketball T-shirt over a white undershirt, loose shorts over similarly fitting inner shorts.
Below her fair calves were a pair of light-white sneakers. Her long hair was neatly tied up in a high ponytail.
Although her attire was very sporty, Ryuya calling her 'buddy' was unacceptable to Mukuro, who had a rather traditional feel and adhered strictly to etiquette.
Without a word, she let out a displeased hum, casually put down her backpack, then took the ball and executed a few quick moves, followed by a perfect three-step layup.
Swish...
As the ball went perfectly through the hoop, Mukuro looked at Ryuya with her golden pupils, making a provocative expression, as if saying, "So? Still calling me 'buddy'?"
"Not bad skills, buddy."
Smiling and clapping, Ryuya picked up the basketball.
After the New Year's event, he had memorized the spiritual energy scent from the temple. Although he didn't know when Mio had started keeping a young girl by her side, he learned from the Head Priest that Mio and another Spirit definitely visited frequently to pray.
And the time Mio started appearing coincided with when Ryuya began settling in Tengu City.
Following the scent of the spiritual energy to this basketball court, Ryuya had come prepared.
"Not bad skills?"
Very displeased, extremely displeased with Ryuya's address, Mukuro's angry expression had a faint smile at the corners of her mouth, but her eyes were cold.
It was late winter, the noon sunshine was pleasant.
Under the gentle breeze, Mukuro thought for a moment, then crooked her finger at Ryuya, "Feel like playing a bit?"
"I don't know much, just started learning."
Smiling somewhat modestly, Ryuya wasn't lying, as he really didn't play basketball much.
"It's fine, just casual play, right... buddy?"
Still with a cold tone, not waiting for Ryuya's agreement, Mukuro continued, "1v1. First to 10 points wins."
She initially thought about playing to 5, but thinking about Ryuya's form of address made her angry, so she felt playing to 10 was better.
She would properly crush Ryuya's arrogant attitude!
"Alright then, 10 points it is."
Noticing Mukuro's strong competitive spirit, and recognizing her as the master of the Angel, Michael, Ryuya nodded at her request and tossed the basketball to her, "You start then, buddy."
"You sure?"
Holding the basketball, Mukuro was ruthless and sparing with words. After all, in a 1v1 game, the player who scores gets possession for the next round.
Assuming her stance, dribbling with one hand, recalling Ryuya's earlier movements, Mukuro steadied herself.
First, a fake to the left, then a fadeaway jumper… the entire sequence was smooth and fluid.
Swish!
As the ball went through the net, Mukuro smugly raised her eyebrows at Ryuya, "Hehe, 1-0, buddy."
"Nice shot."
Not saying much else, Ryuya just smiled.
Second round offense. This time, Mukuro went for a low, fast drive. No fake moves at all, she relied purely on speed and unexpected change, going straight for a quick layup.
The ball went in again.
"Buddy, get serious."
Feeling like Ryuya might be going easy on her, but judging from his movements, he seemed to be defending seriously, Mukuro couldn't quite gauge Ryuya's skill level.
"I am being serious. You're just too good."
"Hmph."
Dissatisfied with Ryuya's reply, Mukuro slowed her pace for the third round. This time, she wanted to observe Ryuya's movements carefully.
First, dribbling forward slowly, quickly switching the ball between her right and left hands, she even switched to dribbling behind her back, all while keeping her eyes locked on Ryuya's.
'If you're going easy on me, I won't let you off!'
She knew very well that during movement and defense, the body can fake, movements can slow, but the eyes cannot. Mukuro believed if Ryuya saw her direction of attack but didn't react, he was definitely going easy on her.
Staring intently at Ryuya's eyes, this time she found his gaze fixed on the ball, as if he genuinely wasn't very skilled.
'Hmph, daring to call me 'buddy'? You're definitely going to lose.'