Basketball System: Rebound of the Underdog-Chapter 603: Switch

Kai's first instinct was to run.

Looking back, it shouldn't have been the first thing he had done, but can you blame the kid?

Kai's legs moved before his brain could catch up, his sneakers pounding against the pavement as he bolted across the dark court. Behind him, Kaiden Tian called his name, sounding desperate.

"Hey, Kai! Stop running!" Kaiden shouted. "You bastard! You know I have a disadvantage with this old-ass wheelchair!" he exclaimed, trying his best to go after the tall player.

Kai didn't stop. He didn't even look back.

The fact that Kaiden was here—alive—was too much to process. His mind was in shambles as he sprinted.

Kai Guo was here! Wait, no. Kaiden Tian was here!

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That doesn't sound right either. The original owner of the body that Kai was currently in was here!

Kaiden Tian, the real Kai Guo, should have been dead. Wait, that was harsh. Still, Kai thought he was dead!

"Unfair!" Kaiden yelled again, sounding annoyed. "I just want to talk!"

Kai wasn't hearing it. His focus was on escaping, his heartbeat pounding in his ears. He darted past a bench, narrowly avoiding a trash can. The sound of wheels turning followed him, closer now. Kaiden wasn't letting up.

"Stop there!" Kaiden called. "Goodness, I didn't think you would give me such a good exercise this evening! I hate how athletic you've gotten. That body only used to be really strong!"

Kai didn't stop despite the other Kaiden's rants. Not when his whole world was spiraling into chaos.

The chase spilled out of the court and into the street. Neon lights blurred as Kai darted across an empty intersection. The city, though quiet at this hour, wasn't entirely asleep. A car's headlights appeared suddenly from the left, and Kai froze, his sneakers skidding on the pavement.

A screeching sound filled the air. Tires screamed against the asphalt, and everything seemed to slow down.

Kai's breath caught in his throat as the world tilted.

Then, nothing.

The last thing he heard was Kaiden's voice, distant and strained.

"I said stop!"

***

Kai felt like he was being consumed by the darkness.

Was he dead?

Yet, somewhere in the void, voices began to filter through. It was faint at first like it was something in his dreams, but it grew clearer with every second.

"Kai! Kai!"

That voice. Max. He sounded like he was about to cry.

"Don't you dare die on us!" Max exclaimed dramatically.

Kai wanted to groan. He wasn't dead, obviously. His body just felt...heavy.

"Shut up, Max," Zheng snapped. "You're going to scare him if he wakes up."

"I'm just saying!" Max protested. "What if—"

"He's fine," Coach Xu Wei cut in. "No external injuries, but we'll see once the doctor comes back with the scan."

"He better be fine," Marcus said gruffly. "We need him for the game."

Max let out an offended gasp. "He's not just a player, Marcus! He's our friend!"

Kai wanted to laugh, but his throat felt like sandpaper. His fingers twitched, and the small movement sent a sigh of relief from the group.

"He moved!" Jian exclaimed.

"Kai?" Max's voice cracked. "Kai, if you can hear me, don't you dare go toward the light! I can't be the only one representing Jillin. They'd think I murdered you or something!"

"Max, shut up!" Jimmy groaned, massaging the bridge of his nose.

Kai's lips parted, his voice croaking. "I'm awake."

The room fell silent.

Kai's eyelids fluttered open, and the first thing he saw was the sterile white ceiling above him. He blinked a few times, his vision adjusting to the harsh fluorescent lights.

"I'm here," he repeated, his voice hoarse but clearer.

He expected his teammates to rush to his bedside, their faces full of concern. But as he turned his head, there was no one.

No Max. No Marcus. No Coach Xu Wei.

No one!

Instead, he was greeted by a curtain drawn around his bed, the dark green fabric swaying slightly. Beyond it, he could hear muffled voices, but the realization that he was alone hit him like a racecar.

"What the—" he started, but his words were cut off by a sudden scream from the space next to him.

Kai's heart leaped into his throat. That voice was familiar. Really familiar.

The scream was followed by the hurried sounds of footsteps and frantic voices.

"He's awake!" Max exclaimed, sighing in relief. However, the person screamed once more, confusing the players.

"Kai, what's happening to you?" Dong asked with a small frown.

Caleb pursed his lips and shook his head. "I think I've seen this film before…"

"…and you didn't like the ending?" Jaw-Long asked.

"No," Caleb said, shaking his head. "He may have amnesia!"

The entire group gasped. "Amnesia?" Max exclaimed, and then they broke out into frantic conversations.

Kai, on the other hand, was frozen in his bed. He wanted to move, but he couldn't. It wasn't that he was too shocked…he just couldn't get up!

"Shut up, everyone," Jimmy said, sounding frustrated. "You're going to wake the other person, too."

"Right," Marcus muttered. "The other person."

"Let's see if he's awake too!" Max said, and then suddenly, the curtains were drawn open.

Kai froze, his breath catching in his throat. There were his teammates!

However, aside from that, there was someone else.

Lying on the bed, hooked up to an IV, was...himself.

Not a reflection. Not a mirror.

It was him. Or rather, his past body.

His body looked at him with wide eyes.

"No way," Kai whispered, his voice trembling. The voice. It wasn't his. It was Kaiden's from his past self.

The person in the bed bolted upright, his eyes wide with disbelief. "What the hell is going on? Am I being pranked?"

Kai staggered back on the bedframe, his mind racing with a million thoughts.

Kaiden—no, Kai—no, both of them screamed simultaneously.

His teammates looked at the two like they had grown three heads. However, the two Kai's didn't pay them any attention.

They had other things to worry about, most especially now that they had switched back to their original bodies!