Bab 990: -978- Useless guy?
Soon, it was time for school to end.
Following their previous agreement, Rozen and Kojou went together to the second-year middle school classroom to find Nagisa. The three of them then left the school together.
As for Asagi and Motoki, they didn't join them. Being affluent, they had their own concerns. Asagi, occasionally hired by various state-owned companies on Artificial Island, and Motoki, usually busy, rarely tagged along.
Despite their concerns about Nagisa being followed, seeing Rozen, a mage, accompanying them, Asagi and Motoki felt less worried and chose not to follow.
Therefore, Rozen, Kojou, and Nagisa took the train together to Kojou and Nagisa's home in a nine-story apartment building in the southern part of Itogami Island.
The apartment was a bit far from Saikai Academy, requiring them to take the tram. Since they were investigating whether Nagisa was indeed being followed, they couldn't use Rozen's luxury car as it might make it easier for the pursuer to be revealed.
Thus, Rozen, for a rare occasion, took the tram home with Kojou and Nagisa.
Of course, Rozen had already informed Natsuki about this through a phone call. Otherwise, if Natsuki found out that Rozen didn't take his car home, it might lead to some unexpected trouble.
The three of them chatted and laughed along the way, getting off at the station and walking towards the direction of the apartment, just a little over ten minutes away.
The topic of their conversation was the basketball game at noon.
More precisely, they were discussing a decision made by Kojou.
"Kojou-kun, are you really planning to leave the basketball club and stop playing basketball?" Nagisa looked at Kojou with some concern.
Yes, Kojou had recently decided to leave the basketball club and stop playing basketball. This was a decision he made not long ago.
"That's how it is." Kojou, as if recalling something unpleasant, spoke in a rare, somewhat subdued tone while pretending to be casual. "Staying there would only reopen everyone's wounds. It's better to leave decisively."
Ignoring Nagisa's thoughts for now, Rozen felt somewhat helpless. Because anyone who knew Kojou would know.
"You love basketball so much. Do you really not feel regretful about giving it up?" Rozen said.
Since the past, Kojou had been passionate about basketball, investing a lot of effort into it. Even his overly critical father admitted that he was decent at basketball, and Kojou was very active in the basketball game at noon. It showed his deep affection for the sport.
However, Kojou had his reasons for giving it up.
"I only know how to play basketball by myself. I have no idea how to play with everyone else," Kojou said somewhat self-mockingly.
That was his reason.
Because of Kojou's involvement, the performance of Saikai Academy's middle school basketball club surpassed that of previous years. They even made it to the national tournament, and not long ago, they reached the final round of the regional competition, preparing to advance to the national tournament again.
However, the spirited Kojou, after the last game of the regional competition, decisively gave up basketball.
During the match that day, Kojou's performance was exceptionally exaggerated. Not only did he display extraordinary jumping ability and reaction speed, but his shooting accuracy was also remarkable. The few mistakes in passing were mainly due to teammates struggling to keep up with Kojou's speed.
Even so, Kojou managed to significantly widen the score gap for the team and was on the verge of securing victory. However, the opposing team resorted to fouling to stop him, leading to Kojou being substituted.
After that, Kojou sat on the bench, watching helplessly as the team continued to fall behind and eventually lose. He even witnessed his teammates calmly accepting the outcome and casting fearful glances at him. It made Kojou realize something profound.
"In the past, I only focused on my own performance, completely ignoring the guys around me. Even if they couldn't keep up with me, I didn't think it mattered since I could win on my own. With this mindset, I kept playing in the basketball club, and unknowingly, I isolated myself from everyone."
Kojou spoke, seemingly reflecting on his foolishness while maintaining a casual tone.
"Moreover, by always outclassing everyone and winning continuously, it led to the belief that others didn't need to make an effort because I could secure the victory. They neglected regular training, causing a decline in their skills. So, without me in the final game of the regional competition, we suffered a humiliating defeat. But my teammates had already accepted the result when I was substituted, showing no regret."
In other words, Kojou's presence took away the enthusiasm and dedication of the basketball club members for the sport, and they no longer poured sweat into it, losing all motivation.
Combined with the fear and isolation he experienced, Kojou decisively left the club.
"Anyway, I'm about to graduate from middle school. I need to focus on studying for the entrance exams to high school. I won't have time for basketball, so isn't it better this way?"
That was Kojou's rationale.
"But, but, our school has a continuous middle and high school system. As long as Kojou-kun smoothly advances, you can directly join the high school basketball club. There's no need to leave the club, right?" Nagisa felt regretful.
"You enjoyed the basketball game at noon, didn't you? It might be nice to continue like this," even Rozen offered a few words of advice.
However, it seemed that Kojou had already made up his mind.
"I'm just leaving the club. It doesn't mean I dislike basketball. If there's a game like today where I'm needed, I can join anytime." Kojou shook his head and said straightforwardly, "Moreover, it felt so comfortable playing at noon, especially with you keeping up with my speed. Yaze also put in a rare effort. The feeling of winning together with you guys made me truly happy. It also helped me understand that if I stay in the club, I'll take away that shared joy of victory. So, don't try to persuade me anymore."
Hearing Kojou's words, Rozen and Nagisa knew that Kojou had truly made up his mind, and there was no turning back.
"Such a pity." Nagisa sighed regretfully. "Clearly, Kojou-kun looks particularly handsome only when playing basketball. If you stop playing, won't you just be a useless guy in the future? As your little sister, I can't help but worry about it..."
"Hey!" Kojou immediately protested. "Who's a useless guy? Besides basketball, I have many other strengths, you know?"
"Is that so?" Nagisa looked at Kojou with a skeptical gaze.
That look deeply hurt Kojou.
"No... if you don't believe it, ask him. Nichiyo, didn't I also..." Kojou was about to make a counterargument and shifted the topic towards Rozen.
However...
"Nichiyo?"
"Nichiyo-kun?"
Both Kojou and Nagisa suddenly froze.
Because, as they walked alongside Rozen, he suddenly stopped and looked coldly to the side.
"I didn't really expect someone to be following us."
Rozen muttered to himself in such a way.
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone