Basketball miracles

Chapter 201 [A New Journey! First Love]

Xiao Tu was unsurprisingly elected MVP of the National Tournament, ranking first in points, assists, and steals.

He didn't take many shots, but his shooting percentage was extremely high, ultimately averaging 34 points per game. He practiced three-pointers throughout his time in Japan, focusing primarily on three-pointers and layups, resulting in a highly efficient playing style. Coupled with accurate free throws, he quietly racked up 30+ points per game.

Xiao Tu's training without pressure, challenging others to build confidence, is a good transition.

If he faces a super strong opponent right from the start, and tries to play the NBA with the physique of a point guard, how dare he dribble and use fancy moves? If he always seeks stability, his playing style will lose its flair and become fixed.

Point guard is the most difficult position because they lack height advantage, and to play basketball well, they must have outstanding skills. Every point guard who can play in the NBA is a prodigy who dominated his peers from a young age.

Even so, talented players aren't guaranteed a place in the NBA. Alston was a master dribbler on the streetball court, but he couldn't break through in the NBA, often just standing on the perimeter after dribbling past half-court and waiting for an opportunity to receive the ball and shoot three-pointers.

Many of the NCAA's brightest stars end up as fringe players in the NBA.

Xiao Tu is now brimming with confidence because he has traveled back to the 2003 talent show and has a summer to practice his skills and improve his abilities.

Xiao Tu gave a brief interview, offering no particular thoughts.

The other members of Shohoku High School had many thoughts, including Ryota Miyagi, who had won without lifting a finger. Except for Kaede Rukawa, who was expressionless, quiet, and always a loner.

Xiao Tu was almost certain that Rukawa Kaede wouldn't succeed in the US. He didn't communicate much with people, making him far more likely to become the next Tani Sawa Ryuji than a star athlete.

Whether it was because he was shy or because he never intended to curry favor with Xiao Tu, Rukawa Kaede never asked him.

That's fine, Xiao Tu has no interest in being someone's babysitter. No matter how talented Sakuragi Hanamichi is, Xiao Tu wouldn't suggest that Sakuragi go to America to try his luck.

Xiao Tu's closest friend has always been Mitsui Hisashi, who has given him a lot of advice. Now, a university has already set its sights on Mitsui, and his reputation surpasses that of Jin Soichiro from Hainan.

Xiao Tu couldn't take his Honda Iron Horse 400 with him; he'd already given it to Mitsui Hisashi.

The Shohoku team celebrated their victory with a dinner party that evening. Everyone who had come to Hiroshima to watch the game and cheer for Shohoku joined the celebration party. Sakuragi's gang, Horita Tokuo and his three underlings, Akagi Haruko and her best friend, Aota Tatsuhiko from the judo club, and others were all present.

Aota Tatsuhiko unfortunately didn't win the national high school judo championship, but his runner-up finish in the individual competition is still something to be proud of. He was already a well-known judo expert in high school.

Everyone was happy, sharing their thoughts and looking forward to a bright future. Even Ryota Miyagi was delighted; with Xiao Tu gone, he would be the starting point guard.

Only Yuki Uchida seemed distracted and spoke very little.

The two returned to their resort hotel in Hiratsuka City. As soon as Xiao Tu mentioned they were checking out, Uchida Yuki burst into tears. The end of the National Tournament meant Xiao Tu would be returning to the United States.

Actually, Yuki Uchida had cried several times before, always when she was home alone, but she couldn't hold back today.

Xiao Tu sighed, "Stop crying like that, why are you acting like a woman?"

Men who aren't handsome should never comfort women like this, or they'll likely get beaten up.

Yuki Uchida was stunned, unable to cry anymore. "I'm a woman, and you don't want me anymore, so why can't I cry?"

Xiao Tu laughed and said, "I didn't say I didn't want you. It's a must for me to go back to America. I can't stay in Japan to develop my career forever, can I? We won't break up. You can become a big star in Japan first, and after you've mastered English, you can come to America to find me."

Yuki Uchida felt a glimmer of hope. "How long will it take?"

"It all depends on your abilities. You're an artist with powerful connections; becoming a top star in Japan would be easy for you. I can use my connections to get you into a Disney movie, and it's not impossible for you to become the number one female star in Japanese film history."

Yuki Uchida sighed: "I haven't thought that far ahead. I just want to be with you. Haven't you ever thought about being an ordinary person?"

"What a joke! Even if I do nothing, I'm still extraordinary from head to toe. I won't waste my talents; life should be colorful. You should also do what you like. Romance is only a part of life, not the whole thing."

Yuki Uchida finally smiled a little. "Then it's a deal. I'll practice my English hard and then come to America to find you. You can't lie to me."

Most women have a tendency to admire strength, and Yuki Uchida has always admired Xiao Tu. If a man can shield you from the wind and rain, help you climb to the top, and is also handsome, it's hard not to fall in love with him.

"I'm not lying to you, we'll be living in a big villa, and you can choose any room you like." Xiao Tu was always good at making empty promises, and he managed to appease people for the time being.

He hadn't actually thought that far ahead. Plans are always subject to change, and who can predict what will happen in the future?
Because of Yuki Uchida, Xiao Tu's life in Japan became more interesting. If he were just playing basketball with those immature teenagers, he would have gotten tired of it long ago. Making a promise was no big deal; the future depended on Yuki Uchida's choices.

Time heals all wounds. If Yuki Uchida is happy being a star in Japan and meets someone she likes, she might give up going to the United States, and I would support her.

In any case, Xiao Tu definitely can't be faithful; he'll have other girlfriends in the future. Whenever he meets a beautiful woman, and whenever he wants to have something happen with her, he'll do it.

Xiao Tu doesn't even know when he'll return to the 90s and play in the NBA with the physique of a point guard. He won't say anything heartless; if they haven't seen each other for a long time by then, maybe he'll really like Uchida.

He currently views the 1990s as a vacation world, and will have a year-long buffer period before returning. He can't participate in the draft until at least next June, and the NBA rookie season starts in October.

When he gets tired of playing basketball, it would be nice for him to vacation in the 90s. The level of high school basketball in the US isn't that high either; he'll definitely dominate his peers and put up amazing stats without any pressure.

Xiao Tu checked out of his hotel in Hiratsuka City and then went to Tokyo with Yuki Uchida for three days. He ate with Robert Shaw, the father of this world, every day, and they talked about what would happen after they returned to Los Angeles.

Xiao Tu doesn't need to worry about anything. He just needs to contact his mother when he gets back, and it'll be easy to transfer to a high school closer to home. If he wants to live alone, he can go to the villa; the housekeeper will arrange everything.

Xiao Tu can drive whichever of his family's supercars and luxury cars he likes. Robert doesn't know when he'll return to Los Angeles; he's currently the CEO of the Asia region and has to stay in Asia most of the time, only returning to the United States for vacations or job transfers.

Robert asked, "I heard you recorded a Japanese EP album that's about to be released. Why haven't you promoted it?"

"What's there to promote? My album cover is a cartoon character, with no face shown at all. The record company will use 'mystery' as a selling point, and nobody will know what the singer looks like."

Robert laughed and said, "You think you sing so badly that you don't want to show your face? Do you think this will sell?"

"No, this album will sell very well; it's a gift from me to my Japanese fans. I happen to have some free time, so I'll test the waters in the Japanese music scene first. I'll also release an album in the US, singing English songs. I have to be a singer; otherwise, all my great talent and Disney's resources will be wasted."

Robert asked, "When did you start liking to sing? Weren't you planning to go to the NBA?"

"These two jobs don't conflict; I can do them both well."

Yuki Uchida asked from the side, "Why didn't you tell me about releasing an album before?"

"Because there's a song for you, the same title as the album. It wouldn't be fun if you listened to it beforehand. Just wait, someone will send you the cassette tape later."

On August 16, Xiao Tu flew directly from Tokyo to Los Angeles in first class without having anyone see him off.

This day was also the day his album was officially released.

Yuki Uchida received an EP cassette album titled "first love" in her new apartment in Tokyo. The title track was this song, and the artist was "Shaw".

This is a classic song by Utada Hikaru, with lyrics that combine Japanese and English. Xiao Tu wrote it in advance and sang the male version.

"You will always be my one and only love. Even if I fall in love with someone else in the future, I will remember to love them. This is what you taught me. You will always be my one and only..."

When Yuki Uchida heard the chorus, she almost cried herself to sleep at home.

This is a gift that is both romantic and poignant.

The other four songs are equally classics: "Only Watching You," "Until the End of the World," "Bluebird," and "Snow Flower."

Xiao Tu deliberately left five "original" songs unpromoted. He believed that even so, this EP album would still be a huge hit, with songs that would guarantee a comfortable retirement.

The direct flight from Tokyo to Los Angeles usually takes 12 hours, and Xiao Tu planned to get a good night's sleep. As soon as he boarded the plane, he started daydreaming about 2003 and remembering the date he left.

The next time I come to the 90s, I'll wake up on an airplane.

That feeling of being in another world is probably like Cobb waking up on the plane in Inception, not knowing whether it's a dream or reality.

This should be fun; I want to try it out.

It's time to start a new journey! My first goal is to achieve my small objective: to become the leader of the Heat.

(End of this chapter)