Renji versus Aoi, this match would be etched in his teammates' memories. Making this one a core memory. As they could see Aoi in the flesh to play. They thought that it was like an exhibition match of their favourite basketball player.
The best ace of the prodigies and the best in 1v1. Or so he was called the and one King. His dribbles were fantastic and the free style king. He was the King of street basketball in a young age before he joined their university.
Renji then planned to play along and will play all out. But how far could he go with his current strength? He did not know.
He immediately dribbled the ball faster and then planned to dash. Aoi let him pass him and then when Renji leaped to dunk, he was blocked by Aoi.
Making the ball to get out of the court.
Renji went all out and May saw that he was faster than in his tryout game. She smirked and realised that Renji was handicapped all that time.
Now that he has regained his 100 percent, he has faster speed, greater strength, higher stamina than before, he could even surpass Kevin right now if May would observe.
"Go Aoi! You can beat him up if you want!" Aizawa shouted. Though Kevin cheered Renji instead. "Go Renji! Losing is not that bad!"
They even cheered for his enemy.....Renji was popping out veins in his forehead. "Hey! What's that for?" He protested.
"I will treat you for a coffee later on so just play along!" May shouted.
As far as May would observe, Aoi was greater than in all aspects.... be it in speed or strength.
But Renji will outplay him in witts and tactics... His planned play was to outwit his opponent. If he could not be faster in speed then maybe in reaction speed he would be faster. It was a battle of wits and battle of mind.
As he was a former coach and trainer. And he would react and make a move faster than a split second.
'I will throw the ball first in the side then move in split second and then depends on his reaction, I will decide whether to crossover in the left or right. I will make 2 or 3 decisions in a second or even faster. That's what my advantage against him.' Renji said in his mind.
Renji then threw the ball on the side and then he flicked to grab the ball and then slammed the ball on his in between. Upon his observation, his enemy did not flinched but was relaxed. He tried to went on his left and then cross on the right.
Making him to dash like a duck diving on the right. It was fast and his teammates were shocked. Even Renji has a slasher capabilities. He was faster than in their tryouts. Making them thought that his speed was originally not that slow.
But his crossover was stopped. Aoi was even better at mind games and faster reaction speed. He even decided to stop his crossover on a split second. Aoi smashed the ball with his palm and the ball was flung. He was even better at Lockdown defence than Renji.
"Out of bounds!"
Renji then was the one defending. They all watched with great tense, their feet were in tip toes while on the bench.
Renji then defended and he dribbled the ball. Making an in between and then hesitation, with that Renji stopped and flinched. Aoi saw that he flinched to the right and then he decided to made crossover on his other side.
Renji nearly slammed his butt on the floor but knelt instead.
It was one point for Aoi. He even gave the ball to Renji and let him have the opportunity. Renji used to break his limits, he used fakes and reaction speed when Aoi will react, he reacted faster and faster, even calculated a counter move to stop or cross him over. Aoi still was better at it and pure talent and instinct was way off the chart.
"Good, I will make my 100 percent from now on." Aoi smirked.
"What!? That is not your full strength? You lied!" Renji felt bitter inside. He thought that it was his best. And thought that he was giving his best but it was just for a show.
"Good, then let me use my full strength too!" Renji blurted out.
"Huh! So they are all holding back!" May was shocked.
"Hehe just joking! That is my limit, I can't let out more." Renji blurted out.
"You liar!" May throwed her shoes on his head.
"Ouch!" Renji yelled.
Then Aoi let out his 100 percent....
"Brace for impact everyone!" Renji shouted.
Aoi then dribbled the ball and Renji tried his best to cope up. The pacing then upped for a split second. Renji reacted faster and faster. Then at that moment, he then felt sparks of his fragments of his talent...his copycat eyes was being revived and was observing him and he will try to copy his instincts.
The two went all out and then Renji panted, he could defend good but his pacing made him breathless. It was his weakness! He has lower stamina compared to Aoi!
He tried to defend till the end but Aoi was unstoppable. The two were flickering in their movements as Aoi slashed to shake Renji's defence and Renji was sidestepping rapidly to lock him down.
His copycat eyes was slightly triggering in small moments. He could slightly predict his movements and where he could go. He became slightly sensitive to his subtle movements and could see the moments where he would make a move. He will at least try to revive it.
Even losing this game was not that bad as he felt his Copycat eyes to get triggered slightly. His talent was slightly surfacing!
But he still failed....his observation was that his enemy was faster and greater in speed. He realised how far he was in his current strength and they seen how strong Aoi was..... But now, his copycat eyes was slightly being revived.
Aoi slashed left and right then he spun while jumping. Making a 360 dunk on the ring.
Renji leaped and was about to stop his dunk but then his block was shallow or lacking in strength, he fell on the floor while Aoi was still in the air.
"An Aerial dunk!" May shouted.
Renji then slammed his butt on the floor and then felt frustrated, though his eyes were seen weeping with tears.
He finally got to experience his copycat eyes. Even with just its embers, he finally tasted it. He felt bitter when he lost his talent and he was able to taste it for a moment.
He wept not because he lost but was happy that his talent resurfaced briefly. Aoi saw him smiling with tears and so Renji gained respect on him. He offered his hands and then Renji grabbed it. He stood up and then wiped his tears.
"So you really did lost your copycat talent huh." Aoi scratched his head.
"Yes, but don't worry. I will surpass my past, even surpass my copycat self." Renji was resolute.
"Good," he replied.
"Renji!" They all hugged him.
"That's so good! How did you improved in just a short time?" Asked May.
"How did you manage to get better this shortly?" Shin blurted out.
"So you really are Renji of the Prodigies!" Kevin shouted.
He lost perfectly then, "I will have a friendly match with your team. I agreed." Aoi agreed ....for the friendly match.
"But I lost!" Renji was shocked at his offer.
"It's fine. Let us all out in our next match." He said.
"Yes!" May shouted. "Let's all have a coffee guys! Let's go!"