An Encounter on Another Court

At the high school division of Yucai Middle School, two-thirds of the students in Class 3 of Grade 10, a class packed with arts-track students, failed their PE exams, forcing five PE teachers out of their jobs. Su Aoli, a young basketball player who competed in the NCAA and was known for her fiery play and superb skills, had been “semi-retired” for over a year due to injury. She became the principal's pick for the school's new PE teacher. She looked strikingly like Rukawa Kaede, had a handsome face, and lived by the motto: “One step at a time. The process matters more than the result.”

On the recommendation of the principal of the affiliated sports school, Song Qi, a young basketball coach there, was also about to join Yucai. A believer in talent and results, Song Qi had no patience for doing anything pointless.

Though they saw things differently, the two were no strangers. When Su Aoli was injured, Song Qi called her “useless,” driving a wedge between them after 14 years by each other's side on the basketball court.

Now about to meet again on the school's “court,” the two must face doubts from each other and the other teachers as they help the students of Class 3 regain their confidence and interest in sports, and turn things around in their academic and entrance exams.

…

“Do you really think you can handle that bunch of little demons?”

“I'll prove I'm not useless, and neither are my students.”