Y13 [EN]: Chapter 61

Y13-61. Extra Story – Halloween Day
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The Chicago Bulls game in the main story is on November 19th. This event takes place three weeks prior to that.

October 31, 2010.

The Dallas Mavericks decisively defeated the LA Clippers with a score of 102 to 81.

Having narrowly avoided a losing streak after their game against Memphis, Dallas approached their two upcoming games against Denver with renewed confidence. In this game, Youngjae played for approximately 12 minutes, scoring 8 points, providing 3 assists, grabbing 3 rebounds, and making 1 steal. His efficiency in the limited time he played was remarkable, putting pressure on the LA Clippers’ bench.

While his performance was still difficult to compare to that of Blake Griffin, the LA Clippers’ highly touted rookie and a strong contender for Rookie of the Year, or John Wall, the first overall pick who drew comparisons to Derrick Rose, Youngjae had been consistently utilized since the opening game against Charlotte. Consequently, the media, fans, and NBA officials were increasingly focusing their attention on Youngjae. After all, Griffin and Wall enjoyed significant playing time and possessed flashy playing styles.

Since it was an early game, the players had plenty of time afterward. The game started at 12:30 PM and ended before 3 PM. After showering off the sweat from the intense match, the players participated in a Halloween event hosted by the club.

Following the event, the players returned to the locker room and were chatting while packing their bags when Dirk Nowitzki, the team captain, called them together.

“I know you must be tired, but please listen to me for a moment.”

The players exchanged curious glances, wondering what Nowitzki was about to say. He looked around at the team and began to speak calmly.

“I’m sure today’s game has taken a lot out of you. But today is October 31st, Halloween Day, right?”

The players nodded, refraining from interrupting Nowitzki.

“Halloween Day is a special day for children, isn’t it? I was thinking that there must be young Mavs fans who are going through a tough time. I was wondering if anyone would be willing to make their day a little brighter by visiting them, even if it’s tiring. Of course, it’s completely voluntary.”

The team often organized such events. Dirk Nowitzki, the Dallas captain, lived up to his reputation as a genuinely great person. Even though the team never mandated his involvement in such activities, his genuine concern for the fans led him to personally organize this event.

(Dirk Nowitzki is known for his extensive volunteer work in the community and his participation in charity soccer games during the off-season.)

“We already had an event after the game. Do we really have to do another one?”

“Like I said, it’s not mandatory at all. I understand that everyone is tired from the game. I’m simply asking if anyone is genuinely interested in participating.”

Some players quickly excused themselves, citing fatigue. Others had prior commitments with their children and expressed their regret while contributing a small amount of money to the cause. Ultimately, the players who remained were Nowitzki, Tyson Chandler, Shawn Marion, J.J. Barea, and Youngjae.

“Thank you. Let’s decide where to go next.”

Under Nowitzki’s guidance, the five players discussed potential locations, made phone calls, and obtained prior consent. They decided to focus on hospitals, orphanages, and underprivileged neighborhoods. Youngjae chose to visit a children’s hospital facing financial difficulties.

Mark Cuban, the owner of the Dallas Mavericks, along with coaches Rick Carlisle, Dwane Casey, and Terry Stotts, learned about the event and quickly joined in. Cuban collected separate donations and distributed them to each player, while the coaches gathered in groups of three or five to deliver donations as well.

“Okay, last but not least, the costumes?”

Barea, who had briefly disappeared, returned with a playful grin and unveiled a bundle he had hidden behind him, spilling its contents onto the floor. The pile included everything from Jack O’Lantern masks to animal costumes, witch costumes, zombie costumes, Hulk costumes, and more. Barea quickly grabbed the Iron Man suit costume.

“Look at him snagging the best one.”

“Hey, I prepared it, so let me have this one.”

Barea swiftly put on the suit and secured the mask, anticipating that someone else might want to wear it.

“Hmm.”

Nowitzki and Tyson Chandler couldn’t find any costumes that fit their tall frames. They settled for Dracula teeth, red colored contact lenses, black cloaks over their suits, and Jack O’Lantern masks.

Shawn Marion donned a Hulk mask and Hulk clothes, embracing his nickname of Matrix, and struck a bodybuilder pose. The others chuckled, calling him Shawn Hulk when he even shouted, “Woah!”

“Um.”

Finally, Youngjae. Uncertain of what to wear, Youngjae spotted an eye-catching outfit and quickly chose it.

“Oh~ Green Arrow!”

Youngjae transformed into DC Comics’ Green Arrow, sporting a green and black leather vest, black leather pants, a hood, and wielding a green bow.

“Okay, everyone, let’s head to our respective destinations.”

Etti Lars was bored.

His mom and dad had suddenly gone out, and the TV wasn’t holding his attention. The NBA game he had been watching had just finished, so he slumped onto the bed, contemplating taking a nap.

Pop!

Suddenly, all the lights in the hospital room went out. Etti Lars was confused, and the children who had been laughing and talking grew startled and began to sob.

Pop!

When the lights flickered back on, a figure stood in the middle of the hospital room. The children, including Etti Lars, were bewildered to see the Green Arrow, a character they had only encountered in comic books, standing before them.

“Have you been waiting for me?”

Despite the slightly awkward delivery, the children realized it was Halloween Day and erupted in cheers, “Wow!” They rushed towards the Green Arrow, who, caught off guard, struggled to hug them one by one. He made a “swoosh” sound like an airplane and gently placed the children back on their beds.

The children laughed and giggled, pretending to fly, and eagerly returned to the Green Arrow for another airplane ride.

“Green Arrow! I want to see your face!”

Etti Lars, after his airplane ride, joined the other children in playfully tugging at the Green Arrow, flipping back his hood.

“Woah, woah, woah… Woah!!! It’s Y13!!”

Even though he had only played three games, Dallas fans already recognized Youngjae’s NCAA nickname, Y13. The children had watched the game earlier, and upon realizing that the Green Arrow was Youngjae, they screamed and went wild.

“Okay, wait a minute, guys? Just a minute…”

Overwhelmed by the enthusiastic cheers and hugs, Youngjae managed to calm the children with the assistance of their guardians and the nurses who were observing the scene with delight from outside the room.

“I heard that some of you couldn’t go out and play because it’s Halloween Day, so I came to visit.”

Youngjae called out the children’s names one by one and presented them with gifts. He gave them handwritten letters and signed uniforms that he had prepared on the way, as well as small children’s basketball hoops and basketballs that could be hung on the beds. He personally installed the hoops for each child and showed them how to shoot.

Etti Lars also learned how to shoot, but he felt a sense of sadness. Even though he was face to face with Youngjae, he couldn’t muster any excitement.

“Yoon.”

“Huh?”

“Even if I shoot… I can’t run anyway.”

Youngjae was taken aback by Lars’s sudden statement. Etti Lars was experiencing symptoms similar to muscular weakness. While his condition had reportedly improved slightly, there was no known cause or treatment. Other areas were progressing slowly, so there was no major problem, but the leg area was progressing particularly quickly, so if this continued, it would be difficult to walk even as an adult.

“Of course, you need to run a lot to play basketball. But I believe in you. I believe that if Lars practices shooting hard here, he can become healthy later. So let’s make a promise. If you practice shooting hard and exercise hard and are able to walk, let’s play basketball together at the American Airlines Center [the Dallas Mavericks’ home arena].”

Youngjae touched Lars’s chest, signifying a promise, and then patted the heads of the other children, encouraging them to practice shooting and receive treatment so that they could all play basketball together.

Youngjae spent Halloween night forging meaningful connections with the children as he visited each hospital room. After visiting the last room, Youngjae met with the hospital director, who expressed his gratitude. Youngjae shook his hand, emphasizing that he wasn’t seeking recognition.

“And this is a donation from the Dallas Mavericks.”

Youngjae handed over the donation, and the hospital director sincerely thanked him, inviting him to visit the children whenever he had time.

“Don’t worry. I made a promise with the children, so I will continue to visit.”

During his time with the San Antonio Spurs, Youngjae had rarely dedicated time to volunteer activities or social contributions, except for events organized by the club. He found it bothersome, preferring to spend his time playing, resting, or practicing. However, as he embraced his life with renewed intensity, he began to perceive things he had previously overlooked.

“It’s been a long time since I’ve seen the children so happy. Thank you so much. Thank you so much.”

The children’s guardians repeatedly thanked Youngjae, who reassured them that it was alright. He felt a sense of fulfillment and gratitude.

“Playing in front of so many fans, having them watch my games, and seeing their enthusiasm for my play are definitely precious to me. But knowing that children watch my games even on TV and like me just for seeing me… If they get healthier by watching my play, there are few things that make me feel as proud. I will work harder in the future so that I can play basketball with the children at the American Airlines Center.”

Youngjae left the hospital and returned to the American Airlines Center, where the other players were also taking off their costumes.

“Good job.”

Nowitzki sincerely thanked the four players who had participated in the event. However, they all waved it off, expressing their satisfaction with having contributed.

“I’d like to have a light drink and eat together, but it’s time to be with the people who will spend the rest of Halloween together, so let’s call it a night.”

“Okay. It was a good day. Everyone, have a good night.”

The five players parted ways with smiles.

============================ Work Review ============================

★Thank you to those who gave me advance subscriptions, recommendations, comments, and coupons!!

＠The Chicago Bulls game in the main story is on November 19th. This is three weeks before the main story.

＠In fact, October 31, 2010 is a Clippers away game, but for this episode, the October 31st game has been changed to a home game. After that, one Clippers home game will be changed to an away game. I don’t know if that game will be described…

＠I will combine the 60th comment with the 62nd episode, which will be posted at midnight.

＠Although it is marked as an extra story, it can be regarded as a daily part of the main story that has passed. Then see you after midnight!! Maybe 12:09?