Separation

Chapter Three: Disturbance

It didn't take long for people to realize the first year trio were an odd group.

Midorima Shintarō, shooting guard of the Generation of Miracles, and current first-string member and ace of Shūtoku. He had already been an oddity because of his jump shots that not only never missed but could be made from anywhere on the court. That wasn't the worse of him, though. If it hadn't been for the two other first years, he would have probably spent all his time alone. Despite making few remarks, what he did say was often irritable to the other members. He got three daily selfish requests. He was obsessed with horoscopes and brought ridiculous lucky items to practice. He also had a verbal tick of "nanodayo". Not to mention they were pretty sure he had a case of perfectionism, at least where basketball was concerned.

Kuroko Tetsuya, phantom sixth player of the Generation of Miracles as they soon found out, and another first year, first string member of Shūtoku. Living up to why the sixth member was a rumor, Kuroko was ghost like. He had a lack of presence and would often startle the other players. Either that or they would spend a lot of effort trying to find him. Like Midorima he didn't speak much unless spoken to. Kuroko would often have a void expression which only seem to amplify during practice games.

Kuroko and Midorima supposedly don't get along, and some antics could be seen that could prove this to be true. However, the other members also saw so many similarities. They were both fairly serious and straightforward. They both stayed behind to practice more with a presence which came off as unapproachable. Both claimed to not like the other yet both openly state they respect each other and speak to each other more than anyone else. Both didn't like the third first year's nicknames for them but eventually caved in to just letting it be. It was the small things like that which only confused everyone more about what their relationship really was because the way they acted didn't come off as hatred or enemies.

Then there was Takao Kazunari, first year member (also first string) of Shūtoku and somehow wanted to spend time with the other two. Actually, Takao was normal (aside from wanting to spend time with the other two) and the other members were completely fine with him. He could often be heard laughing at the oddity of Midorima or telling Kuroko to loosen up. His antics of trying to gain Midorima's recognition had calmed down but he was still trying hard.

They also learned once when they placed Kuroko and Takao against each other that they have similar styles. Despite 'not wanting to lose against the other' they were friendly to each other. It somewhat frustrated Takao, though, since he didn't know what he was missing to gain Midorima's recognition.

Despite the trio's oddity they still practiced hard and stayed when other members were dropping out what seemed daily. It was probably why Shūtoku's moto was 'Unyielding Tenacity'; because anyone who remained and didn't quit would have to fit those words.

.

Takao laughed.

He kept laughing.

He held his stomach that ached so much for laughing so hard.

"W-What's that?" He slowly moved an arm away from his stomach so he could point to the object in Midorima's hands.

"Today's lucky item, nanodayo." It should have been obvious. Why else would Midorima be holding a pink stuffed rabbit? He didn't even have to spend money this time. He was able to get the toy rabbit from his sister. He couldn't take any chances. He was ranked 10th today. It was not good. Not good at all. Maybe he should have gotten a bigger one.

"Midorima-kun." Kuroko broke the conversation (and Takao's laughter which had been loud in his ear). "Can you help me for a moment?"

Facing off against Takao made Kuroko realize he needed to pick up his training another notch. His shooting planning (which had many failed ideas) was taking a back roll as he tried to find a way to move on the court when needed. He didn't need another Takao. He had been able to find a hole in Takao's play as he usually could find while playing or observing but finding a way to deal with it directly rather than hope to find a solution in time was always better.

"Why me?"

"I can help," offered Takao.

"I need Midorima-kun," Kuroko said blantly.

"Eh? I'm not good enough?"

"Midorima-kun is better." Kuroko's piercing blue eyes hadn't left Midorima the entire time even as Takao complained saying he was good enough.

Midorima recognized the look. There was something Kuroko wanted to try. Aquarius' were ranked second today, so he had a good chance in succeeding with whatever the move was. Kuroko probably practiced hard ahead of time too. He wasn't like his other ex-teammates that would always skip. Well, Kuroko needed the practice but that was another discussion. "Alright."

Kuroko nodded and grabbed a ball off the ground. He dribbled a few times then nodded.

"What do you need me to do, nanodayo?" Midorima didn't know what to expect. Was he supposed to be close? The other side of the court? (He knew Kuroko could throw that far).

"Play defence."

Silence. That wasn't what he was expecting. Kuroko didn't confront people, he hid among them.

"Defence?"

"Yes."

He was confused, not that Midorima would admit it. Nonetheless, Kuroko wouldn't do this for nothing so he bent his knees, widened his stance, and his elbows bent with arms out prepared to steal the ball.

Takao leaned against the wall to watch.

Kuroko ran towards Midorima dribbling the ball. Midorima paid close attention. He couldn't lose sight of Kuroko. Not that it was possible for him to hide when he had possession of the ball. As Kuroko approached, his eyes drifted to the ball waiting for the distance and time that he would able to steal it. Left. Left. Left. He was going left. Suddenly the ball was out of sight and he noticed his mistake. He let Kuroko out of his vision. He almost couldn't move but when Kuroko was about two paces behind him his right leg extended back prepared to pivot and chase after him.

Kuroko had already stopped, though.

"It's not ready yet." Kuroko said to himself more than to anyone else. Midorima shouldn't have been able to react. Kuroko knew his moves and habits. His reach hadn't quite been enough and his crossover not fast enough. He would have to practice more.

Some of the members just looked at Kuroko. Maybe he was the one with the perfectionist tendencies. None of them had been able to pass Midorima one-on-one. What kind of standards was Kuroko comparing himself to?

Unfortunately, "normal" was what the average was. With so many people who have quit basketball and the added proportion of 'prodigies' meant what was normal was more extreme than what would have been normal any previous year. With the Generation of Miracles on his team in junior high is conception of what was normal wasn't the same as what other players thought. No. Even without the Generation of Miracles, Teikō was filled with great players.

"Psshh. Tetsu-chan just passed you Shin-chan."

He knew he should have gotten a larger rabbit. Maybe a life size one would counter his bad luck. But no. Kuroko was still ranked second giving him the upper hand.

"Tetsu-chan. You've got to teach me that."

"Absolutely not." Even if it was complete he wouldn't.

.

Before practice ended the Shūtoku members were finally getting their jerseys. The Interhigh was quickly approaching, so they would be needing them soon.

Takao was #10.

Midorima was #6.

And as fate would have it, Kuroko was #7.

The first time that Midorima wasn't associated with 7 and Kuroko got the number. He had been the one born in the seventh month. He had been the one born on the seventh. He had been #7 in middle school. So why Kuroko?

"Switch me, nanodayo."

"Not only can you not fit into this uniform, you're uniform is too big for me."

.

The three were currently at Maji burger. Kuroko wanted a vanilla milkshake and told Midorima that while it's not usually bought because people prefer fries, they do have a red bean soup. Midorima joined saying that it was only for the soup and had nothing to do with Kuroko. Takao who was fine with anything went along with them.

Kuroko was sipping on his milkshake when his ringtone went off. Looking at the caller ID, he wondered if he could just ignore the person who called him.

"Aren't you going to answer?" Takao asked.

Kuroko pressed a button and held the phone to his ear. The action was a substitute to a verbal response.

"Hello."

Kuroko winced and held the phone a little further away from his ear.

"You don't have to be so loud."

"Is there a point to this call?"

There was a long silence before Kuroko stood and went outside to continue with his call, leaving his milkshake unfinished.

"Who do you think he's talking to?" Takao asked before biting into his burger. The thing people normally ate at a burger shop unlike the soup Midorima was currently eating.

"Probably Kise." Midorima hadn't been interested, but he was curious what Kise could have said that made Kuroko exit to continue the conversation.

"Kise? Isn't he one of your old teammates?"

"Unfortunately." He argued with Kise frequently enough to have such an opinion.

Takao smacked Midorima's back hard, though it was supposed to be a pat. Midorima almost spit out his soup in the process. "You shouldn't think badly of your teammates, even old teammates."

Kuroko re-entered the building to finish his milkshake. Even when asked he kept silent about the conversation.

.

Kuroko hadn't shown up to practice the next day. If he would have asked he would have found out that Kuroko had been excused, but since he didn't, Midorima didn't know where he was. It was unlike Kuroko to miss practice. He couldn't remember a day Kuroko hadn't been to practice. If he recalled right, he never even missed a day of school.

So when he walked home and got a call from Kuroko he answered immediately. "Where were you?"

"Huh?" The brief moment of silence dragged on. "I was checking another school."

"Does it have to do with what Kise said yesterday?" Midorima put the facts together.

"It does."

Kuroko didn't elaborate. "Did you go see him or something?" Because the blond didn't already irritate him enough.

"I didn't."

Just when Midorima thought he was going to keep asking questions until he asked the right one (ask the right question, get the right answer; ask the wrong question, ask a hundred more), Kuroko explained himself.

"Kise-kun's team had a practice match against Seirin." Seirin? They were a new school. It had only opened last year.

"I don't see the problem. Kise won of course."

"He did." Kuroko didn't deny. "But they won within a twenty point margin." For Kise—especially with a well-known school like Kaijō against a new school—that wasn't much. "I went to Seirin to check the team. It's fine. They didn't notice me." Of course they wouldn't. "There's someone who reminds Kise-kun and I of Aomine-kun."

That. Now that wasn't expected. But it would explain why Kuroko had been acting weird.

"Right now he would be crushed by anyone from our old team, but… He has potential. From what I can tell, he even has similar mannerisms, stupidity and arrogance. Though he is much more predictable."

"If you say he's not on our level there's nothing to be concerned about." No one was on the Miracle level.

"Apparently Kiyoshi Teppei is the one who founded the team, but I haven't seen him." They also had a Uncrowned King? Well, good as they might be they still weren't on the same level. That's why they were named as such.

"And also…"

Kuroko didn't finished and remained silent.

"Also?"

"No. Never mind. Bye." Midorima looked at his phone. There was something else. Kuroko wouldn't bring it up otherwise. Similarly, he wouldn't get it from Kuroko unless he was willing.

He was sure to find out in time.