Misplaced

Chapter One: Seirin

It was officially Seirin's second year of operating. The weather perfect, school back in session and the perfect opportunity to get new recruits for the club.

Aida was managing the basketball recruit table while they had two of their members out recruiting near the main entrance. They weren't doing badly as far as recruitment went. Aida counted all the forms that had been filled. "One. Two…Ten people so far. Maybe we need a bit more." She could only hope the invitations were going well. She blinked when a tall first year appeared carrying one of her players who had been trying to attract students to their club.

"I brought a new recruit." She couldn't help but think it's the other way around. He was huge. Strong too if the way he had been casually carrying another person was any indication.

"Is this the basketball club?"

Intimidating. Intimidating was definitely added to this first year's traits.

"Yeah," she muttered. She wanted him on her team despite her initial shock. But that look in his eye…it was like a wild tiger who was ready to attack its prey. It was hard to reply when looking into eyes like those. She mentally slapped herself so she could do what she was supposed to do. He sat down and began explaining the situation. "I think you know already, but our school was barely opened last year. All the upperclassmen are still just second years, so somebody with your build will immediately—"

"I don't care about that," he interrupted, taking a drink of the water Aida offered him. "Give me a form." He pointed to the pile and she handed him one. "I'll just write my name and go back."

Aida looked over the information when the form was returned to her. Kagami Taiga. His middle school was in America? "Huh? You didn't write your goals?"

"None in particular." Kagami crushed the paper cup he'd been drinking from and threw it in the trash without looking. "After all, Japanese basketball is the same everywhere." He looked back with a look that expressed he wasn't expecting much.

Her player who had been carried by Kagami collapsed against the table when Kagami was out of sight. "Scary. Is that really a freshman?"

He spoke too soon as a shadow loomed over them. He immediately sat up in fear and Aida gapped at the sight before her. That wasn't right. He wasn't supposed to be here. Yet… Jackpot!

"Eh…" He dragged the sound out. He hadn't been enthralled by the school. What's worse is he finished his snack on his way to school so he couldn't distract himself by eating. The two meter giant stared down at the two at the basketball recruitment table in a disinterest manner. Why did it have to be Seirin? "This is basketball, right?"

Aida couldn't help but draw the parallels to how this was going with Kagami. At least this one wasn't carrying someone. "Yes. Um… You're Murasakibara Atsushi, aren't you?"

Murasakibara wasn't surprised that someone knew him. Quite the opposite really. If they knew who he was then the registration process would hopefully go by faster. "If you already know who I am, am I free to go?"

"I just need you to fill in this form." She didn't need to look beside her to know why her player was quiet. He was scared stiff again. She was going to have to increase his training if he was intimidated this easy. "If I may ask, what did you choose Seirin?" There was no way a Generation of Miracle hadn't been recruited.

Apparently it was the wrong question to ask because the only word to describe Murasakibara's expression was dark. "It's Kurochin's fault." His face so angry neither dared ask who 'Kurochin' was. "I hope he suffers too."

Murasakibara wrote his name, student number and wrote I'm good at it where it asked his reason for joining. That's all they needed to know about him so he left it at that and left. He wasn't even polite enough to pass the form back to the coach.

Aida didn't know if this was a blessing or a curse. She now had two incredible first years at her disposal but they were off in their own world. She was going to have to teach the freshmen their place.

.

Kagami had been bored waiting for practice to start. He watched as other recruits and members entered the gym and none of them were impressive enough for him. He just hoped there were teams out there that would at least make him try. Japanese basketball was nothing like American basketball. They couldn't be held on the same level.

He heard another freshman loudly inhale. "Is that who I think he is?"

"That's Murasakibara isn't it?" Chatter began around him leaving him confused. What was everyone so worked up about?

Okay. If he was tall at 190cm (6'3") then that apparent freshmen was a giant. He had to be at least two meters tall. Better than height, Kagami could smell it. He was strong. For the first time in a while he smiled. He had finally found an interesting worthy opponent to play against. He disregarded the fact that they were supposed to be teammates.

Kagami placed his hand on another person's shoulder. He turned around to face the red head and was intimidated by Kagami too. Kagami watched him gulp. "You said Murasakibara right? Who's that?"

"You're a basketball player aren't you? How do you not know Murasakibara from the Generation of Miracles?"

"Generation of Miracles? What's that? An idol group?"

Kagami felt his confusion and anger rise when the boy just gapped at him.

"They're prodigies in our year. They are the best players. They used to all be on the same team at Teikō."

Kagami felt his blood boil. He looked at Murasakibara who seemed just as bored as he had been a moment ago. He probably thought the team weak too. And if there had been a whole team of them…Kagami was excited to beat them all.

"Hey you!" Kagami approached Murasakibara who looked at him with narrowed eyes. "Let's play one-on-one."

"I don't wanna."

"What do you mean you don't want to?" yelled Kagami trying to process that he was just denied a game. "I said play me."

Ignoring Kagami, Murasakibara asked if Kagami had any snacks.

"No I don't have any snacks. This is basketball. Who brings snacks to basketball?"

Murasakibara's nonchalant demeanor switched to furious.

A whistle was blown making the two from getting physical. "Practice is about to begin!" Aida didn't need a fight to break out. "I'm the boys' basketball coach, Aida Riko. Nice to meet you."

"Eh?"

"I wonder if she has snacks."

Kagami could feel the tick that formed on his head. He could sense Murasakibara was a strong player so why was he so hooked on food? He could eat later. Specifically, after they had a game.

"And that's our advisor, Takeda-sensei." Aida introduced. Most of the club seemed surprised but the two with the most potential didn't have a care in the world. Kagami didn't care as long as they get started soon and Murasakibara just didn't care. "Take off your shirts." Odd, but Kagami just did as he was told.

Murasakibara whined. Did he have to? He would just have to put it back on right after. He was told that yes, he had to take his shirt off too. With the coach gawking he figured he could put his shirt back on. His numbers were unbelievable. They definitely weren't stats of a freshman high school student, or any high school student.

When she was done, she told them to start running laps until she tells them to stop. "Do I have to?" Murasakibara complained but already moved to start running.

.

After three days of Murasakibara denying him a game, Kagami thought he finally found a way to play him "Oi! Murasakibara. If you play me one-on-one I'll buy you any snack that you want."

"Any snack?" He was limited by his allowance budget, so any chance for more snacks he would usually take.

They had already left school so they had to find a street court. Murasakibara almost called off the deal with how long it took to find one. "Found one!" Kagami ran to the court and dribbled a little. He had been too anxious for this match.

"Is first one to get three in good enough?" Murasakibara just wanted to get it over with. Kagami was way too eager to play him.

Kagami agreed though doubted he would want to stop playing once he got started.

Kagami ran to the net for a dunk. It had been clear and wondered if Murasakibara was even trying when a hand slapped the ball out of his hands. The former centered cleared the ball and scored with a dunk that completely overpowered Kagami when he attempted to block it. Kagami fell on the pavement looking up to Murasakibara. He looked even taller from the ground. "Do you want to give up?"

This was what Kagami wanted. Someone he couldn't beat. Someone who made his blood boil and brought out his animal instincts. "No way. It's better this way—if I can't win."

Murasakibara scowled. What's the point of playing if he knew he was going to lose? It only made him want to crush Kagami. And crush Kagami he did. Murasakibara scored three times and Kagami didn't stand a chance. "Now buy me my snack."

Kagami didn't like losing, but this thrill of basketball is what he loved. And now he knew how to get Murasakibara to play him again.

"Let's play again. I won't lose this time."

"No way. You promised."