In case anyone is confused, the order of matches is modified for my convenience. I just want Seirin Seniors to be done with their revenge quota.

BTW I can't fathom why some of you think I manage to boost Aomine's jerkass level in last chapter. Considering I did reveal what's running through his head when he challenged Kagami and co, he is certainly not being the good guy but he don't have malicious intention at the very least. It's just that in Seirin's side, they take this mishap Kagami hid in canon seriously. Kuroko also have more faith in his team so he won't let Kagami hid it in the first place either.

I suppose it's because unlike how it was swept under the rug in canon, I point out that what Aomine did thoughtlessly is something serious.

20thQ: "They're kidding right?!"

Yasuda Kinen Hospital

Izuki was relieved to hear Sengoku-sensei's assurance that while Kagami made his injury worse, his legs aren't beyond help. He just needed more rest, and now it was a guarantee that he couldn't play in first week of Championship League against Seishinkan. Kagami's horrified face made him want to laugh if the situation was appropriate for that.

Kagami, it was one game second years could fight by themselves and not the end of the world like his face suggest. Or it was the doctor's words that cause Kagami made that face.

Sengoku-sensei wasn't amused, "If you don't take care of those nice and healthy legs, I will amputate it and give them to someone who will appreciate it more than you."

Yeap, Kiyoshi was right that his doctor was scarier than one he got in LA.

"Also, don't forget to take the other reckless brat next door with you later. As charming as he could be towards old folks here, I swear I have seen quieter kids before school trip."

Izuki just laughed at that.

"If I see him back here, I will crash his weekly Hanafuda night."

Hyuuga who caught up with him to check on Kagami's condition blushed a deep red. "We're so sorry for him… we will take our resident idiot back Sensei." He bowed deeply. "Both of them."

Kagami sputtered in the background.

Touou Gakuen

They had seen Kuroko Tetsuya from video, or rather just small glimpse of him because scouts couldn't notice the guy really well. Journalists of sport magazine had forgotten the guy for three years when he was part of Teikou's unstoppable team, so no surprise here. At the very least they recognized the teal mop of hair and skin so pale it was almost transparent. They also had been briefed of his unique playing style, but still-

'His presence… is so damn thin.' Was the united thought of individualistic Touou Basketball Club.

Wakamatsu squinted his eyes, 'He looks so weak, and Aomine seriously listen to him?'

'I think if I didn't focus this guy will disappear from my sight.' Susa thought. 'And he isn't even moving!'

'Kuroko Tetsuya-san was Aomine-san's vice-captain right? Another generation of Miracle! I am scared! Kise-san is scary too and so is- wait he isn't scary? I am sorry I am not scared!'

Imayoshi narrowed his eyes, 'Seeing is believing, I know Aomine's old team is full of ridiculous players but… Kuroko Tetsuya is different kind of outrageous than the rest of them.' He concluded, human shouldn't be this hard to notice! 'Is he even human?!' No wonder he was thought to be a myth.

Aomine pointedly ignore his gaping clubmates in favor of asking his former partner. "Yo, Tetsu. Did you come to lecture me like Kise?"

Kuroko didn't answer right away but turned his gaze to Kise instead, the blond stood up ramrod straight. "Kuroko-chi…"

He turned towards Touou team's general area. "Good afternoon, my deepest apology for interrupting your training Touou-san." Then of all things they didn't expect, the vice-captain of Generation of Miracle gave them a deep apologetic bow. "And also for coming in to your gym without permission… it's very discourteous of us." He glanced at Kise, who quickly rushed to follow his example.

Imayoshi and Susa felt their eyes started to sting, 'I knew what I am sign up for when Coach chose Aomine but-'

'To see someone from that group so polite and humble make me want to cry for drawing short straw called Aomine Daiki.'

Wakamatsu was also in the same page as his seniors, 'Can our team get a refund?! I am positive Teikou swindled our school now!' This was his first time meeting Aomine's old teammate, and both are a hundred times more amicable than their ace.

"Kise-kun, go back to Kaijou. You have no business interrupting their training."

Kise's lips quivered, "It's Aomine-chi's fault!" He pointed at the tanned teen, unwilling to be the only one shouldering the blame.

"Like hell it's mine you blonde idiot!"

"Ahoumine-chi don't get to call me that!"

"Haaaah? Your grades isn't better than mine!"

"At least I still know that kindergarten isn't one of Japan's three great garden!"

"You can't list them either Kise!"

Imayoshi was amused, he knew Aomine was academically challenged and barely scratch the minimum passing mark because of Momoi. It seemed Kaijou's ace was the same, the model was just more sensible it seemed. He filed this tiny trivia on the back of his mind, who knows if it would be useful later on.

Kuroko Tetsuya heaved a sigh. "There goes our three years effort of keeping our image." He muttered under his breath.

Imayoshi frowned, was it just him or the fight between Kise and Aomine turned to light hearted banter the moment this guy stepped in? Also, his reaction towards their childish behavior imply this was a routine back in Teikou. He would never imagine the Generation of Miracle had this sort of dynamic outside of the court.

"Aomine-kun, Kise-kun." The tone the pale skinned boy used was a tad deeper, and the two aces shut up.

Kise and Aomine exchanged glance, 'Tetsu/Kuroko-chi is angry!' There was no mistaken that dark look and frost in his eyes.

Susa resisted his urge to clap. Imayoshi didn't miss how Aomine's eyes swam at mere change of tone in Kuroko Tetsuya's voice. He wondered how Kuroko Tetsuya and Akashi Seijuurou put a leash on egoistical prodigies like Aomine and Kise Ryouta?

"Kise-kun." The ace of Kaijou flinched, "What should I tell Kasamatsu-san that their ace go looking for trouble in another school?"

Kise paled at the name of his current captain, sobering up instantly. "Ugh-"

"You're already in high school and an Ace now, I shouldn't have to tell you to not be so impulsive and get into childish scuffle with Aomine-kun. I thought you're more mature than that."

The other Ace protested, "Oi Tetsu, that's indirect insult that I hear right?! My level and Kise-"

Kise cried, "Like Aomine-chi is one to talk! I am never as bad as you!"

"Haah?!" Aomine snarled. "Why are you even siding with that Kagami-guy anyway?!"

Whatever Kise was about to say next was replaced by choking noise when he was given Kuroko's customary jab on the ribs. "That's enough both of you, Kise-kun… we have overstayed our nonexistent welcome in Touou." He said as dragging the still paralyzed Kise by his collar. "Aomine is part of Touou so his captain and coach should deal with him as it's right and proper."

Imayoshi was ticked, 'He just throw a challenge at me, didn't he?!'

Susa was equally shocked, 'Thin presence or not he is still the former Vice-captain of Generation of Miracle, and he just politely imply Aomine is our responsibility." Not to mention. 'Did he just hurt Kise-kun and our Ace seemed like he was expecting the same treatment?'

Aomine were holding his sides, wondering why he didn't get hit. "Tetsu, you…'

That was a strange expression their Ace put up, Imayoshi noted. 'Very sensible indeed, Aomine is ours now… he can talk but he can't treat Aomine like back in Teikou.' In the other hand Kise's current captain must had given Kuroko Tetsuya a free reign. Imayoshi was tempted to do the same, but it won't look good for him and his team dynamic if their Ace was handled by outsiders. In case of Kise Ryouta, the copycat wasn't as disobedient as Aomine and Imayoshi knew Kaijou's captain was a disciplinarian. Kasamatsu Yukio could afford this kind of arrangement, but Imayoshi could not.

"Wait!" Wakamatsu called out to the swiftly retreating Generation of Miracle members. "We can't deal with Aomine! He is incorrigible, he didn't listen to us, not even to our captain!"

Any other day Touou Basketball Club would appreciate the once in a lifetime chance to see gobsmacked expression of their sadistic captain due to their Center's careless remark. Wakamatsu didn't even notice he had just slapped Imayoshi's face with that tiny revelation of his inability to control his Ace to outsiders and their entire club.

Susa rubbed the back of his head nervously, 'Wakamatsu isn't wrong but… he is so dead.'

Imayoshi smiled creepily, 'Wakamatsu, ya bored of living it seems.' There goes his dignity as Captain, up to flame.

"He didn't even call us senpai! Even our captain just get called -san by that dolt!" It as if a dam just opened, Wakamatsu at last found someone he could complain to."Just today, Aomine stole Sakurai's bento, broke our hoop and kneed me on my gut!"

Kise who just recovered looked at the poor hoop on the floor, "Oh yeah, is that a big deal?" Kuroko frowned at him and Kise averted his eyes nervously.

Did Kise Ryouta just offhandedly imply that it was a regular occurrence in Teikou?

"Being a repeat offender of that doesn't excuse it, Kise-kun."

"At least Kuroko-chi isn't the one who have to fill up the replacement paperwork this time, he he he…"

Imayoshi and Susa sent Kuroko a sympathetic look.

"I am sure Kasamatsu-san would be happy to assign you to triple footwork and stamina training." Kise squawked at that pitifully, he knew his current captain would listen to Kuroko. They were very much in tune when it comes to disciplining Kise. The copycat sent Aomine a resentful look, the Ace just scowled. "And Wakamatsu-san right?"

The Center nodded enthusiastically.

Aomine sputtered in the background, "Why are you whining at Tetsu, haah! Wakamatsu!"

"Call me senpai!" Was Wakamatsu's reflexive response.

"Wakamatsu-san." The blond with paler hair than Kise flinched, he forgot about Kuroko. "I am sorry but it won't be right for me to interfere with your team."

Wakamatsu deflated, "But with Kise Ryouta, you…"

"The Captain of Kaijou entrusted Kise-kun to me for some matter I need him to help me with, the one handing his punishment is still Kaijou themselves."

Aomine frowned, he felt weird to hear that he was no longer Kuroko's responsibility. 'It stings…'

"TETSU-KUUUUUN!" A pink blur familiar to Touou crashed towards the teal haired boy, "I miss you so much!"

She just had to come at the worst timing, and Kuroko once again failed to excuse himself. Usually it wasn't this hard to escape for him, maybe he was just that unfortunate. And if Midorima-kun was here he would tell Kuroko of his bottom ranking in Oha-asa.

"Momoi… you and Kuroko-kun are…" Susa trailed off.

Momoi beamed, "He is my boyfriend!"

Majority of the club members turned to Aomine like sunflower towards the sun. 'Isn't our ace her boyfriend?' Then again, Momoi never behave that intimately with Aomine. Also… for the flower of their club to be all over this guy…

'So jealous, die!'

Aomine and Kise could tell the shadow was about to say his usual denial, but Momoi's sad face stopped him. As quickly as her mood picked up by seeing him, she deflated like a balloon as soon. "Tetsu-kun! I am so sorry for Aomine-kun." She bawled, burying her face on his chest and hugging him tighter.

Aomine groaned, "Woman! Your mood swings give me a headache!"

Momoi glared at him, "I told you Kagami-kun is injured and you go challenging him! Seirin is furious with us!" Then she turned to Kuroko, who admirably didn't protest under her crushing hug. "I was careless and told Aomine-kun how to find Kagami-kun… and when I wasn't watching… he-he..."

Kuroko sighed, he patted the upset girl with his free hand gently. "Momoi-san isn't at fault, Aomine-kun have to take responsibility of his own doing." Then he added, "I am sure my seniors aren't angry with you. Momoi-san always did her best after all."

"Tetsu-kun" Momoi melted like chocolate under the sun.

'Wow, this is an expert gentleman at work.'Touou team thought in awe.

Aomine snorted, "Aah it's always easier to deal with Satsuki when Tetsu is around."

"Also, in this incident Aomine-kun isn't the only one in the wrong." He pointedly ignored Aomine's indignant expression. "Kagami-kun and my three other students would be punished for this."

In instance the temperature in the gym dropped by several degrees.

Momoi fidgeted nervously, "Uhm but... Kagami-kun, Furihata-kun, Kawahara-kun and Fukuda-kun aren't the one at fault."

Kise nodded furiously, he had deepest sympathy for them as Kuroko's former student.

"It takes two hands to clap." Said Kuroko in a tone of finality. "My instruction is quite clear on what they should do and don't."

Momoi and Kise clamped their mouth shut at that, while Kuroko didn't preach on being always right and absolute the vice-captain of Generation of Miracle was never lenient to misbehavior that compromise their player and team. Kise knew that he was let off lightly last time because he was part of Kaijou, for Kagami and co however…

It was very much within Kuroko's authority to punish them.

"Now then, please excuse me…"

Momoi grabbed his hand tightly, "Tetsu-kun… uhm."She gave discreet glance towards Aomine and back to him, giving him her best pleading eyes.

Kuroko contemplated for three seconds before he gave a resigned sigh, "Kise-kun… go back to Kaijou to receive your punishment." Kise straightened himself at that, "I will call Kasamatsu-san later."

"Uuugh...no mercy as usual."

Touou team rubbed their eyes in unison, 'Did he just whine? And are those imaginary puppy ears and tails we see just now?'

Kise gave Aomine one last glare before walking out of Touou's gym.

"I am sorry, but... Imayoshi-san, right?" The captain with osaka dialect gave him a wry smile. "Can I borrow Aomine-kun for a few minutes?"

Before he could answer Aomine protested, "Why are you asking permission from Imayoshi-san, Tetsu?!"

Wakamatsu snarled, answering for him. "Because Imayoshi-senpai is your current captain!"

Well, Imayoshi supposed Wakamatsu got to live a bit longer for that remark.

"I didn't ask you!"

Imayoshi ignored their unproductive argument, "Sure, Aomine certainly listen to you better. Do as you wish as long as he is back to us in one whole piece." He couldn't touch Aomine, sure, but he was sure as hell the phantom player got his hint.

Kuroko Tetsuya narrowed his eyes, "Hm… Touou have dangerous players, we will be even more careful."

Imayoshi's grin widened.

"Why- you shitty captain I am no dog!" He yelped, "Tetsu, my ear! My ear!"

Touou watched with mix of horror and bemusement as their unstoppable ace were dragged out of the gym by his ears like a petulant child. It soothed their heart like cooling balm. Then ten minutes later their Ace returned and their brain short-circuited when Aomine absentmindedly went towards the basketball trolley in the corner of the game and started practicing by himself. Nobody noticed their manager had gone AWOL again, too busy not to gape too openly at Aomine.

Imayoshi just sighed, "I really need to ask for tips later." And he thought Hanamiya was unmanageable enough for a Kouhai, then again Uncrowned General or not his not so cute kouhai counted as small fry that still play mind game. Aomine just bulldozed through his attempt at it, the Ace was just too apathetic to everything.

'Considering who was my captain in middle school, you'd think I wouldn't recognize the likes of you?'

Apparently what Imayoshi said back when Touou tried to recruited him didn't really strike a chord in Aomine, he knew what Imayoshi was up to. Knowing what kind of player Akashi Seijuurou was, and his short interaction with Kuroko Tetsuya just now, it was no wonder.

'Just now, I fucked up myself with showing my colour the Sixth Phantom Player.' Well, the guy would notice anyway in their future match.

Seirin, the next day

Kagami showed up,and he didn't dare to look at any of his seniors in the eyes. Especially their Coach and Kuroko, sweating under their gaze."Well, you looks guilty enough that we won't bother scolding you anymore." Riko concluded.

Kuroko who was writing something in his clipboard interjected, "You owe me two months drill." If they made it to Inter-High, the training camp awaits and Kagami knew he was so dead.

The red head trembled, 'What's the chance Kuroko would forget my debt?' Nope- this was the guy with straight perfect score in his exam test, and if he remember every single something-yoshi without being sengoku otaku like Captain, the chance was slim to none.

"Uhm- Kuroko…" Kagami called out when the rest of Seirin team started stretching on the floor, while sat on the stage of their gym, just stretching his arms.

The shadow paused his warm up, "Yes?"

"You already know I met Aomine." He nodded, his expression was still blank. "Uhm… he seems different than other former teammates of yours, well- a bit like Kise as he seems to hold you in high regards but also not quite the same...?"

Kuroko bend down, arms stretched to reach his toes as Izuki helped his stretching. Finishing the last stretch of their warm up menu. "That's because…" He answered at last, "Aomine-kun was my partner and best friend in middle school."

Silence…

"Huh?! How are you a best friend with that jerk?!" Kagami asked in disbelief. "Well… you're friend with Kise and Midorima so Aomine isn't such a great leap I suppose." He mumbled to himself.

"While I understand where you're coming from, please refrain from bad mouthing my friend in front of me." Kuroko told him in driest tone he could muster, and Kagami quickly apologize profusely. "Is that all?"

"Erm… what about the light and shadow stuff? He also told me those…"

Kuroko sighed, "Ah that huh…" There was a long silence stretching to what felt like eternity, and Kagami wondered if Eagle Eyes of Izuki-senpai was going to evolve to Superman's laser beam, because the redhead could almost feel the heat coming from the usually calm senior.

The other seniors also looked like they wanted to eat him, seriously- everything Teikou related was landmines in Seirin. "Since we're playing against Touou after Seishinkan I suppose it's just fair if everyone is informed of this…" Kuroko at last had mercy on them and ended the silence. "Light and Shadow is simply the name of combination play in Teikou, our most standard course."

In didn't sound simple…

"Mainly revolve around Aomine-kun and I, as he was Teikou's ace." Kuroko added, his tone flat. "It's not so different in basic than what I did now, but…. With focusing on the brightest player, the Light… it will make my misdirection harder to notice and stamina of my team won't deplete as much. We also have more option to counter our opponents."

Furihata frowned in confusion, "Uhm… that's a bit odd, I thought Generation of Miracle is an unstoppable team so why would they need to be so reserved in team dynamic?" A team full of monster player just had to overpower their opponents.

Kuroko sighed at that, such a common misunderstanding about them. "Generation of Miracle didn't start out as ultimate team we're known for… we worked to get where we are like everyone else."

"Really?" Kawahara exclaimed in disbelief.

Kagami huffed, "Of course you all did, Generation of Miracle or not I don't think you're born with basketball in hand."

This was why Kagami deserve to be an Ace like Kiyoshi, in spite of his talent he recognized hard work. He was also oddly aware of reality that the talented also work hard and would leave the less talented hard worker in dust, compared to his old partner, Kagami was more mature about it at least.

Although, it was also because of Aomine's innocence and immaturity he believed in Kuroko Tetsuya enough to lay down his regular position and why Kuroko worked so hard to make Aomine shine brighter.

"As Kagami-kun said, everyone start from zero. Generation of Miracle started as a group of talented first year in Teikou with enough potential that promote them all the way to regular spot."

Kagami frowned, "Excluding you?"

"I am an outlier, I didn't fare well on examination for common player so I start on third strings."

Kagami had heard bigger school grouped their players based on skill, but all the way to third?

"I didn't join the team until they won their first Inter-middle. We were preparing for National in autumn when I develop my play style and earn my place as regular." Then he paused, "A place I won't get if not for Aomine-kun and Akashi-kun."

"Heh?!"

It was hard to imagine Aomine helped Kuroko, well- the no good third string Kuroko. After all Aomine treated less talented player like Furi and co disrespectfully, like they were ants.

His blue eyes narrowed, "Aomine-kun wasn't like this when he was in middle school."

"So he used to be less of a jerk?" Koganei wondered.

Kuroko resisted his urge to smile, "That word would describe current Aomine-kun I suppose, but the old Aomine-kun is a Basketball Idiot who thinks the world is all sunshine and rainbow as long as he had basketball."

Silence…

"You can even call him pure…" Ignoring his very early developing interest in certain body part of woman. "He even had this adorable pet theory that whoever like basketball is good person."

At that Kagami and their seniors promptly retorted, "No way, no-waaay- basketball or not doesn't determine someone's decency as human being."

The freshmen trio sweat-dropped, 'Why have our seniors and Kagami sees that they have to deny it that strongly?'

"There's that group of goons from Meijou." Izuki mentioned.

A vein popped on Hyuuga's temple, "And there's certain bastard with from rich kid school whose ironic name I'd rather not to mention."

"There's a lot of tough basketball circle in shady part of LA." Kagami supplied, "Good players or not some of them have less than honest job. My teacher is especially firm on not accepting consumable stuff from players she didn't give an okay for." Even if the snacks or drink were sealed properly in its packaging.

They had a point, then again Kuroko were talking about Aomine who was still very much a child back then.

Before we get off topic…" He trailed off, "As much as I disagreed with Teikou's policy now, there's no denying we became as strong as we are today because of it. My existence as Sixth Phantom Player itself hung on the fact Teikou would pull all stop for victory…"

"From what I heard Teikou won their first championship in your generation easily enough to make a name for the five prodigies." Hyuuga mentioned, "These are second-third hand information but was that exaggerated so much?"

Looking at Generation of Miracle that live up to their name now, it was hard to believe.

"Public opinion would say so… " Kuroko admitted, "However the truth is, we only live up to our name starting from our second year… during that humid summer of Inter-middle. Aomine-kun is the first one to bloom..."

Riko cupped her chin, "Second year…." Was it because of physical change from child to teenager or something else? Riko's eyes widened as she looked at Kuroko, who just nodded. 'Kuroko-kun…. You-'

"We foresaw that happening but…"

Flashback

"Coach Shirogane, about Aomine-kun…'

Shirogane Kozou paused his writing and smiled genuinely at their phantom player, "It's thanks to you… and Akashi-kun, leading them from the front and supporting them from the shadow… no matter how much potential a player hold it usually won't bloom this early…" He had almost resigned to see it happening in high school, when they weren't in his care anymore.

"Akashi-kun isn't as mature as you, or rather…" He trailed off, "He didn't see the world as vast as you yet…"

Shirogane Kozou was one of few people in Teikou who knew his real history. Well, it was unavoidable for someone with his connection.

Kuroko heaved a sigh, "Coach Shirogane, what do you need me for?"

"Sooner or later, Aomine-kun will learn that love for Basketball isn't enough… his immense talent might become a cage that isolate him."

Kuroko narrowed his eyes at that, "...That's possible."

At the time, he didn't take Coach Shirogane seriously. Or rather he did and overestimate himself, Aomine was alright after that small talk during after school walk. Kuroko thought Aomine was fine, but then… the rival Aomine looked up to… gave up on him.

"The only one who can beat me is me."

He, Akashi… even Coach Shirogane overestimated themselves, thinking they were capable to handle the inevitable outcome of nurturing Generation of Miracle's immense potential with only victory in mind.

End of flashback

"We won our second championship… in smoother sailing than the first because of Aomine-kun." Kuroko finished. "The rest of Generation of Miracles caught up shortly after that… and by our third year, our third consecutive championship doesn't even worth mentioning."

Seirin freshmen recalled Aomine's unmatched speed and their helplessness to stop him, 'With that kind of beast in team, that's for sure.'

Riko swallowed, "You demoralized the whole middle school basketball circuit in the process."

That wasn't an accusation but a statement.

Suddenly the lax and and passionless attitude of his middle school clubmates made so much sense to Kagami. He had faced Generation of Miracles one by one, but he never imagined how it would feel in their opposite sides as one team. One of them was already far above other Aces, a team made up of those monsters…

They could only hope for second place.

'We are too strong together…' That line Kuroko told him, the most arrogant thing Kuroko ever said to him and Kagami found that line to be a plain truth instead of a boast. "Heh! What the hell is 'The only one who can beat me is me' nonsense? Who did he think he is?"

"The Ace of Generation of Miracles." Furihata supplied.

Kagami snarled, "He is a student athlete- not a fucking professional player!"

"Kagami… language."

"Sorry, I mean… " The red head sputtered sheepishly, "I didn't know, but now I know what a big deal Generation of Miracle is in Japan… but there's still Colege level and even pro level! Heck! This is Japan- well- no offense to Japan but this isn't exactly a prominent country known for Basketball! Just because you guys destroy middle school basketball circuit…"

Kuroko deadpanned, "It's not an achievement we're proud of…"

"Well, you're not on the top of the world yet!" Kagami shouted, "Aomine is strong, and I know how suck it is to see Middle School players give up so easily!"

Seirin rolled their eyes in unison at that, "Says the guy who write Japan's basketball off before getting owned too many times to count." Seirin seniors beat Kagami as a team, and when it comes to individual skill he was also below Generation of Miracles.

Kagami blushed as red as his hair, "I am sorry okay! I repent already! But- my point is… Kuroko!"

"Hai?"

"You should just punch that jerk for being an idiot! If you think he and your old team are in the wrong!"

Riko sweat-dropped, "I don't know how it was for you in America, but in Japan- especially as athlete you couldn't punch people you disagree with."

Kuroko nodded, "Not to mention, I can't be a savage like Kagami-kun."

"WHAT?!"

"Also… as much as I dislike the way they play now, I am not playing against them to prove I am right." Kuroko finished solemnly.

Kagami frowned, "Then what are you fighting for?"

"I-"

Silence fell in the gym and Kagami realized he had asked the wrong question, one that Kuroko wasn't ready to give.

A cheery voice dissolved the tense air, snapping them out of their reverie. "Why everyone is so gloomy? Where's my warm welcome?"

In instant the mood picked up by cheerful voice that demanded attention from their team. That was Kagami's first meeting with the lush and strong tree of Seirin.

Championship League (Seirin VS Seishinkan)

Seishinkan had deteriorated, it was nothing new in high school basketball circuit. Especially for Touou, after all Imayoshi had arranged a practice game before Interhigh to gauge their strength against a national class team. They chose Seishinkan simply because it was an offensive team like theirs, playing against Seihou's iron wall would be a pain and Shuutoku got Midorima.

They quickly regretted it though, because Seishinkan is so weak that Aomine crushed them easily. In the same time they also snuff out whatever hope left in their ace that High School Basketball Circuit would be a challenge that he was not in unstoppable team anymore.

"I still wish he would come to watch this match with us…" In Championship League, the two games happened on the same day but different time so spectators could watch both. Touou already had theirs in the morning against Meisei, and Aomine quickly ran off after scoring 80 points. Their ace didn't even deign to see the match until the end. Sakurai at least had the decency to apologize (then again it was Sakurai) that he had to rush back home because he was asked to pick up a little cousin from kindergarten and babysit said cousin for the day.

"Just be glad he is coming." Susa, his vice-captain murmured softly. "He skipped a lot of prelim games already…"

Momoi sighed, "I am sorry about him, I thought his mood pick up after Tetsu-kun talk to him."

Imayoshi's slit like eyes twitched, "Well… I thought so too, Aomine stayed for practice that day after Kuroko-kun left." Not much of a practice as Aomine pretty much monopolize one of their portable hoop and lazily throw one ball after another like a precision machine. A lazy machine that couldn't miss.

"Still… if Seirin win this game, they clean out their quota from last year…"

Wakamatsu crossed his arms petulantly, "I am not very happy about that, we owe Shuutoku one last year." They were unfortunate enough to be on the same block as Shuutoku last year. "Well… Seirin is in a roll so- huh?"

In unison all senior players of Touou leaned forward, eyes glued to the centerline of the court where ten players lined up for pre-game greeting.

"They're kidding right?!"

"What's the Phantom SIxth Man is thinking? This isn't funny!"

"Tetsu-kun has no sense of humor...so I don't think… he is joking."

On the court, Seirin's side had an all first year team aside from their Shooting Guard, Hyuuga.

Seirin's Bench

"Furihata-kun looks like he is about to faint." Izuki said, beaming at his teammates, "He sway like he is about to be blown away!"

Koganei, the cat like player of Seirin looked at him exasperatedly. "Have some pity for our freshmen… this is their first official game."

"Fukuda-kun looks the calmest." Tsuchida commented, "He still sweats a lot though."

Riko shrugged, "There's tons of pressure in court, they better get over it now. Official game is different than practice game, they're not as bad as if we just use them off the bat… but all close game against Seihou and Shuutoku taught us that we can't leave our sad bench power be for too long all the way to National."

"Seishinkan looks pissed…. They think we underestimate them." Kagami muttered, "My legs doesn't feel painful anymore,so-"

Riko whacked him for that, "Shut up Bakagami! We went for check up yesterday and the Doctor said your legs haven't recover fully yet! Just because you don't feel the pain doesn't mean it won't when you play!"

Kagami deflate at that, "I am sorry… but Seishinkan."

"We're not underestimating them, we're trying a new offensive strategy. Kuroko-kun suggest this because he notice Furihata-kun is a very different kind of PG than Izuki-kun."

"I wonder if showing Furihata-kun out now is wise?" Tsuchida wondered.

Izuki shrugged, "Kuroko decide it for the sake of our team." Their shadow was the one who think of their team the most, so did their coach and captain. If they all approve of this, there was no reason to doubt it.

Furihata Kouki could feel his stomach flip-flopping, his back felt cold and there was invisible weight strapped to him the moment he stepped to the court. He felt nervous when playing in practice matches, but those pressure felt like a gentle pat on the back in comparison. Just making it all the way to center line with Kawahara and Fukuda was already nerve-wrecking.

"It's fine-it's fine." Their captain said as he slapped their backs hard to the point they almost stumble. "I have your back, so any basket our opponents get will be returned properly by me…" They felt relieved to hear that. "I would prefer it if you don't though… got it First Year? I don't care whether it's the King of The West or what, but as Seirin player you have to give your all!"

"Hai!"

Kuroko popped up by their side, somehow getting surprised by his voice brought comfort. "Basically Captain says as we're all from Seirin, he trust you to give your 120% as usual."

"But Kuroko…" Fukuda swallowed, "It's scary…"

They have been briefed of their plan, they knew their role and they practiced hard for it. However they were still scared of failing and disappointing their seniors. After some practice matches before prelim round, their desire for court and ball calmed down as they knew they weren't good enough yet.

"That's fine." Kuroko, the veteran of their team obviously didn't share their sentiment. "We didn't bring you to court just to win but also to grow and have fun… and I believe you will do your best for the sake of our team."

Of course they will! That was Seirin's core principle, Kuroko had drilled it to their head without fail. After all practice matches with Kuroko and watching official games he played with their regulars, they knew there was nothing to fear. They won't see him much but he was the ever present shadow in court that would always support them.

Fukuda was the tallest, and looking at tall Center of Seishinkan that was about the same height as Kagami he knew the tip-off was a losing battle. So when he jumped he kept his eyes on the ball not to reach out, but watching closely where it would go. Kuroko was watching, and slightest clue no matter how early was valuable.

And so Kuroko could move one-two-three steps ahead than all players on the ground to the ball, losing the initial tip off didn't mean anything if the shadow know where the ball was going, stealing it along with the flow of the game.

Furihata caught the ball that passed to him, the rough texture of the ball calmed him down a bit as he dribbled forward. 'Stay calm, observe your teammates and defense on the other side…' It was man to man and they put two on Captain Hyuuga, typical as they forgot about Kuroko -ironically our most dangerous player- but this mean they already write off Seirin players as inferior and confident to outplay them individually.

So- which route he had to go?

Flashback

"Furihata-kun, do you know the difference between you and Izuki-senpai as a PG?"

The brunette fidgeted, "I… don't have Eagle Eye and I still have to improve my dribbling and shooting?"

Kuroko sweat-dropped, "While you get that right, it's not what I mean…"

"Eh?"

"You're build for different type of style… " Kuroko said, spinning basketball idly on the tip of his finger. "To be honest you're not suitable as PG for Seirin's Run and Gun style at all, you're too cautious and not a quick decision maker."

Furihata felt like brick after brick dropped onto his head, He knew he was timid, and that was why his crush told him to man up and strive to be the best at something! Still- it was painful to hear that from Kuroko. Then again the freshmen trio had been warned of Kuroko's blunt and merciless coaching. This was the guy who spent three years in undefeated school, they had so many members and their dynamic was closer to that of a professional team than a school club.

"That means you're fitting for the opposite, a slow paced game."

"So a relaxing game…"

"That's not what I mean." Kuroko refuted in a heartbeat. "Remember Tsugawa-kun of Seihou?" Furihata nodded, "Even though Kagami-kun is stronger and have better stamina, he is the one who tire the fastest in first half. Tsugawa-kun's pressure defense didn't just block Kagami-kun's play, he also made Kagami-kun overpace himself."

He swallowed nervously, "Can I replicate that with my basketball?"

"Yes, it would be too early for you to accomplish it on your own." He deflated at that, "But with everyone's help, you will.'

End of Flashback

He had his teammates on his back, he couldn't fail!

Bleachers, Touou Team

The score was crawling up in turtle like pace, which was nothing like a game between two offensive team supposed to be. It really baffled Imayoshi. "Seishinkan have an upper hand." Said Susa, at the moment the score in first quarter with 2 minutes left was 7-12.

Momoi agreed, taking notes in her clipboard. "The rookies are quite good, their basic is solid… for a small school Seirin's training is as good as national class school. Their coach, Aida Riko is a student but she is also the daughter of former Center of National Team." It was also not a stretch to say she shared similarities with Momoi in term of skill but tailoring it as Coach rather than manager.

She narrowed her eyes, 'If she keep getting better, Aida Riko might become someone like Coach Shirogane.'

"I know to expect the unexpected but…" Imayoshi trailed off, "Seirin didn't have to go all the way to opposite way they usually play."

"Yes, but it's not a bad thing for them." She said, her eyes narrow. "Slower pace means the effectiveness of Tetsu-kun's misdirection will last longer. Also…" On the court Seishinkan's offensive play was interrupted by steal from Kuroko. "Seishinkan underestimate Seirin, and provoked by their line up to attack rashly. So with this slow pace their first year PG set up, Seishinkan…"

"Overpace themselves to get bigger lead." Imayoshi finished, "In their haste they forget Seirin still have their second year players fresh and ready in next quarter… what a cruel strategist Seirin has." He glanced at Momoi, "Though to risk using first years to have their maiden official game now against Seishinkan…. Most likely- Kuroko Tetsuya is-"

Momoi blushed prettily, "I am falling in love all over again!" She gushed out, and the players from Touou inched away from the fireworks of hearts and sparkle. "Aaah… he is the best, to go this far in anticipation of my analysis! As expected of the man I love!" Then her eyes narrow, a smirk playing in her lips. "But Tetsu-kun, such challenge is just lit up the fire in me to surpass your expectation."

While their talented manager was off to her lala land, Wakamatsu couldn't help but commented. "Should we feel offended that our manager treat matches as flirting gesture?"

"I don't understand girls."

"I think it's just Momoi."

Starting from second half, Seirin started to sub their first year with their a number of starting players. Started from Izuki Shun, who picked up the pace of Seirin's usual run and gun style and then Mitobe. Seishinkan played like someone just pulled the rug under them, lulled by the slow pace of first half they stood no chance.

Seirin won with score 76-69, a bigger lead than they had against Seihou and Shuutoku. By the time the game against the third King of Tokyo ended, Seirin gained the name Rebelling Star that overthrown the three Kings of Tokyo.

On the way back to Seirin

The sky was gloomy grey, as if reflecting the mood of their ace. Nobody but the freshmen trio looked at sullen faced Kagami, busy looking for umbrella they prepared from their bag. "My legs feels fine already." Kagami tried and fail to convince his team but he just had to keep trying. His left hand was holding a mini basketball, practicing dexterity of his hand in bus. If it wasn't for these practices, he would go mad with boredom by now. "Please let me play next week… senpai-tachi…"

"Senpai… Kagami really looks like he want to cry." Furihata said, inwardly he was impressed their seniors and Kuroko didn't bulge at all from all Kagami's pleadings.

Unfortunately for Kagami, the second years and Kuroko were already hardened from Kiyoshi's pleading. Their other ace had better version of puppy eyes, and they had endured his whining of being left out for more than half a year.

Their captain pulled out a blue umbrella, opening it just in time when droplets of water started to fall. "This is for his own good." Hyuuga said coolly, "And it's just one more week, after this Kagami would be allowed to get those poor legs to move to get rid of stiffness."

Riko nodded, holding her own bright green umbrella daintily. "If he behaves, we will put him in matches against Touou."

Kagami perked up at that, "Senpai… Coach… THANK YOU!"

Such a pure hearted Basketball Idiot, this was why they loved him. They felt a bit guilty playing stick and carrot with the guy but this was for his own good. Especially since Kagami showed sign he thought he know his limit and play carelessly without regard to everything else if they didn't keep him grounded.

They had not been told how Generation of Miracles turned to monsters and no adult in Teikou stopped them, but Kuroko did say Teikou's sport committee cared more about victory and alone was enough for Riko and her second year players to deduce that people who suppose to guide Generation of Miracles let them loose. In exchange of glory, they abandoned those kids.

Which was why when Kagami landed on their lap -they still couldn't believe their amazing luck- they did everything to let him bloom to his full potential but in the same time making sure he knew his limit and boundaries. They were there for him to rely on.

They also did this for Kuroko, because they knew a repeat of Teikou would break the boy again. Riko could never shake the pin prick like pain she felt whenever Kuroko interact with his former teammates, knowing how heartbroken he was for them and how hard he tried to get his friends back.

"Ah, it's a dog." Said their shadow in monotone, snapping the Seirin players back from their musing.

They turned to the side, and saw a scene that looked like it was cut out from old school manga. It was raining, there was a cute puppy, inside a box that had 'Please Take Care of Me' written on it. Kuroko was crouching in front of the little dog, it had blue eyes, black and white fur, and pawing his box to reach out for their phantom player.

Kuroko hesitated for a moment before he lifted up the puppy on the box, "Can we keep it?"

"Kuroko! Keeping a puppy you said- well… "

Their Coach lunged and took the puppy to her loving arms, cooing in baby talk as flowers bloom in the background. "Aww, cutie-pie! You're so fluffy, where did chu come from? Kyaa~"

Kuroko being a gentleman, held up an umbrella over their ecstatic coach. "Coach… he is really cute."

"Right!" Riko agreed, blinking owlishly at the familiar blue eyes staring back at her adorably. "Hm, this dog looks familiar…" In unison Seirin basketball club looked back and forth between the puppy and their shadow.

"EYES! IT'S THE EYES!"

What was the chance to find a dog with split resemblance of your teammate? "This must be destined!" Izuki concluded, beaming together with their Coach. There was a dog version of his favorite kouhai!

Koganei joined the fray, "Yosh! Then we will call this puppy Tetsuya Nigou!"

"Aaargh!, why did you name it?! Now it feels like we already own the dog! We can't walk away!" Lamented Hyuuga, not that he think they could abandon a puppy that looks so much like Kuroko.

Tsuchida shrugged, "Oh well, I know Kiyoshi's grandparents love pets." Kiyoshi had told them that he used to have a dog, and it had died few years ago. The Center had been planning to get another one from animal shelter before his injury cancelled that plan. "I think Kiyoshi-san wouldn't mind the dog, and we can-"

"Se….Senpai- help! Ka-" Furihata's choked voice turned their attention away from the puppy, and they saw the Freshmen trio in trouble.

Kagami were hiding behind Furihata and squeezing the life out of the poor boy with his iron grip. Fukuda and Kawahara was trying and failing to make Kagami let go of their PG. "Kagami, what's wrong with you?!"

"Doo-dog! I am no good- with them…"

The tiger of their team was scared of a puppy that didn't even reach his knee, and was that tears they saw in his eyes? "Kagami! Furihata is turning purple!" Koganei wailed as he and Mitobe lunged to save their poor junior.

"And now it's green!"

Kiyoshi Residence, 10PM

Technology made long distance friendship convenient, even for someone who wasn't used to be the side who keep in contact. That was his excuse to not contact his old friends at all, now with the convenience of online video call and social media it became clear he just didn't want to face his old friends. Better yet, they could forget he ever exist.

It wasn't like he cut off all contact with his old friends and acquaintances, just his fellow atheteles. He hadn't run away from his Teikou teammates yet, and he believe only after he get his middle school friends back he could hold his ground for his older friends.

"Tetsuya, are you still there?"

Kuroko was snapped out of his musing, "Ah yes, so… you're coming back to Japan soon?" He asked back, on the screen of his laptop was Himuro Tatsuya, a talented Japanese they met in LA.

Himuro nodded, "In a few weeks, and I already sign up for Yousen." He assured Kuroko. "Really, if it's the best basketball team in Akita I will join them without any prompting. You're worried for this Murasakibara-kun a bit too much."

"Out of all my old teammates I am indeed worried about him the most." His interest in basketball was never stable, and whenever he and Akashi asked Murasakibara kept mentioning that his Coach got mad a lot. In their own way, all of his fellow Generation of Miracles had their immature side.

Kise and Aomine were similar in their thirst for fun game, Midorima's refusal to come out of his shell, and Akashi…

"I will be your rival though."

"Isn't that what you wants? Now that I have your little brother in my team?"

Himuro quieted down at that, "Ah… How is he? Taiga… Shun email me that he is injured and being quite difficult with all his whining."

"On his way to recovery… he isn't the best patient however." What happened with Aomine was already water under the bridge, because it became apparent after their talk that his former partner didn't have malicious intent. It was the usual thing that happen since his blooming talent start to backfire on Aomine, he lashed out without thinking and unaware of what he did to other people if he wasn't told. It didn't help Aomine was too proud to apologize, Kuroko just hoped Aomine won't try something stupid during their game because of this.

"Typical of Taiga…" Himuro sighed exasperatedly, "Speaking of injury, how is Kiyoshi-kun? Last time I hear of him, he is recovering."

"Sulking because we won't even bring him to our match…" Himuro laughed at that, "While he understand the point of not showing our hands early, and also acclimating him back to our new team takes time… he just can't help it."

"…He must drive Hyuuga-kun up to the wall more than usual." Himuro never got the chance to play Kiyoshi, the guy came visiting their game back in LA in wheelchair quite often. A shame, Kiyoshi was an amazing player.

"It's fine, Kagami-kun have surpass Kiyoshi-senpai when it comes to driving Captain mad with his latest stunt."

HImuro sweat-dropped, "Please take care of him, Taiga is handful but I know you will do a good job. I will try to befriend Murasakibara-kun as you said, but I am unsure if someone like him is okay to be a friend of a basketball idiot like me."

"No worries…. He was my teammates, most of his friends are basketball idiots. Also… Murasakibara-kun's pet theory is that everyone who shares snack with him are good people."

Himuro sweat-dropped at that, "Okay, so getting close to him is easy… still- isn't he too vulnerable if someone want to feed him something dangerous? He sounds like he will be high maintenance."

"All of my former teammates are high maintenance." He admitted dryly, "Also, Himuro-san… your train of thought is as dangerous as ever."

"Oh well, I am interested in befriending an amazing player like him anyway and… just take it as me paying back Seirin for taking an extra care of my little brother." Himuro said, a sad smile curved his lips. "If I watched my big mouth… Taiga could have become a better player, I am saddling him with unnecessary emotional baggage because of my weakness."

He stopped talking when he saw the dark look on Kuroko's face.

"My brother snapped when I wasn't looking, my inaction and a couple of lines I thoughtlessly fed him when we were young indirectly cause it." He said with a voice drier than Sahara Desert. "You're just asking your brother to take you seriously."

Which was something Kagami ought to do, the red head wasn't completely blameless in the whole ordeal. Sure, Himuro could be calmer and worded his wish better, but Kagami shouldn't believe that their brotherhood was less important than basketball to Himuro either. Kagami should have known after years interacting with Himuro that the older boy was a black hearted guy whose face didn't match his real personality.

HImuro sweated at that, he had bonded with Tetsuya over their similar but not quite circumstances with their little brother figure. "Right…"

He couldn't complaint about his fail as a big brother to Tetsuya, because Taiga was still as right as rain in comparison to Tetsuya's Seijuurou. In which, from Izuki's description the young Akashi seemed to be a perfect honor student most of the time but once you get to his bad side you'd better off run to another side of the hill.

"By the way… Tetsuya~" They'd better move on from their common sensitive topic. "Why do you have a dog shaped clone in your lap?"

The dog let out a playful yip at Himuro, wagging his tail happily. "We found him few hours ago, his name is Tetsuya Nigou."

Himuro sweat-dropped, "How creative of you." Seirin and their naming sense never change. "By the way… when will you tell Shuu about your old team? The guys in our streetball area are all scared out of their wits with frequency of his pacing like a caged carnivore increase for the last few weeks." Kuroko made his former captain promise to not try asking what his old team had became, it wasn't like he was trying to hide it forever. If Nijimura get angrier when he eventually find out, that was fine too.

Kuroko looked pained, "I am so sorry… I just want to stall the eruption of Nijiyama." HImuro chuckled at that, "If he know what we did" The shadow averted his eyes from the screen, "I am afraid he will take the next flight to Tokyo and beat all of us up." They deserved it and more, but Kuroko would rather accept that sentence from Nijimura after he knock some sense to the rest of Generation of Miracles in court.

"I think he will spare you at least."

"He leave the team to Seijuurou and I… it's a collective responsibility." If anything, he and Sei would get an extra knuckle sandwich. It didn't help that living in America seems to do wonder to Nijimura's already short fuse for some reason.

'My adorable kouhai~ You know what will happen if you-' Cue background crackling knuckle joint.

For as long as he live, he and Akashi refused to admit they were slightly intimidated by those threats Nijimura threw like candy mostly at Aomine and Haizaki in middle school.

Feed me... soul food-review

REVIEW
REVIEW
REVIEW
REVIEW
REVIEWREVIEWREVIE
REVIEWREVIEW
RREVIEWR
RREVR
RR
R