Title: Through You

Summary: Right before the start of his third year in middle school, Kuroko got into an accident that made him deaf and mute. He almost quit basketball but his fellow teammates helped him through his loss and kept him playing with them. A year later, Kuroko has grown distant from his former teammates who have changed for the worst. With the help of his new teammates, can he help them just as they helped him back then, or will his wish remain forever ignored?

Disclaimer: I am not worthy of owning Kuroko no Basket.

Chapter 1 - I Found It

This is a story. A story of how a once no-name school grew to fame by beating all the five members of the strongest team in Japan - The Generation of Miracles.

The Generation of Miracles is a group of six people, wherein each member has a unique skill unheard of in the past, and might be almost impossible to be acquired by another person. With those six playing as one team, people knew that anyone who goes against them would be destroyed by a hundred-point gap. No one who knows basketball would never hear about the Generation of Miracles as they are a legend all over Japan.

Kuroko Tetsuya is one of the six players of the legendary team, but unlike the other five he isn't that well-known due to his lack of presence. His lack of presence isn't anything supernatural, but his silent and emotionless personality combined with his small and thin physique does make him barely noticeable. He uses this special invisibility as an advantage on court, for he can confuse his opponents with quick steals and passes.

Because he isn't good at shooting, instead of focusing on the basket he puts more of his attention around the court, on his teammates and on his opponents. And he focuses more on speed than power so that he can intercept his opponents' attacks. He doesn't make points. But rather, he acts as the support of the team and gives them opportunities to strike and score.

Even though he can't do anything on his own, he earned more than enough respect from the other members of the Generation of Miracles to be considered as a member of their team. His skill earned him the title 'The Sixth Phantom Player'.

Ever since the beginning of his first year in Teiko Middle School, he had been playing as a first string regular in the team that became a legend once they won both the Inter High and the Winter Cup in their first year. The results were also the same in the second year, and since then no one would be stupid enough to face them on court unless they want to be destroyed by having their score multiplied tenfold.

The whole team in Teiko were happy and satisfied with the results they gave. They were also overjoyed with the accolades they have received as a reward for the skills they showed on court.

But something happened before the start of their third year. And this was a substantial change to the relationship between the members of the Generation of Miracles.

During the final weeks of their summer vacation, the Generation of Miracles wanted to train while hanging out on the beach, so they spent almost a fortnight in a resort close to the beach. Then after those two weeks passed by, they all went their separate ways to go back to their homes.

While Kuroko was riding on a bus, a car that was speeding without any control headed for his direction and he ended up in a very painful and alarming crash. Aside from him, several other people in the bus – along with the drivers of both the bus and the speeding car – were gravely injured and sent to the hospital. No one died, but all the victims did suffer from critical injuries. Some made it out with lots of wounds, bruises, and a few fractured limbs.

But Kuroko suffered much worse than them. The car hit the bus at the area where he was at, hence he would receive most of the damage.

Aside from having two broken legs and a left arm covered in a cast, he also lost his ability to hear and speak. He couldn't hear any noise at all, not even the loud ringing one would normally hear in a silent background. His voice box got damaged so greatly, that he was unable to articulate any words, let alone a single vowel or even a gasp or a squeak.

This shocked all his teammates, their manager, and their coach as well. None of them were able to keep their cool, or keep themselves from showing their distress and anger over the situation.

"Resign?" Kise Ryouta gasped after Momoi Satsuki, their manager, explained to him what just happened a few moments ago. Aomine Daiki was also surprised by this, but he was unable to say anything at all and could only listen. That was unusual for someone like him.

"That's right." the pink-haired girl nodded, a sad frown on her face. "Tetsu-kun persists, even though Akashi-kun keeps on denying his request."

The blonde grew tense, and he scratched his head in frustration. "Is it already official that he's out the team?"

Momoi shook her head in response, "No. No matter what Tetsu-kun does, Akashi-kun refuses to let him leave. He knows why Tetsu-kun would want to leave, but like what the rest of us are thinking, just because he can't hear anyone of us or say what he's thinking, doesn't mean that it's the end of basketball for him."

"But in his case, I'd understand. Losing one of your primary senses puts you at a big disadvantage in most things. That also includes basketball." Midorima Shintarou sympathized, placing his lucky item on the bench. He exhaled deeply while pushing his glasses up. "Having his two senses disabled. . . . along with the fact that it would take two to four months for Kuroko's legs and arm to heal, he wouldn't be able to help us in basketball for a while. And basketball is what Kuroko loves the most." They didn't do anything to deny his statement, since every word of what he said was the truth.

The atmosphere around the basketball court was grim, and no one bothered to pick up the ball and practice. Everything was silent for a moment, until they heard the door opening.

To their surprise, Murasakibara Atsushi entered the room whilst pushing the wheelchair that Kuroko is sitting on. The young frail bluenette looked almost dead. He may be expressionless and it may hard to read his face, but they all know that right now Kuroko looked unfocused and lost. His eyes are dark instead of bright and his skin is paler than ever.

"Sorry, Kuro-chin is just acting so ragdoll-like lately that Aka-chin told me to bring him here. He thought it would make him ease up even a little." Murasakibara muttered, not chewing on any snack which was unusual for the childish center player of the Generation of Miracles.

Apparently, bringing the young teen to the court didn't help at all but at least it didn't make things any worse for Kuroko who had a lollipop on his mouth, because a while ago Murasakibara offered him some candy during break time. Kuroko wanted to refuse the offer, but without even hearing what they're saying, anyone with a brain knew that all of his teammates are saddened by the accident. Therefore he accepted the small piece of sweet as thanks for Murasakibara's consideration for his condition.

"Kurokocchi. . . ." Kise sadly muttered to himself, but the said bluenette didn't make a response since he can't hear Kise. He just stared into space, and his body flinched when another person entered. He didn't hear the door opening or the footsteps made, but he could feel the presence through instinct.

Then Akashi Seijuurou, the captain of their team, walked up until he was standing in front of Kuroko. The heterochromatic redhead gave him a folded sheet of paper. When Kuroko looked up, he saw gold-red eyes meet his baby blue orbs with an intense and serious gaze. The captain was not mad, but the serious look in his eyes told Kuroko that there was no arguing or refusing and he should look at what's in the paper.

It took a lot of persuading to get him to stay in the team. Even if he's not a scorer, he's just as much as important of a player as everyone else in the team; along with the fact that he's one of their closest friends. So in a while, Kuroko mustered up enough resolve to stay in the team and compensate for his defects by learning how to read lips and do sign language. For him to be understood better, the team also learned how to read the hand gestures he would make.

Through helping him, they worked as a team and continued to gain victory, even after Kuroko recovered from his injuries.

But not so long after, during the last few months of their third year, the team changed. . . . and in a way that Kuroko didn't like.

Before, they still focused on individual strengths rather than teamwork. But he didn't find it so severe back then. Now, it is. Unlike before, he no longer sees the passion that once emanated from them whenever they would practice or play in a match. They are so used to victory that there seemed to be no thrill, and hence they rather thought of basketball as a sport to crush their opponents' will to play.

That, Kuroko hated. And out of shame, disgust, and guilt, he finally quit the team, without even Akashi to deny his request. He already made it clear with the administrator of the team without the red-haired captain's knowledge, so that it would be official right away. And before they could question him, he was out of sight until graduation. But they still didn't have the chance to approach him and talk to him about his sudden quitting of the club.

But if one has to say, it's their fault. They drifted away from Kuroko without knowing it, and it's almost like he wass no longer needed in the team. But even after quitting the team, he still continues to play basketball, but not in their presence or anyone else's.

He made a resolve the same time he officially quit the team: he would beat the Generation of Miracles and bring them back to who they used to be. He wanted to see the smiles in their faces every time they'd make a coordination play, or win a victory. But he knew he couldn't do it alone.

Therefore, he had to practice at the one thing he was always bad at: shooting. It isn't easy, but he gives it his all and always practices to make shots by shooting in a basketball court not so far from his home. And he doesn't speak of it to anybody, because he wishes to keep it a secret until the right time comes.

When the first day of high school arrived, he joined the basketball team and took everybody by surprise with his weak presence. He even made a bad first impression on Kagami by challenging him to a one-on-one at one evening and showed himself to be horrible at the sport, that it aggravated Kagami. But he refused to show his knowledge in shooting, and just showed the team his misdirection.

Nonetheless, his passing and his speed made him a key player in the team right away.

There, Kuroko found hope. He is right to pick Seirin, he thought.

After the practice game of the freshmen versus the senior players in the basketball club of Seirin High, Kagami Taiga went to a diner where he ordered more than ten burgers, all stacked up on a tray.

He walked to a seemingly empty seat and started to munch on a cheeseburger, then he looked at the chair across the other side of the table he claimed and he saw Kuroko looking at him while sipping on a vanilla shake. The fact that the bluenette is suddenly sitting across him made him choke on his burger and stare at Kuroko in shock.

"What the -?! What are you doing here?" he asked with surprise in his tone. He tried to keep his voice low to not make a commotion.

Kuroko sighed inwardly, knowing that this happened a couple of times since he was a child. He's pretty used to the reactions he gets from his 'sudden appearance', like the one Kagami is showing right now.

Even though he can't hear anything that Kagami said, he read the redhead's lips to know what he was saying to him. Thus, as his answer, he took out his PDA and typed in a few words which he showed to Kagami. I've been sitting here the whole time.

"Well, go find another seat." Kagami growled lowly, not wanting to be in the same table with Kuroko. Ever since that one-on-one he had with Kuroko, he can't find himself to like the younger teen. But he accepts the bluenette as a teammate at the very least.

But as the taller teen is looking away while he said that, the blue-haired boy didn't know what he just said. As a result, Kuroko handed over his PDA to Kagami, gesturing for him to type in what he told him.

With a sigh, Kagami pressed buttons on the PDA and gave it back to Kuroko. I said, find another seat. If people see us on the same seat, they might think we're friends.

Kuroko nonchalantly replied back with the message, I don't want to. I always sit here; this is my favorite spot.

The teen got slightly irritated, but he lets it slip aside and his shoulders relaxed. He grabbed one burger and tossed it to Kuroko who caught it easily.

"I really don't like weak people. But you earned that." Kagami said, making sure Kuroko could read what he's saying through his lip movement. The blue-haired teen understood him and nodded in gratitude. "Also, you should add a little more weight. You look like skin and bones to me. No offense." he added, to which Kuroko nearly smiled out of amusement. They continued eating and didn't say anymore.

For the rest of their time in the diner, they ate in peace and they left the diner together. The time said it's almost eight, and their homes are kind of in the same direction although it takes a different turn at a two-way path, so they decided to also walk each other home. Kuroko kept his PDA in his hand, in case Kagami would tell something to him and he would have to reply.

"So, how strong is the Generation of Miracles?" Kagami asked all of a sudden, and since Kuroko is looking at him to wait for anything he has to say, he is able to get what he was saying even without sound. "If I played them right now, how would I do?"

With a quick type on his PDA, he presented his reply to the question. You'd be beaten in barely a second.

The very blunt reply made Kagami flinch, his lips slightly curling down. "Geez, do you really have to put it like that?" he replied, turning his body to fully face Kuroko.

The latter typed something else in an instant, and with fast fingers he finished his message in less than three seconds. The other five have each gone on to play for their own schools. One of those schools will stand at the top for sure.

That made Kagami grin, and he starts to laugh with excitement all over his voice. The people nearby looked at him in confusion, and Kuroko knew that Kagami is fired up from his message even without having to hear how he is laughing.

Inhaling to regain his breath, Kagami widened his grin. "That's great. That's the kind of thing that lights a fire in me." His eyes are blazing fiercely, that it could make people shiver. "I've decided. I'll crush all of them and become Japan's best player." he declared, to which Kuroko quickly replied back. Sorry, but to be frank - that's not possible.

Again, the fact that Kuroko used words to make the message so blunt made Kagami frown at the blue-haired boy. Can't Kuroko have a little trust in him at least, he thought.

He was about to retort back to Kuroko's almost-insulting statement, but Kuroko typed in another message for Kagami to read. It took a while until he finished, and he placed the PDA on Kagami's hand. The redhead read all what Kuroko tapped in the machine.

If you have hidden talent, I wouldn't know. But what from what I've seen, you wouldn't even reach their feet. At your current level, if you go up against them now, you'll only be slaughtered by them. It's impossible alone. And I've also decided. I am a shadow. But the stronger the light, the darker the shadow, and the more it accentuates the brightness of the light. I will be the shadow to your light and make you the best player in Japan.

Now that is the reply that Kagami wanted, as he sighed and smiled at Kuroko with his eyes continuing to flash with a fiery light. "Now look who's talking." he mused, shrugging his shoulders as they resumed walking. "Do what you want."

Kuroko looked at Kagami for another moment before looking back at the road. "I'll do my best."

Kagami ordered from the same diner that he ate at a few days ago.

Today, the morning was pretty much strange for him, as he along with all the other first years who had yet to officially be members of the basketball team went up to the rooftop at exactly 8:40 AM where their coach, Aida Riko, was waiting for them with a look in her eyes that never meant anything nice or friendly.

Apparently, they had to state their goals out loud to all the other students below who were attending the morning assembly. Only by doing that will they be accepted in the team. And the brunette coach even warned them that if they fail to achieve their goals, they would confess to their crush butt-naked.

It scared them, so they complied immediately. But Kuroko couldn't do what Riko told them to, so he decided to type his goals in his PDA. Although before he could press on even one button, the school disciplinarian immediately entered and gave them a long hour of scolding.

"I can't believe he got so mad over a little shouting." Kagami grunted, immediately taking a big bite on a cheeseburger and chewing it in his mouth.

Just then, a device is placed in front of his face and the redhead instantly jolted. He tilted his head to the side and he realized that Kuroko is sitting on the same table with him - again - holding out his PDA while sipping on a vanilla shake.

I didn't get to state my goal, yet I got in trouble too.

"Not you again?" Kagami panted, trying to compose himself from the shock. "I wonder if I should go somewhere else. . . ." he murmured as Kuroko typed another message and showed it to his face.

"You don't have to shove it too close to me, you know." Kagami frowned as he read the text anyway.

We can't go to the rooftop anymore. What are we going to do if we can't join the basketball team?

Don't worry about that. It's not going to happen. Kagami replied through Kuroko's PDA, and showing the content to the boy's face as some sort of payback. Then he typed something into the device again. Kuroko can read his lips, he knows that, but it would be better if he showed it through the PDA. It might even save the confusion from the other customers of the diner to why is he speaking and the other is not saying anything. That is. . . . if they noticed Kuroko.

By the way, why didn't you go to some big name school like the other five guys? You were good enough to be known as 'The Phantom Sixth Player'. Is there some reason you play basketball?

For a few minutes, Kuroko didn't type in anything. He tried to arrange the thoughts in his mind to make the best honest answer he could give to Kagami. After a sip from his milkshake, he typed in the answer as quick as he could and slid the PDA across the table. Kagami picked up the device and scanned his eyes over the reply.

My middle school's basketball team had one core principle: 'Winning is everything'. Instead of teamwork, we needed to push the individual talents of the Generation of Miracles to win. Nothing could beat us, but we weren't a team. The five of them approved of that principle, but I felt that we lacked something important. I couldn't bring myself to think the same way they did. In fact, I don't want to.

Kagami put down the PDA and when he saw Kuroko looking at him, he decided to speak his comment out loud again. "So, what? Are you going to beat the Generation of Miracles your own way?"

Well, that's what I was thinking.

Kagami almost laughed. "Seriously?"

With another message typed in, Kagami read Kuroko's answer. But your words and the coach's words reminded me of something important. Now my biggest reason to play is to try to make you and our team the best in Japan.

When he felt his head being patted a bit roughly, he lightly creased his eyebrows in confusion to the sudden gesture Kagami made.

"We're not gonna try." Kagami corrected before standing up his seat, his eyes making a serious and determined gaze. Kuroko looked at him with a blank expression, waiting for what the man would say next. "We're gonna be the best."

Through the lip movement, Kuroko could only imagine how exactly did his redhead partner say that. But nonetheless, he's pleased. He found someone he would place all his hopes into, someone who could help him do what he wanted to do for the past year. Kuroko smiled at Kagami, his eyes softening a bit.

It is another day at Seirin High, and another day for the basketball club members to change into their training attire. They changed into plain cotton shirts and shorts, while stretching their arms to prepare for training. Then, Hyuuga Junpei, Koganei Shinji, and Izuki Shun noticed a magazine on the bench entitled 'Monthly Basketball Magazine'.

"Hey, didn't this issue come out when Kuroko was at Teiko?" Koganei asked as he picked the magazine up and handed it to Hyuuga who started to flip through the pages.

"All the famous players are featured here." Hyuuga said, flipping through more pages. Strangely, he didn't see Kuroko in any page no matter how hard he looked. "Wait. Kuroko. . . . doesn't have an article at all."

"But he's the sixth man of the Generation of Miracles." Koganei stated, looking at Kuroko who started to open his locker. "Didn't they come to interview you?"

Kuroko typed to them an answer. They did, but they forgot about me when it came to writing the articles. he said in the PDA, and they all looked were surprised.

"Oh my. . . ." Izuki could only say with wide eyes.

"That's sad." Hyuuga added, his face that of sympathy for the bluenette.

"Sad indeed." Koganei continued, tears running down his face. It is definitely a pity for someone to be interviewed and then be forgotten hence not getting an article in the basketball magazine.

Then Kuroko tapped something else. It's fine. Besides, I'm nothing like the other five. They're true progidies.

And right at the moment they finished reading the message, Hiroshi Fukuda rushed in the room, his face telling them he's got something to say. "She's back! The coach is back! We're gonna play a practice game."

Everyone got curious from the news. "I wonder who we're playing?" Hyuuga questioned.

Fukuda replied, "Who knows? She was skipping for some reason though."

Hyuuga twitched, goosebumps rising from his skin and his face souring in an instant. "She was skipping?" he exclaimed with a very nervous tone. He turned to the entire team and his face darkened a little from what actually isn't good news for the team. Everyone looked at him, feeling that he is going to say something big. "Be ready, guys. If she's skipping, our next opponent's gonna be real tough."

If there is one thing the Seirin team has to learn about their coach, Riko is one sadistic hellgirl who likes to see them suffer.

"So this is Seirin?" a blonde wearing a gray blazer and pants with a white polo underneath asked, looking at the whole school building.

"Whew. New and pristine, just like I expected." he exhaled as he walked inside the school grounds. By the instant he walked in, he immediately captured all of the girls' attention who blushed at the sight of him. All gave infatuated looks from just looking at his handsome face and his tall and well-built physique, which made him even look more like a perfect model.

Seirin did their usual training through seniors vs. freshmen, and Kagami took all his teammates by surprise with his incredible speed and power, and they gave compliments about his strength. Kuroko watched too, and thought of what he thought of Kagami's strength compared to the Generation of Miracles.

From what I've seen, you wouldn't even reach their feet.

"That's what I said, but. . . ."

All are called by Riko, being told to gather and they followed without complaint. When she announced who they'll be having their practice match with, Hyuuga felt surprised and scared at the same time.

"A practice game against Kaijou High?" he said in utter disbelief, feeling his chest tightening all of a sudden.

Riko nodded, smiling. "That's right. They surely won't disappoint us. This would be a great advantage in showing the new guys how a deadly match is done, so we'll be putting a lot of first years on the court." That didn't sound right to the team members.

"Disappoint us? They're way better than us. And it might be too much, considering that it's the first years." Koganei said in worry. Even with Kuroko and Kagami by their side, he knows Kaijou High is one of the schools that can't be taken lightly.

"Are they really that good?"

"They're strong at the national level. They play in the Inter-High every year." Hyuuga answered.

"And this year, Kaijou High got their hands on one of the members of the Generation of Miracles, Kise Ryouta." Riko said. The other freshmen are shocked like hell.

"What?"

"Him? The Generation of Miracles?"

Yes, even though the elite team have parted ways, they're still scary on their own. Kuroko is pretty much an exception for he gives his teammates and the other teams more surprise than fear. He isn't even that well-known unlike the other members, as he stated.

Kagami grinned, feeling the fire in him intensify by a hundred degrees. "I never thought I'd get to play them so soon. It's like a blessing. God, I'm getting excited." He couldn't even breathe, staying completely still from the rushing feeling of excitement running through every fiber of his skin.

"Apparently, Kise works as a model." Hyuuga added.

Izuki twitched. "Seriously? That's amazing."

"Good-looking and good at basketball? That's brutal." Koganei sighed, feeling a little envy.

"What an idiot." Riko muttered, and when she heard indistinct chatter from somewhere in the court she turned her head and saw almost all the women in the school gathered at one part of the court, approaching a blonde with dashing features.

"Huh? What?" Riko wondered, widening her eyes at what she and all others saw. That is not expected. "What are all of those people doing here?" She looked at the blonde, who is definitely the source of the female students' attention and the cause of their presence in the gym.

"Uh, sorry guys. I didn't mean for this to happen." Kise said nervously while signing the autographs of the girls. After Riko gave a closer look at the teen, she started to recognize him and is somehow speechless. The same went for Hyuuga. Both wondered what would Kise Ryouta be doing in Seirin. It definitely wasn't to sign his fans' autographs, that's for sure. And they didn't even expect him to come to their school.

Kuroko looked at Kise for a moment and bowed his head, and Kise smiled at him. "Hi, Kurokocchi. It's good to see you." he greeted, and the Seirin team along with the coach looked at Kuroko. The latter stayed expressionless and did not seem so bothered with why the others are surprised with Kise's presence in their school. The team looked back at the blonde after a while.

Kise smiled while rubbing the back of his head. "I'm sorry, really. Um... is it okay if you could wait five minutes?"

It took more than five minutes for all the female students of Seirin High to have their autographs signed, but at least the gym finally became quiet. Kise jumped down from the stage which he sat on, and Hyuuga asked him with a shaky tone, "Wh-What are you doing here?"

"Well, when I heard that our next opponent was Seirin, I remembered that Kurokocchi went here, so I thought I'd come and say hello." he answered nonchalantly, walking closer to Kuroko. "We were the best of friends in middle school." Kise mused.

Kuroko twitched an eyebrow but only by a millimeter and he signed to Kise. I wouldn't say best of friends exactly. More like just friends.

Kise immediately burst into tears. "You're so mean, Kurokocchi!"

Unlike his new teammates, Kuroko's former teammates have already gotten fully accustomed to his sign language - which he trained himself with back then in Teiko so that he could have a better way of communicating with them instead of having to write or type. He understood that none of the Seirin team could tell what he's saying, not even never-seen-speaking Mitobe Rinnosuke himself or Koganei who was the only one in the team who could tell what the silent man was thinking.

"Kise Ryouta. Though he started basketball his second year of middle school, his exceptional physical ability and sense got him on the Teiko team as a regular in a heartbeat. While he has less experience than the other four, he's a rapidly improving all-rounder." Kouki Furihata, a Seirin freshman, read from the magazine that the seniors read a while ago.

Almost everyone is shocked by the information, and Kuroko turned around to see what they are fussing about. When he looked at the page his fellow freshmen are looking at, he immediately got the picture and turned back.

"Since your second year?" Hyuuga said loudly in pure disbelief. No one could be such a master in basketball in such a short amount of time, but considering the fact that Kise is a member of the most powerful middle school basketball team, anyone could brush aside that disbelief in a short while.

"Um, don't take that seriously. That article exaggerated it quite a bit." Kise said, scratching the back of his head. "I'm glad or rather, lucky to be called part of the Generation of Miracles, but in truth I'm the worst of the bunch. Me and Kurokocchi were always bullied for it."

Kuroko didn't recall an event of ever being teased by anyone in middle school, which was why he signed to his friend, I don't remember being bullied for anything.

"What?! It was just me?!" he exclaimed, his eyes letting playful tears fall. He opened his eyes quickly just as he sensed a ball speeding for his way, and he quickly stopped it with his palm.

"Ow! What the hell was that for?" Kise winced, looking at his palm that got red from the impact with the ball. As he looked at the direction where it came from, he saw Kagami and the others got worried to what the redhead did. It wasn't a nice thing to do, obviously.

"Sorry for interrupting your little reunion." Kagami said with a fierce expression on his face. "But don't tell me that you came all the way here just to greet your friend. Why don't you play with me for a bit, pretty boy?" he challenged, not able to wait any longer to have a match with anyone of the legendary team.

"What? I don't know if I'm ready. But I'm just…" With a few seconds of thinking, he made up his mind with a smile. "Fine, let's do it. I have to thank you for that display a while ago." He threw the ball back to Kagami, and Riko sighed at the situation.

"Unbelievable." the brunette coach muttered under her breath. When she opened her eyes and saw the young bluenette in front of her, she freaked out but calmed down just as quickly.

This could be bad. Is said in his PDA.

"What?" Riko asked, wondering what he meant. But as she knew it had something to do with the match, she decided to watch.

After Kise took of his blazer and rolled up his sleeves, he was given the ball by Kagami and he dribbled for a moment. With great speed, he got past the redhead and the latter immediately reacted by catching up to him. Just as he was finally in the same pace with the blonde, Kise immediately made a quick turn-around and went for the basket, dunking the ball in with such force that Kagami, who also jumped in the air to stop him, fell to the ground and landed on his back.

That's Kise's skill in basketball. He learns plays as soon as he sees them and makes it his own. Kuroko explained in his PDA, and the message snapped Riko out of her state of shock from what she saw. Others are also baffled at the one-on-one match.

"This isn't simple imitation. It's like he made the play his own, but with greater force." Riko thought. Now, she has seen the strength of one of the Generation of Miracles herself. It was just a simple turn-around followed by a dunk, but it was so fast and so powerful, even more than what an average basketball player can do.

Kagami didn't even get up yet, as he is amazed to how strong Kise was. And even though Kise claimed he is the weakest of the team, Kagami tried to see it the other way around.

In other words, Kise is strong. However. . . . the other four are stronger than him.

"This is the Generation of Miracles." Kawahara Kouichi stated in awe. "Kuroko, your friend's way too good." he said, tapping on the boy's shoulder so the latter would look at him and therefore read his lips.

Kuroko replied, I don't know that person. To be honest, I may have underestimated him until just now. It's only been a few months since I left them, but the Generation of Miracles has improved far more quickly than I expected.

"Wait. So that's it?" Kise wondered out loud, looking at Kagami - who didn't even bother to get up from the floor. "And I expected a lot more from this team." Kise scratched his head in disappointment. Kagami twitched an eyebrow to what Kise said.

"Really, after something so disappointing, I can't just leave now." the blonde added, and others are puzzled to what exactly he meant by what he said. Kuroko didn't catch most of what Kise said, but he's sure he saw the blonde say 'disappointing' on his lips. With a turn and while walking towards the Seirin team, he started to say, "Can I ask something from Kurokocchi?"

Kuroko stayed calm, but others twitched. They're filled with curiosity to what he has to ask the bluenette. The young teen looked at Kise, his eyes saying 'What do you have to ask of me?'

"Kurokocchi, I'll be straight to the point. Come to Kaijou with me." Kise offered, ignoring the very much surprised looks on the faces of others. "Let's play basketball together again."

All the others wondered why he would make such an offer to Kuroko. Kise is already strong on his own, and he's even on a team that's strong at a national level. Why would he want Kuroko? Yes, Kuroko is strong in terms of misdirection and passing, but still. . . .

Is that possibly the reason why he came to Seirin?, They thought in unison.

"Don't take it the wrong idea. I'm not saying that your team sucks as hell," The others started to flare up at how they seemed to be looked down upon by the blonde-haired teen. "But I don't think that they're the right team for you." Kise stated to Kuroko while still not minding the others. "I think it's a waste of your talent to stay here. So, what do you say?"

Kuroko is not baffled at all by the sudden offer. In fact, he sort of expected this from him, or from everyone else of the Generation of Miracles.

Ever since he quit his old basketball team during some time in his final months of the third year in middle school, they all wondered where he suddenly went. But the moment they got hold of the information that the high school he chose to enroll in was Seirin, none were happy with the news. Akashi told them one time that as they'll split ways by the time they graduate high school, it should be best that they enroll into schools that are popular for their basketball teams.

However, Seirin is a team formed not more than a year ago, and which is why it's not well-known. But Kuroko still chose Seirin even though he's fully aware of that fact, and no one was happy because they believe that he has a lot of potential, only to waste it by going to a no-name school. He had seen enough of their reactions to the matter repeatedly, but even up to now they really couldn't tolerate that he went to a school that they even called 'no-good' or 'a team that can't fully utilize their abilities'.

I am not lying when I say I am honored to hear you say that. he signed, and bowed in a polite manner before adding, But I'm sorry. I must respectfully decline your offer.

Kise twitched from the reply, and he replied, "What? That doesn't make any sense! Besides, this isn't like you. Winning was everything to you. So why didn't you go to a stronger school?" he said, his voice having real concern for his friend. Kuroko knows that Kise just wants him to be in a good team. But the young bluenette doesn't think the same.

My thinking has changed since then. More importantly, I made a promise to Kagami-kun. I told him that we'd beat you, the Generation of Miracles.

"It really isn't like you to joke around like that." Kise muttered, knowing that the old Kuroko wouldn't think that. Like them, Kuroko also values victory to such an extent. But of course, he knows that Kuroko is always straight to the point and never bluffs. No matter how much he wished that the blue-haired teen was joking, he knows that the bluenette is serious.

When the blonde heard a chuckle from behind, the blonde turned around. Kagami was already back on his feet, and he felt blazed up yet again from what was just demonstrated to him a few moments ago.

"So this is the Generation of Miracles. They really are amazing. And there are four more guys stronger than him. It's so exciting; I can't help but smile." Once again, the excitement bar inside Kagami got too high, it broke the very tip.

You know it isn't a lie. I still have no sense of humor whatsoever. And I'm serious with what I said. Kuroko stated when Kise turned back to look at him.

And there, Kise realized that he can't get Kuroko to do what he and the others want the bluenette to do. In resignation and also curiosity, he smirked as Kagami did the same while Kuroko just looked at the scene.

Maybe. . . . Kuroko thinks, after this no one would bug him about his choice of school anymore. It was okay at first, but now it has become slightly annoying. But he is determined to let Kise see the whole point of his choice one day.

After buying some TV dinner in the convenience store along with a vanilla-flavored popsicle, he started to lick on the cold treat while casually making his way home.

But as he crossed the streets, he becomes surprised to see a man walking just right past him, and he turned around with slightly wide eyes. The other man paused as well, and he also stopped walking but he remained looking as composed as ever. Kuroko can see the man holding a small keychain on his left hand, with the fingers neatly covered in bandages.

"Midorima-kun. . . ." Kuroko thought, while bowing to the green-haired teen as a greeting. The other just tilted his head downward only by an inch to return to the greeting, and they didn't continue walking. They stayed there, in complete silence, and when another minute passed the taller teen asked Kuroko, "How are you doing?"

I'm fine. And as usual, you still follow that horoscope you always listen to since first year. What's the lucky item today?

Midorima answered quickly, "A keychain with a dog attached. Specifically, the dog is a baby Alaskan Malamute." He showed the key chain to Kuroko, and the bluenette nearly smiled at the adorable puppy. Midorima is not bothered, since he knew that Kuroko has a soft spot for cute animals. He let the shorter teen look at the keychain for a while longer, before he closed his hand around the lucky item and he averted his gaze away for a moment, then he looked back at Kuroko.

"You're. . . . still in Seirin, are you?"

Kuroko exhaled through his nose, as he had a feeling this would happen. First Kise, now Midorima. But he didn't deny anything and just nodded.

"You could still transfer. There's Kaijo, Touou, or even my school." he stated with a very serious tone. Kuroko couldn't hear the tone, but he knew that Midorima is even more serious about the matter than Kise is. "It's been merely a week since the beginning of school, so you still have the chance to change schools while you still can."

Kuroko looked down, not wishing to make the conversation go any further. The last time they talked about this with the others, everything went ugly and it sort of strained Kuroko from the team.

He closed his eyes when he felt the aura around Midorima intensify, but he looked up and saw that the green-haired teen still looked completely calm, although he knew that the man's mood is a little different from a moment ago. He swallowed, wondering how he could reply to the man without making it end up like back then.

With careful thinking, he raised his hands and responded, I know all of you want me to go to a good school, whether it's the same as either one of yours or not. But. . . . I don't want to. I wish to stay in Seirin. And even though you said before that Seirin is a no-good school that can't fully utilize my abilities, I don't care if they're not well-known around the country. I'll help them achieve their dream.

All of that was enough to answer the questions Midorima is about to ask him later, so the latter kept his lips shut for a minute.

"You know, except for Kise and Momoi, you have to watch out once you encounter the others. They were not happy at the last time you were with them, and I mean not happy at all. Akashi even thought that 'destroying you could be a way to snap you out of your stupidity'. But I know he is concerned for you, just as we all are. If you don't want to keep on having this relationship with them, you have to do something about it." he said, taking one step closer towards Kuroko.

Kuroko knows Midorima really just wants to help, even through that cold personality of his, because despite how they all act, they all care for each other deeply.

But he replied with confidence and with such hope and determination, I am doing something about it. One day, you and the others will see that I'm doing this for the better. It's not only for me and my new team's sake, but for all your sakes as well. For now, you might think I'm stupid I'm sure. But I was hoping that you would understand the most. We've been classmates for all those three years in middle school, and if you can't even fully get the meaning of this, then you are no longer the Midorima-kun I once knew. Before, when it comes to basketball, you're always perceptive of me. But now it seems to be gone.

All that hit the green-haired teen like a bolt of lightning and made him speechless but he didn't dare show it in his face. Yes, he claims that he doesn't get along with Kuroko because of their different blood types, but he is the closest to Kuroko aside from Aomine, Kise, or Momoi because they were classmates for the whole three years of their time in middle school.

"Kuroko. . . ." He realized that he can't get through the boy either. And with that, in an awkward manner, they split ways. But Kuroko felt pain in his heart as he took each step closer to home.

Whenever it came to his past, he has to admit that he feels like daggers are stabbing his body from reminiscing about the past when he quit the team and the last time he talked to them. And now, this conversation didn't seem to make anything better. But he knows that he would have to fulfill his goal and give it his all to make them see.

TO BE CONTINUED