"I got them!" You told Riko of the chart of the championship league.
"Hey guys! The names of all the schools in the championship league are out!" Riko stated as you handed them out to everyone.
"As you can see, A block is us, and B block is Touou Academy. C block is Meisei and D block is Senshinkan. These four schools will compete to represent our region." Riko spoke about the chart.
Hyuga looking at the chart noticed how new it looked, "This is a fresh league chart."
"Until last year, the Tokyo representatives always included the three kings: Shutoku, Seiho, and Senshinkan." Izuki pointed out.
Koganei looked quite afraid but hopeful, "I've been thinking, we beat two of those teams, right? Do you think that's the year we make it all the way?"
Izuki and Hyuga looked at Koganei with fright and urgency, "You!" Izuki half shouted.
"You said it!" Hyuga pointed out that Koganei said a jinx.
"Even if we lose to Momoi and Aomine, if we beat the others—" Koganei continued before Riko cut him off.
"It's not Senshinkan." Riko started, she gave you a look making you narrow your saddened gaze.
"Those two go to Touou Academy."
"What?"
"I thought all the Generation of Miracles went to well-known schools!" Koganei argued.
"I thought he would have gone to a strong school like Midorima," Izuki added.
"I looked it up with the help of (Y/N)-chan. So we're sure." Riko corrected.
Hyuga looked back at the chart, "That's unheard of."
"If I may, Riko-san?" You held up your hand to explain making her nod, "Go ahead. Listen up, guys!"
"Their history isn't impressive, but they've been putting energy into their scouting efforts recently...receipt my promising athletes from all over the country. In the last few years they've rapidly gained power, and this year's lineup is comparable to Shutoku's." You explained the history of Touou.
"I don't believe it," Fukuda said in disbelief.
"Hey!" Kagami entered the gym, changing his shoes, "Kagami. You're late." Hyuga scolded the first-year.
"Sorry. Cleaning up too longer than expected." Kagami apologized and ran up to the others.
Number 2 barked at Kagami, "Number 2?" Riko asked Number 2 who went to nudge your leg to Kagami.
"Hm?" You were a little confused before seeing Kagami and looking at his stats, "Riko-san..." you started as she got the memo and started to power walk toward the tall redhead.
"Kagami, did you okay basketball?" Riko asked and Kagami averted his gaze somewhere else, "No."
"You've gotten worse." Riko pointed out making Kagami get cornered, "Well, I..."
"You idiot, Kagami!"
"Sorry, ow!"
Riko was seen almost caving Kagami's head in with her hand, "How many times did I tell you!? Are your ears just for decorations?! Are they just holes in your head?!"
"Ow! Ow! Ow!" Kagami yelled out in pain before Riko finally let him go.
"You'll just be watching today! Get a heating pad from the nurse's office! Since you can't sprint, walk all the there on your hands!" Riko ordered him pointing to the door.
"Seriously?!" Kagami yelled out, "Seriously, Kags! Do you want to be in a wheelchair or something?! Riko and I specifically told you to not play until you've completely healed! Just because the pain's gone doesn't mean you can play again!" You scolded him next.
"Tetsu-kun. Can you go and watch him, please? Riko's stressed enough." You asked Kuroko for a favour as he nodded and went to follow Kagami.
"I don't believe that idiot!" Riko stomped her foot on the floor in anger.
"Now, now, Coach. So who are we playing against first." Hyuga tried to calm Riko down before asking who they were playing against first.
"I'm mad because we won't have Kagami!" She specified.
"Our first game is against Touou Academy!"
Hearing that got everyone silent as you grew a little shocked but had a vision it would happen.
A flashback occurred when you were getting the charts and thought of Aomine. Your vision was Of Aomine before you saw Kuroko's face consisting of fright, denial and loss.
I played Aomine.
Kuroko was taken aback to hear that, "He said he used to be your light. It sounded to me like you weren't just ordinary teammates. What happened between you two in middle school?"
"He also spoke of someone else, called her the Queen and everything," Kagami added.
What happened between him and (Y/N)?
Kuroko grew shocked to hear Kagami ask about Aomine and (Y/N)'s relationship.
(Flashback!)
"Oh, come on! One more time! Just one more!" Kise asked for another round to try and win against Aomine.
"Haha! You're naive, Kise. Well, you play pretty well for someone who's just started." Aomine chuckled.
The two went for another round, you, Momoi and the coach were looking at the two playing, "Kise's not doing bad against the ace Aomine. Isn't this his first time?"
"I think he's got talent. Doesn't he, (Y/N)-senpai?" Momoi smiled, and you nodded.
"Yes, he does! He's observant and is a quick learner. He might even become a great player!" You said.
"Then with his instincts, Aomine must be..." started the taller man beside the two women who only chuckled a little.
"Well..." Momoi started, "We don't know about that."
"He's just a longtime basketball junkie," Momoi explained making you laugh at the title she gave to Aomine.
"A junkie, huh? Well, he does have more talent and practices harder than anyone on the team." The player spoke making you nod.
"Yeah. He loves basketball...more than anyone else." Momoi agreed.
Kuroko explained how none of the Generation of Miracles started as extraordinary people. But Aomine bloomed sooner than the other members. You as well when it came to analyzing the human body and predictions with your visions.
When it came to you and Aomine, he explained it was complicated between the two of you.
Before, you were the best of friends, and now, you barely speak to one another. It got worse when you suddenly left without much than a resignation letter to the club.
"Here." Aomine gave Kuroko a popsicle.
"Aomine, you've started skipping practice more lately." Kuroko and his teammate walked from the supermarket.
"Yeah, it's cool. If I practice, I'll get even better. The harder I try, the more boring basketball gets. What I want must already be...gone." Aomine stated, Kuroko and him walking down some steps of a path.
"Basketball's just a game, anyway. I'm going to start skipping games, too." Aomine added.
"You can't do that." Kuroko told him, shoving his popsicle In Aomine's shirt from the back of his neck, "Popsicle?"
"It takes everything I have to keep up with everyone else, so I don't know how you feel, but...no matter how large the difference in our skill, if I were your opponent I would never want you to do that," Kuroko stated, walking down the steps as Aomine just stared at him in shock.
"Besides, I'm sure you'll meet someone more amazing than yourself soon." Kuroko added, Aomine following him, "You little jerk..."
He soon chuckled as he held up a fist for Kuroko to complete the fist bump, "You're right!" The taller male smiled.
"That's right," Kuroko replied, the two doing their usual fist bump.
Kuroko in a game with Aomine wanted to do their usual fist bump but he saw how much Aomine had changed.
Players stopped playing in the middle of the game since Aomine was too strong for them.
"Tetsu..."
"I don't think you were wrong, but..."
"I can't... They all suck."
"I'll never find what I'm looking for."
"The only one who can beat me is me."
That fist bump was never completed after that conversation. They swept the tournament that year because of Aomine's strength.
Ever since you and Aomine started to distance yourselves from each other. The others started to change as well. Something happened in their third year that caused that change.
Kuroko quit the basketball team because of that reason.
"I don't know what initially happened between Aomine and (Y/N)-san. But the two of them were the best of friends. The duo everyone knows in Teiko and the basketball club."
"When they started to distance themselves from each other. Their mood in their roles changed. Aomine became more aggressive in his plays, and started to become less and less interested in practices, games and basketball overall."
"While (Y/N)-san started to grow colder and more stern with others. It was unusual to see her like that. She used to be as bright as the sun during the summertime. But she changed. She hid her feelings away and only concentrated on the task at hand."
"She stopped caring."
"Overall, she started to stop being the kind, energetic and gentle manager everyone once knew. All because of her former friend changing, made her change and it broke her mentally. It broke the team and their trust in themselves."
(Flashback end.)
Kuroko and Kagami were seen walking back to the gym, "I see. Well, if I can say one thing...It's..." Kagami got the gist of the past of Kuroko, Aomine and you.
"Don't get ahead of yourself, you idiot! It's boring because you're too strong? 'The only one who can beat me is me'? The Generation of Miracles is full of those guys! It's so funny I could bust a spleen!" Kagami ranted angrily shout Aomine's sour attitude.
"You mean a gut." Kuroko corrected.
Kagami held up a fist for Kuroko to complete the fist bump, "Let's go beat him and wake him up for causing our manager pain." Kagami stated.
Kuroko looked at the fist before returning the fist bump.
Today is the deciding game.
You wake up in your home. You went down multiple stairs and made some food for the team and for yourself, "Okay...! Time to get to school, and get ready for the game after." You spoke to yourself.
Your parents soon called in, "We'll be watching from the big screen, dear! Love you!" Your mother smiled through the FaceTime.
You smiled back, "Thanks, mom! Love you, too!"
"You better not be meeting up with some boys back in Tokyo, (Y/N)! Or else I'll kill them all!" Your father was always so protective of you that you merely sweat-dropped and shrugged it off.
"Yes, yes, father." You sighed, "I'll be heading off to school! Bye! Love you!" You blew a kiss to them before heading to school.
Your face soon turned serious as you remembered Aomine, the friendship bracelet still around your wrist.
'Let's end this charade, Dai-kun...!'
'Once and for all...!'
"What?! Aomine's not here yet?!"
In the Touou Academy locker room to prepare for the game, Momoi was surprised and worried that Aomine wasn't present.
"He won't answer, no matter how many times I call." Imayoshi, the captain of Touou replied.
"That bastard!" Wakamatsu held up a fist of anger.
Sakurai started bowing, "Sorry, sorry. It's my fault."
"I'll try calling him!" Momoi ran out to call her childhood friend.
It rang for a while before he picked up, "There you are!"
"Hello?" Aomine replied sleepily.
"What are you doing? Where are you right now?" Momoi asked, "Where? I'm at school. Oh, sorry, I overslept." Aomine replied dryly, sitting up from his laid position.
"You overslept?!" Momoi yelled before Imayoshi took the phone, "Aomine, how long until you can get here?"
"Oh, Imayoshi. I'll probably be there by the second half." The first year replied.
"We're counting on you! We're up against Seirin!" Imayoshi scolded him.
Aomine only smirked, "There you go again. Twenty minutes is more than enough time to crush those scrubs. Do whatever you can during the first half."
"What?! H-Hey! Your old manager will also—" Imayoshi was cut off when Aomine ended the call.
"Finally found you, your highness."
In the Seirin locker room, Riko was seen giving some words to the team, "Is everyone ready?"
"Only three out of the four schools will be going to the Inter-High! Just like Koganei said, it doesn't seem difficult at first glance. However..." Riko stated, before wiping out a large paper fan to hit Koganei.
Izuki and Mitobe held up Koganei while the others stepped back, "Huh? What? Hey, wait..." Koganei was hit right in the face.
"If you think we can lose one because it's a league game, we're finished!" Riko yelled out, Koganei in the background held his reddened cheek, "Why me...?!"
"Because You said it was smooth sailing even though it's a league game, Koganei-san..." you gave a nervous glance to see him sulking at being hit.
"It comes down to now! We will win this game!"
"Seirin, fight!"
"Yeah!"
The teams all went to their benches to prepare for the game. You helped out by checking the right amount of items you brought for them.
"Kagami, remember about your legs, okay? I don't want to be wasting over 8000 Yen on that ointment I gave you." You reminded him of his legs, he flinched at the amount.
"8000 Yen?! Where did you get that kind of ointment?! From overseas?!" He dramatically yelled.
"It was imported from America. They were 40$ which is half of what it's price here."
He only yelled at you even more, "I didn't ask for that information! And isn't it expensive to ship it here?!"
"I have the money for it."
"OKAY! NOW YOU'RE SOUNDING LIKE SOME RICH SNOB!"
"No, actually, I have the money for it."
"JUST STOP IT ALREADY!"
Kagami only huffed at the two of you bickering, "Fine, yeah, I understand. Don't worry." He told you making you smile.
"Thank you, Kags." You smiled patting his shoulder. He only huffed, but you could see he wasn't entirely angry at his best friend.
"(Y/N)-san...? (Y/N)-san," Kuroko called out to you multiple times as you freaked out by the sudden voice.
"GAH! Oh, Tetsu, sorry, I was just spacing out." You flinched before waving it off.
"This the first time I've seen (Y/N) surprised by Kuroko!" Izuki pointed out.
Hyuga was shocked as well, "Was she spacing out that much that she didn't notice him?"
"But doesn't she seem a bit sad?" Asked Furihata, the other first years nodded to his conclusion.
The boys didn't know how to approach you about it but someone did.
"You've been looking at the opposite bench for 5 minutes straight." Kuroko bluntly pointed out.
'HE JUST POINTED IT OUT SO BLUNTLY!' The team all yelled in their heads.
Your face changed to shock when you were caught before you held a saddened gaze, "Yeah...It's just...um..."
"It's about Aomine, right?"
You only nodded a little, "Mhm..."
Kuroko suddenly did the unexpected and hugged you, "Don't worry. I'll beat him and get you the old Aomine."
"HE'S HUGGING (Y/N)?!"
"Damn it! I wanted to do that when we won against Touou..." Izuki muttered, crossing his arms before being hit by his friend, Hyuga.
"Stop being childish!" Hyuga scolded him.
Riko smirked, "THE FINAL ARC! PHYSICAL AFFECTION AND THEN COMES THE PROMISE AND LOVE CONFESSION!" She held up a fist.
"YOU NEED TO STOP THAT!" The Seirin basketball team yelled.
"T-T-T-Tetsu-kun..." steam blew out from your head and ears as you practically fell limp in his hold.
"SHE DIED!!"
"KUROKO!"
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to make her this flustered."
"SORRY'S NOT GONNA CUT IT!"
"WE NEED TO FIND AN ICE PACK!"
"OI! DON'T DIE ON US! WHOSE SUPPOSED TO GET INFORMATION ON OUR OPPONENTS?!"
"IS THAT WHAT YOU CARE ABOUT MOSTLY KAGAMI!"
"I'm okay!" You woke up almost immediately making the others yell in shock.
"SHE WOKE UP SO FAST!"
"Tetsu-kun...!" You looked to see Kuroko still holding you, "Yes?"
"Thank you!" You thanked him, hugging him tightly out of thanks.
"I wish I was Kuroko..." Izuki and Hyuga mumbled making the others look at them in shock.
"THEY'RE THAT JEALOUS?!"
"Okay! Let's get ready! No more wasting time, you guys! Kuroko, keep up your consoling to (Y/N)-chan!~" Riko clapped her hands before blushing at the paring.
"R-Riko-san?!" You turned a little flustered.
"Okay." Kuroko gave a thumbs up with a nonchalant face.
"HE'S TOO CALM FOR THIS!!" The group cried out.
After the funny moment, the team grew serious about the game.
Kagami, who noticed that Aomine wasn't there went up to Wakamatsu, "Excuse me." The blonde turned to Kagami.
"The self-centred bastard is running late." Wakamatsu grumbled in anger towards Aomine.
Hearing that both you and Kuroko looked in slight shock.
"Sorry. We're actually in a bind without him, too. He said he'd show up around the second half. I guess you could call us the opening act. Go easy on us." Imayoshi apologized, his apologetic smile not reaching his eyes.
'Imayoshi Shoichi. The captain of the Touou Academy basketball team. A point guard. Heard some rumours about his so called mind reading. In a way, he has an ability like mine. But it's probably different. He can recognize someone's play by looking at their facial expressions and movements.' You thought looking at the captain before being a little shocked he turned your way.
'And of course, the men with their eyes closed with glasses always look creepy...And it's a shame that he's good looking too...' you sighed disappointed before grabbing Kagami's collar.
Surprised by you holding onto him Kagami looked down at you, "(Y/N)?"
"Why do you always want to either pick a fight with an opponent or go talk to them...?" You asked, mumbling a little, making Kagami, Wakamatsu and Imayoshi to look at you.
You suddenly pulled his ear making him yell out in pain, "You ALWAYS do this when we're up against a tough opponent or a member of the Generation of Miracles! Can't you just keep stuff to yourself instead of being curious all the time! You're like some child trying to ask every adult they see if they're their parents!" You scolded Kagami like a child.
Wakamatsu and Imayoshi looked on in slight awe, "So that's Aomine's old manager before Momoi, huh...?" Imayoshi asked.
Holding a sweat drop, Wakamatsu replied, "Well, now I know who could manage that bastard alongside Momoi and you."
"OW! OW! OW! That hurts!" Kagami yelled, "Stop it! I know, okay?! I'm just asking!"
"It's supposed to hurt! And you're only saying that so you can make me stop scolding you!" You retorted.
"Fine! Fine! I'm sorry!" Kagami was let go as he sighed, "Geez! What kind of workout do you do to have that kind of strength?!"
"Huh?~ But I'm just a weak woman!~" You acted innocent, Kagami wasn't having it, "THAT'S THE WORST INNOCENT ACT I'VE EVER SEEN!"
"Hey! I'd like to see you try and do better strawberry head!" You retorted making him gasp before butting heads with you.
"HA?! OH, IT'S ON, SHORT STACK!" The two of you childishly squabbled without actually hitting each other. It just seemed like you both were arguing and bickering comically throwing punches.
"What the hell...?" Wakamatsu backed up in shock to see the two fighting so childishly.
Imayoshi only chuckled a little, "Now I know why and how her and Aomine were close back in middle school. And she's quite cute."
"Imayoshi!" Wakamatsu was shocked to see Imayoshi interested in a girl.
"I'm just saying, Wakamatsu. Don't get the wrong idea. I'm a third year and she's a first year. A two year difference is not much, right?" Imayoshi joked slightly making the blonde look at him like he just committed a crime.
"I'm not asking anything further." The blonde mumbled.
"Um...Captain? (Y/N)-san and Kagami are fighting again..." Kuroko appeared near his captain, nearly giving the second year a heart attack.
"Gah! Kuroko." Hyuga flinched before looking to see you and Kagami fighting like children.
You can imagine a cloud and just they're faces appearing from time to time as they fought, moving around the side of the court.
The captain only blinked, "Can't you at least calm down (Y/N)?"
"No. I'd like to not die, thank you." Kuroko denied the request.
Hyuga looked at the first year in shock, "HUH?! Is she that scary when angry?! I mean, ever since the Iberian bread incident, I could understand but is she THAT scary when mad?" Hyuga asked.
That got Kuroko to stiffen when you were angry back in middle school . He started to slowly sweat and shake in place.
Hyuga looked in even more shock to see shucks reaction from the usual blank faced male, "KUROKO?! You're sweating!"
"I'm fine. I just started to get cold..." Kuroko replied, still shaking in his boots.
"THAT'S NOT NORMAL! And the gymnasium is not cold!" Hyuga shouted.
Izuki and the others seeing the scene unfold made an internal note to not bother you if agitated.
"Hey! (Y/N)-chan! Kagami! Let's get ready." Izuki called out to you both who stopped squabbling.
"Okay!~" you smiled to your upperclassman before giving an evil smile to Kagami who grew irritated.
"Why you!—" He was about to square up with you before Hyuga hit his head, "Don't you even THINK about it! Get on that court, now!"
"Ouch...! Yes, captain..." Kagami grumbled while you chuckled to yourself.
While on the court, Izuki called out to Kagami, "Kagami, you've already played Aomine once, right? Your motivation hasn't dropped, has it?"
"No way. If anything I'm pissed! If these guys are the opening act, I'll pull so far ahead they can't catch up and make their star the world's biggest idiot." Kagami stated, a burning determination igniting.
"I agree. Aomine is dangerous. We should scare as much as possible while we have the chance. There's no point in getting angry at someone who isn't here. The opponent is front of you is everything." Kuroko agreed.
Hyuga nodded at the first years, "All right, you got it. Let's go all out...from the start!"
It was the tip off and Imayoshi got the ball from Wakamatsu. Hyuga and the others were surprised at how fast the captain was.
Hyuga was marking the other team's captain, "You're quick, aren't you? We have no choice, then." Imayoshi smiled before throwing the ball behind him.
"We'll start by...having our kamikaze captain pave the way for us." The captain of Touou stated as Sakurai caught the ball and went for a three.
"Sorry!" He apologized, he made the shot making Touou get the first basket.
"Calling yourselves the opening act was evil." Hyuga pointed out, Imayoshi was seen walking back to his basket but stopped when he heard the other captain.
"What? I wasn't lying. You'll know once Aomine gets here. We're cute little kids compared to him. I told you, we're just the opening act." Imayoshi started with a smirk.