The Teiko Basketball club. An incredibly strong team with over 100 members and three consecutive championship wins. Even within that brilliant history, a group of five prodigies known as the "Generation of Miracles" stood above the rest. However, there was a strange rumor concerning the "Generation of Miracles". Despite being relatively unknown and lacking a game record, there was one more member recognized by the five prodigies. A phantom sixth man.
It was the first day of school for the relatively new Seirin High, beginning only its second year as a school and contender in the high school circuit. The team had reached all the way to inter high last year, but fell apart in the finals league to the three kings of Japan. This year, the team is looking to recruit new, talented players to give it the boost it needs to be the best in Japan.
"Make sure you find big, talented players for the team boys!" Riko, the coach and classmate of the second year players said.
"Naturally." Izuki replied, before taking a stack of papers and walking through the crowd. Mitobe and Koganei followed behind, handing out the flyers as they went.
Across the courtyard, a teal haired freshman was nose deep in a book, avoiding the rush without taking his eyes off the page. Nobody greeted him, not that he expected anyone to even see him. His name was Kuroko Tetsuya, a member of the legendary group of players that had the media going crazy for the past three years.
High schoolers had an aura about themselves, whether your strong, popular, nerdy, good at sports, etc. Kuroko lacked any trace of a personality, and therefore went unnoticed throughout the club signup event.
He came to a sign that contained a list of the clubs available and which tables to find them at. He glanced up quickly from his book, eyes more powerful than anyone there scanned the sign thoroughly in a second. He found what he was looking for, the basketball table.
Making his way over to the signup area, Kuroko noticed a girl with dark red hair straddling the folding chair in front of the table. She was making a fuss with one of the second years. Kuroko couldn't get the attention of either the girl nor the boy behind the table, so he simply took a sheet, filled it out, and placed it back on the corner of the table. He also took one of the cups that was sitting there, drank the juice, and left it where it was.
As he was walking away, he looked behind him to see the red head toss a paper cup behind her back and make it into the trash bin a few meters away. Both table attendants were surprised at the casualness of the shot. Kuroko smirked, brought his book back in front of his face, and walked undisturbed into the school building.
"That girl, I was surprised that she wanted to try out despite the obviously good physical shape she was in. Before a few years ago, it would be so strange to see a girl playing in the basketball circuit. At first I thought that she was another fangirl that wanted to try the sport as well, but after that small show of talent, I can't help but be relieved we have someone like her coming in." Riko said. She took the four papers and stacked them, getting up from her chair to clean up the station.
"Coach, you missed one" Koganei said, handing her one final form.
"But there was noone else here… Only the three boys from earlier and the red head." Riko muttered as she turned the paper over. "Kuroko Tetsuya, freshman, 'was going to sign up with you but I could not get your attention so I filled the form out myself.' Age: 16, Position: To be determined, Middle School: TEIKO!?" she screamed. The other boy sitting at the table glanced over at her.
"The legendary school with the unbeatable team? No way!"
"It's true Hyuuga, look at the application. AAH! Why can't I remember that golden egg's face? Regardless, I have a feeling this year's team may be the best in the district, no, the entire country!" Riko stated.
"Eh? Are you subtly putting pressure on your captain Riko?" Hyuuga said with a low mutter. Riko just beamed at him. "Either way, this is going to be an interesting year." He took a sip of his cup, only to find that it was empty. "What? But that's impossible, I just filled it with the last of our juice!" he complained.
After classes that same day, each club started their first meeting of the year. The basketball club was no different, opening up the gym for the first time that trimester.
"Alright boys! Line up!" Riko yelled. Each player stood side by side, waiting for the coach to appear.
"Hey, isn't our manager kinda cute?" Furihata whispered to his friend.
"She is a second year… if only she were a bit more sexy…"
Before the two could continue, Hyuuga whacked both of them on the head, "You idiots! Learn some respect.".
Riko put her hands on her hips and began the practice, "Welcome freshmen! I am the coach, Aida Riko."
"Eeeeeeh!?" was the general reaction among the newcomers. "You mean, it's not that guy?"
"No, this is our advisor Takeda sensei." Riko explained. The old man gave a small wave to the team. "Now, take your shirts off!"
"Riko excels at analyzing data on the physical body. Her dad is a sports trainer, so she has picked up the talent from a young age. By a single look she can determine your eating habits, talent, and even your potential." Hyuuga explained to the freshmen.
The redhead at the end of the line was getting angry that she had to undress herself in front of so many guys. "Uh, coach? I'd rather not give these players a show." she complained.
"Eh? Oh Kagami! I'm so sorry I forgot about you… we can go into the locker room in a minute, you can keep your clothes on." Riko said. There was a general groan of disappointment around the gym.
"Coach, you can just call me Taigari, my friends from America used the nickname 'Taiga', because I'm Japanese and my name sounds like Tiger in a Japanese accent." the girl player stated.
Riko went down the line assessing the players and commenting "Improve your stamina" or "Work on leg development". When she got to the redhead she was about to take her into the locker room when she forgot someone.
"Kuroko? Is Kuroko here?" Riko asked. 'I thought I would have noticed such a star player if he was.' "Guess he is out for today, anyways…"
"I'm Kuroko. Hello."
Riko had to suppress a scream as not only her but the entire team was taken aback by his sudden appearance. It was as if he appeared out of thin air. "Alright then Kuroko, remove your shirt!".
As the blue haired player tossed his shirt aside, Taigari was analyzing him. 'How can someone so weak play such a physical and size heavy sport?"
"Kuroko, you weren't part of the Teiko first string were you?" Hyuuga chided.
"I was."
"W-well, you weren't on the bench or in games right?" He tried again.
"I played in games." Kuroko answered in a monotone voice.
"See?... Eh!? No way!" Hyuuga burst out.
'How did someone of his stature play in games. Wait, wasn't Teiko's Generation of Miracles an all girl team? Why would the legendary players let a guy share the court with them?' Riko thought.
The only female player in the gym narrowed her eyes at the conversation. 'Generation of Miracles? I thought Japan was all the same. Perhaps this year will be interesting!.' She smirked and shifted her eyes to the team boy who sparked the discussion. Her eyes widened when she saw him staring back at her with a neutral face. She looked away quickly, 'what the hell? Doesn't he know it's rude to stare?'
Later that day Kagami was practicing her shots on an outdoor court, warming up for a new season of basketball. She aimed to take another shot, having sunk several in a row, when she saw what appeared to be a phantom in the corner of her eye. She gasped, and released the ball at an awkward angle, making it bounce off the rim and harmlessly drop to the court below.
"Gah! Who ar-... YOU!" Kagami pointed at the newcomer with a tick mark on her face. "Stop sneaking up on people!".
"I was here watching you this whole time." Kuroko responded, stepping onto the court to face the girl.
"Hold on a second." Taigari said, "Most people in sports have a certain aura or smell about them. Strong players smell differently than weak ones. You however, have no smell at all."
Kuroko only tilted his head. He hoped he didn't smell. He showered twice today.
"You sure made a big commotion back in the gym about being a part of some sort of legendary team. I'm interested to see what a 'generation of miracles' member can do." Kagami said shooting the basketball into Kuroko's hands.
"What a coincidence… I was about to challenge you as well." Kuroko stated, tossing his overshirt to the side. "Come, let's play One on One.".
Kuroko started with the ball. The first thing that went through his mind is the limited one on one experience he had, and the even more limited winning experience he had in one on one situations. Regardless, he would utilize what he had to see just how good his prospect of a light may be.
Kuroko bounced the ball slowly, analyzing the openings in his opponent's defense. He thought about faking left and dribbling right, but one look at the physique of Kagami told him that even if the fake succeeded she would catch up to him in no time. A three point shot from where he stood was also out of the question. Kagami could easily throw up a hand to block his sloppy shooting form.
He decided to test her reflexes and reach with his first play. He dribbled to the right before crossing to the left. He then prepared to take a shot.
Taigari had fell for his fake, but had the drive been legitimate, she would have had the ball in seconds. She saw Kuroko getting into a shooting position and threw up her arms to block it.
Kuroko's eyes widened at the length of her reach, especially from a position of being faked out. He released the ball, not surprised at all when it was blocked and rolled out of bounds.
Kuroko took the ball from the half court line again. He noticed the spring in her step as she recovered from his fake. Kuroko had been playing with super gifted players for three years, and each of them being of the female gender. He saw hints and warning signs of a special ability, and there was a possibility that Kagami's ability to leap may be one of them.
Kuroko decided to do one last test. He simply jumped up and shot the ball in a decently high arc to the basket, catching Kagami off guard. To his surprise Taigari was able to not only run up on him in time, but jump so high off the ground that she tipped a ball that had already been released for nearly a full second.
Tetsuya was shocked. Not that the ball didn't go in, he was never a good shooter to begin with, but that she was able to get a finger on his shot. That kind of raw talent could be honed into an unstoppable weapon in the future. She wasn't ready for it yet, but in due time he would cooperate with his new coach to let this ability blossom.
He flinched at his choice of words. The last time he dealt with abilities blossoming was when he began to hate the sport. He can still hear a certain dark blue haired girl jogging ahead of him saying "Your passes take up too much time, I just want to score and be done with it. I do not need… no… I do not want them anymore." This time would be different. He would instill the right virtues into this team and they would prove to the Generation of Miracles that team play is not only the best play, but the point of the game as a whole. He would bring them out of the darkness, even if it meant beating them one by one at the game they believe no one is better at than themselves.
"Kuroko?" Taigari was wondering why Kuroko was still standing there looking off into space. She had only tipped his shot, there was no need to stop playing.
"Sorry Taigari-san, I was thinking of something."
"Thats fine, its my turn to show you what I got! Show me what the Generation of Miracles can do!" She drove the ball towards the hoop.
Play and play went by, Kagami never having to give up the ball. 'He's… He's… pathetic. He is so bad that he doesn't even smell weak yet.' "You… are you trying to pick a fight? You challenge me to a one on one and the best thing you did was a simple crossover on the first possession."
Kuroko only picked up the ball and attempted to give it back to the girl.
"No, it's fine. Guys like you, who believe that enough effort can get them anywhere just don't belong in the basketball circuit. Some advice, quit now. At Least there will be time to find a club better suited towards your abilities and likings.
"No."
Taigari turned to the boy in shock. He hadn't hardly spoken all game.
"I cannot accept that. I have trained for years to stand on the same court as players like you and my old teammates. I cannot fathom quitting my passion." Kuroko stated with great conviction.
"Fine, just don't hold me back." Kagami said as she turned around to leave. She grabbed her water bottle and downed a good portion of the contents. She thought back to Kuroko's words and snorted. 'People like him who have no talent but lots to say, I just cannot see what's so fun about losing. He talked with such emotion after getting crushed. Wait… we played for 20 minutes. He wasn't even breathing heavy.'
Kuroko decided to head to Maji burger to cool down after his short rant. He ordered his favorite vanilla milkshake and sat down at an empty table. Shortly after, he saw Kagami walk in, order an insane amount of food, and sit down in front of him. She didn't appear to notice him.
'Man, that guy is something else.' Taigari thought. She took a bite of her burger only to hear a "Nice to see you again" from across her table.
"ACK, GAH! Kuroko stop doing that! Why are you sitting at my spot? People are going to think we hang out together."
"I was here first."
"Whatever. Here, someone as skinny as you needs to eat up." she tossed him one of the many burgers on her tray.
They ate in silence, each pondering the individual across from them. When Kagami was finished, she tossed the garbage in the receptacle and they headed out. On the walk back something came to the girl.
"Hey Kuroko, if I were to play someone from the Generation of miracles right now, how would I do?"
Kuroko took a moment to think. He compared the agility, reflexes, and court sense to the five ladies that he played with the past three years. He imagined Midorima shooting over Kagami's height all the way from half court. He saw Aomine completely destroying the red head in fakes, speed changes, only to fall backwards and shoot the ball at an insane angle. Kuroko imagined the tall purple haired girl standing under the net with a bored look on her face. Any shot that Kagami put up being batted down with ease. He saw Akashi breaking Taigari's ankles and staring down at her with a piercing gaze saying something about how she is never wrong. Finally, he saw the blonde idol copying anything that Kagami did, but better and with increasing accuracy.
"You would be destroyed instantly.".
The following day, Riko decided to hold a practice game, pitting the second years against the first years. This would let her see the second years' development, and judge the potential of the new players.
"Didn't our senpai get to the inter high league as only first years?" one of the first years commented.
"Amazing… How could we ever beat a group like that?" another replied. A third nodded his agreement.
"Oi, you three." Taigari said as she stalked up to the trio. "Don't go saying things like 'We Can't beat them' before the game has even started! Just pass the ball to me and dont get in the way."
"H-Hai!" the three said in unison.
Hyuuga was putting his jersey on when Izuki walked over to share a smile. They had formed the team from the ground up, and were ready to test these new freshmen to see if they had what it took to play for their school.
"Let's show these kouhai the power of experience" Hyuuga said with a smirk.
"But of course." the raven haired point guard replied.
"LISTEN UP!" Riko shouted, getting everyone's attention. "The game will be regular rules, and normal time limits. There will be no timeouts unless made by me. Keep it clean, this is a game between teammates. Lets see what you all got!"
Kagami and Mitobe lined up across from each other, eagerly waiting for the ball to be tossed. The whistle blew, and the basketball soared into the air. Not high enough however, that Taigari couldn't jump and tip it at it's highest point.
The freshmen started with the ball. Furihata dribbled down court, only to get the ball stolen by Izuki who said "Wow, I get not only the ball, but an open court as well? This is a steal!" Hyuuga gave him a knock on the head as he ran past.
"If you have time for puns, you have energy to run faster Izuki!" he yelled.
The point guard chuckled. He faked a drive to the left only to pass the ball back and to the right into the hands of a waiting Hyuuga. He caught the ball and jumped up to make the first shot of the game. Even though Taigari jumped impossibly high, the shooting guard was able to shoot the ball early enough to where it did not matter. The ball soared above their heads and into the basket.
"How's that for an opener first years?" Hyuuga joked.
[2nd Years - 3, 1st Years - 0]
"Hey! Pass it here." Kagami said as she jogged towards the freshman that was holding the ball. She received the pass without hesitation and began to run down the court.
Koganei jumped in front of the redhead to attempt a steal, only to get completely outmatched as she faked him right, then left, then drove right. Mitobe, who was guarding the hoop prepared to block a layup, but widened his eyes in suprise when Taigari jumped from just inside the free throw line. She soared over everyone's heads as if she had sprouted wings and took off in flight. Her hands made contact with the rim, jamming the ball in with ferocity.
"How's that for a response?" she taunted with a smile.
Kuroko, who had purposefully been as far away from the ball as possible smiled. 'She has the enthusiasm that the rest lost. She has that spark that will never go out. All I need to do is blow on that spark, to get a raging flame that our team can count on'.
"Woah! Did you see how high she jumped!" Koganei gasped.
Riko stared in shock at the physical ability of her player. 'Th-This is crazy!'
"No way she's in our grade, that jumping ability is crazy!" Furihata exclaimed, only for his two friends to nod in agreement. "Hey, maybe with that we can beat the Generation of Miracles!"
Kuroko frowned at that statement. 'Had the Generation of Miracles really been that forgotten about that seeing a simple high jump gave people hope of defeating them? Well, I shouldn't be a hypocrite. I think she can do it too.'
The game continued on for a bit, with Taigari doing both offense and defense flawlessly. The first years were able to gain an 8 - 3 lead on the second years, much to their chargain.
The second years briefly met, and then returned to their positions on the court. Once the play started, the freshmen realized in dismay that their ace had been not double, but triple teamed.
With this new development, Kagami was essentially shut down, and unable to receive passes or break free without causing a foul. Without their star player, the first years fell victim to the second years run and gun style which included a fast drive and either a quick pass out to Hyuuga for a three, or a bounce pass to Mitobe for a hook shot inside.
The third quarter ended, with the scoreboard looking bleak for the first year players.
[Second Years - 29, Third Years - 8]
"There's no way we can catch up now, the game's already over" a few of them muttered.
Taigari was already pissed that they had triple teamed her, but to hear such words from her teammates who she was carrying the burden of made her over the top angry.
"YOU! How can you give up already!? There is an entire quarter left! We can do this!" she half yelled half encouraged her teammates.
"But… how?" one of them replied.
"I- I don't know just gimme the ball and I will figure something out."
"Understood." a voice came from seemingly nowhere.
Throughout the game Kuroko had been analyzing the new star player. She had already proven to him that she had an abundance of skill, and he saw her put it to good use during the game. Taigari had shown no fear when facing the strong team that was the Second years. The final point Kuroko had to check was whether she would crumble in a desperate situation.
She sure as hell didn't.
Kuroko was satisfied that his new light would fit all his criteria, and decided to take her for a test drive.
"W- what? Who sai- KUROKO!? You were playing in this game…" Kagami muttered in surprised.
"Hai."
Riko stood on the sidelines in exasperation, 'I'm the ref and I didn't even notice him.'
"What can you do Kuroko?" Furihata asked.
"Pass me the ball."
Taigari jumped in saying, "Eh? Pass you the ball? I can just drive it in I know I can!"
"You can't win by yourself" was the monotone reply.
"Damn you, What are you saying now?" she gave him an angry look.
"I will help you. I cannot explain my abilities, you will just have to… experience them."
'So ominous...' was the general reaction.
The game resumed at the start of the fourth quarter. The first years had the ball, and were looking out for their teammate who said to give him the ball.
'They can't find me…' Kuroko thought. He quickly looked at everyone on the opposing team and found a small pocket on the court that was at the edge of each of their gazes. He would make use of the blind spot in their eyes so their reaction would not be a triggered emotion, but a fluid acceptance that something was there. That time gap would give his point guard the opportunity to see him and pass it.
Putting his plan into action, Kuroko changed his ever fluid movements to stop suddenly in the exact spot needed, and saw his teammates shocked reaction to noticing him. He motioned with his hands to prompt the first year to give him the ball.
To the second years, the point guard had just made a pass to nobody. Whether it was a slip of the hand or a surrender, they didn't care. Koganei reached out for the ball only to have it literally change course mid flight and end up exactly in the hands of an open power forward. He was too stunned for words.
"Put it up!" a shout came from seemingly nowhere, but was loud enough to get the mind of the boy running again. With nobody by him, he was uncontested as he did a simple layup and jogged back to his team.
"W-what was that!? Did you guys all see that!" Koganei shouted to his team. Normally he would have been bonked on the head for his antics at missing a steal, but no response came. None of the second years had an answer to what just occurred on the court.
Several more plays commenced, and the same thing happened. A seemingly errored pass changed course and flew into the hands of any receiver that was open. Even Taigari received one and was able to break free of her guards and dunk it in.
The score was Second years - 37 to First years - 36 with twelve seconds left on the clock.
"Alright! Defense! We get this stop we win this!" Hyuuga cried.
The first year who was playing point was searching for a blue blur to pop up out of nowhere. He was so focused on the inside, that he missed Izuki's tip of the ball.
'Oh Crap! That might be the game if they make this!' he thought.
Izuki sped down the court until he was just over the three point line.
"NO YOU DON'T!" Kagami said as she raced down the court after him. She guarded the second year like her life depended on it.
Each player was in position, Izuki had but to give it to an open player and the game was secured. He saw Mitobe juke out a first year by the net. He passed.
The ball looked like it was easily going into the hands of the silent player, when a flash of blue appeared out of nowhere and grabbed the ball mid flight.
"Kuroko!?" the second years responded.
The phantom sixth member dribbled the ball down the court, aware of the time. There was a low chance that he could stop and shoot, and his layup percentage was not very good. However, he heard the unmistakable sound of thundering feet coming after him, a sound he recognized from the night before.
The boy smirked and tossed the ball up towards the basket as if it was a sloppy layup. He felt a slender hand on top of his head as the girl vaulted over him and dunked the ball milliseconds before the buzzer went off.
"That's why I hate the weak!" she said. "You have to make the shot dumbass!"
Kuroko displayed a small smile as he allowed her to fall in front of him using his head as support.
The first years had beaten the second years, but more importantly, Kuroko had found his new light.
Taigari was sitting once again at Maji Burger chowing down on a heap of burgers when suddenly she heard a voice… from across her table.
"Hello". Kuroko stated.
"Gah! Why do you keep doing this!" she yelled, choking on a bite of food.
"Again, you sat down where I was eating." Kuroko replied.
"Why are you even here?" she asked in exasperation.
"I like the vanilla milkshakes". He said.
They ate in silence for a moment.
"Here." Kagami said, giving the boy one of her burgers. "You might be annoyingly weak on the court, but you deserve one today."
"Thank you very much" Kuroko replied.
Once the two were done eating, they walked home similarly to how they did the night before.
"Hey Kuroko" Taigari said. She had something she needed to get off her chest.
"Yes?"
"Why did you choose a school like Seiren when your teammates all went to strong contenders like Shutoku or Rakuzan?"
Kuroko thought about his answer for a second.
"Because I want to show them that basketball is not a one man sport. Basketball is something that is done as a team. I didn't want to go from one self assured school to another. I wanted to help build a team not only talent wise, but emotionally as well. Seiren is like a new start for me. Not unlike you Kagami-san.
"Eh? What do you mean?"
"I said before that you cannot beat the Generation of Miracles. However, with me helping you there is a chance we can. I am a shadow. I play without being noticed by others, and help from unseen places. You are a light. You play with power and demand attention on the court. The stronger the light, the more it accentuates the shadow. You and I will stand up to the Generation of Miracles as partners. I will make you the best in Japan" Kuroko explained.
Kagami was surprised at his declaration, but then chuckled to herself. "Honestly… Now you've got me all fired up." Taigari muttered. "However, there is one thing you got wrong."
Kuroko looked up in confusion. He thought that what he said was his true feelings.
"Were not going to just stand up to them. Were going to beat the humility back into them. If they cannot imagine a scenario where they lose, we're going to shove it in their face with overwhelming power. Your teammates won't know what hit them." She said with a smirk on her face.
"Hai, Kagami-san." Kuroko responded with a smile.
"To being the best in Japan" Kagami said holding out a fist to her companion.
"Let's give it all we've got." Kuroko replied, giving her a fist bump.
The two separated, going their different ways. Neither could sleep that night however, with thoughts of the new basketball season going through their head.
Taigari was imagining the incredibly strong opponents waiting for her on the court, and the exhilarating games that would follow.
Kuroko sighed with a sad smile on his face. He imagined each of the five girls that he would be going up against over the course of the year. He wanted so desperately to text one of them or give them a call and talk, but he had nothing to say until he proved them wrong. Until he once again was regarded as someone of importance, he did not bother arguing his ideals. 'We will meet soon; Ryona, Shey, Daika, Atsuki, and Seira.'
His final thought before bed was of a pink haired girl who he regarded as his best friend. 'And how could I forget you Momoi? I will once again join each of you on the court. This time though, will not be to crush the dreams of a middle school team, but to wage war.
A/N : Well, this idea popped into my mind a few days ago. I was reading 'Our Treasure' where Kuroko is a girl and the rest of the GOM are kind of sort of in love with her but are super overprotective. I thought 'What if I make a fanfic where the roles are reversed?'
Kuroko will have to protect four basketball idiots while dealing with the over obsessiveness of a fifth. At the same time, he struggles to understand a certain pink haired female.
Not much different than the first canon episode in this first chapter, but you will start to see differences next update with the introduction of Kise Ryona, the basketball playing idol.
R&R