I love the Touou basketball team. Initially it was just because of Aomine and Momoi, but then we got to see more of Sakurai being adorable and Wakamatsu being loud and Imayoshi being epic and after episode 25 I figured I just had to write something. They're not a family team like Seirin but there's still something so lovable about them, you know?

Chapter one of Touou Academy! Sakurai joins the team!

Imayoshi observed the first-years in front of him. None of them looked particularly outstanding, which was a bit of a disappointment considering this was his last year at Touou and he really wanted to be able to experience a victory at the Inter High for the first time. There was also a significant lack of one Aomine Daiki, the Generation of Miracles player that Touou had somehow managed to snag.

Nonetheless, he plastered a smile on his face and greeted the boys before him cheerfully. "Yo, newcomers! Thinking of trying out for the basketball club this year, huh?"

He was met with a very average response, with half-hearted noises and a few shrugs. Imayoshi felt the corner of his mouth twitch, but he carried on with a carefree voice. "Touou's basketball team isn't something to join if ya aren't gonna take it seriously. It's hard work for real. We don't joke around. You either commit or leave now." He paused to let the information sink in, and then added, "Any takers?"

A few boys exchanged glances, and one shuffled his feet uncertainly.

Imayoshi waited patiently to allow them to make up their minds. He didn't want to accept anyone who would only slack off and make up excuses to not come to practice. This was his final chance to bring Touou to victory, and he didn't need players who wouldn't work.

Behind him, he could hear his teammates beginning to grumble about the first-years' indecisiveness.

"What's with them?" Wakamatsu growled unhappily. "Does no one this year have a spine?"

"This is pathetic," Yoshinori agreed with a frown.

Some of the first-years asked questions about how often practice would be and what was expected of them. One asked if he was required to show up every day. Wakamatsu snapped at them to get the hell out.

Soon, they were only left with a handful of boys, one of whom actually looked positively petrified to be there. Not a very promising sight. At this rate, Touou's team would just have to be a replicant of last year's, except without Imayoshi's seniors.

Imayoshi fought back his disappointment and said, "Hm, we've got some tough guys here, yeah? You sure you're up for it?"

He pointedly looked at the terrified boy. The first-year squeaked and ducked his head.

Wakamatsu snorted and pushed past Imayoshi, ignoring the captain's call of his name and approaching the brown-haired boy with a scornful look. The first-year kept his gaze steadily on the ground, looking almost like he was about to faint.

"Hey, scaredy-cat-."

"I'm sorry!"

Wakamatsu reared back, surprised at the sudden interruption. Realizing this, the first-year let out a whimper and stammered out, "I- I'm so sorry! For interrupting you! For being here! For existing! I'm sorry!"

Imayoshi arched an eyebrow. Now here seemed to be an interesting character.

"... What?" Wakamatsu said.

The first-year yelped and quickly began to apologize profusely all over again. After half a minute of it, it was clear he wasn't going to stop any time soon. Wakamatsu was losing his patience.

"Oi! Shut up already, would you?" the second-year roared. "You're pissing me off with all your stupid 'sorries'!"

"I'm sorry! I'm so sorry!"

"I already told you to shut up about it!" Wakamatsu glared down at the smaller boy, who immediately shrunk back. He kept his hard stare for a few moments longer, and then grunted, "So? What's your name?"

The first-year ducked his head and mumbled, "Sakurrmyo."

Wakamatsu advanced threateningly. "Haaah? Do you think I'm stupid or something?"

"Not at all! I'm sorry!"

"Just spit out your name already!"

"Sakurai Ryo! I'm so sorry!"

"Sakurai Ryo?" Wakamatsu repeated. He looked as though he were about to say more, but Imayoshi cut him off.

"Sakurai-kun, then," the captain of the team said. Catching the hint, Wakamatsu backed away until he was behind Imayoshi again. Once Wakamatsu had left the scene, Imayoshi smiled, and Sakurai seemed to relax slightly.

Imayoshi then turned to the rest of the first-years, who all looked a bit surprised at the sudden incident. "For those who don't know, that was our center, Wakamatsu Kosuke. Intense, isn't he?" His voice took on an amused tone when he noticed how uncomfortable the remaining first-years suddenly seemed . "Now then, Sakurai-kun, mind if I ask you a question?"

"I... of course not... sir."

"Most of the first-years earlier ran away when Wakamatsu raised his voice at them. But even a scaredy-cat like you managed to stay on your feet and respond to him. That's pretty cool, you know?" Imayoshi spoke cheerfully. He'd already decided at this point. Even if it was just one, Sakurai was the first-year he wanted to have on his team. The other first-years could go have fun in soccer or whatever.

"I- I'm terribly sorry!"

"What for? That was a compliment. But what I wanna know is, why didn't ya run away?"

For a few moments, Sakurai didn't respond. Imayoshi could sense Wakamatsu's growing impatience behind him, but he signalled to the second-year not to do anything. Finally, Sakurai said, "That's because... I want to join the basketball club."

"Do ya now?" Imayoshi replied. "It's a rough place. Someone as weedy as you might not make it."

For once, Sakurai didn't seem fazed at all by his senior's words. He swallowed, hesitated for only a second, and then said in a clear voice, "I'm sorry, but this is my decision. I want to join the basketball club." His eyes were constantly fixed on the floor as he spoke, but the resolve in his voice was clear enough.

Imayoshi nodded in satisfaction. "Well, that settles that." He clapped his hands together, and then placed one roughly on Sakurai's head with a grin. "Looks like Touou's got a new addition this year."

The other first-years didn't seem to catch the implication in his statement, so Wakamatsu kindly translated it for them.

"You guys are boring. Scram!"

"Touou doesn't need half-hearted players who aren't going to give it their all," Imayoshi said. "Sakurai-kun, we'll see how much you can really do later on, but for now you're interesting enough." He paused, and then added, "Although it does suck that you're the only one."

And it was then that they heard the voices.

"For fuck's sake, woman, get off of me!"

"I'm just asking you for one thing, Aomine-kun, one thing."

"I already told you, basketball's boring. Fuck, I just want to go home and sleep, why do you always have to drag me along to these things?"

"Just try it out, okay? Just this once! Just try!"

The doors to the gym burst open, and two more first-years entered the scene.

"My name is Momoi Satsuki. This is Aomine Daiki, and I want him to join your team."