Seirin sat in the locker room in a heart breaking atmosphere. "Second the best," yet why was it feeling like they had not won a single game? It was almost as if they had forgotten how far they had came.
Seirin had just lost to Rakuzan in the Winter Cup. They came with so much pride and confidence hoping to become the new champions. They were doing it for their school's newborn basket-ball team, they were going to win.
A painful loss it had been with a score of 101-98. Just two desperately desired baskets away and they could have won. But of course, Akashi's eye that saw the future was impossible to escape. Second place was much worse than last place. It's like you've finally found water while on the verge of dying of dehydration and coming to realize that it was only a mirage; your mind playing tricks on you. Being so close but hopelessly failing in the end to achieve your victory.
Kagami slammed the locker with his fist leaving a dent in the metal door and blood immediately dripped from his knuckles. His violence spoke for the entire team's emotions; regret, shame, anger and most evidently, loss.
After at least five minutes of utter silence, Kuroko was the one to speak up. "I'm sorry we couldn't win for you, Kiyoshi-kun."
Kiyoshi broke out a painful smile. "It's okay," he said but his voice trembled the slightest bit from holding in the tears. He didn't want them to feel any worse than they already did. He was Seirin's former ace after all. One of the nameless generals. The team had never seen Kiyoshi in this depressing state. "We all tried our best and that's good enough for me."
After hearing Kiyoshi's words the team was no longer able to hold their feelings in. Each one of them had their face covered in their jersey, soaking it in sweat and tears.
Riko could no longer bare to watch her team in this kind of pain. She whipped her phone out of her pocket and began dialing a number that she almost never dialed before. The team took a moment to stare at her in curiosity.
"Kimiko-chan? Hello? I need your help."