Flashback:
Sakura Elementary School. A school known as a place for the rich and powerful; a school where academics were very important; A school where sports and other activities were not given much importance.
Yet, this year, even though every member of the basketball team knew that they would only be able to participate in small tournaments, that academics would always be the most important, this year, they were lead on by an aspiring student who had joined their team in the beginning of the year.
Her name was Kirimi Ayasaki. 11 years old. A bold girl with a lot of spirit and who loved basketball with a passion. But she was very small. Short, a small build, she looked more like a ballet dancer. With her hair the color of palest purple, her green eyes filled with determination she soon became the star player in her team due to her talents. Little did she know her basketball life would change in a few months…
Let's fast forward to the month which changed her life. She was right now in an important match with her teammates. Sshe was grinning at her team mates with happiness since they had just scored another goal.
The stadium was exploding with cheers and laughter. There was a sense of thrill in the stadium as the crowds watched Sakura Elementary School's girls' basketball team in action. They were no big or powerful team though. This was just an elementary school tournament.
"Amazing, Kirimi! You're just awesome!" said one girl.
"You're so cool! Nice pass!" said another.
Yes, she was the star passer who had entered this year. Many people in the school thought she was one of the best passers they had ever seen.
Kirimi was so happy. She just loved basketball so much. She wanted to play basketball forever. But fate had something else in store.
Right then and there, as Kirimi was basking in happiness, a girl from the opposite team, furious that she was going to lose, furious that such a school where basketball was almost treated as a little play, when her school had worked so hard to be here! In a fit of anger threw the basketball she was holding with such force it hit Kirimi's left hand so hard. But she did it so fast that no one, not even the referee noticed. She grinned with malice.
Kirimi froze for a second and then she screamed louder than she ever had and fell to the floor. The referee blew his whistle sharply and Kirimi's team mates, who were first frozen with shock immediately keeled over beside her, some calling her, telling her to hang on, some crying and another calling an ambulance.
The ambulance was called and Kirimi was taken to the hospital. Everyone thought it would be a minor injury but it was not. After doing certain tests, the doctor told her that she could never play basketball again. Kirimi was paralyzed with shock and sadness. How could this happen? Why…why her? Who had done this? Why…..
Kirimi left the hospital a few days later with a heavy heart. And as she expected, what she saw at home was not much better.
Kirimi's parents were famous doctors in the area. The Ayasaki doctors. They were hailed everywhere as the best doctors of the generation in her area. They were regarded as a charming couple as well. Kirimi didn't think so. At home, that is when they were home…..most of the time they would be away for some important meeting, Kirimi was not treated like a child. She was treated like an adult. Her parents expected the most out of her in her academics. But Kirmi was amazing in her academics…..but it was never enough for her parents. So Kirimi expected that something would happen today. Her parents would be home, they had come on a flight when they heard their daughter had an accident.
Most parents were bubbly and would take their children on trips and give them candy when they were in elementary school. But that wasn't the case here.
Kirimi opened the door to her house and stepped inside. She went inside the hall room.
"You're late, Kirimi," said the cold voice of a man.
"I truly apologize, Otou-sama. But the hospital only discharged me half an hour back," said Kirmi, bowing. Her parents had not even sent someone to pick Kirimi up from the hospital.
"I see. Well, Kirimi, are you proud of what you've done?" asked a woman sitting on a chair. Kirimi's mother.
Kirimi knew what that meant. She kept her head low.
"Because of your stupid playfulness, we had to be disturbed and brought back from an important meeting. We've told you many times before not to take this basketball seriously. It is just a game. Have we not?"
Kirimi swallowed.
"Yes, okaa-sama," she said.
"But look what you've done. You've gone and injured yourself. You missed out on school for a week. Your assignments, you're tests. What were you thinking, you stupid child?" asked her father.
Kirimi did not answer.
"Do not forget, Kirimi. You are the precious daughter the Ayasaki doctors. You have to remember your place. You are not an ordinary child. Tell me what else I've told you,"
"That basketball is only temporary. That academics must be number one. I must not disgrace my family name. I have to become a successful doctor surpassing both okaa-sama and otou-sama. That is….my…duty," said Kirimi, struggling to keep her tears in.
"And now you can't play basketball anymore due to your injury. Just as well. Because your grades have slipped a little. That is intolerable. What do you have to say for yourself?" said her mother's voice, which was filled with anger.
"I am….I humbly apologize," whispered Kirimi. "It…shall not happen again."
"Very good. You are dismissed," said her father.
Kirimi bowed and stepped out. The minute she had, tears started slipping down her face. She ran to her room, fell on her bed and cried and cried.
All that happened a few months back. Now, Kirimi would soon be a first year in Sakura Middle School. Yes, the Sakura School had middle school and high school divisions as well. Twelve years old. She had shoulder length hair now. Her features had changed slightly but her heart was still heavy from what happened one year back.
"Middle School huh?" whispered Kirimi to herself.
Ever since then, her teammates had abandoned her. She thought they were her friends but when she couldn't play basketball anymore, they had drifted away. She was a loner at school. She did not talk much. She locked up everything in her heart. She did not have anyone to share her problems with. She was still very good in academics though. She had to be. Or her parents would….well, do something unpleasant. Everything was locked in her heart.
She was now going home. But today, her usual road was blocked because of repairs. She was going to have to take another route to go home.
How would it be, she wondered. How would it be if the accident last year hadn't happened? Would she still be playing basketball now? No, probably not. Her parents had told her before she started playing basketball that she would have to abandon it in middle school. So maybe this was for the better? Did God want her to not play basketball that much? Yes. That was the conclusion that she had reached last year. God was giving her so many signs.
She had known her parents hated the fact that she played a sport. She had known that one day she would have to stop. She had known that forever was not meant to be. But…..it still hurt.
Kirimi cringed. She had to stop this! It was time for her to move on. This was what God had planned for her.
As she was walking, she heard some shouts and cheers getting louder as she went by. What was all the ruckus? Kirimi, for some reason was drawn to this ruckus. She wanted to know what it was. For some reason, it felt…familiar.
She turned at the corner and found herself looking at a basketball stadium. That was where the sound was coming from. She slapped her head in frustration. Here, she wanted to forget basketball and yet God had led her to this place. Why? Why was He giving her mixed signals?
She was about to turn back when for some reason a voice inside her said, "Go on, go in!"
No! She could not! Then…all the memories would come back. That must not happen. But after five minutes, she found herself going inside the stadium. She paid for a seat and went inside.
"Teikou vs. Shisui Gakuen eh?" she thought. (A/N: Finally we're gonna meet Kuroko!)
She had heard of Teiko. That was that amazing school which had a splendid basketball team. The ones with the Generation of Miracles. Every basketball fan knew that. But she had never seen them play. She didn't want to see any team play after what she went through. Still, for some reason her inner voice told her to come and watch.
What would those Teikou players know about basketball? They probably were professional from the beginning. Living without a care, victory after victory. They were the perfect team…which she could never be part of.
She raised her head and looked at the score board. 170 to 80. Whoah. Just how good were they? Were they basketball gods?
She shifted her eyes to the match.
The audience cheered as Kise Ryouta copied his opponent's move and evaded him.
The audience was rooting for Midorima Shintarou with this perfect shots.
The audience pumped their fists when Aomine Daiki scored a goal.
The audience were staring in awe at Murasakibara Atsushi as he towered above his opponents.
The audience was whispering at how Akashi Seijuuro was controlling everything.
Yes, they were amazing! The MiraGen!
"Wow!" shouted Kirimi. "That player is amazing!" Never before had she seen such amazing play!
A boy next to her said, "Which one? Midorima? Aomine? Kise?" trying to strike a conversation.
Huh? Kirimi didn't know who was who in the MiraGen. This was the first time she was seeing them. She had only heard of them before.
"Um that player over there!" said Kirimi, pointing.
"Oh you mean Aomine, the tanned one?"
Tan? No! The person she was seeing wasn't tanned!
"No! The other person! The small person!"
"Oh, you mean Akashi? The red haired one?"
"No, the one passing the ball!"
"You mean Murasakibara, the tall guy?"
The boy was getting annoyed and so was Kirimi. Why couldn't he see that amazing player?
"No, no! The guy who just passed the large Shisui player!"
"Midorima?" asked the boy exasperated.
"NO!" said Kirimi wanting to tear off her hair. "The one who's good looking!"
"Oh you mean Kise, of course, the blonde guy! I get it now!" said the boy, grinning.
Huh? NO! The person Kirimi was talking about was not blonde either!
"NO!" said Kirimi angrily.
"Then who are you talking about?" asked the boy amused.
"That boy over there! The one with the pale blue hair and small stature! He's amazing at passing the ball and evading other players!"
The boy gave her a quizzical look.
"Huh? But there are only five generation of miracles….are you alright, kid? You're not dreaming or anything?"
Five? Was it true? Akashi, Midorima, Aomine, Murasakibara and Kise. Yes, five! Then who was that light blue haired person?
"B-But..." stuttered Kirimi dumbfounded.
"Maybe you should get your head checked," said the boy, laughing.
She didn't understand! Why? Why could only she see him? She listened to the others seated….they were shouting out the names of the five players but no sixth player…then who was that boy? That boy who excelled at passing like she did?
The referee blew the whistle. The game had ended with Teikou's victory. And there he was, the mystery boy Kirimi was obsessed with. She didn't care if she would be late today. She forgot about her parents, her ambitions, her goals, how she wanted to stay away from basketball. She wanted to know who this player was and tell him that she enjoyed the match and he played brilliantly.
She pushed pass the crowd and started hunting for Teikou's locker. She found a guard blocking the place.
She calmly tried to walk past him. The guard stopped her.
"Look here, little miss. Only a few people can go past this line!"
Without a word, Kirimi took out her ID card which showed her name and showed it to the guard.
The guard read her name with wide eyes and immediately let her pass.
"Please go ahead, Miss Ayasaki,"
Of course. It always worked. Whenever she faced any problems, her parents had told her to show someone her ID card. She didn't like to use it, as it could be used to her advantage for bad things, but Kirimi wanted to see this mystery player so badly. Such was the power of the Ayasaki family.
Kirimi calmly walked to the door which said 'Teikou Locker Room' and knocked thrice. He would be in here for sure.
No one opened the door for her. She waited for awhile and opened it herself. There was no one inside. Kirimi screamed in her head. When would she find him? And why were none of the other MiraGen here?
Kirimi searched around the stadium for an hour and gave up. She sighed as she went outside the gym to leave.
When suddenly she saw a flash of light blue. Kirimi blinked. It could have been someone else…but he was the only person she knew with light blue hair. She immediately followed that person. He sure was fast but she could see him, almost there, yes, she was only five feet away from him!
"Excuse me! Hello there!" called Kirimi cheerfully.
The light blue haired person ignored her.
Kirimi pouted. How rude.
"Excuse me!" she tried again. No avail.
Kirimi walked up to the person and tapped him on his shoulder. The said person turned around and blinked at her.
Kirimi smiled. This was him! The mystery player she had seen in the stadium! Now that she looked at him closer, he looked different from other people. He looked small, like her. He didn't look like a basketball player at all. But…his face….they looked…expressionless but at the same time, his eyes looked bright.
"Hello there! Glad I got your attention!" grinned Kirimi.
The light blue haired boy blinked again. Had this girl really noticed him? Was this a joke?
"Um…."
Finally, he replies!
"….are you talking to me?"
Huh? Of course she was!
"Yes, I am!" answered Kirimi. "Isn't that obvious?"
She was serious? But….how did she find him? And what did she want with him? There was silence fro a minute.
"Um….how did you notice me?" asked the boy again.
Huh?
"Its impossible not to notice you! You shine like a star! Especially in that match" said Kirimi, her eyes wide with appreciation.
The boy blinked again. Had he heard that right? Someone...noticed him? A young girl? Shine….like a star?
"Um….are you serious?" asked the boy.
Kirimi was getting impatient. Of course she was!
"Of course I am!"
The boy looked at her eyes. Sure enough, they didn't look like they were lying. No, this was not some joke. The little girl really was serious. But…why? He felt a bit curious. And very few things made Kuroko Tetsuya curious.
He bowed.
"I'm very sorry for ignoring you. My name is Kuroko Tetsuya, 3rd year in middle school,"
Kirimi sighed in relief. FINALLY! But what would she ask him? She wanted to ask so many things!
"Well, first off, are you part of the MiraGen? Secondly, you WERE playing in today's match right? And lastly, can you tell me why you were acting like you were unsure of me when I called you!" said Kirimi as fast as she could.
Kuroko blinked again. He….really was not used to people noticing him.
"Ah. Yes, I am part of the generation of miracles. And I did play in today's match. And um….I was just surprised because…no one ever notices me," answered Kuroko slowly.
What? So he did play today! She was right!
"You said your name was Kuroko Tetsuya? I thought there were only five MiraGen! I don't remember anyone saying something about a Kuroko Tetsuya…but you wereplaying in the match….hmmm" rambled Kirimi.
So this girl, like others didn't know about him? Then how had she noticed him? Even his own teammates didn't notice him because of his low presence, but how did this girl who looked like she didn't know him before this, able to see him?
"Um, like I said, not many people notice me so many people do not know who I am. I am….the sixth MiraGen. But, for once can I ask you a question instead? Why did you approach me?"
Could this girl perhaps be one of Kise's fangirls? But why would she approach him and not Kise? Kuroko was still confused.
Kirimi took a deep breath.
"I just wanted to tell you that you played splendidly in the match. I was watching. The way you passed the ball, the way you evaded your opponents, it was amazing!" squealed Kirimi. She was so excited!
Kuroko blinked again. I see. So she wanted to congratulate all the teikou players. That was it.
"Ah. So I presume you want to meet the others? Aomine-kun and the rest and congratulate them as well?"
Kirimi cocked her head to one side. The other players? Sure, she had seen them but this boy, Kuroko, had made her forget all about them! Kirimi shook her head.
"No, I don't want to see them. It was your play that really made me enjoy the match you know!"
Kuroko couldn't believe what he was hearing.
"Excuse me, but, are you serious when you say that?" asked Kuroko.
"Jeez, of course I am! I thought we cleared that part! Maybe others can't see you but I can!" answered Kirimi sighing.
"No….its just….most people don't come for me….that is, congratulate me, or notice me, or say the things you said about me," said Kuroko, looking at her.
Was this guy serious, thought Kirimi. How could this be true? How can anyone not see how awesome he was in the game? If it weren't for him, the tanned guy wouldn't be as half as amazing he was! He was like the connecting all the players! How could anyone not note his awesomeness?
"Um, I don't know your name, young miss,"
"Ah! I'm sorry! My name is Kirimi Ayasaki!" said Kirimi bowing. She had forgotten all about the time, about going home, about her parents.
Kuroko was still curious. He….wanted to know why this girl was more interested in him than the other players.
"So….Ayasaki-san" said Kuroko. "Do you play basketball as well?"
Kirimi's face fell.
Kuroko noticed. That bright, young face brimming with excitement and admiration suddenly turned sad. Had he said something wrong?
Kirimi looked at the ground. Really…..this Kuroko-kun had landed exactly where she didn't want him to. Now that she thought about it, why did she come here in the first place? She had congratulated him so she should go home now right? But…for some reason, when she looked back up at him she felt reassured when she looked at those soft blue eyes, those eyes which seemed void of any expression…..but she felt….she felt…
Poof. She exploded.
"I…..I used to play basketball, but I stopped," said Kirimi, trying to be steady.
"Oh? Why is that?" asked Kuroko.
Kirimi had no choice but to continue.
"A few months back, I injured myself and….well, even if I hadn't injured myself, my parents would have stopped me playing basketball anyway," said Kirimi, desperately trying to keep a straight face. "They….don't like me playing basketball…and my injury…..when I got injured….they told me that….it….it….it was," Kirimi suddenly felt tears coming down. "They said….t-that I was an idiot f-for taking basketball seriously…u…u…uhuhuhuhu," bawled Kirimi, tears streaming down her face.
She couldn't take it anymore. All the emotions she had kept inside, with no one to tell, no would believe her, she just had to get it out…but…what was she doing? Crying in front of a stranger? What kind of idiot was she? She was probably confusing the poor boy….but she couldn't stop. She kept crying.
"I….I love basketball. I've been playing since I was young…..and I finally joined the team when I was 11 but then I had to stop…it hurts…..my parents don't support me as well….it hurts….my friends….everyone…no one….," wailed Kirimi.
She was now talking to herself more than to the boy. What would he think of her? Some little weirdo she is, he would think. She had come here to congratulate him and she was crying her eyes out now. But she thought she had everything covered. If she kept everything inside her heart, it would be fine right? They'd disappear right? The memories….didn't go away. They were…still there.
"I-I'm sorry….you see, when I was coming home today, I just…I heard the cheers and laughter from the stadium and like an idiot, I came in. Stupid, right? I wanted to stop thinking of basketball but I came in… I saw you play and…and….the memories and…huh…..you probably think I'm mad or something right?" said Kirimi, laughing a small laugh in between tears.
This…had been a very…eventful evening for Kuroko. First this girl finds him. Then she says he's an amazing player, her face so happy, full of life. Then she says she only noticed his play in the game and not the other members of the MiraGen, and now, he was facing a tearful young girl. Well…Kuroko knew how to take care of that.
Kuroko approached the girl and stopped when he was right in front of her. Kirimi, still crying, looked up at him. Then, something she thought would never happen in her life, happened. Kuroko stretched out his arm and placed his hand on her head. He rubbed her hair softly. The first time anyone had patted Kirimi in her life. It felt reassuring, comforting and…caring….yes, caring. Kirimi started crying again, this time out of happiness.
"Its ok, Ayasaki-san," said Kuroko. "Everything will be ok,"
No, everything would not be ok. But even if it wasn't true. For someone to reassure her, comfort her, it was more than enough. After a while she stopped crying.
"T-Thank you, Kuroko-kun," she said looking at him. He had a ghost of a smile on his face. "I'm sorry for crying in front of you,"
She had a strange affection for the boy. If it had been any other boy, he would have run off or been freaked out when she cried.
"How about we go to park to help you calm down, Ayasaki-san?" asked Kuroko.
Kirimi nodded.
They headed to the park and they both sat on the swings. There was silence for a while.
"Kuroko-kun, you're really nice," said Kirimi, looking at a beetle on the ground. "You…..actually made me calm down and were so nice to me,"
To Kirimi, this was priceless. She never been so touched by a person like this in her life, much less a boy.
But to Kuroko, this is what he would do to any girl. He was always kind to anyone but he had never been this kind. Maybe because this girl made him feel a bit curious?
"It was no problem, Ayasaki-san,"
Kirimi wanted to laugh. How defenseless could she be? She cried and lost herself in front of a boy and was alone with a boy in the park. Her parents would kill her for being so careless. But Kuroko-kun didn't look like the kind of person who would take advantage of a girl.
Kirimi wanted to talk about something that would make him happy to him. Ah!
"It must be fun, huh, Kuroko-kun, to play in Teiko? With the MiraGen?"
Well, it was fun before their third year, thought Kuroko. Yes, Kuroko was going to finish his third year in middle school.
" I've heard of Teikou but today was the first day I saw them in a match. It was really exciting. You guys must be a close knit team eh?"
Kuroko's heart became stiff but of course it didn't show on his face.
Kirimi carelessly rambled on.
"I mean, without team work, basketball is nothing right?"
Kuroko's eyes widened slightly. Well, they did have team work before.
"Kuroko-kun, what's wrong? You're bothered by something," said Kirimi worriedly.
Kuroko was once again shocked.
"H-How did you know?"
Kirimi smiled.
"I could tell by just sitting near you that something was wrong," she said. "Did I say something wrong? You don't like me talking about your team mates?"
The girl's hair danced in the breeze.
How, thought Kuroko, was this girl able to read his face? Not even his team mates were able to do that. And this girl, who he just met reading him like a book? She was still smiling slightly, he eyes slightly puffy from crying.
"I….wouldn't say that," said Kuroko.
Eh?
"Why, Kuroko-kun?" asked Kirimi, concerned.
"There is…no such thing as team work anymore n the MiraGen," said Kuroko, his voice lower than usual. "When I first joined the team, they were full of life and we always worked as a team and we had fun,"
"And then?" asked Kirimi, wide eyed. It didn't occur to her that she was being nosy.
But Kuroko continued.
"Now…in our third year, we are all playing separately…..there is…no such thing as a team anymore in the MiraGen. Aomine-kun, Midorima-kun, Kise-kun, Akashi-kun and Murasakibara-kun….all of them…we are all…drifting apart,"
Kuroko didn't understand. Why was he telling this to a girl he had met only today? Just…what was going on today?
"I…miss the old days. I want to play with them like before. I want them to enjoy basketball again. Teach them that winning is not everything. Teach them…to have fun in basketball again," said Kuroko.
Really, what was the use of telling this young girl all of this? She, like him, would probably tell him that everything would be ok, and then she would go home. End of story. But she surprised him once again.
"Then do something about it!" said Kirimi loudly.
Kuroko blinked again(like how many times?). What?
Kirimi got up from the swing and looked at him with determination.
"You care for those people right? The rest of the MiraGen? You want them to enjoy basketball again right? Then teach them! You're in your third year of middle school right? You're going to graduate soon! Like me! I'll be a first year in middle school soon! You can go to another school and then, you can join the basketball team over there and beat them one day, one by one! You can do it. Kuroko-kun!" said Kirimi, excitedly.
Kuroko couldn't believe what he was hearing. Was it possible to actually do this? Why hadn't he thought of it before? Instead of just sitting somewhere and moping about it. But…
"But,Ayasaki-san, I am only good at passing….I am not good at shooting or jumping or anything else for that matter…" said Kuroko a bit sadly.
"So find a partner!" answered Kirimi.
Kuroko looked at her.
"You yourself that basketball is about team work right? Find a new team in your new high school and find a suitable new partner!" said Kirimi, now literally on the balls of her feet. She didn't even know why she was advising this person but she felt…right. She wanted to help Kuroko! It was all coming together.
"But….Ayasaki-san…that is such a huge gamble…who knows if I'll find the right team and partner?"
"You have to take that gamble! Life if full of surprises! Just like how you surprised me today by changing my life and gave me a new outlook on basketball!" said Kirimi, grinning and now jumping.
Yes, now she understood why. She wanted to help this person. She had lost her will to play basketball but she would let this happen to her new found friend! Yes, she considered him a friend! She…she may not be able to play! But this person….was passer like she was! She could help him in that! Make him the best passer in Japan!"
"Ah. What? What did I do?"
"You cheered me up, told me its ok, told me it'll be ok and I found a friend..you!," said Kirimi grinning. "You made realize what I can do. I can help you, Kuroko-kun! Just like you helped me today!"
Friend? thought Kuroko. They were friends…he had no friends other than his teammates…who were not exactly his friends anymore.
Kirimi placed her hands on his.
"I will help you, Kuroko-kun. I will help you to become the best passer in Japan!"
So what if she couldn't play basketball anymore? She could still help others. She thought of her parents but pushed that away. Anything to help Kuroko-kun who had raised her spirits and shown kindness to her. She wanted to repay that!
"Best…passer, Ayasaki-san?" asked Kuroko.
"Kirimi!" said Kirimi loudly. "Please call me Kirimi!"
That day, with the appearance of a young girl name Kirimi Ayasaki, Kuroko Tetsuya and the MiraGen's lives were going to change. And a certain Tiger's life would change as well.