Through My Heart
~First Quarter: Her Talent ~
第一季: 她的天赋
Chapter 1 -七濑美穗 － Nanase Miho
"I can't believe a middle school is this big..." Nanase Miho let out a sigh of defeat as she wandered around in the halls of Teiko Middle School just a few minutes before the welcome ceremony started.
"Gymnasium A...argh, why does this school have five gymnasiums? This is ridiculous! I even prepared my speech as a school representative too...!" the girl clutched her blue hair as her dark navy blue eyes scanned the hallway for people.
Nanase Miho has a terrible sense of direction. She had to go to a place more than a multiple times before she could memorize the route.
Having scored a perfect score on her entrance exam, Miho was requested to make a speech at the opening ceremony. Obviously, that wasn't working out too well at the moment.
Finally setting her blue eyes on a batch of pink hair, the girl ran forward, "Um excuse me! Can you please tell me where Gymnasium A is?"
The pink haired girl turned around, "Huh? Oh! I was headed there too! I'll take you there!"
Miho bowed, "Thank you very much!"
.-.-.-.
"With the help of our teachers, and the support of my fellow students, I hope we have a great year at Teiko Middle School!" Miho successfully finished her speech at the podium.
The blue haired girl was never a big fan of making speeches. She preferred doing things that didn't attract too much attention upon herself. However, her father requested her to have absolutely perfect grades and be a good role model for all. Thus, she was quite forced into accepting this speech proposal from the principal of the school.
It seems her speech wasn't too bad, however. As the clapping deafened across the gymnasium, Miho started feeling slightly proud of herself. Just a bit.
Once her speech was done, she went back to her front roll seat and sat by the other representative that made a speech. His name was Akashi Seiijuro, she remembered. He seemed like a very serious boy. He had flaming red hair and a seemingly low height.
Slightly frightened by the serious gaze he was wearing, Miho decided to avoid making chat with the red head next to her.
After the ceremony finally decided to end, Nanase managed to spot the pink haired girl from before in the crowd. She had never asked for her name yet, since she rushed to the principal once she found the gym.
Pushing through the crowd of students, Miho managed to reach the pink haired girl, "Uff. Um, hi. I wanted to thank you for before...!"
The girl turned to her, "Ah! Nanase-chan, was it? It's no problem! I was very surprised when I found out that you were the one that made the speech!"
Miho put on a small smile, "Thank you. Uh..."
"Momoi Satsuki! Nanase-chan, what class are you in?" Momoi asked with wide, pink eyes.
Miho hurriedly took out her schedule from her school bag, "Um...class 7-1."
Momoi brightened at this, "Really? Oh, Nanase-chan! We're in the same class! Yay! Come on, let hurry up and find it!"
With that, the pink head dragged the blue haired girl towards their homeroom. Well, it was good to have a friend.
.-.-.-.
"Midorima Shintaro-san?" the teacher called the name of a boy in the class.
Miho heard a deep voice behind her respond, "Yes."
"Momoi Satsuki-san?"
Momoi, who sat beside the bluenette, chirped up at the sound of her name, "I'm here!"
The teacher proceeded onto the next name, "Nanase Miho-san?"
Miho met her teacher's gaze and responded politely, "I'm here."
The teacher nodded quickly before continuing her list of names.
Miho sat at her desk beside the window and looked out. She let out a small sigh. It was going to be another year full of studying. Teiko was a school known for it's basketball club and it's grades. Her father had made sure that she enrolled herself in the best, academic-wise, school possible. Now, she felt like she was in a small prison, unable to escape.
"Alright, it looks like everyone is here. My name is Fujikata Kaho and I will be your homeroom teacher this year," the female teacher smiled at the class.
The teacher was not very tall—definitely shorter than Miho, who was about 164 centimeters. She wore a pair of spectacles and had her grey hair tied in a ponytail.
Miho watched Fujikata as she spoke again, "This year, I will select the two class representative based on their entrance exam grades. The two who score the highest in our class is...Midorima Shintaro and Nanase Miho."
The blue haired girl let out a mental groan. No, anything but class representative...However, if she refused, the consequences from her father would be...
"Would you two like to take up the role as the class representative?" Fujikata-sensei smiled.
Miho let out a sigh before putting on a small smile, "I would be honored to, Fujikata-sensei. Thank you very much!"
The teacher nodded and looked at the man called Midorima Shintaro.
The boy pushed up his black-framed glasses and nodded, "I would take up the role as well."
Miho noticed the boy was very tall when she stood next to him at the front of the classroom. He was about a head taller than the bluenette. He had green hair and his left hand fingers were bandaged up. She found this very strange.
"Please introduce yourselves to the class," the teacher told the two as they stood.
Miho went first, "I am Nanase Miho and I'm looking forward to working with you all!"
The green haired boy simply pushed up his glasses, "Midorima Shintaro."
After the introductions, the first class finally started. Miho had math first. Life was not looking too well to her.
.-.-.-.
"Ugh, I'm completely beat!" Momoi grumbled as she stood up and stretched after the last class of the day, World History.
Miho put away her new books into her bags and let out a nod in agreement, "Yeah. Today was a long day of introductions..."
At her sentence, Momoi turned to her new found friend, "Hey Micchan, are you joining any clubs?"
The pink haired girl had declared calling her full name a hassle at lunch today and gave Miho a nickname. The girl didn't mind it too much. Her mother always called her by a ridiculous nickname at home and 'Micchan' didn't sound too bad.]
Turning, Miho answered the question, "I was thinking about the student council. What about you, Momoi-chan?"
Momoi put on a face of disgust, "Ah! Micchan! I noticed, but you're so serious and proper all the time! Loosen up and join something like the basketball club! Teiko is famous for their basketball club!"
"Hm, you're joining the basketball club, Momoi-chan? I thought there was no girls' team," Miho pondered aloud.
Momoi and the Miho started walking as they talked.
"I have a friend that's joining and he's really good! I was thinking of becoming the manager or something...I know! Let's both become managers!" Momoi grinned happily at her idea.
Miho bit her lip before shaking her head, "Uh, I have no interest in basketball. I don't like sports too much."
Momoi pouted, "Ah, but Micchan! I know! Let's go watch the first strings practice today! You can decide whether or not you want to join after this!"
The bluenette let out a sigh, "Alright. Let's go."
.-.-.-.
Balls, shoes, and sweat.
Nanase Miho could not imagine anything fun about this tiresome sport. You chase the ball there, chase the ball here, and finally get your hands on the ball only to have it stolen away from you.
Even as a manager, she wanted nothing to do with this sport that involved an orange ball.
Momoi, on the other hand, was sparking with excitement, "Ne, Micchan! Isn't that guy really cool? His dribbling skills are exceptional!"
Momoi pointed to a man with dark hair. He was dribbling easily through the rest of the people on the court.
Raising an eyebrow, Miho watched the guy as he did a layup. It was sure that he had great speed...however...
"Doesn't he always twitch his elbow the opposite direction of where he wants to go when he is being blocked by an opponent? Can't he opponent notice?" Miho asked Momoi in a semi loud voice since the gym was so loud.
Momoi turned to Miho in shock before observing again, "Micchan...you're right...he does! Wow! You're really observant! Micchan, you should definitely join as the manager!"
Just after she finished saying that, an older black haired man with glasses gently tapped Miho on the shoulder, "Excuse me...but how did you notice that habit so easily?"
.-.-.-.
Coach Sanada hurried back to the first string court after briefing the new members on the test. There were a lot of freshmen this year and he could only hope that there were a few talented basketball players amongst the bunch.
When he was about the enter the court, he saw two girls standing by the door. One had pink hair and the other had dark blue hair. They seemed to be talking about one of the regulars on the team right now.
He was a good player, however after three years of coaching him, Sanada noticed a very threatening habit from the guy.
"Doesn't he always twitch his elbow the opposite direction of where he wants to go when he is being blocked by an opponent? Can't he opponent notice?" the blue haired girl asked the pink haired girl.
Sanada widened his eyes at the comment. She was just observing, right? How did she notice that habit so easily?! Even as his coach, he had just recently noticed it. Noticing it just by a look, that girl had to have a talent and also an extremely fast and good eye.
Needing this kind of talent, Sanada tapped a finger on the blue haired girl's shoulder, "Excuse me...but how did you notice that habit so easily?"
.-.-.-.
Miho stared at the man and blinked for a while before shaking her head, "Pardon?"
"You saw that habit very easily. It is something that I, the coach, only just noticed," Sanada explained to the befuddled girl.
The bluenette turned back to the match, "Well...isn't it obvious? Actually, now that I look at it, everyone's doing something weird. The guy with glasses twitches his knee whenever he's going to fake, the bald one always grins for a second before a pass and..."
As Miho continued, Momoi watched the coach look at the things that Miho was pointing out and widen his eyes.
"What is your name?" the man gripped the girl's shoulder.
"Ah! N-Nanase Miho..." Miho gasped at the grip on her shoulder as she responded.
"Can you please join the basketball team as a manager or a training assistant?" Coach Sanada requested the girl with a firm look in his eyes.
At this moment, Momoi spoke up, "Uh, I would like to join as a manager as well."
The coached finally noticed the pink haired girl. He thought for a while before nodding, "Alright. Nanase Miho-san, if you join the basketball team, both you and your friend can be the managers of the first string. Is that okay?"
Momoi gave the blue haired girl a plead with her eyes.
Miho bit her lip and looked back at the coach, "Um...Is it okay if I think it over? I have no experience with basketball and I don't even know all of the rules..."
"It is fine. If you join, we will be sure to teach you that," Sanada reassured, "However, I will give you a consideration period. Please feel free to think it through. I'll be back at Gymnasium C if you need me for today."
With that, the man walked away.
Miho stared after him before letting out another sigh, "What was that...?"
Momoi tapped the girl's shoulders in excitement, "Micchan! If you join, we can both be first-string regulars managers together! Please join, Micchan!"
"I don't like basketball... I'm not particularly interested in the sport..." Miho replied, casting an apologetic glance at Momoi.
Momoi foresaw the reply and came up with a plan. She really wanted to be the manager of the team with Miho. On top of that, managing the first-string—that was some privilege.
"Then Micchan...if you win this bet, I promise I won't bother you ever again. However, if you lose, then you'll have to join the team with me...!" Momoi declared.
Miho raised an eyebrow, "Bet?"
"It's quite simple actually. If you can place at the very top on the bulletin board on the next test, you win. If not, then you lose," Momoi grinned.
The blue haired girl stared at her new friend skeptically before nodding slightly, "Very top of the bulletin board, right?"
"Yup! Your name has to be first!" Momoi told the girl.
"Fine! I accept!" Miho pumped her hands into fists.
She really didn't want Momoi to nag her for the rest of the year on that basketball club issue. She's only known her for a day, but she felt that Momoi could get very naggy if she wanted. Besides, because of her father, it was absolutely mandatory to place first during every test. Thus, why not add a bet in along the way?
.-.-.-.
Nanase Miho stared at the bulletin board and back at the beaming pink haired girl beside her in shock. There was no way...
"Micchan! Your name isn't first!" Momoi smiled happily, "You lose the bet!"
Indeed, her name wasn't first. They had sorted the results alphabetically. Therefore, the people who received the same mark would also be sorted alphabetically. Miho couldn't believe that she fell into a loophole trap.
1. Midorima Shintaro
1. Nanase Miho
This was not happening.
Miho turned around and glared at Momoi, "You're kidding me, right? This is unfair! It's not my fault that his last name is one letter before mine!"
Momoi just let out a cheeky grin, "The bet was 'at the very top of the bulletin
board'...! Not the best grade."
When she said that, Midorima Shintaro walked in to see the results beside Miho.
He pushed up his glasses and nodded, "Good, I placed first."
Miho turned to glare at the guy, "You...Why do you have to have a last name that starts with a letter before mine...!"
He turned to her with a look of annoyance in his eyes, "Who are you?"
Miho let out an exasperated sigh. She was the class representative with him...! How could he not remember?!
"I'm Nanase Miho. I'm the class representative with you," Miho remade the introduction.
Right now, she realized that she was not being very polite with the boy. It probably didn't matter, however. Since Miho's probably going to detest him and his last name for the rest of the year. Besides, he gave off an aura of arrogance that the bluenette didn't like at all.
The green haired boy pushed up his glasses, "What is you birthday and your blood type?"
Nanase Miho just stared at him for a little while before nodding, "Uh...December 25th...my blood type is AB, I think."
Wait, why was she even telling him this?
"Your zodiac sign is Capricorn while mine is Cancer. We should get along fairly well. On the other hand, your blood type is AB while mine is B...we should get along where there as well," Midorima explained, "Capricorn's lucky item today is a watering can. Mine is a post stamp."
At this, he held out a small stamp for the bluenette to see. Miho and Momoi looked at each other with wild expressions. Just who the heck was this guy...!
"I will be heading off to practice now. See you," Midorima exited the hallway where Momoi and Nanase stood.
After a while of silence Momoi spoke, "Now that I think about it...wasn't he one of the first years that got into the first string with Dai-chan?"
Miho looked at the girl, "Dai-chan? First string? What are you talking about?"
The pink haired girl explained, "Oh, it's the basketball team. That day when the coach saw us, the new members had a test to determine which string they belonged too. First years usually never made the first string, however Midorima Shintaro and my childhood friend Aomine Daiki made it. There were two more people that I don't know as well."
Miho let out a sigh, "Well, I guess let head to the gym. It's time to take my path as a manager in a dumb sport..."
Momoi cheered up instantly, "Yay! Let's go! I can't wait. Besides, we're going to see the first string today!"
.-.-.-.
When Miho and Momoi entered the gym, a tanned blue haired teen saw them and walked up to them, "Oi, Satsuki. What are you doin' here?"
Momoi grinned at the boy, "Micchan and I are going to become the managers of the first string! We just need to talk to Coach Sanada."
The boy gave Miho a stare, "Who's she?"
"Nanase Miho! She was the speech representative at the opening ceremony! Mou...Dai-chan! Were you sleeping again?" Momoi asked the boy.
"Che, what's so fun about an opening ceremony anyways. Well, see ya! I've got to go practice."
After he left, Miho noticed that the people in the first string all seemed pretty built and professional. Everyone was tall to some degree and their skills seemed quite polished.
Turning his head, he noticed Midorima Shintaro and another violet haired boy that she hadn't seen before. Boy, was he tall.
At that moment, Momoi tugged her hand, "Come on! Let go! Coach Sanada's looking at us!"
Miho nodded. Well maybe this wasn't going to be too bad, right?
"It is good to see you two here. Momoi Satsuki and Nanase Miho. Have you two made your decision?" Sanada asked with a smile on his face.
"Yes, I'll join as the manager," Miho nodded with a smile.
"Me too!" Momoi grinned.
Sanada nodded, "Alright. Momoi-san, you will become the first string's manager. As for Nanase-san, I want you to be a training-assistant."
"Training-assistant?"
"Yes, you will help me see what each player lacks during the practices and help me come up with the training menus. Today, you will go to the third strings court to develop your skills and learn the rules and basics of the sport," Sanada nodded sternly to the girl, "Momoi-san, you will come with me."
Miho nodded, "Alright, thank you."
As Sanada left with Momoi, another man stood by Miho, "Nanase Miho, right? I am Watanabe Mizuki. I am the third string's coach. I will be leading you for the next two days."
The an had dark brown hair to his shoulders and he was pretty tall.
Miho nodded, "Alright, I'll be in your assistance, Coach Watanabe."
"Right this way please, Nanase-san," Watanabe motioned as he led Miho out to the third string gym.
Just what had Miho gotten herself into?
A/N: I do not own Kuroko no Basuke or any of the characters.
Okay! For those of you that know me from my story, Through the Hoop, this is the long await prequel! Um...some of the facts in the sequel might be wrong. For example, how Miho said that she was the manager - that isn't exactly right. You'll see in the later chapters.
Also, it was so hard transitioning from first person to third! I started realizing and before I knew it, the story was in first person. Argh. If you see those mistakes, please tell me! I would really appreciate it!
Also, I really want some reviews for this story! The issue of which one I would be updating has come up, and I decided that the chapter which gets the most reviews would be the next story I update. Thus, I would really appreciate it if you all gave a review for the chapters! They really give me the motivation to write the story! ^_^
Anyways, thank you all for reading this! I love you all!
~Yuvi