Chapter 2: My true potential
"Not yet."
Everyone turned to Kuroko, who was staring at Rakuzan's bench. He turned to face the members of Seirin. Although there was no emotion being portrayed on his face, everyone could see the determination in his eyes, his resolve to see this game through to the end.
"I want to keep playing. This match is not over yet." Kuroko continued.
"...Sorry Kuroko. But this match has already been decided." Kiyoshi said apologetically to Kuroko.
"There's no point in continuing. They have us beat in all ways. Even I'm admitting it Kuroko. It's a lost cause..." Kagami replied, looking at the ceiling and hiding his emotions behind a stern face. Kuroko stared at Kagami for several seconds, before walking up to him.
SMACK
!
The members of Seirin and the GoM and their respective teams watched quietly in disbelief at what had just occurred, while Kagami merely held the top of his head in surprise.
Kuroko had walked up to Kagami and smacked Kagami on top of his head. Regardless of the lack of damage it did due, it got their attention. Kuroko looked at Kagami straight in the eye, full of unwavering determination.
"If you are giving up while I'm standing firm, then how can I remain as your shadow? Rather how can you even be considered a light that I am to shadow?" Kuroko asked.
Kagami sat there, unable to respond, be it from a lack of an answer or from the lingering shock of Kuroko's bold actions. After failing to hear an answer, Kuroko looked on to the whole team.
"If you've given up on continuing for the sake of victory, then do it for my sake." Kuroko said to all of Seirin
"I joined this team because I was happy with what I saw. I didn't just see a group of players coming together to enjoy themselves, what I saw was a family. When one member fell, you stayed back and picked them back up. You didn't favor, and you didn't permit any form of abandonment. I watched you play during my time in Teiko . Even when Kiyoshi-san was injured I watched as you remained strong for his sake." Kuroko lectured.
At this, Kiyoshi smiled to himself regardless of his fatigue, proud of his members.
"I envied what you all had, and so I made the decision to come here once I graduated. We may not be related through blood, but we ARE related through our feelings and love for basketball. Over the past season, we've developed a strong bond that has leaded us to where we stand, in battle for the top spot of Kyoto. I may not have been a member of Seirin last year, but I would like to consider myself a member of this famil-"
"Of course you're a part of this family!" Riko Aida interrupted Kuroko.
"Idiot, it doesn't matter how long you've been a part of this team." Hyuga followed Riko's interruption, while wiping his face with the bottom of his jersey and avoiding eye contact.
"It's like you said, you share the same feelings for basketball that we do. So don't even think for a second that you're not a part of this team." Hyuga said with a scowl that portrayed fake anger. Yet it was quite evident to everyone that Hyuga was proud of the team he led and was touched by Kuroko's words.
At their response, Kuroko smiled before continuing on. "Then I ask you to help me. I left Teiko and the GoM with but one goal, and that was to contradict their style of basketball. I disagree with their beliefs of victory being the only thing necessary. We did not play as a team, we only acted and played for ourselves and never truly established the bond I see before me. I want defeat to Akashi-kun here and now to prove two things, that this type of basketball is superior, and that his so-called assured victory is but a false illusion that has misguided the GoM in the past. So please, I beg of you to endure and strive till the end."
….
….
….
Kuroko ended on that note and waited for what seemed like an eternity before a reply was heard.
….
….
….
"You were there for us when we needed you." Kiyoshi replied with a smile on his face.
"When victory seemed like a dream against teams like Touou and Shuutoku, you provided us with a miracle, the light that we followed to victory. So now it's our turn to return the favor. For once, it seems like it's you who needs us, and I don't intend to keep it that way." Kiyoshi replied strongly while getting off the bench and raising a fist.
"Yosh!" Koganei yelled before following in Kiyoshi's footsteps. Slowly, one by one, the members of Seirin raised up, the will in their eyes revitalized once again.
"I don't think we've ever heard so many words come out of your mouth Tetsu!" Kagami laughed along with the rest of Seirin as he wrapped his right arm around Kuroko's neck.
"Someone needs to make up for all the talking you usually do Kagami-kun." Kuroko said with a smile as he looked up at Kagami.
Riko Aida laughed, tears threatening to fall from her eyes as she watched yet another phenomenon occur right before her very eyes.
"Aida-senpai" She snapped her head towards the direction of the voice, seeing Kuroko smiling at her while extending out a hand in her direction.
"We're going to need every single player to commit if we're going to win, especially a coach. Will you help us?" Kuroko asked to Aida while everyone looked at her expectantly.
Covering her eyes with her arms and wiping off any dangling tears, she looked back at Kuroko and nodded. "Mm!"
~Stands behind the bench~
"Wow! Kurokocchi really is amazing neh senpai?" Kise asked the captain of Kaijou jubilantly with a twinkle of admiration at Kuroko in his eyes.
Although Kasamatasu didn't respond, it was evident that he was quite surprised by the turnout of the events; especially after the beat-down Rakuzan had served to Seirin. Midorima showed almost no reaction to the phenomenon, but a slight quirk of his lips moving upwards into a smile placed, an action that Takao had no failed to take notice of.
"Kuro-chin is really talkative today..." Murasakibara mumbled as he munched on some potato chips. "That's what you're concerned about?" Himuro responded with a hopeless smile.
Momoi laughed happily and smiled before looking at Aomine, who had an eyebrow raised in surprise.
"I think we all see why Tetsu-kun was going against the GoM now. I think I envy him a little. I can't help but find myself falling head over heels for him all over again!" Momoi said while resting her head on her arm and leaning over the stand's guard rails.
Aomine, seeing the smile Momoi had after seeing Kuroko, could not help but feel a twinge of depression and frowned; an action that went unnoticed by Momoi and the rest. "Yeah, he really is something ain't he…"
"Um..." The spectators and Seirin looked at where the voice came from. They all turned to see Mitobe, who shrunk from all the stares he received. "I hate to ruin the mood - and of course I want to win and continue to see this through as well!" Mitobe replied quickly before anyone could misunderstand his intentions to be negative and depressing.
"It's just that…. How are we going to beat them? I mean of course we can keep trying, but it won't be any different than before unless we all somehow boost our skills in the last 4 minutes of this timeout." Mitobe replied. The members of Seirin sat in silence at that thought, unable to come up with an answer.
They had gotten so caught up in the mood that they failed to realize the problem at hand.
"You won't have to boost your skills or anything." Everyone looked at Kuroko with confusion on their face, even Aida.
"While you have all been playing on-court, I've taken notice of several of their habits, some that can turn out to become fatal flaws that will lead us to victory."
!
The members of Seirin and the GoM were surprised by Kuroko's response.
At the stands, Momoi began giggling for a second at the sight, as if realizing something. The rest of the GoM and their respective teams looked at her, some being confused at what could have made her laugh in such a situation, while others were concerned that she found enjoyment in this one-sided match. Although they all were curious as to why she had laughed, Kise was the only one who bothered to ask.
"Neh Momochhi, what's so funny?" Kise asked at Momoi, who looked at him and then smiled softly. "I just realized. The fact that he noticed such things shows something. Even all this time, it seems he hadn't given up on his team, always looking for a way out!"
Realizing how correct Momoi was, Kise couldn't help but smile and chuckle. He looked out to the bench where Kuroko and the others were. "Unlike us, he hasn't changed at all has he?" Kise asked rhetorically, yet Momoi still answered.
"That's right. And I'm glad he hadn't. Otherwise, it wouldn't have been Tetsu-kun~" Momoi said while smiling brightly at Kise, her eyes squinted and cheeks tinted red. The hearts of Touou, Shuutoku and Kaijou players did 180s inside at the sight of Momoi's beautiful smile. They all shared a single thought.
'C-Cuuuuute!'
~Seirin Bench~
"Well? Don't leave us hanging like this, tell us what you know Kuroko!" Hyuga urged Kuroko, desperate to gain some leverage on Rakuzan. Kuroko looked onto the court and stared at Rakuzan's bench.
"To start off with Mibuchi, it may be true that his skill as a shooter surpasses yours Hyuga-san, but it comes with a cost. He favors a certain set-up, where his right foot is planted slightly in front of his his set-up is unnaturally long." Kuroko stated. Hyuga merely stared confusingly. "But what does that have to do with beating him?" Hyuga asked. Riko Aida jumped in, as if realizing Kuroko's intentions.
"Basically, he needs to be in his comfort zone to shoot properly. Although it may seem difficult, you'll have to force him out of his comfort zone by not giving him a chance to establish his set-up." Riko Aida looked at Kuroko, as if confirming whether she had gotten his intention correct.
Kuroko his head in confirmation before continuing on. "As for Mayuzumi, Izuki will be better fit to guard him, what with his eagle eye in use. I'm confident that he'll be able to keep an eye on Mayuzumi as long as Mayuzumi is all that Izuki pays attention to. Just like me, if Mayuzumi loses his lack of presence, than his impact on the outcome will diminish directly."
Riko nodded and looked at Izuki. "Fine, Kawahara and Izuki. You two will be switching. Izuki, your eyes are to remain on no one but Mayuzumi. Even if the ball is in range of being stolen, don't take your eyes of him, or else he'll disappear and mis-direct the balls flow of movement."
Izuki nodded in confirmation.
"Kiyoshi-san won't be able to fend off Nebuya-san, what with his ankle injury acting up once again. Switching Kagami-kun onto Hayama-san will give him the option to double-team Nebuya from up-front. Hayama-san is not a shooter, so if he does get an open chance, he'll most likely take it into the hoop." Kuroko continued.
" And with Kagami-kun's superiority in jumping, he can easily block him when he comes up!" Aida exclaimed, starting to understand Kuroko's mentality. Kuroko looked at Kagami for confirmation, who did nothing but grin at Kuroko and nod his head in agreement.
"Um…" Everyone looked at Kawahara, who began shaking in his boots.
"Its not that I'm arguing but...cdoesn't that mean I'm to guard Akashi….." Kawahara began sweating fervently at the mere thought of having to do so.
'I'll be made a fool out of in front of public! Even my family's watching…'
"That won't be necessary." Everyone looked at Kuroko, who held a determined glint in his eyes. He then looked at Riko, who was already aware of what he was going to ask.
"Switch me in for Kawahara-kun, senpai. I'll be the one to guard Akashi-kun."
!
The member of Seirin all held a face of shock and disbelief at Kuroko's actions. Up until now, all his decisions on reforming their defense had been logical, yet no one could see the reason behind his switch with Kawahara.
"Kuroko... although I can see why you're a better choice than Kawahara since you've played with Akashi and I have no intentions of diminishing your worth, what can you do without your lack of presence?" Aida asked questioningly at Kuroko.
….
Kuroko remained silent as if pondering over an answer. Several seconds later, he stared at her.
"Do you believe me?" He asked.
"…..Eh?" Aida said dumbly. Kuroko, seeing her lack of comprehension, smiled. "Do you trust me?" he asked. After several seconds, Aida smiled and nodded her head silently.
"Then trust me when I say this, I will bring our team back and win this match." Kuroko said. The members of Seirin did nothing but smile, not questioning Kuroko's conviction and intentions for a split-second.
"What do you plan to do then? It's not that we doubt you Kuroko, but if there's anyway we can help, then it's our job to assist our teammates. Just say the word!" Kiyoshi replied confidently at Kuroko while bumping his own chest with his right fist. Kuroko smiled at Kiyoshi and shook his head.
"No, I can do it on my own Kiyoshi-senpai. I've been thinking for awhile and I realized that I'm going to need to put it everything on the line if we're to win. All I ask is that you all just endure for the time being." And with that, Kuroko left and prepared to be subbed in.
Hyuga did nothing but stare in confusion. 'What does he mean "everything", has he been holding back? But that's impossible, he hasn't shown any trump card, even against Touou who we barely managed to beat.' Hyuga did nothing but shake the thoughts out of his head, focusing on the task at hand; stopping Mibuchi. Although he hardly had any confidence in his abilities to stop Mibuchi, he trusted Kuroko, and planned to rely on that to bring them to victory.
"Why do you continue to defy me?"
!
At the sound of the new voice, the Seirin members turned their head, shock written on their faces as Akashi had walked his way over to their bench. Kuroko held no reaction as he stared intently at him.
"Akashi-kun."
"Tell me. Why do you defy my will yet again? Our promise remains intact, yet I see no reason for the continuation of your struggle, as the one who is superior has already been decided. If this were Midorima or Aomine I was referring to, choosing to endure would seem logical, but for you, who dominates only in the aspect of assisting others, does not have any possible way of showing superiority to me." Akashi lectured Kuroko, completely ignoring the rest of the members of, much to their chagrin.
"Oi, what makes you think you can just waltz in here?" Kagami yelled at Akashi, who gave no response to his question, as if ignoring his actual presence.
….
….
"Hey! Quit it with the silent treatment you ba-" "Quiet"
Kagami and the members of Seirin flinched at Akashi's overpowering voice that seemed to amplify his presence in front of them, and produced what seemed as a hallucination of an overpowering aura around Akashi. Akashi turned and glared at Kagami, who couldn't help but sweat and feel slightly queasy under the harsh and sinister glare that screamed danger.
"My conversation is with Tetsuya and Tetsuya alone; as such it is of none of your concern. I see no reason to establish a conversation with you." And with that, Akashi returned his attention to Kuroko, who kept on a poker face throughout the whole situation.
"Answer my question Tetsuya . I'm currently unable to devise the answer for myself and thus, I demand to know the reason behind your futile actions." Akashi kept on a neutral face, with Kuroko returning the expression while the Seirin members looked on in concern for Kuroko's response and its outcome.
"I have a goal that I want to accomplish and that includes winning this match." Kuroko glared at Akashi, who remained unfazed, before continuing on. "This is a battle of wills and skill. I'll show you our superior concept of basketball and the flaws of your style." Akashi glared at Kuroko while the members of Seirin began sweating unconsciously due to the tension in the air.
"Regardless of what your goal is, it revolves around your need to achieve victory in this match, but I fail to see such a future. Your loss is imminent and the difference in our skills is clearly eviden-
"Don't speak as if you understand me." Kuroko's eyes hardened while they portrayed a glare that was clearly directed at Akashi. The members of Seirin and GoM flinched at Kuroko's reaction, unaware that Kuroko had such a side to his personality. Coming from Kuroko, who was naturally quite the calm and quiet boy, this form of outburst had clearly caught everyone off guard. Akashi had been no exception, although he merely raised an eyebrow at Kuroko's response.
To top it all off, this was Seijuro Akashi he was speaking to, the man who even Murasakibara took orders from without any argument. Such a tone coming from Kuroko and being directed at Akashi were two things that no one had expected.
"In Teiko, you stopped caring our relationship. You, Kise-kun, Aomine-kun, Midorima-kun and Murasakibara-kun, ALL of you paid no attention to the suffering Momoi-san and I went through. And when my passes were no longer needed…"
At this point, Kuroko looked at the ground, avoiding eye contact with everybody. While no one could see it, his glare was gone and his voice took on a softer and quieter tone. "When I was no longer needed, you just threw me aside, victory being all you cared about…."
Although no one had looked directly at them, Kise and Aomine still looked away, a somber expression written all over their face. Momoi, while not being involved in the personal conflict between the GoM players, was also aware of the situation and looked at Kuroko sympathetically, understanding the pain that she too was forced to endure.
Kuroko looked back at Akashi, the usual poker face missing and being replaced by an emotion that everyone could only assume was Kuroko being angry, something that was practically never seen on his face, albeit the time with Kirisaki Daichi.
"So please don't act like you understand me Akashi-kun. I've changed from back then. I'll prove to you just how much I've changed, and I'll show you what you all lost when you chose to throw me aside." Kuroko finished with an unwavering glare that rivaled Akashi's current one.
The tension at the moment reached an all time high, where literally everyone in the stadium was aware and watching the two stare each other down. Seirin, who was on the bench next to them, were forced to endure the overwhelming pressure, squirming and sweating from anxiety and stress due to the intensity.
~Momoi's POV~
Momoi, for the first time in all her life, witnessed an angry Kuroko. She had not been present during the game with Kirisaki Daichi, and thus had not seen Kuroko's outrage at their dirty play. Even back when they played in Teiko, she had never seen Kuroko lose his cool. The quiet and mysterious teenager had never been one to show his anger, at least not in public. And in that split second, she came to a conclusion.
Alongside his depressing face, this was one emotion that she felt was not meant for Kuroko.
During their time in Teiko, Kuroko and Momoi were both forced to endure the stress from the drastic changes the GoM was going through. When they all became cold-hearted and narrow-minded towards victory, Kuroko had been the one to maintain his personality, and Momoi sought for warmth and relief in that. She had concluded that when she had asked him that question on that fateful day…
Flashback-
A younger Momoi Satsuki was walking alongside Kuroko Tetsuya as they walked home from practice. While Satsuki would normally being squealing inside and fawning over Kuroko walking her home, such a thing was uncalled for at the moment, with the GoM's issues fresh on both their minds.
Momoi halted in her tracks, with Kuroko walking a bit further before noticing her lack of presence alongside him. It seems that he too had been deeply immersed in thought, most likely about the same issue.
"Momoi-san?" Kuroko called out to Satsuki, who kept her head down.
"Tetsu-kun…." Satsuki looked up at Kuroko, tears threatening to fall from her eyes. "We're going to be okay right? Everyone, we're going to stay together right?" Satsuki looked at Kuroko pleadingly, searching for the answer she hoped for and any hope in his eyes.
Kuroko froze in his tracks. To be honest, he himself had been wondering the same thing. He was so lost and no idea what to do either. He was fully aware of what was wrong with the GoM, yet had no idea on how to fix it. Kuroko debated on whether he should comfort Momoi or outright tell her the truth.
But then he looked at her , noticing her tearing eyes and desperate face, and the decision had been made at once. Kuroko smiled softly and walked up to her.
!
Satsuki's stiffened in surprise at Kuroko, who walked up to her and held her in his arms. Looking up, she noticed the smile on his face and his bright eye, full of comfort; she could not help but smile as well. "Of course Momoi-san. We're always going to stay together, no matter what." Kuroko paused before adding on. "And if not, just remember that I will be here "
Although she noticed the doubt in his voice, she chose to accept his answer and bask in the warmth he provided. She snuggled up close and responded to his hug, placing her arms that were tucked in on his shoulder and held tightly.
Flashback end-
And he had kept that promise. While they did end up splitting up, he had kept his promise and been there for her. When she had come to him for support after Aomine snapped at her, he had welcomed her with open arms. He had remained as the pillar she leaned on when she was stressed and the served as the path she followed when she was lost. When he had broken down after the GoM split, she felt the frustration he had held pent up inside. The tears on his face brought tears to hers as she wept frustrated at her inability to be there for him like he was for her. Yet she knew that she alone would not be able to fill the void that all five members of GoM had left in him when they practically abandoned him.
And she hated herself when she chose to follow Aomine to Touou rather than be with Kuroko when he himself seemed lost. And when she told him, she felt frustrated at the smile on Kuroko's face when he said he completely understood and wished her the best of luck. Although she had been split between supporting Aomine and Kuroko, her conscience pressured her to follow her childhood friend, saying that Kuroko would be able to take care of himself.
Looking at him now, she could conclude that her conscience had been right. But she could not help but feel regret at how distant their relationship became, which had been evident when they re-united and questioned how it would've been if she followed Kuroko. She imagined herself down there on the bench with Seirin, alongside Kuroko and smiling at the family in front of her. As such, she looked at Aomine and wondered how he would react if she chose to transfer to Seirin.
~Back to Seirin bench~
Akashi and Kuroko maintained their glares at each other. Akashi, while impressed at Kuroko's boldness and development, did not portray such feelings and remained silent. After some time, he turned around and began walking back to his bench, but tilted his his head sideways so his voice was heard as he walked away.
"That face is not meant for you Tetsuya… Someone who is below me has no right to stare down at me. I hope you realize it before it's too late." And with that he walked down the court to his bench. The referee signaled the thirty second warning.
Kuroko turned around to Aida. "Please sub me in senpai. We're running out of time." Riko Aida, like the rest of Seirin was still in shock at Kuroko's outburst and what had just happened.
"Senpai." Riko shook her head out of the trance and looked at Kuroko. "Uh… Y-Yeah. Sure, but are you alright." Aida had been concerned after witnessing Kuroko's outburst, not sure of how to react to his new side of personality.
Kuroko nodded his head and responded. "I'm fine senpai, just please hurry and signal the substitution before it's too late.
The referee blew the whistle, signaling the end of Rakuzan's timeout.
"Black Team! Substitution!" The referee yelled. While Rakuzan had made no adjustments, Seirin chose to make a substitution.
!
To say everyone was shocked at their substitution was an understatement. "Are you frikin' kidding me?" Aomine said with wide-eyes as the rest of the spectators watched with jaws gaping at Seirin's decision.
"What does he plan to do..." Kise talked to himself, yet it was quite evident that they were all sharing a similar thought. Momoi brought a hand up to her mouth and muffled out a name. "Tetsu-kun..."
On court, Akashi's eyes widened, yet he maintained his posture as the surprise in his eyes diminished. He walked up to their substitution. "I was aware of your desire to act, but I did not expect you to act to rashly and impulsively Tetsuya."
Kuroko responded by merely adjusting Ogiwara's wristbands on his wrist and glared at Akashi. "I meant it when I said I changed." The referee blew the whistle, signaling the start of the third quarter. "Now I'll show you. My true potential.
