Note: I'm sorry for the age alterations and all that random relationships. I just want to release all these crazy ideas out of my head.

Chapter 2: Red is the Color of Passion and Strength

"Alright, team! Today is the big day! We're going in to that court and defeat every single one of them!" The cheering of the Teiko Basketball Team echoed in and out of the locker room as their coach woke up their hidden determination. As far as having great skills in basketball and coaching, Nijimura Shuzo could be counted as number one. His love for basketball had bear fruit of years and years of victories. During his early years, he would always claim the title of the Most Valuable Player, 'though it was taken from him during his last year in middle school when he met Aomine Daiki, a kouhai, whom he shared great friendship and rivalry with. The two of them had played one-on-one on several occasions. They were always on par with each other, although Shuzo knew that Daiki was far stronger than him; so when he learnt that Daiki would be quitting basketball after his two years vocational course at university, he decided to enter Teiko again to be the coach of the basketball team just to show his friend that College wasn't the end of it.

"You could have been a professional, Daiki," Shuzo once said to him. Daiki was a great loss to the basketball industry and everyone knew that; even Satsuki believed it was. But Shuzo could never blame him. After all, Daiki's love for Satsuki was more important than his basketball career. Even he knew exactly how it felt.

Shuzo had been Teiko's coach for almost twelve years now. He had met a lot of strong individuals and aspiring players, but it would be his first time handling such a person like Seijuuro. The boy was highly exceptional—a genius, a one of a kind player. Of course, he wasn't being bias just because Seijuuro was Daiki's son; the kid was just that amazing. His basketball was like Daiki's, but different at the same time. He has a mind of a great tactician, both a mastermind and a detective. He always thought things first and would deliver tricks that he could only do. He has both Daiki's skills and Satsuki's intelligence. With Shuzo's coaching, it was certain that he could lead the team to another series of victory. It was no wonder he was chosen as the team's captain despite being a first year.

"Seijuuro, I'm counting on you," Shuzo said, looking at the red-haired boy with eyes full of trust and certainty.

"Yes, coach. I'll do my best," the boy answered with the same conviction. "We will win for sure."

.

.

.

"Time out for Teiko!"

The five regulars looked at their coach with confusion and fear lingering in the corner of their brains. Why did Coach Nijimura suddenly call for a time out in the middle of the second quarter? The coach only called for such when things weren't doing fine. They were doing well, weren't they? After all, they had the captain, even Midorima and Murasakibara, with them. What could possibly go wrong?

"Coach, why so suddenly? It's not like we're losing," Midorima Shintaro, one of the regulars and Seijuuro's best friend, asked the frowning adult. "It's a ten-point difference."

"No, there's nothing wrong with the rest of you. But aren't I always telling you not to settle on differences alone? Do not underestimate your opponents. Miracles can always happen on the court."

"Was it just to scold us?" This time it was Murasakibara Atsushi, another of Seijuuro's best friend and Teiko's regular.

"No, I'm sorry."

"I was just asking, coach. No hard feelings."

All the other Teiko regulars looked at their coach with questions on hold. As of the moment, they couldn't fathom what was in his mind, until—

"Seijuuro," he called, doing a one-knee kneel in front of the red-haired boy. "What's wrong?" All turned to look at them. Ah, so that was it. They finally understood.

Meanwhile, Seijuuro only answered with a surprised and quiet, "Hm?" He was looking straight ahead but Shuzo knew that his mind was preoccupied with something.

"Something's lacking in you." Then the question fully retrieved his attention.

"Huh? What do you mean, coach?"

"You deteriorated. You were doing fine a while ago. What's going on?"

"There's nothing… I'm doing fine." Seijuuro backed off a little. He hates interrogation the most; privacy wasn't in its vocabulary.

"You can't fool me, Aomine Seijuuro. I've known you since you were a toddler. If I say you're not fine, then you're not. What is it? Tell me."

"I know myself better than you, coach."

"Trust me, Sei. It doesn't work that way. People have blind spots that only others can see."

There followed a deadly silence, until Shuzo could no longer contain his irritation. "We don't have all day. Don't make me let you stay on the bench."

Seijuuro looked up at Shuzo with both irritation and fright. He knew there was something wrong. He could feel it. But why couldn't he say it? He had tried. He was trying. On the other hand, Shuzo had a hunch. But he didn't want to jump to any conclusions so he had tried making Seijuuro speak. He knew the boy could be very fragile despite his cool and strong personality. After all, he was only a kid.

The whistle was blown, indicating that it was time to resume the match. Shuzo stared at his regulars as they went back to the court. All of them were doing fine; it was just that his captain had lesser passion than the rest.

"Seijuuro," he called in a low voice before Seijuuro could fully return. "I'll give you another chance. Prove to me that you're still the same Seijuuro as before. If not, I'm going to call for a substitution. Are we clear?"

"Yes, coach."

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.

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Teiko did fine until the third quarter. There was already a fifteen-point difference between them and their opponent. But as expected, the other team did a comeback, ending the third half of the game with only a seven-point difference.

"Teiko! Substitution! Number 4!"

Seijuuro pinned his gaze at his coach. He was both horrified and angry. Why he? He's fine. He tried his best, didn't he? Was it not enough?

"A substitution at the last quarter? It's almost ending." That's right, why now?

"Isn't he the captain?" Yes, I am the captain. The team needs me.

"He's only a first year." So what?

"He's not perfect." I never thought myself as one.

"Maybe their coach finally realized his mistake." No! He trusts me!

"Poor kid. His parents must have felt really disappointed." Parents? I disappointed…

"Maybe they didn't even come to watch." No… No… Where are they? Mom? Dad? Did you come watch me? Did you see me? Am I a disappointment? Aren't I always making you proud? Dad… Answer me—

"SEIJUURO!" Dad?

"Call the medic!" No… Coach? "Give him room! He's hyperventilating!"

"Sei, can you hear me?! What happened? Hang in there!" Coach, I'm sorry.

"Seijuuro!" Shintaro…

"Aka-chin!" Atsushi…

"Sei-chan! Sei-chan!" Mom?

"Ma'am, I'm sorry, but you can't go in there!"

"Let me through! He's my son! He needs me!" Mommy… Are you crying?

"Let them through!"

"Sei-chan! My baby!"

"Nii-chan!"

"S-Seicchi? I-Is Seicchi dead?"

Tetsuya… Ryouta… Silly, I'm not dead. Am I? The game is not over yet.

"Shu, w-what happened?"

"I… It's my fault. I'm sorry, Satsuki. I shouldn't have call for that substitution." It's not your fault.

"What are you talking about?"

"Where's Daiki?"

"Dai… He…" Dad can't come, right?

"Move! The medic's here!"

"Hurry! He's losing air!"

"It's okay, baby. I'm here. You're a strong child, right? So, please don't give up on mommy." Mom, I'll be strong for you. Aren't I always saying that? Don't worry and stop crying. I'll be fine. You too, Tetsuya, Ryouta. I promised you both that we'll play once I get home, didn't I?

"Give him oxygen!'

"Lift him up… carefully."

Wait! No! I still want to play! It's not over yet! I'll win the game and make my dad proud!

No!

No!

NO!

SN: Were they so out of reality?

Seijuuro: Why the hell did you make me so weak?!

I'M SORRY, SEI-CHAN!