[[ A/N: First, I will like to apologise for the late update. I was busy with presentations and other school stuff so this was pushed back slightly.

The quality in the writing might have dropped too since I finished it in a rush and yeah… the dialogues are as few as usual. Couldn't fit in much when it's mostly headcanon and all that don't really happen in the series.

So I will like to apologise for that. ]]

Midorima could see why Rakuzan was dubbed as the Emperor, the players were really good. Their skills were impressive and rarely seen. Akashi must have helped them to improve more on their individual skills, it was something that Akashi would be good at just like how he had been the hint to how Kuroko formed his play.

Hayama's drabbling was of a different level of his own and even none of the Kiseki No Sedai members would be able to drabble like him. Aomine's skills was in his speed and agility and Midorima was unable to figure out how Hayama was able to drabble the ball the way he did yet. His agility was good enough that his teammates were unable to stop him.

He could not lower his guard down either since Akashi was good even without doing much. His passes were all spot on and at the right moment like what Midorima expects of him. Akashi was always good at calculating his moves without much thinking too and Midorima sometimes wished he would be able to outthink him. It was thanks to Akashi's intellect that their team managed to win during their first year before their skills blossomed for them to be called the Kiseki No Sedai.

Hence, he would never underestimate Rakuzan even if Akashi was not playing with all he has. Even without Akashi playing, his strategy would be hard to beat and his teammates were strong to boot. These did not lower down Midorima's confidence in winning though and he still truly believes that Shutoku has what it takes to defeat them.

They must think of him as a threat to have two players marking him and it most definitely would be Akashi's plan to have him mark right off the spot. Although he knew it had nothing to do with Akashi when one of them opened their mouth to remark that everyone except for him is a hindrance.

When Akashi overheard his teammate's comment about Midorima's teammates, he knew it was impossible for Midorima would think that way. Despite how Midorima often commented that Kise was no good, Midorima never thought of him as useless. He just felt that Kise did not play with his full potential yet and it was his way of pushing him further.

It was just Midorima's personality that people would think that he did not think much of them. Probably even some of the Kiseki No Sedai members would misunderstand and Midorima would not explain himself either which did not help his case at all. Akashi never did because it was nice to know that very little people knew Midorima's intentions and the real him.

Maybe he was just selfish to want to keep them to himself and Midorima chose not to show it. Midorima always cared more than he appears and that was interesting to say when people thought that he was one of the more uncaring member of the Kiseki No Sedai.

Midorima was one of the people who would stay back to practice and Akashi had watched him many times. The first time he chanced upon him, Akashi was rather taken aback that Midorima was practicing his shooting and his face reflected how serious he took it. Someone like Midorima would never think that way and Midorima had never thought of himself as someone that did not need practice.

Akashi could still remember that Midorima would stay back during certain days of the week to practice, the rest of the days probably spent on studying. Midorima's test scores were much better compared to the other members and he knew that Midorima was focusing on both basketball without letting his studies suffer. That was a case much different from most of them.

Out of curiosity Akashi had stayed to watch him when he stays back much later during those days. Chances were that Midorima was aware of that although he showed no signs that he cared. Akashi would practice with him sometimes instead of just watching him and he would head back with Midorima when he does. The one that suggested that was usually him with a few rare occasions where Midorima would wait for him before he leaves.

Akashi would snicker during those times since Midorima would have some kind of excuse ready when he asked if Midorima was waiting for him to walk back together. Sometimes if he was lucky, he could make Midorima fluster and he would be able to see a tell tale of a blush on Midorima's face. It was during those times that he had learnt that Midorima actually cared about people more than he shows.

Back then, all he had for Midorima was amusement and he loved pushing Midorima's buttons to see his reactions. The ones that Midorima would show naturally were anger, displeasure and annoyance. The other expressions were slightly harder for him to express on his own. That was partly why Akashi had caught an interest in him besides his seriousness. Those slowly changed when they started playing Shogi together and he learnt more about Midorima.

Akashi smiled gingerly before putting a halt to his thoughts. It sure seemed like the more the game progresses, the more his thoughts went back to the past when the both of them were still teammates. Even if that was so, he would not like his recollecting of the past affect this match.

Midorima scowled darkly. His senpais were no way pulling him down. They worked hard to develop their skills and he had acknowledged them after seeing how hard they pushed themselves. People who were willing to take their time to practice were in no way useless to him even if he showed no signs that that was what he thought.

Especially how hard Miyaji practiced even during the exams period that he stayed back to practice after hours. This was a behaviour that Midorima acknowledged since it was something that he did not do despite how much he take his practices seriously. Midorima had drawn the line between his studies and basketball and he chose to focus on them both equally rather than just one.

No matter how much he finds basketball important, Midorima would never give up his studies for the sake of it. Because both were just as important to him and his grades were always high while he maintained his position in basketball. It was not easy to keep up both and the fact that Miyaji could do that was something.

Midorima admired that he worked hard to get what he had right now and that was how it was for him too. Besides that, he followed fate and listen to whatever Oha Asa says too. Those were what contributed to his strength besides his own natural ability.

He hated how their hard work was labeled as useless and those people with big egos had no right to belittle them. Midorima would show them how wrong that was. This was the push he needed to play a little seriously. This reminded him of how Akashi had always said that he would not be able to win him.

To people like Akashi who did not need effort, they would not understand how hard people would have to work to achieve what they have. Midorima absolutely dislikes people like that but this person was much worse than Akashi and Akashi would not say it in this way. To Akashi, it was not like he belittles people, it was more of that he wins easily and for someone who has never tasted defeat it was understandable.

Although it does not stop him from getting annoyed by Akashi whenever that happens. In Akashi's case, the result of everything has been determined since he always wins. Winning is just a natural thing to Akashi who sees nothing special of it more of something that is a matter of fact. It was irritating to say the least but he was never able to hate Akashi for it when it was not something that Akashi asked for.

He shook the people marking him off and snatched the ball away before speaking out his response to what he heard earlier. "A hindrance? What are you blabbing about?" Midorima could have shot after he had by passed the three people around him with a screen but he chose to pass the ball over.

This would show that guy how his senpai was not that weak and to help bring his spirit back up. Shutoku was in no way weak and he is not the only strong player on the team. Just like how he had the rest backing him up even if they did not seem all that willing, he would support them too. They all deserved it after how much effort they had put in their practice and how they had always passed the ball to him and going along with his whims even if they were annoyed by it.

"There's not a single player on this team who's a hindrance." If they had worked so hard to improve their skills, there was no way they would be in his way and be a hindrance. The him of the past might not have done that but time spent with them after they lost against Seirin had changed his thinking slightly and he had learnt to be more grateful for them.

Midorima had stopped passing the ball and scoring the goal himself for a while now but his thinking of doing everything by himself has slowly changed. Right now, there was no way he could win Rakuzan with just himself. He was obviously not going to say that out loud of course, his personality would never allow that.

"Yo. Nice pass." Miyaji's pat on his shoulder was a first along with those words. His choice to pass the ball was the right one and Shutoku's spirit was brought back up by that shot. This would give them their confidence of being able to stand up to Rakuzan and that they were not useless. No one on the team will ever be useless, at least not in Shutoku.

It could count as his thanks to Miyaji for lending him his precious idol fan that day too. He had never managed to find a chance to repay that favour and now he has finally found a way to do it. This would serve as his excuse too if someone ever ask why he had chose to pass the ball.

Akashi was rather taken back by that pass and his grin turned bitter. 'Shintaro... he's changed...' The Midorima he knew would never have done a thing like that and shot. Their time apart had changed Midorima and Akashi hated that a part of him wanted to be naive and think that the things between them would remain the same.

Midorima's team or someone else had changed how Midorima viewed basketball and that angered him. The Midorima before him was not the one he knows and they are nothing more than mere acquaintances who barely know each other now. He used to pride himself as the one who understands and knows Midorima best but that was no longer the case.

Just like always, things concerning Midorima simply never goes the way he wants. He already knew he would never hear the words he wants even if he wins this game, even more now that he is no longer part of Midorima's world. Akashi was not planning on letting go though since giving up is not part of his personality. Even if this Midorima is no longer the one he knows, nothing changed for him. The thing he wants from Midorima is the same as always and that would never change.

He buried the thought about the Midorima he knew not being around deep in his mind to stop himself from thinking about that. The parts of Midorima he still knew were still present since old habits die hard and Midorima would never change much. But the small changes are foreign to the current Akashi and there are bound to be other parts he is not aware of. His resolve to play was the same as always, the Midorima who plays games with him will always be the same even if his personality changes.

To reflect what Midorima was thinking, he managed another long range shoot and scored. This would put an end to the pinch Shutoku was suffering from earlier and their scores were pretty much similar as to the first quarter, almost like their struggles were nothing at all and that they barely did anything to turn the tables.

The next quarter would not be the same as the previous ones, Midorima was certain of that. Knowing Akashi, his next move should have already been decided and it would not be something weak either. Was this enough to push Akashi to play seriously yet would only be showed when the quarter starts.

Midorima hopes it is enough because he wants to play against an Akashi who gives it his all instead of one that plays without putting in much effort. He could barely even remember the last time he had ever seen Akashi playing with all that he had ever since they were dubbed as the Kiseki No Sedai. Maybe even the skills he saw from Akashi during their first years were not even him in his complete seriousness.

Even if it means that the chances of him winning are lowered, Midorima would still want to see him play seriously. The most important part of the games the both of them have been playing all this time was for him to make Akashi serious and let him taste defeat. That was what he had always been trying to achieve when they were playing Shogi together.

Akashi had never played against him seriously before even if their games of Shogi. Those losses were mocking him and the only way to turn the tables around was this game, their first real game out of Shogi. The chances of them playing basketball against each other would not be so soon so he had to make this worth it.

The score was tied. Thanks to Midorima's effort, Shutoku had caught up like Akashi expected. Midorima's quick thinking and skills are as superb as he believes them to be and under their current situation, Akashi is pleased about that. Even his teammates had acknowledge that Midorima is strong, even with two people marking him they were unable to stop him. That was for sure since Akashi had never thought their skills were on par with Midorima even with the both of them combined. They managed to hold Midorima long enough and if they did not spite Midorima, he probably would not have grown serious so soon.

He had to thank them for this chance though, he finally had the excuse to go one-on-one against Midorima. With his voice slightly colder than usual, he interrupted their exchange of whether or not to increase the number of people marking Midorima. "Not necessary. Putting more on him will just have a negative effect."

That was certain and it was impractical to have three people marking a single person when their score was tied and reduce the chances of them scoring while giving the opposite team a higher rate of being able to score with their free players. "Even for the Mukan No Gosho, it'd be difficult to stop the current Shintaro."

Midorima's current level was much higher than theirs and when Midorima grows more serious in the game, it would be harder for them to beat him. Out of the rest, the one that could pull this off the best and get him to be serious would be Midorima, he had always had a hunch about that. Midorima is the only one that wants to see him at his best more than the others too.

Hence why he was amused that the chance for Midorima to catch a gaze of his true strength would be in such a situation. If it was the them in the past, they would never imagine this. Especially when it was not for certain that they would ever have a chance to go against each other in an official match.

"One's enough for the second half. I'll go against Shintaro." The win would be much better if it was with his own hands and this meant he would have to be more serious, this was Midorima after all. Was he excited? Akashi did not bother to put a name to what he was feeling right now, he just knew that the game would be much more exciting from this point on.

The next quarter is when the real fun starts, his eyes reflecting his emotions. The irritation and anger from before helped to fume him even more. This match is where it really begins and the one that is marking him will feel his annoyance if he gets between Midorima and his match, Akashi will make sure of that. Part of Akashi's irritation was towards him anyway and he now had an excuse to do something against him if he does something.

Akashi simply cannot wait for the next half to start and watch how Midorima would respond to his next move.

[[ A/N: This will be the last chapter for a while. Unfortunately, it turned out to be much shorter than I liked to be where I stopped. –Sighs– Can't be helped I guess. There wasn't much part where I could include my headcanons inside.

Well… for the next two to three weeks I guess. I have to study for my exams so I won't be updating this till then. Maybe the chapters will be longer than that and I already have the ending vaguely planned so the short hiatus won't get in the way of this I hope…

Till next time! ]]