AN: Yay a quick update! I normally don't update until I have half of the upcoming episode written out. Sometimes it can be really quick, sometimes it's not. I'll try my best to keep the time between updates reasonable, but it all depends on how much talking versus how much action there is and how much writing I have to do as well as my schedule and how much I enjoy an episode.
I will however try and update at the very least every 2 weeks if not more so.
I'm really happy you're all enjoying it! I'm trying to keep the characters as in character as I can but I'm also making them a bit more protective than in the show so I'm sorry if they don't match up the way you'd like them to, I'm doing my best while keeping true to my story.
Episode 3
"Now the fun really begins" Kagami said smiling broadly. "Seirin vs. Kaijou. I'm excited even if we are just watching it."
"It's actually a good learning experience watching yourself play against your opponents you should each take the time to evaluate yourselves." Riko told the Seirin players.
"I can't wait to see it! I heard this was quite the game" Kiyoshi said sitting up more.
The entire room was alive with an electric energy.
The screen once more lit up showing a sign that read Kaijou Private high school. Seirin walked down the path staring at their surroundings with undisguised awe.
"This place is huge. You can really tell when a school is devoted to its athletics"
The camera panned over to Kagami who looked awful with bags under his eyes
"Kagami kun the look in your eyes is worse than usual" Kuroko commented
"Shut up."
There was a small flashback to Kagami who it appeared couldn't sleep lying in bed with an excited look on his face "You'll see Kise, I'll show you" the flash back faded
"I was a little too excited."
Riko shook her head "Baka"
"You're like a dumb little kid" Aomine laughed
"Shut up Ahomine!" Kagami shot back. The two glared at each other the tension on that one couch was astounding
"What are you a kid going on a fieldtrip" Kuroko teased not that anyone could tell with his straight face.
"What'd you say?"
"Hey guys" Kise was running toward them
"Kise"
"This place is big so I thought I'd come get you" Kise explained
Kagami moved forward "Kise…" Kise walked right past him ignoring him and going to talk to Kuroko "hey"
Kuroko let out a soft huff and Kise tried to look innocent. "I just hadn't acknowledged Seirin yet as my rivals" he said. Seirin glowered for a moment but then sighed and continued watching. They had changed that and it was something they were all immensely proud of.
"Kurokocchi, ever since you turned down my invitation to join us I've been crying into my pillow every night" He moved his arm over his eyes wiping away fake tears.
"What's wrong with him?" Hyuga asked
"Just show us the way" Kagami demanded but again he was ignored
"Not even a girl has turned me down before"
"Kuroko turns me down every time" Kise sighed
"Do you ask him out often Ryota?"
"NO!" Scarlet eyes flashed "Maybe… I can't help it Akashicchi I like hanging out with Kurokocchi. Why am I the only one getting picked on" he whined
"Because you're the only one stupid enough to open your mouth" Aomine scoffs.
"Oha Asa predicted Gemini would have horrible luck" Midorima added
"Tch, are you ignoring me"
"Could you please stop being so sarcastic" Kuroko asked
Kise's eyes got a bit more serious "I'm interested to know more about" he turned to look at Kagami "the guy who's making Kurokocchi say those things. I don't care much about being called the Generation of Miracles."
"I agree with myself there. Yes it will always be part of my life and I'm grateful to have been a part of the team, but now being at Kaijou I'm not part of that any more I'm just Kise of Kaijou."
Kuroko could understand that; wanting to separate yourself from the others. They were rivals now after all.
"Although I still want to be friends with all of you" Kise smiled brightly. Aomine rolled his eyes but he too wished to stay friends with them.
"Just because were enemies on court doesn't mean we can't be friends off" He said.
"I suppose" Midorima said "Not that it matters to me wither way" Everyone could tell he was lying
"I want to too; being friends means more free snacks right?" Murasakibara agreed
"I think it's decided then" Akashi nodded
Kuroko smiled "I'm glad" He knew they would never be the perfect group they all had clashing personalities and were bound to argue but it didn't matter to Kuroko, he was just glad to have them back.
"But I can't ignore such an obvious challenge" Kise said "I'm not mature enough to let it slide, sorry but I'm going to crush you with everything I have"
Kagami let out a small life "Sounds good"
They made it to the Gym
"This is it" Kise said everyone gave a small start the gym was split down the middle Practice still being held on half the court.
"That's one way to piss someone off" Aomine said realizing right away what was happening.
"We're playing on half a court?" Riko asked "The other side's being used for practice?"
The Kaijou couch looked up "Oh, You're here. Welcome. I'm coach Takeuchi." He looked confused "Which one of you is the coach"
Riko sighed
"That's me" Riko declared proudly
"You? You're not the manager?" he asked astounded
"I'm Coach Aida Riko" she introduced herself "We look forward to playing with you today"
"Uh, yeah" the coach nodded
"So umm… what is this?" Riko asked looking at the split court
"Exactly what it looks like, we've only made simple arrangements for today's game"
"Arrangements" You could see the forming irritation on everyone's face.
"There won't be enough to learn from this game to make it worth watching for the guys sitting out" the other coach said bluntly Riko was twitching with anger
"I see"
"We're having the other players practice as usual so we don't waste time. Despite the arrangements you'll be playing our regulars"
"Well at least there's that" Riko said her hands were shaking as she watched the anger from that time flooding back. Hyuga put a hand on her shoulder to calm her down. Kiyoshi watched with immense interest.
"I hope you won't let us triple your score" The coach waved and walked off leaving Seirin looking beyond mad.
"They think we suck" Kagami said "They're treating this like a side show to their practice"
Kuroko smiled
The camera moved to Kise as he tucked in his jersey "there we go"
"Kise why are you wearing your uniform" the coach asked "you're not playing. I know we've got stars from all the middle schools but you're on a whole different level."
"Don't do that coach" Kise looked from his team back to the coach. "Seriously stop saying that"
"If I let you play it won't even be a game anymore" the coach said
"Your coach pisses me off" Kagami muttered
"He's rough around the edges but he's a good coach when it comes down to it" Kise answered
"Just listen to him" Hyuga said annoyed
"I haven't been this pissed in a while" Izuki added
"I'm sorry seriously sorry" Kise said hands up in surrender as he apologized "I'll be on the bench. If you give his guys a beating, I'm sure he'll put me in" Seirin still looked pissed "Anyway, If you can't force him to put me in you shouldn't go around saying you'll beat the Generation of Miracles"
"Hey show the Seirin guys to the locker room" the coach told Kise
"Its fine" Kuroko said the others already head that way "Please warm up, we don't have time to wait"
"Kuro Chin is mad" Murasakibara said this time munching on popcorn.
"They'll be playing Kise on a full court in no time" Aomine agreed. He knew how it felt to anger Tetsu and one had better be ready for a backlash when they did.
"What" Kise looked a bit shocked and then his eyes narrowed and he grinned
"Let the practice game between Seirin High and Kaijou High Begin" One of the Kaijou students announced as the players lined up
"The referee looked around confused before calling out "We're about to get started so Seirin please have your five lineup"
"There's five of us" Kuroko said hand raised
The entire team let out a yell even the ones practicing stopped playing to stare.
"What the hell"
"He's got no presence"
"He's one of their starters?" they whispered
"He was right in front of me and I didn't even notice" said Kobori of Kaijou
"Where do you get such a small presence from anyway" Kiyoshi asked curiously
"My mother" Kuroko answered shortly. He had gotten a bit better at sharing more with his team but he was generally not an open person and didn't tend to go into vast explanations.
"What about you Kasamatsu?"Moriyama asked his captain
"Me neither" he replied back
"This is ridiculous" The Kaijou coach said "after all their boasting I'd thought they'd have some decent players."
"We'll see" Kise said sitting on the bench eyes serious as he watched intently. "You might be right, they're not just decent."
They saw Riko's sight as she observed the Kaijou team "Ouch"
"What's wrong coach" Koganei asked
This doesn't look good, I can't see everything through their clothes, but their numbers are why higher than average. Our physical numbers are way behind honestly it's not surprising for a nationally strong team. We've got Kuroko Kun and Kagami Kun but how far can they carry us.
The whistle blew and the tip off started. Kaijou got the ball first. Kasamatsu dribbled down court leisurely "All right, one. Let's keep it up."
Kuroko appeared out of nowhere suddenly hitting the ball away from the unsuspecting captain
"Right off the bat eh Tetsu."
"What?" Kuroko dribbled as Kasamatsu ran to catch up "Where did he come from" he caught up to Kuroko quickly He's slow
Kuroko passed back to Kagami who had caught up to them as well. Kagami ran past Kasamatsu and jumped dunking the ball so hard it ripped right off the backboard.
Akashi let out a grin. Now they would have to use the full court. He glanced over at Tetsuya briefly
"All Right" Kagami yelled before noticing the rim in his hand. He gaped "WOW"
"What? He destroyed the hoop!"
You're kidding I don't believe it" Yells were heard from around the court
"That thing's dangerous one of the bolts are rusted"
"Even so that's not normal"
"This thing is bigger than I thought" Kagami looked a bit sheepish
"I'm so sorry" Riko bowed apologetically to the coach.
Kuroko walked up to him and bowed as well "I'm sorry we broke your hoop since we can't play like this could we use the full court?"
The coach looked pissed
"You planned that didn't you Tetsuya" Akashi regarded Kuroko with piercing eyes
Kuroko neither confirmed nor denied it, but Akashi could read the answer on the phantom man's face.
"Tetsu's almost as good as Akashi when it comes to planning things out like that" Aomine laughed.
"Well his talent comes from observation so he's exceptional at knowing how to play things his way" Akashi explained. "It's how he was able to develop a pseudo emperor eye"
Kaijou began clearing the court and lowering the nets to get ready for the game. The broken hoop lay in a corner.
"Now that's what you call a beating" Kise laughed "I've never seen the coach like that before"
"You should tell him that's what he gets for underestimating us" Kagami shot back obviously still riled up
"How much do you think a replacement hoop will cost" Kuroko said solemnly as he walked away from the two
"Huh? We have to pay for that!?" Kagami looked after him in disbelief.
"Are you sure you don't have a sense of humor" Kagami sighed.
"Let the game resume" The Kaijou referee yelled
People gasped as Kise stepped onto the court finally allowed to play he smiled. "Sorry to keep you waiting" His eyes narrowed and he looked every bit as intense as Kagami.
"You're finally in" Kagami looked excited
"You're way too intense for a model when you're on"
"I am not! I'm a great model… right Kurokocchi, you think I'm a handsome model right!?"
"No opinion" The teal headed man told him eyes never leaving the T.V
"SO MEAN!"
"He's not just putting on a show" Kuroko said. It flashed to Riko's vision as she regarded Kise eyes wide.
Amazing, seeing him again I can tell Kise Ryota really is a monster
There was a loud squeal and screams from the fan girls that had gathered. Kise waved at them. Kasamatsu quickly ended that with a kick "Quit waving at them! I'll hit you!" He yelled
"Ow. You already hit me Kasamatsu- senpai"
"Do you understand what's going on Kise?" Kasamatsu got close to him eyes sharp "Who the hell is number 10"
"Number 10? Oh that's Kagami"
"Don't act like you forgot me!" Kagami yelled
"Kagami I've never heard of him before"
"Oi" Kagami opened his mouth to say something but it was drowned out as Aomine shoved a pillow into his face
"Shut up already Bakagami"
"Forget about him"
"A muffled shout of protest was heard but Aomine had the upper hand as he smothered Kagami with the pillow.
"Please don't kill Kagami kun, Aomine Kun"
"Huh?" Aomine looked over at Kuroko "Fine" he sighed releasing the other teen who glared at Aomine like he was ready to beat him up
"The guy who stole the ball number 11…That's my teammate from Teiko Kurokocchi. Isn't he amazing right right" Kise bounced on the balls of his feet with excitement
Kuroko had a small blush on his face "Thank you Kise kun"
Kise melted "Ne Kurokocchi, you should call me Ryota" He asked hopefully the teal headed teen had humored him so far. There was a sharp snip of scissors and Kise looked over to see Akashi looking ready to kill him.
"Sorry Kise Kun that would be too embarrassing" Kuroko said and Kise hugged him still wearily looking over at Akashi ready to dodge if he had too
"That's ok I still think you're the best" The bluenette sighed as he was once again squished by the taller teen.
It was Midorima who came to his rescue pulling Kise off him. "If you continue to hug him like that you might suffocate him"
Kuroko looked quite relieved to be released.
"Why are you so happy?" Kasamatsu hit Kise again "In any case they gave us quite a greeting, it would be rude if we didn't return the favor" Kise nodded looking determined to do just that.
Kasamatsu raced down court with the ball, he passed it to Kise who jumped dunking it like Kagami had except with much more force. He let go of the rim and hit the ground only to be kicked by Kasamatsu once more.
"You idiot I told you to break it" he yelled at Kise
"Sorry"
Kagami looked at the rim for a second he dunked that harder than I did
"I can't say the same for girls, but I've never failed to return a favor on the court"
Kagami grinned eyebrow twitching "Bring it on!"
Hyuga passed to Kuroko.
Him again Kasamatsu thought as he saw Kuroko appear out of the corner of his eye as he passed to Kagami who is he
Kagami Dunked the ball with a fierce yell he hit the floor and turned to his teammates "Let's go all out!"
"No we're going to hold back" Hyuga scoffed letting his inner colors show. "Don't underestimate your seniors."
Kiyoshi shook his head it was always so entertaining when the true Hyuga came out.
"Yeah!" Seirin yelled except Kuroko who just nodded.
They dribbled down the court going back and forth so quickly it was hard to keep track of the game.
What is this? Riko watched head moving to follow the players
"What's with this high paced play" Koganei was also trying to keep up with the game head moving quickly from side to side.
Seirin- 16 Kaijou-17
They were matching each other basket for basket with Kaijou just barely keeping the lead.
"It's only been three minutes since they started"
"It's like their beating each other without bothering to guard. The defense is doing everything it can, but both teams' offenses are too strong. This is a clash of the Generation of Miracles
Hyuga had the ball facing off against Kasamatsu The other four are just as intense as Kise. This is almost more than I can handle.
"I almost forgot how much we lacked in stamina back then; we've come leaps and bounds from where we were."
"Ah cultivating talent" Riko smiled dreamily.
"I just can't wait for the Inter-highs. After all the training after the winter cup it will be just as intense a battle if not more so" Kagami had a fire in his eyes as he spoke. No one could say anything against that; they all felt the same way.
If not for Kuroko and Kagami they'd have won this game already
Hyuga passed to Kuroko who passed quickly to Kagami. He ran before jumping and going into a fade away.
"From that speed he's going into a fade away?" An onlooker yelled out. Kise caught the ball however and rushed back down court before coping Kagami's fade away.
A fade away! He's copying me again.
Kise grinned his feet twitching as he watched. It was hard not to get invested despite knowing the outcome. The music was exciting and with the addition of the inner thoughts of your opponents, it was a whole new way to view a game.
The ball made it in and Kaijou scored.
And he keeps getting better!
Hyuga dribbled the ball down court looking focused until
"Captain" the voice came out of nowhere Hyuga jumped to the side nearly losing the ball as it revealed Kuroko right behind him.
"Where did you come from? Why are you talking to me?"
"I want a time out. This high pace is taking a toll on my body"
"What? How can you be so weak?"
"Also we need Kagami to cool down. The harder Kagami Kun plays, the harder Kise Kun plays. At this rate, it'll take everything we have to keep up, and it will only get worse"
He's talking more than usual.
"I'm just observing" Kuroko said blankly
"Do you only observe people on the court?"
"No it's not really something I can control like that; it's automatic. I'm used to observing people I just put it to more use in basketball than everyday life"
Could this be worse than I thought? Hyuga looked over at Riko who was also calling a time out. Looks like it. The coach must be thinking the same thing.
Sure enough… "Seirin Time out"
The whole team was gasping and panting. Riko looked concerned they're way too tired for playing just five minutes. It's not unreasonable. They've been switching between offense and defense at an absurd rate.
"What the hell are you doing? How many points are you going to let them take?" The Kaijou coach yelled at the players. "Is the defense asleep? Huh!"
"Sorry"
"This isn't easy" Moriyama said
"Yeah that first year duo is brutal." Kasamatsu nodded taking a long drink
"It's nice to know you were as tired as we were" Hyuga watched intently it was most interesting being able to hear what other players thought and how they viewed things.
Kasamatsu turned to Kise. "You should be able to handle Kagami, but what's with that invisible Kuroko guy" There was a mini flashback of Kuroko when he stole the ball earlier in the game.
Kise suddenly looked happy he smiled blindly "I know, right? Kurokocchi's actually…" Kasamatsu hit him
"Why the hell are you so happy?" Kise moved the hand that had punched him
"It's okay" he assured the captain. "The balance will tip soon enough"
The scene switched back to Seirin
"We have to deal with Kise Kun first" Riko stated
"I can't believe Kagami can't handle the guy himself" Hyuga sat pensively "Should we put another guy on him"
"What? Hey wait…" Kagami paused for a moment "Please"
"HAHAHA /Bakagami/ is being polite!"
"I can be polite, unlike you /Ahomine/"
"Should we separate them?" Koganei asked as the couch was enveloped in dark energy from the two feuding rivals.
"No need" Akashi said Seirin turned to look at the captain who was already directing his attention to the two who were about to start fighting. "You're arguing like an old married couple… is there something we should know?"
"WHAT?" they both yelled the fight forgotten as they gaped at Akashi who simply stared right back nonchalantly
The two scootched over so they were as far away from one another as it was possible to be on one couch.
Akashi turned back to the T.V. and Seirin stared at the crimson headed master mind a minute longer before they too turned back to the TV.
"Please?"
"There is a way" Kuroko cut into the conversation. The screen split showing Kuroko on one side and Kise on the other.
"What's that supposed to mean" Kasamatsu asked Kise
"It's because…" Kise began to answer
"They have a weakness" Both Kuroko and Kise said at the same time.
"Weakness?" Kise questioned he wondered what weakness Kuroko was speaking of, what had he observed?
"A weakness?" Riko asked
"What? You should've told us sooner" Hyuga looked at Kuroko
"No, to be honest I'm still not even sure you could call it a weakness" Kuroko continued "Either way I'm sorry. There's another problem. Because of the unexpectedly high paced play, my effectiveness is already wearing off."
"Wh-What?" Hyuga and the others looked at him with gaping mouths. The scene switched to Kaijou
"They won't be able to use their misdirection after 40 minutes" Kise explained
"Misdi… what?" Kasamatsu looked confused
Kurokocchi's lack of presence isn't magic" Kise continued to explain. "He's just directing your attention elsewhere. Even I can do it" Kise picked up a ball "Watch me" he commanded and threw the ball over his head.
Kasamatsu took his eyes off Kise to follow the ball.
"See you're not looking at me" Kasamatsu gasped and looked back down at Kise "Kurokocchi's using his exceptional observation skills to do this continuously, creating the illusion he disappeared so he can pass the ball around, not that he has to do anything special to have no presence." Kise smiled and Kasamatsu looked annoyed at his adoration for the sixth man "But the more he uses it the more we get used to it, and its effect gradually decreases."
Scene changed back to Seirin.
"Why didn't you tell us something so important sooner" Riko raged. She got Kuroko into a head lock
"I'm sorry you didn't ask" Kuroko waved his arms apologetically his voice still deadpan despite it all.
"Sometimes I don't understand how you can stay so… blank faced?"
"Umm…" there was no way for Kuroko to explain it was just the way he was. Its how he had always been, he had smiled a bit more as a child but never as much as other kids. He explained that.
"Aww I think it would be cute to see a little kid Kurokocchi!" Kise cried out.
"I bet it was hard to make friends as a kid with so little presence" Kagami noted
"I only had one" Kuroko answered "Until middle school… then I had 6" The GoM looked happy to have been there for him but that disappeared rather quickly when they remembered what happened. It only made it that much worse knowing they were basically Kuroko's only friends at the time.
"Do you not say anything unless you're asked?" Riko yelled I must not have been thinking. I was stupid to think we could pull this ridiculous strategy off without risk.
The whistle blew. "Your time out is over."
Riko let out a cry of despair "All I got to do was hit Kuroko!"
"Let me stay on him… please" Kagami asked Riko before they went out
"Why are you acting so polite?"
"I have a feeling I'm about to get something" Kagami said and then turned and jogged back out to the court without waiting for an answer
"Hey wait" they stopped and turned "Switch from man to man to zone defense; keep solid defense on the inside, and move to stop Kise kun quickly. Stopping Kise is your first priority"
"Did you forget about the regulars, I'm not the only good player on the team?"
"No" Riko corrected "I knew it was a risk but at the moment with your high speed of play you were our main problem. It wasn't a perfect plan but I needed more time to evaluate" Riko sighed then turned a sharp glare on Kuroko "had I known about your limit sooner I would have had something a bit more concrete to go on"
"Sorry" Kuroko bowed his head at her. Riko just shook her head.
"Also slow down your pace Kuroko Kun. Just don't let the gap get too big. Can you do that?"
"I'll try"
Kise had the ball but he stopped short Kagami, Izuki, and Hyuga were on him.
"They're defending the middle" someone from the audience observed
It's just a box one and one. Kasamatsu observed they're following up with Kagami to stop Kise. He sighed I don't believe this.
Kise passed over to Kasamatsu who took the shot and scored. Everyone cheered "Are you underestimating the Kaijou regulars? This is too pathetic" Kasamatsu told them with a smirk.
Hyuga wiped his sweat away "Man this is tough"
Riko was concentrated obviously trying to figure out a better defensive strategy. Kagami had the ball he saw Kuroko and passed but the ball was stolen by Moriyama. Kaijou quickly scored again.
"I see. I think I'm getting used to it" Moriyama smiled
"This isn't good" Izuki stared at the scoreboard 25- 33 for Kaijou
"What should we do Izuki?"
"Damn it, the gaps getting bigger" Koganei said from the bench
Mitobe had the ball he passed it to Kagami who jumped to score but Kise jumped too and blocked it easily.
"Out of bounds, white ball" The referee shouted
Kagami was taking deep breathes
"Why don't you acknowledge it already?" Kise asked "Your years away from challenging the generation of Miracles"
"What'd you say" Kagami turned to fully face Kise who had an easy smile on his face
"The gap between our scores might get bigger, but it certainly won't get any smaller. More than formations and strategies, basketball is about your build. It's a sport of size"
"Is it now Kise?" Akashi asked the blonde. Kise went pale
"Umm… I umm… um…" Kise hid himself behind Kuroko and Midorima "I was wrong" He piped up from behind them. No one brought up Akashi's height and lived. The only reason Kise was alive was because he hadn't said anything about Akashi in particular.
"The difference between your team and ours is simply too great. You were the only one who stood a chance against us, but I see now how good you are. I'll admit you have potential, but you're still far below me. No matter what you throw at me with one look I'll return it twice as good."
Kagami's eye's narrowed.
"You can struggle but you'll never beat me" Kise finished confidently "The world isn't that easy"
The music was intense Kagami was looking down at his shoes and then he let out a chuckle and another until he was laughing madly. Everyone turned to stare at him.
"Sorry, sorry. I'm just so happy"
"You're a complete loon Kagami" Koganei shook his head
"Happy?" Kise questioned
"It's been a long time since anyone's said that to me. I heard it all the time over there"
"Over there" Kise was confused
"In America"
"You lived in America that's amazing" Kise reverted back from serious to overgrown child
"I thought I jumped the gun coming back here to play. Hearing you say that is encouraging, really." Kise's smile dropped once more as Kagami continued "Life is all about challenges. There's no point in living if there's no one strong to play. Its better if I can't win!" Kagami walked past Kise "Don't you think it's a little soon to be saying you won? Besides now thanks to you I now know your weakness."
"What weakness?" Kise looked confused
"I'm sure it wasn't easy for you to say it yourself. With one look? What if you don't see it? Against a guy who's already invisible it's impossible. No matter how athletic you are, you'll never achieve an invisible basketball style. In other words." He put his hand on Kuroko's head "this guy is your weakness"
The camera panned from Kise's shocked face to Kagami's laughing one down to Kuroko's blank face "What are you doing" he deadpanned. The screen faded.
"This more entertaining than I thought it was going to be" Kagami conceded amped up and ready to watch the next episode. And he wasn't the only one the others were just as into it especially those who hadn't been there to witness it.
"Kuro chin it's not fair!" Murasakibara complained loudly. Kuroko tilted his head confused "You let Kaga chin touch your hair but not me" The giant pouted like a toddler. He reached over with his long arms and gently ruffled Kuroko's hair. "It's soft" he said happily.
Kuroko allowed it for only second just to stop a tantrum from being thrown. Then he softly wacked the hand away and smoothed his hair.
Murasakibara went back to his snacks looking pleased.
AN: Oha Asa predicted good luck to those that review XD
Also I tried really hard to describe the game' it might be easier to watch the show while you read though if it gets confusing.