Brothers Forever

Chapter 4

The second and third-string coach, Sanada, announced the respective audition groups. Unfortunately, Seijūrō was not in Tetsuya's group. "Tetsuya, will you be alright?" he asked.

"Yeah," Tetsuya answered as they split off into their respective groups. His group was one of the later ones while Seijūrō's group was first. Everyone then sat at the benches to watch the different auditions.

Cheers were heard from the benches when a few of the audition groups played, mainly Seijūrō's, Midorima's, a blue-haired ganguro's, a purple-haired giant's and a gray-haired punk's. Meanwhile, Tetsuya's audition group was quite a disaster.

Firstly, his teammates all 'sucked' compared to Seijūrō, whom Tetsuya was used to playing with. Secondly, they passed him the ball but all of them were marked, causing Tetsuya to be unable to pass the ball to any of them. Thirdly, they had no idea how to use his abilities to the maximum.

Since he could not pass to anyone and he was not good at dribbling or shooting, the opponent third-stringers could always steal the ball from him. Thus, they subsequently did not want to pass him the ball anymore even if he was unmarked by anyone.

Sighing, he knew he would never get into the higher strings unlike his brother. "Sei-nii… I don't think I'll even get into third-string," Tetsuya told his brother dejectedly.

Seijūrō passed a towel to him. "If you are not going to be in the same string as I am, I'll degrade to whichever string you are in. If you do not make it, I'll quit," Seijūrō assured.

"No! You can't do that! Otō-san wants you to be the best, doesn't he? You can't just give up like that!"

"I can, if it's for you. Remember what I promised? We'd always be together forever." Tetsuya mutely nodded at that.

By the end of the day, the coach announced the results. Since no one had ever made it to the first-string in their first year, the whole group of year ones was about to leave when Sanada announced who had made it to the first string. The ganguro, Aomine Daiki, the giant, Murasakibara Atsushi, the punk, Haizaki Shōgo, Midorima and lastly, Seijūrō, got accepted into the first-string. Fortunately, Tetsuya was at least in the third-string.

Tetsuya glanced at his brother, who was frowning in disapproval. However, before he could tell his brother that it was alright, Seijūrō had already spoken up. "I'm not going to the first-string. I'm staying with my brother," Seijūrō insisted angrily, earning gasps from the group, as it was already a rare opportunity to get into the first-string. He had already expected that this would happen, though. "I will only join the first-string if you will give us one more chance. Here's the deal: Two of us, versus a group of five."

More gasps, even those from the other string members. "Akashi-san, even if you are very skilled, your brother is not so skilled. You can't possibly win a group of five even if they are from the third-string."

"Oh, really? It's more like only I know how to utilize Tetsuya's ability. Let me show it to you right now. Two-on-five. If we lose, we will quit this club. If we win, we both get to be in the first-string," Seijūrō proposed.

The captain, Nijimura, seemed amused, like the twins were telling a joke. However, a voice piped up from behind the whole group. "Shirogane-kantoku!" the senior members all greeted.

"Ah, I was just watching the auds when I heard a ruckus," the white-haired coach explained. "So, you both want a match? Alright. Third-stringers, go get a team of five. The first team to ten points wins." The seniors all stared at their head coach like he grew another head.

Even though it was already past the audition timings, almost everyone stayed back to watch the match. The tip off ensured and as per expected because the twins were 'short', the third-string center caught the ball, whacking it to their point guard.

But the ball never touched his hands. "Wha—"

The ball was immediately passed into Seijūrō's hands as he made a fast break to his side of the half court. Little did they know, the 'miracle' pass was by Tetsuya. They were using half courts for the auditions, as most year ones did not have the stamina. Well, this just improved the odds for the twins, since they knew that Tetsuya could not play for very long. Before the others could catch up, he did a lay up and the ball got in. Eight more points to go.

The point guard on the other team took the ball and planned for a fast break. However, Tetsuya did a back tip the moment the PG passed him, not like he noticed him anyway. Seijūrō caught the ball from him in front and turned back to his side of the court.

This time, the other team was faster as they did a box defense to prevent Seijūrō from passing. Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed Tetsuya to his right. Without even needing to look, he did a perfect pass to him while he ran in, catching the ball again a moment later. He did a fade away as a player tried to block him. Fortunately, that player was too near as he was fouled. A free throw was given to Seijūrō. The shot went in, of course.

Five more points.

The other team did a far pass to their court which one of them caught. It was inevitable that they scored a three-pointer as the twins were not near enough to their side of the court to steal it.

The pair was now marked man-to-man. Well, it was at least two to one, though Seijūrō had three marking him. Using his most important ability, Tetsuya lowered his presence further as he ran past his marks to catch the ball that Seijūrō threw over. He immediately passed it back as Seijūrō's marks turned their heads to stare at where the ball went.

With this back and forth pass, they made it to their side and Seijūrō scored once again. The other team scored another two points since the pair could not run back as fast.

Seijūrō started with the ball again as he drove past his marks. The moment he reached the three-pointer line, the other team formed a box defense. He had to give them some praise, as they knew what form of defense to use at different situations on court.

However, they made a big miscalculation. He stopped dribbling the ball. Before anyone could block him further, he jumped and shot a three-pointer, finally allowing Tetsuya and him to reach ten points. At that moment, the whole gymnasium was silent.

Then started the murmurs of everyone. "Did two of them just beat five?" "Wait, how were those weird passes made?" "How…?"

The captain and coaches saw what happened. Indeed, Tetsuya would be an excellent trump card. The two looked at the shocked faces of everyone, then looked towards the other. Smiles broke out on their faces as they fist bumped with each other. "We did it," Seijūrō whispered. As the two walked back to the benches, they were flocked by the others, being asked random questions.

Sanada cleared his throat to get everyone's attention. "Alright. With this match coming to an end, Akashi Seijūrō and Akashi Tetsuya will be in the first string. Congratulations." By his tone, it was unsaid that if Tetsuya was a burden, he would be degraded, but Seijūrō would follow too. Even so, everyone applauded. It was not everyday you would see such an amazing play between two people.

Tetsuya smiled. It looks like they could be together again. Truth be told, he was actually afraid to be separated from his twin, since the redhead was constantly by his side. They could continue their promise of playing against Shige, all thanks to his brother. He leaned towards Seijūrō and whispered, "Sei-nii, thank you."

Aomine had suggested that they all go to the convenience stall to get a treat. Thus, Murasakibara, Midorima, Seijūrō and Tetsuya were invited. Seeing that Haizaki was alone, Tetsuya had invited him along, earning frowns from some others.

"He made it to the first string with us. And he's lonely," Tetsuya reasoned as they all walked as a group. Aomine's childhood friend, Momoi Satsuki, had followed along too. Haizaki was lurking a little behind, quite embarrassed by being invited along by the bluenette. Haizaki wanted to thank him but he never thanked people so he decided that he would just thank him subtly by actions then, as embarrassing as it was.

Reaching the convenience stall, Aomine immediately suggested that they get Gari Gari-kun soda popsicles. Tetsuya and Seijūrō shared a popsicle and saw some words on the ice cream stick when they were done.

"What do you want to do with it, Tetsuya?" Seijūrō asked.

"We don't need the prize. Why don't we give it to someone else?"

"That Miss over there?" Seijūrō asked, referring to their pink-haired acquaintance. Tetsuya nodded. Momoi, on the other hand, was staring at the whole group of boys longingly, knowing that she did not fit in to the group. Just then, the twins of the group walked up to her. "Miss, we do not need this anymore. You may have it," the one with red hair said, passing her an ice cream stick.

She stared at the piece of rubbish. They were so rude! Giving her a piece of rubbish to throw away. Huffing, she flipped the stick over, seeing the words imprinted there. "… A prize?!" Momoi whispered. At that moment, she stared at the retreating backs of the twins and she felt two arrows pierce her heart. It was love at first action, if that was even legit. "Thank you! I will surely keep it!" she yelled after them.

Aomine turned his head to her and saw the words. "Oi, Tetsu, Sei, why'd you give that to her? It's a prize! And Satsuki! Don't keep it or it'll have no use!" he yelled.

The brothers turned back and tilted their heads. "We don't need the prize."

Momoi answered, "But they gave that to me! Plus, they are much more gentlemanly than you would ever be, Dai-chan!"

Thus, going to the convenience stall became an everyday occurrence after their practices, which started on their second week of school. Momoi had even become the manager. All seven of them also ate lunch together on the rooftop each day. Haizaki always stole the others' food, all except the twins, as it was thanks to them that he had company, though he was still the punk that he was.

Everyday after practice, they would all stay back in the third gym to practice together, mostly because their ace, Aomine, their phantom, Tetsuya, and their most-likely-to-be-in-the-future captain always stayed.

These year ones won all their games and by the end of the year, they were dubbed the 'Generation of Miracles'. Their everyday life only consisted of the seven of them solely, until a certain blonde decided to join the club in year two.

"Ah sorry! Thanks for picking up the ball!" the ganguro yelled as he chased after the basketball that he had threw too hard. The blonde model glanced behind, irritated that someone had messed up his beautiful hair.

"Uhm, sure," Kise Ryōta said as he passed the ball to him. Basketball was the only club that he had not checked out. Sports were too easy for him after all. At least it was better than loitering around the school grounds. He then silently trailed the ganguro back to the gymnasium.

He stood at the entrance, stunned by the plays made by the team of colourful-haired players after watching their match. The red-haired player who was wearing the number four jersey, immediate and accurate passes. The giant, the most powerful and unbreakable defense. The bespectacled one, being able to shoot from any distance. The ashen-haired punk, stealing his opponent's moves, similar to Kise's own ability. A phantom player, who executed amazing and impossible passes.

And the ganguro… He was playing to freely, shooting from any angle he wanted. Kise wanted to do that. He wanted to play just like that. A pinkette walked over. "Ah, Kise-kun! What do you need help with?" Momoi asked. It was no surprise that most people knew his name. In fact, he was surprised that the ganguro did not know his name.

"Ah… I'm not sure if this is too late to ask but… Could I join the basketball club?"