AN: Here starts new chapter. I know it took me awhile to upload it, I've procrastinating a lot. I'll try to upload more often. I hope my action writing has improved a bit, and if not leave any way I could improve. Hope you enjoy this chapter. Remember I do NOT own Kuroko no Basket, I only own the OC.
Chapter 4
Vs. Seiho
After sitting out for most of the games of the tournament Ryuto was starting to get a bit restless. His legs would twitch from time to time, and he was getting really jittery. After the two games yesterday the team seemed really sore and tired out. Even with that Kagami was still eating a lot at lunch.
"Do you really have to eat all of that?" Ryuto asked. "I'm tired and hungry after yesterday. Who are you to talk, you haven't even played." Kagami responded. "If it's of any concern I'm sore as well." Kuroko said.
Kagami and Ryuto looked back at their teammate who was only eating a small sandwich and a juice.
"You need to eat more Kuroko, that can't be enough." Ryuto said. "He's right." Kagami agreed.
Kagami then started to stretch as he finished his comment. A few moments later all three of them head a voice calling their names.
"Kagami-kun, Kuroko-kun, and Ryuto-kun can you come over here please." the voice call out.
The three boys turned to see the coach standing the the doorway holding two boxes. Ryuto got up the fastest and grabbed both of the boxes, they were not all that heavy.
"Thanks Ryuto-kun." the coach said. "It's not a problem. I got this guys, rest up." Ryuto said to Kagami and Kuroko.
"Gameplay DVD's what for?" Ryuto asked. "It's so we can review, both Seiho and Shutoku, but it's mostly Seiho games." the coach answered. "Ok then. Where are we taking them?" Ryuto asked. "To the locker room." the coach said.
They continued walking down the hallways until they made it to the locker room. Ryuto placed the boxes down, he wiped his forehead even if he was not sweating. The day went by normally, and practice went by smoothly. Everyone seemed on edge about the coming games, everyone knew that they were going to be tough. And playing back-to-back against two strong teams was not going to be a walk in the park. As Ryuto walked back to his apartment he felt his phone buzz. He took it out of his pocket and saw that his cousin was calling him.
"Hey Satsuki, whats up?" Ryuto asked. "I heard your team has made it pretty far in the preliminary tournament." Satsuki answered. "Yeah we have, to be honest I haven't played all that much. Starting to get a bit restless." Ryuto said. "I bet. Our team is pretty much breezing through." Satsuki said. "Has he gone to any of the games?" Ryuto asked. "No he hasn't." Satsuki answered. "I'm pretty sure if we end up playing you guys he'll show." Ryuto said. "To play you probably." Satsuki replied. "Yeah no doubt. Talk more later I gotta watch some game film." Ryuto said. "Ok then, hope we can see each other before the court." Satsuki replied as she hung up.
She's still as talkative as ever Ryuto thought to himself. He walked into his apartment and got prepared to head to sleep, tomorrow was going to be a long day. The next day the team sat together to watch the the video of Seiho, Ryuto had seen a different video, but their play style was still the same. After the video ended the room was quite for a few moments, until Izuki spoke.
"We already knew, but this is going to be tough." Izuki commented. "Sorry, but I feel like crying again." Koga said sheepishly. "Frankly, we'd loose nine times out of ten against against Seiho and Shutoku. We just have to bring that one win to out games." the coach said enthusiastically. "Hey listen," Hyūga started to say, "I wouldn't go so far as to call it a strategy, but I have an idea."
The day passed and the team headed for the court to get ready for the game. As they practiced, Kagami kept looking towards Shutoku as they practiced. Ryuto could tell even if he looking at Midorima his mind was on the current objective, but Hyūga did not think so and proceeded to scold him. Kagami proceeded to study Seiho, something Ryuto was not expecting. Ryuto studied Seiho as well, something was off about them but Ryuto could not figure it out. Furihata then commented on how normal they looked while they practiced, just about everyone was curious about them and scared. The coach went on to explain their key players, which were their third year captain, Iwamura Tsutomu and Kasuga Ryūhei.
"You're Kagami-kun, aren't you?" a voice asked directed at Kagami.
He looked back to find find Seiho's bald first year, looking at him with glee.
"Your hair's so red! Scary! Captain, this is the guy right?" the boy called out.
Kagami seemed irritated at the boy's demeanor. Quite frankly to Ryuto as well, he was one of those people who speaks without thinking.
"Seirin's really weak, but they have one strong guy!" the boy called out.
Ryuto looked over to his coach who was about to blow a fuse with that comment. Ryuto was about to walk over to the boy when he saw Seiho's captain walking over.
"Quit messing around, you idiot." he said punching him on the back of the head. "Sorry about that. This guy can't read situations so he just says what he's thinking."
"You don't need to apologize," Hyūga started to say, "we are going to win. If you look down on us like you did last year, you'll end up in tears."
"That won't happen. Besides, we weren't looking down on you. You were just weak, that's all." the captain said rather bluntly.
The two walked back to their side arguing, while the Seirin looked at them with distaste. As the warmup period ended both teams headed for their locker rooms. Seirin sat in silence for a while, everyone was rather gloomy. Ryuto noticed the coach studying them, no doubt trying figure out a way to cheer them up. She them clapped her hand gaining everyone's attention.
"You all seem a bit too uptight," she started to say, "I thought of a reward to cheer you up."
Ryuto's eyes widened he knew, more or less, where this was going. The manager of his middle school team would do the same whenever the team seemed gloomy. She would try to cheer them up but all she would end up doing was embarrassing herself.
"If you win the next game-" the coach started to say in a weird pose. "Before you embarrass yourself in front of us, I got something that could cheer you guys up, maybe." Ryuto said cutting the coach off.
The coach sighed in relief at Ryuto's intervention. Ryuto smiled and turned to the team, everyone was looking at him.
"I know we have a tough game up ahead, forget about the end goal for a moment and look at the current obstacle. We're facing a team thats known as a king, wouldn't it feel good to beat a team like that knocking them down from their throne? And if we loose we loose. Don't get me wrong it'll suck, big time, but a loss doesn't have to feel so painful. It can be way to find out where you went wrong and fix it for next time. And if we win well we feel glad to have over come such an obstacle and look towards the future." Ryuto said with a determined look on his face.
The team looked at him in awe, nobody seemed on edge anymore. Everyone was pumped up for the game.
"Ryuto's right. We lost to Seiho last time by large deficit. So much so that we considered to quit basketball altogether, but we pulled ourselves up. Now we are here to win this and move on to the future, Ryuto said." Hyūga said also with a determined look.
The team did their chant Seirin, fight! and headed out towards the court to play their toughest game yet. Ryuto looked a how inspired his teammates were, they were all ready for the game. As they walked onto the court a new game was about to played and Ryuto was sure that the were going to win. Both teams starting squads were standing in a line in front of each other, everyone had a determined look on their faces, both teams wanted to win. The announcer announced both teams, as soon as he finished the ball was thrown for the jump ball and the game commenced. Four minutes had passed in the game and Seiho had a 12-0 lead, Ryuto sat on the bench and gritted his teeth. He studied the opponent their rhythm was different from normal players, their movements had more flow to them. Their defense was the toughest part to beat, Seiho really had the best defense in the country. Kagami was struggling with the bald Seiho player trying go around him, Izuki moved behind him asking for the ball. Once he received it he went for a layup, but was stopped by Seiho's captain. The team was really struggling to get a point and without scoring the team would have trouble getting it's gears moving. Then the bald player made a comment, which clearly pissed Kagami off and he pushed right past the bald player drawing a charging foul. Ryuto face palmed at Kagami's recklessness, his hotheadedness was affecting the whole team. Even passing was a problem, without Kuroko to set up plays with his passes scoring was made even more difficult. The coach called a timeout so the starting five could sit down at take a breather before the coach explained anything.
"They use old martial arts techniques in their play style." the coach explained. "Old martial arts, you mean like this?" Kagami said flailing his arms around. "It's not a Bruce Lee movie Taiga." Ryuto said. "They use a something called namba running, it's where your arms and legs move in sync with each other. But they will fall for fakes, so try to catch them off balance. Luckily we have someone who can really throw people off balance." the coach said looking at Ryuto. "I'll use my crossover, but not my ankle breaker thats something I'm saving for someone else." Ryuto said. "Fine. Switch with Mitobe-kun Ryuto-kun." the coach said. "Got it." Ryuto said.
The timeout ended with Ryuto starting this time, he could murmurs in the stands about how could they possibly beat Seiho's defense. Ryuto smiled the stands were in for a surprise. Izuki passed him the ball and stood at the three point line dribbling with his right hand. The person guarding him was Seiho's captian.
"Do you really think you can get past me, with such bad dribbling?" he asked. "Well how about I show you." Ryuto said.
He slowed down his dribbling and waited for the key to open a small window. Ryuto then saw his window and smiled he moved the ball to his left hand, and just as he did against Kaijo, Ryuto was under the basket in seconds with ball going into the hoop then bouncing on the ground. The crowd was silent as the ball bounced on the floor, then the was an explosion of voices ranging from: "What was that?" to "How did he do that?" Seirin patted Ryuto on the back congratulating him on scoring their first point. Ryuto looked back to find Seiho's captain pissed. For Ryuto the game was just getting started. Even with Ryuto's point and a few more Serin still could not pick up steam. Kagami now had three fouls and Kuroko was struggling to get his passes off. Then Kuroko had a conversation with the bald boy from Seiho who made comment that made everyone's blood boil. With that Seirin found what was necessary to find it's pace. Kuroko was now able to find find openings in their defense to make accurate passes to people. The first quarter ended with both teams tied 19-19. At the end of the quarter Seiho's captain walked up to Seirin apologizing for what the bald boy had said. Hyūga responded by saying that the loss to them last year was their drive to win. During the quarter intermission the coach went over how to keep progressing.
"This game is just getting started! Keep the same formation! You're being lead around by their passes too much, so tighten your zone. Also, Kagami, you have a lot of fouls. If you just timidly match your opponents, they'll control the flow of the game. Remember to attack!" the coach finished explaining.
As the team acknowledged they headed back onto the court to start the second half. Then Ryuto was called over by the coach to talk privately.
"After this quarter I'm going to sit you out for the rest of the game." she said sternly. "Might I ask why?" Ryuto asked. "So if we win you can be a more or less full strength against Shutoku." she answered. "Makes sense. I'll trust your judgement." Ryuto said as he jogged back to his teammates on the court.
The announcer announced the start of the second quarter and it had begun. Once it began Ryuto noticed an immediate change in their man-to-man defense, they were a lot closer now. The rest of the team began to notice as well. The opponent decided to go full strength in this quarter. Once Kagami was passed the ball he had trouble shaking off his defender. Ryuto could see Kuroko coming in from behind the bald boy, Kagami passed the ball through his legs to Kuroko. Who passed back to Kagami, once he was stopped in his tracks by Seiho's captain he passed the ball once again to Kuroko, who proceeded to alley-ooped to Kagami, who then dunked it in. The bald boy looked surprised at the maneuver while the crowd was amazed at the play. Ryuto went over to congratulate his friend for the play, but he noticed something off about him. He seemed too tired out for only the second quarter, Kagami was overexerting himself by playing so aggressive. Instead Ryuto patted him on shoulder. During Seirin's next possession of the ball, it was give almost immediately to Kagami. This time the defense on him was not as close as before. Ryuto saw Kagami square up for a dunk, but Ryuto realized what was about to happen.
"Taiga wait!" Ryuto yelled but his words landed on deaf ears.
As he went up Kagami pushed the bald boy down drawing his fourth foul. Ryuto gritted his teeth, he should have known something like this was going to happen. Ryuto then saw the coach walk up to the scorekeepers, no doubt wanting to make a substitution.
"I'd like to make a substitution." the coach asked.
Kagami spun around trying to argue that he would play calmer. He then turned to Hyūga, who explained the situation to him.
"This actually works out perfectly. We were planning on switching you, Kuroko, and Ryuto out after the first half ended. We made this decision because you three are the key to defeating Midorima. Even if we win this game we need a strategy to beat Midorima and Shutoku for out next game. As we predicted Shutoku is already conserving Midorima's strength. We can't win if you three are spent." Hyūga explained.
Kagami tried to argue that if they lost this game Shutoku would not even matter, but Hyūga stopped him and continued talking.
"We know it's a gamble. But if we can conserve you three or atlas two we'll have a slim chance at beating Shutoku and reaching the championship league." Hyūga.
Kagami once again began to argue that even if they were tired they would still find a way to be Midorima.
"Kagami, let's do as they say." Kuroko said. "I agree the coach told me this already, but hearing it from the captain makes even more sense." Ryuto added. "You too." Kagami said sadly.
As they finished explaining, the coach brought in Koga and Tsuchida in for Kuroko and Kagami. While Ryuto would finish the quarter. The game continued with a fast pace Ryuto was core scorer of the team until he was subbed out at halftime. The score was still close thanks in part Izuki's ability to coordinate play's plus the skills the seniors had polished for a year. Ryuto was impressed at their teamwork, playing together one really gets to know your team. Ryuto felt as if he was transported back to middle school with his old team.
Flashback(Ryuto's flashbacks are in english, you know what I mean)
"Great teamwork today guys." Ryuto said to his team. "Damn right captain!" one player said excitedly. "Yeah but don't get mushy on us." another said. "Why do you have to be so cold? Wait that's a great nickname for you, COLD!" another said excitedly.
The one now dubbed Cold rolled his eyes and walked away. The team laughed at the new nickname their teammate got. Ryuto looked towards his team it may be his first and only year as captain, but he was going to make the most of it.
"All right everyone gather around!" a voice called out. "We'll be right over coach!" Ryuto said. "Come on guys." Ryuto called out to his teammates.
The team gathered around the coach he brought a white board with him in order to explain the game plan for their next game. He explained everyone's role for this game even those who were not starting.
"Does everyone understand what they're going to do?" the coach asked. "Yeah!" everyone responded. "Great now play a scrimmage against each other as a final drill." the coach said adjusting his glasses.
The team separated into two groups of five, with Ryuto being the captain of one team and the other was a boy with brown hair and green-brown eyes.
"Why is Taiga on your team? Thats so not fair Ryuto!" one boy complained. "You said I could get first pick so I chose him, now deal with it." Ryuto said.
As the teams set themselves up for the start of the scrimmage, the coach threw the ball signaling the start of the game.
End Flashback
Ryuto looked back towards the court to see his seniors, Ryuto could see his old team in them. Then Ryuto was broken out of his stroll down memory lane, when Koga came bursting to the bench trying to get a loose ball. He then tripped on the bench and landed on the back of his head. Ryuto looked at his senior who was clearly dazed. The coach then turned to everyone with a grim look on her face.
"He'll have to be subbed out." the coach said. "Let me go, please! I can't just sit around anymore!" Kagami pleaded. "NO! Did you forget the whole reason why you're resting?" Hyūga said. "But-" Kagami started to say but was cut short by Kuroko. "I agree someone with four fouls should not be put in." Kuroko said. "Why Kuroko…" Kagami said irritated.
Kaagmi then started to squeeze his head. Ryuto sighed and walked towards his friend and swatted him on the back of the head.
"Calm the hell down. You have four fouls one wrong move and you'll be thrown out of the game. To be honest you're still tired out from pushing your self, also you Kuroko." Ryuto said.
The bench remained silent for a a few moments. Everyone was trying to process how quickly Ryuto calmed everyone down.
"Ryuto's right. So I'm putting him in. We're halfway through the fourth quarter and he knows how to conserve energy." the coach said. "Got it." Right said.
He walked towards his teammates that were waiting for him on the court. He looked back at Kagami, who was still frustrated at not being put into the game. He must really want that payback to baldy Ryuto thought.
"Hey Taiga!" Ryuto called out in english.
Kagami looked towards him in surprise, he only english to him when he was angry. But his face showed no sign of anger.
"I'll beat baldy for you." Ryuto said with a smile. "Go for it." Kigali said.
Ryuto looked towards the bald boy who appeared saddened for not being able to play against Kagami. This guy's a real handful Ryuto thought.
"They brought in you instead of Kagami, this sucks." the bald boy said. "I'll be more than enough for you." Ryuto replied.
The bald boy called to one of his teammates asking to change his marks from Izuki to Ryuto. HIs senior ultimately agreed to change marks, so now Ryuto was being guarded by the bald boy. Ryuto got into his position on offense and standing in between him and the basket was the bald boy.
"If they put you in, a first year, that means your seniors must be really desperate." the bald boy commented. "It's true they are a small bit desperate." Ryuto said as he received that ball.
He then started to dribble with his right hand, he was wide open all the way to the basket. Ryuto smiled, he then crossed over to his left and disappeared from in front of his mark. The bald boy had a face of confusion as he saw Ryuto score a lay up completely unguarded. As he landed Ryuto looked back at the bald boy.
"But they put faith in me to continue playing for someone else. I respect those types of people, so I respect my seniors." Ryuto said as he jogged back to defense.
As Seiho's captain brought down the ball he passed to the point gaurd, but the pass was intercepted by Hyūga. Who fast breaked towards the basket but was cutoff by one of Seiho's players. He then made a quick pass to Ryuto, who was open for a shot, but was loosely guarded by the bald boy. Instead of taking a shot Ryuto passed it to Mitobe who scored a lay up.
"Why didn't you shoot, you were open?" the bald boy asked. "Because this game means more to my seniors than it does to me." Ryuto said as he got back to defense.
The game dragged on with Seirin on the offensive. They have only allowed Seiho to score a few points in the fourth quarter. Even if the whole point of putting Ryuto in was to have Kagami and Kuroko sit out longer to rest, Ryuto was starting to get tired himself. Seirin had managed to take the lead with 29 seconds left, the score was 70-69, a one point game. Ryuto panted and wiped sweat off his forehead. Hyūga then walked over and patted him on the shoulder.
"If you need a rest, you can take one." he said calmly. "I want to finish this game." Ryuto said determined.
Once Seirin made it back to defense Seiho came barreling through the defense and their captain scored a dunk, taking the lead. The crowd was sent into a frenzy. The captain yelled that it would take then years before Seirin could beat Seiho. When Serin went to inbound the ball Seiho set up a full court man to man. Ryuto was guarded by a determined looking bald boy. Once they managed to inbound it Izuki passed it to Mitobe, who then passed it back. Izuki then saw Ryuto open a passed it to him, before he could place the ball on the ground the bald boy appeared in front of him. Ryuto tsked, he then squared up to take a jump shot. When he jumped he saw Hyūga next to him waiting for a pass. Ryuto readjusted his hands to have his left hand on the same side of the ball as his right and passed it Hyūga. As he landed back on the ground he faced the bald boy.
"I'm not the one who is supposed to make the final point, that job belongs to my seniors." Ryuto said as Hyūga released the ball.
As the ball flew through the air, it felt like everything was in slow motion. The clock ticked down the final seconds as the ball flew. Everyone was looking at ball no bothered to set up a box out. Ryuto could feel that the ball was indeed going to make it to the hoop. The ball did go in, with a noting but net. The clock timer expired just as the ball went through. For a few seconds the court was silent, then it erupted in excitement as the referee blew the whistle. The bench jumped up in happiness while the ones on the court celebrated with each other. The game had ended 73-71 Seirin had won. Ryuto smiled at his teammates and was patted on back by Hyūga.
"Nice pass. And to be honest I thought you were going to take the shot." Hyūga admitted. "Well I was, but I saw you and decided that you were the one who should take the winning shot." Ryuto said with a smile.
As Seirin celebrated, the bald boy started to yell saying that loosing to a team that just recently formed was impossible. Everyone turned to him with stern looks on their faces. The Seiho's captain placed his hand on the boy's shoulders.
"Enough Tsugawa, the strong don't win. It's winning that makes you strong. And they won." he said calmly yet with a disappointed tone.
The captain walked away leaving the boy with perplexed look on his face. Seirin walked back towards their bench to head to the locker room. But they were stopped by a voice calling out.
"You! Who are you?" he asked gesturing to Ryuto. "Excuse me?" Ryuto asked. "Your name?" he asked again. "I'm Ryuto Rishihara." Ryuto answered. "I'll remember it. I defiantly won't forget." he said. "Right then." Ryuto said.
Both teams lined up at the center of the court. The referee announced the winners of the game and both teams thanked each other and bowed. The team walked back to the bench and Ryuto noticed the coach getting emotional and tapped Hyūga on the shoulder.
"Yeah?" Hyūga asked.
Ryuto then pointed at the coach not saying a word.
"Why me? Your better with words." Hyūga argued.
Ryuto just kept pointing with a sterner look on his face.
"Fine." Hyūga said and walked over to her.
Behind them a whistle was heard signaling the end of a game. Ryuto looked back and saw that Shutoku had decimated their opponent. He saw the team walk off the court and then saw Midorima looking straight a Kuroko and Kagami. Ryuto waved to his friend, Takao, as he walked off into the dark hallway. Seirin headed back into their locker room and started to stretch and keep warm since another game was up next. The coach was giving instructions on what to replenish on and how to stay warm. Ryuto sat on the bench and just started at his left hand, he looked back to the final pass he made against Seiho. Normally a pass like that is impossible, I should've taken that shot Ryuto thought to himself. He looked away from his hand and found the coach staring at him.
"Something the matter?" Ryuto asked. "Yeah you. You look very pensive." the coach said. "Can I talk to you in private for a second?" Ryuto asked. "Sure but make it quick." the coach said.
The two walked outside the locker room and stood in front of the door.
"What is it?" the coach asked impatiently. "Ok, straight to the point. That pass I made to Hyūga in the final seconds of the game shouldn't have happened." Ryuto said. "What do you mean?" the coach asked with a confused look on her face. "Well normally someone set up to take a shot they're supposed to take it, but I passed it." Ryuto said. "I don't understand." the coach said. "How do I explain this…Well I went for the shot but before I jumped everything around me blurred. All I could see was the hoop, the ball and Hyūga out of the corner of my eye. Then I moved my left hand to pass it to him. Seconds later my vision was back to normal." Ryuto explained.
The coach put her hand to her chin, clearly thinking about something. Ryuto had no idea what it was or could even make sense out of it.
"If it happens again, tell me about it. For now there's nothing I can describe what you were feeling." she said as she entered back into the locker room.
Ryuto sighed. He shoot the thoughts about what he did out of his head and focused on the next game, which was going to be the toughest today. He opened the door of the locker room and walked back in.
AN: And here end the fourth chapter. I hope you enjoyed this chapter and expect another soon(maybe). I put in the flashback as way to understand the OC more. Next chapter things get real intense. Side note: In order to keep things linear with the original story certain things are going to happen for that reason, Seirin is still going to loose against Too but for another reason(maybe not). Remember to review, follow, and/or favorite if your've enjoyed. If you have any suggestions leave in the reviews or message me.
