CHAPTER 4: Show me your spirit


"What kind of joke is this, Kagetora-san?" Hyuga asked. "Do I look like I'm joking, megane-kun?" Kagetora replied waving with the gun in front of his face. "But, it wouldn't be fair to them. They're girls." Izuki added.

"Oh, what is this? Are you underestimating us just because we're girls?" Rina asked. "No, but…" "It looks like you are and it pisses me off!" Lie angrily added. "Then we'll just have to settle this with basketball and show you how wrong you are. Right, Nii-san?" Miya said.

"I agree with Miya. We shouldn't judge them before we see them playing." Kuroko replied. "Either way, we don't have much choice, do we? Well then, let's have a good match next Saturday, Captain." Hyuga said offering Rina his hand which she gladly accepted.

"I'm looking forward to it. We won't go easy on you." Rina replied. "Neither will we." They were glaring at each other. "Wow! Their fighting spirit is really something." Aiko commented. "We aren't going to lose…desu!" Kagami mumbled looking at Reiko. "Desu?" she was confused.

"Of course we're going to win baka-aniki!" Lie added. "Not gonna happen pipsqueak!" Wanna bet?" she challenged him. "In what?" he asked. "If you win, you can order me for the entire week, but if I win, you will have to eat vegetables for a month. No meat, only vegetables!" she said.

"A whole month without meat?! Are you nuts?!" he yelled. "What is it? Where did all of your confidence suddenly go?" she teased him. "It's right here! You got it! I'm gonna win this and continue eating burgers!" Kagami stated.

"Kagami-kun, that's not good for your health. You should eat some vegetables once in a while." Kuroko advised him. "No way! I can't survive without meat!" Kagami complained. "You remind me of Aomine-kun." Kuroko said. "Which part?"Kagami protested. "Your unsatisfiable desire for meat, for example." Kuroko replied. "Don't compare me to that idiot! We're nothing alike!" Kagami mumbled.

"Well, that would be all. You may go." Riko said. "Girls! One more thing. I want you to be at school tomorrow at 7:30 AM." Kagetora said. "Why?" Rina asked. "You're going to have an initiation test. Riko told me that's like a tradition here at Seirin so you have to do it too." he explained.

"You mean yelling from the roof like idiots?" Miya mumbled. "I doubt the roof will be available since the last years incident, but we'll make sure to think of something." Riko added with a smile. "Poor girls. Who knows what the Coach will come up with." Koganei whispered.

Next day:

"So? Why are we here?" Aiko asked. "Yeah, I wanted to sleep more." Lie complained. "There, there girls. It's just an initiation test." Riko comforted them. "Where is Coach Kagetora?" Rina asked. "He said he had some business to finish so he couldn't come. He sent me instead."

"What's the challenge?" Miya asked. "Actually it's similar to the one from last year. You will have to let us know all about your goals and what are your expectations for the team, but since the roof is off limits, you can use the whole school to think of a way to show us your dedication to basketball." Riko explained.

"Wait a minute! What the hell am I supposed to do? Get attention from people?" Rina mumbled. "Exactly! Choose one place with a lot of people, do something to get their attention and let them know about your goals. Simple as that." Riko said.

"Simple, my ass! You think it's easy to make people listen to you?" Miya mumbled. "You'll just have to be imaginative. The deadline is till the end of the day. Good luck." Riko told them. "What about practice?" Reiko asked. "Of course you aren't allowed to play until you pass the initiation test. See you!" she said leaving.

"Oh man! What are we going to do? From now on we have classes and in between we have to work on passing this stupid test." Lie was irritated. "We have to think of something. We can use the whole school as long as there are a lot of people." Rina said. "Let's observe for a while and then decide." Miya suggested.


During lunch time:

"Ah, this is bad! I can't think of anything! I really want to punch myself right now." Rina mumbled while drinking her juice. "Calm down! You'll think of something." Miya said. "Yeah right! By the way, what's with the smug faces you two?" Rina asked pointing at Aiko and Reiko.

"That's because we already finished with our task." Reiko said. "You did? What did you do?" Lie asked. "Just look." Aiko said pointing at the group of students who were watching three guys wearing T-shirts with the writing "Girls basketball team is the best". "How did you make them wear those embarrassing T-shirts?" Rina asked.

"We did some research. It turned out that those 3 are what you call the most popular guys of Seirin High School and since the girls are crazy about them, we decided to use them as promotional material for our handmade T-shirts. They look cool, don't they?" Reiko explained.

"How did you even convince them to wear them?" Miya asked. "We simply told them that we would shave their heads if they don't wear our T-shirts. After that they immediately agreed." Aiko said. "Well, of course! You two are way too scary." Rina mumbled.

"I see! So we basically just need to get their attention somehow, right? I think I have a pretty good idea of what I'm going to do." Lie said with a smirk. "What are you going to do?" Rina asked. "You'll see. Now, if you'll excuse me. I have to finish this before the lunch break ends." After saying that, she got up and left. "What is she thinking?" Miya wondered.

"Uwah! I just got chills." Kagami exclaimed walking through the hall with Kuroko. "Are you ok, Kagami-kun?" Kuroko asked. "I'm fine, it's just that I have a really bad feeling about something." Kagami replied. And his hunch wasn't wrong at all. They walked towards the food stand like usually.

"Oba-chan, the usual." Kagami said. "I'm sorry, but no more burgers for you, Kagami. Weren't 50 burgers enough for you?" the working grandma said.

"What do you mean? I just came to buy my usual amount." he was confused. "Your sister was here 10 minutes ago saying that you sent her to buy 50 burgers. Thanks to that, I'm out of burgers for today." The lady explained.

"That little brat! She took all of my burgers! I simply knew something bad was going to happen, but I swear she's going to hear me!" Kagami was fuming from anger.

"Kagami-kun, calm down. I'm sure she had a reason for doing that." Kuroko tried to calm him. "I don't care! I'm starving and it's her fault." He yelled.

"Look! What is that?" Some students commented. In the school yard was written with the burgers "I'll take the top!"

"Kagami-kun, I think I know why your sister took all of your burgers." Kuroko said pointing at the scene. "That idiot! What's with the 'I'll take the top'? This isn't High School for yankees." Kagami mumbled.

"Now you've done it Lie! Who else would think of using burgers to write a declaration like that." Rina commented. "I know, right? I'm a genius." Lie proudly said until she got smacked in the head by Kagami.

"Genius, my ass! Give me back my burgers!" he yelled. "Oh, stop yelling! You won't die from not eating burgers for one day." She replied. "You stole them!" "You let your guard down, baka-aniki. If you're going to be like this during the match, then our victory is guaranteed." "Yeah right, you little brat!" They argued.

"Um, shouldn't we do something to stop them?" Kuroko asked. "Just let them be. I'm sure they've always been like this. It's nice to see two siblings so close to each other." Rina commented and Kuroko glanced at her for a brief moment before changing the subject.

"Did you think of something for your initiation test?" he asked and she froze. "I guess not. Well, don't worry. Last year, I finished the test last, but it didn't matter because the main point of this test is to show your dedication to basketball." Kuroko said.

"Thank you, Kuroko-kun. I think I have a good idea now." Rina replied with a smile. "I'm glad to hear that. By the way, have you seen Miya?" he asked. "She rushed somewhere saying that she figured out what to do for her test." Rina replied.

Suddenly, they could hear her voice on the speakers. "Hello. My name is Kuroko Miya. I'm first year and member of the girls basketball team which has just formed here at Seirin. In a week we're going to have a practice match against Seirin basketball team so be sure to come and support us, ok? Thank you for your attention. Oh, and by the way, the guys from the broadcasting room are giving out a special limited edition of Aomine Daiki's adult magazines which he generously donated to our school so be sure to come and grab your own copy." Miya said and finished the speech. Right after that the guys started running towards the broadcasting room.

"What the hell was that? Did Aomine really donate those magazines?" Kagami mumbled. "Of course he didn't. Miya said Momoi-san sent her those this morning without Aomine noticing." Lie said. "I bet he's gonna be pissed off." He commented.

"I've let my sister spend too much time with Aomine-kun. What have I done?" Kuroko said. "Don't worry. She's always been like that." Rina tried to consulate him.


Meanwhile at Too Academy:

"Gone! They're gone! My porn magazines are gone! My Horikita Mai-chan!" Aomine cried uselessly trying to find his magazines. "Stop crying already. It's not the end of the world." Momoi said.

"Satsuki! This must be your deed! What have you done to my collection of perfectly shaped boobs?" he yelled. "I'm sure your collection of perfectly shaped boobs found its good use in the charity purposes where I sent it." She replied. "How could you do that? I'll remember this!" he yelled so loud that the whole school could hear him.


"Well, I guess I'm the last one to finish this. Good job Rina! You're such a reliable Captain." Rina mumbled angry at herself. She was sitting by the pool trying to think of something.

"Do you need help?" Kuroko asked appearing behind her. "God! Don't scare me like that! And no, I don't need help." She immediately replied after standing up. "But you looked pretty bummed so I thought that I should offer you my help." He replied looking at her with innocent eyes.

"I appreciate the offer, but I'm supposed to do this on my own. I can't ask for your help all the time." She honestly said.

At that moment Hyuga and Izuki were passing by when they saw an interesting scene. "Oh, there's cheese in this. This could be a good pun. Hyuga, say cheese." Izuki said eating his bread. "No way! I don't want to be part of your stupid puns." Hyuga instantly refused.

"Stupid puns he says… Hey, aren't those Furihata and the others?" Izuki mumbled. "What are they doing? Oi, second years, are you skipping practice?" Hyuga yelled. "Captain, be quiet! We're spying on Kuroko and that new girl, Akashi's sister. They're together again." Furihata said.

"Really? Let me see. Izuki, come over here. Your eagle eye might be useful." Hyuga said joining them. "Are we seriously going to spy on Kuroko? And I've told you million times that my eagle eye doesn't work like that. I can see them clearly, not hear them." Izuki replied trying to convince them that what they were about to do was wrong, but to no avail.

"Shh! I can't hear! Oho, what do we have here? Something interesting is about to happen." Hyuga replied completely ignoring Izuki's words.

In the front, Kuroko was observing Rina's anxious expression so he started talking. "But it actually makes me feel good to have someone rely on me so let me be selfish just this one time and ask for my help. Anything you need."

"Kuroko, you smooth-talker. Now I see why he's so popular with the girls." Hyuga commented. "Isn't this enough? If Coach sees us, she will kill us for sure." Izuki said.

"You can bet on that." Riko said behind them. "Oh crap!" they mumbled. "What the hell are you…" Riko started yelling, but Hyuga quickly covered her mouth. "Shh! We're watching Kuroko and Rina. Don't you want to see our kouhai growing up?" Hyuga said tempting her.

"Who do you take me for?" she started strictly but then… "Move away, I can't see anything!" she said pushing them. "Even the Coach!" Izuki face palmed himself.

"Well then. Can you help me with the balloons while I finish tying them?" Rina nervously said. "Are you ok? Your face is kind of red." Kuroko asked getting closer to her face. "No!" she yelled and unintentionally moved her hand ready to punch him, but luckily he avoided it.

"Yes. I mean, I'm fine. Oh, I'm so sorry." She apologized. "No. I'm the one that should apologize. I shouldn't have got so close to you." Kuroko replied. "It's not your fault. Whenever a boy gets close to me, I punch them unintentionally. I guess it's a reflex." She explained.

"But you didn't punch me." He replied. "You're actually the first boy to avoid my fist." She quietly said. "So I'm the first? I'm glad." He said with a small smile barely noticeable.

"You're glad? Why?" she asked surprised. "So, what should I do with these?" Kuroko asked holding the balloons. "He avoided my question. Well, never mind." She thought.

"I think this is enough." Rina said taking the balloons from him. "What are you planning to do with these balloons?" he asked. "I'll use them to promote our team with s little help from a well-known friend. He should arrive soon." Rina replied.

"Oi, Kuroko!" Kagami called him arriving to where they were. "What's withal these balloons? Are you throwing a party or something?" he asked. "It's for the test." Rina replied. "Oh right, that test. But balloons? That's a rather bland approach, don't you think? You have to be more straightforward." he said.

"You mean like yelling from the top of the roof like an idiot? That's old school Bakagami. I'm going to do something more original." Rina replied with a smug smile leaving. "Kuroko-kun, thank you for your help." She added.

"Bakagami?! I was just trying to give her a useful advice, but that brat had to speak to me like that. Seriously. What's wrong with her?" Kagami complained until he caught a glimpse of Kuroko's judging expression.

"What? What is it?" Kagami grumpily asked. "Nothing… Bakagami." Kuroko simply said getting ready to leave. "You too? What did I do to deserve this?" he yelled irritated.

While Kuroko was walking away, he suddenly stopped in front of the bush where Hyuga and the others were hiding, bowed and said: "Good afternoon." and then proceeded walking away. "He totally knew we were here, didn't he?" Izuki mumbled.

"That's why I told you to use your eagle eye." Hyuga replied. "Again with that? Whose idea was to spy on those two in the first place, huh?" he lectured them. "Tee-hee!" Hyuga and Riko said at the same time.

"Don't you tee-hee me. We ended up in this mess because of you, you stupid couple. Oh…" "Don't you even dare!" Hyuga yelled stopping him from saying out loud another one of his puns.

"Captain, Coach, Izuki-senpai. Why are you all here?" Kagami asked after noticing them. "We were spying on Kuroko and Rina until you came and ruined everything Bakagami!" Riko said. "Why would you do that?" he asked confused.

"Get a clue Kagami! What do you think happens when a boy and a girl spend some time together and the mood gets really good?" Hyuga asked.

"Um… They play basketball together?" Kagami replied. "No! Not basketball. They end up like me and Riko." Hyuga said taking her hand into his, but she suddenly blushed and slapped him really hard.

"Oh, I know! The girl ends up beating the guy just like the Coach beats you all the time." He enthusiastically said. "Ok, bad example." Hyuga said massaging his, now already red cheek. "It's spring. People tend to fall in love during this time of the year." Riko basically spelled it out for him.

"So?" he still didn't get it. "I give up! What else should we expect from a Bakagami! Just go and find someone to make your flowers bloom." Hyuga mumbled waving with his hand. "Hyuga, the only thing that's blooming is your red cheek." Izuki commented holding back his laugh. "Izuki, shut up!" he yelled and left with others while the confused Kagami was just standing there scratching the back of his head.


"There. I delivered you at the Seirin. Now tell me the reason of your surprising phone call saying that you want to come here. Don't tell me that you missed Kuroko, Shin-chan?" Takao said after he stopped in front of the gate with Midorima sitting in the back of the rickshaw as usually.

"Of course not, you fool. I came because Akashi's sister apparently goes here to school and needs help about something. That's the only reason why I came here. And don't say that you delivered me like I'm some object. " Midorima replied fixing his glasses.

"Is that so? Somehow it's not like you to be someone's errand boy. But who could have thought that Akashi's sister would go to Seirin? Is she pretty?" Takao asked carefully observing him.

"What kind of question is that?" Midorima replied. "Oh, come on! It's a normal question. It's not like I'm asking you to tell me which color is your underwear today." "Takao!" Midorima raised his voice.

"Oh, there you are. Long time no see Mido-chan!" Rina said waving her hand at them. "Rina! I told you million times to stop calling me like that." Midorima replied annoyed.

"Well, I guess that answers my question whether she's pretty. Moreover, she called you Mido-chan? Indeed, it's a really cute nickname." Takao said bursting out in laugh. "Takao, stop laughing!" Midorima yelled.

"Don't yell Mido-chan!" Rina said. "That's right, MIDO-CHAN!" Takao teasingly said laughing even harder. "TAKAO!" Midorima snapped. "Thank you for bringing him. I'm Akashi Rina." She introduced herself.

"It's a pleasure to meet you. Kazunari Takao, his eternal partner." Takao replied pointing at Midorima. "Stop saying stupidities. So? What do you want?" Midorima asked. "Don't you want your lucky item first?" Rina asked. "I knew it. It had to be something related to his lucky item or else this guy wouldn't come." Takao mumbled.

"Give it to me later. Tell me what you want first?" Midorima quickly said. "You're acting suspiciously. What is his lucky item?" Takao suddenly asked. "Didn't he tell you? It's a b…" "A basketball magazine." She started, but he cut her off. "Really? Then why did you act like you didn't want me to find out?" Takao mumbled.

"Let's just get over with this." Midorima yelled. "Fine, fine. I want to borrow your rickshaw." Rina said. "For what?" "To make a little announcement. Can I? Please!" "With the balloons?" "It's just for décor, nothing else. What do you say?" she was trying to convince him.

"Fine. Takao will drive you." Midorima finally said. "What? Me? But I'm tired from driving you here." Takao complained. "Takao-kun, please?" Rina said looking at him with puppy eyes. "Ok, ok. Just stop looking at me like that." He replied. "Great! Let's go!" Rina said opening her bag and getting out a megaphone.

"Where did you get that?" Midorima asked. "It's a secret. Oh, I have a little task for you. Take half of these balloons and give each girl you encounter a one balloon, alright? Takao-kun, ahead!" Rina commanded after jumping into the rickshaw. "Aye ma'am!" Takao said and started pedaling. "I knew this was gonna happen. Oha Asa is never wrong." Midorima mumbled.

"Attention students of Seirin High School! My name is Akashi Rina and I'm the Captain of the girls basketball team. I don't have much to say except that we will show you our talent and prove that even the girls can play basketball as well as the boys. We'll become the best girls basketball team in Japan!" Rina announced through the megaphone while all the students and teachers were watching her.

"She's done it!" Miya proudly said. "Oi, oi! That's a bold statement rookie. You better stand behind your words." Hyuga commented. "Isn't that the same megaphone that Kuroko tried to use on the roof one year ago?" Kagami mumbled. Meanwhile, Kuroko was on the other side smiling while listening.

"Here. Take this. It's a gift." Midorima said giving away the balloons with a scowl on his face. "Isn't that Midorima from Generation of Miracles? He's so hot!" the girls commented. "It looks like you're quite popular with the girls, Shin-chan." Takao teased him. "Shut up! If it wasn't for that lucky item…" Midorima mumbled to himself.

"Mido-chan, thank you for your help. As a token of gratitude here is your lucky item." Rina said and threw the book in his direction. "Idiot! Why are you giving me this now?!" Midorima yelled trying to hide the contents of the book, but Takao skillfully snatched it away.

"Let's see… 'My heated romance: the point of melting'… Wait! Your lucky item is a BL manga? Wow!" Takao said observing the contents of the manga.

"Unfortunately, that's my lucky item for today. I couldn't really go to a bookstore because it would be too embarrassing and Rina happened to have one so she called me and said that she will give it to me in exchange for a favor. That's how I ended up in this situation. Oi! Don't read it!" Midorima tried to explain.

"He put his hand on his sensitive spot. He sucked hard until it started reddening… Are these your preferences, Shin-chan?" Takao commented. "Don't be stupid and don't read that out loud!" Midorima yelled feeling embarrassed.

"Well, I'll leave you two lovebirds alone now because I have other things to do. Anyway, thanks for your help and see you around." Rina said while leaving. "I hope not! This was the first and the last time I've helped you with something!" Midorima replied back.

"Shin-chan, don't be like that! We had lots of fun at Seirin." Takao said. "Maybe you did, but for me, it was like a torture spending time with the two of you." Midorima mumbled. "There, there, you big tsundere. By the way, why did she have a BL manga?" Takao wondered.

"Who cares? Let's go before someone else sees us." Midorima hurried him until they spotted Kuroko staring at them. "Midorima-kun, you really are here." Kuroko spoke. "Kuroko… You were the last person I wanted to run into." Midorima replied. "What's up?" Takao cheerfully saluted him.

"Were you with Akashi-san? I saw her a moment ago." Kuroko asked. "Yeah. Shin-chan was helping her out with her task in exchange for his lucky item and it turned out into a hilarious scene. You should have been there to see it. I laughed my ass off." Takao explained.

"Takao! Shut up!" Midorima yelled. "I see. I'm glad she managed to finish her task in time." Kuroko said with a smile. "Takao, we're going back. No complaining." Midorima said getting into the rickshaw. "Hai, hai!" Takao said.

"Kuroko, we'll see each other at the Interhigh and we won't lose this time!" Midorima declared. "Neither will we." Kuroko replied with a smile.


Later that day:

"I must say I'm quite impressed by the way you handled this task. It was very dynamic and interesting." Riko said when they all met up in the practice room. "I just wish you didn't waste my precious burgers for your task." Kagami commented glaring at Lie.

"Oh, please! Get over it!" Lie replied. "I'm hungry!" "I couldn't care less!" "You little brat!" They were at each other's throats again. "So, does that mean that we can start practicing tomorrow?" Miya asked. "Of course! I expect to see a good match next week." Riko replied.

"Yes! We can finally play!" the girls were jumping from happiness. "But not today. Leave that energy for tomorrow. You're all dismissed." Riko said and they prepared to leave when Miya's phone suddenly rang.

"Miya, are you going?" Kuroko asked. "Go ahead. I have to answer my phone." She replied taking out her phone from the bag. "An unknown number… Hello?" she answered the phone. "Miya-san? Good afternoon. This is Akashi Seijuro speaking." He said and her eyes widened.

"How…How do you have my number?" she mumbled confused. "I have my connections. Tell me, is Rina there?" he asked. "No. She already left." She replied. "Even better. I have a favor to ask of you. Could you inform me daily about Rina since she won't answer my calls?"

"Are you telling me that you called me to ask to be your personal spy?" "Couldn't you help out a worried brother? You know better than anyone that Rina won't back down no matter how many times I try to make peace with her and this was the only way I could think off. What do you say?" he tried to convince her.

"I guess I can tell you what's happening with her, but if you try to do something against her will, I won't be helping you anymore. Is that clear?" Miya firmly said. "Perfectly. Then I'm looking forward to working with you, Miya-san. Bye." Akashi said in a sensual voice which was slowly creeping under her skin.

"These siblings are such a pain in the ass." She mumbled saving up Akashi's number in her list of contacts. By the time she left the school grounds it was already dark. "It's dangerous for a girl to walk the streets at night." Teppei suddenly said leaning on the school fence.

"Teppei-san! What are you still doing here?" Miya was surprised. "I was waiting for you." He replied from the dark. "You know, the way you're talking sounds like that of a stalker." "Sorry. I was just trying to act cool. I saw this scene in a movie so I wanted to try it out once." Teppei nervously said scratching the back of his head.

"Teppei-san, you're really funny." Miya said laughing. "Hey, don't laugh!" he mumbled pouting. "I guess my brother already left." "He's waiting for you at the train station. I happened to be here so I offered to wait for you and told him to go first." Teppei explained.

"Then, thanks for waiting for me." She nervously said and they started walking together. "Will you be able to prepare for the match in a week?" Teppei asked. "As long as we practice hard we'll be fine. I'm actually looking forward to that match. I want to test my strength and also my brothers." Miya said.

"I'm glad to hear that. Let's enjoy ourselves." "Hai!" Their conversation lasted all the way till the train station where Kuroko was waiting for her. "See you tomorrow Miya-chan!" Teppei said waving at her and Kuroko. "See you!" she said also waving to him.

"It looks like you've blended in really well with the whole team. I'm glad. I was afraid that maybe I was pressuring you to come to Seirin." Kuroko said. "You have nothing to worry about. I've wanted to come to Seirin from the very beginning so I'm glad you've supported my decision. Let's have a good match next week, brother." "Sure!" they shared their sincere opinions and bumped fists.


Next day:

"Convenience store, convenience store…" Lie sang while going to school. She entered into the nearby convenience store in search for her favorite onigiri. "Let's see… Japanese convenience stores are still a little complicated for me. This is all because my stupid brother didn't even bother to wake up and make a bento for me even though I asked him to." Lie mumbled strolling through the store until she spotted a familiar giant in the sweets section.

"Well, well. If it isn't the crying baby of the Generation of Miracles, Murasakibara Atsushi." She spoke greeting him. "Huh? Who said that? Oh, hello there, chibi-chan!" Murasakibara said already munching on his maiubo. "Don't call me chibi-chan!" she yelled.

"But you're small. Like REALLY small. So small that I could crush you whenever I want." He teased her. "Come over here and repeat that, you stupid giant!" she challenged him. "I don't wanna. Dealing with you drains all my energy and now I have to recharge it. Tell me, which is better: strawberry or chocolate flavor?" he nonchalantly asked her in the middle of a quarrel.

"Chocolate flavor… That's not what I wanted to say. Why am I helping you choose a maiubo flavor when you're offending me?" she mumbled realizing her situation, "Because you're stupid." he replied. "There you go again! Take it back!" "YADA!" he lazily said. "Take it back!" "No! I'm buying this and leaving. You're annoying me!" Murasakibara said and left to pay for his snacks.

"He actually listened to me and took the chocolate flavor. Ah, right! My onigiri!" Lie thought and quickly went to buy it. "I heard your school was having a practice match with Rakuzan yesterday. Who won?" She asked following him outside.

"I'm not telling you!" he replied. "You lost, didn't you?" she teased him. "I didn't!" "Then you won?" "Aka-chin won." He finally gave up and told her. "I knew it!" she laughed. "It was just a practice match. That doesn't mean anything." He mumbled. "If you say so…" she commented. "I'll beat them all! Aka-chin, Kuro-chin even you if I have to." He suddenly said.

"That's some spirit! Well, as long as you're passionate about basketball I'll take you on whenever you want." Lie said. "Shut up. Aren't you late for school?" he said. "Oh crap! I am! I have to run." She yelled after she saw what time it was.

Just when she was about to dash off, Murasakibara called out to her. "Oi! You can have this." He said and gave her one maiubo. "Why are you giving me this?" she asked taken aback. "Because you look hungry." He said. "Do I really look that hungry to you?" she asked and he nodded.

"Wow. You're a lot nicer than I thought you were. I thought you were a selfish, rude, candy-eating giant. But thanks!" she replied with a smile. "I just changed my mind. Give it back!" he mumbled with an annoyed expression and walked towards her in order to take it from her, but she easily avoided him.

"No way! I'm not returning it! See you and try not to get lost." She said sprinting towards Seirin. "As if… Now, where was I supposed to go again?" Murasakibara wondered looking around.


Meanwhile at Seirin:

"You're late!" Rina yelled smacking Lie in the head after she arrived. "Almost late, but I wasn't! That's the point." Lie replied. "Whatever smartass. Change your clothes and start running. We have one hour before the classes start." Rina ordered. Yes ma'am!" she replied.

"Excuse me, but do you know where Kagami-kun is?" Kuroko suddenly asked. "I seriously need to get used to this. For your information, my stupid brother is probably still sleeping at home because he overslept and I didn't bother to wake him up. But I did leave him a message." Lie said before leaving.

At that moment at Kagami's apartment:

"Who is it?" Kagami answered the phone barely opening his eyes while a piece of paper was stuck on his forehead. "How much longer do you plan on sleeping, you idiot? Classes are beginning in a half an hour!" Hyuga yelled from the other line.

"Classes? Oh shit! I'm late for school!" he yelled suddenly realizing. "If you arrive late for practice you will be running 10 or more laps! Now get your ass here, Bakagami!" Riko added before hanging up. "Why didn't Lie wake me up? Huh? What is this?" Kagami mumbled finally noticing the piece of paper.

"Right back at ya for not wanting to make a bento for me!" It was written on the paper. "Brat!" Kagami cursed throwing the paper away and changing his clothes in a hurry.

Back at school, the girls were practicing shooting while the boys were running outside. Kuroko was as usually the last; running really slow and Rina couldn't help but stare at him for a moment which caused her to miss her shot.

"Captain, get a hold of yourself! I know you're lovesick, but that shouldn't be an excuse for missing shots." Miya teased her. "I'm not lovesick!" Rina yelled.

"Then why were you staring at my brother with your big, sparkling eyes and sighing painfully?" "I wasn't sighing painfully!" she denied."Yes, you were. You looked like a maiden in love." Reiko added. "You too?" she complained. "There goes my brother!" Lie said after seeing him arrive.

"Did I make it?" Kagami asked trying to catch his breath. "Kagami-kun, are you an idiot?" Kuroko said. "That's the first thing you're going to ask?" he yelled. "Why did you oversleep?" Koganei asked. "Because I thought that a certain someone would wake me up!" he replied glaring at Lie who was hiding behind Rina.

"That's not an excuse Bakagami! Change up and start running! Three laps." Riko ordered. "But I just run to school. It's better to just start playing." "Do I hear that you want a fourth lap?" "No. I'll run-desu!" he quickly said and left to change.

"This will be one tough week. That's what Mitobe said." Koganei said. "How can he tell?" the first years wondered. "Everyone, get serious. This isn't going to be an easy match even if your opponents are girls. I can tell that they're all in perfect condition and not to mention that we know absolutely nothing about their abilities. Prepare yourselves for next week." Riko advised them.

There were only five days left until the match and both teams were ready to go all out.


A/N: I'm so sorry! I was initially planning to post chapters every week, but because of university and exams I just didn't have time. That's why I went all out on this chapter. I had so much fun writing it. Next chapter is the match between the girls and Seirin, but I can't promise when I will post it since I'm going to get busy again. Probably in April. I hope you'll like this chapter.

Declaimer: I don't own Kuroko no Basket. I just extremely love it.

Warning: Grammatical errors (lots of them), yaoi jokes here and there, my own failed puns and lots of fluff(I want to slap myself right now).