O-kay, 6th chapter. This fic is focused on Rakuzan, so I skipped Inter-High because Rakuzan didn't appear. I also apologize for skipping Shutoku-Rakuzan match because I want to focus more on the very final match: Seirin-Rakuzan match. -Soranryu
With Akashi's regimens, Rakuzan got even stronger and won the Inter-High easily. Rakuzan was automatically placed in the Winter Cup for semi-finals and because of this, Akashi intensified their training. There were no complaints from the first string players because they wanted to win as well. And finally, the day of the Winter Cup arrived.
Before the matches, Akashi wanted to meet the rest of the Generation of Miracles. "Can I come along?" I asked, wanting to meet the rest after such a long time. "Not today, maybe someday else," he replied, before leaving. I shrugged and focused my attention back on the rest. "Where's Eikichi?" I questioned, not finding the huge guy anywhere. "He's eating! Said he's gonna come later!" Kotaro answered as he changed into his jersey.
"That guy…" Reo shook his head, "Hopefully he doesn't get a stomach ache or something from overeating." I laughed, "He won't. He always does this; he'll be fine." Reo nodded in resignation and beckoned me over to help him stretch, which I did. After some time, Eikichi turned up and Akashi came into the room soon after. They quickly changed into their jerseys as the announcer called for Rakuzan.
"Yosh, let's go!" Kotaro cheered and we headed for the court, all hyped up. Rakuzan's first opponent is Shutoku High, which the shooter of the Generation of Miracles, Midorima Shintaro, attended. Sure enough, Shintaro was there, practising his shots. "Shintaro! It's been a long time!" I called out as I ran to him. "Senpai?" he turned in surprise before offering me a small smile, "Yes, it has been a long time."
The green-haired shooter then seemed to have thought of something, "Are you allowed to be on the court?" I nodded, "Yeah, it is fine. I'm Rakuzan's manager, after all!" He then nodded in understanding, "Akashi is my next opponent; I won't lose to him." I said nothing to that, only wishing him good luck before returning to Rakuzan.
After the warm-ups, the match started. Shintaro showed us something new with his partner Takao, but Akashi still saw through their moves and brought Rakuzan to victory. With that, Rakuzan made it into finals. Soon, another team made into the finals as well – Seirin High, the school which Kuroko Tetsuya, Teiko's phantom sixth man, attended.
"Hmm…you guys are facing Tetsuya next," I said thoughtfully, "Mayuzumi-sempai, how's your misdirection?" "It's working," he replied flatly, as usual. "There's nothing to worry about. Tetsuya has been gaining a lot of presence, Chihiro would be able to get past him," Akashi assured me, "There was a reason why I didn't let Tetsuya improve on his shooting. And yet…well, he will understand his mistake soon enough."
Even as he said it like this, I'm still a little worried. Tetsuya had shared the same sentiments as me when the others changed. Before I left, Tetsuya assured me that he would beat the rest of the Generation of Miracles with his own basketball to bring them back. Knowing Tetsuya, he would, and he already has, defeating the other four with Seirin. Now, he only left Akashi.
I'm torn. I want my friends and Akashi to win, but I also want Tetsuya to beat Akashi. This indecisiveness remained as days passed until the final match of the Winter Cup. "Flame-chan, cheer for us, okay?" Reo said happily. "Flame-chan?" he waved a hand in front of me to snap me out of my daze. "Huh? Oh yeah, of course," I replied hastily.
"You okay?" Kotaro asked. "Yeah, I just didn't get enough sleep, sorry," I reassured them. Then, the announcer called for Rakuzan to head to the court and we did, quickly starting our warm-up. "Akashi," I stopped him and gave him a hug, "Go for it, Emperor." He nodded and handed me his jacket before joining the others.
The game started soon enough. It was a really fast-paced match, neither Seirin nor Rakuzan is letting the other. The tension is really high, with surprises from both sides. However, Rakuzan began winning when Tetsuya's misdirection stopped working. Seirin had to pull him out. From where I'm sitting, I could tell he was really upset. However, with Kagami's words, he seemed to pull himself together and watched the game intently, especially Mayuzumi.
And then, he returned to the court again. We didn't know why, until it hit us that Tetsuya is over-writing Mayuzumi. When Mayuzumi scored another basket, the overwriting was complete and Tetsuya was able to use his misdirection again. Once again, Seirin is catching up fast. The match continued on, but something is wrong.
It took some time, but the realisation hit me hard. With Kagami and Tetsuya's teamwork, they have completely shut down Akashi, causing him to be confused and making mistakes. "Coach, call a time-out right now!" I exclaimed, to which the coach agreed. We quickly called the players back. As they sat down, I knelt in front of Akashi, "Akashi…are you okay?" With his lack of response, worry gnawed at my heart. Akashi's suffering a mental breakdown.
"There is no other choice; we have to substitute Akashi," the coach decided, but then Mayuzumi stepped forward. Staring down at Akashi, Mayuzumi mocked, "How pathetic. What? Did you want us to comfort you? Encourage you? I won't be doing any of that. I'm not a saint. It's just something not to my liking so I'm voicing a complaint. You were talking real big before, and now you're like this? Though... I don't really think that's the case. You're a completely different person from the guy I met on the roof back then. So, who are you?"
His words shocked me and I stood up, "Senpai!" He shot me a glare, "Don't speak up for him. He is a man, and a man will speak up for his weakness himself." I wanted to protest, but I backed down. That's right; Akashi have to protect his own pride, and it is not something I could do for him. Looking back at Akashi, however, I think…I do not need to bother. Mayuzumi's words had pulled Akashi out of his confusion and I could see the gears in his head turning.
As I looked on, something clicked. I widened my eyes, no way…"Who, you ask? How outrageous. I am Akashi Seijuro, of course," he replied, standing up and looking at all of us. "Sei…juro…" his name slipped out of my mouth. That's him alright, the Seijuro I know and love. He gave a small smile before apologising for his earlier performance and requesting to remain on the court. The coach was hesitant at first, but he convinced them.
They returned back to the court at once. Seirin, too, was looking better. However, with Seijuro and Rakuzan back at top shape, Seirin doesn't stand a chance. The Seirin players were soon gasping hard for air, their bodies fatigued. "Don't give up, Kuroko!" a shout sounded from the crowd and we all turned to look. If I remembered correctly, this guy is Tetsuya's childhood friend, whose school was crushed by the Generation of Miracles.
"Ogiwara-kun…" was all Tetsuya could say as he stared up at his childhood friend. And then, with a smile, the brown-haired male took out a basketball and held it up high with a big smile. At that, the tears Tetsuya was holding back slid down his cheeks and he returned the smile. Following that, the rest of the Generation of Miracles started to cheer as well, and the crowd followed soon after.
Hearing Daiki, Shintaro and Ryota cheering for Tetsuya, I could feel my tears welling up as well. They have returned…! Just as the crowd died down, I stepped forward, "Tetsuya!" He turned upon hearing my voice and his eyes widened at the sight of me. "Onegai…Watashitachi no basketball no tame ni, watashitachi no yume no tame ni, Rakuzan o taoshite!" I pleaded, my tears slipping down my face.
Hearing my words, he nodded and Seirin gathered. These were the exact same words I said to him before I left, and I repeated in hopes that he could do what I couldn't – open everyone's eyes and bring back their passion for basketball. Just like that, Kagami unlocked "true Zone" and with the cooperation of his team, they closed the score gap.
There are only seconds left, but Seirin called a foul on Reo while landing a shot. Getting one free basket, their shooter purposely missed and everyone fought for the rebound. However, Seirin got the rebound and passed to Tetsuya. Seijuro ran to intercept it, "This is the end, Kuroko!" "No, not yet," Tetsuya smiled up at him, "I'm the shadow." With that, he shot, not to the basket, but to Kagami.
Kagami grabbed the ball mid-air…and dunked.
I hope the way I write about the final match is up to standard! Next: Chapter 7! -Soranryu