Kagami looked at the second string who were doing warm-up like he had instructed them to do but… Kagami frowned, he did not know whether it was because they did not take it seriously or they did not know the proper way to do a warm-up.

Finally Kagami had had enough of their 'show', and blew into his silver whistle. The clear screeching sound of the whistle spread to the entire gymnasium, surprising everyone in there.

Five seconds. Then Kagami stopped and saw most of them were either crouching or covering their ears.

"Oops. Sorry.", Kagami smiled and rubbed his neck sheepishly, irking some of them present there.

"Sensei!", some of the second string started to shout but a louder voice beat over theirs.

Kagami blinked in confusion, it did not seem to come from the second string and it sounded kind of familiar.

Kagami turned his head toward where he thought the voice came from and saw Aomine glaring at him as usual.

"My ears fucking hurt, you-you Bakagami Sensei!", Aomine shouted, hands still on his ears.

Kagami chuckled from his place and just turned around, ignoring the fuming boy and a certain coach glaring at him.

"Sooo...", Kagami's booming voice shut the entire second string's complaint.

When they quieted down, Kagami asked in a normal voice, "Are you guys some primary students?"

"Well?", Kagami raised his eyebrows when no one answered him. "Cat got your tongue? Go on and answer me."

They looked at each other, unsure, before Atsuma answered the obvious for them, "We are high schooler, Sensei."

"Yeah, why did you even ask, Sensei?", Seiki added in, his tone a little bit mocking, as if Kagami had asked the stupidest question ever.

"Well, then why are all of you warming up like a primary student do, huh?", Kagami countered, shutting them out.

Kagami stared at each of them and sighed, "Dante, come here. The rest of you line up, make six rows, smaller ones at front."

Kagami saw none of them moving and blew the whistle again, this time only a short blow, "Get moving, quick!"

All of them flinched and hurriedly lined up.

"Next time when I say line up, I will give you ten seconds to do so. Later than ten and there would be punishment, got it?", Kagami smiled evilly, sending shiver to each of them.

"Now, Dante.", Kagami turned to the boy who was standing rigidly beside him, "I see you know the proper way of warming up so I will leave you to lead these 'little kids' warming up for today.", Kagami gestured to the ones lining up when he said 'little kids'.

Dante just stared at Kagami, still could not comprehend what was happening.

"You can start by now.", Kagami patted his shoulder once and moved to stand at the side.

Dante glanced at Kagami once before he started moving his head for warming up.

Kagami nodded in approval from the side, "Go on, follow him.", Kagami said to the unmoving boys.

Slowly, all of them started moving, following Dante's lead, starting from the head, neck then down to the other parts of the body.

"Good. Good.", Kagami walked at the side, watching them closely while sometime correcting them too.

"This's how you do your warm up. Starting from the top down to your feet.", Kagami told them. "It's the most basic one and very easy to do, as someone who do sports, you must be able to do at least this."

Dante sat down on the court, straightening both his feet to the front and bend his waist while stretching his fingers to touch his own toes. The others soon followed after his movement.

Kagami saw that some of them had difficulty to follow Dante's movement.

"If it's too hard, you can pair up with your friends.", Kagami said to them while moving to assist one of them.

"Help them push their upper body, slowly.", Kagami said while demonstrating it. "Don't be so tense, Hibiya.", Kagami said to the boy he was helping. "Relax, relax.", Kagami coaxed him while slowly pushing the boy's shoulders.

"Remember, the purpose of warming up is to help you guys prepare your body for any vigorous activity.", Kagami said along the warm up. "It not only helps preventing injury but also increase your performance, so it is very crucial.", Kagami repeated the words that his coaches always said.

"That's why you mustn't belittle it and have to warm up properly before you are exercising and also stretch after exercising.", Kagami said when they finished their warm up. "Got it?"

All of them nodded while some of them replied with a 'Yes, Sensei!'

"Good.", Kagami nodded and turned to Dante, "Well done, Dante. You can get into the line now", he patted his shoulder once.

After that, Kagami started the practice by telling them to do some basic drills, like dribbling, passing, shooting and lay up. While they were doing it, Kagami would make a note about what they were good at and not.

Kagami blew his whistle as a sign for them to line up, this time they did not waste their time lining up.

"Good.", Kagami nodded in satisfaction. "Now, I want all of you to divide yourself by five. Go on."

They looked at each other first before Fukiya asked Kagami, "With anyone, Sensei?"

"Yes, anyone.", Kagami looked at his watch. "I will count to five."

"One."

"Uh?"

"Two.", Kagami kept counting.

They started to find their own friends.

"Three, four, five."

Kagami looked up and saw they had all been standing in group of five, except for Yamada's group which only had four people.

"There's only thirty nine of us, Sensei.", Yamada explained.

"Okay.", Kagami nodded, "Now all of you, choose your representative."

All of them looked at each other again, making Kagami sighed. "What is it with your guys' slow responses? Is every Teikou student like this?"

It seemed to work since after hearing that, their hesitance went away and they decided on their representative quickly.

"Now the representatives, come here.", they did not hesitant and just approached Kagami.

'Hmm… The name of Teikou really matters to them, huh.', Kagami thought to himself while pulling out some papers from his pockets. "Now choose one and open it."

"I got 2.", Fukiya said, showing his paper.

"I also got 2.", Tanaka, a second-year raised his paper.

Kagami nodded, "The ones with corresponding numbers, please stand together along with your teams."

After that, the eight groups had now been divided into four groups now.

"Now please look at the opposite team in the same group as you.", Kagami instructed and they obeyed.

Kagami smiled, "Congratulations, you are now looking at your opponents for the practice match later."

Some of them were surprised at the sudden arrangement, some excited while Yamada's team were shocked speechless as they stared at Atsuma's team which consisted of five seniors, all five of them were ex first string player before the kisekis came around this year.

'We are doomed!', Yamada's team thought in despair and they were all looking at Kagami, hoping he would notice them, he did, but then Kagami just smiled at them and looked back toward all of them.

"Okay. So the first two teams please line up here, the others please stand aside.", Kagami waited until the first two teams finished lining up in front of him.

"Ah, so it's you guys.", Kagami smirked at the first two teams playing, one consisted of third years, one consisted of second year. Kagami could say they were balanced in term of skills, as in matches, Kagami would see for himself.

"So I will tell you the rules.", Kagami started. "First. The duration of the match is ten minutes."

"Second. You are free to decide on your own tactis, formations, strategies, as long as it is fair and doesn't violate any rules."

"Third. The usual rules, no pushing, no travelling and you know what else.", all ten of them nodded.

"Last one. For you guys, no three points allowed.", Kagami smiled at the surprise showing on their faces.

"No three points, Sir?", one of them asked to make sure they did not hear it wrong.

Kagami nodded, "Yes. Anything other than three points would be counted.", Kagami smirked. "Okay, I would give you guys time to discuss on your strategies for… three minutes. Go on."

They nodded and started discussing between each other.

'No three points allowed', Kagami had intentionally added that special rule for these two teams. From what Kagami had observed during their basic drills, these two teams were quite good in shooting three points so Kagami wanted to see them doing more than that.

"Okay, time's up.", Kagami stood at the middle of the court. "Both teams, line up."

"Okay, both sides have understand the rules, right?", they all nodded. "Okay, then we will start the match.", they all nodded again and were about to go before Kagami called them again.

"You are forgetting something, aren't you?", Kagami raised his eyebrows and gestured with his hands.

"We are doing that, Sir?" "But this is not an actual match."

"I want you guys to do that.", Kagami answered firmly, leaving no room for questions.

So both teams lined up again, facing each other and said at the same time as they bowed their head, "Please take care of us!"

Kagami grinned, "That's the way you do it. Okay! Now for jumpball!"


Yamada's POV

Sometimes, I don't really get what Kagami-sensei was thinking.

I meant, we were just second string, basically we were only there to kill our time, we would not get a chance to play in an actual match. It was impossible with how formidable our first string is.

But then, Kagami-sensei had said he would let all of us play in one and let some of us into the first string. To say Sensei was being too optimistic was not true though, because he did only say 'some of us' getting into the first string. He did not say he would get all of us in because he himself must have known it was impossible so he did not just give empty promises.

But… I still could not think on how he would be achieving all those things he said.

Like now, it was the first day Sensei became our advisor, being given the responsibility of taking care of the second string, I get it that Sensei must have wanted to see our capabilities first of all. The basic drills, I understand. But these random practice match?

I said random because he let us divide the teams by ourselves then letting us draw the numbers! I meant maybe for the others, they were quite balanced in term of skills but look at mine!

My team only had four persons in it, sure, we had Hibiya who in the second string was the second tallest which was our advantage but other than him, the three of us, me, Kenta, Goro were just average player. It was quite fine if not because of our opponents.

Our opponents would be Atsuma-senpai's team which consisted of five persons, all five had been on the first string last year. So we not only lost in numbers but also in term of skills. I had tried to talk to Sensei about it but he only said to me, 'It's fine, just wait for your turn.'

How would it be just fine?

Sure, I see that Kagami-sensei did not only let us simply having practice match since he seemed to apply special rules for each matches.

The first match was a no three-point match, the second and third were the seven-seconds time limit in how long one could hold the ball, meaning they should either shoot or pass the ball under seven seconds, which meant they should decide on their next moves quick.

I could not quite grasp the motives behind the rules though.

Why only to the first two teams that he applied the rule 'no three points'? Why only to the second and third teams that he applied the time limit? By the way, I prefer the 'no three points' rule rather than the time limit one. It was scary enough that we would be facing our seniors but facing them under the pressure of time limit would be too much for us. Not to mention that Sensei seemed to be keeping up with the time very closely, God knows how many times he had blew his whistle already during the second and third matches.

Also... Other than fouls or violation of the rules, Kagami-sensei did not say anything about the teams' plays at all. He just let us… play.

It kind of worried me, honestly. Was he also going to let my team just play against Senpai's team without any help? No instructions at all? It was like seeing us self-destruct.

I stared at Kagami-sensei who was watching the match intently.

Even though it had only been one week, but Sensei had struck me as someone who was different from the other teachers and would not discriminate us, surely, the same could be said about basketball, right?

I sighed, I wished I was not wrong about my judgement.


-Normal P.O.V-

"Kagami-sensei."

Kagami looked behind and saw Sanada there with his usual frown.

"The practice has ended.", he said shortly.

"Oh?", Kagami looked at his watch and indeed it was already five, he saw that most of the students from the first string had started to go home already. "Okay, thanks for telling me, Sanada-san.", Kagami grinned. "You can go back first, don't worry I would make sure the courts are tidied."

Sanada frowned, "Don't stay too late.", Sanada glanced toward the court then to the side of the court where the rest of the second string were sitting, watching the matches. Some of them were glancing at Sanada too.

Sanada then looked back to Kagami, "It's not like they are going to play in the Inter High.", Sanada added, unaware of Kagami's change of mood. "You don't need to be too hard on them.", after finished saying that, he turned and left.

Kagami took a deep breath then he turned back to the court, he noticed that most of the second string who were sitting at his side were looking at him.

"We will prove him wrong.", Kagami said curtly with a grin, not caring whether they had heard what Sanada had said just now or not.

"Sensei!", Hazura, a second-year, shouted from the court. "I have been holding the ball for so long! It must have been more than seven seconds already!", he swayed the ball in his hands.

"Idiot! You should not tell him!", his teammates shouted at him while the other teams snickered.

Kagami blinked before he also laughed, "Sorry, sorry. I was talking with Sanada-san just now. So then, B team's ball then.", Hazura's team, the A team, groaned while B team cheered.

"And since Hazura, you are being so honest in which I exceptionally admired, I will add one point for your team."

"Wha-?!" "There's something like that?!"

Kagami chuckled, "It's just a practice match and my roof, my rules."

"Yeay! See!", Hazura made a V sign to his teammates.

"B team still leads though and the time left is two minutes and twenty seconds.", Kagami chuckled when Hazura started chasing after the ball.

"Kagamicchi-sensei!", Kise ran to Kagami which Kagami ignored.

"Kagamicchi-sensei?", Kise tried to call him from right to left, front to back but still no response.

"Kagamicchi-sensei~ You heard me, right?"

Kagami sighed, "What is it, Kise?", he asked without averting his attentions.

"The practice is finished! Let's go to Maji- hihh!", Kise shrieked a bit when Kagami suddenly blew the whistle.

"B team, travelling. A team's ball!", Kagami shouted to those in the court then in a lower voice, he said to Kise, "I can't, Kise. Our side's practice hasn't finished."

Kise blinked and looked to the court, "They are having a practice match, huh?"

Kagami blew the whistle again and before he could say anything, the player himself passed the ball to his opponent while saying, "Seven seconds, right?"

Kagami chuckled, "Yes."

"Will we get another point for being honest, Sensei?", Hazura raised his hand in excitement.

"No. And return the match, Hazura. Only one and a half minute left.", Kagami chuckled.

"Seven seconds?", Kise tilted his head. "What does he mean, Sensei?", but he was ignored by Kagami again so Kise turned to the one closest to him, Yamada, who was sitting at the side of the court.

"What does he mean by seven seconds, ne?"

"Ah. Ehm, well.", Yamada rubbed his neck nervously and started explaining the special rule that Kagami implied to each match.

"Oh~!", Kise's eyes beamed in excitement. "It sounds like fun!"

'It might be fun for a miracle like you, not us.', the second string thought.

"Kise! What are you doing over there!", Aomine shouted from another side of the court, the other miracles were with him.

Kise ran back to them and told them what the second string was doing, "It sounds like fun, ssu! Let's watch it!"

"Tch. What is so fun with watching them play.", Aomine stated boredly as his eyes moved to the court where they were playing and he frowned, 'Their play are full of holes.', he looked back to where Kagami was standing, doing nothing to point out their mistakes.

*Piip *Piip

"Okay, time's up. Both team, gather up here!", Kagami went to the middle of the court where the players were lining up. "36-30, B team win, well play, you guys.", Kagami grinned.

"Thanks for the match!", both sides said at the same time, bowing down.

The Kisekis were surprised at such gestures, they could not remember the last time they did that during their practices.

"Don't forget to stretch again, okay?!", Kagami shouted to them, earning a lot of 'yes' from them.

"Uh?", Kise blinked. Somehow he got a feeling that something about the atmosphere arpimd second string was kind of different from usual.

"Okay, the last two teams, gather up!", Kagami shouted from the middle of the court.

"I would like to stay and watch too.", Kuroko suddenly said, already walking there.

"Yeay~ Let's go, Kurokocchi!", Kise tagged along immediately.

"Wha- You too, Tetsu?", Aomine looked at his shadow in disbelief.

"Wait, Tetsu-kun!", Momoi also tagged along, pulling Aomine with her.

"Satsuki! Tch."

Akashi looked at the two teams gathering, he could see the obvious difference between the two teams in term of skills. Akashi raised his eyebrows delicately, he did not expect the red-haired teacher to allow such an arrangement. For him to do so, must mean he had something planned in his mind.

Without a word, Akashi followed after Kuroko, surprising Midorima and Murasakibara.

"Akashi?", Midorima called, uncertain.

Akashi turned to look at the two of them with a small smile, "Let's watch them for a bit."

Since Akashi had said so, Midorima and Murasakibara had no choice but to follow after them.

The miracles plus Momoi sat themselves at the long bench on the right side of the court, the same side as where the second string were sitting.

"Sensei! Can we please talk to you for a bit?", Yamada whispered to Kagami.

"Sure.", Kagami followed them a bit to the sides, away from Atsuma's team who was waiting in the middle of the court already.

"What is it, Yamada?"

"Sensei. Are you sure you want us to play against... Senpai?", Yamada gestured toward Atsuma's team.

"Yes. You draw the lot yourself, right?", Kagami patted Yamada's head once. "I would leave it to you to lead your team, Yamada."

"Sensei! There's only the four of us!", Hibiya, a first year, shouted in anxiety.

"And Sensei, we are just first years. How can we compete against our seniors?", this time it was Kenma who voiced out his uncertainty.

"We will be crushed.", Goro stated in a final tone.

The Kisekis caught what they were saying and they were reminded of their opponents in the middle-school.


"They are too strong!"

"We can't win against them!"

"They will absolutely crush us!"


The memories affected Aomine the most but Aomine just frowned to hide it, he had long believed that no one could beat him so he tried to assure himself he was fine with it.

Kagami only chuckled after he heard them, "Oh, about that...", he was cut off by Kise who suddenly jumped up, raising his hand high up.

"I can join the team and help them, Kagamicchi-sensei~!", Kise volunteered himself.

"Uh?", Yamada and the friends were surprised. They had no time to fully register their shock when Kagami told the blonde, "No, thank you, Kise.", then pointed to his own feet.

Kise followed Kagami's finger and saw Kagami was wearing a pair of red and black Nike shoes. Kise noticed that it was a pair of shoes from the famous basketball magazine he had seen before.

When he looked up again, Kagami was rolling his sleeves up, Kise instantly knew what he was going to do.

"Are you going to play, Sensei?", Kise was practically gleaming in excitement.

"Yeah.", Kagami replied with a grin, pretended he did not hear the gasp from his students.

The ones who were resting on the side of the court started to murmur with each other.

'Sensei is going to play?', Atsuma, Dante and Seiki thought to themselves but their feeling was different. Seiki was curious also excited while Atsuma and Dante were more cautious.

"Y-You are really going to play in our team, Sensei?", Kenma was still nervous but the thought of having their teacher in their team somehow made him felt at ease.

Kagami grinned, "Yeah. We will talk about the strategy later.", Kagami told them and looked at the other team waiting.

"I will announce the rule for this match.", Kagami proclaimed with a smile. "The first three rules, you have known, as for the last one… It's simple, only scores with lay-up and dunk. That's it."

"Lay-up and dunk?", Seiki repeated and after Kagami nodded at him, he continued to ask, "So if we shoot from under the basket?"

"No count.", Kagami answered. "Okay, you have all understood, right?", he grinned when they nodded at him. "You may start to discuss between each other then.", he said to Dante's team and turned to Yamada's team. "Okay, let's go too."

Yamada's team followed Kagami to the right side of the court.

"Wow~ I get to see Kagamicchi-sensei playing, yeay ~!", Kise jumped in excitement. "You guys must see his play, he is amazing!"

"Tsk. You are exaggerating, Kise.", Aomine frowned though it was undeniable that Aomine was a bit... just a little bit curious. 'Not that I really care.', Aomine said to himself.

Kuroko and Akashi were completely interested to see their teacher playing, not to mention in this kind of disadvantageous situation.

The third year teams consisted of five ex- first string players so there was no doubt that they were good.

The first year teams though, consisted of newbies who seemed to not have confidence between themselves.

'How will he help the team?', they wondered.

"Okay~ We are done here!", Kagami shouted over the court. "Are you guys ready?"

"Yes.", Atsuma, as the leader of his team, stepped up and answered.

"Aomine!", Kagami called from the court. "Help us throw the first ball."

"Tsk. Why should I?", Aomine grumbled, scowling.

"Stop that scowl, Aomine. It's ugly.", Kagami chuckled while most of them were surprised at Kagami's attitude toward their ace. "Hurry up.", Kagami grinned and threw the orange ball to him.

Aomine caught the ball easily and sighed, "Troublesome.", he murmured but he did move to the center of the court where Kagami and Atsuma were standing.

"Okay, everyone. We are going to start the match now, let's enjoy this.", Kagami said loudly so the entire court could hear it.

Aomine spinned the ball boredly and when Kagami gave him a nod, he tch-ed again then threw the ball up straight.

-To be continued-

Hey! As always, thanks for reading! :D