AKA the chapter that made me start this story in the first place (AKA the chapter in which Aomine becomes bewitched by Kagami's mad surfing skills)

I am back and fully charged up! The last story I've written, To the Ephemeral Ones, was my main reason for coming back because it's what motivated me to write again,so feel free to read that and tell me what you think!

Also, we are almost done with this story! I never thought I would see the day when this story would reach its conclusion but there is a big big chance that the chapter 10 or 11 will be the last, so I will focus on finishing this story first before writing any other. I hope that's ok with you because I definitely am :)

Thank you so much for being patient with me and I swear I'm doing my best to update as much as possible.

So, without further ado, here's the next chapter!


A few answers for my lovely reviewers:

chicamonkey4: in the end will kuroko really go back to japan with them? in the next chapter could u possibly like...write some parts from akashi's POV? i really want to know why he so desperately wants kuroko to go back to japan.

A: Whether Kuroko will go back to Japan or not will be revealed in the very end (AKA possibly the last chapter). Also, yes. For this chapter, I've added some parts from Akashi's perspective, so I hope you enjoy. Of course, in terms of why he wants Kuroko to come back will be revealed next chapter so please be patient with me!

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Guest: j'adore hâte de la suite

A: Gahhh, I really wish I could understand this language (I think this is French? Someone correct me on this) and if anyone can translate what this says, please do! I would really appreciate it :)

~.~

Minuilin: [content too long to put but still greatly appreciated]

A: Awwww, thank you so much for loving this story 3 I'm really glad that you were able to enjoy it and I hope that the rest of the chapters will fill you with the same love and support. Thank you so much!


How would you describe the feeling of drowning?

Or was suffocating the better word?

How would you describe the feeling of being restricted?

Of not having control?

How would you describe the feeling of losing one's mind?

Because Akashi was there.

He was there, losing his mind.

His mind like quicksand that was constantly pulling him down.

Drowning him. Suffocating him.

Restricting him.

So he struggled.

Screamed and cried for help.

He cried.

But his voice was shut down.

His face contorted as his body refused to respond.

He cried for help.

But no one was there to help.

Because who could help a man who didn't want it?

More accurately, who could help a man who did not portray that he needed it?

But he did.

He sorely did.

Because there was force that was pulling into the quicksand even faster now and no matter how hard he struggled, no matter how hard he cried, he couldn't break free.

He was losing.

And he felt so scared.

Scared because the sand was up to his neck now.

Scared because it was gripping him so hard.

Scared because he might die.

He didn't want to die.

He didn't want to disappear.

He didn't want to lose.

So he screamed once more.

He cried for help once more.

"Please. I beg of you. Please." A voice then rang out.

It pleaded and was close to crying, just like him at this very moment.

It sounded like it needed help, like he did.

It sounded like it was from a very old friend, one whom he had once cherished.

He saw with limited vision his friend, his very good friend, kneeling before the stranger with his face about to cry, losing any pride and dignity he had left.

No. Stand. Do not kneel before me. I do not deserve it. He silently begged.

Stand. For the love of God, please just stand.

And to get his cherished friend to stand, he struggled to break free.

He clawed and kicked.

He fought against the force that was trying to make him disappear.

And slowly, ever so slowly, he made his way up.

Up, up and away.

There was light.

A beautiful blue light that grew whiter the closer he got to it.

He was almost there.

Stand, old friend. Stand and be beside me again.

"We'll move the date to the end of the summer." He heard himself say.

It was the least he could do after everything the stranger with his face had done to his old, cherished friend.

He smiled.

He was almost there.

But the wind was knocked against him.

He was dragged back and trapped in the quicksand.

He was too weak to pull free this time.

His face contorted and his body couldn't respond.

He cried for help.

And this time, he got a response.

A loud slam coming the door, and a scream of indescribable agony.

The stranger with his face unwillingly replied back to his cries with a rasping scream, ordering him to stop.

Ah, he realized, so I'm causing him pain.

If that was the case, then he wanted to give more.

He would do anything to escape.

This quicksand.

This feeling of being scared.

This jailed body.

He wanted to be free.

He wanted to be him again.


Slowly, ever so slowly, Kagami began to heal.

The first few days were hell for him because it truly highlighted how stupid he had been. As he looked outside the window to see the beautiful glistening beach just a few feet from him, seeing mounds of people present, all whom were probably having the time of their lives, he wanted nothing more than to escape.

His body jittered every time but someone would always be there watching him with a critical eye. Sometimes it would be a nurse, other times Alex, but mostly, it was Kuroko who quietly guarded the door and glared at Kagami if he so much moved his legs.

Kagami always hated it when Kuroko visited him. He could persuade the others to at least let him go out by wheelchair and catch some fresh air, move his legs just a little bit when they weren't looking. But Kuroko was relentless. There was nothing the injured man could do to move him. That and seeing Kuroko staring at him with those unreadable eyes further deepened his guilt.

The first few days, Kagami was so frustrated. Even when he practiced using the ball with his left hand just as Alex had instructed, he still felt useless. There were so many things he could have done if he were outside in the court, playing basketball with his friends and improving his own skills. He and the others could have gone to the beach and have had their signature non-alcoholic margaritas as they went through their infinite inside jokes. They could have gone surfing and unknowingly swooned all the ladies. They could have gone and done so many things.

He could have done so many things in these first few days but instead, he was here, in the hospital room that embodied his own immaturity and failure.

So, in these first few days, he was in hell.

But, time wasn't so cruel as to let Kagami be in this state forever. Slowly, it got better. Some of the best doctors came his way and helped him through fast rehabilitation. Grabbing onto the metal rods that stretched through the whole room, Kagami constantly struggled to walk with his healing legs.

The first few times, he clumsily fell, his knees hitting the ground with a loud bang. But Kagami was never one to give up. With every try and every fall, he walked even further, and by the second week, he could go from one hallway to the other without any help. It even amazed the doctors that his recovery was so quick. His legs, which had constantly been shaking, no longer had that trace and instead stood strong.

His main doctor still warned him that he couldn't run until the end of the month, and while Kagami grumbled at the news, he was still extremely thankful that he was able to heal in such short time. He knew now that the doctor's words were not to be taken lightly anymore. Kagami thanked him with all his might and exited the hospital.

Kuroko was just about to leave with him when the doctor grabbed him by the arm.

"Doctor?" Kuroko questioned but felt dread pooling his gut.

"You do realize that his recovery is a temporary thing, right?" The doctor said solemnly.

"What do you mean?"

"There's only so much help the medicine can do. His state was terrible when he first came here. He may have recovered now, but there's no muscle that can fully heal from damage. Do you get what I mean?"

Kuroko began to tremble. "No."

"It means that if overexerts himself one more time, then he can kiss basketball goodbye."

Kuroko's eyes widened. "But, he's walking just fine now. And he's going to keep practicing until the match."

"I know he is, which is why I'm asking you to look over him. It's fine now because I've warned him to rest a bit longer, but if he hurts his legs one more time, then it's going to be almost impossible to recover fully. Even this recovery isn't full-proof."

"How will I know if he's going to overexert himself? I can't stop him from practicing, doctor."

"As long as he rests, it should be fine. I'm trusting you, ok?" The doctor commented before patting Kuroko on the shoulder and leaving.

The feeling of dread didn't leave Kuroko as he walked out and was greeted by the red head.

"What took you so long?" He asked and Kuroko merely shook his head.

"The doctor has given me the responsibility of looking over you."

"I'm not that unreliable, am I?" Kagami commented in fake hurt. "But I get you. I'll be careful, and if I go past my limit, you'll stop me, right?"

Kuroko nodded confidently. "I will."

Kagami smiled as he ruffled Kuroko's hair. "Are you ready?" He then asked with a huge smile and Kuroko immediately knew what he was referring to.

With a small smile of his own, Kuroko walked with Kagami to the closest basketball court to begin practice. Just as Kagami had been practicing with his left hand every day, Kuroko was also developing a special skill that could potentially help them win the match that would drastically change his fate.

And soon enough, as the month ended, Kagami was up and running. There was some muscle mass that he had lost from the lack of exercise, but he quickly made up for it by constantly going out every day, playing basketball from dawn to dusk. It was amazing how much dedication he had for this one match, but for Kagami, it was so much more than that now.

He had not only been trampled on with his dignity dropping as low as it possibly could. He also had a friend to protect at all costs, a friend who had gone through lengths to change the date just for him. Judging by the way Kuroko would always avoid answering Kagami's question of how the blue-haired an was able to change the date of the match, even he knew how bad it must have been. Hell, he had experience with every one of the Generation of Miracles at least once to know that they were not good people.

He knew Kuroko did something terrible for his sake. And he knew that it was his fault.

So what else but to repay the debt by winning the match and letting him stay?

One by one, the rest of the group joined in on Kagami's extensive regimen. With Alex as support and guidance, the others soon gained pointers that would potentially strengthen their team and individual skills.

Felix, for example, had the eyes of a hawk. Maybe it was due to his height or maybe because he had spent most of childhood looking over Ben and distinguishing his movements and facial expressions, but when it came to eyes, he was like none other. He had so much visual talent that Alex began to teach him how to open his view of the court and make sure to not have any blind spots, if any.

Sebastian was as good a center as anyone could be. He had a wrestling background when he was young but had stopped due to a childhood incident that had traumatized him. Then, when he entered middle school and met Eddy, who was a basketball fanatic, he grew to love this sport instead and, by using some wrestling techniques he had learnt in the past, he could defend like no other. No one was getting near him without having the ball getting knocked over. He also had very flexible wrists, something that Alex noted and showed him detailedly how to grip the ball and never miss.

Ben was small but could throw a mean three-pointer when he was completely focused in the game. He always had a good sense of throw from the many experiences he had chucking paper balls at the people he hated, and now, he was putting that into good use in basketball. Alex showed him how to get into the game quicker and make sure his defense was as good as his offense. Soon, no opponent would be able to touch him while making three pointers.

Eddy was an all-rounder, but for the sake of the game and the teammates that would play, he would have to take the role of the small forward, which was completely fine with him. He never had a specific goal in mind. Ever since he was a boy, he would always switch hobbies and favorites. He had started off with swimming but hated the way the water made him feel. He tried soccer but was too tired of running around aimlessly when the ball would never come to him. He even tried tennis but the ratchet was too big and heavy for him to grab. But then he found basketball in middle school and he was already hooked. His athletic background accounted for his flexible talent, and that did not go unnoticed. Alex but that into good use as she showed him basic but highly effective techniques that would improve his overall ability.

And Kagami was on a roll. It seemed like, with every breath, he was getting stronger. There was even a bright red aura building around him that everyone, even the most oblivious ones, could see. Kuroko looked in the sidelines, surprised but happy because that would just make Kagami's shadow grow bigger. Kagami's left hand skill improved magnificently and could now battle in the air far better than anyone could have ever imagined. For that reason, and the fact that Kagami was too fired up to not learn anything new, Alex decided to teach one of the ultimate killer moves of all time.

"The meteor jam." Alex introduced and everyone looked with wide eyes as she gave them an example. Kagami would have to learn this and perfect it by the time the match happened, which was only a month, maybe a few weeks, away.

Kuroko stayed in the shadows and did his best to perfect his own skill. Two, in fact, because their team, no matter how strong they were, would need every help they could get against the Generation of Miracles. No one knew of it except for Alex, who helped him bit by bit to alter what had to be altered. But once he was sure that it was unbeatable, he would show everyone what he had accomplished.

The final line up would be as such: Kagami, Felix, Sebastian, Ben, Eddy, and Kuroko would serve as their sixth man. Kagami had even asked (pleaded) Himuro to help them out as a substitute player if something were to happen. He agreed, but only if after the MiraGen match, they would have their own and settle their brother rivalry once and for all. Kagami didn't want it, but for the sake of Kuroko, he had to make his own sacrifices, even if that meant that he would lose Himuro as a brother.

Kagami couldn't waste another second because he had already lost so much time. He would become better with every passing day, and he would avenge his best friend soon.


Of course, it was still summer, and because they were in LA, there would always be moments in which the heat would be too much to bear to play only basketball. Sometimes, high school kids still had to be high school kids and not be in a situation of life or death.

Sometimes, they just had to take advantage of the setting they were in and have a little fun.

Eddy was the one who first proposed it.

"I'm dying. I think I'm actually dying." He cried out as he laid flat on the court, his chest heaving. The others were pretty much in the same position, all drenched in sweat from the unbearable heat. Today was especially sunny. Kagami stood but it looked like even he was at his limit.

"I can't keep this up. I think I'm going to get heatstroke if we keep going." Sebastian so helpfully provided. The others, who would normally label him as dramatic, nodded in agreement.

"One more round?" Kagami asked hopefully but everyone gave him the stink eye. Even Kuroko jabbed him by the side, which made Kagami jump, more in shock than pain.

"No. I refuse. I'd rather die than have one more basketball match with the weird combo duo. I absolutely refuse." Ben commented, and Kagami sighed in resign as he ran his hand through his sweaty hair. Beads of sweat that had accumulated in his hair fell down to the ground, which evaporated in mere seconds.

"Ok, so obviously we're not in the position to play more basketball. What do you guys want to do then? It's only one in the afternoon and I don't want to go back home." Kagami grumbled and Eddy, who was unmoving for the longest time, suddenly stood up, surprising everyone else, and had a mischievous smile on his face.

"I mean, we are in LA, aren't we?" He started and everyone gestured him to continue. "And it is summer vacation, right?"

"Will you stop with the goddamn riddles and get on with it? It's too hot outside to think." Ben lashed out.

Eddy opened his arms as wide as he could. "The beach! We have the goddamn beach literally a few miles away from us! Let's stop basketball and have a little fun in the water!"

It was a cathartic suggestion, especially in a summer heat like this one. Even Kagami lightened up at the mere thought of being in the cool, sparkling water. So, without another second to spare, the six friends rushed to the nearest beach and quickly rented out surfboards and swimming trunks.

They all flung themselves into the water, the splashing sound echoing throughout the rest of the area, and with no other thought, they began to have the time of their lives. Eddy took a second to get in, texting some very familiar people to no one else's knowledge, and quickly forgot about it as soon as he launched himself like a bomb in between Ben and Felix, who were currently in a splash war with the rest.


"Midorimacchi, are you coming or not?" Kise called out as he finished packing up his things in his gigantic beach bag. Midorima grimaced as he walked towards the blond, looking like he didn't want to be there but was all ready to go. They were wearing their swim trunks that they had bought a few days before and a large t-shirt to hide their upper half. Kise looked like he was ready for a photoshoot, like always, but the bag he was holding ruined the entire image.

"Exactly what are you taking? They just asked us if we wanted to meet them at the beach." Midorima pointed out and Kise brightened.

"Exactly. Since we're going to the beach, I'm just taking everything I need."

Midorima raised an eyebrow. "And that requires a bag three times the size of your head?"

"Look, I have a lot things to do so that I'm still as glamorous in the sun as I am normally. It's not my fault that we models have a strict regimen to stick to, and that also includes having perfectly snowy white skin. I can't tan, Midorimacchi. So I specifically packed three packs of sunscreen, a big towel for me to not come in contact with the sand, which could potentially wrinkle my legs, and an umbrella."

"An umbrella?" Midorima asked incredulously, and Kise nodded, taking out a very colorful umbrella from his bag.

"It's retractable." Kise added, as if that explained everything that was wrong with the picture.

Midorima wondered if he was ever going to survive this. Why did he agree to go with Kise in the first place? The invite had only gone to the blond, courtesy of Eddy, but it did say that he was free to bring "Shin", so Kise had practically dragged him out of his room.

Though, he couldn't complain. It had been a while since he had been out and quite honestly, it would be a waste to not do anything. They were in LA after all, so going to the beach was an absolute must.

Before they could leave the front door, however, they were stopped by an unlikely person.

"Where do you think you two are going?" The voice asked grumpily and the two turned around comically slow to find Aomine standing in front of them with his arms crossed loosely. His glare was still as piercing as ever, though.

"Um, out?" Kise said dumbly, and Midorima struggled not to slap him.

"I can see that. My question is, exactly where?" Aomine asked, losing his patience quickly. Midorima knew where this would lead to. It had been happening for the past month since the decision to change the match date. Aomine would always catch Kise, especially Kise, trying to leave and they would end up having a fight that Midorima would always have to break up.

"To the beach. We were invited by friends." Midorima said as concisely as possible. "Does that answer your question?"

Aomine's eyes narrowed. "Friends? What friends?"

Midorima rolled his eyes. "I think you already know, Aomine. Why are you always so sensitive about this?"

"Because you're all traitors, that's why." Aomine gritted out.

Midorima's fists clenched. It was like arguing with a toddler, and he hated children. He never had patience for them. "Think what you will. I am sick of being inside this place and it is too hot to not go to the beach. So, if you will excuse us, we'll be leaving." Midorima said with a very sharp tongue and started pushing a fuming Kise to the front door.

"Is that Kagami bastard going to be there?" Aomine then suddenly asked and the two stopped in their steps.

"Why do you want to know that?" Kise asked carefully.

"Because it's been a month since I destroyed him and I want to see how he is now." Aomine stated.

Midorima's face turned sour. "What are you, a sadist? I don't know if Kagami's going to be there and even if I did, then that would mean Kuroko would be there as well. Would you be ok with meeting Kuroko after that fiasco? Did that punch not do anything to you?"

Aomine launched forward and grabbed Midorima by the collar. "You better be careful with that mouth, Midorima. I might just rip it off you."

Midorima wasn't at all fazed and merely looked at the tanned man right in the eye. "I rest my case. Let go, Aomine. I don't want to deal with your stupidity." He then shook Aomine's hand away before finally leaving with Kise.

Aomine was left in the doorway alone, and he was practically shaking. Was it from anger? Probably. With what Midorima said? Not quite right. Midorima always had a sharp tongue that Aomine didn't really care for. Maybe he was shaking from the anger that Midorima was assuming that he took orders from him. That didn't sound about right, either. Then what was it? Why was he shaking? Whatever it was, he wasn't going to dwell on it. Either way, before he could argue his way out, he was out the door and followed them.


"Who the fuck invited that douchebag?" Kagami roared as he laid eyes on the one person he never wanted to see. The six friends were taking a small break from their life-or-death splash war and were currently lying on the sand, drinking in the sun. When they heard the bubbling voice of Kise, they all lifted their heads to greet the two, but Kagami immediately spotted the tanned man, anger immediately swelling inside his stomach.

"Ryo, did you—" Eddy started to ask, but it wasn't friendly or kind like any other time he spoke. His tone trembled and there was a darkness swirling in his eye.

Kise saw this immediately and tried to dispel it as quickly as possible. "No! Oh god no! I only invited him," pointing to Midorima. "I had no idea he was following us, I swear!"

"Then why is this bastard here?" Ben swore, standing up immediately to move closer to Kagami, almost in a protective stance. The others seemed to do the same, and the two Generation of Miracles didn't know what to do. On one hand, they want to go with their US friends and stand beside Kagami. What Aomine had done to the red-head was unforgivable, they didn't really like Aomine that much either, and they wouldn't want to lose their new friends' trust. Simultaneously, however, Aomine was still an old friend and a soon-to-be teammate. If they severed their ties with him now, Akashi would have both of their heads in a split second.

So they stayed neutral, not moving a muscle as they watched with worried eyes.

"I don't know but he better leave if he doesn't want a beating." Sebastian answered with a terrible glower. He wasn't known to be menacing because his personality was too cheerful for that. But with what had happened to one of his most important friends, even he couldn't keep a straight face to the man who had caused Kagami so much pain.

One wrong step and a fight would surely occur. Kagami's hatred for Aomine was so great, as was everyone else's for the enemy, that one wrong move and something unforgivable would happen.

"Please stop." Kuroko chimed in, his voice small but strong. Everyone looked at him, even Aomine who looked on with guarded eyes, and Kuroko sighed as he was first to move closer to the unwanted man.

"Kuroko, what are you—" Kagami said as he tried to grab the smaller man, but he skillfully evaded and avoided his question. Instead, Kuroko walked straight up to Aomine and looked at him with what seemed to be almost a glare.

"Why are you here, Aomine-kun? Eddy said he only invited Kise and Midorima-kun." Kuroko accused, leaving Aomine in a very uncomfortable position.

"Why limit yourself to only two of the Generation of Miracles?" Aomine answered back haughtily. "Why not have one more to make things more fun?"

"You have already ruined it, Aomine-kun. You cannot bring more fun when you have killed it the moment you entered the scene. Please, for the sake of everyone here, leave."

Kuroko bowed, which Kagami scowled at, and Aomine took a look around the beach and the group of people in front of him. They were either looking at him with discontent eyes or outright swearing at him to leave. He probably should have; it would have been the best option. But he felt angry at the fact that he wasn't wanted. It was almost as if he wanted to prove his worth to these people who were obviously inferior to him.

Was that why he was shaking?

Aomine stayed.

"What, can't even give me a chance? Come on, Tetsu, you should do better than that." Aomine said, disguising his words in a way that was still in his own repertoire but indirectly asking Kuroko to give him a second chance. Aomine wanted him to understand the true meaning of his words, just as they had done in middle school. Kuroko always knew what Aomine wanted to say, even when the right words never came out.

But sadly, that bond was broken ages ago and Kuroko couldn't understand it. And if he had, then he didn't show it.

"I will not, Aomine-kun. I refuse." Kuroko said and narrowed his eyes. "I would also appreciate if you did not call me that anymore. Please leave." He added with a bow once more, and Aomine's head flared.

Kuroko's name. Tetsu. A name that Aomine came up with in middle school, when they knew that the bond they had was too strong to break. It contained so many meanings, but both knew that, if anything, the name Tetsu meant 'best friends.'

Did Kuroko really want to sever the only thing that kept them connected? Did he really want to cut the past away?

"Do you hate me that much that you won't even give me a second chance?" Aomine whispered, which gradually got louder.

Kuroko looked surprised. "A second…?"

"Can't I have one day where there are no hard feelings? I've been cooped up in that fucking summer house for who knows how long and it's been driving me insane. You've got some real nerve, Tetsu, telling me to leave. What if I don't want to? What if I wanted to come here to hang out? What if I came here to try and make things right again?"

Aomine was losing control of his mind. The heat was getting to him and his head was spinning. His mind acted differently from his body. What he didn't want to say was said in an instant, like water suddenly flooding because the already cracked dam completely broke open.

In his mind, what he was saying in reality didn't make sense. But it was all true. He didn't come here to taunt Kagami, not really. He was here to try and make amends with his former best friend, even though he knew it would be impossible. But damn it, the guilt was practically killing him and the word "monster" haunted him every night. He just wanted retribution, and maybe a redoing of that time. Exactly which time? Even Aomine couldn't tell.

But most of all, he just wanted to go back with Kuroko and be his best friend again.


Kuroko, and everyone else who could understand Japanese, were speechless as they all saw a glimpse of the old Aomine, who would hurt and feel emotion like anyone else.

Surprisingly, it was Kagami who spoke first. He stood up and left the group, who had unconsciously made a protective shell around him, and walked up to the conflicted tanned man.

"Everyone else here thinks that it was your fault that I had to be bed-ridden and eventually go through rehabilitation. And maybe it was. But even I don't think that you deserve all the blame for my injury. In the end, it was my own inexperience and immaturity that led me to take up your challenge, and now I've learned my lesson. If you want to stay, then fine, be my guest. But do anything to my friends, even mutter a single insult, and I will kick you out immediately." Kagami said calmly but had a stance of a warrior, one that would never fall.

Aomine took a moment to process Kagami's words, and for a second, was grateful that he had bestowed the second chance that Aomine most wanted. But, being him, he obviously had to answer in an Aomine way.

"What makes you think you'll be able to kick me out?" Aomine said with a smirk but his facial expression noticeably grew softer, something that everyone caught.

Kagami grimaced but without much menace. Instead, he shrugged and pointed him towards the shack. "We're going to surf so you're going to want to rent one out. I'm assuming your English is somewhat understandable?"

"Bastard, are you underestimating me?" Aomine responded, leading the two to bicker all the way to the shack and back.

"Can someone please explain to me what just happened and why the number one must hated person is now renting out a surfboard with Tiger?" Ben asked with his jaw wide open. The others had the same look.

Kise gave them a sympathetic look. "I'll explain along the way."

Kuroko was afraid that the inclusion of Aomine would hamper the fun that they had been having. But, to his and everyone else' surprise, his inclusion did nothing but enhance their joy. It was almost like he was the last spark needed to start a flame in a pile of woods.

That, of course, still took time.

If Kuroko had to pinpoint exactly from which point Aomine was fully included in the fun, it would have to be that surfing match that he so stupidly declared against Kagami.

If anyone went to school with Kagami or at least discovered him one day in the beach, they would all know that Kagami's ability to surf was not to be belittled. Just like basketball, he was a beast when it came to surfing and no one could deny it, not even the prideful Himuro, who had once gone against him and lost immeasurably. His skill, balance, and speed with which Kagami possessed was that of a professional, and if he weren't such a basketball idiot, he definitely would have made it as a competitive surfer. So, no one ever dared to have a match with Kagami in surfing because they knew they would lose in an instant.

But Aomine didn't fit into the aforementioned categories. Aomine was as blind as a bat and was extremely competitive in spirit, especially against Kagami. Like an idiot, he bet Kagami that he could be as good a surfer as he was and declared him to a match, one that Kagami happily agreed to without much thought.

"He's got to be kidding. Please tell me he's kidding." Eddy said in dismay and Kuroko shook his head, also slightly shook.

"I believe he is not kidding and is actually going to have a surfing match with Tiger." Kuroko supplied and Eddy had to blink a few times to see that he was not dreaming.

"Has the dude ever had experience surfing?"

"None that I know of."

"Oh he's screwed. He is royally screwed. Almost feel bad for the guy now. He's going to get destroyed." Eddy commented but slowly started to get more excited. "Am I the only one who wants to see the dude get destroyed?"

Thankfully, he wasn't the only one.

Aomine and Kagami geared up with their body suits and got ready to go into the water. Despite what Aomine had declared, he was actually terrified of surfing. He had never once touched a surfboard in his life and he wasn't even sure if he could balance himself in the water afterwards. He didn't even want to think about what would happen if they got into the wave.

"What, scared already, Aomine? I thought you said you were just as capable in the water." Kagami laughed as he began to cover himself in sea water.

"Shut the fuck up, asshole." Aomine responded as he started copying Kagami's movements.

"You have had experience surfing, right?" Kagami then asked a bit worriedly.

Frankly, it pissed Aomine off. "Obviously, dumbass. Why do you think I'm having this match with you right now? Are you stupid?"

"Just making sure. And jesus christ, you really need to lighten up. Does everything that comes out of your mouth have to be an insult?"

"It is to you." Aomine responded and Kagami rolled his eyes but wasn't tempted to keep the insults up. That month of rehabilitation had really opened his eyes and now, he was making a conscious effort not to stoop so low.

They began to go into the water, balancing their bodies onto the board, Aomine discreetly copying Kagami's movements without him noticing. The others, who were in the sand, had formed an audience and looked on with anticipation.

Then, as a ginormous wave came forward, Aomine suddenly grew afraid for his own life. Kagami, however, was looking at it as it was the best thing that had ever come to his life, and swum closer to it. Not wanting to seem like a coward, Aomine pushed ahead as well, but when the wave came and Kagami began to stand up, Aomine slipped and was immediately washed away onto the shore.

With panic, Kise rushed towards him to see if he was hurt anywhere but Aomine couldn't even lift his face from the embarrassment. From a few inches away, Ben was laughing so much his stomach started hurting and even the silent Felix couldn't help but let out a few chuckles.

Kagami immediately came back to the shore looking freaking perfect but had a worried look on his features. "Aomine, are you ok?"

"Fuck off." Aomine muffled.

"I thought you said you could surf." Kagami then jabbed, his face practically like a child's.

"Fuck off." He said in a louder tone.

"Why lie?"

"Just fuck off. I can't even look at you right now." Aomine then said, his face visibly red under the tan. Kagami saw and laughed.

"Good match, I guess?" He teased before dodging a surprise board attack from Aomine.

"Aominecchi, let's go back to the others." Kise suggested but Aomine was too embarrassed to even walk.

"Want a rematch?" Kagami added before running away from Aomine's surfboard. He then directed his attention to Eddy and the others, who were currently out of breath from the spectacle that had unraveled before them.

"Eddy, wanna join?" Kagami called out, which Eddy immediately jumped at.

"Thought you'd never ask! Jesus, I think I'm going to get hardcore abs from all this laughing." He said as he slapped Aomine in the back as soon as their crossed pathways. Aomine stumbled for a bit before looking Eddy with wide eyes.

"Thanks for the laugh. I think we all needed that." Eddy said, his eyes softer and more sympathetic, and before Aomine could process the underlying message of that, Eddy and Kagami were already in the water, waiting for the next wave to come their way.

Aomine found himself getting pulled by Sebastian, the cat-eyed man, who also seemed out of breath.

"What…?" He muttered to himself but let himself get pulled.

Sebastian smiled. "Great job out there. Never knew you had it in you." He said with his mischievous glint in his eye, and Aomine, though he didn't quite understand what he said, knew that he was getting teased.

"Shut up." Aomine grumbled, his English rusty from not using it for a while.

"Come on, everyone else is waiting for you." Sebastian commented and the tanned man was soon the main attraction as everyone began to tease the living hell out of him. By the time they were done with their puns, Aomine was exhausted from trying to understand their English slang and didn't realize he was sitting next to Kuroko until it was too late. He tried to move away as secretively as possible but Kuroko opened his mouth before he could.

"That was stupid, Aomine-kun." Kuroko stated as if that was the most obvious thing in the world.

"Shut up, Tetsu." His eyes then widened as he realized what he just said. "I mean, Ku—"

"Don't." Kuroko cut off. "It would be too weird for you to call me by my surname now."

"But didn't you tell me I shouldn't use it?" Aomine asked softly.

Kuroko shrugged. "When have you ever been one to listen to other people's words?"

Aomine couldn't help it. He had to blink away tears. "Does that mean that—"

"Nothing is solved yet, Aomine-kun. There is still so much that I am holding onto that could potentially lead me to hate you all over again." Aomine couldn't say anything to that.

But then Kuroko, as he looked at into the ocean and saw Eddy trying to push Kagami from his surfboard to no avail, smiled as his eyes visibly softened that even Aomine could read his emotions. "But, this is a start."

Aomine copied Kuroko's actions soon after, staring at the crashing of the waves and the constant bicker from his surroundings. The numbness in his head slowly began to decrease and his vision started getting less blurry. The terrible gut feeling he had when he first encountered Kuroko surprisingly started to lessen as well and he found that he could breathe easier.

A small teardrop cascaded down his cheeks and Aomine let it be. Kuroko saw it but didn't comment on it. On the inside, the teal-haired man couldn't help but smile. It was like he was sitting next to his best friend again.

"Yeah, I guess it is." Aomine then said as they both looked at the sparkling ocean.


From there, it was as if Aomine had become a different person. His douchebag-like personality was still there because his sharp tongue just couldn't be contained, but it was clear that he wasn't intentionally trying to hurt anybody.

It even came to point where he begrudgingly asked Kagami to teach him surfing. Kuroko knew this would happen. From the moment they had the match, it was still clear that Aomine had taken an interest in surfing and that Kagami was the best one he's seen all day.

That, and Kuroko had noticed how Aomine couldn't take his eyes of Kagami surfing for the entire day.

He should have recorded a video of Aomine trying (and failing) to ask Kagami for lessons because it was almost impossible to see Aomine with such a embarrassed face on a daily basis.

Kagami, like the good-natured man he was, quickly took Aomine's offer up, though maybe he wasn't as good-natured because every now and then, Kuroko would hear Kagami jabbing at Aomine's weak points like it was his job.

Even still, it was a good day.

By the time the sun went down and the crazy summer heat had finally decreased, Aomine could stand in the wave and even do a few swerves here and there. And, by the time they done with their rest day, their friend group had noticeably gone less hostile towards the tanned man, and even gave him his nickname that they would use for the rest of the summer.

Dai. Somehow, when they heard that, both Kuroko and Aomine missed Momoi.

The day was eventful, one that Kuroko never imagined having. Kise and Midorima were the same as always, submitting to most of Eddy's and Sebastian's teasing, but having Aomine tag along was definitely new. It was unexpected and he had braced for the worse, but he was glad and was pleasantly surprised that it had ended this way.

As they all began to part, Kuroko and Kagami stuck around until everyone except for the three Generation of Miracles were left.

Kagami eyed Aomine but didn't feel any anger or hostility anymore. Sure, he's had his conflicted emotions about the tanned man since the moment they met, but that didn't mean he couldn't change. Kagami was better than this. Aomine was still an asshole, but that didn't mean he wasn't human. All humans make mistakes, and because of that, they should always be given a second chance. Of course, when they do get it, they should utilize it as well as they can.

Luckily for Aomine, he passed.

Kise and Midorima stood in the background, merely inspecting. They, too, didn't think that the day would be this fun. If anything, they believed that Aomine would most likely destroy any kind of happiness that was present. But they were wrong. And a small of part of them was actually guilty that they would demoralize Aomine as such a monster.

They, too, had been like that once, and it was wrong of them to assume that Aomine would mess everything up. In the end, it was as if Aomine had his own redemption arc, though they knew he still had a long way to go before everything could be patched up with Kuroko.

But for now, they were happy with the progress. They were happy with today's outcome.

They were just happy.

"So, what now?" Kagami broke the silence as he looked at Aomine. It still seemed that he was still in conflict with his inner self. "What's going to happen next?"

"What do you mean? We have the match and that's it." Aomine soon responded, though his head began to hurt again.

"You're still willing to take Tetsu away from here? After everything that's happened?" Kagami asked incredulously, his anger starting to boil.

"A promise is a promise. We have to take it to the end. Tetsu doesn't belong here."

"You can't decide that. That's Tetsu's own decision to make."

"What do you know?" Aomine gritted out.

Kagami wasn't going to let that get to him. "You were here today. You were with us. You were with Tetsu the most. You should know. You were his best friend, weren't you?" Kagami pointed out and Aomine's eyes widened a fraction.

The images from today played out before him and he found himself remembering Kuroko's smile the most. There was even a few laughs here and there. It was such a rare sight but he looked truly happy, so much more than when he was in Japan with them.

Did that mean that Kuroko really wanted to stay here and not go back with them? Could Aomine really accept that? Could he really accept defeat and acknowledge the fact that what he and Kuroko had once in the past couldn't be salvaged?

Aomine still needed time. "I don't know." He ended up saying pathetically and Kagami sighed, foreseeing that answer but was glad that Aomine had also grown. If he had asked the same question to Aomine a few weeks ago, he never would have gotten that answer.

"Whatever. In the end, we're going to win and Tetsu's going to stay. I won't let him leave unless he wants to on his own will. You better be prepared." Kagami declared and Aomine took the challenge up immediately.

"I should say the same thing to you, dumbass." Aomine replied back but lacked the same confident stare that Kagami had. Kuroko noticed how the tanned man's aura had lessened significantly and he was seeing more and more of old Aomine again. Did that mean that Aomine was so deprived of friendship that he had become the monster he was by the end of middle school? Was that Kuroko's fault?

He decided not to dwell on it. He had made the conscious choice to come to the States for a reason. This was not his fault and he was not to blame.

"We will see you soon, Aomine-kun." Kuroko then said as a finally goodbye and though Aomine looked like he wanted to say something else, he got the hint that it was time to separate and nodded once.

But before they could depart, Kuroko then added, "I had fun today", making Aomine's eyes widen. The phantom sixth man then walked away with Kagami by his side and as Aomine stared at their shadow figures growing smaller and smaller, he couldn't help but smile tiredly.

"See you soon, Tetsu." He muttered to himself before catching up with Kise and Midorima to go back to the summer house.


"So, you're saying that there are two Akashis?" Himuro exclaimed and Murasakibara nodded drowsily.

"Yup, in middle school~ He was really kind in the beginning but then became scary~" The purpled haired man responded as he took another bite of his cheesecake. At this point, The Cheesecake Factory would go bankrupt because Murasakibara was eating all of their cakes.

Himuro had asked Murasakibara to meet up, and the purple haired giant had agreed the moment Himuro mentioned desserts. Of course, Himuro had a purpose for this meet up. Ever since Kagami had asked him to be a substitute player, he was even more anxious to find information about their opponents. Sure, it was still because he wanted to get revenge on the person who had hurt Kagami, but he also hated being on the losing side. He wanted to know every weakness that these Generation of Miracles had so that he could exploit them and use them to his advantage.

What better way to start than to learn about their captain?

"So, he's bipolar?" Himuro asked, trying to grasp the situation.

Murasakibara tilted his head to the side, not comprehending exactly what Himuro meant. "Not bipolar… He's been like this for a while now."

"But he changed all of a sudden, didn't he?"

"Like a whole different person." Murasakibara said with his arms stretched out widely.

"And he's staying like that?" Himuro asked and Murasakibara nodded in confirmation.

"I wonder what made him become like that." Himuro muttered to himself but Murasakibara heard and guiltily raised his hand.

"It was my fault…" He said, his head drooping like a puppy's. "I asked Aka-chin for a match because I was getting stronger than him and didn't want to take orders from someone weak, and I think that made him change. He wanted to win, so he did whatever he could to achieve it."

"But that doesn't suddenly make the person change. Unless…" Himuro trailed off, his brain working a possible theory with the knowledge he just earned.

"Muro-chin?"

"Do you know anything about his family? It's a personal question, I know, but it just doesn't make sense that someone would have such a drastic personality change."

Murasakibara shrugged, not thinking too much of the question. "Aka-chin is rich. His dad is scary~"

Something then clicked. "Then it makes sense. if he grew up in such a strict, rigorous family, then it's only understandable that their child would be raised to want to win all the time. Does he have siblings, by any chance?"

Murasakibara shook his head. "Nope, he's an only child."

"Then, he's the heir." Himuro mused. "I think I can understand the trigger to his change, then."

Murasakibara tilted his head. "Really?"

Himuro nodded. "If he was raised to constantly win, then his entire existence is based on that. The fact that you threatened him and almost made him lose changed him. You practically threatened his entire existence."

At that explanation, Murasakibara's eyes widened and he began to hide in his mountain of plates. "I did that?" He said quietly, and it was like looking at a hurt puppy.

Himuro sighed and patted Murasakibara on the head. "You didn't know, Atsushi." Murasakibara leaned into his touch as Himuro gave him a soft smile.

He then grew serious again. "Is there, by any chance, a way to change Akashi to the way he was?" Himuro then asked carefully.

Murasakibara's eyes widened, as if the possibility of changing Akashi back was something he had never thought about before. "I don't know. It'd be nice if there was. I liked the old Akashi better. He was so much nicer."

Himuro began to think, so much so that their conversation died off and the two departed without much words. If there was any way Akashi could change back, then it could potentially help Kagami's situation. But first, he would have to relay the information and hopefully, with the help of Kuroko's past, they would be able to find a trump card to use.


"Tetsuya."

"Akashi-kun."

"You must be wondering why I called you out."

"I was. And a day before the match as well. Is there something you have to say?"

"Yes, yes I do."

"Then, what is it?"

"I'd like to make a bargain with you. You've known from the very beginning that Kagami's condition would never fully heal, have you not?"

"How did you—"

"By the time this match ends, he will have overexerted himself and will potentially ruin his chances of succeeding as a basketball player in the future."

"You don't know that."

"But I do. You do not stand a chance against us, Tetsuya. But you and I both know that Kagami does not give up. Come to Japan with us now and I'll not only introduce him to a good doctor but also pay all of his fees so that he recovers completely. What do you say?"

"Akashi-kun…"

"Do you not care for him? Do you not want him to succeed?"

"I do but…"

"Then choose. Will you come with us now and help Kagami achieve his dreams or will you hinder them because of your own selfishness?"


So, how was it? Good, bad, meh? Tell me in the reviews!

dun dun DUUUN... We're finally getting to the good stuff! Akashi and Kuroko will have a nice long talk in the next chapter that will reveal a lot of each other's feelings, so we're finally gonna get to Akashi's mind probe (how fun will that be to write haha)

I hope it wasn't too boring but like I said in the beginning, the reason why I even wrote this story in the first place was because I always imagined Aomine being really surprised by Kagami's awesome surfing skills and I wanted to write a scene like that. For that reason, this entire thing just popped up! Such a great way to write a story, amiright?

Himuro's role is a bit minor, I get that, but I really couldn't fit his whole 'brother rival' thing with Kagami in this story so I just hinted at it. For now, he's just going to be the informant and Murasakibara might be affected ;) We'll see how those two fit in the final scenes of the match that will happen very VERY soon.

As for Akashi, well... We'll just have to see until next time, right?

I hope you enjoyed, please await the next chapter, and I'll (hopefully) be back soon :)

Peace,

FlyAndDontLookBack