A/N:

Cemre: Thanks for your concern. Although the crisis isn't completely resolve yet, I believe time will bring everything back into place soon enough. Gotta stay optimistic! Or risk suffering a mental breakdown again. Haha! It really has been a while, hasn't it? Really sorry about the long hiatus though. Sometime life just wants to screw us up when we are defenseless and unprepared. *sigh*

Disclaimer: I do now own KuroBasu. Except for my OCs and my plot.


Seiho VS Seirin (2)

Third Person's POV

Her blood was boiling. Her hands have balled into two fists, shaking dangerously at her sides. Izanami watched on the semi-finals between Seiho and Seirin with baleful look, as the match progressed into its second quarter.

The reason behind her immeasurable anger, was undoubtedly, due to Tsugawa Tomoki - again.

Somehow, it wasn't surprising to anyone anymore that the shaven head has gone and pissed the gray head off once again. He has been doing so subconsciously for a good number of times already today. Ticking not just Izanami, but almost everyone around him off too. Indirectly. Though he didn't mean any of his tactless remarks.

However. This time, he did it consciously. He did it willfully and with ill-intent. Using all his might and whatever means to stop Seirin from scoring - by intending to foul the ace from Seirin, Kagami out.

It started a while back after the time-out from Seirin has ended in the first quarter. Tsugawa was doing his job and pressured Kagami in defense as usual. The only difference being, it wasn't as effective as it used to before the time-out. Furthermore, there were still the cohesive plays with Kagami and Kuroko. Making it more the harder for the shaven head.

Although Tsugawa's pressure defense no longer held the same effect, Kagami was still exhausted greatly. Of course. Anyone would be if they went all out for offense and having to deal with their opponents' defense as well. It was only natural. Kagami was a basketball player, not a saint.

And that was when a dirty plot was hatched from a certain shaven head.

He started off by provoking an offensive foul on Kagami. Then again, again, and again.

It was damn obvious to anyone's naked eyes what that baldy was up to. And, Izanami wasn't the least please by it. If possible, she really wished she could have stuff the raw lemons she bought from her errand (courtesy of Riko) in his loud mouth.

Even if it wasn't enough to kill him, it would still be fun to see the pain expression he wore, as his face contorted with agony. Spitting out white foam over his mouth.

Sports wouldn't be fun if all athletes play dirty like this, would it? Izanami doubts it.

Sure. She knew Tsugawa was desperate. Desperate to win. However, she would never approve his out-of-desperation-method. One such as this.

Never.

Izanami sent a downcast glance at the haggard redhead and exhausted bluenette on her left. Both sitting on the bench without exchanging a word.

Kuroko watched on the match quietly with meticulous eyes. Seemingly engrossed. Though it seemed more like he was analyzing his opponent and thinking up a plan rather than simply watching it.

On the other hand, Kagami was having trouble breathing properly. His breath labored and unsteady from all the rough plays he had been through before he was taken out of the match along with his partner. Pool of sweats were dripping from his laden body and soaking his jersey, as he tried to assuage his adrenaline down.

Both Kuroko and Kagami have been pulled out from the match as of now. In Kuroko's case, he was being pulled out to conserve the effectiveness of his misdirection. Stamina wise, too. As for Kagami, he was being taken out due to fatigue and the number of fouls on him. One more foul, and he won't be able to play for the remaining quarters.

Izanami tore her gaze away from them. Biting her bottom lip in the process. She wondered how their team was going to fare now that their super rookies duo have been rendered immobile for a while. They would be alright, wouldn't they? The second-years were still out on the court after all. And it wasn't anyone she was talking about here. It was Hyuga and the other seniors she was speaking so proudly of.

As if to confirm her undying trust in her teammates, a yell resounded the gym. Snapping Izanami out from whatever trance she was experiencing instantly, as she jumped at the sudden increase of volume.

"Quit running your mouth, you braggart. . . I'm going to teach you how to talk to your senpais, baldy." Hyuga spat out. His brow twitching as he glared menacingly at Tsugawa, who has stiffened up at the captain's unexpected outburst.

Did I just missed out something? Izanami pondered, as she watched her team and Seiho engaged in yet another psychological warfare. Tension filling up the air and almost too suffocating to breath. The gray haired swallowed a gulp at the tense up atmosphere that was now whirling through the court uncomfortably, while a bead of cold sweat trickling down her already frozen-like face.

Not again. . . She inwardly groaned. This was what she couldn't deal with. Rivals vying with sparks and electrics flying and thundering everywhere. As if their gaze were shooting lazer when they glared at one another. Too prideful to back down.

And she found herself to be standing between those two teams. Much to her discomfort.


Kise widened his eyes at the match before him. Astonishment and amusement twinkled in both golden irises as the corner of his lips curled up slightly. He never expected Seirin to have improved this much since the last time they have played together. His eyes glued to the on-going match intensely, eyes following all the players movement as it flitted around. Awed by the alacrity shown by Seirin even when they have been cornered by their opponent.

Seirin's spirit was formidable, and as someone who had played against such team, Kise acknowledged it. A newfound admiration and respect surged within the blonde as the semi-finals was nearing toward the end. Reaching its climax soon enough.

Now. Which team will come out victorious and go up against Midorimacchi. . . would it be the usual, whose team was one of the Three Kings of Tokyo. Or, a new and unheard team led by Kurokocchi and his new light? Kise mused interestingly. A little too exuberant about it. Internally, the model did wished for the latter though. It would be interesting to see two of their former teammates clash with one another, as it's not an everyday scene nor does it occur daily after the Generation of Miracles have all graduated from their middle school.

Also, Kise has learned - or should he say, he rediscovered the passion he once had when he decided to join Teikou basketball club after playing with Kuroko and his team? He wondered would the verdant teen feel the same as him now after playing with Kuroko. Kise would have to see it through to know though.

"That baldy sure is persistent. . ." Kise wondered out loud. Propping his elbow on his crossed leg while he rested his chin in his hand. Looking dully at the shaven head who was currently chasing after the orange ball.

"I wonder which team will win~ What do you think, Kasamatsu-senpai?" asked Kise. Side-glancing his captain from the corner of his eyes as he waited for an answer from the older male. "Who knows," replied Kasamatsu. Shrugging his shoulders, "but it would be tough to win against Seiho." He stated matter-of-factly.

Well. That was true. For the past years, Seiho has been deemed as a team having the toughest defense in Tokyo. Befitting of 'The Three Kings of Tokyo' title that was bestowed upon them. Even the spectators were all expecting Seiho to win and advance to the Finals. Those audience couldn't be blame though. It was only natural. Comparing a widely-known powerhouse like Seiho, to a newly formed team from only a year ago, it was obvious most people were biased and favored Seiho more.

"However, there's a chance." Kasamatsu added on. That earned a full attention from the model as he whipped his head to his side and looked at the senior with saucer-like eyes. "Really!?" exclaimed Kise, which unfortunately made the captain of Kaijo twitched at his loudness. But the annoyance quickly subsided and calmness settled on the raven head once more.

"Seiho isn't a team of geniuses. They are a team of experts." Kasamatsu explained. Sophisticatedly.

Kise quirked his brow at the older male's words. Seemingly had a hard time trying to decipher what he had meant.

It was fortunate that the blonde decided to keep his doubts to himself and didn't press on the captain further for the meaning behind his statement. Or else, he's going to get his ass kick for being 'slow'. Something which has turned into a habit for Kasamatsu whenever he's annoyed with Kise. And since the captain was always annoyed with him, it became a daily routine.

Even so, it doesn't mean the model sit it well with his butt being constantly abused like that. (Though he deserved the kick most of the time)

Beep beep!

"Shutoku High will be advancing to the Interhigh preliminary finals!"

Roar of cheers and thunderous clap reverberated through the gym upon the announcement of the winning team from another semi-final block broke out. While Seiho and Seirin were competing with one another, across from their court was another semi-final being held. And the winner from their respective block in the semi-finals, would face off with each other in the Interhigh preliminary finals.

Apparently, one of the semi-final finished it much earlier than expected.

"Oh? It seems like Midorimacchi has already finished." Kise remarked. Stretching his arms back behind his head as he glanced languidly at the verdant teen from above, who was gathering his belonging before walking back to the locker room with his team.

As if feeling the blonde's watchful gaze from afar, Midorima glanced up and met Kise's eyes for a moment. It was not even more than a second until they broke their eye contact. The shooter adjusted his glasses, before walking off along with his team. Leaving the blond male to blink at their short eye contact from earlier. Wait. Could that even consider as a form of 'eye contact'?

Well, Kise didn't know. And it wasn't significant or important anyways, so he just shrugged it off like it had never happened.


Before everyone notices it, the match between Seiho and Seirin have reached its end as well.

Following right after Shutoku, the team that has successfully advanced to the Finals -

"What a turnover! Seirin has at last, won the ticket to the Winter Cup! And will be advancing to the finals! Facing off with another one of the Three Kings of Tokyo - Shutoku High~!"

As the emcee announced the winners of both semi-finals for both blocks, the gym has erupted into another fit of cheers. Heating up the gym with their unlimited enthusiasm that has filled up the place.

The members from Seirin were as merry as the spectators, too. Everyone began to shout victoriously at the result of their hardwork. Bro-hugging one another, or fist-bumping among the boys. Amidst the convival ambiance that was now circling through Seirin, Izanami was watching her teammates' jovial expressions at a side. Again.

From her point of view, she saw one of the rare smile that was hardly ever shown on Kuroko's face. She saw Kagami's grin that could probably stretch as wide as toward his ears. She saw how everyone, including the reserved players on the bench and Riko, have all joined in and started jumping in joy. Embracing one another in a spur of moment.

And as she watched on, a weird sensation burgeoned inside of her. Something. . . the gray haired couldn't quite put her finger on. This feeling, was different from the first time she had seen the basketball plays in a neighborhood park where Alex has taken her to.

It felt - warm.

And, Izanami didn't dislike this new sensation one bit. Strangely.

Slowly, her lips tugged into a gentle smile at the endearing and the touching moment in her team. She jogged towards them. Finally joining in the festive mood of their winning.

For now, the gray head just wanted to enjoy this moment to the fullest. Burning all these memories deep in her mind. For now, she just wanted to be selfish, and did what her heart told her to.

As Izanami was flouncing around gleefully, she thought she caught a sight of green and orange. Pausing her acts, she snuck a glance at the exit of the courts. Only to widen her eyes at the unexpected green irises hidden behind its glasses, gazing back into her own.

It was only a brief moment. When he had turned his head slightly to glance behind him. And that action of his was caught by a certain manager, who he wanted to avoid the most.

It was as if time have stopped for the both of them when their eyes met. Though the contact this time was probably less than a nanosecond compared to the one he had with Kise.

Bewilderment swam about in the depth of those amber orbs, while his own ones were glazed with disdain.

Although Midorima predicted they would meet again, he didn't expect to be this soon.

Well, since he has carried his lucky item for the day today, everything will turn out right. The shooter was certain of it. Moreover, his zodiac sign wasn't in the bottom last rank. It was somewhere in the middle. Ambiguous. Yes, he knew. But it was better than being placed in the pit of the bottom.

Though the verdant teen highly suspected the reason behind his zodiac sign to fall in the middle and not in the top ranking, was most likely due to that eccentric girl.

After all, she was the epitome of 'curse'. She spelled troubles wherever she goes. And she herself probably still unaware of such facts.

Subconsciously, he heaved out an exasperated sigh that he didn't know he was holding in. Today is going to be a long day ahead of him. Whether he likes it or not.

Of course, he dislike it, to the very core.


A/N: I was supposed to update this a few days ago... but I was too lazy to check until now. Oops. Sorry! *dodges flying tomato* Also, not much basketball actions here. I'm terribly sorry about that. Because I suck at writing it... Maybe I can try harder in the next one? :x

FINALLY. Shutoku vs Seirin will be next! I have to do well this time... no more screw ups! Even so, I can't help but feel burdened. *sigh*

Please review~!