Chapter 12
The entire Seirin team gathered in the gym the next day. Riko had arranged for all the boys to sit on the bench. When the last awaited member arrived, Hyuuga got up from his seat and faced the team.
"Today, there is a dire situation we must discuss."
"What's more important to the basketball team than playing basketball?" the redhead blurted before the captain even introduced the topic.
"Kagami may not be able to participate in further games."
The entire team stood up, Kagami included. Hyuuga waited for the members to process what they just heard. Kagami opened his mouth to protest, but Kuroko held him down and urged him to wait for an explanation. The basketball players once again directed their undivided attention to their captain.
"That is, if his grades stay as they are." The team looked around confused. Riko got up to clarify.
"Boys. Kagami is barely passing any of his classes." She glared at the loud redhead. "But the class he is doing the worst in is English."
It was quiet, but soon laughter filled the entire gymnasium. Riko, expecting a more serious response, added in, "So the principal and the teacher informed us that if Kagami's score on his next test doesn't improve drastically, he will be banned from all team games until he makes up the class properly.
The laughter instantly died down and in its place, panic spread through the crowd. The whole team knew that if they were to lose that one member, it's all over.
"That's why, Riko and I have decided to initiate our plan. All of us are going to help Kagami today so that he can pass English class with flying colors."
...
The stressed captain and coach turned to the calm and composed Kuroko for guidance.
"This isn't going to work," the pale boy said straightforwardly. "We need to try something else."
The three students stared at the rest of the team as they tried helping Kagami. It was good that they all got along very well, but it was obvious that it wasn't just Kagami who was struggling with the subject.
Riko walked over to check up on the boys who were huddled together on the floor with their textbooks laid out. Maybe we just need to give it some time. Right when she decided to show some faith in her team of boys, she heard a wrong translation of the simplest sentence.
She put a hand on that boy. "I said teach him. Not teach him the wrong things."
Another one of the boys looked up. "Why don't we just help Kagami cheat? We can all help out since we have the same class."
The rest of the boys smiled and agreed with the "brilliant" suggestion.
"Sounds good to me. I'll do anything to play basketball." Kagami instantly became a supporter of the "easy way out" plan.
Hyuuga knew a simple "no" would not be enough for the boys and disclosed, "The principal and teacher also informed us that if there is any cheating going on, we may suffer greater punishments such as suspension, permanent removal from the team, and possible expulsion."
The whole team panicked once again. "What should we do?" The nervous boys grouped together to brainstorm possible solutions to help a boy raised in America pass English class in Japan.
"Kagami-kun." The girl coach pulled him aside. "As much as I value you on our team, I cannot allow our team to waste any more practice time like today. I know you know that this is something you have to handle yourself."
"I know," the usually energetic Kagami said gravely before walking back to the join the rest of the boys.
"Why don't we just get him a tutor?"
The team looked at the boy whom they all always naturally seemed to forget.
"Kagami-kun isn't dumb. He just needs a tutor to sharpen and review his skills."
"I can help him," said the boy who failed the translation.
"Absolutely not. You'll only help him fail even more." Riko immediately shot down the boy's offer.
"I think my brother's friend's cousin's neighbor's brother may be able to tutor Kagami." The team looked at the boy as he continued. "I'll just have to contact my brother to contact his friend to ask his cousin's neighbor if his brother returned from America yet."
"Anyone else?" Riko asked. "Just throw out any idea. Anything is better than that."
"How about instead of spending any more time talking, you dismiss us from practice..." Riko shot a death glare at Izuki who saved his own life by inserting, "...and search for a tutor that can help him one on one.
"Yeah. We can ask Takei-kun from Class A to help out." The idea won a few votes.
"That's not going to work." Kuroko saw the confused looks and explained. "I noticed that Kagami-kun's personality is not easily compatible with a lot of people. But Takei-kun, with all due respect, is even worse. He only helps out pretty girls."
"Girls..." the basketball team repeated slowly.
"Girls have more patience and talk more politely."
"I agree. I try to act a little more decent when I'm around them."
"Girls..." The boys nodded in unison.
"Well, what do you think Kagami?"
The redhead thought for a second. "As long as I pass the class." Smiles spread across everyone's faces.
"Alright. Team Seirin. Practice is over. Commence Operation: Get Kagami a Girl."
"Tutor," Kuroko added in. The entire team rushed out of the gym and the hunt started.
