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Chapter 26

So far, the school day progressed brilliantly; Shuuzou didn't feel as awkward as he would have. Or rather, compared to America, he blended right in. He was placed in class 2-A, and what was even shocking was that there were some persons there that he had known before he left. He had sighed a relief. When he had sat in his seat, they flocked him with questions about America and he was happy to answer. He hadn't seen these guys since middle school after all.

With them being so noisy, the teacher had told them to tone down and prepare for class. Shuuzou could only smile to himself, and decided to wait until lunch.

When that time actually had come, he was dragged off to the cafeteria to continue their talk that was interrupted. The boys had chatted him out, Shuuzou actually meeting some new people as well.

"So, Nijimura, are you going to join the basketball club?"

Shuuzou paused a moment. He actually hadn't considered it, since he would be playing street ball with RimFire, (he figured that they would have pestered him about it, not to mention Tatsuya's coaxing).

"I'll probably check it out." He managed to say.

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Shuuzou found himself standing outside of the gym when school had ended. It's been a while since he's entered one of these, as back in America, he had only played streetball with Tatsuya and the other guys. He never dared set foot in a gymnasium; he felt too out of place and stifled. In addition to that, there were some people who mocked the Japanese when they played basketball. He wouldn't want to be around bastards like that.

He was snapped out his thoughts when he heard a female shout, "Alright! Gather 'round!"

He then entered the gym, and since their backs were turned to the doors, they hadn't noticed him until he came close.

"Hello." He greeted.

"Nijimura-senpai?"

A shriek escaped Shuuzou's lips, as he hadn't noticed the boy come up beside him. "Kuroko! Don't scare me like that!"

"I didn't. I've been in this gym since practice began." Tetsuya said with a small smile. Shuuzou had a feeling that the boy had purposely done this.

"Huh? Nijimura? How do you know him, Kuroko-kun?" Riko asked. She remembered the dark haired transfer from this morning. Yes, by some stroke of luck, Shuuzou had transferred into Riko's class.

"Oh, he was my captain in Teikou."

"EEHH?!" they screeched.

"Th-th-then that meant he was Aomine's captain?!" Hyuuga asked.

"Not just Aomine, but all those brats." Shuuzou said with pride. "And I've yet to hear what caused them to become monsters." He said as he looked at Tetsuya.

"When I get the time, Nijimura-senpai."

"Oi," Kagami then started with a grin on his face. Everyone knew what was coming next. "How about a one-on-one?"

"You've got some nerve brat," Shuuzou said, emitting a dangerous black aura. "Don't worry; I'll be sure to put you in your place."

Dropping his bag, Shuuzou went over to the paint area after which Kagami gave him the ball. The redhead was extremely thrilled to have Aomine's previous captain here, and as such, he couldn't keep still. Everyone, however, was actually curious as to what kind of play he'd bring, but Tetsuya only shook his head. Kagami had just handed in his death warrant to be signed.

Shuuzou dribbled the ball on the spot with Kagami on defense. A smile actually came on Shuuzou's face; he shook his head as he saw Kagami's posture. There're so many openings in his defense. Then, with a swift crossover, Shuuzou attempted to pass Kagami on his left but the redhead moved as well. However, that was the intention. When he did so, Shuuzou bounced the ball to his right, dashed around Kagami fast enough to snatch back the ball. He then made it to the net, and jumped for a dunk. But being the persistent teen he is, Kagami jumped as well, but even so, Shuuzou still had a smile on his face.

Shuuzou then switched the ball-hand in mid-air, performing a double clutch.

The ball went in smoothly through the net, Tetsuya having a big grin on his face. Streetball is going to get a lot more fun. But then he cringed, thinking that if Shuuzou should hang around when the others are training him and he decides to assist…Tetsuya abruptly ended his trail of thoughts there. He gave up, knowing full well that if that ever happens, he should just accept his fate.

"That's all you got, brat?" Shuuzou asked.

"One more time!" he shouted. "I'm just warming up!"

"I have all the time in the world." the older teen smirked.

And so, they began. Yet again, Kagami was on defense. But this time, they decided to start from the centre-circle. Shuuzou then slightly leaned forwards, looking at Kagami dead in his eyes. Then, he made a dash around Kagami on his right, but the moment the redhead moved, he made a turnaround to pass him on his left. He made his way into the free-throw circle when Kagami had caught him up back, not that he was putting much into running either way.

Kagami was determined that this time, he'll try to stop the teen, but he failed. Shuuzou leaned backwards and then forwards. Then, he started to dribble extremely fast. Trying to keep up with it, Kagami didn't realize that he was falling until he realized that Shuuzou looked taller than before.

Shuuzou had used ankle break. He then strolled to the net and then made a layup.

Everyone in the gym (minus Tetsuya) were shocked.

Shuuzou then jogged over to where Kagami was, and extended a hand to help up the redhead. He took it, still a bit shocked. However, there was a look of excitement on his face. In fact, Kagami was glad that someone like this has joined. He'll have one-on-one with him until he's sick…not that he'd ever get sick of basketball.

"What's your name, brat?" Shuuzou then asked when Kagami was steady on his feet.

Kagami was a bit peeved at being called brat, but he answered anyway. "Kagami Taiga."

"Well Kagami, I'm Nijimura Shuuzou and you're still many years too young to challenge me." He smirked. "But, who knows, maybe with the right training, you may be able to challenge the brats I used to have."

"What?" Riko asked.

"Oh, right," he then turned to face them. "I'm here to join the club."

"Really? Which position do you play?" she then asked.

"Power forward."

"The same as Kagami," Koganei breathed out. "All the better, two guys who can create a storm in the enemy territory."

They chuckled at that.

"What's so funny, guys?" a voice then said from the doorway. Hearing it, Hyuuga's face paled. "Come on, let's practice."

There, standing in the doorway and in his uniform was none other than Kiyoshi Teppei.

"It's…been a while Kiyoshi." Tsuchida and Izuki said in a strained voice.

"Why are you in your uniform?!" Hyuuga shouted while pointing a finger at the teen. "Are you really serious?! Are you?!"

"Been so long, I just wanted to raise the tension." Kiyoshi said as he sparkled along with it.

"Just go change." Riko sighed.

"Ah right." Kiyoshi said and motioned to leave for the locker room. Shuuzou stood and stared at what just transpired. A small smile appeared on his face as he never expected that Kiyoshi would have attended this school. He's played against him in the past and had even had his contact number before he left for America.

When he returned, which was rather swift in their view, he introduced himself.

"Due to some stuff, I was in the hospital since last year summer, and was resting due to rehab after operation." Kiyoshi started. "I'm Kiyoshi Teppei, 193cm, 81kg and my position is centre. Howdy."

"Are you alright already?" Riko asked as she went up to him.

"Yeah, fully recovered!" he perked. He then got somewhat serious. "I'm a bit behind in skills but it's not like I had just slept all day while in the hospital."

"Did you learn something?" Izuki hoped.

"Yeah. Hanafuda, from the old guy in the same room." He said with quite the serious face. "It's interesting." Silence then befell the team.

"That's just like you, Kiyoshi!" Shuuzou then said, walking up to him.

The centre's eyes widened with shock. "Nijimura?! I thought you were in America!"

"I was. But Dad got homesick and here I am." He shrugged. "He got better by the way."

"That's great! But what are you doing here? Wouldn't you have gone to some other school?"

"Well," Shuuzou started. "It's close to home, and I wasn't planning on playing basketball. But you know, I got coaxed by a friend among other things."

"I see. But it's quite good to see you here. I'd never even dream of the day when I'd play basketball with you."

After their little greeting, Riko then blew her whistle, signalling that they should continue practice. This time, they went into teams, playing against each other. It was the regular Senpai vs. Kouhai, this time with Kiyoshi playing.

All throughout the match, the Senpai (minus Kiyoshi) all had noticed that Kagami had returned to his former self, one that was basketball alone and not depending on others for help. It was rather scary at some point, and Shuuzou, seeing this felt as though there was something that needed to be done. But first, he'd like to know if he was always like this.

"Coach," he called, he hadn't even taken his eyes off the match.

"Hmm, yes Nijimura-kun?"

"Has Kagami always been like that?"

"No not really. To tell you the truth, when he had just come here, he was. But after getting to know everyone, well, Kuroko-kun mostly, his play style changed."

"Do you know what caused this change?"

Riko sighed. "It's probably because we lost horribly to Touou the other day."

"Touou? Where's that?" Being in America for so long, Shuuzou really didn't know much about the high schools. Worst if they didn't stand out.

"Tokyo. It was a league match. And well, they had Aomine Daiki as their ace and Momoi Satsuki as their manager."

"Ah," he let out. He remembered that tiny pink-haired girl who was fawning over Tetsuya every single day. But nevertheless, she did her work fabulously. "I see." He then took a hold of her whistle, and blew.

"Nijimura-kun?!" she said in alarm.

"Pardon me for a second," he responded. The boys on the court stopped what they were doing, and looked over.

"Kagami, what's your problem?" Shuuzou asked. This left everybody bewildered.

"I don't ―"

"I was told that you weren't always like this. Is it because you lost to Aomine why you're venting it out right now?"

"That's…" he trailed off and avoided eye-contact.

"Well, if that's the case, don't you think that you can ask the Senpai and your fellow freshmen for help?"

"In a match, you can't always ask them for help!" he retorted. "I just want to get stronger by myself so that I can ―"

"Take on Aomine by yourself." Shuuzou completed. He then sighed. "If you want to play him by yourself, then go drag the boy to a street court and have as much one-on-ones as you want. Basketball is a team sport, brat." He then walked towards the court, "there's nothing wrong with wanting to get stronger after defeat. Hell, that's the whole purpose of it. Working on what you lack so that you can demolish them later. But, doing like this, isn't the answer."

"Then…"

"Ask for help, Kagami-kun." Tetsuya then said. "I never got like this by trying to play by myself during practice. I ask my brothers for help."

"That's right, Kagami." Hyuuga then joined in. "We're all here for you. So stop acting like the world's on your shoulders!" he then roared.

"But Captain…"

"Alright, that's enough, practice!" Riko then announced. "You can finish this in the locker room later!"

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Practice was finally now over, Shuuzou couldn't help but grin his amusement. Riko was actually brutal for a student-coach, and this somewhat reassured him. His time here should be fun, especially with that hot-headed Kagami Taiga. Oh yes, he deduced, that they'll become best friends by the time he's done with him.

At this moment, he was waiting at the front gate for Tetsuya, who had already gone to change. His mind then ran on RimFire, the crazy set of boys that Tatsuya's affiliated with and it seems that he'll soon be one of them. After all, playing streetball is highly tempting, and after watching their matches with Tatsuya when he was in America, there was hardly a reason to deny this sweet offer. But then, he realizes that he doesn't really know them that much (minus Tetsuya) so he has work to do.

He chuckled, seeing how they behaved Monday evening; they seem like boys who he could get along with easily. Looking back at the building, it was then that he noticed Tetsuya and grabbed his chest. He wondered if he made the right choice, joining their basketball team because Tetsuya will cause him to have a heart attack on day.

"Sorry to have kept you waiting, Nijimura-senpai."

"Nah, it's fine."

The two boys then walked off from the school, and throughout this time, Tetsuya told Shuuzou about all that had transpired in Teikou after he had left. Shuuzou felt two emotions at the same time, joy at their monstrous growth and rage at their attitudes. In fact, he felt that if he ever comes across any of them, he may strangle them, not to death but…

Realizing that he's letting out to much killing intent, he ceased as it was somewhat petrifying poor little Tetsuya. After he had cooled down, he then asked Tetsuya what the team was like. With a laugh, the boy answered,

"Fun."

"That's too vague."

"You have to experience them for yourself, Senpai."

Sighing, Shuuzou gave up, realizing that Tetsuya was not going to tell him anything more. Soon, they then reached the station and boarded the train. They could have taken the bus, but that would have taken a longer time. They continued their discussion, this time, Shuuzou asking about RimFire. At that instance, Tetsuya made a savage grin which honestly took him by surprise. Once more, Tetsuya gave him a very vague answer,

"If you want to know what they're like, then you can find out after this train stops."

Shuuzou didn't understand what he'd mean, but there was excitement rising within him.

A couple minutes later, they arrived at their stop and they continued their walk home. However, due to where Shuuzou lived, he'd have to take a bus to get there. When they had reached the bus stop, Tetsuya then urged the older teen to follow him to a street court. Since the bus was scheduled to come in thirty minutes, Shuuzou deduced that it wouldn't hurt to have some fun in the meantime.

Heading to the street court, he noticed that Tetsuya was walking a bit faster than before, but he never in his wildest dreams would have guessed the reason for his sudden brisk walking.

Upon reaching the court, he saw five boys, two of which were going one-on-one, while the other three were watching by the sides. Entering the court, one of them noticed him and alerted the others.

"So, is he the guy?" this one had grey-eyes and black hair. "I'm Kazunari," he introduced with a smile on his face.

"I'm Nijimura Shuuzou."

"I've heard." Kazunari responded. He then grinned at him, making Shuuzou feel as though he's scheming something.

"It's a surprise to see you here, I'm Shouichi."

"I'm Shigehiro but you can call me Shige."

Then silence befell them and all eyes turned on Kise who was just staring, feeling somewhat out of place.

"Introduce yourself, idiot!" Yukio shouted.

"Ah, I'm Kise Ryouta." The blond said.

"Nice to meet you all. But I don't remember seeing you in any of the matches." Shuuzou then said, looking at Kise.

"Oh no, he's my ace. He doesn't play street ball with us." Yukio said. He then turned to Kise, "You've heard his name. But he was the captain of Teikou before you had joined."

Kise let out a screech. "Really?!"

"Yup," Shuuzou said.

But it was then that it clicked. When he had joined, he heard about a Senpai who would usually beat up Haizaki for missing practice. That was an amazing feat in Kise's book, and now to actually meet the person is quite…

"So which position do you play?" Shouichi then asked.

"Power forward."

"Nice," Kazunari nodded. "That means, we have two power forwards now."

"We?" Shuuzou raised his eyebrows.

"Oh, we have an offer for you, you know." Shouichi said while pushing up his glasses. "I'm sure you won't deny." Actually, here, he looked quite scary.

"Alright, enough with this." Tetsuya then said. "Nijimura-senpai has a bus to catch in twenty-seven minutes. How about a quick three-on-three with Kazunari-kun as ref?"

"Eh? Why am I always the ref?!" he voiced his displeasure.

"You're the one with the hawk-eyes." They answered in unison.

"I want to be on the same team as Kurokocchi!" Kise shouted out as he embraced the boy into a hug. "It's been too long!"

"Fine, fine." Shouichi sighed. "How about me, Shige and Shuuzou on one team?"

"I don't have a problem." Shige said.

"As long as I make it back to the bus stop in time." Shuuzou drawled. He then placed his bag on the bench and then returned to the court.

"Good." Shouichi grinned to himself. "I'd love to see the battle between Kise and Shuuzou."

And so, the boys got into their positions, Shige and Kise at the centre for the tip-off. Kazunari then threw the ball into the air, the two boys jumping for it.

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