Disclaimer: I do not own KnB!

Chapter 37

As the match between Shuutoku and Seirin dragged on, with the dreary weather, Misaki begun to count how many times Kagami had blocked Midorima's shots. The crowds and some other people, being clueless of the strategy, cheered and gaped at the numerous replays. Riko took a glance at the score board and saw it was 23 to 16. Seirin in the lead.

Although, I'd like to be celebrating...we wouldn't be troubled if it could end like this...! thought Hyuuga.

What are they thinking? thought Kiyoshi.

Misaki sighed as she ran her hand through her hair. "This is a stupid strategy." she said.

"What do you mean?" asked Koganei.

"Well...I'm not completely sure or not..." said Misaki. "But I'm wondering, if they're just letting Midorima shoot as many times, so Taiga will wear down. Once that happens, Shuutoku will be able to attack and Midorima will be able to use his famous shots, without problem. " The others looked at Kagami, as they saw him pant.

"What, you're worn out, already?" said Midorima. "If so, then I'm disappointed."

"No way in hell!" yelled Kagami. "You're the one who should be trying harder!"

This is a pretty bad situation. Kagami is clearly the one at his limit... if it was last time, Kuroko would've been able to help, but...that point guard...he's a real pain... TAKAO! thought Izuki.

"I won't let you go to help." said Takao. "Your ability no longer works."

Kuroko only looked at Takao, firmly as he remained silent.

Last time, we dodged Hawk Eye using the compound effects of misdirection, and Misaki's Medusa Eye...but Kuroko's misdirection only works for a limited time in the first place, so it's barely of any use anymore... It was our mistake. In a re-match against the same opponent, Kuroko's ability drops drastically...!

As the game went on, everyone watched as Miyaji passed the ball to Midorima who begun to do a shot.

Kagami jumped to stop his shot, but he widened his eyes as Midorima quickly did a fake, as he went around Kagami. "I'm not done yet!" yelled Kagami. He begun to run and jumped again. Everyone hitched their breath as they saw Midorima shoot the ball. Everyone gasped as they saw the ball bounce off the rim, sideways.

"WHAT?!"

No...! No way, with that timing, he touched it! thought Midorima.

What leg power!"

"The ball is still alive! RUN!" yelled Misaki, at the top of her lungs. Seirin snapped out of it. Everyone widened their eyes as they saw Kuroko catching the ball as he flung the ball, shooting it into a straight line. Izuki caught it as he did a lay-up.

The crowds cheered, as Misaki looked at Riko. She nodded, as she looked at Kiyoshi. "Teppei!" Kiyoshi looked at Riko as he nodded.

As Midorima begun to shoot again, Kagami's leg shook. He jumped to stop the ball, but to be only a fake.

"Taiga is at his limit." said Misaki. "Shuutoku's plan worked." Just as Midorima was about to shoot, Kiyoshi jumped to stop the ball. Midorima widened his eyes as he looked to the side.

"WE'VE BEEN WAITING...FOR THIS TO HAPPEN!" yelled Takao, as he caught the ball, that Midorima passed to him. Takao quickly passed the ballt o Miyaji as they raced towards to Seirin's hoop. As a point went towards Shuutok, Misaki sighed and ran her hand, furiously through her hair.

"Damn...I was right. God damn shit this." said Misaki.

"Wha-?"

Misaki sighed as she begun to explain. "Until now, Midorima never relied on others. That was one of his weakness and we were able to counter him with team play. However, this time... it's the opposite. Now that Midorima is no fightning alone..Shuutoku has become a true team."

Furihata and the others begun to panic, as Riko yelled. "Don't be flustered~ Shout and cheer properly! We're in a pinch, but-"

"It's just a pinch." said Kiysohi. "It's not like the match is over."

"Last year, he was the one who constantly saved Seirin's crisis." said Koganei. "Kiyoshi's the type who is the most reliable at times like this!"

Kiyoshi took in a breath, as he let it out. "Let's go have fu~n!" Everyone turned to see Misaki's eyes sparkled. Everyone quickly remembered, that Misaki was their favourite fan and they quickly let her be.

"Ah-right! I know that!"

"But what're we gonna do?"

"I can't think of a way to stop the current Shuutoku..."

"That's why we're going to start thinking now, right?" said Kiyoshi.

"YOU'VE GOT NOTHING!" yelled Hyuuga, as he slapped Kiyoshi's head.

"Well, I guess... that hurt by the way." said Kiyoshi, as he rubbed the back of his head. "We'll start by getting rid of Kuroko!"

Kuroko shook and stepped back from shock. "Eh?!"

"He's just a drag if he can't use Misdirection at all."

STAB!

"Althought you do seem to be trying pretty hard, if I were to choose between whether you were an asset or liability, I would pick the latter."

STAB, STAB!

"Anyway, right now, there's no point in you being here!"

STAB, STAB, STAB!

Kagami could only sweat drop, as he watched Kuroko having a cloud loom over his head.

"So that's why..." before Kiyoshi could finish, an annoucement was made for a member change.

"Oh... looks like the coach's thinking the same thing." said Kiyoshi, as she begun to send Mitobe out. Kuroko and Mitobe high-fived each other, as Misaki gave him a bottle of water.

"You're not done yet," said Koganei. "So don't let go of your concentration just yet."

"Don't be anxious. Just leave it to the team for now." said Furihata. Misaki dug out a clean towel, as she draped it over Kuroko's head.

"I'm fine." said Kuroko. "Rather, this'll make it better for me to use my new drive. And... I'm not worried since I believe in them."

Somewhere, a pink-headed girl begun to run through the halls, as she dashed to the stadium.

"Argh! I knew it! They started already!" Whined Momoi. As Momoi begun to curse at Aomine, she sighed.

"Ah? It's Momocchi!" Momoi widened her eyes as she turned to see Kise.

"You came to watch Kurokocchi and Midorimacchi's match?" asked Kise.

"KI-Chan!" yelled Momoi.

"Can you please stop with that nick-name?" said Kise.

"But Ki-chan is Ki-chan, right? You're alone right?" said Momoi.

"Yup. Even though I asked all my senpais, they all rejected me...It's so disheartening!" whined Kise.

"Ki-chan's the one to say that?" said Momoi. "That's my line..."

"Well, normally it's weird to watch with someone I've lost to, but our winter cup participation are already decided, so let's call a truce for now." said Kise.

"Yeah...you're right." agreed Momoi. "That's right! How's the match!?"

"Well, it's becoming pretty intresting." said Kise.

Momoi widened her eyes as she saw Kagami and Kiyoshi, double-teaming Midorima.

"Anyway, stopping Midorima is a must." said Kiyoshi. "We'll go with double-team by Kagami and me."

"NO! I CAN DO IT BY MYSELF!" yelled Kagami.

"I get your resolve, but it can't be helped if he mixes fakes and passes. We're out if you can no longer jump." explained Kiyoshi.

"But in that case, we're the ones in trouble." said Izuki. "No matter what, Mitobe can't handle the inside alone."

Hyuuga sighed as he rubbed the back of his head. "Then it looks like...it's all up to that."

As the ball bounce and Miyaji score another point for Shuutoku, by doing a lay up, the crowds begun to go to the edge of their seats.

"If we can't stop them, then we just have ti take more than them." said Hyuuga. "LET'S RUN!"

Shuutoku went into a short shock, as the tempo of Seirin rose higher. As Kiyoshi had the ball and was about to dunk it in, Miyaji jumped to block it. Kiyoshi looked to the side, as he passed it to Mitobe, who shot it i.

Momoi gaped at Seirin. This is...although the shape is completely different...

It's the same as Touou..thought Misaki. Everyone watched as Seirin begun to go back to scoring points.

"So this is the new Seirin!" said Takao.

"No..." interrupted Otsubo. "To be exact, they're back. Seirin's style is offensive team basketball, but Kiyoshi's team last year was much faster."

Takao blinked at Otsubo. "Kiyoshi and Hyuuga's in and out double hightlights, with the five-man footwork and passing... despite having an overwhelming shallow history, the Seirin team managed to specialize in offense. By forcing their opponents into rapid shoot-outs, they succeded in rising up to last year's Tokyo region best 4, thats their strength."

"Run and gun speed basketball." That is Seirin's true fightning style!" said Misaki.

"There are two things that change when Kiyoshi's in the team." said Riko. "First, the inside is stronger. The other is, by cycling the ball they increase the speed of their passing with the help of Izuki-kun. Fast-faced point wards are our specialty!"

How reliable...No wonder Audrey looks up to them... with this...thought Kagami.

Just about things were looking bright on Seirin, Kiyoshi widened his eyes as Otsubo caught the ball and passing it to Midorima, who shot it in the goal.

"Why are you dozing off?" said Midorima. "You can't lose focus for even one moments if you want to stop me!"

The crowds begun to watch in amazment, as they went into uproar.

"Alright~ Nice shot, Midorima!" yelled Kimura, as he slapped Midorima's back.

"Don't mind it, Kagami!" yelled Hyuuga. "We'll take it back!" as Kiyoshi rubbed Kagami's head.

"LET'S GO!"

The buzzer went off, as the end of the 2nd quarter was announced. As each team begun to go back to their benches, the crowds begun to yell their disappointment, as they waited eagerly for the 3rd quarter.

"Wow, the crowds are really heated up." said Momoi, as she and Kise looked around. "What do you think will happen in the second half, Ki-chan?"

"Eh?Um... NO CLUE!" said Kise, as a he sparkled.

"Honestly, you're no use..." said Momoi.

"Well, at least the second half will definitely be a point war, but Seirin is the one at a disadvantage." said Kise. "For now, Seirin has no method of stopping SHuutoku. However, it's not like Shuutoku can't stop Seirin at all. The one who'll crumble first will probably be Seirin. Well...that is only if Kurokocchi isn't here."

There's no way Tetsu, will remain silent...thought Misaki. The Phatomn 6th player of the Generation of Miracles, isn't just for show... as Misaki and Kuroko both looked at the score board.

45 to 43.

Seirin was in the lead, but Shuutoku was close behind.