Chapter 3: The Prince and the Practice Game (Part 1)

Hiroto yawned widely as he closely followed the others, Kaijou Private High looked a lot bigger than Seirin but the Prince's expression showed little interest in it, despite the team's sudden interest in its architectural structure and the school's devotion to its athletics. It was finally the day for their practice match against Kaijou. Ever since their encounter with Kise, Hiroto couldn't help but look forward to how the match is going to turn up.

"Kagami-kun, the look in your eyes is worse than usual." Kuroko commented from the other side of the redhead. Hiroto turned his attention at the mentioned redhead and stifled a laugh with his hand.

"Shut up." Kagami replied lazily, tone lacking energy and the Prince could tell it was from the lack of sleep. He must've been too excited for the upcoming match that he couldn't sleep properly last night.

"Taiga, what are you, a kid going on a field trip?" Hiroto grinned, earning a glare from the redhead as he turned to him.

"What did you say?!"

"Hey, guys!" The trio's attention turned towards the blond skipping towards their direction. Hiroto twitched a bit at the display as if the childish behavior of Kise Ryota was giving him the creeps.

"Kise!" The said blonde stopped in front of the team and greeted with a light wave of his hand.

"This place is big, so I thought I'd come get you."

"Hello." Riko bowed at him in greeting.

"Kise, hey!" Kagami called out to him, but the blond plainly ignored him and instead skipped towards Kuroko, face beaming.

"Kurokocchi, ever since you turned down my invitation to join us, I've been crying into my pillow every night." Hiroto, again, twitched a bit as Kise rubbed his eyes in an attempt to wipe off imaginary tears. There's no doubt about it, the blonde's actions was making his skin crawl.

"What's wrong with him?" Hiroto whispered to himself.

"Just show us the way." Kagami grumbled impatiently and a bit irritated at being ignored. But of course, Kise continued what he was doing as if he hadn't heard them.

"Not even a girl has turned me down before." The blonde grumbled dejectedly.

"Could you please stop being so sarcastic?" Kuroko stared blankly at him. Kise's eyes narrowed a bit at that and he smirked.

"Maa, I'm interested to know more about the guys who is making Kurokocchi say those things." Now, Kise turned to both Hiroto and Kagami, passed them both. Hiroto maintained eye contact with the blond. "I don't care much about being called the Generation of Miracles, but I can't ignore such an obvious challenge." Kagami raised a brow at him.

"I'm not mature enough to let it slide. Sorry, but I'm going to crush you both with everything I have."

"Sounds good." Kagami smirked at the obvious challenge while Hiroto snorted, crossing his arms over his chest.

0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0

"This is it." Everyone stared wide-eyed at the arrangement of the gym. It seemed that they were going to play half-court? The other side is used for practice as they can see. Hiroto can't help but narrow his eyes as they took in everything. What the hell is with this arrangement?

"You're here. Welcome. I'm Coach Takeuchi." The said coach, eyed the team in plain disinterest. Hiroto eyed the coach with narrowed eyes, taking in his expression as he seemed to be looking for someone.

"Which one of you is the coach?"

"Oh, that's me." Riko steped forward with her hand raised and the other coach seemed to be surprised and asked if she was not the manager, which the brunette immediately re-introduced herself as being the coach of the team.

"So, um...What is this?" asked Riko, taking another glance at the arrangement for their game.

"Exactly what it looks like. We've only made simple arrangements for today's game."

"Arrangements?" Riko's brow twitched. The teams' aura got sourer as the coach continued to talk.

"There won't be enough to learn from this game to make it worth watching for the guys sitting out." Riko looked fairly pissed as everyone else on the team; she was gripping the sling of her bag a little too tightly after all.

"I see."

"We're having the other players practice as usual so we don't waste time. Despite the arrangements you'll be playing our regulars. I hope you won't let us triple your score." The fat coach, Takeuchi seemed to be underestimating the team, and it surely pissed the hell out of Hiroto. He hated getting underestimated the most.

Hiroto blinked at the blue aura that their coach emitted, Riko was pissed, and she had her veins popped out her whole face. Hiroto can't help but feel the same; the upperclassmen narrowed their eyes and they suddenly looked all determined.

"They think we suck. They're treating this like a sideshow to their practice." Kagami growled like a hungry tiger, clenching his fists tight. Kuroko smiled a bit at him.

Hiroto's attention turned towards the other coach as he seem to be telling Kise that he wouldn't be playing the game, and again he can't help but twitch at that. The others seem at bit put off at it too, they weren't going to let their star player play against them because they think their team couldn't stop him at all. Just the thought of it made Hiroto's blood boil, how dare he?!

"Just listen to him." Hyuuga said to the blond as he turned to the Seirin team as if to see what their reaction would be.

"I haven't been this pissed in a while." Izuki added with narrowed eyes.

"I'm sorry. Seriously, sorry." Kise apologized, waving his hands around, before whispering to them. "If you give his guys a beating, I'm sure he'll put me in." he pointed at this coach and his fellow teammates.

"And besides," his voice turned into a deeper tone, "if you can't force him to put me in, you shouldn't go around saying you'll beat the Generation of Miracles." Kise smirked at them before he turned to his coach as he told him to show the Seirin team to the locker room.

"It's fine. Please warm up. We don't have time to wait." Kuroko stated, following the others to the locker room to change. Kise's eyes met Hiroto's orange ones as he passed by and he can't help but smirk at the look on the Prince's face. Interesting. The blonde miracle thought.

0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0

Everybody stood ready as they gathered around their bench, all nodding and listening to Riko's instructions before they were all called up by the referee to start their practice game.

Hiroto stopped Kagami by grabbing his arm, earning the redhead's attention. Kagami raised a brow at the orange-haired Prince's expression. He had the serious look on his face, devoid of his usual cheerful and teasing expression. The redhead could tell that he's clearly pissed off and the redhead couldn't help but shiver, Hiroto rarely showed such an expression after all.

"Taiga, be sure to make him eat his words." Kagami understood who he was referring to as orange eyes turned to glare at the back of the other team's coach, he nodded in understanding. "You don't have to tell me that. I'm gonna go all out." Hiroto nodded, taking a seat upon the bench beside Riko.

"Let the practice game between Seirin High and Kaijo High begin!"

"Uh, we're about to get started, so Seirin, please have your five line up." the referee asked. Hiroto raised a brow, eyeing the outline of Kuroko just standing silently in front of the referee. But of course he doesn't notice him. Hiroto sighed, when the blue-haired player finally let himself known, raising his hand at the referee, saying he was part of the five which of course caused a lot of shock for the other players.

There was a commotion in the gym now. There were hushed whispers about how low his presence was and they didn't notice Kuroko at all and the Kaijou regular members didn't even notice him as well. Hiroto can't help but smirk at that. Good, good.

"This is ridiculous. After all their boasting, I thought they'd have some decent players." Coach Takeuchi crossed his arms over his chest. Hiroto heard his speech he can't help but sent him another of his piercing glares.

'You'll regret underestimating him, old man.'

"We'll see." Takeuchi turned towards Kise beside him. "You might be right. They're not just decent." Kise smirked, taking once glance at a certain orange-haired teen on the bench who caught his gaze and turned away with a huff. Kise blinked at the action. 'What did I do...?'

"Ouch..." Riko eyed their opponents' members and winced at how high their numbers are compared to theirs. But it was expected for a nationally strong team. Hiroto kept a close eye on the game as the whistle started to blow, signaling the start of the tip-off. Kagami jumped at an attempt to have the ball but the blue team got it first and it landed upon the hands of the other team's captain.

"One. Let's keep it up." The other team's captain raised a finger up while dribbling the ball. Hiroto smirked at the sight. So naïve.

In a flash, Kuroko went and smacked the ball right out of his hands. He looked shocked, turning over his shoulder in complete disbelief. Kuroko run towards the other side of the court, dribbling the ball.

"Where'd he come from?!" Kasamatsu cursed out loud and immediately caught up at the blue-haired teen.

'He's slow.' he thought with a smirk. Before he could steal the ball back, Kuroko, with a swift turn of his wrist, passed the ball at his back and into the hands of Kagami who caught the ball immediately, jumped and scored with an earthshaking dunk.

"All right!" Kagami cheered but then turned to see that he was holding the hoop in his hand. Hiroto can't help laugh at the sight.

"What? He destroyed the hoop!"

"You're kidding! I don't believe it!" Scandalized gasps and awed whispers are heard all around.

"That thing's dangerous. One of the bolts is rusted." Izuki eyed the broken hoop.

"Even so, that's not normal." Kasamatsu said disbelievingly.

"This thing is bigger than I thought." Kagami thoughtlessly said before he turned to Hiroto with a large grin, waving his hands enthusiastically.

"Hiro! Did you see that?!"

"Yes, yes." Good job, little tiger. Hiroto snickered at his behavior, amused. The others gaped at their interaction, the redhead looked like an energetic kid wanting to be praised by his parent and the orange-haired teen just went along with it.

Riko grabbed the redhead and Kuroko followed closely and said their apologies to Coach Takeuchi who looked like he was gonna blow up in irritation. Hiroto inwardly snickered; they look like they didn't sound sorry at all, it was obvious at the stupid smirk upon the Taiga's face.

"I'm sorry we broke your hoop. Since we can't play like this, could we use the full court?" Kuroko asked blankly, absolutely unfazed at the coach's angry countenance. The orange-haired Prince grinned devilishly at the look on the other Coach's face. Serves you right.

"Now, that's what you call a beating." Kise laughed as finally the full court is now ready to be used for their game, eying the destroyed hoop from a distance.

"Huh?" Kagami raised a brow at him.

"I've never seen the coach like that before." Kise smirked.

"Then you should tell him that's what he gets for underestimating us!"

"How much do you think a replacement hoop will cost?" Kuroko purposely let the redhead hear as he passed by him.

"Huh?! We have to pay for that? Hey, Kuroko!" Kagami turned to follow Kuroko, asking whether they really need to pay for that or not.

"Let the practice game resume." Kise was finally allowed in. He watched as he exchanged a few words with the others. Hiroto's musing is cut off when he heard the loud squealing of girls and turned to look at the entrance of the gym. A number of them waved and squealed for the blond model, and in return waved at them and got kicked by his captain for being so stupid. Hiroto sweat dropped at the scene. He thanked that Hyuuga doesn't do that to him, especially when he tend to get a lot of fan girls too. Anyway, it was time to focus on the game now.

"Quit waving to them! I'll hit you!" Kasamatsu growled at the blonde.

"Ouch, but you already hit me, Kasamatsu-senpai." Kise rubbed his back and whined at his senpai for hitting him. He ignored the blonds' whining and asked a much more of an important question.

"Do you understand what's going on, Kise? He didn't bother to lower his voice and continued. "Who the hell is number 10?" Hiroto perked up at the mention of the tiger's number. They really see Kagami as a threat now huh? Well, too bad Kagami is not the only threat in the team.

"In any case they gave us quite a greeting. It'd be rude if we didn't return the favor." Kise smirked and then the whistle blew, indicating that the game will finally resume.

Kasamatsu was dribbling the ball, as Kise effortlessly went pass Kagami's defense. Kasamatsu bounced the ball below Hyuuga's parted legs who marked him and it went immediately went into Kise's awaiting hands, jumping and effortlessly slamming an earthshaking dunk like Kagami did before that broke the other hoop. There was squealing again at the display the model portrayed, Kise hang on into the hoop before he let go, landing on his feet before went tumbling to the ground again as Kasamatsu's feet met his back.

"You idiot, I told you not to break it!" Kasamatsu chided the blond.

"Sorry!"

'He dunked that harder than I did.' Kagami eyed the creaking hoop, his red eyes met with the blonde's as he walked towards him.

'Imitating the move that Taiga used before…' Hiroto eyed the model's moves with calculating eyes. He only sees it once then he can totally make that same move but with much power. Imitation. Hiroto hid a knowing grin behind his hand.

"I can't say the same for girls, but I've never failed to return a favor on the court." Kise smirked arrogantly at the redhead. Kagami's split brows twitch at that and he grinned back.

"Bring it on!"

Hyuuga had the ball now, passing it off to Kuroko which the blue-haired teen swiftly passed into the hands of Kagami. Kaijou's captain stared at him again; he didn't notice him at all. Just who was he? Kagami instantly returned the favor and slammed another dunk into the hoop.

"Let's go all out!" he shouted and the rest of the team agrees. Kise's team can't help but get fired up at that too.

0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0

"What — What is this?" Riko stared wide-eyed at the game.

"What's with this high-paced play?" Koganei asked as well from beside Hiroto. The orange-haired teen maintained a blank expression at the scene. It's only been three minutes since they started.

'It's like they're beating each other without bothering to guard.' Riko thought. 'The defense is doing everything it can, but both teams' offenses are just too strong.'

'So, this is a clash of the Generation of Miracles huh...' Hiroto buried his chin on his hand in thought, taking everything that's happening with his sharp eyes. The other four players are just as intense as Kise, he could see the upperclassmen are also having quite a difficult time against them too. Also, if it weren't for Kagami and Kuroko, they would've won the game already.

Hiroto caught Kuroko passing the ball off to Kagami and the redhead dashed towards the other teams' hoop with Kise catching up closely beside him. Kagami quickly jumped to do a fadeaway and released the ball. Kise intercepted and caught the ball and run again towards the other side of the court. This time as Kagami went to block him; the blonde player jumped and did another fadeaway just like the redhead did.

'A fadeaway? He's copying me again?' Kagami thought as he watched the blonde release the ball and scored a point. 'And he keeps getting better!' The redhead gritted his teeth in annoyance. Hiroto frowned as he watched the redhead's reaction; he's getting too hot again.

"Don't stop, move your feet!" Hyuuga called out to them.

For the first time since the start of the game, Hiroto took his eyes off the scene and turned towards Riko, suggesting something what is on his mind for a while now. Riko understood his reasons and nodded.

"Seirin, time out!" and the whistle blew.

Hiroto handed the towel over to Kuroko, who took it from his hands and wiping his sweat with it. He turned and gave Kagami water. He observed their condition right now. They're way too tired for playing just five minutes. Riko seemed to be thinking the same just at the concerned look upon her face. It's not unreasonable. They've been switching between offense and defense at an absurd rate.

"What the hell are you doing?" Hiroto took a glance as the other teams' coach shouted in frustration.

"How many points are you gonna let them take? Is the defense asleep? Huh?" Hiroto snorted at that. He turned away and now focused more upon Riko's plan.

"We'll have to deal with Kise-kun first."

"I can't believe Kagami can't handle the guy himself. Should we put another guy on him?" Hyuuga suggested. Kagami looked scandalized at that.

"Hey, wait...Please." Hiroto blinked at the redhead's sudden politeness. It seemed strange to him that Kagami went all polite all of a sudden and it surprised him a bit.

"No, there is a way." Kuroko spoke, turning all attention to him. "It's because, they have a weakness."

"A weakness?" Riko asked.

"What? You should've told us sooner."

"No, to be honest, I'm not even sure you could call it a weakness. Either way, I'm sorry. There's another problem. Because of the unexpectedly high-paced play, my effectiveness is already wearing off." Everyone's eyes widened at the new information.

"Why didn't you say something about that sooner Kuroko-kun?" Hiroto sighed, burying his face with his hands. Riko seemed to have the same question since she shouted it off and caught Kuroko in a headlock.

"I'm sorry. You didn't ask." Kuroko choked as the others tried to placate the fuming brunette off the light-blue haired player.

"Do you not say anything unless you're asked?!" Riko growled in frustration.

'I must not have been thinking. I was stupid to think we could pull this ridiculous strategy off without any risk.' thought the brunette. The whistle blew again, signaling the time out is over.

"Let me stay on him, please." Kagami pleaded with Riko. Hiroto stared incredulously at the sight, like he wasn't used to the redhead being so polite. The redhead turned to Hiroto, a determine glint visible in his red eyes.

"I have the feeling I'm about to get something." The orange-haired Prince's eyes widened, before he smirked and nodded.

"Hey, wait!" Riko called one last time, giving out last instructions. "Switch from man-to-man to zone defense. Keep solid defense on the inside, and move to stop Kise-kun quickly. Stopping Kise is your first priority." they all nodded in understanding. "Also, slow down your pace, Kuroko-kun. Just don't let the gap get too big. Can you do that?"

"I'll try." Kuroko replied with a nod of understanding. Then the whistle blew again, resuming the game. Kise had the ball with him, dribbling and watching as Kagami, Mitobe and Hyuuga defended the middle.

'It's just a box-and-one.' Kasamatsu thought at their strategy. 'They're following up with Kagami to stop Kise. I don't believe this...' Kise passed the ball out to Kasamatsu, scoring up a three-pointer.

Seirin: 22

Kaijo: 28

There is a lot of cheering of the Kaijo team now, other players were shouting out to cheer for their team. Of course, the Seirin first years cheered for the team too.

Kagami frowned, seeing Kise marking him and took a glance in Kuroko's direction. He made an attempt to pass at him, only to have the ball stolen by Kaijo's Moriyama and scoring another point.

Seirin:25

Kaijo: 33

Hiroto's eyes narrowed, they were already getting used to Kuroko by now. This isn't good.

"Damn it. The gap's getting bigger." Koganei commented.

Mitobe grabbed the ball to himself, passed to Kagami as he jumped in an attempt to dunk. Kise jumped to intercept this and smacked the ball out of the redhead's hands. The whistle blew.

"Out of bounds. White ball."

"Why don't you acknowledge it already?" Kagami turned to Kise, brows furrowed in annoyance.

"You are years away from challenging the Generation of Miracles." The blond taunted.

"What'd you say?" the redhead narrowed his eyes at the smiling Kise.

"The gap between our scores might get bigger, but it certainly won't get any smaller. More than formations or strategies, basketball is about your build. It's a sport of size. The difference between your team and ours is simply too great. You were the only one who stood a change against us, but I see now how good you are. I'll admit you have potential, but you're still far below me."

"No matter what you throw at me, with one look, I'll return it twice as good. You can struggle, but you'll never beat me. The real world isn't that easy." Kagami lowered his head, covering his eyes with his fringe, before his shoulder's started shaking, placing his hands on his waist as he let out a laugh. Kise raised a brow at the strange action.

"Sorry, sorry. I'm just so happy."

"Happy?" Kise asked.

"It's been a long time since anyone's said that to me. I heard it all the time over there." Kagami smiled, as if recalling a memory.

"Over there?"

"In America." At this, Kagami's red eyes purposely met Hiro's. Kise followed his gaze and landed upon the orange-haired teen on the bench, eyes narrowing. Hiroto merely stared at them blankly.

"You lived in America? That's amazing!"

"Yeah, Hiroto and I used to play a lot together in America. I thought I jumped the gun coming back here to play. Hearing you say that is encouraging, really." Kise narrowed his eyes at the redhead.

"Life is all about challenges. There's no point in living if there's no one strong to play. It's better if I can't win. We're just getting started. Don't you think it's a little soon to be saying you've won? Besides, thanks to you, now I know your weakness."

"What weakness?" the model's eyes narrowed even further.

"I'm sure it wasn't easy for you to say it yourself. With one look? What if you don't see it? Against a guy who's already invisible, it's impossible. No matter how athletic you are, you'll never achieve an invisible basketball style." Hiroto now smiled at the redhead's words. You finally realize it, so slow Taiga.

"In other words..." Kagami grabbed Kuroko's head with his large hands. "This guy is your weakness." Kuroko's raised a brow at the redhead's declaration and pouted at the large hand holding his blue locks. Kise stared wide-eyed at the redhead as he laughed, look of disbelief written all over his face.

Kuroko? His weakness?

.

.

.

.

.

.to be continued...

A/N: Sorry for the late update! I've been busy helping organize my big bro's wedding, so sorry if this came up late. Hopefully I can update the next chapter faster. Hopefully...:p

Anyway, I didn't murder this scene right?! RIGHT?! I hope I didn't! It was really difficult for me to write this part, so I hope it came out fine. Then till next time! BTW, thank you for all the reviews, favorites, and follows. It is the thing that motivates me! So, thanks! As a treat I'll write off below a preview for the next chapter. ENJOY :D

.

.

.

.

.

.

Next Chapter Preview:

"I'll be going then." Kuroko declares, despite wobbling as he forces himself to stand up.

"Hey, wait! What are you talking about?" Riko stands in front of him, stopping him from doing something really foolish.

.

.

"If I can change anything by going out there, then please. Besides, I promised Kagami-kun I would be his shadow." Riko frowns, she's really thinking this through. Before she could open her mouth to say something, someone else beat her to it.

"Hey." Kuroko feels the world turn as he is lifted and is set down on the bench. Riko stares wide-eyed as Hiroto let the blue-haired teen sit forcefully in the bench. The other players stared as Hiroto stood in front of both their coach and Kuroko.

"Ichinose-kun..." Kuroko blinks, the Prince did not have the usual smile on his face. He looked very serious, his countenance far from the usual sly and teasing grin he had grown accustomed to seeing.

"You stay here. You are injured, you shouldn't be up."

"But, Ichinose-kun, I need to—"

"No, I said you won't be going Kuroko-kun."

"But about the game—"

"Do not worry about the game, I'll go." The other players on the bench with Riko and Kuroko gaped at the Princes' suggestion.