(0_0)/ Hello! I know it's been a while since I've uploaded, sorry. But hey, who isn't a slow updater on this app? Anyway, I'm still expanding on the events of the first chapter because I wanna set up the angst for future chapters correctly.

I should also probably mention that I'm using this fanfic as a way to figure out what my writing style is, in addition to learning how to put my own personal spin on other people's stories/characters. In light of this, I ask that you please be patient with me.

Now, on to the story.

Late May, 2007

Hinata Shouyou didn't consider himself lucky very often. If anything, he lifestyle emphasized hard work as a means to thrive. However, it was times like these that made Shouyou believe in luck, just a little.

~(0_0)~

The sound of a volleyball hitting the walls echoed throughout the empty gymnasium. Shouyou was practicing setting the ball in the basketball team's third string gym. He was lucky the coach took pity on him and let him use the space, or else he'd be playing outside in the rain. It was long after practice was over. All of the remaining third string players had gone home, leaving Shouyou to the gym by himself. Or so he thought.

Shouyou was facing the wall and practicing his receives when he heard it. The sound of a second ball bouncing in the gymnasium. Looking behind him, he couldn't see anything but a lone basketball rolling across the center of the court. Shouyou decided to store the ball away before resuming his independent practice. However, he screamed as his hand came into contact with another. One that hadn't been there before.

~(0_0)~

Eventually, he managed to calm down.

"Are you alright?"

Shouyou jumped at the voice. Looking around, he took note of the person that was definitely not there before.

"Y-yeah! I didn't see you there before! That was so cool! You came out of nowhere like 'fwoosh!' How'd you do that? I'm Hinata Shouyou by the way."

The boy's face remained impassive as he bowed. "I'm Kuroko Tetsuya."

"Kuroko-san! What are you doing here? I thought all the players went home already…"

"I stay behind and practice. I want to get better."

"Better? At basketball?"

At this, Kuroko nodded. He couldn't help but notice the volleyball that Hinata was playing with as they talked.

"Are you here to practice volleyball, Hinata-kun?"

Shouyou's chocolate brown orbs started to sparkle. "Yep! I've been practicing really hard! I want to become like the Little Giant one day! Although it would be easier with a team..."

Kuroko felt this unfamiliar feeling of comradery blossom within him at Hinata's words. Oh how he longed to find someone who was as serious about improving themselves as he. Someone with that same driving force that motivated them to reach higher, do better, try harder. After all, that mentality was hard to come by when faced with the third string members. None of them had the motivation to succeed.

While Kuroko pondered this feeling, an awkward silence had filled the air. It made Shouyou anxious. It made him feel like he might be intruding on something. So, he broke the silence.

"Um... Kuroko-san... do you need help with anything? I don't know much about basketball, but I can try to help with whatever I can!"

That startled Kuroko out of his thoughts. Hinata was offering to help him with basketball, a sport which was very different than volleyball. How kind of him. "If you want to. It would be nice to practice with someone for a change."

"Okay! So, how do you play?"

June - Early August, 2007

Midterms came and went. Shouyou wasn't as confident as he should've been. After all, he got to practice volleyball in a gym! And, sometimes, he got to practice volleyball with another person! Shouyou was definitely starting to believe in luck.

Or maybe not.

When Shouyou's midterm results came back, his mother wasn't pleased. Shouyou needed to keep his grades up if he wanted to get into a good high school. Not even that, he needed to keep his grades up if he wanted to stay at Teiko. Which was why over the summer, Shouyou spent many hours with a tutor from class 2-4, while also practicing both volleyball and basketball in his free time. While his academic skills increased, so did his basketball skills. However, he was disheartened at the stagnancy of his skills in volleyball.

Despite this, he would not be giving up. He had to give Karasuno High School a reason to accept him.

December, 2007

Once school resumed after the short summer break, Shouyou continued to meet with his tutor. They met during the time that clubs usually ran, so Shouyou was able to finish his homework and get extra help before he ran off to the third string gym to practice with Kuroko. His schedule seemed to fit itself into place.

Due to this, Shouyou's finals went swimmingly. All of the time spent with his tutor had paid off, and by the end of the year Shouyou resided in the twelfth percentile. He was still upset that his volleyball skills didn't seem to improve, but he was happy that his basketball skills improved. If he was good at basketball, the could help Kuroko more. Besides, the basketball training he did with Kuroko helped to keep his stamina up.

~(0_0)~

Hinata and Kuroko became fast friends. Hinata liked having someone around who was just as enthusiastic about getting better as he was. In turn, Kuroko easily took to Hinata's charismatic personality. It was like Kuroko was the moon, and Hinata was the sun. They balanced each other our very well. It was in this spirit of friendship that the pair had surprised each other with gifts for Christmas. Shouyou had bought Kuroko a pair of basketball printed earmuffs (it sure is cold out there!), and received a volleyball printed scarf in return.

And, as Shouyou gazed out his bedroom window at the lights of the city, he mused that maybe it was a good thing that he didn't go to Shiratorizawa.

Word Count: 931

(0_0)/ I really appreciate constructive criticism. I would love to know what all of you think! So please comment. Please.