Kagetora smirks before he answers, "Sobu High School."
His response was met with countless whisperings and suppressed confusion from the Seirin boys, who were quite surprised at what their coach said. To be fair, this is the first time they had heard of the school called Sobu High and even if they know, it would still be a mystery for them as to why the coach chose this school. They weren't even mentioned in the basketball circles and their name didn't appear among the regular participants of the Interhigh, Winter Cup and the Nationals.
"Hey, coach," Kagami then decided to voice out his thoughts, "No offense but what is this Sobu High School? Is this some kind of a powerhouse school? Are they some kind of a strong team? Are they…"
"Kagami, one question at a time," Kagetora cut him off as he sighs, "I do understand as to why everyone of you is basically questioning as to why we're playing a game against a no-name school. To be precise, they're not a no-name school. Well, at least, in terms of academic and scientific fields. In fact, the entrance requirements there are quite high. Those who wish to gain admittance are required to score highly on the entrance exams or receive a recommendation from good junior high schools. Frankly speaking, someone like Kagami won't even have the chance to enter that school."
The red headed ace twitched upon hearing the insult.
"That school also teaches the Big 5," the bench tactician continued, "Japanese, English, Social Sciences (Liberal Arts), Mathematics and Sciences (Physics, Chemistry and Biology). It also has various forms of Art, Sports, Music and Home Economics classes…"
"Anou…sorry for the interruption," Kuroko suddenly raised his hand as he asks something, "But we're not after the school's reputation or social standing. What Kagami-kun wants to ask is how strong Sobu High is when it comes to basketball."
"Ah, sorry, sorry. It seems like I got too far." Kagetora apologizes as he continues, "Well, if there's one things the school isn't known for, it's precisely basketball. Their soccer team, table tennis team, and their baseball team is quite famous here in Chiba. But their basketball team isn't that give much attention. Perhaps, they don't devote much time to the sport or they simply don't compete in the Interhigh wars or the Winter Cup battles. But still, it's a given that you cannot underestimate them. Right now, it's still early in the afternoon so I'll give you at least eight in the evening to unwind. Boys, you're dismissed!"
"Hai!" Everyone of them answered before they all stood up and began to file out of the session hall.
As everyone is now beginning to bring inside their belongings and baggage inside, they then had to get fast to their rooms since it's a First Come, First Serve policy in the inn. Kuroko and Kagami were able to get fast to the first room which is quite roomy for them as it had two beds, its own small bathroom and an air conditioning unit. Furihata, Fukuda, and Kawahara took the second room while Asahina and Yagi took the third one. The rest of the rookies then had to content themselves with the rest of the rooms which was on the end of the hallway. After unloading their bags, all of them then went outside of the inn to enjoy the fresh air and the sight of the sea facing them. Meanwhile, the Light-Shadow duo decided to walk a little in the streets.
"Hey, Kuroko," Kagami called his partner while they were walking.
"Yes?"
"If I face Hikigaya now, how will I fare?"
Kuroko looked at the taller guy like he was some kind of an idiot before he replied, "Honestly, I don't know. If we're talking of base Hikigaya-kun versus you, it might be a tie considering he was a solid player. But I can't answer that question in a more accurate way since I haven't even seen him enter the Zone." For those who didn't know, the zone is a term referring to a player's state when they reach their maximum potential. It is a superlative of regular concentration and focus. The conditions to enter this state vary from each person. "
"I see," Kagami scratched his head, "But if he was that strong, how come he was on the bench with you."
"That's simple," Kuroko replied, "It's because Akashi-kun was there as well. They both play the same point guard position. The only thing Hikigaya-kun doesn't have is the complete Emperor Eye. Other than that, he would have been a good starter if it wasn't for Akashi-kun. In fact, there is even an old article about him in Basketball Monthly at that time."
"I see. So he's one hell of a player, then." The power forward concluded rather blandly, "Hmmmm…do you think we would be able to find him?"
"I know you actually want to go up against him but that's only possible if we find him." Kuroko sighed as it seems that Kagami wanted to have a one-on-one match with his former Teiko teammate. "Well, I'm craving for vanilla milkshakes. Do you want to go to a nearby burger joint for some quick snack?"
"Ah, I'm with you. Let's go! I'm actually hungry!" Kagami smiled like a maniac as they began to scour the area in search for a place to eat. But to their misfortune, it took them an hour to finally find some good eating place. For one, they're not much familiar to the place and most of the places that they went are serving only coffee drinks or similar products like Lix's Café. Until they were surprised to find a branch of a small burger joint that also serves vanilla milkshakes. Kuroko and Kagami didn't hold back as they quickly entered the place and they ordered the same way they just order back in Maji Burger—or one can say, even better.
"This burger is actually much beefier and juicy," Kagami exclaimed as he bites his first of the twenty burgers he had ordered while Kuroko seemed like he just tasted heaven as he was sipping his order of vanilla milkshake. After a while, the taller guy then said, "Hey, I think I need to go to the comfort room. I'll leave for a while." Kuroko nods as Kagami then stood up and went to find the comfort room.
As he was continuing sipping his drink, Kuroko can't help but remember and affirm to himself the fact that he's now the captain of the Seirin basketball team. A part of him felt sad that Hyuuga and the rest of the seniors had retired, leaving him and Kagami the burden of having to carry the fight against the rest of the Generation of Miracles. Maybe the Olynpics would give me the right time to find some answers to our question.
In his own monologue, he didn't notice a guy suddenly enter the establishment and suddenly, the latter walked towards where Kuroko is sitting and said, "Hey, Kuroko, I didn't expect you to be here."
The tealnette suddenly jumped a little at the sudden fact that someone familiar just called him out and when he turned, he saw a man smiling down to him. Uhm…do I know you sir? It feels like you're familiar but at the same time, you're not? "Uhm…do we know each other, sir?" Kuroko asked in confused eyes.
"What? Don't you remember me, Kuroko?" the man with medium-short length black hair and his set of dead fish-eyes made a weird chuckle before replying, "It's me, Hikigaya Hachiman, your former Teiko teammate."
Finally hearing that one name he was finding for the long time of his career, Kuroko was frozen as he didn't expect to see again the tammate that left them back in their second year in Teiko Middle School, "Hi-Hikigaya-kun? Is that really you?" His hairstyle had changed but his eyes…still remained the same.
"Yeah…" The guy said sheepishly as he scratches his head, "Well, at least you didn't forget about me…"
After watching the horrible video about the five prodigies of Teiko badmouthing him and Kuroko in the locker room, Hikigaya tried to forget everything and dismiss it as a mere bashing as he wipes of the tears of his eyes. Those jerks…of course they would really talk you down behinf your backs. I'm glad I'm a loner now and I have learned to stand up for myself. Well…Kuroko didn't hurt me and Kise did try to defend us but still…he didn't said anything more than that. Well…there's no use wallowing on it. If they hate me, I hate them as well. Simple as that.
As he was about to go outside, he was spotted by his sibling Komachi, who asks where he was going, "Onii-chan, where are you going? Are you going up to meet with Yukino-san?"
"No. Just going to buy some MAX coffee," Hikigaya answered rather gruffly as he was about to go outside.
"What's with that tone, Onii-chan? You seemed to be not in a good mood," Komachi was curious as she scoots closer to her brother.
"Well…" Hikigaya was hesitating to tell what he just did as he tries to come up with an excuse. "It's just that your older brother had so many things to do which is why he looks serious. DO you need something?"
"Actually, I do." Komachi said as she thinks of something, "I just wanted you to buy me some sweets to help me concentrate in my studies. It's not much, right, onii-chan?"
"Well, I can't actually deny your request thought," Hikigaya said as he then rides his bike, "Well, just wait me here. I'll be back." He then rides his bike and pedals away into the streets. While he was pedalling, he was enjoying the breeze of the air that was cutting through like a knife cutting into butter. I wonder what I would do when spring break arrives. I'll just play the PSP or something similar.
After a few minutes, he spotted the place where he usually orders MAX Coffee and he immediately stops to park his bike. But as soon as he was finished chaining his bicycle and began to walk, his eyesight caught the burger joint that was beside the store where coffee is being sold. Normally, he would have ignored it but in an instance, his eye caught something like a light blue mop of hair and that's where he stopped. Heh? Whqt did I just saw? He stops abruptly, thinking he was just seeing things but as he squints his eye, he then realizes something. Eh? That blue mop of hair is actually someone's hair? And is a person. Wait…his skin…his movements…it looks familiar. No…wait…it can't be…shit, Kuroko is that you?
Not being able to move in his spot, he then observes the table from the large window where he is watching and as soon as the person turned his head quickly while sipping some drink, Hikigaya knew he cannot be wrong. It's really him! What is he doing here in Chiba?
Suddenly reacting on instinct, he then went inside the restaurant, just in time to see Kuroko alone in the table. Putting up a smile (which he rarely does in Sobu), he lightly taps the shoulders of the tealnette, prompting Kuroko to turn around and face him, with slight shock.
"Uhm…do we know each other, sir?" Kuroko asked in confused eyes.
"What? Don't you remember me, Kuroko?" Hikigaya made a weird chuckle before replying, "It's me, Hikigaya Hachiman, your former Teiko teammate." He's still as polite as he was in middle school.
"Hi-Hikigaya-kun? Is that really you?" Kuroko stuttered in surprise as he didn't expect Hikigaya to be here as well.
"Yeah…" The guy said sheepishly as he scratches his head, "Well, at least you didn't forget about me…"
For a while, the two didn't spoke as they seemed to be pretty stunned to be able to reunite here in Chiba. Finally, the tealnette started speaking, "It's nice to see you again, Hikigaya-kun. How are things going in your life?"
"Well…it kinda unexpected but still, it was a better outcome for me," Hikigaya shrugged as he sits beside him after Kuroko decided to give the boy some space on the bench, "By the way, what are you doing here? And what happened to the rest of our teammates?" By teammates, he was referring to the Kiseki no Sedai as he mentioned it with a bitter taste in his tongue.
"We're here since we would have our training camp not far from this location," Kuroko explained before sipping his round of milkshakes. "Besides, I'm the captain already of our basketball club in Seirin High School, where I study now. About the GoM, they somehow changed back to what they were in middle school."
Huh? Akashi changing? Hardly possible to comprehend.? But at least, Kuroko doesn't lie. Unlike a certain someone. Hikigaya thought as he asks, "What do you mean by that?"
"We defeated them in our first year," Kuroko blandly replied as he sips his drink.
"Oh?" To say he was surprised was an understatement. Kuroko was able to defeat the Generation of Miracles? Well, that's explains his saying of going back to their original selves. But still, I still hate them for what they just said in your third year. But more than that…
"Did you actually find a new light? Or was it still Aomine?" Hikigaya asks.
"We all separated when high school came," Kuroko explains further, "So I had to find a new light that can go toe-to-toe with the likes of Aomine-kun and the rest. Fortunately, a returnee from America came to Seirin at the same time as me and we became the new partners. His name is Kagami Taiga."
"Kagami Taiga, huh?" Hikigaya mumbles, "Well, if you did defeat them, then this Kagami guy must be strong. So he's your new light?" He puts up a smile which he ironically detests but cannot help doing it. I'm looking like a loon now!
"Yes, Hikigaya-kun." Kuroko replied as he was finished sipping his drink, "By the way, what do you do these days?"
"Oh…my playing days is quite over already," Hikigaya faked a smile as he looks out of reach from Kuroko's stare, "But so far, I didn't regret it as I just discovered in my two years in high school as a loner that there's more to life. I play video games, I joined a club…" No matter how it looks forced from the start.
"Hmmm. So you never had friends?" Kuroko blinked as he cleared his throat, "So does that mean that you don't hate tomatoes anymore?"
Hikigaya almost tilted from his position, "Th-that's something you don't have to meddle. But frankly, I don't want to play basketball anymore. The past is the past. If I do, I'll only end up getting humiliated…"
"You changed a lot," Kuroko whispered that eventually grew loud, "Well, I won't stop you from doing what you want. But can I get your number? It might get handy someday for me."
"Well, it doesn't look like you're a bad person," Hikigaya scratches his head as he fishes his phone, "In the past, you're the only genuine friend that understood me so I had to at least repay that. Here, I'll get your number too as I don't want to be surprised when your lack of presence reaches my phone as well." The two ended up giving each other their phones for the moment so they can type their numbers.
"So…what are you all doing here again, Kuroko?" Hikigaya asked.
"We're for a training camp." The passing specialist replied as he wiped of his mouth with a tissue, "In fact, tomorrow…"
"Kuroko…I'm back!"
The tealnette was cut off as out of nowhere, Kagami, with his tray of a second batch of burgers, suddenly came back. Hikigaya was somewhat taken aback by the appearance of the 190 cm power forward. Dark red hair and…strange eyebrows? The man with rotten eyes can feel immense strength coming out of Kagami though it didn't make him that intimidated. I see. He had those build of Aomine…
"Kuroko…I'm sorry I went late…eh…who's that? Some kind of acquaintance?" Kagami asked somewhat dumbly as he looks at Hikigaya with slight curiosity.
"Ah…Kagami-kun, that's Hikigaya Hachiman, the former Teiko teammate that I was talking about," Kuroko replied somewhat hesitantly.
"Oh?" Suddenly, Kagami's eyes widens like saucers as he stopped biting his burgers to take a more closer look at the guy with ahoge. What's this? His smell reeks of strength! (For those who do not know, Kagami "smells" a person to determine if he's strong enough to go one-on-one with him.) Oh boy, I can't hold it down now!
Unable to control his mouth, the power forward then began to speak, "Hey, so you're Hikigaya Hachiman that I'm hearing from this captain of mine? If that's the case, then you're one of those Generation of Miracle bastards." Hikigaya suddenly felt his fists tightening at the mentioning of the famous group's name but withheld from giving away into his emotions. "Come, let's have a one-on-one. I wanted to play you—ouch!"
He was suddenly cut off by Kuroko slapping him with his wristbands as Hikigaya heaved a sigh. Kuroko saved me…somehow…
"Oi! Teme, what is that for?!" The Seirin ace roared as he looks furiously at Kuroko, who just gave him a deadpan stare.
"Kagami-kun, that's very rude to him," The tealnette chided him slightly for his manners and then turned to Hikigaya before bowing politely, "Sorry, this partner of mine can sometimes just keep speaking what he thinks without actually thinking decently." He said it in a blunt way, ignoring Kagami's cries of protest. "By the way, we'll also have a practice match with another school. I heard its name is…"
Criiiiing!
Before he can even finish his sentence, his flip phone suddenly vibrated, prompting Kuroko to stop speaking as he pulls out his phone. Seemingly answering his caller, he then places his phone nearer to him as he listens to what his caller said. Suddenly, his face blanches as it looks like it was some kind of a troubling message. After that, he quickly places his phone and faces Hikigaya, "I'm sorry Hikigaya-kun but we need to go back to our inn immediately. Our coach would kill us if we are late. Just call me some other time!"
He then grabs Kagami's wrists and together, they quickly exit the establishment.
Hmmm. He seems to have found the right and genuine friend for him. Hikigaya thought to himself as he notes about how Kagami looks like a genuine guy who isn't afraid to be who he is despite looking like a total idiot, which he is kind of. Suddenly, he then remembers something as he quickly rushes outside of the establishment, "Crap, I forgot to buy my coffee and Komachi's candies!"
The next day was a total wreck for Hikigaya Hachiman as he goes to school on his bike. He wasn't able to sleep that much last night as he kept thinking about Kuroko and his new light. Hmmm….did Kuroko changed his playing style or he simply stayed true to being a shadow? As much as I don't want to admit it in front of him, his style won't really win him games. Ah, maybe Kagami's actually much stronger than that Ahomine if that's the case.
He neared the entrance of Sobu High School and even then, he encountered a lot of people beginning to enter the school in packs and groups. Definitely not my cup of tea. So with a breath, Hikigaya kept pedalling his bicycle until he finally reached the parking area for the bicycles. When he entered through the gate, he quickly rushed to into his classroom. He then encounters his classmates once again talking with each other while ignoring his actual presence and arrival, not that he cares. Hikigaya felt at peace on that one. It's not like I'm Kuroko 2.0 but conforming to that kind of friendships are too toxic. He casually made his way to his seat and sat. He looked through the window and sighed miserably, feeling sleepy. He then was about to lie his head down and sleep when suddenly…
"Hikki!"
Suddenly, the voice of Yuigahama once again boomed over his head and irritatingly, he then rais up his head to meet the tinted haired girl's face, "Yahallo! Good morning!" Yuigahama greeted ecstatically.
"Yo," the guy replied gruffly before he attempted to go back to sleep.
"Eh, you looked like you haven't slept, Hikki. Your eye bags are showing." Yuigahama said with slight concern.
"That's because I did some work." Hikigaya lied as he had no plans of revealing what really happened last night with his meeting with Kuroko and Kagami.
"I-I see…" Yuigahama replied as she then changes the topic, "By the way, I have scooped some news from our other classmates. Apparently, the school's basketball club is going to have practice match with a school coming from Tokyo…"
Suddenly, upon hearing the news, Hikigaya felt no longer sleepy as he processes the words in his mind. Basketball team? Practice match with a school from Tokyo?
"Yuigahama…" he asked in an alert tone that actually put the girl in a slightly frightened manner, "Never mind my eye bags, do you know what school that Sobu would be playing?"
"Ahh…I heard that it's somewhere named Seirin…" Yuigahama said, confirming his suspicions. Of all schools, I never expected Kuroko and his team to verse our school. It looks like it's gonna be a long day then…
"Hey, Hikki, why does it seems like you are very interested in this?" Yuigahama asked with her shining eyes.
"…"
Crap, she caught me.
Fast forward, almost everyone in Sobu High trooped to their basketball gymnasium early in the afternoon. Since it's the very first time the basketball club is playing for the long time, the principal agreed that the rest of the afternoon could be counted as some sort of a free day so that everyone can watch the match. Right now, the gym is packed noisily as their team, wearing dark green jerseys, are now warming up.
Down in the gym, the sounds of sneakers squeaking and the basketballs thumping in the floor could be heard echoing, which meant that the two basketball team are now preparing seriously for the match. They were all sweating but Sobu's team captain (or so) is intensely looking at the guys in black-and-red.
"Yo, captain, what's wrong?" a freshman point guard asked.
"I'm feeling nervous about this match." The senior power forward commented as he watches Kagami dunk the ball with ferocity, "Just having the thought of being matched up against one of the country's best power forwards is shitting me already. Well…it's just a practice game so it's non-bearing. Hey, where's Mochida?" He then was looking for their shooting guard, who seemed to be absent.
"He'll be coming immediately. He just needs to fix something." The guard said as he shoots a jumper.
Meanwhile, all the Seirin players were staring at Kagami who had red eyes, a sign he didn't get a wink of sleep last night. His eyes were naturally dark shade of red but now even the white part was a little red. Apparently the red head was too excited that he couldn't bring himself to sleep. "You look like a rabbit, senpai" Asahina pointed out.
"What are you, a kid going to a field trip?" Kuroko asked tonelessly as he dribbles the ball.
"Shut up, cappy." Kagami grunted.
Kagetora face palmed at the sight of his ace being an embarrassment for him and he berated him, "Next time, I don't care even if you have to knock yourself out, but you have to get plenty of rest before a match!" He said it with a tone of threat.
"Hai..." Kagami replied drowsily.
After the warmups, Sobu lined up in front of Seirin, and both team bowed to each other before their tallest member stepped forward for the tip off. The whistle was blown, and the ball thrown in the air. Kaitobi, Sobu's center, reached for the ball, but Matsuda Kenji, Seirin's rookie center, was faster as he slapped the ball to Asahina, who was designated to play point guard instead of his traditional forward role.
As he dribbled the ball calmly "One. Let's do this..." He told his teammates, keeping an eye on where Kuroko and Kagami were. The captain of Seirin began analysing Sobu's players as fast as his mind can calculate. 'They're all numbered from 1 to 5 so that means number one player is a point guard while number 5 is a center. Then, their power forward is the captain and he looks like the ace of this team. They had no specialty but they're fairly quick.' Kuroko thought to himself as Asahina began his move.
Passing the ball, Asahina then leaves the offense to Kagami, who grabs the leather. Immediately, he was already double teamed by number Four and number Five. "But this isn't enough," Kagami said to himself as he pushes down the smaller players and he dunks the ball, earning their team the first score for both Seirin and the whole game.
Restarting their offense, their forward inbounds it to Mochida, who began to ran as fast as he can in an attempt to get their points back. However, he was stalled as suddenly, his ball was stolen out of nowhere by Kuroko, who tips it even before number Two can bring it nearer to the three point line. Asahina picks it up and passes it to Kuroko, who launches an Ignite Pass Kai.
"Run and Gun!" Kagami shouted in an almost alert voice as everyone scrambled back into Sobu's goal. The guys in green tried to catch up but were totally caught off guard by the laser-like pass as the red headed power forward caught it with ease. Their score was already 4 – 0.
"Yosh!" Kuroko smiled as they all want back to defend.
Up in the audience, Hikigaya was somewhat quiet as if he was expecting something like this.
"His passes got faster and harder to catch for an ordinary player." Hikigaya commented as he didn't take his eyes off the match, "Only the six of us can catch the Ignite Pass but to see someone else do it, it looks like Sobu is screwed in this one…"
"Uh…Hikki…is that you?" Yuigahama was trying to determine if something is wrong. "You're talking quite frequently ever since this morning."
"Hikigaya-kun talking more?" Yukinoshita, who was sitting beside him, was genuinely astonished, "Did something perverted happen?"
"Oi…oi…what's with the impression?" Hikigaya defends himself as he tried to say some excuse, "I was just commenting about Kuro—I mean, their team's strategy in this one." Great, I almost said his name aloud!
Yukinoshita looked at the boy like he was some kind of a maniac but she decided to keep quiet for the moment.
They then turned their attention back to game, just in time to see a shot bounce off the rim of the net but was rebounded by Kagami. It was now four minutes into the first quarter, Seirin was on eight, while Sobu is still scoreless.
The power forward then passed the ball to Asahina, who was already on his way to Sobu's net. He then shoots a three pointer before he was caught up by the defense. The ball went in smoothly.
The ball was inbounded, Seirin making it to eleven while Sobu's is still blank.
They're know they're good but I didn't think they'll be this strong. But to be honest, I won't expect anything less from a team with two prodigies in it. Sobu's coach thought.
Mochida's shot bounced off the rim of the net, but with Matsuda sealing him closely, number Five found it difficult to pass to get the rebound. Both Kagami and Asahina aimed for the ball and the latter was able to catch it with outstretched arms.
Hikigaya was not amused by the way this game was going.
"They have to do something if they want to score against the iron wall of Kagami." He whispered to himself, "Sobu's center is standing only at 189 cm and Kagami's even taller than that, judging by how he shadowed over me last night."
"What Hikki?" Yuigahama heard him slightly and asked.
"Nothing."
After three minutes more, the buzzer sounded signalling the end of the first quarter.
"Oh? It's over?" Kagami said aloud in slight disbelief. "I was going to score one quick dunk as an appetizer. What is this? Sheesh…" he then turned to face the others. "Pretty good though. Being scoreless, I hope you're not yet demotivated. There's still plenty of time yet to even give upright now."
Hearing him say something like that left everyone in the Sobu High audience both shocked and angry. They then headed to their benches. But not before Kuroko smacked Kagami's head.
"Oi, what was that for?!" Kagami roared as he rubs the back of his head.
"Are you being stupid again, Kagami-kun?" Kuroko whispered. "You're basically instigating a fight here. I don't know if you know this but I noticed Hikigaya-kun here. No…he's basically watching near our bench." He then motions into the position where the mentioned guy, now talking with his seatmate, was located.
"Oh? Then he's a student here, right?" Kagami said as he then walks off. "Then I'll be off to go and say hello."
Kuroko tried to stop him but his idiotic friend was on his way. By the time he was already in the bench, he was glad to see that Hikigaya was actually seating just behind their bench and smirked as he called out, "Oi, Hikigaya! It's me, Kagami!"
Baka! What are you doing? Hikigaya panicked as Yukinoshita saw the exchanged and looked at her club mate with some curious eyes, "Wait, he knows you, Hikigaya-kun?" Yuigahama also looked at Hikigaya with a curious expression.
"Well…uh…" The man with rotten eyes is stuttering as he struggled to come up with an explanation, "Yeah…I kinda know him."
"Come. Let's settle this once and for all." Kagami didn't let up as he passes a basketball to Hikigaya, who catches it with ease. "I have beaten all of those GoM but I'm quite displeased to learn that it's not all of them. Sobu's quite a mediocre team and…"
"Oi, Kagami!" Kagetora shouted to their ace and he latter shivered at hearing their coach suddenly raise his voice, "What the hell did I tell you about looking down on your opponents?! Besides, get your ass over here and the break's about to be over." Wordlessly, Kagami broke off from Hikigaya as he rejoins his team for the match. But despite the warning, Kagami can't seem to take of his eyes of Hikigaya, who felt irritated at his stare. Kuroko also looked at the two but even he didn't know how to defuse the tension. Yukinoshita just kept quiet as she found the tension quite stifling even for her.
Suddenly, Hikigaya Hachiman stood up and left his seat.
"Eh? Hikki…where are you going?" Yuigahama asked the leaving guy but he didn't even bother to answer her as he kept walking on and on. Quickly, he immediately reached for the bench of Sobu and considering his reputation in the whole school, it's not surprising that every player was freaked out to see him standing there, "Yo, coach, can I play for a little?"
"Hah? You're not even in the roster," The coach answered, obviously looking down in him, "What makes you think I'll accept your request?"
"It's just a practice game and I think it would not hurt to join this team that seriously lacks in fundamentals," Hikigaya bluntly replied, "If anything, I can actually play better than that?"
"Oi! What are you…" The captain was very tempted to punch Hikigaya in his face but was held down by the coach, who then says with his eyes narrowed, "How disrespectful of you to say that. But since you're talking big…I'd like your theory put the test…"
Everyone from the audience began to whisper to one another the moment Hikigaya has entered in the court, wearing an extra shirt and playing shorts. It was quite surprising for them since this is a cooperation sport and the boy was very known to the whole school as an anti-social. Maybe the coach was very desperate for their team to score or whatever reasons but what they are seeing is as clear as day.
Hikigaya Hachiman is going to play.
"Eh, is Hikigaya, the creepy man, is going to play? What can he even do?"
"Why did coach even allow a pathetic man to enter the court?!"
"Can Hikitani-kun even play in the first place?" Somewhere in the audience, Tobe Kakeru was of course surprised to see the most hated man in the school suddenly enter the court as the official available is modifying the line-up present. "I mean, we know he plays lawn tennis but basketball…"
"I don't know either. I haven't watched him do so." Hayato Hayama, who was at his side, replied.
But as the second quarter was about to start, Kagami suddenly walked towards him and grinned while saying, "So you're finally showing what you are capable off? Too bad, I won't hold back against you."
"The feeling is mutual." Hikigaya started as he was tempted to add 'dumbass', "And so what if you don't hold back? Why should that be a problem or of any concern to me?" And besides, I can't stand you glaring at my direction anymore. I don't care if I'm acting out of character but I had to shut your mouth for good. He then spotted Kuroko, who was walking towards him. Ever as stoic, the tealnette said, "It's good to see the old Hikigaya-kun back. Let's have a good game."
"Yeah. It's nice to be back here, even if we're opponents now." Hikigaya shrugged as they broke off. He then motions to the captain, "Please, let me handle the ball for once. I'll do something to break this flunk of ours."
"Okay…" The power forward, still fuming, reluctantly agreed, "But if it gets worst, don't expect me to be merciful."
The game finally resumed, with Hikigaya getting the ball from the inbounds pass. Immediately after receiving it, he started to bring it down fast, which startled Kagami and the other three, though Kuroko was unperturbed. Seeing that Asahina is his mark, he then hesitated his move as he dribbles to the right with his mark following. Suddenly, he made a quick switch to his left, causing Asahina to fall to his knees.
Seeing what had happened, Matsuda then ran up to him in an attempt to stop Hikigaya. The moment the center came close to Hikigaya, the latter once more used the high speed dribble. He then made an attempt to pass Matsuda causing him to shift his weight.
Everyone saw Matsuda on the floor and Hikigaya walk past him with the ball. He then dashed to the net with Kuroko and Furihata, who is playing shooting guard, left off Mochida and number Three in an attempt to block Hikigaya.
They received the same treatment.
Ankle break.
By the time Hikigaya free himself, reached the free throw circle and attacked the free lane already as he leaps into the air.
"Not letting you!" Kagami shouted as he jumps as well to block his shot. But to his surprise, Hikigaya wasn't even fazed as he kept floating in the air while he switched his right shooting hand into his left. What? Air walk and double clutch combined?! Kagami was stunned as his opponent ducked in as he shoots the ball overhead with his left arms before he falls back to the ground.
The sound of the net swishing was heard as the scoreboard of Sobu finally moves after a scoreless first quarter.
Everyone was stunned as the score in now 19 – 2 but what everyone surprised the most is who scored it first.
"What…?" Yuigahama was at a loss for words. "Is that Hikki?"
"No way…" Hayama said. Yukinoshita was speechless.
Seeing this, Kuroko stared at Hikigaya with slight surprise. The Hikigaya he knew has been doing this move for years since he started to play basketball but to be able to do it even after he stopped playing the sport for so long. It's as if he didn't even left basketball…
The game resumed. Kuroko passed the ball to Asahina but Hikigaya had run up to block him. This guy's defense! Asahina said to his mind as though he was getting pressured mentally. He then passes it to Kagami, who quickly scores a running hook.
He smirked. "I didn't expect that but the battle's only starting."
Unfortunately, he couldn't read Hikigaya's mind. "Kagami…" he started, but he held his tongue. What he was about to say could probably be something else. And I wouldn't want that yet. He then ignored him and made his way to their Mochida who had the ball. He then chest passed the ball to Hikigaya who caught it. He then dribbles it down and when he was already ten feet away from the three-point line.
"Don't go," he said aloud. He then dribbled more until he was five feet from the rainbow territory before he bent his knees and then straightened, as posture used for shooting threes. He then jumped before quickly releasing his shot so fast that Asahina wasn't able to swat it away.
"Impossible! He shot so far from the line!" Yuigahama said as she rose to her feet. The others watched with shocked faces as well; the ball had a high and graceful arc and then suddenly, it crashed down, going smoothly through the hoop.
"That's a quick-release shot!" Someone from the audience shouted. "Hikigaya could do that?! And in that distance?!"
Everyone on the court looked at Hikigaya with awe. As for the latter, he remained at his position, but when the ball landed on the floor, he closed both of his eyes as his follow through is still there.
I'm no Midorima. He said in his mind. But didn't expect I can still move like this.
Kaitobi then asked, "Hey, what was that?"
"After the match, I'll explain everything. But right now, we need to get as much threes as we can." Looking at their points and the time, he knew that they were still going to lose, no matter what happens. But he decided that since that would be case, then they'll just have to lose in a more honourable way.
"Kagami-senpai!" Asahina shouted at him as he passes the ball. But to his surprise, Hikigaya intercepted it as he quickly steals it and goes for a fast break. He drove past Kagami with a blistering speed, but the Seirin ace was not far behind. Within a couple seconds, Kagami was beside him but the moment he came in front of him, Hikigaya did a right to left crossover. With his speed, Kagami was able to catch him but by then Hikigaya had already passed the ball back to the right. He then swiftly, shifted his weight onto his right foot, grabbed the ball and dashed off. He then passed the ball to Mochida who quickly redirected it to Kaitobi. The center scored a layup.
Kagami grinned. Even though he was a bit peeved that Hikigaya got pass him, he felt like he could play again with the same way he did with Aomine. Any challenges are a welcome to me.
As for Yukinoshita, she can't believe it was her club mate who is now rallying the team. He…he looks so different right now.