It was afternoon on Wednesday and the Touou basketball gymnasium was noisy. The boys were in the midst of their heavy practice as they were all running back and forth in the court. Since they haven't even won one title for the past two years since Aomine has joined, Harasawa didn't dare let them slack off one moment. They all saw the matches between Seirin and Rakuzan which Aomine and his childhood friend and former Teiko and now Touou manager Momoi Satsuki went to watch it with their own eyes. But even though they all were always eliminated from the Interhigh and Winter Cup wars and was defeated by the hands of Kaijou at one point, they felt better because of one thing: Aomine now showed up to practice and this was the new norm for the team that heavily relied on individual attacks and the former Teiko ace's brilliance. No one bribed him. No one threatened his 'Mai-chan.' No one even bothered to wake him up from his deep sleep. He just showed up. And what's even worse (or better), sometimes, even if it's just a couple, he says some interesting and beneficial things to the other players.

But today, even though Aomine and Momoi were in their new usual, the latter seemed to be pretty much depressed as of yesterday. She was not her usual bubbly self, skipping and humming, but instead, she dragged herself to the stage where she just sat. She stared out into space, her eyes were no longer sparkling with enthusiasm but instead, they were drowning in…sadness and confusion?

"Aomine." Touou coach Katsunori Harasawa called their power forward. "What's wrong with Momoi?"

"I have no idea, coach." He replied in a lazy tone as he kept rolling a ball in his fingertips. "She's been like that ever since yesterday when we had that practice match against Ryonan High."

"I'm sorry for asking but do you think because he hasn't seen Kuroko-san?" Sakurai asked. For everyone's information, the incoming-incoming third year shooting guard has matured rather slowly but surely and he doesn't anymore say sorry as much as before.

"She may like him but she wouldn't drown herself in sorrow that doesn't belong to her." Aomine drawled as he shoots the basketball. "Besides, Tetsu isn't one to actually notice her advances…"

"Then go find out, senpai!" A second-year point guard nudged him in the side. "You're her best friend right? Cheer her up! If something isn't done, are you just going to let her stay like that?!"

"No…but…"

"Then do something, Aomine." Harasawa barked at him, earning looks from the others in the gym. Momoi hadn't budged. "It would affect the morale of the whole team is she stays like that the whole day."

With a sigh and a grunt, Aomine walked over to her. As he made his way, he thought about what to say to her. He tried to prepare up a well-doctored speech, but he quickly dismissed it. She knew him too well to accept that. And considering it's me, I'll only make it worse. He then tried to think of another way. He paused mid-stride. He was drawing blanks. Now that he was thinking about it, he couldn't remember the last time he'd comfort her. The only time he remembered was when he had just started playing basketball in the streets and she had fell in a muddy puddle. She cried that time, but he had carried her on his back to cheer her up but other than that, he cannot remember anymore.

"Dammit…" He mumbled. He then inhaled and exhaled. When he made it to her, he grabbed her by her shoulders, "Satsuki, what's wrong?"

Momoi then raised up her head and looked at him with eyes full of pity.

"Dai-chan…" she started. "Have I ever hidden anything from you?"

"Hah?" Now, Aomine was very much confused. "No. But where's this coming from?"

"You …you're hiding something aren't you?" Momoi pressed on, now determined to squeeze out something from the tanned ace.

"What the hell are you—"

"I…I heard from Ki-chan that you're all going to Chiba…to personally reconnect with Hachi-kun…" Momoi blurted out as she stuttered in her speech. "And I checked your phone…why does Akashi-kun…" She wasn't able to finish her sentence as she then burst into crying.

It was then that it clicked. Damn you, Kise! The blonde had just told to Momoi about their planned visit to their former Teiko teammate and that must have been a shock to the pinkette, who haven't seen Hikigaya for so long. He dragged a hand over his face, as seeing her right now, he didn't―couldn't―have the will to tell to her that they would be the ones who'll handle it. Besides, it's not like he wanted to keep her in the dark like this. But knowing its Akashi's orders, he wouldn't normally risk his life just for this.

Suddenly, her cried began to catch the attention of the rest of the team. . Like a kitten drawn to a yarn, the members of Touou succumbed at that sight of Momoi's deadly but cute puppy face in tears.

"Meanie! Aomine made Momoi-chan cry." One member suddenly shouted.

"He's such a bully, making her cry. Has he no shame!" Another member joined the now drowning protests.

Aomine, noticing the scene they were making looked back at Momoi, somewhat panicked as he was not trying to get hold of the growing situation. Fortunately, Harasawa just came into the rescue as he shouted a bellowing order of "Silence! Go back to your drills!" as he then foundh himself scrambling for his phone. I'm sure Akashi wouldn't mind, right? He thought as he cursed about killing a certain blonde the next time he sees him tomorrow. But just to make sure, he held her wrist and then walked over to the door where they exited.

"Dai-chan?"

"You have your phone right?" Aomine asked.

"Yeah."

"Give it to me."

She took it out of her pocket and gave it to him. Quickly, he dialed away and then put the phone at his ear. After two rings, the person answered.

"Momoi? What's wrong? It's rare for you to call me." The voice of Akashi, as usual is very much intimidating.

"Yo, Akashi. It's me. Aomine."

"Aomine..." Once can tell that the red head point guard and captain of Rakuzan was much surprised though he suppressed his bewildered tone quickly. "Now it's even rarer for someone like you to call me. What do you want? Make it quick since I'll have to preside over a student council meeting in less than an hour."

"Can I we just bring Satsuki along?" Aomine pleaded. "I change my mind about my earlier text. Please. She's crying and tearing up and she's a mess! I can't stand to see her like this! Please Akashi, this is just the only time I'll ask. I'm begging you. Just punish Kise because he's the reason why I'm stuck in this situation."

"…"

"Akashi?"

"I'll talk to Momoi myself. Hand her the phone." Aomine could hear the irritation in their captain's voice.

"Thanks, Akashi."

"Of course, Aomine." Akashi replied, and then hung up the phone before Aomine could say anything. Before he could close down the phone, it rang again. He quickly gave it to her, and she answered.

"Akashi-kun?"

"Momoi. I supposed you heard about Hikigaya Hachiman from that loudmouth blonde."

She gasped. "So it's true, Akashi-kun?!"

"Before you say anything, yes. Kuroko had accidentally reunited with him at Chiba where they are now staying for their training camp. In fact, it looks like he had just made his basketball comeback as he and his school called Sobu High almost defeated Seirin if it wasn't for Hikigaya losing his stamina."

"Then that means, Akashi-kun…you would try to recruit him back for the Olympics?!" Her mood was brightening at that. She was somewhat relieved, seeing that she would be able to finally see the face of that one friend she haven't seen for three almost four years.

"Hmmmm…yes, Momoi."

"Then…then…"

"I have already sent them a message about the time that we'll all meet in the station near station. Perhaps, it is best that we'll have to bring you all along since I sincerely doubt that Aomine would be there at the designated time of 7:00 am."

"Really?! Thanks, Akashi-kun! Don't worry. I'll take care of Dai-chan!"

"Very good taking care of that idiot. We'll see each other tomorrow."

"Alright."

The phone then hung up and Momoi looked better now than she had before, but the prospect of finally seeing Hikigaya Hachiman years after she last interacted with him sent her imagination on a wild ride.

The next day, Midorima was already on his way into the station bringing along his luggage of his clothes and his other travelling bag filled with basically all his possible lucky items for tomorrow as he luckily, his only lucky item for today is reading glasses, which he is wearing everyday due to his poor eye sight. As he waited impatiently at the bench, he then checked at the time and saw that it was still 6:30 am. Too early and besides, I can't believe I'll have to go through all of this just for the sake of a former teammate who had abandoned us in middle school.

He sighed as inwardly, he knew there were other reasons why he left.

"Midorimacchi! Heyyyyy! Good morning!"

Midorima looked up in surprise (and utter annoyance) as he saw Kise running towards him with a waving hand and a bright smile on his face. He is bringing a luggage which is bigger than his and he was also wearing a ball cap to prevent fan girls from the area from attacking him.

"K-Kise! Considering, it's you, I'm surprised that you came way too early as well…" Midorima replied to his greeting as he brings out a special cloth from his case to wipe his glasses.

"Well…today is a special day. We would get to finally see Hikigayacchi! I wonder what kind of face he had right now and why Akashi had sought out to find him. But ya know, the Olympics…is it possible that Akashicchi would really recruit Hikigayacchi?" Kise asked as he puts his hands in his chin.

Midorima frowned at that, but widened his eyes once he realized something. If Akashi sent the word about Hikigaya, that meant that the possibility of him rejoining them would be too much of a possibility to ignore, considering the timeframe and the timing of the meeting. And if so, how did others like Aomine handled this…

Speaking of which…

"It seems like we came rather too early." The voice of Aomine was heard as he and Momoi, who is mysteriously spewing too much radiance in her smile, drag their travelling bags.

"Hello! Ki-chan! Midorin! Good morning." The pinkette greeted cheerfully as she drags Aomine. "We would have gotten earlier if not for the fact that someone here was busy masturbating for thirty minutes in their shower room." She rolled her eyes as she glances at Aomine, who quickly stares at her angrily for revealing his embarrassing activity.

"Oi, Momoi! How did you even know that?!" The Touou ace screamed as he tried to deny it.

"It's not surprising, Aomine. We all know that's your hobby." Midorima replied calmly as he pushes up his glasses.

"Yeah, Aominecchi, it's not like we would be shocked…"

"Will you two just shut up?!" The ganguro annoyingly shouted as he turns to face Kise. "And Kise, it's your fault that I'm in this situation, you dumb blondie! Can't you really keep your mouth shut?!"

"Aominecchi you're so mean! It's not like I can keep…"

"Ara…why does it looks like Mine-chin wants to murder someone?"

Everyone stopped bickering as they saw the gentle giant in Murasakibara suddenly enter his scene. Aside from his luggage, his larger travelling bag contains all of his snacks, maiubo, potato chips, cookies, and other junk foods that he can cram into the bag.

"Mukkun!" Momoi waved her hands at the purple head center. "Good morning!"

"Morning, Sacchin…" Murasakibara trailed off. "Neh…are we complete now?"

"Nope, someone's not yet here as you see." Aomine rolled his eyes.

Midorima sighed, "When do you think, Akashi was ever not fashionably late, other than for official matches?" He pointed out with a huff. "Anyway... since we'll all be playing in the Olympics anyway, Momoi, I take it that you have scouted some of the foreign players we have to look out."

"Ah, yes, Midorin." Momoi replied as she takes out her notebook. "I haven't finished yet in my scouting report but two names have come up so far. Israel might be a dark horse in the competition since this would be their first Olympics participation for so long but one of their players might give us trouble if ever we draw them. His name is Chaim Timor. Stands at 183 cm and plays point guard. His specialty is air walking, speed, penetration drive, and sharpshooting."

Basically an Israeli counterpart of Hikigaya. Midorima thought mentally. "Then who's the other player?"

"Well, he's in the US team." Momoi started. "Nicholas Fazekas. Stands at 210 cm. Plays center. He's famous for his deft shooting touch around the basket and his nimble footwork in the low post. On the other hand, his exceptionally strong body, speed, and flexiblity are all on an extraordinarily high level…"

"Woah…so basically like Jabberwock's Silver…" Kise said in awe.

"Except maybe that he's a smarter one considering that footwork is also included. "Midorima added as he pushes up his glasses.

"Hoh, that's quite impressive Momoi. Looks like everyone is more than fired up to participate in this."

Everyone's attention was averted to across the street as Akashi made his way across the street as he steps out from a sprinter van which Midorima thought that they would use to get to Chiba.

Aomine clicked his tongue as he grumbled. "Finally! An impressive entrance as ever, Akashi. What is it with you and always being the last one here?" He growled in annoyance. The message they had all received stated that they must meet at 7:00. Yet the only time that Aomine chose to come on earlier, nobody had been there except Kise and Midorima of all people.

"Forgive my tardiness. I'd have to talk to my vice-president in our student council about our sudden trip so it took me long." Akashi explained.

The rest of the Miracles were all nodding at his explanation.

"So..." Akashi smirked as he then showed his sprinter van. "Is everyone ready to go for the trip?"

Ten minutes later, everyone is now aboard with their things at the back of the van. Akash sat beside the driver as Aomine, Momoi, and Kise were all seated in the middle of the vehicle. Murasakibara and Midorima stayed in the back portion. While the van wasn't really small, the fact that four of them stood at more than six feet has somewhat become the bane of the group as they really had to deal with the cramped space, especially Murasakibara, who had to endure bowing his head down.

"We're going on a trip in our favorite rocket ship…" Kise started humming a tune as he turns on his sounds from his Iphone.

"Zooming through the sky, Little Einsteins…" Momou cheerfully complied to sing with him.

"Could you two just shut your goddamn mouths?!" Aomine yelled as he was trying to sleep in the van. "Especially you Kise since you had an ugly voice anyway."

"Aominecchi, you're so mean!" Kise wailed like a cry baby as he protests against the rude ganguro, who showed no remorse as he kept covering his ears to protect them from the high-pitched voice of the blonde. It came to the point where Midorima can't anymore read his Oha-Asa horoscopes in his phone and that's where he intervened. "Kise! Aomine! Momoi! Will you three just keep quiet?!"

Murasakibara was eating his potato chips as he idly said "Ah, the mean green angry dragon is back." Everyone stopped bickering as they looked at the Yosen center with big eyes. They looked at Midorima, who was beyond livid at the nickname given to him and his eyes were hidden behind his glasses, giving it an ominous gleam. "What…did…you…call…me…nanodayo?!" Every word was laced with venom. Midorima is a very calm person but when he is angry…he's really angry. Back in Teiko, a situation came when Midorima lost his cool due to Hikigaya and Murasakibara were both arguing due to the latter eating the former's snacks without permission. After that, Hikigaya had called him the "mean green angry dragon" and because it was very funny, all of the basketball club regualrs started using it, much to Midorima's chagrin. Coincidently, a statue of a green dragon was Midorima's lucky item for that day.

Akashi just smiled as he watches the whoel scene. If only those two were here…

Even if the trip is only less than an hour, the all the basketball players, with the exemption of Akashi and of course, Momoi, were already tired, hungry, and physically drained from the seemingly eternal trip from the busy cityscape of Tokyo to the calm and peaceful shores of Chiba. By the time they had arrived at the inn where the Seirin basketball team is staying, they all just wanted to get out of the vehicle and stretch their legs.

"Aka-chin, I think I'm going to be sick." Murasakibara muttered as soon as they all got out of the sprinter van. As they all get their luggage, everyone can see Kise now beginning to take selfies near the entrance of the inn.

"Kise, get here this instant or else expect that your pretty face would disappear." Akashi ordered the idiot blonde and the latter quickly stopped taking pictures in order to comply with their captain. Immediately, Akashi threw him a bag filled with canned goods. Kise only nodded and carried the cans.

"I'm so excited!" Momoi sang in a falsetto. "Aren't you, Dai-chan?"

"Tsk…I'd rather stay in Touou and just train with those wimps." Aomine replied gruffly as they all dragged their belongings inside the inn.

After a couple of minutes, they were finally walking into the courtyard of the inn in which, at this point, Kuroko and Kagami were all standing in the entrance doors of the traditional inn. The former wasn't at all surprised to see his Teiko teammates appear here considering that it was all part of their plan to meet each other but for the latter, he was simply stunned to see them standing here.

"A-Ahomine! What the hell are you all doing here?!" Kagami spluttered.

"What Bakagami? You wanna fight?" Aomine drawled as he makes his way into Kuroko. "Nah. It's not worth my time, fighting a caveman like you."

"You piece of…" Kagami was inching to go near the ganguro and punch him in the face if it wasn't for Kuroko, who tripped him and he ended up landing onto the floor face-first. "Ouch! Oi, teme! Why did you do that, cappy?!"

"Just get used to his antics, Kagami-kun." Kuroko deadpanned. "Besides, it's not nice have Akashi see all of us getting engaged in something so low and uncivilized. Have more patience, Kagami-kun."

"As smart as ever, Kuroko." Akashi mused as he makes his entrance with the rest of the Generation of Miracles following closely. "I see that you have become the captain in this last year of our high school career. Let's fight someday."

"Thank you Akashi-kun." Kuroko bowed in respect. "And for your information, Kagami-kun is now the vice-captain so pleas,e have some respect, Aomine-kun."

"Eh? Seriously, Kagamicchi, vice-captain?" Kise can't help but snicker as though he heard some kind of joke. "Kurokocchi, you could have chosen someone else!"

"Oi! What was that supposed to mean?!" Kagami was annoyed.

"Hate to say it but the dumb blonde is right." Aomine replied. "I just can't believe this phony of a light becoming a vice-captain. I understand if it's Tetsu who's becoming the captain but you as the vice? Just too hard to comprehend."

"I hate to say it as well but I agree with these two." Midorima nodded as he pushes up his glasses. "A simpleton and an idiot like you had really no right to hold a position of authority."

"I hate you all." Kagami muttered.

Akashi then cleared his throat as he speaks. "Now that we're here, I shall not beat around the bush. Kuroko, please lead us to Sobu High School where we can have the chance to talk to Hikigaya. Is he in school at the moment?"

After almost an hour of unpacking and fixing their things in the inn as well as paying a courtesy call to Kagetora, who was slightly surprised at their appearance, the five GoM plus Kuroko, Kagami, and Momoi had all set out of the inn. As they all eventually walked into the streets, Kise can't help but admire the fresh air as well as the breezing wind coming from the sea shore. Kuroko merely kept quiet as Kagami and Aomine continued to argue. After about fifteen minutes of walking endlessly, they finally managed to reach the entrance of Sobu High School.

"Wow, this is quite a good-looking school." Momoi can't help but admire the fine aesthetics of the design of the school as well as the uniforms of the students there.

"It's not surprising." Akashi replied as he scans the area. "The entrance requirements here are quite high, though not as high as Rakuzan's. Those who wish to gain admittance are required to score highly on the entrance exams or receive a recommendation from good junior high schools. Sobu also teaches the Big 5 which is Japanese, English, Social Sciences with Liberal Arts, Mathematics and Sciences, which comprises of Physics, Chemistry and Biology."

"Wow, you really know its history, Akashicchi!" Kise was astonished.

"Of course. I'm absolute and I know everything, Kise." He replied in his usual "high and mighty" reply.

Ignoring the stares they were receiving from all of the students present, who were all looking at their brightly-colored hairs, they all went inside the school campus. Despite being outsider, Akashi merely used his name and the aura of their four taller-than-your-average-guys Teiko teammates to be able to gain access of entry from the guards, who simply cowered under their gaze. After walking into the corridor and taking the stairs, Kuroko leads the way as they all stopped by a door which had a sign with a lot of sticker on it.

"Kagami-kun, Momoi-san, come with me." Kuroko said as he slides the door. "I'll just call for the rest of you if we're all set. I just don't want to surprise him to his death with all your appearance."

While they didn't quite understand what he mean, they all simply nodded and waited at the entrance as the three knocked first before they were permitted in and went inside and the door immediately slid back. After almost five minutes, which included hearing what looks like shouts of fangirling from Momoi, Kagami suddenly opens the door and gruffly said. "Well…you may all come inside."

Quickly, the five people then went inside and immediately, they all noticed that the classroom is an unused classroom with chairs and tables piled up in cluttered stacks along the edge of the room. But what caught their attention are Kuroko, Momoi, Kagami, and what looks like to be three girls staring at them. One had long, ebony hair with pale skin and a pretty face. The other one has fair skin, light orange hair that is almost always seen with the loose side bun and peach-reddish eyes. The last girl has shoulder-length bobbed brown hair. There is also a young-looking teacher present and she is likewise very much surprised to see them. But most of all…

"Eh?! Hikigayacchi?!" Kise suddenly blurted out as he spotted the lone male in Sobu uniform. But when the mentioned male turned to look at him, all the GoM paused momentarily and wondered if they were seeing right, as in the boy's rotten eyes there seemed to be a glint of hatred.

Hikigaya had arrived late in Sobu. He had overslept, due to the rumpus caused by Komachi ranting that he was on a night club when in fact, he got late home due to having to help Kuroko and Kagami train their inexperienced point guards as well as having to satisfy the red head's thirst for a challenge. Well, he did beat the taller player by a measly point after the idiotic Kagami suddenly lost control of his dribble and Hikigaya took advantage of this by scoring a layup after a fast break. After that, he had to quell the complaints coming from Yuigahama and Yukinoshita that they would get home so late because of him, to which he retorts that it was their choice to come and he wasn't forcing them. Seeing the validity of his arguments, the service club president just kept quiet and watched as she sees Kuroko treating Hikigaya with MAX coffee. And when he got home, he had to endure several angry lectures by his mom, who wouldn't believe that someone asked help form him to train their players.

He had crawled his way through the Sobu's gates, and slowly made his way up to the classroom. He sighed miserably, knowing this is just another boring day as he cannot wait for the two-week autumn break to come as tomorrow Friday would be their last day as second years. And that's the same case with Kuroko. Hmmm…I guess I could play some little hoops with him this summer for a change…

When he finally made it up the stairs, he heard sounds that he was all too familiar with. Curiosity killed him (or not), so he dashed towards the door and slid it open. There they were, Hayama and Miura, as usual, in the middle of their cliques as they were busy laughing some random stuff with Tobe, Yamato, and Ooka. Sagami Minami and her clique are in another side of the room busy talking about useless things. Kawasaki Saki is in her usual spot, all by herself. Totsuka Saika is seen greeting him with a wave, which he returns nevertheless. Yuigahama is with Miura's clique but she did wave to Hikigaya.

As he sat by his desk, Totsuka then went to him and asked. "Hachiman, you looked like were unable to sleep well. Did you play basketball again?"

"Huh?" Hikigaya had to fake his expression as he looks at the feminine-like entity with raised eyebrows.

"I mean, you have basketball equipment with you, Hachiman…" Totsuka pointed at the equipment that he was currently bringing with him. Hikigaya groaned as he realized he must have brought them by mistake. Such misfortune…now I sound like that spiky haired guy from another anime series…

"Good morning, class!" The entrance of Hiratsuka silenced the whole class. "It looks like that everyone is present. Well, I do have some news for you. Since tomorrow is the last day before the two-week autumn break before you all became third years, I'm allowing you all to attend to whatever thing you had to clear in your clubs starting 9:00 am."

She then looked at Hikigaya, who seemed to be pretty uninterested, and smiled before saying.

"Well, Hikigaya, I heard that you just played basketball yesterday and you beaten Seirin's ace in a one-on-on." She perked, prompting the whole class to suddenly keep quiet and stare at their classmate, who looks very annoyed. Yukinoshita must have told her. Does she even know when to keep her mouth shut?

"I just got lucky, sensei." Hikigaya mumbled. "Kagami was too much of an idiot to turn over the ball so I just took advantage of it."

"Unlucky, you say? So that means those acrobatic shots you were making the day before yesterday was all lucky?" Hiratsuka smirked.

"Shots in basketball are a matter of luck." Hikigaya had to defend himself. "Not every player can score 100 percent every game even in the NBA and the best an ordinary man could is between 50 to 60 percent. Look, even Ray Allen's career percentage is 40 percent and he's regarded as the best three point shooter alive. It's all about luck in your muscle memory."

"It looks like you do know a lot about basketball." Hiratsuka continued to tease his student.

"I prefer old-school players though." Hikigaya muttered.

After that, classes went smoothly as normally as possible. In fact, it was extremely very boring for Hikigaya Hachiman, who kept thinking what Kuroko and Kagami are doing right now.

After their first session, nine o'clock has struck in their timer and all of the sudden, the whole school seemed like it was on an evacuation. Those people who are members of the clubs immediately reported to their respective presidents while Hikigaya and Yuigahama then both went together to the service club room. While they were walking, the girl with tinted hair began to speak like a machine gun.

"Neh, Hikki, are you going to meet Kurokon and Kagamin later?" Yuigahama asked.

"I don't know and besides, they have training camp today." He gruffly answered. And besides, what's with you asking about the two of them? It's not like you are close with either one of them.

They eventually reach the service club room where they found Yukinoshita now sitting with a novel in her hand.

"Yo." Hikigaya greeted in his usual manner.

"Yahallo, Yukinon!" Yuigahama cheerfully greeted.

"Good morning, Yuigahama-san…HikiWadeIsMyIdol-kun." Yukinoshita greeted while having a pink blush in her cheeks.

"Hah…I'll just take that as a compliment though." Hikigaya shrugged as he didn't mind it at all since it's true that he idolizes the Miami Heat shooting guard. After settling themselves down, Yuigahama immediately began heating up their pot of tea as this time, instead of reading, Hikigaya simply took out a leather Spalding basketball (which is given to him by Kuroko as some sort of a gift) and began playing it in his hands. He first began by rolling it in his fingertips before using his wrists and palm to flick the ball while it was rolling. I haven't done this in a while. What was a last time I did this? I think it was…with Aomine. Oh, forget it. It only makes my blood boil.

Suddenly, the door opened and it revealed two familiar people.

"Oh…Hiratsuka-sensei…Iroha-chan…good morning!" Yuigahama greeted. Hikigaya only nodded at them but continued playing with the basketball while Yukinoshita greeted them a simple good morning.

"Ahem…it seems like our club had no problems, neh, Isshiki?" Hiratsuka smiled warmly as she looks at their incoming second-year, who seems to agree with her statement.

"Yes, sensei. By the way, I heard that sensei is planning another trip to Kyoto so that we can have some rest and recreation. Is that right?" Isshiki asked Hiratsuka, who quickly nods. "Yes, that's right. This time, we would have a team building in Kyoto with the others such as Hayama and Miura. I hope this would result in a more fruitful year since all of you three would be seniors just two weeks from now." Yuigahama and Yukinoshita just smiled while Hikigaya only gave a grunt. I'd rather play basketball with that dumb Kagami than to stick around with someone like Hayama!

"But sensei, it seems like someone I know would prefer to stay in the streets to play basketball, right HikiBallIsLife-kun?" Yukinoshita gave off a sly smile as she looks at the boy with rotten eyes, who paid no attention to her and continued rolling the ball in his hands.

"Well…I was actually thinking that Hikigaya here can teach some poor kids in Kyoto as some way to socialize." Hiratsuka suddenly said as she gave off a smug smile.

"Now that I think of it, that's a good idea!" Great, Yuigahama just agreed to it and it won't be long before Yukinoshita agrees to it as well. Hikigaya grumbled to himself as he saw the airheaded girl saying yes to their teacher's proposal. But before he can even object to it, they heard a knock in the door. "I'll get it!" Isshiki replied as she immediately went to the sliding door to open it. But as soon as she did, she was frozen temporarily in her place.

"I-Isshiki, what's wrong?" Hiratsuka asked as the student council president remained standing on the door before she let in three familiar individuals inside the room. The familiar red and blunette boys weren't a surprise to the three service club members and Isshiki but the third one was a complete stranger to them. In fact, she was someone they haven't seen before.

"Eh?! Kuroko?! Kagami?! And…Mo-Mo-Momooi?! I-Is that you?!" Hikigaya was stammering as he sees yet again another person he didn't expect to see. Hiratsuka, Isshiki, and Yuigahama were very much surprised to see the usually all-gloomy actually knowing a girl besides them and Orimoto Kaori. As for Yukinoshita…something inside her snapped the moment she saw the face of Hikigaya all flustered and confused while his speech was in a total mess as he girl with pink hair and larger boobs was slowly walking towards her secret crush.

"Ha-Hachi-kun…is…is that really you?" Momoi saw that his hairstyle changed from that of a spiky Mohawk to a flatter one but nevertheless, his eyes remained the same. He grew taller and…more discerning? The Touou manager then ran ahead and threw her arms towards the stunned Hikigaya before hugging him so tightly. "Hachi-kun…idiot…jerk…nincompoop! How could you just do that to us?! Leaving me with no trace or even a notice! But right now, I'm just so happy that we're all reunited—uh…what is that?"

She stopped in her sentence as she began to feel something very cold in her back. I-It's very frightening! She then turned slowly in her back and saw Yukinoshita glaring her at her with those chilling and piercing blue orbs drilling onto her as her aura began to throw ice spikes in the pinkette's spine. Her eyes are very scary! It looks like she wanted to murder everyone here! Momoi said, quite worried.

Hikigaya must have sensed the same sensation as well as he then broke the silence that was beginning to engulf the room. "Momoi, I didn't expect to see you again. How is life? And besides, what are you doing here with Kuroko and Kagami? I thought you went to Touou with…with…with that asshole…" He whispered the last part.

"Ah, we learned from Midorin's teammate Takao-kun that Sobu and Seirin had a practice match and that you were one of the players." Momoi happily announced, ignoring the presence of Yukinoshita, who is not beginning to get annoyed.

Takao? Is he referring to one Takao Kazunari? I played him one time, if I'm not mistaken. Wait…that's not the problem here! He thought as he scrambled to try to make things in order. "Guys, this is actually our former manager in Teiko. Say hi, Momoi."

"Hi, guys! I'm Satsuki Momoi." The pinkette waved her hand on the group. "I was Hachi-kun and Tetsu-kun's former club mate in the basketball team back at Teiko!"

"Yahallo! I'm Yuigahama Yui!" The airhead looked very much forced in her greeting but managed to remain cheerful.

"Hello. I'm Isshiki Iroha and nice to meet someone familiar with senpai." Isshiki smiled brightly.

"Yukinoshita Yukino." The last to introduce herself coldly stared at Momoi, who averted her eyes in fear of the service club president.

So Hikigaya did play basketball in middle school? Huh, but he finished his middle school here in Chiba, right? Wait, something doesn't add up. Hiratsuka looked bewildered as she watches the commotion, which is rare in the usually-tranquil club room.

And little she did know that it was bound to get even noisier.

"Tetsu-kun, let them in now!" Momoi snapped Kuroko out of his trance and in his sudden confusion; he then gave Kagami the go signal to open the door. Hikigaya then gulped when he heard the them and realized that if Kuroko and Momoi are both here and she was talking about a reunion, then it must mean a bigger picture.

No! Wait…a…minute! It can't be! Could it be…

And his darkest fears were verified when as soon as Kagami opened the sliding door, a group of five rainbow-haired teens began to flow in the room.

"Eh?! Hikigayacchi?!" The blonde suddenly blurted out as the stunned Hikigaya was only able to watch as one by one, all the former Teiko players were now inside the room and immediately, the tension was very high that even Hiratsuka, who was the most intimidating teacher in Sobu, didn't any part of this. And I wouldn't want to get started with that tanned man! She said in her mind as she eyes Aomine, who was standing there with a somewhat boring face. But when she looked at Hikigaya, there is something in his face that she couldn't describe.

"Tch…I can't believe you all show your faces here…" He whispered to himself but his eyes began to boil with hatred and his hands were shaking violently. "Hi-Hikki? Yuigahama noticed the boy biting his lip, as if out of frustration.

"What are all doing here? And just who are you all guys?" Yukinoshita tried to maintain her posture as found herself facing Akashi, who seemed to be smirking to her. Looks like I've found someone I can toy with.

"Good morning…Yukinoshita-san." He greeted rather smugly, shocking the girl who was very much surprised that he knew her surname. "We are here to talk with Hikigaya. Now stay out of our business or else, don't expect that I'll be merciful to someone even to you." Akashi said darkly as he took out and played with his famous scissors. Isshiki almost yelped the moment she saw the sharp object glint.

"Akashi-kun…I don't think threatening someone like that is right…" Kuroko intervened as he noticed that Isshiki and Yuigahama are terrified as of the moment.

"Besides, even it means you all got a visitor's pass, threatening one's like is ano—" Hiratsuka stopped in her sentence when she suddenly found herself being stared by Akashi's blazing Emperor Eyes and in an instant, she shut her mouth in instant fear.

"We are just here to clarify some things with him" Midorima said, almost getting annoyed that this is getting out of nowhere.

"Kaga-chin, have you heard the Olympics tournament?" Murasakibara drawled, eating his potato chips carelessly.

"Yeah, I did." Kagami grumbled as he was still pissed off that he wasn't even included (yet) in the plans for the national team.

"And you're here to…?" Yukinoshita decided to ask, despite the scissors threat coming from Akashi.

"Since my plan was to reincarnate the Generation of Miracles, we're here to take Hikigaya Hachiman. He will be joining us. After all, he was my backup back in middle school before he left in the latter part of our second year." Akashi said with a smirk. The last sentence proved to be quite a shocker as the three Sobu girls and Hiratsuka looked at Hikigaya with widened eyes at the revelation.

"W-Well…you can't do that…right?" Yuigahama stuttered as she looks at Hikigaya, who looks very mad right now as he bows down his head.

"And why not? Who just dared to disobey me?" Akashi said darkly while gripping his scissors hard and preparing to aim at Yuigahama, who was quickly frightened and hid behind Isshiki, who moved away. She didn't want to die as well.

Kuroko and Kagami only watched the whole scene unfold in their eyes as the standoff between Akashi and Yukinoshita continues.

"You can't do that, Akashi." Yukinoshita finally blurted out the surname of the red head after seeing his hair and his manner of speaking. "You're no different from your father, no? It seems that the rivalry had even reached here…"

"It doesn't matter, right Aka-chin?" Murasakibara said in a sing-song manner. "I'm sure that Hiki-chin will agree…"

"How can you be so sure, Murasakibara?" Hikigaya said while his eyes were gazing lower.

"Hikigaya you will join us no matter what." Akashi said defiantly and arrogantly.

"No." Hikigaya replied in a hard tone.

"Eh? Why Hikigaya?" Aomine was now confused so he decided to speak up as well. "Don't you want to play with us again? I mean, it's obvious you were rolling that basketball a while back."

"No."

"Hikigaya, is there a problem?" Midorima butted in. "You look and sound different at the moment, far from the Hikigaya that I know. Not that I care or anything."

"Since when did you care about me, you Oha-Asa freak?" Hikigaya was beginning to lose it as he was tempted to punch a very much shocked Midorima, who was taken aback upon hearing him insult him.

"Hiki-chin…Mido-chin is right. You looked different, other than your rotten eyes…" Murasakibara said.

"Do you think I care?"

"Eh?! Hikigayacchi! What happened?!" Kise wailed and then pointed an accusing finger at Yuigahama. "You! What happened to our best friend?! What did you do to him?!"

"What? Nothing!" Yuigahama defends herself. "Since you arrived, he's been acting like that! So why blame me!"

"Kise…I would have considered that if you did more than just chide Aomine…" Hikigaya growled in a low voice.

"Hikigaya, are you disobeying me?" Akashi, now nearing the end of his patience, began to turn his gaze towards the mentioned male. "When I say you're going to join us, you're going to join. And that's an order."

"Hah? Got any problem disobeying you?" Hikigaya now went full beast-mode as he faces his old Teiko captain. "You're not my captain anymore, you piece of shit so why should I listen to you now?!"

All of them couldn't believe it. Hiratsuka and Yukinoshita can't believe that this is Hikigaya Hachiman talking to his former captain with that language and tone. All of the GoM as well as Kagami were surprised. When did Hikigaya become this way? And worst, he is disobeying Akashi himself!

"Hikigaya, know your place!" Akashi shouts at teen that is even taller than him. "Don't tell me you're going to waste your talent here as well as forget whom you owe them to. A Japan All-Star player, a National champion, a position in the regular line-up. All of them were made possible because of…"

"Hah? What is it Akashi…know my place? Don't make me laugh?" Hikigaya said as slowly, he made his way into his belongings so that he can go home now. It looks like he isn't any more in the mood to even stay in the club room. "And I don't owe you anything. I worked myself harder so that I can reach the line up in Teiko. You might have forgotten that I got into the team the same year as yours." After his statement, it was followed with dark smile that send a shiver in the spines of everyone present, except Kuroko, who was merely sighing at what is happening right now. I should have foreseen this.

Every miracle then parted the way for Hikigaya like the Red Sea being parted to half as the boy with rotten eyes leaves the room, leaving everyone very much stunned.

As he was now outside the room, he can hear Hiratsuka, who recovers from his initial shock, shouts, "Okay, can somebody tell me what's going on right now?!"

In short, Hikigaya Hachiman decided to go home

After that stressing encounter that ruined his already-tumultuous reunion with the Teiko crew, except for Momoi and Kuroko, Hikigaya didn't anymore returned to school as he decided to just skip classes. Break's coming over and tomorrow's the last day anyway so I don't see any reason why I should freak out over not attending today. He sighed as he then saw that it was already lunch time and so he decided to eat something nice for lunch.

He then took out a pack of hotdogs from the refrigerator and defrosts it while he takes out cold rice and began to recycle it to make some fried rice. Luckily for him, his parents weren't present either so he was quite very happy to have the house for himself. After an hour, he was able to make his own lunch and so, he began to eat.

After eating, he then went to the living room to play his PSP since he was a bit distressed right now and decided to do something in order to liven up his mood. But after an hour of endless fiddling in his console, he grew very bored of it so he then just lied down in the sofa. But as he then kept day dreaming, he then saw the Spalding ball given to him by Kuroko and so, he had an idea.

Taking the ball in his hands, he then went outside for the moment and then immediately, he spotted a nearby street basketball court just a stone's throw away from their home. Why didn't I notice this before? He thought something very trivial as he immediately ran towards the place to start playing. Fortunately, it was deserted so he got to play all by himself. Occasionally, some random stranger would simply stop by and challenge him to a one-on-one but sooner, those who challenged him ended up simply down to their fours or are already giving up. It sucks but at least, I got to decrease every bit of my foul mood. Hikigaya yawned as he watches another man, who looks to twice his age, cursing him for ironically being too strong.

After playing for two of three hours, he then stopped as he realized he was already sweating too much despite still having stamina to continue on. Sitting down on the nearby bench, he then noticed the skies turn into hew of an orange. Crap! It must be afternoon already so Komachi must be home by now! He then grabbed back the ball and returned to their home. But as he was already at the doorstep of their home and he entered…

"Yukinoshita…Yuigahama…what are you two doing here?" Hikigaya asked as he noticed his two club mates sitting in the sofa as Komachi was attending to them.

"We were worried for you, Hikki!" Yuigahama said as she stands up to check on Hikigaya. "Seriously, I thought that guy with red head was going to kill me! He was really scary!"

"Not to mention that you ran off from the room while acting out of character and it was totally chaotic for the rest of the say." Yukinoshita frowned. "Kuroko-san, Momoi-san and Kagami-san apologized deeply in front of Hiratsuka-sensei when those former teammates of your just left abruptly without even explaining what was going on. Luckily, those three helped us fix the things that were scattered in the room when Akashi and company came. And you…you were just playing basketball, HikiBall-kun."

"I see. Sorry for leaving anyway. I guessed I blacked out." Hikigaya made an excuse as he then motions Komachi to leave the three of them alone for now. After the younger sister leaves, Hikigaya then decided to prepare something for the two since it would be quite rude if he didn't at least give them some appetizers. But as he retreated into the kitchen, the two girls just waited patiently. It was at that moment when Yuigahama noticed something.

"Neh, Yukinon?"

"What, Yuigahama-san?"

"Did you see that video tape over there?" She points towards a certain small brown package that was lying under the table set of the television.

"Now that I think if it, it somehow caught my attention, Yuigahama-san." Yukinoshita nods. "It's actually distinct from all the CD players right there…"

"You two want to know what's inside that video tape?" The voice of Hikigaya suddenly echoed as he came back with a tray of hot tea and sandwiches.

"Well…slightly…or more like…we are now actually curious as to what really happened between you and those freakish guys with colored hairs." Yuigahama said as her seatmate nods.

"You really want to know…Yukinoshita…Yuigahama?" Hikigaya sighed while taking a chair and sitting beside the two of them. "But before I play the video tape…..can you answer my question first?" He slightly bowed his head.

"We'll will try our best to answer it, Hikigaya-kun." Yukinoshita replied while taking a glance at Hikigaya.

"How will you feel if your old teammates…deem you as trash…back then…?" Hikigaya, despite stuttering, kept up his composure.

"How will I feel… maybe be angry at them?" Yuigahama said while having a feeling that Hikigaya is serious about the question.

"Then how will you feel being left out? Being alone where no one can help you?"

"Of course, any normal human would feel sad." Yukinoshita replied but she was feeling something dreadful about this.

"How will you feel if your teammates or rather friends do the same thing at the same time? Being left alone because you're the most different among the group…treat you as trash because they think you're useless? Throw you away like nothing happened…like no friendship is built that time? Y-you k-know Yukinoshita…Yuigahama…I-I k-know a-about t-that f-feeling…" kuroko said as he can feel hot tears falling in his own checks down to his pants.

Yukinoshita was surprised to see Hikigaya crying beside her. Is this some kind of a joke?This is just the second time this has happened. But the words he just said seem to be true.

"Hikki! Clam down!" Yuigahama said, now worried as she stands up and pats Hikigaya in the shoulders.

"P-please play the v-video tape n-now." Hikigaya said as more tears starting to drop because of the memory of seeing its contents.

Yukinoshita who is secretly worried about her club mate can't help but to do what he want so she quickly stand up and get the video tape just above the DVD player and insert it inside.

After that, she went back to her seat where Hikigaya is crying quietly. As she saw the remote just above the small table in front of them, she grabs it and press the play button.

It was already night time when the Nationals championship for the middle schools has ended. As usual, Teiko has steamrolled past Meiko Chugakko but this time, it was more awful than last year's match against Shoei as the Generation of Miracles, by this time already unparalleled in terms of strength, simply toyed around their opponents. They even fixed the score at 111 – 11 with Aomine being the last one to score the defining shot—the shot that would shatter the hearts of Shoei's valiant boys as it was a shot in Teiko's own goal. After that, Ogiwara Shigehiro disappeared from the gymnasium while Kuroko, in tears, also disappeared in search for his best friend. Once they were in the locker room, the rest of the GoM began to change their clothes in a quiet way as if this championship is barely anything of value.

"Tch, what another boring game," Aomine said with a boring tone as he drinks his Gatorade, "I hope Akashi's happy with his decision to fix the goddamn score. That was very hard to do, you know! I could have just scored more than what was required so we can just steal the game from the beginning."

"I can't believe that I'm saying this but I actually agree on Aomine on this one,"Midorima said with a bitter taste in his tongue, "It's not even worth of my time. Why did I even play anyway when I can't even get into my usual number of shots?" He complained while holding a make-up kit as a lucky item.

"Ara…Because Aka-chin said so and it's not like we can do anything," Murasakibara said in a lazy voice while munching his Maiubo snacks.

"Hahahaha! Midorimacchi, what's up with the make-up kit?" Kise suddenly bursted into laughter as he was holding into his chest, "Don't tell me you are becoming gay?"

"Shut up Kise!" Midorima angrily shouted at the blonde copycat, "Today's Oha-Asa recommended a make up kit as lucky item for Cancers on this day!" He pushes up his glasses in annoyance.

"By the way, has anyone of you had seen Kuro-chin" Murasakibara said in-between his munching as he scans the area, "I haven't seen him anyway."

"Tch…Who cares about Tetsu anyway," Aomine muttered in irritation as he crushed the plastic bottle in his hands, "He's as worthless as that feeble Hikigaya…"

"Aominecchi, your mean," Kise tries to reprimand him, "And why are you talking about Hikigayacchi when he's not even—"

"Not that I care about for those two fools but I saw Kuroko running outside of the gymnasium," Midorima harrumphed as he seats in the chair, "I saw him trying to chase after one of Meiko's players. It must be the Ogiwara person he was talking about."

"Aren't we a little mean to his friend?" Now, Kise tried to stop his fellow Miracles from saying anything that is bad, "I mean, I know its normal for us to win but I think Kurokocchi seems to be a little down right now and do we really have to even bring up Hikagayacchi?"

"Of course, Ryouta," A familiar fifth voice said while opening the locker room door. "Because winning is important, Ryouta. Keep that in mind." Akashi smirked as his heterochromatic eyes blazed.

"Aka-chin, is the interview over all ready?" The purple-headed center asked impatiently as he chews another pack of snacks, "I still need to go home to buy more snacks."

"Yes, Atsushi," Akashi smiled smugly as he seats down on the chair and faces his fellow prodigies, "Now that we're nearing High School, why don't we talk about someone or rather, two of them, that is not present here."

"Two? Is it Tetsu and Hikigaya? What about them?" Aomine angrily mutters, "If you're going to talk about the two of them, I better leave. I don't have time to listen about a shit player who can't even play decently and Hikigaya who's too naïve. No, I'll count him as trash or even shittier in person than Tetsu."

"Aominecchi…" Kise was very much shocked to hear their ace saying such rude things to their teammate, including Hachiman, "That's not true..."

"Shut up Kise. Aomine is spot on for once." Midorima cut off the small forward, "Why does Kuroko need to stay in basketball club anyway? He could have just went with Hikigaya off to who knows where to. Kuroko can't even shoot and Hachiman's only as strong as the Uncrowned Generals. Those fools really are a match made from heaven." He said this with a sarcastic tone.

"How harsh, Mido-chin," Murasakibara commented, "But does Kuro-chin knows that we are only using him as a substitute player when where tired? I mean, if he isn't aware of that, then he is already too much of a fool than what he is now."

"Yes, Atsushi. He knows." Akashi replied to their center, "He is aware of his own limitations and usefulness as a player. We all know that we don't need Tetsuya now. We don't need a player who can't even score at his own. He can disappear as good as Hachiman, whom I don't even know what happened to that imbecile. Perhaps, he is there outside lamenting his own misfortune on not even leveling up to our standards."

"But still, Kurokocchi is our passing specialist and Hikigayacchi was our former teammate." Kise, despite the intimidation coming from their captain, decided to stand up once for the two, "We can't let my mentor quit the basketball club. We already lost Hikigayacchi—"

"Can you just shut up, Kise?!" Aomine roared, causing the blonde to clam up and bow his head, "For me, you can now deem those two idiots as garbage. I don't even need Tetsu anymore. I'm stronger than anyone else. He plays for shit."

"Aomine, your language please." Midorima reprimanded their tanned ace, "Keep it in place while were still here."

"What's wrong with what I said? I'm just stating a fact, right?" Aomine shrugged as he slings his duffel bag in his shoulders, "Admit it Midorima. You and I are not the only ones who think it's not even worth mentioning those two. Maybe everyone in this room thinks the same thing."

After his statement and a moment of silence, everyone nodded, sans Kise who just decided to keep quiet and bowed his head. Akashi also agreed to Aomine's statement as he lets out a smirk.

"I'm honestly surprised about how Mine-chin finally said something smart for once in our group meetings." Murasakibara took a low jab at the power forward's intellectual capacity.

"Hey!" Aomine shouted angrily, "What did you just said, Murasakibara?! You bastard!"

"Daiki, stay in your place." Akashi warned their ace, "Don't start violence here or you will wake up one morning with your tongue detached from your vulgar mouth." He made his threat clearly by displaying his scissors.

Aomine grumbled as he kept quiet.

"Such a fool." Midorima huffed as he faces their captain, "So Akashi what are you going to do with Kuroko? You're the one who discovered his powers in the first place. And why do we have to bring up Hikigaya when it was already established that he isn't even worth remembering for in the first place."

"Nice question, Shintaro." Akashi smiled smugly as he fold his hands in the desk, "I just thought that since we have become too strong, we would all go to separate high schools and in the process, we would be competing against each other to see who is the strongest of us five. It just came to my mind that Hachiman won't probably compete in the Interhigh. Kuroko would join this battle but his style won't win help him win at all."

"How about we let him Kuro-chin suffer?" Murasakibara offered as he kept eating his potato chips, "Kuro-chin is weak after all, just like how weak Hiki-chin is."

"Not to mention how stupid their love for basketball is."Aomine added, "The moment he told us how he felt over our game last year against Shoei, Hikigaya can just roll over and die. Does he thinks we would chase him when he leaves off for somewhere in the middle of nowhere? Only ignorant people would do that."

"Well that's true but you're too harsh, Aominecchi…" Kise said as he wanted to add something else but seeing the face of their captain, who gave him the stink eye, he decided to just keep quiet and just go with the flow.

"Think what you will, Ryouta." Akashi said as he drinks his own sports bottle, "Tetsuya and Hachiman can now be compared to a trash—no, worse than trash."

"Can we all go home now?" Murasakibara complained like a child, "I don't have snacks right now and I'm already hungry, Aka-chin."

"Murasakibara is right. Let's just go home and leave Tetsu behind. I want no part in anything that involves him right now." Aomine said while standing up and opening the door.

After that, finally they leave the locker room and head out of the gymnasium.

Yukinoshita's blue eyes went wide at what she just watched.

"Oh my gosh…" Yuigaham can't believe it either as she covers her mouth in shock. "So that's why Hikki's acting so strange a while back…" She then looks back at Hikigaya, who continued to sob, though to a lesser degree right now. "Have they got no shame?!" The airheaded girl screamed.

Something within Yukinoshita snapped as she clenches her fists. And they had the guts to even show their faces to…to…Hachiman?! She thought wildly with fury as she watches every face of the Generation of Miracles in the screen.

She has made up her mind.

Hachiman, you're not alone this time. I promise I would be with you from now on…