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"So you're a tensai (Genius) from middle school basketball, Hikigaya-kun?"
"Uh…I guess…you can think what you will, I don't care and I don't mind…"
Currently, Hikigaya and Orimoto Kaori are outside the inn as the former was busy doing some light exercises. If Hikigaya Hachiman was to be honest, he would like to kick out the bubbly Orimoto Kaori from the street court, which he sees as his temporary personal den, so that he can have some peaceful night without any additional orders from Akashi and he freely use the court without anyone using it.
Seems like I won't have any peaceful night, after all. The rotten-eyed boy regretted expecting too much as he knew he had to endure speaking with the one girl that once made him fall head over heels.
"I didn't even know that you were a member of that famous group! It just doesn't suit with your personality!" Orimoto bluntly replied. "Neh, neh, Hikigaya-kun, so that means that you're teammates with Kise-sama? It's like heaven and hell had just married together!"
She's annoying as hell. Hikigaya frowned as he then makes a watered-down version of a Formless Shot before he faces the talkative girl. "When playing basketball, socialization isn't necessarily needed as long as you know how to communicate well with your teammates and all of you are aiming for the ball."
"Heh? But our captain said that teamwork is needed…"
"His perception of teamwork is based on friendliness." Hikigaya continued, not even batting his eye. "But honestly and truthfully, friendliness with one another doesn't automatically guarantee a good teamwork. It's only half the answer or even a non-factor. To put it bluntly, five players with each special roles who all aim towards the ball is the better teamwork. That's the real beauty of basketball that isn't much appreciated by the youth today. Most youth of today only play the sport because it's cool in front of girls, machismo, or they're simply riding on the trends in the current NBA."
"Hikigaya-kun, you speak like a grandfather!" Orimoto laughed like there is no tomorrow. "Besides, it's true that the sport makes a boy cool. If it's not that, then what made you play it?"
"I played not because of hormonal girls or fame but because it's a part of who I am. As much as I hate to say it, I agree with what Akashi said once when we're in middle school. Playing basketball is like breathing. You play not because you wanted to win or to achieve fame. You play it because it's a vital part of your life when you start from a young age." Hikigaya explained as he rolled the ball in his hands before going softly. "Although I had to say that was the Akashi before that so-called personality split that I heard from Kuroko…"
"Hahahahaha!" It doesn't all makes sense to Orimoto. "Then why did you stop in your third year?"
Hikigaya flinched at the inevitable question.
On hindsight, he should have expected this coming since they were already talking about the boy's time in Teiko Middle School although somehow, he didn't expect her to ask it so directly.
"That's…something complicated." Hikigaya trailed off before recomposing himself. "But somehow, we managed to patch up things and I'm here once again. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm playing alone for the moment. Leave and…"
"So mean of you to tell me to leave out of your sight…" Now, Orimoto was being annoying already as she was trying to act cute in front of the boy, who can only cringe and was borderline ready to strangle her. "But to tell you honestly, just the way you play right now is a sharp contrast with the way you socialize with other people."
"As I said, socializing with people doesn't mean shit when it comes to talent." Hikigaya then dribbled his ball behind his back before he ran towards the ring for the layup. "Learning basketball is rather tough even for an avid fan of it; you learn and seep to your bones the most basic fundamentals like passing, simply layup, shooting, and dribbling. When you practice up to the point where you began to puke out or vomit blood, that's where you knew that you have exceeded what is expected of you in the team."
By some instinct, he passes the Spalding basketball into Orimoto's hands. She somehow caught it smoothly.
"Since you're insisting to stay here even against my wishes, then at least don't bore me out." Hikigaya didn't even look at her as he instead stared at the ring. "Shoot it if you can."
For some reason, Orimoto felt her blood boiling as she thought that the boy was belittling her. Out of instinct, she shot the ball with whatever form she can make but due to her horrible stance, the ball ended up just hitting the sides of the backboard and as it bounced off, it was rebounded by Hikigaya who dribbled around Orimoto before going for a running shot.
"Hikigaya-kun, can you do it, huh?" Orimoto was too embarrassed at her failed attempt to score the basket. As if proving his point further, Hikigaya merely stood at the perimeter area of the court as he puts his left arm in his pocket. He then shot the ball one-handed and the ball swished in, as expected.
"Like that?" Hikigaya gruffly replied as Orimoto decided not to argue further. She was wondering how the boy made the shot with only one hand.
"Neh, Hikigaya-kun, show me more tricks!" Hikigaya didn't know whether Orimoto is feeling like a child that just saw what he deemed as a simple shot or she's just plainly annoying him. Either way, it's not making him feel better but this was just Kami-sama playing with him.
"That's not a trick. That's a simple one-handed shot." Hikigaya replied as he then ran to the basket and as he jumped, he made his signature double-clutch layup as he ducks in the air before making a reverse layup. "As long as you have the tools and you have practiced a lot of times, even a moron like that Kagami can do things like these." He then rolls the ball in his hand with his fingertip.
"Hikigaya-kun, for some reason, you've slightly changed…"
"What? I didn't change at all. It's just that a part of me had reverted back to the state before we won our first championship and I believe it was the same for the other prodigies." Except perhaps for Kuroko.
The two of them were so absorbed in speaking with each other that none of them even remotely detected two sneaking pair of eyes stealthily walking towards them before they eventually settled behind the bushes. Though the two newcomers didn't come together, it didn't matter as one of them seemed prepared to shatter a plate that she was holding.
"It seems that Hikigaya-kun is using this time to practice his very poor social skills." Yukinoshita Yukino, who just came to get a plate for their dinner in the inn, nearly wanted to crush the plate in her hands as she watches her clubmate shoot a three point shot. "But not in a setup that I would like. Perhaps, if only I was there…"
On the other side of the bushes, Akashi Seijuro watched with rather interest. "Hmm. I never once saw Hikigaya talk with any other girl prior to Yukinoshita. This should be interesting except for the fact that she looks like one of those ruffians that father had told me to stay away from. I think I will need a few more days to observe this crass lady."
After that, the two had broken away from the site, not even realizing how close they were to each other.
The large room was dead silent as as everyone was sound asleep. In the top center of the room was Akashi and beside him were Midorima and Aomine on the top right side. Next to redhead captain is left was Kise and completing that row would be Murasakibara and Kuroko, who was by the corner closest to the door. Below them was Nijimura who was also right under the widow. The players next to him next to him were Kiyoshi (whose body was sprawled like he was enjoying his sleep), Kagami (who is sprawled on the floor as well), Hayama, Okamura, Himuro, and Mibuchi, who is hugging his pillow. Hikigaya and Ogiwara were in the corner, effectively putting the former under Aomine's bed.
If there is one thing very strange with this setup, it's the fact that Hikigaya got earmuffs in his sleep and so did some of the Miracles who would be disturbed with Aomine and Murasakibara, who both snore like a wild pig. The tanned Touou ace and Kise even had a fight as originally, the latter and Kuroko was supposed to sleep together but Aomine butted in, saying that he'll be the one who'll sleep beside the tealnette. This broke out a fight and it came to the point where it annoyed Akashi, who is playing Shogi with Midorima. This caused their captain to impose a sleeping position which they are currently using.
By now, it would be early morning, but the sun was still absent from the sky and instead, the bluish sky was still powdered with a few glittery stars at 5 AM. Everyone slept like a petrified fossil as the training from yesterday drained every bit of energy from their bodies.
Beep. Beep. Beep.
The sound came from underneath Hikigaya's pillow and slowly, the boy raised his head and reached for the phone.
"It's time to jog…" The rotten-eyed boy said with a yawn.
"Well, I'll go with you!"
Hikigaya can only shake his head as suddenly, Ogiwara heard the alarm clock and decided to wake up from his slumber as well. Nevertheless, they all prepared for the day as the boy with fish eyes put on his Fly Wades and his shorts while the taller Jinsei player decided to not change at all as he'll just sweat it out in his jogging pants and white t-shirt while running amidst the cold wind of the dawn and the salty waves from the sea. Sneaking out of the room, Hikigaya muttered invectives as he heard the snore of Tobe Kakeru.
"Yo, what was that, Hikigaya?" Ogiwara swore he heard him say something like shit.
"Nevermind it, Ogiwara…" Hikiagaya replied before deciding to change the topic quickly. "By the way, do you want some
Quickly and stealthily, Ogiwara led his best friend in the kitchen where he began to rummage the refrigerator there. After getting out some few ingredients, including lemon juice and spinach, he began to mix them in a blender and afterwards, he served a cup to Hikigaya, who didn't refuse it. "I have drank this once in Teiko…"
"Really? Mom says that these kind of drink helps you get energized in the morning." The chestnut-haired guy replied as he sips his drink.
"There's no need to tell me what I know. Besides, we kind of forced that drink to Kuroko once in middle school…"
"Kuroko, you need to eat some more."
That one Wednesday morning had started off like the last week. Everything went as usual in their classes at Teiko Middle School and the seven prodigies had enjoyed lunch together again. Aomine and Momoi had gotten into a fight this time over Aomine's lack of attentiveness in class. They stopped after Akashi said that Aomine can do what he wants but in exchange, he'll have to pass his grades or else, he can expect that his practice sessions would be quadrupled that normal standard in their school. Of course, Aomine still loved his life and he was too young to die from just defying their captain's orders.
"But this is all I can have, Akashi-kun." Kuroko replied as he holds on to his two small chicken sandwiches and his vanilla milkshake, which he can't stop sipping.
"As much of a mother hen Akashi is, he's right Kuroko." Hikigaya, who is somewhat distancing himself from the group by a few inches, replied to him as he eats his bento. "No wonder you're body is as thin as a malnourished child."
"Eh? But Kurokocchi doesn't need to, right?" Kise joined in. "He just needs to pass the ball around and he'll be able to create those amazing passes! If only I was his partner instead of Aominecchi…oh wait…I think I should try to be Kurokocchi's partner for this week!"
"Don't be stupid, Kise." Aomine drawled as he bites into his meat-laden lunch. "You're just a newbie here so don't start acting like you're already on our level."
"T-That's not true, Aominecchi! Why are you so mean to me?!"
"Kise, no one cares about your complaints." Midorima huffed as he was sitting beside a toy car as his lucky item for the day.
"You too Midorimacchi!" Kise was crying crocodile tears. "I know Kurokocchi…"
"No one cares, Kise-kun." Kuroko deadpanned.
Kise made a whining noise, making Hikigaya cover his ears as Murasakibara simply stole the blonde's hamburger and ate it without any second thoughts despite protests from the small forward. Aomine simply waved off the copycat while Hikigaya wasn't slightly interested to join their conversations.
"But…" Akashi cleared his throat. "It seemed that everyone of missing the point of what I just said earlier. Kuroko, you had to consume more than just small sandwiches and vanilla milkshakes. That and your poor physique is the reason why you are lagging behind our sprints."
"But Akashi-kun, my metabolism won't be able to handle that…"
Akashi sighed as he knew arguing further with their Phantom Sixth Man won't help them at all. Quickly, he decided to keep silent as he inhaled and exhaled before thinking deeply. After that few moments of deep internal dialogue unto himself, he then raised a proposal.
"Kuroko, I have an alternative for you." Akashi's voice is cold yet smooth. "And this time, you can't disagree…"
"And from that day on, Kuroko was forced to consume that juice." Hikigaya completed his story as he then gulps the greenish juice down to his throat. "But it's not like he can complain nor anyone of us can at that time especially since we knew complaining against Akashi would be suicidal ever since the last guy who had the guts to lie to him in his face disappeared three days later."
Ogiwara shivered the moment he heard that. "I wouldn't want to know what happened to that poor fella."
Not wanting to waste their time anymore, they gulped down every bit of their juice in their glass. Ogiwara then proceeded to put some in their bottles as well. A large amount was still left so the small forward poured it into a pitcher and placed it in the refrigerator. When they were done with their morning ritual, the two boys left with two bottles each, one with water and the other one with the greenish substance. Hikigaya also had a Spalding basketball tucked between his hip and right arm as they walked out of the kitchen.
Exiting the inn, they began their light exercise by jogging towards the beach. They jogged in a moderate pace as they don't want to overstrain themselves before they even reach their destination.
After they have reached the place where they had their first training yesterday, Ogiwara continued to jog around the area while Hikigaya started his warm-up by shooting five feet from the basket. As the ball landed underneath, he went to the opposite direction parallel to the same area and did the same thing. As he went further, he also distanced farther and farther from the basket until he reached the three-point line. By the time Ogiwara came back, his friend is already drenched in sweat while holding the ball in his hands.
"Take it easy, Hikigaya." Ogiwara cheered. "You're working too hard."
"Better than working too mediocre." Hikigaya replied back. "I'm aiming for at least 1,000 shots before our game versus Kaihin Sougou. It seems that even Akashi wants me to join that stupid bet."
"What bet?"
"That bet where you have to score at least 20 points as your quota for the day or your training would be quadrupled." Hikigaya sighed. "I think I'll have to resort to tackling down Kise for possession of the ball when it's our offense."
"You Teiko alumni really don't know the word "defeat."
"Idiot. It's not "don't know" but the case of "I hate it."
After that, Hikgaya and Ogiwara went back to their routines as the chestnut-haired boy decided to do another round of jogs while the whizz of the net being grazed is heard throughout the whole morning. By the time the clock had struck seven, the two boy ended their routines and left the beach. With tired legs and sore arms, the two dragged their selves back to the inn.
"Oi, brats! Get up!"
Rousing up from their slumber, the boys opened their eyes to see Kagetora standing at the door with his pistol in his hands. Knowing what could possibly happen, Akashi, Midorima, Mibuchi, Nijimura and Kuroko quickly sprang to their feet and began to fold their futons. Kiyoshi and Okamura were sitting up while Himuro, Hayama, were already on their feet. Unfortunately, Kagami, Aomine, Murasakibara, and Kise were still sleeping. When he spotted the four sleeping giants, Kagetora quickly marched over to where they are and kicked them harshly.
"Ow!" Kagami cried. "What the―!" He broke off when he saw the gun-toting Aida patriarch standing over him.
"Want to say something, brat?" Kagetora dared him to do so as he cocked the slide of his gun.
"Nothing, sir!"
"By the way…" Nijimura started as he scans his eyes, "Where's Hikigaya and Ogiwara?"
"Now that you've said it…" Aomine yawned as he looked around while rubbing his eyes.
"They're probably gone on the early morning drills I heard that were talking about last night." Akashi filled them in.
"Drills?!" Everyone chorused.
"Not sure with Ogiwara but I somehow expected this from Hikigaya." Akashi replied. "Since I told him about the quota, his next move would be to go out there and do his shooting drills. In a way, it's good since he would be able to whip up his body back to playing shape. He basically did the same thing back in our middle school days."
"Seriously?" Aomine asked, quite awake now. "Then why didn't they wake me up? I would've joined Hikigaya in the shooting drills as well."
Their redhead captain sighed. "You do know that Hikigaya's not that type of person and Ogiwara didn't even know you that personally."
"Geez. To wake up so early just for that…" Okamura commented with a shake of his head. "What are they, some professionals in a teen's body?"
Everyone nodded in agreement as they all got ready for breakfast.
"You know, that's not a bad thing." Kiyoshi joined in. "I remember the Touou match. When Kagami and Aomine went one-on-one after they both entered the zone, I felt like I was doing back and forth sprint exercises at some point since we had to keep up with the two. It would be good if my body could get used to that."
"Very true, Teppei-chan." Mibuchi gave him a thumbs-up. "I could use that training to get my shots to be harder to block. I'll ask them if I could join them when they return. And on another note, tell Junpei-chan that I would like to face off with him again someday." Somewhere in Tokyo, a certain glasses-wearing shooting guard sneezed and suddenly shivered as he felt something chilling his spine.
"Preach it, Iron Heart!" Hayama Kotaro ecstatically approved his fellow Uncrowned King's statement as he puts a ball in his head.
"I see…" Kagetora smirked. "Then, since you all feel that way, consider that a part of your training starting as of tomorrow." He announced. Without saying anything more, he left heading to the kitchen. Hearing what Kagetora said, the boys knew that they were going to die tomorrow, especially with Shirogane's deadly training. With sad groans, they filed out of the room to freshen up and put on their clothes.
Later, when they had finished, the boys moved to the kitchen but the three Seirin boys who are on the team had terrified looks on their faces. None of their talented cooks in the group managed to get in the kitchen before Riko, thus she had started to prepare , it was a good thing it wasn't Momoi (who is still asleep) who cooked but still, it's a bad situation. When the others saw their faces, they couldn't help but fret as to why these boys are looking at the kitchen which such expressions.
"I'm going to drink some water..." Kagami was paling as he walks away. He then walked to the refrigerator and opened it. But he saw something that caught his attention. Slowly, he took it out and called to Riko.
"Good morning, coach. Did you make this?" He asked. His voice was shuddering, fretting that the answer may be positive.
"No…" She replied. "But it does look healthy."
"Maybe Hikigaya's stupid service club or the no-name team was the one who made it." The redhead power forward responded. As if on cue, the students and players from the two other schools entered the breakfast area. A silence befell them until their coach spoke.
"Good morning, Kagetora-san." Hiratsuka greeted on behalf of her youngsters.
The Seirin coach only nodded in response.
Riko then came out of the kitchen with a smile. "Oh, you guys are already here. I'm in the middle of making breakfast, care to join us?"
"No problem." Hayama Hayato replied for his school.
"No problem as well!" For someone who doesn't really have an official functioning capacity in her own school, Orimoto does seem lively.
They then took a seat.
"Is it you who made this?" Kagami asked them with the pitcher in his hands.
"No." Came the unison reply from the two schools.
"Then…" Okamura trailed off. "…it's probably Hikigaya's and Ogiwara's."
"Actually…" Now, Kuroko had seen the pitcher as well and almost chuckled when he saw the contents. "You're right. This should come from Hikigaya. After all, this brought some unfortunate memories."
"You're right." Akashi mused when he saw the contents of the pitcher as well.
Hikigaya and Ogiwara finally made it back to the inn.
The first thing they did after taking off their sweaty clothes was head to the bath to relieve their soring bodies. They weren't bothered that the room was empty as they knew that everyone would've probably been awake by now. After soaking in the bath, they then showered and put on fresh training clothes before making their way to the breakfast area. The two then mouthed off a Ohayou Gozaimusu and 'yo' to everyone when they entered. When everyone looked at them, they noticed that they looked a bit exhausted.
"Onii-chan looked a bit…sore…" Komachi whispered to Yukinoshita.
"You're right, Komachi-san."
The two then made their way to the kitchen and while Hikigaya took out their cold pitcher, Ogiwara searched for two cups. Then Sobu's resident loner returned to the seats and Ogiwara followed with the jug. No one took their eyes off the pitcher.
Before they took their seats, Hikigaya poured out some into Ogiwara's cup and then into his cup. Except for Teiko's former players, everyone (especially Hayama's clique) cringed at the sight as not only was it green, it was also thick. From past experiences with Hikigaya, the students of Sobu felt like it could be something grotesque and just plain disgusting.
Then Hikigaya and Ogiwara wolfed it down as though it was some kind of juice.
Eyes bulged out at the sight.
But what was more was that, when they saw that the boys no longer looked exhausted, curiosity got the better of them.
Nevertheless, none wanted to taste it. However...
"Well, it does looking refreshing, hudging by how they drank it like there's no tomorrow." Kiyoshi said. "Let me taste it." He then got up and went for a mug. When he returned, he held out the cup and Ogiwara poured some into it. The moment the former Seirin center finished drinking, he looked as if he was restless.
"This is good!" He exclaimed. "Strangely, I'm feeling energized!"
"What? How come?!" Micuchi screeched.
"It's a type of shake." Aomine shrugged. "It's supposed to do that."
"Originally, Akashi came up with that drink so that Kuroko can gulp it as an alternative to not eating too much during lunch." Midorima replied. "Since we all know that he's so stubborn when it comes to eating."
"What? Oi, Kuroko?! How come you didn't tell me that?!" Kagami roared in anger.
"You never asked." Came the usual metaphor of the Phantom Sixth Man.
Looking at each other, without hitch, they all dashed towards the kitchen to retrieve cups. Within seconds, the boys surrounded Hikigaya and Ogiwara.
"So it wasn't disgusting at all…" Tobe muttered.
"I guess…" Miura Yumiko hesitated to admit that she was wrong to judge it.
Soon, Riko emerged from the kitchen with a triumphant grin on her face.
"Breakfast is ready!" She announced.
The Seirin boys, including the alumni in Kiyoshi, flinched.
Hikigaya and the rest seemed unaffected as Nakamachi Chika looked even excited.
Mibuchi and Nijimura took two plates each to give the others. Within a minute, everyone was served with their own plate of curry. Kuroko, Kagami, and Kiyoshi were shocked that it looked normal but then…
"Itadakimasu!"
Everyone took a spoon of their food and placed it in their mouths. Well, everyone except the three Seirin (plus former Seirin) players. As for Hikigaya, the moment he took up the spoon to place in his mouth, Kuroko suddenly slammed down the spoon back to the plate.
"Hikigaya-kun, I suggest that you don't eat that."
"What are you talking about? It's looks normal."
"Looks can be deceiving." As if on cue, the moment the others swallowed, they started coughing while some spit it out. Everyone wolfed down their water, hoping to get rid of the horrid taste.
Hikigaya looked to Kuroko, who merely replied. "That's what I mean, Hikigaya-kun."
"Thank you for saving me there." The rotten-eyed boy paled.
"Just what is this abominable thing, Onii-chan?!" Komachi asked as she ran towards her older brother, who decided to excort her in the kitchen to get some juice for her to.
"It's terrible!" Tobe added as he vomited in the sink. Hiratsuka had to escort Yukinoshita and Yuigahama on the washroom while the rest of Hayama's clique went outside to throw up. The whole Kaihin Sougou also retreated back to the backyard of the inn.
As for the national team players…
"I thought I was going to die!" Aomine had tears in his eyes added. He then looked over at where his former shadow and his rival were seated and noticed that the Seirin boys hadn't touched their food. "Tetsu! Bakagami!" He roared. "You two knew she couldn't cook, didn't you?!"
"I'm sorry, Aomine-kun." Kuroko deadpanned. "I was too shocked to be able to warn you guys."
"No way!" The three of them heard Riko yell. Kuroko looked at the coach just in time to see her in shock. "But I cooked it the way Kagami-kun taught me!"
Everyone paused. All eyes looked to Kagami with angry and furious expressions
"H-Hey! Don't just go and kill me!" Kagami shouted to defend himself. "She probably made a mistake somewhere! I swore I had taught her how to cook curry before!"
"Then why?" Okamura asked.
"Coach's inability to cook is beyond human understanding." Kiyoshi quipped.
Akashi, wanting to know the reason behind it, then got up and went into the kitchen. He then beckoned her to follow him.
"Riko-san, serve another plate."
"Alright." She said as she took up the wooden spoon. "First you put the rice on the plate. Then before you add the sauce…" She trailed off as she sprinkled something on it.
Akashi paused as he narrowed his eyes. "Is that cheese?" Upon looking closer, he couldn't decipher what it was. Feeling disgusted, he couldn't help but ask, "What is that?" he asked as he uncharacteristically staggered backwards. Everyone blanched when they heard the cold interrogation coming from Akashi and saw the look on their captain's face.
"Has she been putting something in the curry?" Nijimura asked, sweating.
"Coach, don't tell me…" Kuroko was about to blurt it out. "That…"
"It's protein and vitamin C powder."
"That's it! That's it!" The boys roared.
"Coach, how many times do I have to tell that you don't put supplements on curry!" Kagami roared annoyingly.
Akashi then snatched the plate and proceeded to dump it in the nearby trashcan. "Don't worry about their protein intake, Riko-san. I'll handle that. You just serve the food normally."
"A-Alright…"
The redhead captain then looked at everyone. "We're officially safe."
The moment he said this, she emerged from the kitchen with two plates and headed over to the two schools, who have recovered. Kagami and Kiyoshi went to help as well. When they were all seated and started eating, they realized that it was now edible.
"It's normal!"
After breakfast, both teams from the former Teiko team and Kaihin Sougou went into the gym as Shirogane and Coach Kazuma from the school came to an agreement for their teams to play against each other. While Hikigaya and the rest of the old team is preparing, Hiratsuka decided to bring along the Service Club and Hayam's clique to watch as Komachi can't help but comment that his brother haven't missed a single three-point shot in the warm-up.
"But who knows, maybe Kaihin Sougou can steal one from Hikitani-kun and his teammates…" Tobe didn't sound encouraging.
"To be honest, I don't see that happening." Komachi shook her head. "Just look at Kaihin Sougou's players…"
Going back to the court, the players in dark blue were somewhat shivering as they finally realized whom they are going to take on. "I'm up against Aomine Daiki, tanned guy?" A freshman player of Kaihin Sougou wanted to pee as he spotted Aomine dunking the ball with ferocity. "I'll get slaughtered!"
"That's not the scariest thing." Their 6'3" center replied. "Look at their center. He's obviously Murasakibara Atsushi from Yosen! The number one center and shot-blocker in the whole of Japan!"
"Mah…mah…" Somehow, Orimoto is trying to uplift their spirits. "Just go out there and enjoy your time! Who knows, you might be able to pull one from them!"
Meanwhile, Akashi was speaking with the rest of the players.
"Starting at this point, you'll all jog in the beach as a build-up of your stamina and to condition yourselves. As you all jog, pass each other with the ball." Akashi told his teammates as he gives their basketball to Kiyoshi. There was no objection. Slowly, the boys put on their shoes and headed out to the beach.
"Hold on, Kagami." Shirogane said to the redhead.
"Huh?"
"Run to the nearest convenience store from here." Akashigave a chilling order. "I want you all to start your run from here to the convenience store 1000 meters away. Of course, you'll be taking the beach."
"Why?" Kagami asked in a furious manner. "That's not fair!"
"Oi, stop arguing non-sense with Akashi!" Nijimura roared, throwing a ball in his head as well.
"Yes sir!" Kagami bitterly replied. Somehow, this feels familiar! Ah…I remember now…
They filed out of the gym while Kagami mumbling something inaudible as they jogged to the beach. Hikigaya watched as they left and then focused his attention to his mini-match with Kaihin Sougou. I'll show you the difference of talent and friendliness, Orimoto.
"Hikigaya. Start off as the point guard." Akashi snapped off from his day dream. "I'll be sitting out to watch your progress. Kuroko, sub him out in the third quarter."
"Yes, Akashi-kun." Kuroko replied.
"Is that it? I'm itching to finish it already." Hikigaya frowned as he felt like this was a waste of time for them.
"I see. Then go to your positions!" Akashi ordered as the starting five went to the center circle, donning their white-and-cerulean jerseys as they faced off against Kaihin Sougou.
After the formal greetings between the players of the opposing teams, the teams then took their positions as the audience were starting to feel the tension from the court. As the lead official walked into the center circle and held the ball above his head, Murasakibara and his shorter counterpart bent their knees firmly. The referee threw the ball into the air in a straight line as both Muraskibara and Chandler both jumped high into the air. The Kaihin Sougou center extended his right arm as far as he could to reach the ball as it was at the apex of the throw and jumped with all his might. But as he was about to tap the ball to one of his teammates, the ball was emphatically swatted in the opposite direction by longer arms of Murasakibara, who won the tip-off.
The ball flew a straight line into Teiko's backcourt and right into the hands of their point guard, Hikigaya Hachiman.
Immediately, his opposing counterpart squatted and bent his knees to prepare his defensive stance against Hikigaya. He was going to defend his opponent full court and with all his life. But to the surprise of the opponent, as soon as Hikigaya caught the ball, he threw a strong chest pass across the half-court line to his teammate Aomine, who was lying in wait for the pass at the top right side a few steps behind the three-point arc.
The Touou ace caught the ball and with both hands put the ball behind his head. He was in triple threat position to start the game.
Kaihin Sougou's freshman forward was there to try and guard Aomine. He also bent to his defensive stance and put his left hand on Aomine's waist. This was the aspect of hand-checking. It is a defensive tactic where the defender would put a hand on their opponent's waist and apply force to counterbalance the offensive player's movement.
Unfortunately for him, Aomine laughed at this as he forced his way, pummelling down the poor rookie on his butt as he drives.
Seeing two players coming towards him, Aomine made an overhead pass to Murasakibara, who anticipated it. The Kaihin Sougou center attempted to keep pace with him but was immediately met with a hard screen by Kise at the top of the three point arc. This slowed down the sprinting center by a good second as he tried to fight around the screen. As a result of the development of the play, Murasakibara caught Aomine's pass in the open lane. Three Kaihin Sougou players then tried to stop him as they all jumped up but with one mighty motion, Murasakibara slammed the ball down the hoop, sending the three Kaihin Sougou players crashing down on the floor. Orimoto can only watch in horror as one of them nearly slipped just trying to stand up.
Fifty Minutes Later
"Pre, malapit na ba tayo? (Dude, are we near?)"
"Oo, konting lakad na lang, Pangalangan. (Yeah, Just some few more walks, Pangalangan.)"
Just some 100 meters from the gym, a group of fifteen tall guys were silently walking prior to the conversation between two of their best players. The guy named Janus Pangalangan was wearing his number 15 jersey as his towering seven-feet frame was overshadowing his teammates.
"Sino nga ba ulit kalaban natin? (Again, who are our opponents?)" Another guy asked.
"Ang national team ng Japan. (Japan's national team.)" Their point guard, standing barely at 5'11" gruffly replied as they entered the gymnasium.
From there, they took their seats and once they all settled, they then realized that the judging from the time and the score, the game was drawing to a conclusion.
"Calix, tignan mo yun. (Calix, look at that.)" Janus then pointed to the score board and from there, the guy spotted the score and blinked.
Teiko 151 – 12 Kaihin Sougou
"Di ko inaasahan iyan. (I wasn't expecting that.)" The point guard named Calixto Villacorta drawled as he leans in his chair. "Mukhang maganda naman ang laro ng mga naka-puti pero yung mga naka-asul…sa totoo lang, hindi sila magagaling sa unang tingin pa lang bago ko pa tignan ang score. (The white shirts can play good basketball but the blue shirts…honestly, they're not good at all even with just one look before I saw the score.)
He then spotted something familiar and smiled.
"Bukod doon, kilala ko yung number 13. (Aside from that, I know that number 13.)" Calixto smiled just in time to see the number 13 guy of Teiko score a double clutch. "Magiging magandang laban ito. (This would be a good game)."
The moment the buzzer beater was heard, the fifteen-man lineup stood up and proceeded to walk down the stairs with the words "PILIPINAS" emblazoned in their blue-and-red jerseys.
Sneak Peak: It looks like another reunion as Hikigaya and the guy named Calixto Villacorta as the two faced off. While Yuigahama was beginning to question if Hikigaya had more run-ins with other players from different countries, Yukinoshita tried but failed to get to know Villacorta personally. Hiratsuka looked a bit surprised by this meeting while Hayama Hayato was beginning to wonder if Hikigaya just landed at a wrong school where he cannot use his talents quite well.