A/N:
Hey there my 2019 readers! (lol)
New year, new faves and follows~ Thank you so much! It really pushes me to write more. *hugs you all*
New year, new chapter~
Coach.
Today was the second time that Tsumiko had been addressed as one during a game. The first time was last April during the third-string match.
It felt unreal.
Well – technically speaking, it was unreal since she's still not one officially.
But still, it caused her gut to twist in odd loops that just made her want to vomit rainbows and sparkles, just like how Kuroko usually did.
Ah, Kuroko.
Can she just go back to the third-string? No – can she just go back to simply being a manager of the first-string. Scratch that – can she just go back to the Nationals last year?
Yes, that might be it.
...
'Your daughter's a keen observant. She might have the talent and potential to be a coach'
...
Tsumiko didn't know when had she started wanting to be a coach. All she knew was that it was Coach Shirogane's statement and 'coach' during the Nationals last year that led her to consider becoming one.
Tsumiko also didn't know when, exactly, had she shifted her focus from casually watching NBA players in games and cheering on her preferred team to actually analyzing the plays done in the games and making an effort to research about them. All she knew was that it was after the Nationals last year that pushed her to intentionally learn more about basketball and the different strategies and coaching techniques used in the sport, with the goal of certainly becoming a coach.
Oh, she could seriously feel the rainbows and sparkles forming in her gut right now.
Ah, rainbows and sparkles.
A certain raven-head captain appeared inside her head. He was grinning brightly at her and he was surrounded by sparkles and flowers, as he proudly spoke the word that was currently bothering her.
'Coach.'
In an instant, her woes and doubts were gone. On the contrary, the feeling in her gut remained.
But wait.
The Nijimura she had imagined somehow sounded a bit off.
"Coach"
Wait, that voice was different from the one before and it came from a different direction.
Once she snapped out of her daydream, she received a mix of expectant and concerned looks of a certain team of basketball players. One of the second-string starters, who was the owner of the first voice, asked after taking a gulp of water, "Are you okay?"
The owner of the second voice, who was also a starter, shrugged at her, "Hey, don't be so tense. We're leading"
They were.
It was already halftime and they had a 10-point lead, with a score of 39-29. However, this didn't mean that she could now chill and relax. Securing their victory wasn't a walk in a park. But maybe, she was indeed being a bit too anxious. She remembered that as a coach – as of the moment – she should be professional and compose herself to set an example and to prevent the players from being nervous and rattled.
Noticing that most of the people on the team she was handling was calmer than her, she felt ashamed of her behavior. Thus, she took a deep breath and showed them a small smile to ease the worries of a few of them, "Yes, I'm fine. Sorry about that."
One of those who felt better was the second-string rookie, her fellow first-year, Kogure – giving her a thumbs up, in return.
"The five minutes you gave us for our own personal breaks already passed", another starter, who was doing some stretching exercises, informed her. He then continued, "We still have less than ten minutes, do you have any instructions, coach?"
Despite the relaxed demeanor majority of the second-string players were showing, there was still a tense atmosphere in the locker room, as seen by how each of them kept themselves busy – drinking water or sports drink, stretching, and such.
Of course.
Although she spent little time with them, she knew. This game was also a chance for them to be part of the first-string, and as a coach – an aspiring coach – she should help them.
With this thought, the said coach became even more motivated, as she took out the coaching board and showed them the plan.
When the match resumed, the plan, fortunately did well. Unfortunately, though, Coach Ono of Kouen Junior High had also revealed a plan on his sleeve. Therefore, by the end of the third quarter, Teikou's halftime lead of ten points went down by half.
It was already the fourth quarter, and as if the pressure she was feeling wasn't still enough, her own stupid self just had to glance towards the stands, wherein Coach Shirogane and Coach Matsuyuki were watching.
Thankfully, Coach Shirogane was busy writing down on his clipboard, but this just made her paranoid and wonder what on Earth was he scribbling down – triggering her to feel even worse.
Coach Mastuyuki, on the other hand, mouthed a 'You can do it' to her – causing her to suddenly feel guilty about sacrificing a little of her study time on Japanese to watch some clips from the footage of Kouen Junior High's previous second-string matches.
Replaying the clips inside her head, a certain realization had dawned upon her. A light bulb appeared above her head, as she called for a timeout and relayed her plan to the team.
Minutes passed during the final quarter, and as the game near its end, the scores went like this,
63-58
65-58
65-60
68-62
71-62
The plan, this time, was completely effective.
They had sealed their victory.
The opponent team's coach extended his hand towards Tsumiko, "Congratulations, young coach", acknowledging her position as one.
Keeping her flattered self in place, she shook his hand and bowed at him, "Thank you, Coach Ono." Casting a glance towards the Kouen team – with the previously snickering ones now finding the ground interesting – she said her farewell, "Stay safe on your way back."
After the Kouen team left the second-string gym, silence enveloped them – everyone anticipating the announcement of the head coach and the second-string coach.
For the deliberation, Coach Matsuyuki gave his own clipboard to Coach Shirogane. As he watched Coach Shirogane check the clipboard, he recalled some of the things they had talked about during their latest Coaches' meeting, which happened days after the third-string match.
...
"I see that she has potential, but she's still young, Coach Shirogane. We can't allow her to be the coach during the practice match against Kouen, and move her up to the first-string." Coach Sanada voiced out, after the head coach made a proposal.
Coach Shirogane let out a brief and breathy laugh, "Young, like the four first-years in the first-string"
The younger of the first-string coaches didn't find anything to be funny, as he courageously countered, "But, they're players, not a coach."
The senior coach still had a smile on, but the three other coaches knew he wasn't very pleased. Despite this, Coach Matsuyuki asserted, "I agree with Coach Sanada. She could just help me out with the second-string."
Coach Matsuoka joined in, reminding the two of the result of the third-string match, "You both have a point, but you both haven't seen her in a game yet. I get where Coach Shirogane is coming from."
Breaking out from his smile, Coach Shirogane sternly exclaimed, "Enough. I understand." He then gave the two opposing coaches a look, before insisting, "But these first-years are really something. I can't waste this opportunity to create a talented team of freshmen from Teikou, which has the potential to go down in history."
After a slight pause to see if anybody dared to speak, he offered a compromise, "Let Irosuzuka handle the practice match. However, if she fails to win, she won't be promoted to the first-string and she will be given a choice between being a manager and being an assistant to Coach Matsuyuki. Is this fair enough?"
It was.
No one in the room objected.
The second-string coach was left with intrigue. He only knew Tsumiko as his student from Class 1-A. Yet, the head coach seemed to have so much faith in her. He wasn't sure if Coach Shirogane had full trust in the skills of the second-string members or in the young girl or maybe, both. Oh well, he was going to work with her soon enough and hopefully, he would find answers.
...
And he did.
He felt proud of the girl, and the second-string players seemed to be proud of her as well, as they cheered once Coach Shirogane proclaimed her moving up to the first-string.
It probably gave them hope.
When the head coach gave him the cue, he cleared his throat, before breaking the hope that was seen in the boys' and the girl's eyes.
No one was promoted to the first-string.
The reactions were mixed. Some were obviously disappointed, some – the newbies – were shocked, whereas some – mostly, the starters – were not surprised. The girl was initially startled, but soon after, a flash of understanding and guilt could be seen in her face.
It was expected.
Though, a lot of the second-string members had improved, it wasn't enough. Most of the time, the more one gets stronger, the more he gets retained in the second-string. It was Teikou's policy. There was no choice but to distribute the strong to all strings to secure victory in all and to show everyone that Teikou was indeed a powerhouse in middle-school basketball.
Getting to the first-string was a tough job. This was why the first-years, who immediately became part of the first-string, were far beyond amazing. He finally understood Coach Shirogane's pursuit of a team of formidable freshmen.
Tsumiko now found herself in the first-string gym, facing the first-string members.
"Everyone! Please welcome Irosuzuka Tsumiko, who will be assisting both me and Coach Sanada in training you guys. She is still a coach-in-training and she will only be an official coach after we assess her performance during the Nationals." Coach Shirogane had broadcast, eliciting a sea of congratulations, that filled the gym.
Flustered, she bowed down and replied, "Thank you! I will work hard."
Coach Sanada gestured everyone to calm down for a moment, as he added, "Moreover, as you all know, Obura is the temporary vice-captain, and for almost two months, the coaches and Nijimura have been assessing you all. As of today, we had already selected someone." He briefly looked at the head coach for confirmation, before announcing, "Now, everyone, please welcome the new vice-captain, Akashi Seijuurou"
Everyone applauded and cheered, and some even remarked, 'As expected of Akashi' 'Well, he is the most obvious choice' 'He really does have it in him'
The first-year still kept his composure and only politely bowed.
Shortly after the announcements, they were all dismissed, with one particular gray-haired first-year rushing towards the exit, right after patting – more like, smacking – the aspiring coach's back, probably as an odd form of congratulations.
Still inside the gym, Tsumiko could only gape at Haizaki's fleeing back. She also saw that the coaches were busy talking to Nijimura. Spotting Akashi, along with Midorima and Murasakibara, she beamed at him, "Akashi-san, congratulations!"
Turning towards her, he returned back the gesture with a polite smile, "Congratulations to you too, Irosuzuka."
A deep voice piped up, as Aomine approached them, "Oi, oi, you two! You should treat us or somethin' "
"Dai – Aomine-kun! Have a little shame." Following behind him, Momoi held a proud expression, "Congratulations, you two!"
"Hey, come on, you two are like super rich. You could at least treat us to ice cream, right?" the tan boy raised his eyebrows playfully – mostly at the white-haired girl.
With the mention of ice cream, the sweets-loving giant drawled excitedly, "Ice cream~ Aka-chin, Iro-chin, let's go eat ice cream~"
This caused a bespectacled boy to scold him, "Murasakibara! Stop drooling!"
The young coach-in-training was very overwhelmed. She was about to take a glimpse at the new vice-captain for his opinion when he spoke up, "Pardon me, everyone. I need to go home immediately after this. Don't worry, I'll be treating you to ice cream next time."
Navy blue eyes then gazed at her, "Irosuzuka?"
Four pairs of multicolored eyes followed suit and looked at her, causing her to blink rapidly and squeak out, "I- I'm free after this. Shall we go then?"
"Alright!" "Okay!" "Yaay~" "Hmph"
One pair of ruby eyes watched the silver-haired girl sweat-drop at the others' reactions, as her lips curled upwards. The red-head blinked once, then bid them farewell, "Well, have fun, everyone."
Snapping towards the source of the cool voice, he waved at him, "Have a safe trip home, Akashi-san."
Now, how did it become so awkward?
Five first-years were currently outside a convenience store, eating ice popsicles. They were pretty silent, except for the bickering blue and pink duo. The purple one was busy gulping down his third ice popsicle, while the green one was somehow interested at the cars passing by. The white one was calmly eating, whereas her mind was far from being calm.
'Why is this so awkward?' , 'Well, we never really hang-out together before.' , 'What else should we talk about? We already talked about the second-string game and basketball stuff.' , 'So this was why Akashi-san bailed out. Knowing him, he probably knows that this would happen' and more.
Sometimes, her train of wild thoughts would be broken when the blue and pink childhood friends would join her into their conversation – more like, argument – or when she would ask the green one about school requirements, or when she or the green one would comment on the purple one's unending appetite.
The weird bonding ended with goodbyes and Tsumiko's decreased wealth.
When she arrived home, she had dinner with both of her parents since her father was home early today. She had told them about the good news and they were ecstatic. Her mother even decided to go out the next day to celebrate.
However, Tsumiko couldn't sleep that night.
She still couldn't believe everything.
Therefore, after a lot of twisting and turning, she decided to text someone,
"Hello senpai, are you still awake? Sorry, if I'm bothering you."
Before she could scold herself for how stupid her question was, a message from Nijimura arrived,
"Yo, why are you still up?"
Followed by another,
"Congrats, by the way"
Turning towards her right, she keyed in,
"Thank you. I was just not feeling sleepy yet. How about you?"
A reply came in immediately,
"Me too."
"Thinking about earlier?"
She quickly typed,
"Yeah, I really feel bad for the second-string members. They helped me get to the first-string, instead of me helping them to move up."
It took less than a minute for the captain to respond,
"Hey, you deserve it, idiot. You know it's a Teikou thing"
Feeling slightly better, she replied,
"Thanks."
"I am aware."
She was about to apologize for telling him her worries in the middle of the night when,
"Well, how was your ice-cream trip with the other first-years?"
Shifting towards her left side, she let a giggle escape her mouth,
"Senpai, you were listening?"
"It was good, well a bit awkward, but good."
Her phone went off after a minute,
"You brats were being loud."
And again,
"That reminds me. I still haven't treated you to ice cream"
Her eyes went wide,
"Ah! I almost forgot about it. Well...when will you treat me?"
Again, she chuckled at his response,
"I shouldn't have reminded you.. Fine, I'll just let you know soon"
Nodding and smiling dumbly at herself, she typed in,
"Okay. I look forward to it."
He then replied,
"Sure."
"You must sleep now, you've been looking tired for days already"
Feeling her cheeks hurt a little from smiling too much, she bit her lips,
"I do feel a bit sleepy now. Good night, senpai."
She spent a few minutes repeatedly reading what he sent her,
"Sleep well. 'Night."
Hugging her pillow tightly, she slept well that night.
Inside another house – a mansion – the atmosphere was a bit different.
Akashi had gone straight home to have dinner with his father, who, on schedule, just arrived from Kyoto.
His father asked him about school, as usual. He had answered him the same things, as usual.
Of course, he didn't forget to add the fact that he had just been selected to be the vice-captain of the basketball team. The Akashi chairman simply replied the usual, 'It's only natural, you're an Akashi. You are expected to be the best at everything', to which he responded with the usual, 'Yes, father.'
And just like that, the conversation ended, and the only sounds heard were utensils grazing on plates.
It probably wasn't as awkward as the five first-years outside the convenience store, but it wasn't necessarily better. Sometimes, not knowing what to talk about could be better than talking about the same things all the damn time.
A/N:
Hope you liked the perspectives of the coaches. How was it? 0.0 I tried to make it as real as possible.
Next chapter will be... *sings's a certain Coldplay song* (get it? get it? lol okay)
