Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter or Kuroko no Basket!
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1st year – Teiko – August/September (right after nationals)
The weeks, then months, flew by with schoolwork and sports activity, and in Mac's case chores at home, but she was thriving at school. The schoolwork was difficult, but she managed to get good grades (she just didn't show her report card at home so they didn't see her getting better grades than Dudley, it wasn't like they asked anyway). She had quickly found her place among the basketball club first strings as their manager, Shirogane had her take notes on every player on first string and also join the second strings at times to see who progressed the most and had the best chance to join the first strings.
While she mostly talked to Daiki still, she would talk about basketball and their progress with the other players. They had learned that she didn't talk much, and seemed to accept it after a few days of trying to get her to talk. Daiki had actually snapped at them at one point when Masaya and Sekiguchi had been too persistent in getting her to talk. Nijimura had intervened before Daiki could go into full protective mode, as Mac referred to it, and things had calmed down.
Right now Mac was wondering why she even bothered as she walked beside two girls from her class who also joined the basketball club as managers, but they were mostly with second string and only helped with the practical aspects with the first strings. She just wanted the conversation beside her to end as they were talking about…boys. More in particularly Daiki. Mac fought to keep the possessive scowl off her face as they gushed over the newfound Ace with Teiko basketball club. The one who had led the team to 1st place in Nationals.
"…oh, he carried the game last night…" Maki Kazuka sighed dreamingly as Yamasaki Atsuko giggled next to her.
"…hi Mac, are you Aomine-san's girlfriend?" Maki asked bringing Mac out of her inner torture and she glanced over at the two staring girls, she saw some jealousy in their eyes but also curiosity.
"No," Mac said shortly.
"You're so lucky to be childhood friends with him," Yamasaki said.
Mac didn't say anything but she had to agree that she was lucky to be friends with Daiki, he had saved her and she would forever be grateful for that. She kept walking and soon the two girls followed with their basket with towels.
"Ohhh…." Mac turned and saw Maki trip slightly and the basket slipped out of her hands and would have fallen to the ground if not for a pair of arms that caught it and helped steady her.
"Are you ok?" the cool voice of Akashi Seijuro asked looking at Maki with polite concern.
"Y-yes," Maki blushed and nodded.
"Good," Seijuro said, "thank you for your effort. I appreciate your daily support."
Mac rolled her eyes slightly at the charm from Seijuro, but she had to admit it was a good thing he did. Showing the ones helping the team that they mattered.
Seijuro glanced over at her and nodded politely before he called for Shintaro who was waiting behind him and they walked away leaving two swooning girls and one slightly amused and slightly exasperated over the new gushing they rushed into. Why her, she moaned inwardly as she started to walk again.
...
Daiki walked into his house and smiled when he smelled the food before he frowned slightly, he wished he could have brought Mac home with him so she could eat with them. He knew she sometimes was sent to her room without food and that was just wrong. His conscience told him to tell someone, tell his mum, but he had promised. If he told…then Mac would be mad at him and he didn't want that. Scowling at himself he threw his bag at the door just as he heard footsteps coming running toward him.
"Nii-chan!" Sayuri, his little sister, yelled and came running out of the living room and Daiki smiled as he caught her.
"Hi, Sayuri-chan," Daiki smiled.
"Where's nee-chan?" Shiro asked from the doorway and looked around, his wide blue eyes clouding in disappointment when he didn't see Mac.
"She's home," Daiki said.
Shiro frowned and turned and left without another word making Daiki shake his head slightly. Sayuri looked at Daiki from his side where she still held his hand and they started to move toward the kitchen.
"Didn't Mac-nee-chan want to come home today?" Sayuri asked just as they reached the kitchen and Daiki saw Shiro sitting at the table and pouted.
"Welcome home, Daiki," Ayano smiled at her son from the counter where she was making the final preparations for dinner, but also looked curious about Sayuri's question.
Aomine Takehiro also looked over at his oldest son from where he had been looking at Shiro with a confused look and raised a brow.
"She had to go home today, Sayuri-chan," Daiki answered his six-year-old sister who much like her twin brother started to pout slightly.
"But I wanted to tell her something," Shiro muttered.
"I am sure you can tell her later," Ayano told her son and patted his shoulder. "Mac has a home too, you know. Her family will sometimes want to see her as well."
Daiki turned away to hid his scowl at that and missed his father's concerned look and ignored the twins whining as he left the kitchen to go to the bathroom to wash up before dinner. If only… what should he do?
...
Mac sighed as she saw Daiki staring out of the window and on the empty basketball court in the schoolyard instead of listening and taking notes in the Social Studies class. He was to easily distract, Mac thought before turning her attention to the front and the teacher who was going through some old Japanese history. His voice lulled on and on and Mac was writing notes the best she could.
"…and that's it for today."
Mac closed the notebook as the teacher ended the class and got up, she purposely knocked into Daiki who blinked and startled before looking around until he finally looked at Mac who arched a brow at him.
"Come on," was all Mac said and turned to leave not watching as Daiki hurriedly packed his things and followed her.
"You know, I think I could score more goals," Daiki said as he caught up and shot her a look. "In the next match, I mean."
Mac glanced at him and nodded, "I'm sure you could."
Daiki nodded and grinned, "I wish classes were fun. Like basketball."
"You wish everything was like basketball," Mac snorted and Daiki laughed.
Mac noticed someone looking at them curiously but they looked away when they saw her looking and she turned her eyes straightforward. She didn't like being watched.
"Shiro was really disappointed when you didn't come home with me yesterday," Daiki said bringing Mac out of her musings and she smiled slightly. "I tell you, he likes you more than me."
"Shiro is cute and adorable," Mac said.
Daiki pouted, "he's six."
Mac glanced at him amused, "you jealous?"
"No," Daiki denied but Mac chuckled quietly but didn't say anything else.
...
Mac was on her way home having talked to Shirogane and Sanada about her latest notes when she paused as she passed the third gym and frowned. She thought she had heard something, but what? Who would be there this late? She was already in trouble not being home yet. She was about to continue when she heard it again, the sound of a basketball against the parquet. Letting her curiosity take over she moved to the door and gently pushed it open and stepped into the large and seemingly empty gym.
Her eyes scanned the room when the sound again got her attention and her eyes widened when she saw Kuroko Tetsuya dribbling the ball between some cones he had put up. His light blue eyes were determined and sweat was dripping off his forehead, but he didn't seem to care or notice as he kept dribbling the ball. She kept standing there for a moment and she took in everything she saw, like before she thought there was something different with him. He had a passion for the game unlike any other, well perhaps not unlike Daiki, but most others.
With one last look, she turned away and slipped unseen out of the gym and made her way home knowing she had to or she would probably be locked out for the night. Vernon had threatened her with it often enough and she would prefer not to sleep outside.
...
"You know something, Daiki," Mac said a few days later and it was a break between maths and English.
"Know what?" Daiki asked curiously.
"Do you believe in ghosts?" Mac asked carefully to keep a straight face as she waited for his response.
"Ghosts?" Daiki asked confused, "there are no such things as ghosts."
"Really?" Mac said pursing her lips, "I could swear I heard ghosts inside the third gym a few nights ago… Who else would be there so late? I mean, not even the first string players stay that late to practice. And I heard this used to be a burial place, I think sensei mentioned it in one of our classes."
Mac saw how Daiki listened and seemed to think about what she said; he was frowning like he was thinking about it. She hid her smile as his eyes widen before he shook his head almost frantically.
"No, no," he said, "there has to be another explanation."
"If you say so," Mac shrugged, "but I'm telling you. There's a ghost in there and I think it's playing basketball."
...
Daiki grumbled at himself when he found himself walking toward the third gym later after Mac had gone home, saying she had to make dinner and couldn't stay out tonight so he didn't have anyone to play basketball with. He was not going to see if there was a ghost in the gym, he was just going to…to prove Mac wrong. What kind of ghost would hang out in a school anyway? If he was, well, dead, he would not spend his afterlife hanging around in a school. So boring.
He opened the door and walked inside, the gym was light and he saw nothing as he entered the gym. There was no sound and no proof of anyone being in there since the third strings practice earlier that day. He snorted and thought that Mac had just been yanking his chains when he heard it. The sound of a basketball hitting the parquet and he turned around wide-eyed and saw a basketball bouncing on the parquet seemingly entering the floor out of nowhere and…
"UUUUAAAAWWWWHHHH!"
Daiki squatted down with his hand over his ears as he muttered the same phrase over and over again.
"Have mercy, have mercy, have mercy…"
He should have stayed away… what was he thinking going here by himself?
"Who are you?" A voice behind him asked and it sounded…normal?
Daiki turned and saw a teal-haired boy staring at him with light blue eyes wide in curiousness as he tilted his head slightly as he stared at him.
"Aomine-kun?" he asked dragging the name out a little like he was unsure he got it right, or just maybe was surprised to see him in there.
Daiki got up and laughed a little feeling slightly embarrassed as he looked at the boy who had said his name was Kuroko Tetsuya, a third-string player, and fellow first-year student.
"I heard rumours about a ghost in the gym, and I thought you were him," Daiki explained, but inwardly he was grumbling that there never was a ghost and Mac had tricked him. She would laugh if she found out he had screamed… she could never know! He decided that then and there. It would be his secret.
"I'm just staying late to practice;" Tetsuya said.
"That's amazing," Daiki commented, "most of the first string guys don't do that."
Daiki thought back to the comment Mac had said, practically the same as he just told Kuroko. She knew he was here practising and she had made him go and see him by himself without really telling him. He almost laughed when he realised her setting him up with someone who clearly loved basketball the same as him. She probably predicted what he would do next as well.
"Okay, I know," Daiki said startling Kuroko slightly. "I know she's behind this, but I'll practice with you here every day. One day we'll stand on the same court!"
"Are you sure?" Tetsuya asked wide-eyed and slightly disbelievingly.
"Of course," Daiki grinned, "it'll be fun. I might even get Kenzie to help, she's great. Just wait and see."
Tetsuya blinked but nodded looking a little shocked.
...
Mac smiled when she heard Daiki talk about his meeting Kuroko Tetsuya the previous day, and she knew he would be too curious and had to check if there really was a ghost in the gym. From the sound of it, the meeting had gone well and Daiki had promised to practice with Tetsuya.
"Will you come and join us, Kenzie?" Daiki asked and Mac glanced at him.
"If you want," Mac said and Daiki nodded.
"He's got the passion for the game, but he still lacks in certain areas," Daiki said, "I think you might be able to help him."
Mac was not surprised by Daiki's request, she had expected it to be honest. She grabbed her sketchpad and followed Daiki out of the gym, their practice with the first strings were over and they walked to the third gym. When they got closer they heard the sound of basketball and knew Tetsuya was inside.
"Tetsu!" Mac arched a brow, Daiki had already given him a nickname? Well, he had with her as well as their very first meeting, but not since then. So, he must really like Tetsuya, Mac thought. She hid her frown as she pushed a strange and uncomfortable feeling in her gut away as she blinked when the teal haired boy appeared in front of them.
"Aomine-kun," Tetsuya said before glancing over at her, "Potter-san."
"Call me Mac," Mac said with a small smile, "everyone does."
"This is Kenzie," Daiki grinned, "Kenzie, this is Kuroko Tetsuya."
Mac nodded politely at the teal-haired boy who nodded back looking shyly at her before looking at Daiki.
"I told you I would practice with you and that Kenzie would help us," Daiki said, "she's the best manager and analyst there is. With her help, you'll be sure to develop further!"
Tetsuya looked away from Daiki and over at Mac who saw the questions in his light blue eyes, he looked adorable, Mac thought. Like a lost puppy or something, she smiled a little.
"I'll help you any way I can," Mac said, "but I'll need to see you play and see what your strengths and weaknesses are."
His eyes dropped but he nodded.
...
Mac sat on the bench watching Tetsuya play with Daiki a small frown on her face as she filled the pages with information. She was not sure how to go further, but she knew there was something there. Her eyes scanned the court as her pen flew over the pages.
"We'll meet tomorrow as well," Mac said getting up and interrupting their playing. "I have to get home before my uncle goes mad. Kuroko-kun, please don't give you. I see it in your eyes; you're close to giving up. You're different from most players, but that doesn't mean that you're useless. I'll see you tomorrow."
"O-okay," Tetsuya said while Daiki frowned at her and she gave him a look that had him sighing and nod in acceptance. She waved and left the gym, her mind thinking about what she had seen. She remembered Seijuro saying something about wanting something different on the team that they needed it to be sure to win. Tetsuya would be different, but how was she going to get them to see it?
...
Daiki frowned as he looked at Tetsuya and saw the stunned look in his eyes, he had gotten better at reading the smaller boy.
"What did she mean, Tetsu?" Daiki asked and saw Tetsuya sigh.
"I…I was thinking about quitting basketball," Tetsuya admitted.
"What?!" Daiki asked shocked, "why?!"
"I like basketball, but I can't help the team," Tetsuya said looking down and closed his eyes.
"There's no such thing as a player we don't need," Daiki said frowning slightly.
Tetsuya's eyes flew open as he stared at Daiki with wide eyes.
"You might not play in games, but I can't believe someone who stays so late to practice is completely useless. I can't guarantee you'll make it if you don't give up, but once you give up you'll have nothing!" Daiki declared. "Besides, didn't Kenzie tell you to keep playing? She'll work with you and you'll find your way. She's good like that."
Tetsuya smiled slightly and nodded.
...
"You're late," a voice sneered behind her in English and Mac recognised her cousin's voice. She turned and saw his bulky form as he deliberately tried to seem larger to intimidate her.
"So are you;" Mac snapped back.
"I'm allowed," Dudley sneered, "you're not. You can't be trusted. Always running around with that…boy of yours. Has he gotten tired of you? Is that why he's not walking you home like a little baby?"
Mac glared at Dudley before turning and starting to walk away, his taunting voice following her but she ignored it, or she tried to.
"He's not really friends with you, you know, he's just feeling sorry for the poor little orphan who's got nothing and no one who cares about you," Dudley continued.
Mac fisted her hands, her nails digging into her palm as she pushed the words out of her mind. She knew Daiki was her friend. Her real and true friend. Nothing would change that. She just had to stop listening to Dudley who wanted to get her in trouble. Speeding up she walked away from him, she could hear him panting behind her trying to keep up but soon he gave up. They were almost at their home now and she just wanted to go to bed and sleep.
...
The next two weeks went quickly and they practised with Tetsuya every day after their first string practice and Mac liked seeing the happy look on Daiki's face as he played with Tetsuya, she had still not played with them but that was mostly because she didn't want to show her hand just yet. She would play when it was only her and Daiki, and on Saturdays when they went to the street courts and play streetball with the teens and sometimes young adults there.
"Mac," a voice called and said girl looked up to find Seijuro, Shintaro and Atsushi standing in front of her where she was sitting with her sketchpad working on her latest observations of Tetsuya and what she wanted him to do next to improve. The one calling her was, of course, Seijuro; he was the only one besides the Captain and Daiki who would interrupt her when she was writing in her sketchpad.
"Akashi-kun," Mac answered with a blank look on her face.
"Where's Aomine-kun?" Seijuro asked his red eyes never looking away from her. "He's been disappearing right after practice every night now, and so have you."
The curiosity, as well as demand, was clear in his voice and Mac pondered what to tell him, she knew where Daiki was, of course. Looking at the Vice-Captain she didn't betray what she was thinking as she suddenly stood up and closed her sketchpad with a quiet snap.
"I'll show you," Mac said and turned to walk out of the gym, she knew they were following her. Seijuro curious and she suspected Shintaro also was curious about her demand. It wasn't normal for her, after all. Normally she would give them a short reply and go back to seemingly ignoring them. She even felt Atsushi glancing at her from behind as he snacked on a bag of chips.
They walked across the yard and soon found themselves by the door to the third gym and Mac pushed the door open and led the way inside. They saw Daiki standing not that far off and at first, it looked like he was talking with himself, but then they spotted the other boy he was talking to and Seijuro blinked before arching a brow.
"Aomine," Seijuro said and said boy turned toward them.
"Akashi," Daiki greeted.
"You've been disappearing from practices lately," Seijuro said, "this is where you go?"
Mac noticed how he glanced at Tetsuya curiously before he looked over at her with a pensive look in his red eyes. She knew he was aware she had brought them here to see and meet Tetsuya, but she just met his eyes without saying anything.
"Yes, we always use this gym to practice," Daiki shrugged glancing over at Mac.
"Hm," Seijuro said as his eyes found Tetsuya again. "I'm interested in him."
Mac almost smiled, but she kept her face blank and kept watching from behind. She saw Shintaro glance at Seijuro who didn't seem to notice.
...
Mac sat down next to Tetsuya who was looking pensively at the now empty court, only Daiki was in there a few feet away twirling a ball on his finger knowing Mac was the best one to talk to Tetsuya right now.
"He can be a little blunt and harsh in his words," Mac broke the silence, "but he's always honest."
Tetsuya glanced over at her and saw her looking straight forward.
"He's right, you know," Mac said, "I told you before. Your ability to fade into the background is your strength, you can use it to help your team. Make them stronger."
"But how can I use my lack of presence?" Tetsuya asked slightly frustrated. "How do I do that? What can I do to help the team? All I can do is pass and assist other players…"
"Well, Akashi can't do everything," Daiki spoke up, "there must be something only you can do."
Mac smiled a little and nodded as she saw how Tetsuya turned to look at him.
"Like what?"
"Like a pass that curves like crazy," Daiki exclaimed waving his arms to make his point, "like; 'swoosh!'"
Mac rolled her eyes at her best friend who was gesturing wildly.
"Never mind him," Mac sighed, "look, I have some ideas but it will be best if you figure something out yourself as well. Let's talk more tomorrow after you've had time to think about it."
Tetsuya nodded and Mad got up making Daiki walk up to her and follow her out of the gym.
...
Mac grinned when Tetsuya came up with parts of the answer the next day as he presented her with the book he had found about misdirection techniques. She didn't notice the way he blinked when she grinned or the way Daiki momentarily frowned as he looked at Tetsuya.
"I knew you could figure it out, Kuroko-kun," Mac said. "Now, let's get to work."
Tetsuya nodded and she pulled out her sketchpad for him to look at her notes, Daiki hoovered close by watching but never speaking up. Mac glanced at him questioningly a few times but he didn't say anything and she couldn't figure out why he was quiet.
"So if…" Tetsuya said trailing off and Mac focused on him again.
"If you are to use this technique it is important that you understand fully what it is and how to fully use it," Mac said and went on to describe what misdirection was and how to best use it.
...
The next month and a half were used to develop the technique so he was able to show it to Akashi and prove he had a place on the team. Mac and Daiki had both helped with his work and because of that he was ready much faster than if he had been working on his own, also Mac's personal notes and analyse helped him develop further.
"I told you she's good at it, didn't I?" Daiki grinned at Tetsuya as they walked up to the gym where Seijuro and the rest of the first strings were practising, Mac was already there because she had to talk to Shirogane and Sanada before practice.
"Oi, Aomine," Nijimura called, "you're almost late."
"Almost isn't being late, Captain," Daiki quipped back and the Captain rolled his eyes before jumping when he suddenly noticed the person beside Daiki. "Oh, this is Kuroko Tetsuya. He's here to see Akashi."
"Ok," Nijimura said slightly confused but he nodded politely at them before walking away.
Daiki and Tetsuya walked further into the gym and spotted Seijuro dribbling the ball but he stopped when he saw them.
"Ah, Aomine, Kuroko," he said, "I haven't seen you in a month and a half, I'm impressed. I expected it to take longer. Are you ready?"
Tetsuya nodded and Daiki grinned, but he remained silent.
"Ok," Seijuro said.
"Let him show you in a match, Akashi-kun," Mac interrupted as she joined them with Shirogane and Sanada right behind her both men looking curious.
...
Mac stood beside Shirogane and Sanada with Nijimura when the practice match started, and she saw how the others looked down at him and she hid her frown at that. She knew Tetsuya would prove them wrong.
If not for the fact that she had expected it she wouldn't have seen it happening, but she did so she saw how Tetsuya suddenly appeared and changed the direction of the ball catching the others off guard.
"Eh?"
"What?"
Mac heard the reaction from Sanada and Nijimura who both visibly startled as they saw how the ball suddenly changed direction and a player who had not expected to get the ball suddenly had it in his hands.
"Shoot!" Tetsuya yelled and the player did and scored.
"Where did he come from?"
"When did he get there?"
"What's this?" Nijimura asked as he stared wide-eyed at the court, "his passes are surprising. But how could they lose sight of him during a game?"
"Misdirection," Seijuro spoke up and Mac ignored his explanation of how it was used in magic tricks as she kept watching the game.
...
"Starting today, you're on the first string basketball team," Matsuoka said and allowed himself a small smile as he looked at Tetsuya, "this is your chance."
"Thank you," Tetsuya said barely containing his glee.
Mac watched from the door and smiled lightly before she made her way into the offices.
"Hi, Matsuoka-sensei," Mac said quietly, "I'm here to get Kuroko-san."
"Potter-san," Matsuoka nodded, "go ahead."
Mac nodded and gestured for Tetsuya to follow her. They walked in silence until they reached the gym, and Mac smiled a little at him as she pointed to the door and he walked through it finding himself with the attention of everyone in the first string on himself. Mac had slipped inside and away from him to take her place next to the coaches.
"Tetsu," Daiki smiled warmly at him.
"Hey, I've been waiting for you," Seijuro said, "welcome to the first string of the Teiko Middle School basketball team. Remember this, from this moment you have only one purpose. Winning."
...
It was Saturday and Mac had finally been able to sneak out of the house without being set to do more chores, and met Daiki at the gym at school. She had told him to meet her there so they could do some homework, or more like she could help him with his homework. She was done with hers. Though, how she would be able to get him to focus long enough was a challenge.
"Daiki!" Mac snapped when he once more got distracted. "You'll be kicked off the team if you fail your classes! So, focus!"
"But it's so boring," Daiki whined, "and I don't understand it."
"That's why I'm helping you," Mac said exasperatedly. "So, let's do this and then we'll play basketball. Ok?"
"Fine," Daiki sighed and turned his attention back to the books that were spread across the floor around them.
Twenty minutes later Daiki shot up to his feet and stretched with a loud yawn, and cracking muscles. Mac shook her head but she stretched slightly herself. They were done, at least.
"Okay, let's play!" Daiki grinned down at her showing teeth and a happy shine to his navy blue eyes. "We haven't been able to play one on one lately."
Mac nodded and gathered the books and was startled when some seemed to fly into her hands, she blinked and glanced at Daiki but he didn't seem to have noticed anything. It was a long time since this had happened now, and it had taken her a little off guard. Pushing it away for later though, she finished packing and placed the bag by the door before she caught the ball Daiki threw at her.
"Ready?" She asked.
"I'm born ready," Daiki grinned and Mac snorted. Yes, he was. She was sure he was born with a basketball in his hands.
Mac liked the feeling of the ball in her hands again and moved quickly across the court and tried to avoid Daiki but he was fast and agile, but she knew him well so she managed to get past him by twisting when he was going to the left and she spun around to throw the ball through the hoop.
"I'll get you next time!" Daiki smirked and Mac raised a brow at him.
"Come on," Mac challenged and they were on.
Mac was not sure how long they had been playing, she only knew she was breathing a little harder and her forehead was sweaty when she heard a noise causing her to still mid-movement and turn to look toward the door making her freeze. Daiki stopped when he saw her stopping and saw her freezing, he followed her eyes and blinked when he saw Seijuro, Shintaro, Atsushi and Tetsuya standing right inside the door.
Mac bit down on her lower lip as she saw most of the team standing there clearly having seen her play for the first time. Shintaro and Atsushi were looking shocked, their eyes wide and mouths open like they couldn't believe what they just saw. Tetsuya looked mildly surprised, but otherwise, it was difficult to read his emotions. Though, it was the calculating and almost knowing look in Seijuro's red eyes that made her the most uncomfortable. It was like he had been expecting this…but he couldn't have, could he?
"What are you doing here?" Daiki demanded to break the stunned silence that had filled the gym.
...
Thanks for reading :)