Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter or Kuroko no Basket!

...

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1st year – Too Academy

...

Mac was the first one to arrive at the gym at the school for their practice. Not that surprising, really. She settled on the stage with her notes (there were a lot of them) and Nao. Nao immediately put his head on his paws and closed his eyes, ready to sleep again.

The thrill from their win against Seirin still lingered, but she knew she had to let it go. It was time to focus on Rakuzan and Seijuro. They would lose if she didn't, and she really wanted to win.

"Good morning, Potter-san," Harasawa said and Mac looked up to see the older man coming toward her with a cup of coffee in his hands.

"Morning, coach," she smiled.

"I shouldn't be surprised that you're here early," Harasawa said.

"Yet you are?" Mac grinned, and he smiled a little before he nodded. "I was restless and thought I should just get started. My mind was already going over the data, anyway."

"I see," he said and jumped up so he could sit on the edge of the stage but turned so he was still facing her. "I have the match Rakuzan played against Shutoku on tape and we'll watch through it together before we start practice."

"Good," Mac nodded. They didn't normally make the entire team watch the matches of their opponents, normally Mac did that. Harasawa had often sent her the taped matches with her so she could watch them at home if she wanted. But this was different. This time they needed to really see and understand. "That's probably for the best."

Harasawa nodded again and sipped his coffee. "Thought you would like that."

Mac rolled her eyes lightly and wondered when she had started to feel so… relaxed around him. He was one of the few adults she managed to relax around like this and actually roll her eyes at. She wasn't worried he would get angry at her or that he would dismiss what she said.

"Yeah, yeah," she said. "I know we have played Rakuzan before, but they will have grown as well. They need to see it for themselves in order to not underestimate them. I really want to win this time."

Harasawa nodded, "we will be prepared."

Mac nodded. She turned back to her notes while Harasawa stayed where he was and observed her; she didn't really mind. She asked him a few questions as she got to parts where she needed his input and they discussed the different strategies they could use.

...

The rest of the team came almost at the same time and Mac was pleased when she saw Daiki coming, looking ready to take part in the practice.

"Morning," Harasawa greeted them. He had found the television and prepared the tape of the match so it was ready for them when they arrived.

"Morning," the others greeted back.

Daiki had taken his place beside Mac and yawned, but smiled when she looked at him.

"I take it you all know that our opponents for the final are Rakuzan," Harasawa said looking at them all and watched how they nodded. "Good. We've played them before, but I still want us to watch the tape of Rakuzan vs Shutoku from yesterday. I want you to pay attention to Rakuzan and their play."

"Yes, coach."

Harasawa looked at Mac and smiled slightly, noticing the new notebook and the pen in her hand already ready. Daiki was watching her fondly, even if he looked a little lazy.

He pushed the play button and sat down to watch.

...

Mac took notes as she watched and took in how the teamwork worked between Seijuro and his team. She noticed the combinations and the way they found each other. It was clear that Seijuro had a powerful team. Not that she hadn't already known that, of course.

When the match ended with a solid win for Seijuro and Rakuzan, Mac and the others stayed quiet for a moment taking in what they had just seen. Mac felt… conflicted. She was proud of Seijuro because he was good and had led a perfect game in many ways, but she also felt for Shintaro. Shintaro, who had done his best and played for his team in a way Mac hadn't seen since their Teiko days.

He had really done everything he could to win, and it was clear that he had been fighting Seijuro in a way that even Seijuro hadn't predicted. She had seen the shock in Seijuro's eyes and wondered what he had been thinking. She knew he didn't like being challenged, and Shintaro had challenged him.

Mac frowned pensively as she tapped her pen to her lips.

"That was a good game," Namamura broke the silence.

"Yeah," Wakamatsu agreed. "But Rakuzan is still annoyingly strong."

"That Captain of theirs…" Imayoshi smirked. "I can't wait to play him again… he gives me goosebumps."

Mac hummed and looked over at Daiki, who had been paying attention during the match. He smiled slightly as he met her eyes and leaned back slightly, leaning on his arms.

"It will be interesting," Daiki said.

Mac noticed the looks he got from the others. They hadn't really seen that side of Daiki before or heard him express interest like this.

"Who would you say is stronger?" Abe asked, looking at Daiki. "You or Akashi?"

Daiki scoffed and rolled his eyes. Okay, so he was still arrogant…

"Me," he said.

"Mac?" Imayoshi looked away from Daiki and over at her. "What do you think?"

Mac looked at Daiki for a moment before she looked over at Imayoshi.

"Daiki is probably stronger one-on-one," Mac said thoughtfully, "Daiki was the Ace at Teiko for a reason, but Seijuro… Well, he's an excellent strategist and hasn't failed to lead his team to victory yet."

"You're good at strategies as well," Sakurai pointed out. "Oh, sorry! Didn't mean to interrupt!"

"Kenzie's the best at strategies," Daiki said with a proud smile.

"I'm not," Mac protested. "Seijuro is as good as me."

"No, he's not," Daiki said. "You're better."

Mac frowned at him, but he just smiled.

"Anyway," Mac said, looking away from Daiki. "Daiki would be stronger than Seijuro if they were playing one-on-one, but as a team… I would say that Seijuro might be a little better."

Daiki scowled.

"At least for now," Mac said. "That's part of what we will work on today."

"Eh?"

Harasawa arched a brow as he looked at Mac, "you have an idea?"

"We will work on the relations between Daiki and the rest of the team," Mac said looking at him. "Until now Daiki has almost worked on the outside of the team and his skills are the reason that has worked so well until now. But against Seijuro and Rakuzan… we need Daiki to work within the team as well. He can't just work on the outside anymore."

Harasawa nodded thoughtfully as he looked over at Daiki, who frowned slightly but shrugged when Mac gave him a look.

"All right," Daiki said.

Harasawa had to bite back a smile because he had never seen Daiki being this… compliant about basketball before. It seemed like whatever had happened with him during their game against Seirin had remained and hopefully, it will continue to do so. Having this version of Daiki in the team might make his job easier….

"We don't have a lot of time," Mac said, flicking through her notebook as she talked. "The match is tomorrow, and you can't push yourselves too much today because you need to be well-rested tomorrow. I also don't want to risk injuries because you pushed too far."

Harasawa nodded in agreement.

...

"I want Imayoshi, Susa, Daiki, Sakurai and Wakamatsu to be on the same team," Mac said after having been told by Harasawa to decide. "The rest of you will be on the other one, okay? We need to do it like this now because right now we need to get your teamwork up on another level."

She was pleased to see them all nodding, looking determined. Good. She turned to Daiki and the others on his team and looked them over for a moment.

"Okay, I want you to focus on passing," she said. "I know it's not the most exciting thing in the world, but it's needed. I want you to have at least six passes between each other before you can go for the shot."

"Six?" Wakamatsu asked.

"Yes, and you can't pass the ball back to the one who gave you the ball," Mac added. "So, if Imayoshi passes the ball to you, Wakamatsu, you can't pass the ball back to him, okay?"

"Okay," Wakamatsu frowned. "Why, though?"

"Because you can't use up your passes by choosing the simple way out," Mac said. "I want you to be forced to look for solutions and for each other in a way you haven't before. Also, focus on finding Daiki."

Wakamatsu grumbled something but didn't protest.

"And Daiki," Mac turned to him and he arched a brow at her. "Try to make yourself playable and seek them out, okay? And pass the ball to the others as well, okay? You're also counted in the six-pass rule."

"Fine," Daiki said.

"What about us, Mac?" Abe asked.

"You play like you normally do," Mac told them. "The rules don't apply for you, so you have that leverage."

"Okay!" Namamura grinned.

"You thought that up right now?" Harasawa asked when the two teams ran onto the court to play.

"It's something I've had in mind for a little while," Mac admitted. "But Daiki hasn't really been open for anything like this until now, so I've held back."

"I see," Harasawa said, looking over at Daiki. "And… he's open for it now?"

Mac didn't say anything for a moment as she looked at Daiki and then looked back at Harasawa.

"He found a challenge again yesterday," Mac said, trying to hold her emotions under control. "So, he's having fun playing basketball again. While he might not open up right away, he's more open to taking part in the team now. You saw it at the end of the match against Seirin, too. He even passed the ball a few times there, and that's something he rarely, if ever, have done before when he's been in that phase of the game before while playing for Too."

Harasawa nodded slowly, "I noticed he changed slightly during the match."

Mac smiled and nodded, "so he's ready for this and so is the team. They wouldn't have been before."

...

Mac ended up on a street court near Teiko after the practice was over. The practice had lasted longer than normal and it was already almost time for dinner, and the day was nearing its end. Daiki had gone home because his parents had told him to get back before too late; he had to help his dad with something. While Mac had wanted to go with him when he asked (she knew she was welcome) she had decided against it. She felt… restless and on edge.

So, she had decided to just walk and see if she might walk away some of the restlessness she felt even as her mind went over everything that had happened during the practice, everything she had seen in the Rakuzan vs Shutoku match (she had a copy in her bag and would watch it again when she came home)… so basically everything and her mind were already spinning.

It was unavoidable, though.

They were playing against Seijuro again (she didn't forget the rest of Rakuzan). Their last match was still something she remembered well, and the loss still stung. It had hurt to lose, and she didn't want to go through that again. She also knew that they were stronger now, and with Daiki back… they had a chance. Yet, she also knew that Seijuro was tough. He differed from Tetsuya and Taiga. He was stronger and harder. He was harder to read, but she could do it.

She knew she had to.

They would rely on her even if she couldn't play. She still had to be able to help her team from the bench and guide them through the match. That required her full focus and determination.

While Tetsuya was unpredictable and had surprised her several times during their match (misdirection overflow, phantom shot…) and it had provided a challenge to counter it and get them through it, Seijuro was different. His team was different.

They had three of the uncrowned kings on the team and they all had strengths that on paper was stronger than what they had. Mac could admit that, but she knew Imayoshi could keep up even if he might struggle a little.

But Mac knew that their teamwork had gotten stronger since last time, and with Daiki more interested and back to finding challenge in basketball again she knew they had a chance to make it. They would back each other up better this time, she was sure of that. And it was up to her to read the game correctly and give them the information they needed in time for them to change it and win.

Simple.

She sighed, but then she smiled. She couldn't help but feel excited too. If she were honest, this was the kind of games she loved. The idea of a challenge and not knowing if she would make it or not, it filled her with anticipation and adrenaline. Seijuro always challenged her, and despite her worries about the match and the memories from their last one, she looked forward to be up against Seijuro again even if she couldn't play.

She missed Seijuro too. She felt bad because she hadn't been a good friend lately and it nagged at her. She should have been better at keeping in touch with him. She had been too caught up in everything that had happened around her with Hanamiya and the therapist and… well, everything.

She felt like she hadn't really talked with Seijuro in a while or knew what was going on in his life… was his dad still just as strict? Had he pushed Seijuro more about the business? She felt worried as she thought about it. They always ended up talking about her and her problems. Was she really that self-centred?

She also wanted to show Seijuro that he was special and that they cared about him. She wanted him to wake up like Daiki had the day before. But it was different with Seijuro. While Daiki knew he was cared for and that his parents and friends loved him, Seijuro…. Seijuro didn't and Mac hurt thinking about it.

She knew that a lot of people, most people actually, thought Seijuro was cold and in perfect control over everything. That he was someone no one could tell what to do or how to act. He had a perfectly crafted mask that showed this to the world, and that was what he wanted.

But Mac knew differently. She knew he was more vulnerable than others realised and that he was under a lot of pressure from his father (she still felt anger remembering how his father had tried to order her to stay away from Seijuro) and had responsibilities most teenagers never would dream about hanging over his shoulders. He was used to being measured by how well he did, and how perfect he was.

So, she really wanted him to see that he didn't need to win in order to be cared for. She wanted him to see that she and the others still cared for him even if he lost, that they were his friends and never would leave him behind.

She felt that maybe Tetsuya would be better at showing him this… she had tried for years without making him realise it. So, who to say that she could make him see it now?

Maybe he has to realise it himself without having it forced upon him, a voice in her mind whispered and she frowned.

...

"Mac?"

Mac's head snapped up. She hadn't heard anyone coming toward her and she blinked when she saw the familiar teen standing in front of her. His dark hair was slightly longer than last time she'd seen him.

"Nijimura-captain," she said.

"I'm not your captain anymore, Mac," he smiled.

"Well, I guess it's habit," Mac shrugged.

"Seems like it," he said and walked closer. "I thought it was you… I was on my way home when I saw you sitting here."

Mac nodded and looked around the street court, "I felt nostalgic, I suppose."

He nodded slowly, "mind if I sit down?"

Mac blinked at him before she shook her head, and he sat down beside her on the bench.

"What are you doing here?" Mac asked, looking at him. "I thought you went to America with your dad?"

"I did," Nijimura said. "I'm just back visiting my grandparents."

"And… how is your dad?" Mac asked a little unsure.

"He's doing as well as can be expected," Nijimura said. "He's getting treatment, and he has his good days and his bad days."

"I see," Mac said, looking away from him. "I'm sorry that he's still sick."

He just smiled and nodded, and she didn't ask anything else. They sat in silence for a little while, but Mac didn't really mind. It felt almost right to sit there with the former captain of Teiko the day before she was playing Seijuro.

"What's on your mind, Mac?" Nijimura suddenly asked.

"Oh," Mac said. "We have a match tomorrow."

Nijimura blinked. "A match?"

"The final of the Winter Cup," Mac said, glancing over at him.

"I didn't realise that it was the Winter Cup now," he said with a light laugh. "Guess I really am out of it. So, you attend Too Academy, right?"

"Yeah," Mac nodded. "With Daiki."

He looked at her for a moment and then he smiled.

"You got together?" he asked.

She nodded and tried to ignore the blush she knew was colouring her cheeks. He smiled.

"About time," he said, and she blushed more, making him laugh. "Always knew he liked you."

"Um, oh… I…" Mac felt a little flustered.

"And who are you playing?" Nijimura asked deciding to give her a break.

"Rakuzan," Mac said, glancing over at him. "Seijuro is their Captain."

He blinked and looked at her, "I see. That must be strange."

Mac shrugged, "We played them in the final for Inter-High too, and lost."

"Akashi tends to win," Nijimura admitted.

"And he knows it," Mac huffed, making Nijimura laugh again. "But this time I really want to win."

"It's not like it's impossible," Nijimura said, making Mac look at him. "Hey, I know you are strong, Mac and so is Aomine and I'm sure you have a strong team as well. I trained with you too, you know."

"Yeah, guess so," she said. "I know… I don't really know what I'm thinking right now… normally I'm much calmer before a match."

"That's understandable," Nijimura said. "It's good to acknowledge that someone is strong, but don't forget your resolution and you'll be fine."

Mac blinked at him.

"It's just something I like to remind myself of," Nijimura said when he saw her looking at him. "It helps to remind me of what I am doing and working for."

She nodded thoughtfully.

She shifted and her wrist started to ache again so she knew she should get back home and take another one of the pain potions that Remus had given her the day before. He and Sirius had stopped by after Seirin and her friends had left just so they could give it to her.

"You're injured?" Nijimura asked, frowning.

"Broken wrist," Mac grimaced and hesitated for a moment before she added: "We played Haizaki in the quarterfinal."

"Haizaki did this?" Nijimura frowned, and she was reminded of the time he had dragged Haizaki to a game having found him skipping it at an arcade.

"Yeah," Mac nodded.

"That…" Nijimura scowled. "He still hasn't changed."

"Not really, no," Mac said. "But it's over now. I can't focus on it; if I do, then I lose focus on what I'm supposed to be doing. It sucks that I can't help the team by playing, but I can do something from the bench."

They talked a bit more, and he asked more about the tournament until now, and Mac tried to explain the best she could without giving too detailed retellings of their matches.

"Seems like you've had a few great matches," Nijimura smiled. "I will try to make it to your match tomorrow, Mac."

"Good," Mac smiled back.

He stood up, and Mac did the same.

"Good luck, Mac," Nijimura said.

"Thanks," Mac said and waved as he walked away. She should get back too and watch the Rakuzan vs Shutoku match again and see if she could learn anything new about their opponents.

...

Seijuro was by himself.

He looked out of the window, but his mind wasn't on the garden where he had spent so much time with his mother playing basketball. It was where his love for the sport had started, what had led him to where he was now. But he wasn't really thinking about that, or maybe he was in some way. He was thinking about Mac and the match the next day.

He would prove that he was good enough to keep the promise he had made, the promise of keeping them together even if they were apart. It worked out well enough so far, even if he didn't like the distance he sometimes felt.

He still had his friends, and Mac still had them in her life. That was what he wanted, and what he worked for. As long as he was strong and proved he was an Akashi he would get what he wanted.

And now the match against Too Academy was just a day away.

His life had gotten so much better when he had become friends with Mac and the rest. He thought back to his mother and his heart clenched painfully as he remembered her kind smile and warm eyes. He wasn't even sure if he really remembered that or if he made it up. His mother had been kind and warm, like Mac in many ways. Maybe that was why he had noticed her first, he wasn't sure.

While his father was strict and demanding his mother was the opposite and tried to find something for him to do to have fun and relax. Basketball had been what she had come up with and he was grateful for that. Without it he would never have met his friends, he wouldn't have them in his life to balance out his demanding father.

So, he would work hard to prove that he was worth it. He didn't care if they feared him at times because he was doing it to keep them together. As long as they were together it was fine.

Even if they were in different schools.

He sighed.

He knew he would win against Mac and Daiki. It was set in stone, after all. It was his destiny to win. Yet… something inside of him was nagging at him, almost clutching at him to get out but he couldn't name it or really understand it so he pushed it away the best he could. It was strange… it almost was as if something inside of him wanted to lose.

That couldn't be right, he wanted to win. He would win. It didn't really matter what a subconscious part of him wanted. It couldn't really want to lose. He was an Akashi and Akashi's won.

It was as simple as that.

...

He turned back to the shogi board that he had set up and sat down again and stared at the pieces across the board. He remembered how he had taught Mac how to play and the time they had spent just the two of them playing and talking.

He smiled slightly as he remembered. He moved a piece and then turned the board to consider the other side. He enjoyed playing himself; it offered insight and he could see a problem from both sides. It was very much like a basketball match.

He would need to be sharp for their next match.

"Ah, Akashi-sama," Takashi said from the door and Seijuro looked up.

"Yes?" Seijuro asked the butler.

"I was wondering when you would need your breakfast ready tomorrow," Takashi asked politely.

"Eight," Seijuro said before looking back at his game.

"Very well," Takashi said.

Seijuro heard the older man leave and close the door behind him and hid a frown as he suddenly felt alone. He pushed it away again and focused back on the shogi match.

His phone buzzed, and he picked it up and saw a text from Mibuchi.

Get some rest, Sei-chan! We have a big game tomorrow!

Seijuro rolled his eyes at the other boy and sent a short reply and put his phone away. It was really something the other boy should tell himself and not him. Seijuro was in perfect control of his rest and preparation.

His phone buzzed again and Seijuro closed his eyes for a moment before he picked it up again, ready for Mibuchi's second text, but it wasn't from him. He smiled.

Take care, Seijuro. I'll see you on the court tomorrow and be ready because we'll win this time around! – Mac.

...

Imayoshi and Susa were making their way to the arena together both knowing that this would be their last official game for Too Academy. It was strange and a little sad to know that after this they would have to put all their focus on university and studying.

"It's time, huh," Susa said.

Imayoshi didn't need to ask what he meant.

"Yeah," he said. "Our last game."

It had kind of snuck upon them, and Imayoshi hadn't even given it much thought until now. This last year had been the best one for their team. The addition of Mac and Daiki had really lifted their team in a way even he hadn't predicted.

He remembered going with Harasawa to talk to Mac and Daiki to get them to join Too Academy. He had been intrigued because who hadn't heard about the Generation of Miracles? He had, of course, heard of them before, but never played them. He had retired from his Middle School basketball team by the time his school had played against Teiko. It had also been before they had really grown to be known as the Generation of Miracles, but still, they had been strong and had won.

Anyway, he had heard of them and knew who the two players Harasawa was interested in was. He remembered being curious about Mac, wondering why Harasawa was interested in the girl of the team. He had underestimated her back then (he didn't like to admit it, but it was the truth) and couldn't really see why Harasawa would go out of his way to get her to join.

"Potter Mackenzie will change our team," Harasawa had said, and Imayoshi was curious.

At first he had thought Harasawa had wanted Mac to join because she could handle the famous Aomine Daiki, who skipped practices and acted as he wanted. He only seemed to listen to his best friend Mac, and only sometimes. It was also very unlikely that Daiki would go anywhere without his best friend, or so Imayoshi had heard and having seen them realised was more than true, so Imayoshi had suspected that Harasawa wanted Mac to join in order to secure the strongest Ace for their team.

Yet… as Imayoshi observed Mac, he was thrown by the strength he saw in her. She was calm (most of the time), sharp and strong. From their first meeting and watching how she handled Daiki, he had been intrigued and looked forward to getting them to join the team so he could watch her more closely. He hadn't doubted that they would join and join they did.

"What have you smiling?" Susa asked noticing the smile on Imayoshi's face.

"Just remembering how Mac and Aomine joined our team," Imayoshi said honestly.

Susa nodded and smiled slightly, "that was a shock… I knew they were strong, but wow… I was surprised."

Imayoshi nodded in agreement.

Daiki hadn't really surprised him, but Mac sure had… the way she saw the game… he had never seen or heard anyone talk about it like that. She hadn't been on the team long before he had understood what Harasawa meant.

She would change their team for the better, she would strengthen them and get them places. She would be what they had lacked last year.

He also understood that Harasawa hadn't gone after her to get Daiki to join Too Academy, but because he really was interested and wanted her talent. It had surprised even Imayoshi when Harasawa allowed Mac so much freedom over the team. While he monitored her, and her plans, he didn't interfere but rather sought her advice and opinion.

"It's going to be strange not playing on this team anymore," Susa said.

"Yes," Imayoshi agreed. "Who would have believed it?"

He knew they were a team put together because of their individual talents. It had caused… some trouble the year before, and he had expected to have it happening again this year (especially with the addition of Mac and Daiki). He definitely hadn't expected to grow… fond of this team like he had. He grimaced at the thought. But it had happened. He had grown fond of this team, and maybe especially Mac, and that never happened before. He always did his best for any team he was on, but he normally stayed on the outside with his smirks and taunts, he enjoyed teasing them as much as he did the opponents.

But now he was even made stand back and stop teasing when he got to the line he knew he shouldn't cross but never had cared about crossing before. And just because a young girl would give him a look.

A look… he shook his head. Just what power did that girl have over him? And not just him, but the entire team and even her old teammates? From what he had seen and heard, she had all the Generation of Miracles in line. Watching her with Daiki was proof enough.

But she had slipped through the cracks, and he had grown fond. Maybe it was because he had spent so much time observing her and seen just how hard she worked and how good she was. She had started out shy and he had wondered how someone like her could be that shy, but then she had suddenly changed and grown more confident and taken more room. He realised that she had always been confident but that she just was shy around new people at first.

He had watched how she struggled after the break-up with Kiyoshi, and then Daiki… he still rolled his eyes thinking about how long the two had used in getting together. It had been obvious to him they liked each other. He had been close to push them into a room together and not letting them out until they kissed and made up. He digressed… well; he had started to care before he even realised it himself, really. By the time her class had learned about her past, and they had upset her, he had cared and gotten angry for her. He had wanted to show that girl in her class what it meant to upset him. He would have too if Susa hadn't stopped him.

By that point Imayoshi knew that it was too late. That Mac was part of the few people he cared about at the school, and that he would do a lot to protect her. By caring for her, he had grown closer to the team, and she had brought them together in a way he hadn't thought they would.

He didn't really mind.

...

They entered the arena, and Susa took a moment to look up at the building. How many times hadn't he entered this building? Was this the last time?

"I think I will miss this," he said.

Imayoshi glanced at him but he nodded without saying anything and Susa knew he felt the same way.

"Ah, good you're here," Mac said coming out of the large door. "I was wondering if you had overslept or something."

"Oh? Were you on your way to wake us up?" Imayoshi smirked teasingly. "If so, I would have stayed in bed…"

Mac gave him a deadpanned look. "I would have sent Wakamatsu."

Susa snorted while Imayoshi laughed.

"Sorry, Mac," Susa said. "Guess we got nostalgic."

She looked at him for a moment before realisation hit her eyes, and she frowned slightly.

"Right," she said. "Of course… well, come on. The others are waiting."

Susa nodded and followed the younger girl into the arena that was already filling up with spectators. He could hear the excited chatter buzzing as he walked past them.

He looked forward to the game, but at the same time felt apprehension fill him as he knew that this would be his last basketball match. At least at this level. He wasn't sure if he would continue playing basketball at University, and right now that didn't matter. He just knew that this would be his last match for Too Academy.

He had never been on a team like this one. They were close and as his eyes found the younger girl who was talking with Imayoshi; he knew it was much her doing. She brought the best out of them, even Imayoshi.

He knew that this match meant a lot to her and he hoped they would be able to give a better match than last time. He really wanted to win. He needed it. They all did.

"Oi," Daiki called and Susa saw the tall ace leaning against the door to the locker room. "You're late."

Susa snorted, "and you've never been late before?"

Daiki smirked, "well, I have to take the opportunity to scold you while I can, right?"

Susa almost blinked at the teasing and light note in Daiki's voice. It was unusual for him to be like this and he wondered if the change they had witnessed during their last match really had changed him that much… a look at Mac told him she found this amusing. She rolled her eyes.

"Guess so," Susa said. "You okay?"

Daiki looked at him and shrugged, "ready for the game."

"What's this?" Imayoshi smirked. "Is Aomine Daiki ready for a game?"

Daiki glared at him, but Susa didn't think it had the usual annoyance or bitterness that he sometimes picked up on in the younger boy. Huh…

"Daiki," Mac said, a small warning in her voice before she looked at them. "Go get ready… I'll come back in fifteen minutes or so… I have someplace to be."

"Yeah, yeah," Imayoshi smirked. "Your orders are our commands."

She rolled her eyes.

Susa nodded and patted her shoulder as she walked past him, and she blinked as she looked up at him. He smiled, trying to relay that they had this covered, and they were ready. She seemed to understand because she smiled and nodded.

"You're too soft, Yoshinori," Imayoshi commented.

Susa just shrugged. He knew that Imayoshi thought that, he had commented on it a lot since Mac joined the team. Not that Imayoshi was one to talk, though… it wasn't like he didn't have a soft spot for Mac as well.

"She always does that," Daiki commented before leading the way into the locker room. "Making people care."

Susa shook his head and put his bag down at a free spot on the bench.

"You ready, Sakurai?" he asked looking at the scared looking first year.

"Y-yeah!" Sakurai said.

"Calm down," Susa smiled reassuringly at him. "We'll do fine. We're ready."

Sakurai nodded and swallowed.

"I know," he said. "It's your last match, isn't it?"

Susa nodded and Sakurai looked a little sad but also determined.

"Yes, so we better do our best to win," Susa said.

"Yes!" Sakurai nodded.

...

"Tetsu!" Mac called out when she saw Tetsuya by one of the gigantic windows.

"Mac," Tetsuya smiled softly, turning to look at her.

"You're not here alone, are you?" Mac asked.

"I'm meeting Kagami and the others," Tetsuya said. "I'm just the first one here. I wanted to see you before the match."

Mac smiled at him, "I'm glad. So, you okay?"

Tetsuya nodded, "I'm fine, Mac. I guess I'm still disappointed that we lost, but I know we did everything we could and played a good match. You were just better this time."

"It was a good match," Mac agreed. "I think it will be one of my favourite ones."

Tetsuya smiled genuinely at her and she leaned against a column by the window as she watched him.

"Are you ready for playing against Akashi-kun?" Tetsuya asked.

"Mm," Mac nodded, "of course."

"He's still undefeated," Tetsuya commented.

"We'll win," Mac said. "This time we will win."

Tetsuya looked at her and nodded slowly.

"You have a good chance," he agreed. "As long as you never give up."

"That's your favourite saying, isn't it, Tetsu?" Mac smiled. "Never give up?"

"Well, maybe," Tetsuya said, a little embarrassed. "You never know what will happen in a match as long as someone is trying."

"True," Mac agreed, "and with Daiki back…"

"He still looks forward to the match?" Tetsuya asked, and she didn't miss the hope in his eyes.

"Yeah," Mac said. "He does, and he even shocked the others by how eager he is."

"Good," Tetsuya said.

"I guess I should get back," Mac said. "I have to go over more details with the team."

"Okay," Tetsuya said. "Good luck, Mac."

"Thanks, Tetsu," she smiled. "See you later, okay?"

He nodded, and she gave him a quick hug before turning to walk back to her team. She knew that Tetsuya hoped she would be able to win and get Seijuro back to who he was or had been before. They all hoped to get the version of their captain back that wasn't only ruled by his desire to win and control everything. She knew he did everything he could to keep them together in whatever way he could, and that he was doing it for her.

Did she put too much pressure on him? Was she the problem?

No, not entirely, at least… Mac didn't believe that. But she knew that he pushed harder to protect her in whatever way he could and she wished he could see that she could look after herself too. That, while she appreciated his care, she could take care of herself and didn't need him to do everything for her.

She just wanted him to be her friend.

She would prove to him she was strong enough to be there and to look out for herself with his support. That he could be her friend but didn't need to sacrifice everything for her. She just wanted him to be there, not fix everything. She knew that was impossible.

Mac pushed her thoughts about Seijuro away and over to the seniors. She had almost forgotten that this was their last official match. How fast time had gone… it felt like it was yesterday that she had started Too Academy and joined their basketball team and it was already the end of the Winter Cup.

Well, that was another reason for them to win. She wanted to give them the best ending of their High School basketball career possible, and what better way than winning the Winter Cup could there be?

...

...

AN: What do you think? XD

Not my best chapter, I know. It was a tough chapter to write, to be honest. But it's as good as it's going to get, so here it is. XD
Next chapter will be the match between Too Academy and Rakuzan. XD

Question for you; who do you think should be Too Academy's next Captain? It's sadly almost time for Imayosi and Susa to retire from the team and they will need a new Captain... Should Wakamatsu be the next Captain like in canon or should someone else become captain? Curious to hear what you guys think. XD

Thank you for reading! Stay safe. XD