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

...

...

2nd year - Too Academy

...

Mac hated the start of her second year at Too Academy.

It was the worst! Absolutely worst. She stared at her name on the list over class 2-A and wished she could magically add Daiki's name on that list too, but nothing happened. His name kept standing under the title 2-C.

It felt like her heart dropped into her stomach as she realised that for the first time since she had first arrived in Japan she wouldn't be in the same class as Daiki. None of the other names really registered with her, it was only the fact that Daiki wasn't in her class that seemed to register and have any meaning.

"That sucks," Daiki scowled as he moved away from the lists.

"It does," Mac said fighting back the panic inside of her. She felt unsettled without having Daiki close by, she had always been in the same class as him and now…

"I don't get it," Daiki said. "Why did we have to change classes?"

"I don't know," Mac sighed. "It shouldn't be allowed."

Daiki glanced at her and he could tell she wasn't taking it well. He sighed and reached out and took her hand in his. He didn't like it either. He couldn't really imagine being in class without her and he didn't want to.

"Come on," she said unenthusiastically. "We should get going."

"Mm."

He walked her to her classroom and Mac paused outside of it and looked up at him. She forced a smile.

"Okay," she said. "Remember that we have a meeting with the team after class today, okay? And…"

"I'll come and see you during breaks, Kenzie," Daiki said stopping her ramble.

"Okay," she said. "I guess I should go…"

"Mm," Daiki said but he didn't let go of her hand. "Okay."

They stood still for a moment longer just looking at each other but eventually, Daiki let go of her hand and Mac instantly felt cold. She knew she was being dramatic and overreacting, but she couldn't help it. But she didn't want him to worry too much so she did her best to smile up at him before turning around and walking into the classroom without him.

She instantly wanted to turn around and find Daiki again, but she told herself that she was being silly and that she would see him soon. It wasn't the end of the world… she did her best to ignore the looks she got from the others who had already arrived.

"Hey, Mac," Nakano waved, and Mac blinked as she saw a familiar face.

"Nakano," Mac nodded. "Hey."

"I kept a desk free for you," Nakano said. "We old neighbours should stay together."

"Thank you," Mac said gratefully and sat down. "I forgot to check who else from our old class would be in my new class."

"Too bad Aomine isn't here, right?" Nakano asked looking at her. "I bet you wished to be in the same class."

Mac just nodded.

"Well, Matsushita is in this class as well as Ito," Nakano said. "I saw Matsushita earlier but he stepped out for a moment, but Ito hasn't arrived yet."

"I see," Mac said.

"Mac! Nakano!" Ito called just then making Mac and Nakano turn to see the girl they had just talked about having arrived. "I am so glad I got in a class with someone I know!"

"Me too," Nakano said while Mac did her best to smile.

Ito put her bag on a free desk and made her way over to them and Mac turned her and Nakano out as they talked about their vacation. She was glad she had a window seat again at least for now… who knew how the teacher would organize them.

"Matsushita!" Ito called. "Over here!"

"Hey guys," Matsushita greeted. "Familiar faces at last!"

Mac managed to smile a little but didn't say anything.

The door to the classroom slid open and a man with blond hair entered the room and walked to the front of the classroom.

"Hello," he said. "My name is Aoyagi Terumi and I'm your homeroom teacher."

He continued talking and Mac listened with half an ear noting that he didn't say anything really new or surprising really.

...

It was lunch and Aoyagi had just left the classroom when Daiki arrived. He walked over to Mac ignoring the looks he got from the others as he made his way over to Mac.

"Aomine," Nakano said making Daiki nod curtly to her as he sat down on Mac's desk.

"Want to skip?" Daiki looked at Mac.

Mac snorted, "yes, but we can't."

"Knew you would say that," Daiki sighed. "I wonder who had this great idea."

"Who knows," Mac shrugged. "So, who else is in your class?"

He shrugged, "a couple from our old one, I suppose."

"Who?" Nakano asked curiously.

"Mori and Miyamoto," Daiki said. "And, um, Maki?"

"I see," Nakano said. "It's too bad that they change the classes every year."

"Yeah," Mac agreed. "It's never fun."

"So, how's the basketball team going to look this year?" Matsushita asked curiously. "I mean, you had a couple of third years on the team last year, right?"

"We did," Mac said. "We'll see how it turns out."

"We're still going to win," Daiki said confidently. "Kenzie is the best at getting a team into shape."

Mac rolled her eyes but smiled a little before she got up making Daiki look at her. She grabbed her bag.

"Kenzie?" he asked.

"I need to put up some posters," Mac said. "For basketball try-outs."

"I'll come," Daiki said jumping off her desk.

He grabbed her hand as they left the classroom and made their way around the school to put up the posters Mac had made. They met and greeted some of their other teammates as they did and Sakurai and Namamura came jogging up to them and joined them in putting up the posters.

"We're not in the same class anymore," Sakurai said sadly. "Sorry…."

"At least we're on the same team," Namamura said. "I'm in your class this year, though, Ryo!"

Mac stepped back from the poster she had just taped up and glanced at Sakurai but didn't say anything.

"Try-outs for Too Academy basketball team! Tomorrow at 15.30, meet at the gym!" Namamura readout. "Great. I wonder if we'll get any new players."

"A couple," Mac said. "At least, but who knows? We should be interesting for a lot of players now since we won the Winter Cup."

"Lunch is almost over," Sakurai said. "We should get back."

"Yeah, thanks for the help," Mac smiled to him. "I'll see you tomorrow. Remember you need to be there."

"Sorry! Yes, of course!" Sakurai nodded fervently.

"Stop apologizing," Namamura sighed but he nodded to Mac before he pulled Sakurai after him toward their classroom again.

"You okay?" Daiki asked.

"Mm," Mac nodded. "Just… let us get through this day."

...

Mac walked toward Harasawa's office where she was meeting Harasawa to plan more of the try-outs the next day. The rest of the team would not be there until tomorrow, but Harasawa had requested her to come and meet him. She guessed it was a part of being the Captain and she wondered if she would be a good one. It felt different now that she had actually started her second year and Imayoshi wasn't there. She briefly wondered how he and Susa were doing before she shook the thought away and focused on the now.

"Ah the basketball try-outs are tomorrow," she heard someone say and turned to look to find two boys looking at one of the posters she had put up. "Are you going to try-out?"

"Yes," the other boy said. "I hope I'll make it."

"I should make it," the first boy said. "I was a regular on my old team and…"

They walked away leaving Mac pondering their talents. She didn't recognise them but that didn't necessarily mean anything. She shook her head slightly before continuing on her way.

"Hello, Potter," Harasawa greeted her with a small smile. "Welcome back."

"Hey, coach," Mac allowed a small smile to cross her lips as she looked at Harasawa. "Thanks."

"How was your first day?" Harasawa asked.

Horrible, Mac thought but out loud she said, "good enough."

He gave her a look but didn't challenge her as he nodded and turned toward a whiteboard he had pulled up.

"Both Yugi Ren and Kasahara Jisuke has accepted our offer and will be joining our team," Harasawa said. "They will meet up at the try-outs tomorrow."

Mac glanced at him, "you're making them go through the try-outs?"

"Yes," Harasawa said.

"You didn't with Daiki or me," Mac pointed out.

"Both of you are on a different scale, Potter," Harasawa pointed out. "If you were taking part in the try-outs you would overshadow everyone else there and not give them a fair chance to show their talents."

Mac guessed he had a point, "right."

"We both knows their talents, of course," Harasawa said going back to the topic at hand, "but I want to see them in this situation. I want you to pay attention to how they act and how well they interact with others."

Mac nodded, "we're doing both and individual evaluation and a group evaluation, right?"

"Yes," Harasawa nodded. "Have you looked at the tasks I gave you over break?"

"Yes, I have," Mac said pulling up her notebook. "I have made some suggestion to changes."

She pushed the notebook over to him and he picked it up and opened it. She sat back while he read over the suggestions.

"I see," he murmured. "That's a good idea… But do you think it is wise to have them play against the regulars now?"

"I would have Daiki sit out, but the others should be alright," Mac said. "Daiki would just provoke them and see if any of them could challenge him. This isn't the place for that, but I would like to see who would match up against the others."

Harasawa nodded slowly, "well, I like the idea."

...

Tarou startled slightly when the front door suddenly slammed shut followed by stamping feet and soon another door was slammed closed. He glanced at the time and realised that it was around the time that Mac would be home from school. Had something happened? She normally didn't come home slamming doors like this. Should he go after her?

He hesitated in his seat before he turned back to the file he was reading. He guessed he should give her some time to calm down before going to check on her even if he was curious about what had caused her to get in such a bad mood.

Soon after he heard Taiga coming home and looked up again to see his son smiling.

"Hey, dad," Taiga said. "Is it dinner yet?"

"I'm about to start making it," Tarou said closing the file. "How was your day?"

"Great!" Taiga grinned. "We had a lot who joined our team this year. A few of them is really good, as well!"

"That's good," Tarou said. "But what about school?"

"Eh," Taiga shrugged, "I'm still in the same class as Kuroko and even Furihata. It was alright."

Tarou sighed wondering how everything always turned back to basketball with Taiga.

"Mac's home yet?" Taiga asked.

"Yes… but I haven't talked with her yet," Tarou said frowning worriedly. "I should go and check on her…"

"Something wrong?" Taiga asked concerned.

"I'm not sure," Tarou said. "Go and clean up and I'll let you know when dinner is over."

"Okay," Taiga said.

Tarou sighed again as he finished preparing the food and when it was ready moved toward Mac's room. He paused outside of it for a moment before he knocked.

"Yeah?" Mac's voice was muffled.

"Are you alright, Mac?" Tarou asked. "Can I come in?"

"… sure," Mac's voice sounded.

Tarou opened the door and saw Mac lying on her stomach on her bed with her face pressed into her pillow with Nao lying beside her.

"Mac?" Tarou asked. "What is it?"

"Nothing," Mac said. "I'm fine."

"You don't look fine," Tarou said gently feeling out of depth. What was wrong with her? He really wished he knew what to say…

"Well, too bad," Mac said turning her head and he felt a little relieved because now she could get air at least. "I'm fine."

Tarou was silent for a moment before he gave up, "well, dinner is ready in five minutes."

Mac opened her mouth but closed it again and nodded, "okay."

Tarou looked at her for a moment longer before he back out of the room and closed the door just catching the glimpse of her sad look as she picked Nao up. Had she had a fight with Daiki? Had something happened at her school?

Taiga was the first one to come when he called that the dinner was ready. Mac came soon after without looking at them.

"I heard from Tatsuya and he said that he would be in town next weekend," Taiga said filling the silence. "Is it okay if he stays here?"

"Sure," Tarou said. "He decided to come back for his last year? I thought you said he was considering going back to the states."

"He was, but he wanted to finish at Yosen," Taiga said. "His parents said it was okay."

"Good," Tarou said. "He's always welcome here, you know."

"Great," Taiga smiled and looked over at Mac. "How were your basketball try-outs, Mac?"

Mac glanced up at him and shrugged, "we haven't had them yet."

"Eh? Why?" Taiga asked surprised.

"We have them tomorrow," Mac said. "I met with coach Harasawa today, though, and planned it."

"We had it today," Taiga said. "We had to stand in stalls and go around getting people to sign up for try-outs… like they did last year, actually."

"Well, I put up some posters with Daiki, Sakurai and Namamura," Mac said. "But we don't really need to do that. Those who want to join know enough about our basketball team, so…"

"Lucky you, then," Taiga said. "I thought Riko was going to put us all in a Boston crab-hold or whatever it's called."

"So, you had new recruits?" Mac asked.

"Yeah," Taiga nodded. "More than we thought we would get. Fifteen together, but I doubt they will all be regulars. But at least we'll have more at the practices now."

"Fifteen?" Mac arched a brow. "Well, that's good. I bet Teppei is happy."

"He looked really goofy, actually," Taiga said, and Mac smiled slightly before it slipped off her face.

Tarou watched quietly as the two cousins talked.

"I think we even got one from your old team," Taiga said.

"Eh?" Mac blinked. "Who?"

"Kuroki Dan," Taiga said. "He knew Kuroko."

"Kuroki, huh," Mac said. "Well, I guess I shouldn't be surprised."

"He looked to be alright," Taiga said.

"He is good," Mac said. "He would have been a regular at Teiko for longer if not for… well us."

"Kuroko said the same," Taiga said.

"What is wrong, Mac?" Tarou asked when dinner was over, and Mac had stayed back to help with the dishes. She glanced at him and sighed.

"I'm not in the same class as Daiki anymore," she said.

Tarou glanced at her.

"I guess it's not that big of a deal…" Mac continued without looking at him. "But… I have been in the same class as Daiki since I first came to Japan and…"

She trailed off and didn't say anything else.

"I see," Tarou said. "I'm sorry."

Mac shrugged, "I knew it was a possibility, but it surprised me."

Tarou nodded and reached over and put a hand on her shoulder. He felt how she tensed for a moment before she seemed to relax, and he squeezed her shoulder lightly before letting go.

...

Mac waved to Nakano as she left the classroom after the last class for the day. She had to get to the gym and the try-outs. She arched a brow when she saw Daiki leaning against the wall waiting for her.

"You're coming?" she asked.

He shrugged, "thought I would."

"Great," Mac smiled.

Together they made their way to the gym and Daiki kissed her forehead before going to the locker room to change. She went to the locker room she used and quickly changed into her training clothes and picked up her bag and brought it to the gym like she used to.

"Hey, Mac," Abe smiled waving. "Or should we call you Captain now?"

Mac shook her head, "call me what you want."

"Cap," Inoue smirked.

"Sure," Mac said. "Are you ready for today?"

"I dare not think about what you have planned," Abe said dramatically. "But we'll do it."

"You've become the regular comedian, haven't you?" Mac asked dryly. "It's not until the last part of the try-outs that I want you to contribute."

"Just tell us what you need," Yamaguchi said after swatting Abe over the head.

Mac felt a little better as she was surrounded by her team again and she realised that she had missed them during the break. She was still explaining what she wanted them to do when the first group who wanted to try-out arrived.

"Potter," Harasawa called and she walked over to stand beside him even if she felt a little uncomfortable being stared at by the others.

They waited a couple of minutes more until Wakamatsu closed the doors.

"Welcome to the try-out for Too Academy basketball team," Harasawa said. "I'm the coach Harasawa Katsunori and will be overseeing this try-out. I expect you all to do your best and show us what you've got. Potter will be the one to lead the exercises and I expect you to listen to what she says and do as she asks if you don't then you will be automatically cut from the try-out. Got it?"

"Yes, sir!"

Mac watched them as Harasawa talked and noticed who looked nervous and who looked excited. She saw Yugi and despite looking shy had a sharp look in his eyes as he listened to Harasawa. She spotted Kasahara and noticed the arrogant look on his face as he almost looked bored making her frown a little.

It took a moment before she realised that Harasawa was looking at her and waiting for her to take over. She coughed slightly as she took a deep breath.

"Hey," she said and was glad to note that her voice wasn't shaking. "I'm the team captain and manager, Potter Mackenzie. As coach Harasawa said I will be leading the exercises. I want you all to take one piece of paper."

She nodded to Abe who nodded back and stepped forward holding out a small bowl with some folded pieces of paper in it. One by one the hopeful players stepped forward and did as asked. When they all had done so they looked at Mac again.

"On the paper, it will say 1 or 2 and it will decide which group you're in," Mac said. "I want the 1's over there and the 2's over at the other half. Now."

...

Mac was adorable, Daiki thought as he looked at his girlfriend who was watching the two groups going through the exercises and drills with her ever-faithful notebook in one hand and a pen in another. She didn't seem to notice the hair that had escaped her ponytail and was hanging down over eyes. She just occasionally blew out to get the hair out of her eyes.

He knew that she was in her own bubble now and that she didn't notice anything outside of the drills. How many times had he seen her like that?

He knew he loved her. He didn't mind that he sounded mushy or anything like that, because it was Mac, and she was the best thing in his life. He knew he was lucky; he knew she was way too good for him and that he was lucky she still gave him a chance after everything he had put her through.

The sound of the whistle sounded, and Daiki blinked as he was pulled out of his thoughts and saw Mac stepping forward as she lowered the whistle from her mouth.

"Oi! Listen up!" she called out making the boys stop and turn to her.

"What now?" Kasahara called out.

Daiki scowled but Mac just arched a brow.

"Number 1's are on offence, number 2's is on defence," she said. "Get in line over there and I want to see you one-on-one doing a new drill called 1 on 1 Post Flash Drill."

"And what is that?" Kasahara asked.

"Daiki," Mac turned to him and Daiki sat up straighter and she smiled a little. "Want to help demonstrate the drill for them?"

He smirked and jumped off the scene where he had been sitting.

"Sure," he said. "Want me to be offence or defence, Kenzie?"

She looked at him for a moment.

"Better be defence," Sekai Higa, said.

"Yeah or Potter won't have a chance," Kasahara snorted.

Daiki opened his mouth to say something, but Mac shook her head, and he closed his mouth again.

"Well, since they believe that then why don't you be offence, Daiki?" Mac asked. "It might be a way to show how defence can work even against a stronger player."

Daiki smirked, "you think you can beat me, Kenzie? Well…"

She grabbed a basketball and tossed it to Sakurai who was placed on the wing in order to start the drill.

Mac stood underneath the net while Daiki took the place on her right over by the line. Daiki knew that this was just a demonstration, but he felt the same excitement he got when facing Mac.

"Sakurai," Mac said, and Sakurai nodded before he smacked the ball and Daiki ran up to Mac and faked a high before Sakurai passed him the ball. He felt Mac on his back making it harder for him to move with how she was covering him, but he pivoted on his right foot as he dribbled one time and then when Mac followed up with a move to stop him on the right he dribbled a second time and then jumped barely managing to get past Mac who had read through the move and jumped just in time to get a finger on the ball. He watched at the ball hit the metal around the hoop before slipping inside.

He grinned while Mac shook her head at him making Daiki smile more sheepishly now.

He saw Mac turning to look at the stunned group as they watched her.

"You get the idea of the drill? The offence has to dribble the ball two times before you can take the shot," Mac said. "While the defence will do their best to stop the offence from scoring. Okay?"

They nodded.

...

Yugi couldn't help but stare stunned at Mac who had just demonstrated a drill for them. He had known she was good, of course, but to see her almost stopping Daiki from scoring… That was something else. He heard the others murmur and could tell they hadn't expected that, and a few of them had even been complaining (between themselves of course) that she was the one leading the drills. Why hadn't the coach done it? Wasn't that the normal way of having try-outs? But Harasawa seemed content to stay back observing them instead of taking the lead.

Yugi was a little surprised by that but he didn't mind.

Kasahara scoffed silently as he stared at Mac. She had gone back to her place now and so had Daiki who ruffled her hair as he passed her. Had he really been trying? To think that he had almost been stopped by her like that? He couldn't have been trying his best, Kasahara thought to himself. He would have gotten past her with ease…

Sakurai kept standing at the wing and had a new ball in his hands as the first pair took their place.

...

"You think he really did his best?" Kasahara asked looking over at Daiki who had taken his place on the scene again and looked like he was sleeping. He didn't even bother to seem like he was interested. Kasahara frowned.

"Eh?" Rakuto Motoyama asked as he lowered his water bottle.

They had finished the drill and told to take a small break.

"Aomine against Potter," Kasahara said.

"Maybe not," Rakuto shrugged, "but she's his girlfriend, isn't she? I thought I heard something about that."

"She is," Shishui Ohashi said breaking into their conversation. "And she might not be as strong as he is, but she is considered to be one of the Generation of Miracles too, you know."

"So what?" Kasahara scoffed as he glared at Shishui. "I still think it was luck."

"Doesn't matter, though," Shishui shrugged, "it was just a demonstration."

Kasahara rolled his eyes but didn't say anything else. He wanted to prove that he was just as good. He didn't like that he had to go through try-outs like everyone else. They had asked him to join the school after all. He huffed.

...

Mac had a lot of data when she looked over at Harasawa who nodded, and she took it as a sign that he too had seen what he needed for the first part. She used the whistle again and they stopped the drill they had been doing and turned to her.

She looked over at her team who had been patiently waiting on the scene only occasionally helping when she needed someone to do it.

"Okay, well done," she said turning back again. "The first part is over. I now want to see how you do in a game-like situation, so you'll be divided into teams and take turns playing against our team."

"You mean…" Rakuto started but trailed off when she looked at him.

"Yes, I mean you will be playing the regulars," she said.

"Aomine as well?" Kasahara interrupted her and she turned to look at him for a moment.

She almost wanted to say yes just to get the smug and arrogant look off his face, but she bit it back knowing she had to keep calm and not let him provoke her.

"No," she said. "He won't be joining the game," Mac said.

"Why not?" Kasahara challenged.

Would counting to ten help, Mac wondered silently to herself as she took a deep breath.

"I want to see you in a situation where you're not facing a too strong opponent," Mac said. "I'm afraid Daiki is unable to really… well, he would go all out and then he would overpower everyone here. The others will be more than enough to get a clear view of your skills."

Kasahara narrowed his eyes, "that's pretty arrogant of you, isn't it?"

She noticed some of the others looking at Kasahara while frowning and seemed to step back.

"That's just a fact," Mac said not showing anything on her face as she looked at him. "Now, if you don't want to play then you're free to leave. I promise you that the rest of the team is more than capable of challenging you if that is what you are worried about."

She turned away from him and was relieved to see her team already ready.

"Is it finally our turn, Mac?" Wakamatsu grinned but she saw the look he cast Kasahara. "I think they're underestimating us, don't you?"

"Seems like it," Abe said. "Just because Aomine doesn't play doesn't mean that you won't be challenged. We're not going to go easy on you, firsties."

"No way," Inoue smirked. "And you should be glad that Mac's not playing either, by the way. Not too relieved because we are, though!"

"Oi," Mac stopped them. "Calm down and do what I ask, okay? Or should you go for a run instead?"

They paled a little.

"Um, no, we're ready!" they yelled.

...

Yugi had noticed the way Mac tensed when Kasahara challenged her but it was so well hidden that he doubted anyone else had noticed it. He didn't understand why Kasahara would challenge her like that. It made sense that Daiki wouldn't play them, he was much stronger than the average player and it would be difficult to measure the strengths of those he played against.

But Kasahara seemed to take it as a sign that they looked down on him or something and Yugi couldn't understand it. It was a test, not regular play. Not regular training. He was sure that when or if they made the team, they would face Daiki and Mac like everyone else.

"He's a bit bold claiming that they're the arrogant ones, isn't he?" Shishui asked quietly. Yugi glanced over at his new classmate and nodded. "Well… I would like to see him go against Aomine and get knocked down a peg or two."

Yugi shifted nervously on his feet but silently agreed.

"I'll call your names and the ones I call now will be the first team," Mac called out before she started to read the names on the list. Yugi wasn't one of them but Kasahara and Shishui were. Shishui rolled his eyes at Yugi before entering the court.

Yugi glanced over at Mac again as they played and saw her writing in her notebook but he saw her eyes frequently look up at the game before going back to her notebook. He wondered how she could be that focused and how she saw what she needed to see.

...

Finally.

It was over. Well, the try-outs were over, and the boys had been asked to return the next day for the results. So only the team was left in the gym with Harasawa who smiled slightly.

"Good work," Harasawa said. "I know it getting late, so you'll be free to leave soon. I just want to say that you all did great work."

"Thanks, coach," some answered while others smiled and nodded.

Mac stood straight refusing to slump and let the tiredness show. This had been more exhausting than she had expected, and she wondered if it had been like this last year because she couldn't remember that.

"Potter, if you would stay back for a moment," Harasawa said and looked at her.

Mac nodded and glanced at Daiki who looked at her with concern but smiled when he saw her looking. He motioned outside and she took it to mean that he would wait for her.

The others left talking and laughing while Mac turned to Harasawa.

"Good job today, Potter," Harasawa said. "You handled it very well."

"Thank you, coach," Mac said. "I tried."

"Unfortunately, some will always look to challenge you," Harasawa said. "It's part of being captain."

"No one challenged Imayoshi like that," Mac mumbled.

"They did," Harasawa said. "He handled it his way and you'll find your way to handle it. I am afraid that as a girl you might face more challenges than Imayoshi did as Captain. I know you've been the manager since your days at Teiko and have been a player, but as a Captain, you will have a different role. It might make others react to you differently.

"That's not fair," Mac said.

"I know it isn't," Harasawa admitted and looked at her searchingly. "You think you can handle it?"

"Yes," Mac said right away. It wasn't the first time she had faced it even if it was a little different. She would face it.

He nodded not having expected anything else.

"I would like to go over what you've seen today," Harasawa said. "But it is getting late, so maybe you should leave your notes with me and we can talk it over tomorrow before classes?"

"That would be okay," Mac agreed, handing over her notebook.

...

"Done?" Daiki asked when she had finally changed and exited through the side door.

"Yeah," Mac smiled tiredly up at him and he reached out to grab her hand.

"You're tired," Daiki said.

"Guess so," Mac said knowing it wasn't worth denying it.

"I'll walk you home," Daiki said. "Is your uncle home?"

"Mm," Mac nodded. "Think so."

"Too bad," Daiki said making her look at him and he smirked at her. "I would have liked to come up and hold you as you fall asleep."

Mac blushed and looked away knowing that she would have liked that too, but it would be… well, awkward with her uncle home. She wasn't sure how he would have reacted to it either. So far he didn't protest when Daiki was in her room, but to know that he was in her bed… well, she wasn't sure he would approve of that.

"That would have been great," Mac said.

Daiki led her onto a bus and had her sit down next to her and she rested her head against his shoulder and soon after her eyes closed. Daiki smiled softly even if no one saw it. He let her rest until they reached their stop.

...

Mac was glad that Professor Sato had given her the week off in order to get settled into her second year. She was glad because that meant that he would get a break too, he had looked a little tired lately. She couldn't help but feel a little worried even if he never said anything and she didn't ask. She didn't want to bother him with her own worries.

So, she could focus on the team and try-outs. She was almost surprised by how nervous she felt now after the try-out. She had been calm before it had happened, but now it was more real that she would be captain.

Would she be able to meet their expectations? Would she let Harasawa down? She knew she would not really do that much different than how she had done things before as a manager. But still… and the way some of the boys had looked at her the day before had not been very encouraging.

Well, she would show them. She would. And she had the rest of the team, they would have her back. She was sure about that. But how could she make the new ones respect her too?

She didn't understand why she suddenly felt so nervous about this now. She had meant it when she told Harasawa that she could handle it. She just… wasn't sure how to yet. But she would, she reminded herself. She would figure it out.

She made her way to the school earlier than normal so she arrived without Daiki. She felt another stab in her heart at the thought that she wouldn't even see him when she went to class…

"Good morning, Potter," Harasawa greeted her when she knocked on the door to his office. "Come inside."

"Good morning, coach," Mac smiled slightly back.

"I looked over your notes," Harasawa started. "It was very good as normal."

Mac shifted a little on the chair at the compliment but smiled shyly back at Harasawa.

"I have some questions about a couple of players," Harasawa said. "I would like to hear what you think."

Mac nodded, "okay. Have you made your decision about who will make the regulars?"

"Mostly," Harasawa nodded.

"Okay," Mac said.

"I would like to hear what you think about Sekai Higa," Harasawa said.

Mac thought for a moment before she started to talk.

...

She barely made it up to her classroom in time for the first lesson and was a little breathless when she sank down on her chair.

"Oh, late start today?" Nakano asked turning toward her.

"No," Mac denied. "I've been at school a while now… just came back from talking with coach Harasawa."

"Oh," Nakano said. "How did the try-outs go yesterday?"

"Fine," Mac shrugged but she gave a small smile. "But tiresome."

Just then the teacher arrived, and Nakano turned away from Mac.

...

"Hey."

Mac looked up and saw a few of the girls from her class standing around her desk.

"Hey…" Mac said slowly glancing at them.

"You're Potter Mackenzie, right?" the girl who had spoken said. Mac nodded quietly. "I'm Tange Mayuki and this is Shigemi Toda and Saijo Chisayo."

Mac nodded to them as she gave them a curious look.

"You're one our basketball team, right?" Shigemi asked.

"Yeah," Mac said.

"I saw the final of the Winter Cup last year," Saijo said. "It was a great game."

"It was," Mac agreed while wondering what they wanted. She wasn't sure what to say or do as they stood there.

"Aomine is here," Shigemi said.

Mac turned to see her boyfriend standing in the door. He smiled when he met her eyes and she couldn't help but smile back.

"He's here every lunchbreak, isn't he?" Tange commented. "Dedicated boyfriend, eh?"

Mac glanced at her not sure how to read her comment because there was something there that was off. She shrugged as she got up.

"It was nice meeting you," Mac said. "I should go and see what he wants."

"Sure…"

Mac was relieved to be able to leave the three girls even if she felt a little guilty. It wasn't their fault that she felt uncomfortable and unsure. She accepted Daiki's hand as she left the classroom.

"You okay?" he asked.

"Mm," Mac nodded.

"Who were the girls you were talking to?" he asked.

"Classmates," Mac said. "They were just introducing themselves."

"Ah," Daiki said.

...

The gym was filled with anticipation and nervousness as they waited for Harasawa to start talking. Mac was standing beside him while the rest of the regulars were behind them. She wondered what was going through the minds of the boys waiting to hear how their try-out had gone. She had heard the whispered conversations between them when they entered the gym.

"Welcome back," Harasawa said. "First I would like to say you all did good work yesterday. Our basketball team has been slowly growing and developing to become one of the leading teams in the High School basketball circuit, something that has lead to us winning the Winter Cup last year. We are by no means done and want to continue growing and taking new steps as a team. Know that even if you don't make the regulars you will be offered a place among the basketball club here, and you are important to our team. You will help support our regulars and be a part of it."

Mac glanced at Harasawa for a moment before she looked back at the group in front of her.

"Well, I will read up the names of the ones who made the regulars," Harasawa said lifting up his notebook and looked down at the list of names on it. Mac knew the names of the ones on the list. "Yugi Ren."

Mac looked at Yugi and saw the pleased look on his face. He didn't show much but she could tell he was happy knowing that he had made it. She knew he had practically been ready before the try-out. They had, after all, asked him to join them, but she knew Harasawa had his reasons asking him to go through the try-out.

"Kasahara Jisuke," Harasawa continued.

Mac kept her face blank as she took in the smug smirk on Kasahara's face. It was the same as with Yugi. They had asked him to come. Yet… she wasn't sure she liked it. He had been good. She wouldn't deny that, and she had portrayed that in her notes. She hadn't hidden anything, but she just… didn't like him.

"Sekai Higa."

He looked surprised but soon smiled.

"Rakuto Motoyama, and lastly Shishui Ohashi," Harasawa finished.

Mac knew it was more than they normally accepted, but those five had been more than good enough and she knew it would be difficult to cut them.

"First practice is tomorrow," Harasawa said. "You're all dismissed for today."

...

...

AN: What do you think? XD

As you can see I did go through with the slight time-skip. It felt right to skip ahead to second year now. XD

Merry Christmas to you who celebrate the holidays! XD I will try to update again before the year is over, but life is busy. :)

Thank you for reading and supporting the story! I really appreciate it! XD