So yeah, I decided to add another feature of the Imagine Breaker aside from its power to cancel out anything supernatural. Other than that, everything's still according to canon (with some minor tweaks) except for the Player Profile at the end of this chapter, which I mostly made up. I'm fast enough because I had a lucky break from our tests. Still waiting for the next NT volume thought *cries in impatience*
Have a good day!
It was a new Monday morning. In a certain high school, a lot of students are excitedly talking about the prospect of joining different clubs, especially sports organizations like the football club, lawn tennis squad, the swimming club, the martial arts team, the baseball and softball teams, and finally, the volleyball club.
"So what club do you plan to join?" Tsuchimikado, in his usual glasses, asked the lolicon sergeant Aogami about what sports will he join in.
"Hmmm…let's join the tennis squad. With the number of ladies donning very short dress there, we might as well have a higher chance of getting a beautiful chic there, right, Kami-yan?" Aogami then glanced at the seemingly uninterested spiky haired boy, who is too be busy rolling a basketball, which he brought along, in his hand.
"Huh? What? Oh…I guess that suits you," Kamijou, who responded as if just waking up, spoke with a clear sign of disinterest as he continued to fiddle the ball.
"It seems our own Kami-yan have other plans. Maybe he'll use it as an excuse for hogging more girls into the dreaded Kami-yan Disease…" Tsuchimikado guessed wrongly.
"Shut up, will you? I'm not into those things and that disease doesn't exist," the Imagine Breaker user, slightly annoyed, barked.
"Whatever ya say, nya," Aogami gave off a wide grin, "But for the past thirty minutes, I've noticed that you've kept fiddling that basketball into your hands. There's no basketball club here, just so you know."
"I know that," Kamijou replied as he stopped rolling the ball, "It's just that, I have found a new hobby for basketball so I'm somewhat interested in that sport." Thought that's half the truth.
Bam!
The whole class stopped bickering at one another as they immediately saw Fukiyose, who is surprisingly wearing a lawn tennis skirt, entered with her usual ferociousness. Himegami, who is behind her, is wearing the usual physical training jogging pants.
"Listen everyone!" her voice echoed inside the classroom, "Today we will only be until twelve in he noon so everyone can attend in the tryouts. Oh and Kamijou?"
The mentioned boy, despite his fear of the Iron Wall Girl, slightly raised his head slower than usual, indicating that he's really not interested in what Fukiyose was about to say, "Hnn? What is that?"
"Don't "hnn" me!" Fukiyose scowled as she walks towards the boy, who proceeded to roll the ball in his hands again, "What club do you plan to join?"
"Eh? I'm not really interested in joining one," Kamijou sighed as he puts down the Spalding to face the Forehead Deluxe. And I'm sorry to say this but I'm headed to a new school anyway.
"Taku…I should have expected this stupid reaction of yours, Kamijou," Fukiyose facepalms, "Fine, if you're going home early, just make sure to clean this room by yourself."
"Okay—huh!? Why am I cleaning it alone? Don't I have any help from my classmates!?" the spiky haired boy shrieked as he drops his jaw.
"Baka! Everyone's going to try out in every different sports organizations except you, Kamijou! What will you do, huh!? Find another girl to make her cry?" Fukiyose stabbed her finger into the poor boy's forehead.
"W-What!? It's not like that, Fukiyose-sama!" Kamijou defended himself.
"Ara, ara…look at this two! Such a sweet couple!" Tsuchimikado, who was busy watching the two fuss and fight, butted in into their argument.
"It's a secret love quarrel!" Aogami also joined in.
"IT'S NOT WHAT YOU ARE THINKING!" both Kamijou and Fukiyose shouted at the same time, with the latter blushing so heavily. No longer able to control her emotions, she decided to do one thing.
She immediately stood up and beat the three boys out of their senses.
"Such misfortune," Kamijou sighed as he was walking home from school. He was nursing a slight bleed in his lips that was on the receiving end of Fukiyose's fists but despite his injury, he still ended up cleaning the room by himself while the others ran towards their clubs. She sure is a monster hidden beneath a pretty face.
He yawned when coincidentally, he past by a deserted street basketball court. He flinched. This was the same basketball court where I first met Sekiguchi.
He checked his phone. It showed that it was quarter to 1 pm. He then took out his Spalding basketball. It's still early, huh? Well, it won't hurt if I play for a little while.
He then removed his uniform, which revealed his orange shirt and a pair of basketball shorts which he used as a substitute for boxers. He then took out a pair of Kobe 6 "Orange County" whose color way matched his shirt very well. He bought those pair of shoes yesterday when he had a one-on-one session with Sekiguchi.
As he dribbled the ball in the center circle, he then remembered the CDs that he viewed Saturday night and what he learned and heard from his makeshift mentor yesterday.
Yesterday
"Sorry, kid! I won't let go of you so easily!" Sekiguchi roared but with a smile planted in his face as he kept Kamijou from penetrating, though the spiky haired boy was unperturbed by this. It may not look very obvious but deep inside his head, he was actually trying to copy the moves of that tanned man than he saw on the CD Saturday night.
Between the legs dribble…alternate leg switch…dribble left and right… Kamijou mumbled to himself as he kept a distance against his mentor.
"What kid? Is something wro…" the ash blonde wasn't able to finish his words as suddenly, his mark disappeared as he realized that Kamijou finally passed him. Not giving up, he chased the smaller boy and extended his right arms but his opponent cut back, spun to his right with quick agility, and immediately accelerated as quick as lightning.
So fast! Sekiguchi thought as he watches the spiky haired boy make a layup.
"Sorry. I was still sloppy on that one," Kamijou then spoke as he gets another shot for possession. "What are you being so apologetic about, kid?" Sekiguchi sneered, "You did great but I promise you, you won't be able to advance farther than this!"
He then pressured Kamijou, limiting the latter into dribbling. But once again, the spiky haired boy thought of something. I don't know if I could do this! No! If I kept thinking negative thoughts, I won't be able to copy his move. I know I can do this!
He then pulled back to keep out from his defender's reach. Inhaling and exhaling, he n=began to restart his offense. Dribble…fake pass…grab it…dash forward.
"What's this?" Sekiguchi wondered as he saw Kamijou charging in. Suddenly, he then released the ball to his left side. Is he stupid? What's he doing? He was baffled at what he did but nevertheless, he reached out his hand to try to grab the ball but suddenly, Kamijou quickly got it back and dashed in.
Dammit! That was a change of pace! Sekiguchi angrily thought as he chases the fast-breaking boy. But when he caught up, Kamijou dribbled between his legs as if he's about to go to the right direction but in an instant Sekiguchi reacted, he grabbed the ball with his left hand and turned 180 degrees to his right. Shit! The ash blonde, despite reacting late, was able to stall the spiky haired boy's offense but when he did, Kamijou leaped up and did the unthinkable.
Are you fucking kidding me! A formless shot! Same as the ace…Sekiguchi could only watched as the boy released the ball in the most unorthodox way. The ball then cut into the air like a laser before finally contacting the ring. The leather rattled on and off the hoop before…
Failing to land inside the metal ring.
"Damn! That was close! So it's not perfect yet, huh?" Kamijou sighed as he picks up the ball. But for Sekiguchi, he could only stare. It's true that it's not yet perfect but if he practiced it, there's no doubt that he could do it equally!
"Kamijou!" Sekiguchi then thundered, "We can stop right now!"
"Eh why?" the boy responded with surprise.
"There's something that I need to talk about now," the ash blonde.
Once they head to the sidelines, the latter then began to ask, "Kid, how did you learn the basic moves so easily?"
"Well…" the Imagine Breaker user wasn't sure on how to exactly answer, "To be accurate, the first time a watch a basketball video, I felt like I could do it so I went outside and practiced the basics and when I see a basketball move being done, I can execute it in the crudest way."
"I see," Sekiguchi nodded. So he really has the same ability as that idiotic blonde, "Very well, then. I can tell that you'll have no problems in learning the basic and advanced techniques in basketball. But I'll still have to correct some forms and patterns in your playing style." He then raised his head, "But if you feel like deviating from what you learn, I won't stop you as long as your shots go in and you have the fundamentals in passing, shooting, and dribbling seeped into your bones. Now, let's get started!"
Present
"He sure is a slave driver," Kamijou muttered to himself as he began to shoot normal layups while bouncing the ball into a nearby pole to make it look as if he's receiving a pass. And as he shot the ball, he then saw himself facing the other side of the basketball ring, with the ball in his hands. Suddenly, he remembered that full-court shot that the guy he dubbed 'The Carrot Megane' did. He then gripped the ball tighter in his hands. Maybe…just maybe…I could do that one as well!
He then entered his shooting motion, and with an increased power in his right hand arms, and muscles, he then released the ball with a high arch that seemed to reached the sky. He then watched as the ball began to fall down. As long as it would hit the ring, then I'm fine with that. There's no way an ordinary guy like me could—
He was taken out of his thoughts when he saw the ball perfectly go inside the ring. It did rattle for a split second before finding its bottom.
What the!? So I made it as well, huh!? Wait…this must be a dream! He then touched his head with his right hand but when nothing happened, he knew it can't be a dream.
"That was a nice shot, Kamijou…"
"Oh thanks—huh!? Wait a sec! You're here, Kumokawa-senpai!?" He then turned his attention to a familiar girl with shoulder-length black hair, fringe tied back, and a fine body with an exceedingly ample bosom. It was none other than Kumokawa Seria.
"Oh? And here I thought you're going to greet me with a hello," the now-incoming college freshman dubbed the Beauty Senpai, walked towards the boy, who was too stunned to move, "Anyway, what are you doing here all by yourself? I think today is the time where your classmates began to find sports clubs. So why are you here playing basketball alone?" she then smiled for a bit before continuing, "I know, maybe you're trying to find a varsity team outside this school. Basketball's not really that big in this place, much less in our school."
Kamijou was surprised. Dammit! She had an idea of my secret plan.
"Did I hit the bullseye?" Kumokawa mockingly smiled as he walks closer to Kamijou, who was contemplating something on his head.
Feeling that he had no choice, Kamijou came up clean, "Actually, you're right. So I plan to go out of this city to join a varsity team and I have a selected a school to transfer to. The name is Seirin High School."
"Seirin?" the beauty senpai stroke her chin, "I never heard of that school but I'm pretty sure you'll do good. Besides, I plan to study outside Academy City as well so I might be able to watch your games."
"Wait? You aren't enrolled yet?" Kamijou raised her eyebrows. The response was a simple "Not Yet".
"All right," Kamijou sighed as he then dribbled and made a jump shot, "Please, can I ask a favor? Don't tell this to everyone. This is our little secret."
"I promise," Kumokawa smiled as she eyes the boy's attire, "So you do have a plan to take on the Generation of Miracles?"
"What? You know them?" Kamijou curiously inquired.
"They're famous outside Academy City," the girl explained, "Not that I know much since I don't really watch basketball but from what I have read, they're someone their contemporary middle school basketball players wouldn't dare to challenge during their three-year domination in Teiko Middle High."
She then gave a tap to Kamijou's shoulder before leaving, "Well, best luck to you, Kamijou-kun! I do hope I can watch some of you and Seirin's games."
As he watched his senpai leave, he was basically shaken from what he heard. I know they're powerful from a stranger's perspective but really, no one dared to stand up before them?
"I'm surprised that you went home so early, Touma," Index, who was busy watching television, noticed her partner enter the door.
"The school's too busy with sports club try outs and I'm not interested to join one," Kamijou answered as he puts down the pack of pudding that he bought, "Besides, it's pointless for me because we're going to leave this place anyway."
"Yay! Pudding!" Index squealed as Kamijou brings out a plastic cup of coffee pudding that he lays in the table.
"So you're home human. I want my share, too," Othinus, who was busy running away from Sphynx before finally able to hide in her doll house, squeaked at the sight of the large dessert in front of her.
"Wait! Before you eat that, let me cook some lunch first," Kamijou interrupted their cravings as he put on his apron.
"But Touma! I want to eat the pudding already!" the silver-haired nun stomped her food in anger as she watched Kamijou stuff the desserts in the refrigerator.
"No, Index and I mean it—ouch!" Kamijou was suddenly attacked by both the nun and the magic god as they are think that the spiky haired boy was depraving them their sweets.
"AAAAH! Such misfortune!"
"What are you doing, Izuki?" Hyuga spots the eagle-eyed point guard and vice-captain of the Seirin team thinking deeply as they took another round of water break. Their coach isn't in the great mood right now so she vented her anger towards the team by quadrupling everyone's training menu.
"I just felt like I need a good successor in my position before we graduate," Izuki explained, "As much as I hate to admit it, our point guard position isn't stable. Furihata can be a good substitute in some parts of the matches but honestly, I don't think he had the skill set and the mental toughness to even start the game. If anything, I wish I could convert Kuroko into a temporary point guard until we can recruit a true floor general."
"You do know Kuroko's skill set is different?" Hyuga sighed as he watches the phantom and tiger duo discuss something on the other side of the court, "We're lucky enough we were able to get at least three new recruits so they'll have their baptism tomorrow. But only two of them is decent enough. One of them is this Kuroko-like guy named Asahina Daigo and he seemed to play the same position as that Bakagami. The other one's a center named Yagi Yuta. He's like an inch taller than Kiyoshi but his skill is still lacking. And the third guy who's supposed to be a shooting guard like me isn't even a threat from the three-point line…"
"Hyuga!" Koganei Shinji, the cat face and his best friend, the unsung Mitobe Rinnosuke suddenly showed up and showed up with a bundle of papers.
"You can't believe this!" Koganei cried in jubilation as she shoves the papers into the captain's face, "We just accepted 36 new applicants—"
"Koga!" Hyuga yelled as he slaps the papers back into the cat face's hands, "At least, stop pushing those papers on my face, bakayarou! You'll break my glasses!"
He then grabbed the documents and began scanning them one by one. As he further reads, his face began to show signs that he wasn't actually that pleased at what he read.
"This guy said he joined because he wants to get his crush's attention. This other idiot said he joined because he thinks it's fun. This one…Ahhhhh! I'm getting headaches by just reading all their reasons for joining," the captain shouted as he seemed to enter clutch mode, "And most of them wants to play either the shooting guard or small forward. Are they trying to undermine me!?"
"But nevertheless, let's accept them in," Izuki tried to calm the captain down, "And no point guard? Seriously? That's some strange problem."
Mitobe could only make a facial expression.
As the seniors, sans Tsuchida who is down with fever, continued talking with one another, Kuroko and Kagami are busy talking about how their team's progress is going and their chances to finally take both the Interhigh and Winter Cup.
"I won but I still got to get back at that Ahomine for our worst lost last year!" Kagami declared as he gulps his bottle of Gatorade.
"I agree with you but it will be harder this time with Aomine-kun and the rest of our old Teiko team finally taking their practice seriously. And please, Kagami-kun, keep it down. You might end up getting involved in a physical scuffle," the tealnette was compelled to remind him, "By the way, is it just me or did Asahina-kun gave you the stink eye a while back?"
"Oh…that brat? He just hates me," the red head responded as he watched the mentioned freshman from afar busy talking with some of his fellow rookies, "But I guess it can't be helped. We play the same position after all. Oh, I heard from Izuki-senpai that we're seriously lacking an effective point guard. Does that mean that Furihata isn't enough?"
"That's very obvious," Kuroko, despite his gentleness, emphasized the latter word as if telling his current light that he's too idiot to even notice, "Furihata-kun's not mentally ready yet to take a more active role and his brief faceoff with Akashi-kun just proves that. What we need is a point guard that could take on the likes of Akashi-kun and Takao-kun."
"So a guard with an eye like Izuki-senpai, Takao, and that bastard Akashi?" Kagami didn't miss his chance cursing the former point guard and captain of the Generation of Miracles, "And the power of Kise's former captain Kasamatsu? Sounds like very close to impossible to me."
"Seems so but I do hope that someone shows up who is more than willing to take the challenge and succeed Izuki-senpai as the starting point guard," Kuroko made a wish as he finally finishes his bottle.
At this point, the trio of Furihata, Kawahara, and Fukuda had entered the gym. Even though their skill set's pretty much the same as last year, they have shown to be a bit more mature and not timid-like with Kagami.
"Yo, Kagami! Kuroko!" Kawahara shouted, startling the three, "Has anyone of you finished the Mathematics homework that involves the use of iteration?"
"Huh!? What!? Seriously?" Kagami's eyes widened in horror as his grades was abysmal to begin with, especially with his math subject, "When did he gave that homework?"
"He gave it when your busy sleeping, Kagami-kun," Kuroko was ready to facepalm, "I think he already gave it when it was Friday morning."
"Shit! Hey, can you all lend me your—"
"BAKAGAMII!"
Everyone in the gym froze as they hear their coach Aida Riko shout in the top of her lungs, "Where is that stupid Kagami? Hey you!"
"H-Hai, kan-taku?" Kagami was shivering as he watched his coach crack her knuckled.
"Tanizaki-sensei said that you're busy sleeping in your math class!" she roared as she began to hit Kagami with her slapping fan, "One more case and your training's going to be multiplied tenfold!"
"Eeeekh!" Kagami shrieked unmanly.
It was already night time and Kamijou was already preparing to sleep in the bath tub. This day was particularly bad, especially during the lunch time when he was bitten by both Index and Othinus when he stored the coffee puddings into the refrigerator. And as usual, his rotten luck had struck again, such as Tsuchimikado accidentally (or intentionally) turning off their transformer while busy using the electricity for cooking, his Kobe 9 shoes were ruined by Sphynx so he had to buy another one to ensure that his Kobe 6 won't be overused. And when he did manage to buy his pair, he then met his teacher Yomikawa Aiho in the Seventh Mist and by some accident, he groped her sensei's bosom. Of course, the Anti Skill lieutenant got enraged at this and he chased the hapless boy throughout District 7. While they were running, he accidentaly bumped into the tail of a German Shepperd and as a result, he had to run away from an angry Yomikawa and a rampaging dog. Fortunately, he managed to hide into a dark alley and wait before his pursuers had disappeared.
Such misfortune! Kamijou thought as he prepared himself to sleep. I do hope my luck doesn't become contagious when I transfer schools.
Suddenly, as he was about to sleep, he suddenly felt a burning sensation coming from his right hand. What's this? It seemed like my right hand is being barbequed by the dragons inside my hand.
The feeling suddenly became more severe and immediately, he began to scream in pain. Index, who was peacefully sleeping, suddenly was woken up by his cry and began to scramble to her feet, only to find her partner being in the floor struggling against what it seemed like an internal pain.
"Touma!" Index knelt into her partner as she began to find any cure from her 103, 000 grimoires, "Touma! Can you hear me!? Touma!"
The boy could only winced in pain as he suddenly began to hold and scratch his eyes, "My eyes! Shit! They're being burned! Wahhhh!"
"Huh!? Touma!?" Index can only watch as she can't find any particular cure in her grimoirse. Plus, she had no idea what was happening to him. His eyes are burning? But Touma, nothing out of the ordinary is happening at the moment.
Suddenly, the boy then stopped screaming as he then stood up, sitting, "Hah…hah…hah…that was painful. Index, did something happen?"
"No. If anything, I was worried about you," Index explained.
"Man, that feeling was painful!" Kamijou exclaimed as he touched his eyes, "I don't know how to explain it but for some reason, that burning-like feeling started in my right hand and it ended up streaming thought my veins into my eyes…argh, let's just sleep! At least, nothing bad happened."
As Index goes back to the bed, the spiky haired boy could only sigh in relief.
#
The next day, it was another half day as the whole school is preparing for another round of club recruitment day, this time with the student organizations such as photography, theatre, mountaineering, etc. laying out their tabled in the school entrance to attract interested students.
"Man! I managed to enjoy the lawn tennis tryouts and I have found a couple of cute girls who can satisfy my taste!" Aogami happily said as he, Kamijou, and Tsuchimikado are busy walking around the recruitment center to look out for some interesting organizations, although the one with the black hair is obviously not interested like yesterday and is busy rolling his Spalding basketball again.
"You said it, Aogami! Hey, Kami-yan! You're really not interested in joining any clubs?" the blonde asked as he watched Kamijou fiddling with his basketball.
"They're not really appealing to me," the Imagine Breaker lied, "I'd rather stay at home and sleep all day rather than to commit myself in a club that might only get affected by my luck."
"I see," Tsuchimikado nodded, "Well, it's better that way since we don't want that Kami-yan Disease spreading into the other beautiful girls of the clubs."
Deciding not to argue any further, Kamijou only sighed in annoyance as they continued walking around the clubs which are now filled with people.
"Hey, look over there!" Aogami points to a particular club, "Isn't that Sasaki of the modelling club? Let's join there!"
"Yeah! Hey, Kami-yan, won't you really give it a try?" Tsuchimikado asked one more time as they prepare to get applicant papers.
"Just go ahead, guys. I'll wait you all here," Kamijou flashed a small smile as he began to dribble the ball.
"All right. If you say so, nya," the esper-magician hybrid replied as the two then raced off into the recruiting table. As they began to take their pictures as part of the process, Kamijou could only imagine what will be his life in Seirin be like. So would the clubs there be like here? And what kind of coach would I encounter? The terror or the gentle one?
"Kamijou!"
The spiky haired boy could only freeze as he recognized the cold, dry voice that called to him. He then turned his head to see Fukiyose, who is wearing her trademark jersey jacket, glaring at him as she places her hands in her hips.
"Compared to those fellow two idiot friends of yours, you're pretty lazy at this point," she growled as out of the blue, she tried to snatch the Spalding basketball that Kamijou was dribbling but fortunately, he dribbled it backwards and threw it up in the air, grabbing it back while it was still airborne.
"Fu-Fukiyose…" he stammered as he found herself staring into her brown eyes that is burning with fury, "I'm not really into those clubs so I chose to wait them here…"
"Yeah right," the busty girl slams her right hand into her forehead, "First, you didn't even try to join the sports clubs and now, you're being too lazy too even try the most insignificant club here? Don't you plan to stop blaming that false bad luck and start trying to improve your life?"
"Well…"
"Hey, don't dare treat Kamijou-kun like that!"
The two were interrupted by someone whom the spiky haired boy actually had a talk just yesterday.
"Kumokawa-senpai!" the two erupted simultaneously as they watch the alumna walk towards them, specifically the spiky-haired boy.
"Kamijou-kun," she winked at him, "I see that you're really serious about that thing. Well, I came here to visit and I just happen to see you with this cheap imitation running her mouth to you."
"What did you say!?" Fukiyose didn't appreciate Kumokawa's comment about her as the latter only smiled at the Forehead Deluxe.
"Nothing," Kumokawa teased as he then faced Kamijou, "It's will be such a sight and pleasure to see you play in Seirin High School. I plan to purchase every basketball ticket for the Interhigh and Winter Cup."
"Well, sure—huh!? Hey!" Kamijou cried when he realized what their senpai had just said. Didn't I make you promise not to say anything!?
"Huh!? What's that, Kumokawa…senpai?" Fukiyose, who caught snippets of what the beauty senpai said, was now suspicious, "What does she mean, Kamijou!?"
"Uh…well…" now the boy is now mentally panicking, trying to search any believable excuse, "It's just that…"
As if on cue, Kumokawa then grabbed his arm, "Not to be rude but I need to talk to this boy personally," and without warning, she grabbed him and they ran away from the busty girl.
"H-Hey!" Fukiyose raged as she watched them disappear.
#
"That was a dangerous stunt!" Kamijou exclaimed as she and Kumokawa was panting for fresh air after running away into a secluded area of the school, "Besides, why the hell did you said that to Fukiyose!?"
"I'm sorry Kamijou-kun. I simply got carried away," Kumokawa chuckled as she gives Kamijou her extra water bottle, "But really, if I have the chance, I'll come in every game that you'll play."
"I can't be sure on that," the boy said cautiously, "I will be just a new recruit by then and besides, there'll be others too who might be pretty skilled so I might get garbage minutes…huh?"
"What? What is it?" Kumokawa looked into him with a weird expression.
My eyes are starting to have another viewpoint! He exclaimed as suddenly, he found his own eyesight suddenly shifting mentally from Kumokawa into the whole place. Wha-What's this!? It's like I'm standing in a belvedere! I can see the whole school campus from bird's eye view! Li-Like a Falcon? I can't believe it! It looks cool!
Suddenly, he was stunned to see a person from his high point of view closing in on their location. Shimatta! That looks like Fukiyose! We need to hide!
"Huh!? What the…" Kumokawa wasn't able to say anything as he was grabbed by the younger teen into a more hidden room. At first, she was quite confused at the actions of the former but then, when she heard a familiar voice shouting, she then understood why.
"Dammit! I swear I heard that voice of that Kamijou here!" Fukiyose angrily noted as she crushes a paper cup of energy drink into her hands, "I was just about to offer him my sports drink to try to cure him of his anemia." She then sighed, pouted and softened her voice, "I guess I'll just beat his ass when we see each other in class tomorrow."
Once she was gone, Kamijou chuckled as she leads out Kumokawa from their hiding place, "Man! That was close, hehehe!" But for the senpai, she was baffled. How was he able to see Fukiyose coming when she was out of our vision and she's in our blindsides? Did he hear her footsteps? I don't know. If that's the case, then I should have heard it as well but…
"Kamijou," Kumokawa then asked the boy with a serious face, "Do you have any other abilities aside from your right hand?"
"Wait…how did you know that?" Kamijou was surprised to hear other people talk about his mysterious Imagine Breaker but seeing the seriousness of his upperclassman's face, he felt compelled to confess what happened last night, "Hnn…how did I see Fukiyose? Well…it's kinda hard to explain but I felt like the power that resides in my right hand extended up to the point where it messes up my eyesight with another line of sight. Basically, it's having the eyes of a falcon or eagle wherein I can see everything from above."
"I…I see," Kumokawa could only gaze in awe of hearing her kouhai's newfound ability. An Eye that can see everything from above? How amazing!
"I'm lucky this time that we avoided Fukiyose or else…" suddenly, he stopped talking when a thought just struck him. Now that I remember it, I watched the point guard of the Generation of Miracles move and Sekiguchi mentioned that he can "see" everything. Are his eyes the same as mine? I'll have to find out!
"Sorry to be rude but I got to go!" Kamijou excused himself, "I just thought of something so I need to see someone!" He then ran ahead.
"Good luck then, Kamijou-kun!" Kumokawa waved her hands in good bye.
#
Having a new set of eyes which he dubbed "Falcon Eyes" proved to be somewhat useful for the spiky haired boy, though it didn't mean he'll not encounter bad luck. In his haste, he slipped into a puddle of mud, got his folding phone cracked, and almost got bitten by the same dog that chased him yesterday. His Falcon Eyes though helped him choose the best shortcut routes and most of all, he managed to avoid the still-terrifying Misaka Mikoto, who happened to walk nearby with her loyal teleporting kouhai Shirai Kuroko.
Reaching his apartment, he was already panting for air when he opened the door. He was greeted by the sight of Index and Othinus already chomping down the cooked tacos while Sphynx is busy drinking its cow milk. Kamijou could only smile. Is Index influencing Othinus's appetite?
"You're early again, Touma," Index raised her eyes as she notices her partner come inside, "And what happened to your shirt?"
"I slipped into another muddy path again," Kamijou explained hurriedly as he removes his soiled clothes and quickly entered the bathtub to clean himself. Shit! I do smell horrible! As he takes a bath, he kept remembering that certain red head from the Generation of Miracles. He looks so intimidating. The way he moves, it's just like he's telling to get out of the way or face the wrath. I don't know. I just feel it like that.
After he finished showering, he then put on his basketball attire and his newly-bought Kobe 4 "China" while grabbing his duffel bag and ball. "Where are you going again, Touma? You seemed to be in a hurry…" Index asked, now quite worried that this might be another case of a secret one-man army battle against formidable magic gods and sorcerers.
As if reading what's in Index's mind, Kamijou brushed it off, "I don't need to wear any of these shoes it it's a magic god being involved in the first place so there's nothing to worry about. Also, do try to sweep the floor because it's so dusty. I'll just order something from Macronall Hamburger for some light snack and get something from Julian. See ya, Index!" He exited the door.
"Okay, Touma! Bye bye!" Index waved her hands as she watched her partner ran off as fast.
Running into a familiar place, the spiky haired boy found his direction leading to the Seventh Mist, where Sekiguchi is still working at this point. I know it would be rude but I just needed to confirm something before we leave this city.
He quickly found the outlet of the ash blonde, which is visible from the outside. Slowing down, he noticed that it's deserted as usual so he'll barely have any hard time dealing with some customer. Entering in, he noticed Sekiguchi reading some kind of a pamphlet.
"Sekiguchi!" he called the attention of the ash blonde, who was startled by his arrival and had to put down what he's reading. "Ka-Kamijou! What made you go here? Tournament's going to start only in the afternoon and our training's every afternoon and weekend. What made you go here? And at an earlier time at 2 pm?"
"I just need to ask something," the spiky haired boy was straightforward, "You mentioned last Sunday night that the point guard of the Kiseki no Sedai had the ability to nullify everything, offense or defense. Does he have some kind of extra eye that allows him to see everything on court?"
This question caught Sekiguchi off-guard. How the hell did he guessed it so correctly? Is he some kind of a genius? Or did he simply had a hunch on it?
"Why are you asking it, kid?" the ash blonde smirked, "Didn't I tell you that the rests is up to you…"
"I know that," Kamijou butted in, "But something happened so I just wanted to confirm it. If anything, can you observe it later in the streetball match?"
This yet surprised Sekiguchi again. What does he want to happen? Is he saying that he had the same kind of ability as his? It can't be. That's too ridiculous. But seeing this lad's serious face, I don't think it's bad if I'll try to consider his suggestion.
"Alright kid. If that's what you want, then let's talk to out other teammates about this," the ash blonde conceded as he fishes out his phone.
#
Himegami Aisa was already walking towards District 13, dazing off. It was a very exhausting day for the Gemstone whose ability I called Deep Blood. She was coerced by Fukiyose and some classmates to join the modelling club but ended up avoiding it after seeing Tsuchimikado and Aogami basically watching every girl in their bikinis. It wasn't until Fukiyose beat them up and was shouting words such as "Where is your other stupid trio, huh!?" and "Where the hell could that Kamijou be?" that she realized that she didn't even notice the presence of the spiky haired boy, whose life she compared to a dating sim. He didn't even join any club, since yesterday. What is he planning to do?
As if answering her thoughts, she suddenly caught the image of the boy he's looking for some 50 feet form her distance. Quickly hiding into the nearby bushes, she noticed him being with a taller male with a somewhat blonde hair. He's wearing some kind of attire which is normally used in basketball. Is he playing that sport?
With curiosity getting the best out of her, she decided to follow the duo, who seemed to be arguing something like "seriously, you think you can challenge the Generation of Miracles", "I won't know until I try", "Well, you're ability's more like that of the stupid blonde who's so annoying that I if mere looks can kill, he would have been dead a hundred times", "Was that supposed to be an indirect compliment?", "Hell if I know, but if you don't measure up against them, you might end up being like those Uncrowned Kings", "Huh? Uncrowned Kings? Who the hell are they? Some kind of exiled royalty?", "You really are stupid, to be honest", "What? Like hell if I know!"
Generation of Miracles? Uncrowned Kings? Stupid Blonde? What the hell are those? Some kind of hidden enemies that Kamijou-kun is fighting? Himegami was having a hard time decrypting the conversation she's hearing. Tailing them, she noticed the two get out of the walls (which would mean crossing the borders between Academy City and the rest of Tokyo). She bit her lip as she searches her bag for her own gate pass, which she fortunately had brought along. Showing her pass to the sentry, she quickly walked briskly without running as to avoid being detected by the two. She then realized she is now surrounded by the typical Japanese scenery. While not really different from Academy City, it's actually more peaceful, cleaner, and dotted by many houses and mini-stores. She spotted the two then enter a public area, which happened to be filled with a lot of people with basketball equipment similar to the Imagine Breaker user. So he's joining a tournament here, huh?
As she thought aloud, she felt hungry so she was forced to buy some food in the nearby stalls. Unfortunately for her, the line was so long so she really had to wait. After buying, she hurried herself into one of the remaining seats available in the sidelines and as she eats a piece of barbeque, the announcer had proclaimed the start of the game. And the lined-up teams were what caught Himegami's attention. That's Kamijou-kun over there! He spotted the boy with the same black-and-green jersey as his teammates.
And when the ball was tipped off, Himegami was amazed on how Kamijou dashed past his defenders. His speed and agility are so out-of-this-world! I never knew he could play so good as this. Can someone in our class even challenge him on basketball? Wait, I didn't know this the first time I met him at Macronall. In fact, I don't know if any of our classmates knows this. Does Seiri knows this?
#
"What!?" the opposing team can barely react when they saw Kamijou replicating his own version of the teardrop, the basketball move done by "floating" a ball into the air until it lands into a hoop. Just some seconds ago, the opposing team scored their first point by doing the same move.
Thanks for the small demonstration. Kamijou can't help but mock them inwardly.
The opposing floor general had the ball, with the spiky haired boy marking him. Feeling annoyed by the fact that his move is copied, the guard then tried to shake off the Imagine Breaker but to no avail. Seeing the situation getting tense, a big man tried to screen out Kamijou to free his own teammate. At this point, he didn't see the smirk in the raven's face.
As the guard tried to move around the screen, Kamijou did what shocked the two.
He spun around and by doing so, he was able to avoid colliding with the screen and managing to stich with his mark.
"What the fuck!?" the guard, in his shock, stalled his offense and by doing so, he only gave his defender an easier way to snatch the ball. Kamijou did just that.
Slapping the ball away, the raven grabbed it and began to go on a fast break.
"Shit! The offense turned it over! Chase him!" their guard shouted as everyone rushed back to where the offense is now headed. A certain center, who is surprisingly fast for his weight, managed to tail the spiky haired boy and as he motioned for a layup, he jumped higher to block the shot.
The layup never came, to his astonishment.
Instead, as he was in the state of jumping, Kamijou postponed his attack and decided to pass it backwards, with the ball ending in the hands of Okusu, who dunks it with force. Their lead was increased into double figures.
W-What was that!? Sekiguchi, who opted not to play to see what his protégé is talking about, was shocked to see Kamijou being able to pass on his blind spot. Unless he had an extra eye, he can't simply sense that screen and block coming! Or maybe that's what he wants me to know? He though out aloud as the whistle of the referee signified the calling of a timeout.
In the crowd, Himegami can't believe what she just saw. All I know is that Kamijou-kun had a strange hand but to see him avoid that one, I don't think he had a single skill.
After deciding to sit out for the remainder of the game, Kamijou and Sekiguchi watched their teammates finish off their smaller opponents by imposing their heights in the shaded area, ending the game with a 52 – 40 victory. As everyone gathered in jubilation, Sekiguchi can't help but ask, "Oi, kid! Do you have an extra eye?"
The younger male blinked before replying, "That's what I want to say all along. I just think you won't believe me so I thought by demonstrating it in an actual game, I would be making more sense."
The ash blonde couldn't believe it. So he had a mental eye that after all, huh? I can't say if it's enough to challenge the eye of that red head brat but surely, it will give him leverage in any match that he plays.
"Hnn. I believe you kid," Sekiguchi finally admitted as he and the young bay then separate from their teammates to walk into their own path. Not far from their location, Himegami also stood up and went on her way, thought she decided to wait a certain pair of black and blonde to go back first in the walled border before she herself follows.
#
"Touma!" Index greets her partner, who is carrying a paper bag full of fries, roasted chicken, and gravy, enter their doorway, "Why does your face looks like it got a cut?"
"You see," Kamijou hesitated before continuing, "I was on my way to Julian when I accidentally tripped into a stone and I ended up crashing headlong in the pavement." And after that, I just realized that my wallet's here so I used by card, a dirty boy fired a water cannon at me, and most of all, that dumb dog showed up again and stole the other chicken that was supposed to augment our dinner while I'm in the sidewalks helping a kid get back his stuck balloon in the tree branches. Such misfortune!
"I smell fries," Othinus, who just got out from her doll house, then joined the duo as the Imagine Breaker gets an alcohol to treat his wounds, "What happened to your face, human? It ached my head seeing you put bandages."
"Something bad just happened to me though it wasn't serious," Kamijou explained as he then got to the kitchen to cook something as an alternative to the packed chicken that he lost to that German Shepperd. For some reason, that savage canine just hates me so much.
As he watches his two female companions and Sphynx enjoy themselves, he wondered out aloud. Some weeks from now, I'll be leaving this place with no regrets. Which reminds me, what kind of people are the Generation of Miracles? If I play them right now, what would the result be? I know I saw them on those two CDs but playing them for real is an entirely different experience. Come to think of it, I haven't even stepped into Seirin yet. I'll have to complete some requirements needed in transferring.
#
The next day, Kamijou Touma came to school just as early as he could, this time bringing all his basketball equipment in his duffel bag. He entered his room, only to be greeted by the same and normal ruckus that usually prevails in their whole class as last year. He spots Aogami and Tsuchimikado arguing how each other blew up their plan to snoop into the women's section of the modelling club. I'm pretty sure they got beaten up by someone in the same club.
As he sat in his chair, he breathed with excitement as this was the day where he will be able to play in an event in their tournament where it is a three-by-three game, with the winner having a cash prize. That way, I'll be honing everything I see!
"Kamijou!"
It seemed the boy's happy imagination didn't last as it was shattered by that one, cold, dry voice that obviously belongs to the most feared lady in their class.
"H-hai…Fukiyose!?" the spikey haired boy stammered as he watches the Forehead Deluxe march to where he is seated, "What's the matter? It's just early in the morning and yet…"
"Stop messing with me!" she growled but then, she immediately softens her voice, "What did Kumokawa-senpai told you? And where the hell did you two ran off? Why didn't you show up for the rest of the period before the early dismissal?"
"Okay! Okay!" Kamijou was near to cover his ears against the wave-like voice of the busty girl, "Kumokawa-senpai only had a small talk with me concerning about her college enrollment, their school, and…"
"And what…"Fukiyose, not fully convinced at what Kamijou is saying, pressed on, "What do you have even to do with her college education?"
'Well…I don't know about her. Even I'm confused…hehehe," the spiky haired boy chuckled nervously as he tried to dismiss everything by changing topics, "Hey, where is Komoe-sensei?"
Fukiyose changed her mood into a somewhat relaxed one, "Argh…she'll be able to attend our classes for a month and two weeks due to some commitments for the Board of Directors."
"Board of Directors? Watt, does she already hold a position in the higher ups?" Kamijou asked, genuinely surprised.
"I don't know. That's what I heard," Fukiyose explained as she then gives a pack of milk to the boy, "We will have a substitute teacher until she returns but for now, drink this. It will help you stimulate your stupid brain since you didn't join any clubs where you could have been more productive."
"I'm sorry, hehehe," Kamijou accepted the drink, "But really, I'm not interested in any club. Maybe I could find one but not right now, I'm contented to just survive the whole day…"
"Liar…"
Kamijou somewhat was shaken by what he heard. He then turns his head to see Himegami flashing a rare frown on him.
"Hmm? Is something wrong Aisa?" Fukiyose asked her best friend as she walks closer.
"Nothing," Himegami then kept quiet as coincidentally, their male substitute teacher had already entered the room but throughout the day, Kamijou could sense the usually calm and gentle Deep Blood user displaying such an intense look and glare that, strangely, was directed upon him. Huh? I don't know but it feels like she's holding a grudge against me. But why? What the hell did I even do?
After classes, he then rushed into their washroom to change his clothing into his basketball attire as he will go straight to the tournament area. Almost everyone from my class has left so no one can see me on this.
But when he got out of the door…
"Kamijou-kun…"
The boy basically paled. It was Himegami.
"Hi-Himegami? Why are you here? Shouldn't you attend your club activities right now?" Kamijou asked calmly as he could, though deep inside him, he began to feel nervous as what she was about to say was connected to her strange behavior earlier during classes.
"Why are you hiding it?" Himegami asked softly, though with a slight hint of intensity.
"Huh? Hide what?" Kamijou asked, dumbfounded.
"I saw everything yesterday…." Himegami began to mutter, "I saw you play in that basketball game outside…outside Academy City…"
"H-Huh? Eh…what are you saying? Hehehe," Kamijou tried to feign ignorance.
"Please, stop pretending, Kamijou-kun," Himegami, now slightly irritated, showed a rare display of emotion, "So why did you hide it from everyone?"
Seeing this kind of her character somewhat surprised the spiky haired boy since Himegami is known to be quite a serene girl but at this point, he knew he had to admit it, "Well, I guess it can't be helped if you saw it. Fine…the truth is, I plan to take my talents somewhere in Tokyo so in other words, I'll be leaving this city to pursue basketball outside." After blurting it out, the girl can't help but tilt from her position. She was basically shocked to hear this revelation from the boy. He plans to leave this city?
"Shocking, huh? But I felt by staying here so long, I think I'm limiting myself into this place," Kamijou expressed himself as he grips his ball tighter, "At the very least, when I get out of this place, I might be able to find something for myself."
Himegami could only nod but deep inside, she felt like crying. Huh? So you're really leaving? How could I confess now my true feelings to him?
Her face fell into a deep melancholy, something which Kamijou caught and immediately panicked, "H-Hey, don't be sad! It's not like I hate this city. We'll still see each other, you know! I'm grateful for the things I learned and experienced here! I'll always be grateful for this city! It's just that, there are some things require me to really go out of your comfort zone. Hey! I'll share you a secret!"
This made Himegami a little shaken but overjoyed. Huh!? H-He's sharing a secret with me!?
"Not everyone knows this but I'll tell you exactly where I will study. It's a school called Seirin High School. Uhm…if you want…I can always buy you ticket for our games. If I manage to land in a roster spot. So in exchange for that, will you please keep this between me and you only? The only other person who knows this is Kumokawa-senpai," Kamijou explained.
Himegami can only smile in joy, albeit small, as she whispered back, "Yes. I'll keep it as a promise…"
After their encounter in the washroom, Kamijou then ran out of their school campus and immediately proceeded to District 13, where his mentor and teammates were waiting for him.
For the rest of April and the first week of May, Kamijou Touma further polished and augmented his basketball style by participating with his teammates in specific matches. There, Kamijou managed to always watch some moves from his opponents and as a result, he always adds them into his "arsenal" of skills. When he isn't playing, he'll take notes in his little notebook of the do's and don'ts in playing intense matches. At Sundays, he had personal lessons with Sekiguchi, who always push him to a limit by putting certain handicaps in their one-one-ones such as Kamijou needing to score thirty points against the ash blonde but a mere basket would mean victory for the older male. Sometimes, he will take time to relearn his basics and improve his physique by jogging in the early morning, which, by the way, had its own downside not on the basketball side but because Index and Othinus would always complain that he prioritizes basketball over their breakfast. If there is anything he had an issue, it's copying the Kiseki no Sedai. It's not that he can't copy the moves of the vaunted prodigies. It's an issue of consistency.
"Dammit!" the spiky haired boy cursed loudly one Sunday morning as his own version of the formless shot resulted in it only rattling off the ring. Out of ten tries, only three managed to land in and the rest was the usual "almost but not quite" attempts.
"You look stupid, human," Othinus, who was watching him do what she called Frisbee, "I don't know why you are doing that in anger."
Eventually, he learned to replicate those movements but found out that there is a certain limit in copying them, as he realized that he cannot last in a whole game when he'll do all those moves. He learned it the hard way when he almost collapsed in the middle of the fourth quarter of the streetball tournament after unveiling his own version of the "Perfect Copy" non-stop from the first to the last quarters.
"Idiot! You should know the consequences of what you're doing!" Sekiguchi roared as he helps the pale teen into the bench, "Freestyle basketball is already fine for you but copying them from those rainbow brats could be too brutal! Try to polish your orthodox moves as well! It might look boring but it will pay off eventually in some critical matches!'
I guess you're right. I relied too much on this. Such misfortune! Kamijou groaned as he sat on the bleacher drinking tons of Gatorade. By that time, their score is already way ahead, 121 – 33, with most of their opponents already giving up, evident in their shocked faces and panting lungs.
As suggested by Sekiguchi, Kamijou turned his sights on making his basic movements smooth. Since it's the fundamentals, he had no hard time adjusting to it as he mastered them in a nick of time. At least, I can switch from unorthodox movements to the basic ones where every movement is not wasted.
But aside from basketball, his normal life is pretty much the same, which means he still regularly encounter his rotten luck elsewhere. In just one week, he landed in the hospital four times due to Fukiyose still regularly beating him up and his two fellow Idiot Trio friends, repeated bites from Index, zapping from Misaka who wanted to advanced their (somewhat unstable) friendship to the next level but ended up blushing and releasing her (literal) sparks instead and the German Shepperd only adding to his misery.
It was already Friday of the second week of May and right now, Kamijou and his friends were seated on their desks as they are listening to their substitute teacher that Komoe would be coming back and that they must welcome her when she returns.
"Man! I missed Komoe-sensei so much!" Aogami exclaimed as he and Tsuchimikado were busy celebrating at the return of their loli teacher. Kamijou was busy rolling his ball in his fingertips, which is somewhat becoming a new norm and sight among his classmates, though most of his male populace were somewhat confused as the boy they despise for 'hogging' a lot of women didn't even do such manner last year and was previously only sleeping at these moments of the class.
"I'm pretty sure she misses you, Kami-yan!" Tsuchimikado turned to their spiky haired best friend, who could only cringe at them, "She'll be ready to give Kami a lot of punishments at supplementary lessons. Isn't that wonderful? She really likes you!"
Knowing his friends' own meaning of the word 'punishment', the Imagine Breaker could only sigh as he replies, "I don't think giving a lot of home works and supplementary lessons is equal to affection, Tsuchimikado."
But it only added fire to the shenanigans of the pair of blue and yellow, "You really like mocking us, huh, Kami-yan? Don't you see it? She won't go into the trouble of staying beyond the regular times just to lecture you!" the blonde spat back. Kamijou chose not to say anything as his mind was drifting away.
"Kamijou!" Fukiyose suddenly appeared and, without warning, sat on his table, "You seemed drowsy again! Here, drink this energy drink!"
"Are you sure?" the boy asked as he takes the bottle.
"I-It's not like I want to share it!" Fukiyose slightly blushed, though the boy didn't see this immediately, "I just felt I needed to salvage whatever is left of your brain neurons."
Kamijou only flinched as he started drinking. Was that supposed to be a compliment or an insult!?
After classes, he then went straight to their guidance office to seek a release paper. While waiting, he watched the nearby window show a panoramic view of the city, which was 85 percent complete in its rehabilitation. I hope this is not the last time I get to set foot in this city. I maybe in another school right now but I still care for the people here.
After securing his release, which was heatedly debated upon seeing that his grades were somewhat lacking, thought not as bad as last year, Kamijou happily walked in the lobby in what could be his last day as a student. As he went on, he then meets Himegami along the way.
"Hey, Himegami!" Kamijou waved at her, "Why are you alone? Isn't Fukiyose with you?"
"No, she said that she needs to attend to her club meeting so her I am, walking home alone," Himegami explained as she watched Kamijou walks towards her. Feeling pity on her, the boy then asked, "Do you want me to accompany you home? I still have plenty of time before I play in our tournament?"
Feeling shocked, the Deep Blood user asked, "Is it okay with you? I mean I'm taking away your time." To her surprise, he motioned that it's fine with him so she tags along with him.
"Is this your last day in this school?" Himegami asked as she walks with the boy.
"I think so," Kamijou replied, "But don't worry. If I have time, I'll always be visiting you all. Just don't tell this to anyone, not even Fukiyose."
Himegami only nodded as she gives a sad smile. As for Kamijou, he was excited to restart his high school life.
Seirin High School, here I come!
PLAYER PROFILE
Name: Kamijou Touma
Kanji: 上条当麻
VITAL STATISTICS
Gender: Male
Age: 17
*Height: 176 cm (5' 8")
Weight: 65 kg (143 lbs)
PROFESSIONAL STATISTICS
SCHOOL: A Certain High School/Seirin High School
TEAM: Seirin High School/National Men's Basketball Team
POSITION: Point Guard
ABILITY: Imagine Breaker/Precognition
TALENT - Streetball
- Copying/Perfect Copy
- Falcon Eye
- Dragon's Eye (enhanced Falcon Eye)
- Speed/Agility/Change of Pace
- Zone
SKILL
Physical Ability: 9/10
Technique: 10/10
Stamina: 10/10
Mental Strength: 10/10
Special Ability: 10/10
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*I'm not sure what's his true height, to be honest. The Fandom page says he's a bit shorter (169 cm) but I read somewhere in the comments that the particular info is wrong and is listed much taller at 176 cm so I decided to use the alternative one. Besides, I saw in Episode 18 that he's only a few inches shorter than Tsuchimikado, who's flatly at six feet.
About the updates, I can't tell again. As I said, it might take a month or two due to college studies.
Well, I do hope you like this second update. Thanks a lot of you took the time to read it.
See you soon!