Only five hours has just passed and yet, Kamijou can finally feel himself suffering from the effects of not being able to stand that very long. What more then since this flight will last for roughly eleven hours? Such misfortune. He then remembers the message that Alexandra Garcia—or Alex—had sent to him yesterday night after having a fight with Index regarding her coming along with him in Los Angeles. The time zone between Japan and California is very different so I suggest you start adjusting yourself to it. Oh and we'll meet at the airport terminal tomorrow. He groaned, not minding Index's continuous complaints of whether she wants to eat beef or fish. Man, I just want to get this over and get some rest when I finally reach fucking America!
"Are you okay, Touma?" Fukiyose, noticing her seatmate having an expression of slight worry and scowl, "It looks like you are having some disturbing thoughts again. Try being more relaxed baka." She said with a concerned voice that was masked in slight irritation.
"Yeah, yeah. I was just wondering whether I could learn something out of this training camp," he sighed as he knew he's bound to face another problem. I would be stuck in a place full with English. He's no stranger to being in a foreign land, having been to Britain twice and Russia once but this is different for some reasons. I guess I'll just have to wait up and see what happens when we get there.
He then takes out an iPad and began watching some videos of The Professor and Hot Sauce that he downloaded last night. They're two of the best street ball players that I know so far so I'll just watch this…and probably try to understand some of the colloquial language and slang that they use. He then put on his headsets as he began to watch the first video of the white dribbler challenging some random dudes in the streets. But he wasn't even halfway through the video minutes later when he suddenly heard Index beginning to tantrum out as her shout even overpowered Grayson Boucher's voice in the video, "Touma! Touma! I wanted to eat now!"
Quickly calling the attention of a flight attendant, Touma then at Index over his seat and said, "Calm down Index. Food is on the way." As if on cue, the flight attendant came rushing into the scene, bringing in some thick-filled sandwiches and a glass of juice. Kamijou then wasn't surprise to see his partner already gulped down the three snacks in a mere two minutes as he gobbles down the juice. I see you have a hard time dealing with her. Fukiyose thought as she removes her scarf and places them on her knees.
While she does have a passport, she only went to trips during summer times and it's only limited to neighbouring Asian countries. She had never been to America and so, this would be her first time. And Touma's been sent there to train, huh? It was then that she realized one thing that somehow horrified her.
Basketball is originally an American sport and people in the US, especially the blacks, are known to be tall and brawny. The latter one is what made Fukiyose worried.
"Oi, Touma," she decided to voice out her concerns, "I was just wondering, if you will play in America for a week and four days, doesn't that mean you will face a lot of taller players."
"Yeah and so what of it?" the spiky haired boy asked, quite unfazed.
"Well, it's just that they're taller than the average Asian and they're quite powerful so…"
"Uhm…isn't that what they call a stereotype?" Kamijou said blandly, "Besides, it's not like I won't be able to hold my own against them. After all, life is about challenges and I can't wait to face much stronger opponents there. It would help me learn stuff." He said in a confident way and after that, he felt drowsy and fell asleep.
Fukiyose just smiled as she then then watches her seatmate snore. You've become a basketball idiot.
#
At eleven hours, the flight from Narita Airport to Los Angeles, California was just so long. Way too long. Everyone was at their limit as Index even began to tire out from ironically not moving her legs for that long. By the time the airplane had finally landed in Los Angeles International Airport, they were all cranky, jetlagged, and utterly wanting to just stretch their legs. Himegami felt like she wanted to puke out as her first experience in riding in a Los Angeles-bound plane pushed her stomach to the limit and she was getting dizzy. Kamijou and Fukiyose are already wanting to just get out of the plane while Index just wanted to taste some Los Angeles cuisine. By the time they got out of the plane, Fukiyose can feel the cold winds of the nights of California breezing past her as she hugs herself to keep herself warm. She then looked at a giant clock in a tower and it read, "1:00 AM, California Time."
"So it's early in the morning of Friday, technically," Kamijou whispered to himself as he was able to stretch his legs after seating in the plane for eleven hours doing nothing but to wait. As the group of four (technically five if Othinus, who's stuffed in Kamijou's pocket at the moment, is included) finally retrieves their belongings after they were scanned in the airport's x-ray scanners, the spiky haired boy led the way as he remembered that he and Alex were supposed to meet in the terminal. And true to her word, she was there when the group went there.
"Kamijou-san! There you are!" the blonde Spanish-American former pro said in flawless English as she waved at them as she then walks closer, "You just came at exactly 1 in the morning. Oh and I'm surprise that you decided to take four women with you here in Los Angeles."
"Uh…actually, it's a long matter," the poor boy also replied in English, albeit in an awkward way as he's not that very well versed in speaking another tongue, "But I came her just like you said…uh…to train me, right?" For some reason, Fukiyose was genuinely amazed that Kamijou was able to hold and reply conversations in English, albeit in poor pronunciations. That's even if he's not even the smartest guy that I know.
"I see you're all suffering in jet lag," Alex then mischievously looks at Himegami, who notices it instantly and was actually taken aback, "Hmmm…Japanese girls are really cute, huh?" And to the surprise (and horror) of the three, the blonde suddenly wrapped her left arm around the shoulders of the Deep Blood user, causing the latter to freeze in shock. The next sequence of events left the three people shocked out of their wits.
Alex just kissed Himegami in the lips.
"Eeeeeehhh!?" Kamijou and Index can only scream in horror as Fukiyose's eyes turned white as she covers her mouth at what just she witnessed. Himegami then struggled out to get out of Alex's grip and when she did, she distanced herself some five feet away. "Oh, don't you like it? Too bad. You were really cute." Alex smiled like she didn't do anything. The Imagine Breaker holder only sweat dropped at this. Oi, Kagami, is this the woman that I first met back in Seirin High with Himuro!?
After the kissing fiasco, Alex all leads them to her car, which is actually a large van spacey enough to fit in the four of them as well as their luggage and bags. Himegami somehow manage to recover from the shock that she received in having her first kiss stolen by a woman and right now, she's walking besides Fukiyose, who was nudging a little closer to Kamijou, who was following the blonde, glasses-wearing woman. "Touma," Index suddenly whispered, "I thought we were on vacation. Who is this woman, then?"
"I didn't say anything about a vacation," Kamijou replied, quite sighing, "The reason we are here in America because I was invited to train under her wings."
"You always think nothing but basketball," Index huffed.
"Then you shouldn't have come along here in Los Angeles."
"Then…I have no complains, Touma!"
"Can I ask you, Kamijou? Who are there women with you?" Alex suddenly asked.
"Oh…" the boy trailed off, "Well, the first one with brown eyes is Fukiyose Seiri. The one whom you just kissed a while back is Himegami Aisa. And the last one is…Index…"
"I see," Alex seemed to be content with his reply as she briefly switches in Nihonggo, "Well, here we are. And this day, you'll meet your very first training partner. Hey, Eddy!" The group finally reached the silver-colored van where a black man in Rastafarian-style braids was waiting for them as he leaned on the vehicle. He was wearing a black shirt, baggy pants, chain in his neck, and a ball cap worn backwards.
"Yo, Alex!" Eddy called out in an accent of a Black American, "It's good to see you with these guys!" He said as he stands up from his position to meet them as he extends his hands immediately to Kamijou, who merely looked at him (perhaps, because of surprise), "Yo man! It's nice to see you!" Eddy said in an ecstatic manner, "I have watched every videos of you from Alex and I can tell you're one hell of a good player! I'm Edward Phillips but you can call me Eddy."
"Uh…Kamijou Touma or the other way around in your American way," Kamijou replied as he finally takes the hand and shakes it. For some reasons though, he was being reminded of Tsuchimikado's incessant annoyance.
"My god…that's a very hard name," Eddy commented, "Is it okay if I just call you TK for short?" The spiky haired boy just nodded as everyone began to put their belongings in the van.
After a few minutes, everyone already hopped in the vehicle as Fukiyose kept asking Kamijou about Eddy. "He seemed too friendly for me," the Forehead Deluxe spoke in Japanese as to avoid being understood by the guy in braids, who is the one behind the wheel. "I don't know about that. He seemed very nice to us," Kamijou replied as Index was happily indulging herself with Kit Kat chocolates that Alex gave to her. Himegami was just silent throughout the journey.
"Hey, TK!" Eddy suddenly mouthed off, "Here in LA, every corner of the city isn't complete without any street court so you can say that everyone here is capable in balling out. But don't worry about getting hurt or something. People here are generally nice and welcoming. Oh yeah, Alex, where in Venice will they stay?"
"Venice?" Index suddenly asked in slight confusion, "But isn't that in Italy?"
"Uh, Index, that's too funny," Alex chuckled as he clears it for everyone, "This girl here thought Venice is in Italy only. Well, we'll all be staying in an apartment complex not far from the school where Taiga studied in middle school." She was referring to Kagami here. "Eddy, isn't it that the courts in the seaside of Venice is pretty famous? It's just a ten minute walk from our apartment."
"The Venice beach basketball court? Yep, it's pretty famous and is as well-known as Rucker Park in New York. In fact, the tournament you have mentioned would be held there," Eddy explains as he threads slowly in the road. After a while, he decided to play The Next Episode by Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg in the car and the Japanese teens began to feel what culture is like in the Westside urban region of LA.
"I think I'm going to have a culture shock here," Himegami squeaked as she slumped into her seat, "I-it's just too much English for me and besides, I begin to frequently hear those songs that I only hear in radios back in Japan."
"I'm pretty sure we'll survive, Aisa," Fukiyose reassured her as the music shifted to the classics of Nelly, "Besides, we're just here to accompany Touma as he trains. It doesn't mean we have to necessarily assimilate immediately." But deeply inside, even she was beginning to feel a bit different about her surroundings. That guy in braids…the amount of English words that I hear…hotdogs…hamburgers…jumbo-sized pizzas… Fukiyose felt that she's going to vomit just by thinking about the amounts of fats of these western cuisines that's mostly seen in fast food chains and restaurants. She decided to push out those thoughts by asking Alex in her own heavily-accented English, "Excuse me but where are we supposed to stay?"
"I rented you four a unit in our apartment complex," Alex replied as she was reading a text message on her phone.
Apartment complex? Himegami didn't know if she actually heard right. Isn't' that bluntly too expensive?
After thirty minutes of travel time, which included Index wanting to try out a food park but was denied and had to be pacified by her partner, they finally reached the Westside region of the Los Angeles County and subsequently, Venice beachfront neighbourhood. Located besides Marina del Bay, Venice is known for its canals, beaches, and the circus-like Ocean Front Walk, a two-and-a-half-mile (4.0 km) pedestrian promenade that features performers, mystics, artists and vendors. Some known destinations in this part of Los Angeles included the Venice Canal Historic District, Abbot Kinney Boulevard, Venice Farmers Market, 72 Market Street Oyster Bar and Grill, and most especially, the Venice Beach with its famous basketball courts, and the Ocean Front Walk.
When the van finally stopped and they all stepped out of the vehicle, they were just flabbergasted at seeing the place where they will stay for almost two weeks.
The apartment complex was an impressive four-storey building with 10 rooms in each floor. Its exterior was made in components of marble and limestone while decorated with palm trees, dates, and flowers of different species. A fountain is also located at the middle as there are two paths surrounding it. Kamijou and Fukiyose were stunned at how the place, accentuated by the lights of the city and the starry nights, was aesthetically perfect as the walk into its paths which are carved from marble slabs. Sugoi! The Forehead Deluxe thought in amazement as they all drag their belongings in the building. It's like living the city of your dreams.
After getting the keys from Kagami's mentor, Kamijou and company were immediately led to their room in the second floor where Alex and Eddy also stays. Once they were led in the dazzling hallway which is lighted with chandeliers, they were finally in room 205. Opening the room, Kamijou and Index were very amazed at how large and spacious their unit is. The moment the door opened, the living room is immediately sighted and is furnished with complete sofas, a television, and a table set.
"Sugei. So this is where we would stay right?" Kamijou asked Alex in Japanese as they all enter the room.
"I wouldn't bring you here if it's not," Alex smiled, seemingly telling him the obvious.
After settling down, the four people then went towards the two bedrooms, which are facing each other directly and are separate rooms within the unit. Fukiyose and Himegami went to the first room while the two others took the other bed room. Relieved as he didn't need to sleep in a bathtub like when he did when he was in Academy City, he immediately plopped down in his bed as he then pulls out his flip phone to immediately send an e-mail to his parents that they have arrived in America. I can't call them directly since fees for international calls are quite expensive.
"I'll be leaving now!" Alex called from outside, "Oh and Kamijou, set the alarm clock there at exactly 7 am. Your training camp starts later in the morning." With that, the woman finally leaves as evident in the door being shut.
I've forgotten that's my real reason why I'm here in fucking Los Angeles. Just my luck. Kamijou groaned in his thoughts as he proceeded to set the alarm clock besides him before his eyes grew heavy. In a matter of minutes, he was fast asleep, not even bothering to change his clothes.
#
Meanwhile, in a certain high school back in Japan, Tsuchimikado and Aogami are already yawning in boredom as their last teacher for the day just kept rambling and ranting about something in the Edo period in Japanese history. But luckily for them, it's actually an injury-free day for them since they can talk all they want about their fetishes without being beaten black-and-blue by a certain Forehead Deluxe, who was absent in class along with Himegami for reasons concerning about a "special health seminar" in Los Angeles and that they were invited. Or at least, that's their excuse they gave to Komoe, who gave in and wished them a good luck.
"But man, it's still a boring day!" Aogami suddenly complained as at last, the teacher finally stopped talking and immediately dismissed the class, "I wanted something fun to happen this day!"
"Hnnn…" Even Tsuchimikado was clueless as to what they should do. Suddenly, he brightened up as if an idea came crashing upon his head and said excitedly, "I know! Let's just go to Seirin and visit Kami-yan! We can annoy the hell out of him and also bait that Kagami bastard into getting hot headed again." He can't think of anything to make a certain Phantom Sixth Man fall into his antics as his pale presence is already a hindrance to his plans.
"Good idea, Tsuchimikado!" Aogami replied happily as they both stood up, pick up their things, and went out together in the classroom. They were dismissed before 3 pm struck so it was still early and they knew the travel time to Seirin High School isn't that long. They immediately flagged down a taxi cab that can bring them outside the city and as they were travelling now, they were busy planning on how they would wreak havoc in the basketball gymnasium of Seirin. By the time their taxi has stopped in front of the familiar maroon walls of the school, Tsuchimikado is grinning widely from ear to ear as he knew his plan wouldn't fail and that their 'Kami-yan' buddy won't be able to see it coming. After paying their fees to the taxi driver, the two wasted no time entering the gates of the school. They proceeded immediately to the basketball gymnasium, which is just near the entrance. The moment they went inside the building, they can heard the bouncing of the ball and the squeak of the shoes as they immediately spotted Kuroko busy practicing his Phantom Shots like his life depended on it, Kagami dunking so hard while grinning like a maniac, Kiyoshi showing of his goofy smile like an idiot, and Hyuga continuously making every shots like his a machine. In short, everyone was very engrossed in training that they didn't even hear their gym doors open.
Feeling that they should really announce their presence (no matter how embarrassing it may sound), they shouted at the top of their lungs, "Hey, Seirin!" Immediately, everyone stopped for a second as they watch Tsuchimikado waving at them while grinning but to their surprise, all of the seniors just ignored him and kept practicing like he wasn't even there though Kagami and Kuroko stopped to take some rest. "What the hell are you two doing here?" the red headed power forwards growled in irritation as he takes out his jug from his duffel bag.
"What?" Aogami was very much aghast at how Kagami just greeted them, "Can't we even visit our friend? Where is he?"
"He's not around for the moment."
The lolicon and siscon jumped in fright as they suddenly realized that Kuroko was there as well.
"You! Can't you appear normally for once!?" Tsuchimikado shrieked as he holds his heart very fast.
"I was already here with Kagami-kun," Kuroko deadpanned, already getting used to this kind of moments, "By the way, it seems that you all look jovial."
"Nya! We weren't being abused for once this day," Aogami happily recalled as they were able to rant on their fetishes today without getting beaten to the pulp by a certain Forehead Deluxe, "Fukiyose-sama isn't present today since she said she's in abroad attending some event."
"How funny," Kagamo was obviously being sarcastic at his remark, "Kamijou is also not here as he is in America today."
"Huh!? Come again." Tsuchimikado thought he heard wrong.
"Are you fuckin' deaf?" the Seirin ace swore he could punch Tsuchimikado's face, "I said Kamijou isn't present right now since he's in America. In Los Angeles." He emphasizes the last two words so the two can comprehend what he is saying.
For a while, the reckless pair of blue and yellow thought they were only being trolled by Kagami. Kami-yan? In Los Angeles? He must be kidding us! But as soon as they saw their faces, which is serious, there is no doubt that they are lying. But when they began to think about it deeply, something had dawned upon them. No…this can't be! No! No!
"Dammit, Kami-yan!" Aogami shrilled in anger as he clenches his fists, "Fukiyose-sama's walls of iron and her forehead have been totally breached down by that playboy! Now, she has fallen in his arms! Waaaaah! Kami-yan, you bastaaaard!"
"Aogami-kun, you're overreacting," Kuroko said in a monotone voice, "Is it the fact that there's no one who liked you?"
"Yes! Finally, someone understands me!" the bluenette cried in happiness.
"No. You're just pitifully too easy to figure out," Kuroko deadpanned. Aogami cried in protest of the former's blunt comment but then, Tsuchimikado sighed as he knew their supposed plan had just backfired with the absence of their old friend. Dammit, we can't even launch our grand plan of making an funny moment out of him. He must be probably having fun there with Fukiyose at his side. Nevertheless, he was able to think of a backup plan, seeing that Kagami is still here.
"Neh, why don't we hang out for today after your practice? The four of us can eat out," the blonde offered as he extends an olive branch to the two light-shadow duo, something that only Kagami refused right away as he slaps away Tsuchimikado's hand, "We're not even that close, you blondie. Why would I accept such apprehensive invitation?"
"I'm sorry but Kagami-kun is on spot for once," Kuroko replied, "Also, there is still a few more minutes of practice. We can't simply skip."
"Come on!" Aogami persuades the two as he slung his arms at Kuroko's shoulder, "We can simply wait for you two. A friend of Kami-yan is a friend of ours!"
"I'm sorry but that's a case-to-case basis," Kuroko simply replied as he gets off Aogami's grip form him. But that didn't stop the two from constantly pestering the two of the three aces of Seirin. They all kept pleading and weeping (albeit, fake ones) until Kurko sighed and said, "Kagami-kun, I think they meant no harm at all. Maybe for once, we can let them go with us."
Kagami grumbled but seeing that it was Kuroko who finally relented, he also grudgingly agreed and said, "Fine, dammit! Just wait in the bleachers!" The pair of blonde and blue celebrated as Kuroko and Kagami finally returns to the court to finish their drills. Meanwhile, Hyuga and Kiyoshi, who decided to stop by for five minutes, were busy talking to one another, "It seems Kamijou's old friends are here finding him. Well, he's not here."
"You're stating the obvious, Kiyoshi," Hyuga wacked him in his head as he drinks his Gatorade, "I never thought the day would come when coach's father would be taking the helm of the coaching staff here, even if it's just temporary." He was referring to Aida's father, who left for a second just in time for the intruders from Academy City to enter the gym.
"We can't help it. He's a good coach with lots of experience," Kiyoshi replied as he wipes off the sweat from his face, "By the way, I don't know why but for some reason, it just feels weird that Kamijou isn't around. I mean, I don't object to his training in America but I just felt it's nice if we are complete here for our practice. Don't you feel the same way?"
"Shut up," Hyuga said as he slaps away Kiyoshi's hand, "But yeah, I kind missed his presence and how those three always banter every practice." He then sighed as he looks at Asahina and Yagi, who are busy practicing their outside shots. "You know, it was like yesterday when we were still rookies and the Seirin basketball is just six of us. You, me, Izuki, Mitobe, Koganei, and, Tsuchida. We had our shares of pain, joy, defeat, and victory. It never crossed to my mind that two years later, we would become a very big club like this, especially that those three rascals are here." He then sighed, "To think a hot-headed and gluttonous guy, an invisible and almost-pale guy, and a chic-magnet and woman-killer is here in our team, it's just too heavy responsibility even for a captain like me."
"Don't worry, Hyuga," The Iron Heart smiled, "I know you can handle them with ease."
"Damare, Kiyoshi!"
#
After some thirty minutes more, the team had finally wrapped up their training, with Kagetora immediately issuing an order (or to be exact, threat) that whoever touches his daughter without any consent shall answer to him immediately as he pulls out his gun. The whole team sivers at the sight of an angry Kagetora and they all quickly agree as they all gather their things. Kuroko and Kagami, who isn't in a good mood, now meet up to join Tsuchimikado and Aogami, who were both waiting on the bench. Together, they all went outside for Maji Burger.
While they were walking in the streets in a rather awkward fashion, a lot of strange manifestations just happened. To Kuroko, it was fine, and the silence was peaceful. To Kagami, however, it felt like his life was at risk every second with Tsuchimikado's glare, and he swore he could hear unknown chants coming from the blonde backstabber. Whenever Kagami would look straight in the road, he could find himself in near-death situations, such as suddenly getting pushed into the streets while a car came by, tripping over an "unknown" leg and nearly stabbing himself with an ice cream cone that just so happened to be standing upright so that the pointy-side was pointed toward the sky. There was this one time where mysterious scissors flew out of nowhere and nearly stabbed his nose if he hadn't ducked backwards. Even Aogami looked shock at that one, but he chuckled afterwards, murmuring something that Kagami could only catch "shit…" The manifestations kept happening until Kagami had enough and suddenly yelled at Tsuchimikado, "You're the one behind it, right!? Teme!"
"Oh my, why are you accusing me of things that I didn't even do?" Tsuchimikado asked with a tinge of mockery in his voice. Even so, Kagami immediately spotted the malice and sarcasm in his tone and was inching to really punch his face if it wasn't for Kuroko's quick-thinking. He immediately blocked the Seirin ace's fists with his bare hands, saying, "Kagami-kun, that's scary. Try not to be reckless, okay?"
Kagami wanted to argue back but seeing Kuroko trying to calm him down, he knew it's pointless to get hot headed as he only glared at Tsuchimikado, who just smiles (in smug way). After a few more minutes, they have finally reached Maji Burger. Quickly, Aogami then gave his order to his companion so that the latter and the other two can finally order while the bluenette in piercings can find a table immediately. Afterwards, the three returned with their ordered food and immediately, they began to eat and while eating, Aogami then initiated the conversation.
"Say, have you two experienced falling in love or at least, get infatuated with a girl?" the bluenette asked.
Kagami snorted as he began unwrapping his first of his 25 burgers, "Nah, don't ask me in stuff like those. I am happy with basketball and that's enough for me."
"I agree with Kagami-kun," Kuroko replied as he kept slurping his vanilla milkshake noisily, "I think we don't even have time for those kinds of things and I'm pretty sure Kamijou-kun felt the same."
"Kami-yan, you say?" Tsuchimikado's grin grew wider as he bites his burger, "Oh but he does have a lot of girls under his belt."
"Well…we can see that a lot, I admit," Kagami replied, not quite certain whether the blondie's statement is valid, "But the thing is, it looks like he doesn't even mind them, if anything. I mean, his interactions with that Biri Biri." He was referring to Misaka on this one, "Can hardly even be called something close to romantic."
"But that doesn't mean he's impregnable to it," The blonde in shades smirked as he fights his point, "It doesn't necessarily have to involve that ojou-san from Tokiwadai. The one that can weaken his resolve clinging on to his overly-dense view of love is literally with him right now."
"Fukiyose-san?" Kuroko blinked.
"You hit the bull's eye!" Aogami said, "Her walls of iron have been breached already! Isn't it obvious already? All it needs to happen is that one of them either had to bravely confess."
"Now that I think of it," Kuroko puts down his third vanilla milkshake cup as he faces Tsuchimikado, "I may not know Fukiyose-san that personal but I think Tsuchimikado-kun does have a point. Kamijou-kun seems to be overly obtuse when it comes to women's feelings and Fukiyose-san had been pushy yet so caring for his well-being that sometimes, it's actually getting creepy. In other words, she's what they call a tsundere. It would be a tough road before they can be considered an official couple."
"Splendid!" Tsuchimikado and Aogami cried like they had just received a blessing from heaven, "It looks like were not the only ones who noticed Fukiyose-sama getting sweeter to that bastard Kami-yan!"
Kuroko then made a deadpan expression before he turned his eyes towards his light and said nonchalantly, "So does that mean Kagami-kun's the only one who didn't realize it? Well, it's no surprise. There's a reason you're called a Bakagami-kun."
"Kuroko, teme! Shut up!"
#
The salty winds just came in as it crashes against a certain spiky haired boy's skin.
"W-a-a? Is it 7 in the morning already?" Kamijou's speech is slurred, a proof that the latter is still sleepy as suddenly, his alarm began to ring so loud that it can be heard throughout the whole apartment unit. Feeling that any later can disturb their next-door neighbors, the boy decided to slowly rise up from bed as he realized he didn't even change. Oh, so Othinus decided to sleep in this bed? He spotted the tiny Magic God still sleeping under the heavy sheets that they shared and he deduced that she must have gotten out of his pocket and ended up sleeping besides him. Leaving Othinus alone as he goes out of the room, the whole unit was very quiet as Index is still heavily asleep so he decided to go to the kitchen and begin cooking some breakfast if there isn't any.
Going to the kitchen, which is just besides the living room, Kamijou chuckled as he saw that this part of the apartment unit is complete with almost anything that one would find in the homes of many chefs. There's an oven, microwave, a side-by-side refrigerator, scullery, prep area, bread room, etc. Feeling a bit motivated, he then opens a fridge and he finds a crate of eggs, bacons, garlic, butter, cured meat, milk,and bread in the refrigerator. After gathering up his ingredients, he began to cook their breakfast.
After some thirty minutes, he had finally set the table up for the four of them to eat and the food's fragrance began to emanate through the whole room and it reached into the nostrils of Index, who had just barely woken up. The smell of garlic bread and scrambled eggs was enough to prompt the English nun to scramble to her feet and immediately stand up and ran to the kitchen, where she found her partner currently putting milk and orange juice in two separate pitchers.
"Touma! Touma! I'm hungry!" Index said in a hoarse voice as she immediately sits down on the table and began tapping the table so loudly, "I'm hungry now! Bring the food here!"
"Just a minute, Index," Kamijou said as he finally had poured all the fresh milk in the clear pitcher before he brings the two into the table. He then brought the plate of newly-cooked garlic bread, scrambled eggs, bacons, fried deer meat, and butter on the table. It was at this moment where Fukiyose and Himegami had finally appeared on the kitchen after waking up and was all genuinely amazed at how good he can be in culinary skills. Not that a certain F-Deluxe would admit it loudly.
"You can eat now, girls," Kamijou said as he then sat on the table to join Index in eating breakfast. Wordlessly, Fukiyose and Himegami sat down on the table and they help themselves with a serving of scrambled eggs and a piece of garlic bread for each of the two. While they were eating, a sudden knock on the door was heard on the room of the apartment unit. "I'll get it," Kamijou said as he then stood up and walked calmly towards the door.
He didn't totally expect what he would see the moment he twisted and pulled the knob.
"Good morning, Kamijou-san!" Alex said in crisp English as he was apparently wearing nothing other than her panties and her white brassiere. The poor boy can only watch in horror as he found himself suddenly feeling tight in his body and his boner becoming abnormally large. Shit! Of all times my hormones arouses, why it could be now!? Kamijou stuttered as he the replied, "Uh…g-g-go-ooo-o-od morn-niing, Alex-san. Uhm…" He didn't know what to say at a situation like this as Alex just smiled at him widely, "Kamijou-san, what's wrong? Oh sorry, I just love going like this!"
Kagami! You didn't tell me your master in basketball is affected with partialism and exhibitionism! Kamijou screamed in his mind as he tried to look for a more convenient answer.
"Touma…"
Yabai, I'm dead. Kamijou said mentally as he heard the voice of Index suddenly calling him out in a deadly way. When he turned around, he noticed that her aura has changed to that of a beast, as if the spiky haired boy's a deer to her lion. "I-Index-san, I can explain…" Kamijou trailed off as he tries to reason out but he wasn't able to do so as the nun already leaped into his head and began chomping it off.
"Fukou Da!"
#
After having Fukiyose nurse his head with some ointment to treat the bite injuries he suffered, the unlucky boy and the Iron Wall girl then followed Alex into the beaches of the Venice beach basketball court. Kamijou swore this is the first time he saw a beach littered with a lot of street courts as they pass by a lot of people of different races—American bystanders, Polish and Russian tourists, Gypsy boutiques, and most of all, black and white ballers in those courts. They're taller than the average Japanese. Fukiyose noted in her mind as she watches a blonde woman who is five inches taller than her playing and challenging some men in the sidewalks in a game of cards. And to think I get to hear their gibberish slang words personally. He then looks at Kamijou, who was busy staring at a Caucasian brunette who is wearing a bikini from afar. Irked, she immediately jabs the Imagine Breaker user in his ribs, causing the boy to tilt sideways from the pain.
"Don't even start complaining, baka," the Forehead Deluxe cut him off completely even before he got the chance to explain, "I just have to set your senses straight before your hormones gets wild again like in the past."
"Yeah?" Kamijou raised his eyebrows, "Then what's with that outfit of cardigan and bikinis?"
"Damare!" Fukiyose angrily glared at the boy, causing the latter to step back slightly, "We're in Los Angeles after all so it's a must, after all."
Well, okay. Kamijou only sweat dropped as they all kept walking. Soon, the three were finally in one of the outdoor basketball courts of Venice as Alex leads them to the sideline bleachers made up of monobloc chairs. After that, Fukiyose sat on the chair while applying sunscreen lotion on her skin since the sun is too much bright and hot at the same time. Meanwhile, the spiky haired boy then stood face-to-face with Alex as she then passes the ball to him and said in Japanese, "In street basketball, pacing is a bit faster than what you've been seeing in Japan. While it's not a genre where you can expect a standardized game, many of its moves have been adapted in the NBA and Euroleagues and it has also been becoming a stable in international competitions like FIBA and Olympics, provided that basic rules such as travelling and palming or carrying still applies strictly. You're a floor general, right? Someone like you should learn the ropes of Westernized ball game."
"Yep, got it." The boy simply nodded.
"One of the moves that I'll teach you is an unconventional shooting move called "Where you Goin" style," Alex said as she then motions Kamijou to post defend her in the post, "Now, watch carefully." She then began to push her mark in the paint as the spiky haired boy stands his ground against the taller American woman. Suddenly, she stops and goes to her left side as Kamijou then follows. Alex then goes to her right side and the boy also follows. Suddenly, instead of shooting, Alex flips in the air. Heh? What did she just do? Before he knew it, Alex then jumps and catches the ball mid-air and made the shot before her feet landed. What was that? That was a perfect fake! The Imagine Breaker user than thought. Maybe I can do that as well.
"Just so you know, you can't do that all the time," Alex reminds her as she passes the ball to him, "You can only use it in situations where you're back faces the basket and the time is running down and one thing, you can't do that when you're feet is planted in the floor since you'll be called for a violation. You must catch the ball airborne and shoot it immediately." Kamijou nodded then posts up Alex immediately. After faking her, he flips the ball like what she demonstrated and quickly shot it up airborne and made it before he landed on the floor.
"That's what I'm talking about," Alex smiled as she holds the ball and dribbles it, "Now let me show you something." She then asks Kamijou to defend him. He complies and defends as she then does and jab step. She then dribbled to her left with the boy suddenly following him. Suddenly, she stopped with her right foot planted slightly forward and before Kamijou can react, she suddenly pulls back by pulling her drive across the opposite direction on the side of her right legs. The boy was frozen for a moment as his legs stiffen for a second.
"Tough on a knees, no?" Alex said as she then lectures the boy, "It's called a Stiff Leg Crossover. It can be done in professional leagues and amateur games as long as it's executed correctly. First, you do a normal jab step." She demonstrates in to him. "And then when a defender comes close as he follows you to your intended path, you must first forward either your right foot on the left path or left foot on the right path to temporarily stiffen your defender. Afterwards, you bring the ball to the opposite side. Now, do it." She passes the ball to the boy, who then perfectly executes it, albeit a bit slower as he almost turns it over. Alex then chides him slightly and said, "You must to this move fast since any mistake can cost you. But anyway, we can correct that later when you meet your temporary teammates for a week."
Teammates? She means Eddy, right? Kamijou thought in his mind.
For the rest of the morning, Alex thought the boy other streetball moves (which are legal and allowed in conventional basketball) such as the famed Shamgod crossover, which the boy is able to perfectly copy and eventually add into his arsenal, the Baseline Behind-the-Back dribble where he dribbles in the baseline and makes a behind-the-back quick dribble and quickly drives to the net to finish the layup, and a variation of a spin-move where Kamijou quickly learns how to dribble and fake his opponents while going for a fast spin before clearing himself for a wide layup. Aside from the streetball training and repetition/refreshing of what he learned previously with his sessions with Sekiguchi, Alex also has drilled the boy in normal and more fundamental drills but in the more intense way. She had him practice dribbling with fakes and flicks as Kamijou slowly but easily was able to grasp and absorb what Western basketball is like. And here, I was complaining how Sekiguchi-san and Coach can be sadistic. He felt his arms starting the give away as he was also drilled in other shooting techniques and a type of shooting practice where he was tasked to shoot at different spots of the court as well as learning how to shoot it off the catch without anytime to set a form (which he admitted he had a hard time doing so at first, even in his quick release shots).
Throughout the morning training, Fukiyose, who was busy drinking some coconut juice she bought from a passing seller, notices that the 'idiot' boy actually learns so fast in what Alex teaches him. He's quite very good in picking up every detail that he learns. She said as she secretly admires the way he moves. She watches intently as Kamijou eventually picks up his speed and goes one-on-one with Alex, who is pressuring him quite well as she is not a WNBA veteran without a reason. After that, they were finally coming on the sidelines to rest as the boy was understandably exhausted and was immediately given a drinking bottle, which he accepts, "You're working pretty hard, Touma." Fukiyose bows her head slightly to hide her smile and blush as his sweat-soaked shirt is eventually exposing the lines of his abdomen, which has been pretty growing with muscles ever since he started playing basketball.
"Is that so?" Kamijou sounded like an airhead as he drinks the bottle of water, "It's just normal, right? I mean, that's what we do back in Seirin." He then looks at Alex, who seemed to be speaking to someone on phone. Meanwhile, Fukiyose then excused herself, saying, "Hey, I needed to go back to the apartment complex. I think Aisa and Index-san might be hungry already so you don't need to go back there. I'll handle it." She then hurriedly leaves as she left the boy in a somewhat confused state. Well…that was fast.
"Hey, TK!"
Kamijou heard the voice of Eddy suddenly calling him out as he finishes slurping his bottled water. Turning around, he then saw the guy with Rastafarian braids together with four other black guys and one Caucasian. "Uh…hello?" Kamijou didn't know what to say as he merely greeted them in heavily-accented English.
"It looks like we're on time!" Eddy said cheerfully as he then wraps his left arm around the neck of the Japanese boy and said. "Well, it would be an honor if you could join our team for the next game this afternoon." Before the boy can say anything, Alex suddenly butts into their conversation and said, "Sure, he won't disappoint you all, right Kamijou?"
"Eh?" He mumbled in Japanese as he was shocked that Alex spoke for him. But I haven't even said anything yet! Seeing that the situation is probably going to lead something like this anyway, he nevertheless accepts it and said, "Uh…sure. I would love playing with you, guys. And who the hell are they, anyway?"
"So funny!" Eddy chuckled, "Of course, they are our teammates! Why don't you all introduce youselves guys to TK, the Japanese dude."
"I'm Benjamin Jones," a chubby and short guy stepped forward to shakes hands with him, "You can just call me Ben."
"Sebastian!" an energetic guy who had the same braids as Eddy said, "We hope you won't let us down!" Kamijou only twitched upon hearing what the former had just said.
"I'm Shelvin Reed and welcome," another black guy in ponytail said rather blandly.
"The only white guy here. I'm Tyrone," he smiled as he shows off his tribal tattoo in his left arm.
"Uh, yeah, I'm Touma Kamijou but just call me TK," the spiky haired boy said as he faces his teammates, who looked to be a year older than him. "You said it's a game so when will this be?"
"It'll be later in the afternoon," Ben shrugged as Eddy took the ball from Alex and began shooting some shots, "By the way, have you heard of Nash Gold Jr?"
Kamijou raised his eyebrows at this, "Eh? Isn't he that blonde guy from the famous Jabberwocks? I've watched his videos."
"It looks like he'll also be going here to play some hoops later," Ben replied as he then stretched his arms while the rest of the team started playing scrimmage, "And no, I'm not pretty sure of we'll play him but I heard we'll play the two other teammates of his in the Jabberwocks. I think its Nick and Allen. If it was Jason Silver…" He made a sullen expression at the mention of the monstrous center that almost took the fight out of the Generation of Miracles when the streetball team played the high school prodigies back in Japan a few months ago.
This is serious. Kamijou said to himself in his head as he watches the five of them doing some drills. Well, it's no use thinking something that's not yet happening. But as he was about to join them in the court, a random boy accidentally flings a volleyball into the head of the Japanese boy, causing him to fall rather violently on the floor, head-first.
"Yo, dude, are you okay!?" Tyrone immediately saw what happened and quickly came into his assistance, "Oh heavens, your nose is bleeding!" He gasps the moment Kamijou stood up with his right hand holding his nose.
"Such misfortune," Kamijou said to himself as Alex brings in a medical kit.
#
ACADEMY CITY, JAPAN
DAY: SATURDAY MORNING
For the first time in his whole existence as a person, Hamazura found himself holding a basketball.
He didn't know why but after seeing a certain spiky haired boy play it out on television which he saw a few weeks ago, he suddenly got interested in a sport he had never tried for all his life. The way the spiky haired boy handled his own was very much awesome to the former Skill-Out and so, he was very curious in one thing.
I didn't know boss can be so good at that sport. But if that's the case, he's no longer here, right?
He remembered how their relationship evolved from being enemies at the time he was tasked to kill a mother of a Level 5 to aiding him at some situations and even following his principles. So how's he right now?
The ball bounced off the ring as the sound shattered his inner monologue. Hamazura only sighed. Of course, it's my first time trying this sport. He's a no slouch when it comes to brute physique and combat skill but this one if very different. Dammit, I have been shooting for like ten times and still, the ball does not go in. But for some reason, I kind felt enjoying playing the game.
"What are you doing? You've been super-focused in playing that game," the voice of a hooded Kinuhata Saiai said as she and Takitsubo suddenly came to the covered court where the blonde has been sweating out for almost two hours now.
"Yeah? I just found some new inspiration," Hamazura replied as he stops for a moment, wiping off the sweat from his forehead, "I just thought it looks cool so I decided to give it a try."
"It looks good on you, Hamazura," Takitsubo approved as she nodded blankly, "By the way, what are you planning to do now that we're back here in Academy City? It's not like the former higher ups are still there and the newer executives seemed to be more mysterious yet liberal."
"I super-don't know," Kinuhata said as she keeps energetically moving, "After all, it looks like ITEM's existence is merely because of sentiments, not out of necessity."
"Is that so?" Hamazura looked like he was wondering something for the moment, "Well, I don't know with her." He was referring to Mugino, the fifth-ranked Level 5, who was currently out for some business. "But I kinda agree with what you said. I mean, what do we do now that our existence is merely a decoration? I kinda loved it being in ITEM but we haven't fought a battle since last December and summer's about to start." He then grips the ball in his hands, thinking of something else.
"Oh, I know!" Kinuhata suddenly sprang up, "Why don't we just sell stuff in Tokyo? I kind missed in in Saitama where we briefly stayed after the evacuation last year."
"But what will exactly we sell?" Takitsubo asked in a stoic way that can rival a certain tealnette's expression, "We don't even have a lot of things in our place."
"We can just super-sell Hamazura's ball, then," the hooded girl with the power of Offense Armor said brightly, causing Hamazura to twitch. As the latter continued to rest, he then remembered the 'boss' in the game he saw on television. Seirin versus Shutoku? I'll keep those school's in mind. He then stood up and continued dribbling the ball and shooting (horribly) as he had his monologue. Yeah, what do I want to do right now? Suddenly, he had an idea and said.
"Hey, do you know of a school called Seirin High School?" he asked the two girls, who merely shook their heads.
"No. I haven't heard of that school," Kinuhata shrugged as she takes the ball from Hamazura's hands and began playing it in her hands, "This is so super-gripped."
"Well…I kinda missed being with boss, actually," Hamazura confessed as he thought of the spiky haired boy, who is currently in abroad as of the moment, "He's one hell of a person." And one hell of a player, if I were to judge that game. "Besides, have you all thought about going back to school? I mean, I have been an out-of-school youth after joining Komaba's Skill Out. I think about going back to study and straighten up my future."
"Who super-needs school if we have powers?" Kinuhata chuckled.
"Not in my case, though," Hamazura frowns as he then began dribbling harder, "I was thinking, what if I join boss in his school? Maybe I can do something then."
"Joining…do you mean playing basketball?" Takitsubo looked at her boyfriend as if she heard a cruel joke, "In your current state, I don't know if you could do something in that sport."
"That's why I'm joining! To become better!" Hamazura, somewhat offended by her tone, smiled, "I think I should try out my luck in Seirin High. Maybe you should, too."
"But how?" Kinuhata raised her eyebrows at the suggestion of one of her closest friends, "First of all, we don't even super-know where the hell is this Seirin High School and if it's far, I won't bet on it. Second, do you think Mugino would approve of this? Maybe if she does, that would mean Apocalypse is happening."
"Besides, a brat like him? He might end up as a waterboy."
The three suddenly frozen up at hearing the voice of ITEM's leader and Level 5 Meltdowner suddenly appearing in their location, "Hamazura, I have been finding you and the other two since I'm getting hungry right now and I need someone to order for us." She specifically looks at Hamazura, who just rolled his eyes.
"By the way, Mugino," Kinuhata suddenly said as she then walks closer to their leader, "Hamazura here says he's interested in playing basketball outside of Academy City."
"Eh? You don't have to bring that up!" Hamazura yells as he knew such idea would sound ridiculous to Mugino, especially if it involves him.
"Hah?" Mugino said in an irritated voice as she looks at the blonde, who was wearing a shorts and black t-shirt coupled with slippers, "Who would even accept someone like you? Well…fine. Since we don't have anything to do for this day, then I guess we can help him go to that Seirin school as long as you all pay for our food."
"You heard our conversation?" Takitsubo asked in surprise.
"I sure as hell was. I'm not deaf," Mugino said in annoyance, "I just want to get this over with and besides, it's not that hard to find a school with modern GPS maps around. Just don't expect too much, Hamazura."
Hamazura was somewhat relieved as the Mugino standing in front of them isn't anymore the old one who'll mercilessly kill even her own comrades.
#
"Well, here we are."
The voice of Mugino can be described as that of an irritated tone as they were now standing in front of the school. Hamazura can't help but admire the buildings of Seirin as they are now standing in front of the maroon walls of the school. The school, with its plaque entitles "Seirin Private High School" etched on its maroon walls, was a young but fairly pretty institution with blooming Sakura and Sawara trees near the entrance pathway. The main building was on the left side while the basketball gym, which is connected to the main building via a skyway, was on the left side. This is quite a good school for a place outside Academy City. Kinuhata as they stood in front of the whole place.
"Well, what the hell are you three waiting for?" Mugino clicked her teeth, "Just go inside now so we can get this over."
"You're not going inside with us?" Kinuhata asked as she looks at their leader. Mugino violently shook her head as she indicated that she's fine waiting here.
As the three then decided to press forward and go in the paths, Takitsubo can feel the cool wind breeze past them as it prompts the Sakura trees to dance along in the movement of nature. It's very beautiful here as well as cool. She thought as they were eventually walking slowly in the path. Kinuhata seemd to be scanning the whole interest as Hamazura was thinking what he'll say.
Afterwards, they easily manage to reach the gymnasium and as soon as they were standing in front of the gym doors, they can hear unpleasant screams of both pain and exhaustion. "Well, we can't have her super-waiting outside for so long," Kinuhata replied with a smile as she then pushes the gym doors.
"Hey…I don't think…" Hamazura wasn't able to finish his words as the door was fully opened. Pulling her hesitant boyfriend inside, Takitsubo went inside as she followed Kinuhata who was waving in hopes that they can immediately meet someone.
They were met with a sight of players sweating and yet, still doing drills like a workhorse.
The players, all clad in white shirts, were all busy playing scrimmage matches while some were doing push-up drills. They were all engrossed in their training that they didn't even noticed the three suddenly barging inside the gymnasium.
"Who the hell are you guys?"
Hamazura suddenly looks to his left and saw a sweating player with glasses as the latter looks at the trio with some hint of scepticism, "What do you want? I can't say if you are trespassing school grounds but you're certainly barging into our practice unannounced."
"Uhm…" Hamazura stuttered a bit, "Apologies for the intrusion but we came here to inquire. I wanted to try out for this team…hehehe." He sounded a bit blunt and overconfident at the same time as he chuckles.
"Oh…" The megane raised his eyebrows, "Who was it that recommended you here?"
"Uh…no one but," Hamazura wasn't sure that bringing up "boss's" name would help his case but he decided to gamble, "I learned that one of my former colleagues went here. His name is Kamijou Touma."
Hearing the name, the man looked at him straight in the eye and said, "Kamijou? You know him?"
"Yes."
"Well…" the man scratched his head as he was pondering on his decision, "By the way, my name's Hyuga Junpei and what's yours?"
"Hamazura Shiage."
"Well, the coach isn't here," Hyuga explains as he looks at the body composition of the blonde, "Well, it looks like you can do some pretty damage. How long have you been playing?"
"Uhm…actually, I'm a beginner in the sport."
"A beginner!?" Hyuga suddenly looked like he was about to murder someone as he scans the whole body of the former Skill-Out, "Well, what really brought you here anyway aside from Kamijou? Are you from Academy City? If it's true that you're a beginner, you'll be placed in the third string with the freshman if you did try out for Seirin."
"Yep, I'm from Academy City, Hyuga-san," Hamazura replied as he kept looking for an excuse in his head. For some reason, Hamazura felt uneasy, as he didn't know what to say in order to be admitted in the third string. He started to make up excuses in his head ever sicne they were in the taxi going from Academy City to the main Tokyo City, seeing which one would be the best choice. So far, he has three excuses, all of which he doubts would get the clutch captain of the Seirin basketball team to even consider him. One: 'I love the sport but can't play it', two: 'I've never played basketball before, but I want to learn', three: 'Kamijou encouraged me to try the sport so here I am'. He didn't know if the former would even be taken seriously by Hyuga and he wasn't sure if using the name of the Imagine Breaker user would even help him at all, since they haven't even spoke ever since the fiasco in England.
"I encouraged by the fact that Kamijou is playing here so I want to try the sport myself and so here I am." Hamazura decided to go with a middle answer from his choices. He didn't join clubs in middle school but from what he knew, third string seemed like it was the string for the "what-lefts", for the people who the other two strings hasn't accepted. He then stole a glance in the direction of the other regulars sweating it out and somehow felt a feeling of admiration rising in his chest. Even though he couldn't do anything for now, he felt like his efforts would eventually pay off as he looks at Takitsubo and Kinuhata, who were just quiet for the whole time he was speaking with Hyuga, as if saying, 'See? I knew I could do it!'
"Are you sure about joining this club?" Hyuga asked, taking the blond out of his thoughts. "It isn't for people who aren't serious about basketball. If you only want to learn, you can find many other means of doing so. You can even ask that rascal Kamijou to teach you."
"I am serious." he replied with determination. "Even though I can't play right now, I'll learn to with boss' help" He uses the name he attributes to the boy. "And then, I'll make it to the first string, before this year ends and contribute to this school by winning."
Hyuga chuckled at him. "Alright. But if that's the case, then you should enrol in Seirin first." he said to Hamazura, "If not, then do something about it first."
"O-Okay," Hamazura felt dumb, knowing he actually forgot the part about enrollemtn in the school.
"Nevertheless, it's not everyday we get new recruits," Hyuga said as he suddenly picks up a basketball and passes it to him, "Let's go. I want to see what you're capable of."
"Yay!" Hamazura squealed at Kinuhata and Takitsubo, who seemed to be pretty surprised he got in easily, "Look, I made it."
No. He still wanted to see what you're really capable off. The two girls mentally facepalmed at the same time.