Midorima, who somewhat didn't expect Aomine to actually pass to him, didn't catch the ball. He scolds himself for being an idiot, thinking that something like this will be unforgivable in an actual game, reminding himself to always be aware of what players around him might do, and that includes a ball hogger who suddenly decides to pass.

The ball flies past him…

And hits a blonde girl on the head.

….

"I am very sorry," Midorima ran towards the blond girl who doesn't seem really hurt.

"It's fine, here," Kise picks up the ball which has fallen to the ground and handed it to Midorima.

She is pretty, that's the first thing that came to Midorima's mind, but he quickly brushes that thought away and takes the ball from Kise, he doesn't want to make his teammates wait.

"Thank you, sorry to bother you."

"Now-now, no need to be so formal, you're that shooter from the nationals team right? Mi…Midorima-kun?"

Normally, when it's any other girl, presumably a fan-girl, he would just reply coldly and get back to practice right away, but this time it's different. He doesn't know why, but there's something about the girl in front of him that makes him glued to the spot he's standing on, wanting to know more about her.

"Yes I am, and you are?"

"I'm Kise Ryuuko, nice meeting you."

Okay, that's enough formal conversation Midorima, now it's time to get back to practice, he thought. But then something bugs his mind, why is this Kise Ryuuko in front of the gym? Fan-girling? Something tells Midorima that it's not the case. This thought made Midorima think for a while.

"Mm…Midorima-kun?"

Then Midorima realises that he had been standing still for quite a while.

"Midorima! Stop flirting! I didn't think Kise Ryuuko would be your type!"

At this Midorima blushed furiously and yelled, "Die, Ahomine!" He then quickly ran towards the court.

Hearing the name Kise Ryuuko Momoi stopped taking notes on the bench and quickly got up.

"Ki-chan! You came!" Momoi yelled and ran towards Kise.

"Hi, Momoicchi."

Ah, so she's Momoi's friend, that's why she's here, Midorima concluded.

"Is she a new manager, Momoi-san?" One of the second-string players asked.

Momoi then announced, "nope. Because the game has stopped temporarily, and none of you guys are doing anything, I'd like to introduce the newest player of our basketball club, Kise Ryuuko!"

AAAAAAAAAA

Kise Ryuuko sat next to Momoi as she watches the players of Teiko basketball club practice.

Her appearance had made quite a buzz between the players, many of them tried playing their best because they want to impress Kise. Yet, Kise was only really captivated by one person who doesn't seem to really care about her appearance.

"Nice dunk, Aomine!"

How could you dunk when you're only in middle school, Kise thought.

"So, pretty interesting right?" Momoi asked.

"Well, to be honest, I didn't think that there would be so many brilliant players here, even though the team is, the best team in the country, I didn't expect to see someone dunk."

"Well, these guys are pretty special."

And for the first time ever, Kise felt challenged.

AAAAAAAAAA

"Nice shot, Kise!"

Kise started joining the practice and by copying Midorima's shooting form, she's able to score her first ever two-point shot.

Midorima is impressed, just by looking at his shooting she could repeat it so flawlessly in one try.

Seeing this, Akashi smiles.

"Ah, a new talent, perfect. Kise-san, watch," Akashi who was watching from the bench walked to the court and grabs a basketball. Akashi dribbles the ball and does a crossover passing one of the players, then passes the ball to Kise.

"Go."

Kise tries to repeat the crossover, even though not as perfect as Akashi's, she's still able to pass a player.

"Brilliant, keep practicing," and with that, Akashi returns to his seat.

AAAAAAAAAA

In the end of the practice, the vice-coach gathers the players.

"Kise Ryuuko, you are a potential player, keep practicing, and you might find yourself in the first string soon."

Yet again Kise causes a buzz between the players. As the vice coach leaves the gym many players stayed to chat.

"Ah, a girl in the first string again, girls are really getting good at sports don't you think? That's good," one of the players said.

Kise, who heard this, asked Momoi who is standing next to her, "there's a girl in the first string?"

"Oh, yes there is, her name is.."

"Haizaki Sachi, that's her name."

A girl with dark grey hair walks into the gym.

AAAAAAAAAA

"Haizaki, where have you been?" Akashi asked with a quiet, yet menacing voice.

"I have some…things to be done. You know, hanging with the girls, but that ain't important now, what's important is, this girl, Kise Ryuuko."

As Haizaki walks towards the court, it seems that many of the players are a little scared by the dark aura that Haizaki Sachi has.

As Haizaki picks up a basketball, she said, "pretty, popular, talented in sports, joined football, volleyball, tennis, you name it, but quits all of them after a couple of practices. Hmph, from the way you look right now I think you're enjoying basketball, I think you won't quit like you always do. But don't worry, here, let me make you quit."

And with that, she passes the ball towards Kise.

"Come, come at me with all you've got, let me expel you."

AAAAAAAAAA

All of the boys and girls in the gym seemingly chickened out and does nothing to stop the one on one from happening.

"Akashi, this could turn up bad, you've got to stop them," Midorima calmly said. Deep down, he is somewhat worried.

"Ssh.. I'm actually curious with the outcome, well not the result of the match, it's already decided, but how she will react to it."

"But.."

"Midorima, only the strongest will stay in the team, and this will let us know, if Kise Ryuuko is strong or not."

Kise starts to dribble, and when she is face to face with Haizaki, she tries out Akashi's crossover.

"Weak."

Haizaki easily steals the ball, and does the exact same crossover towards Kise, passes her, and makes a layup.

"Way too easy, I guess it's done, even if we continue, I'll win."

"No it's not done!" Kise picks up the basketball and passes it to Haizaki, but she merely dodged the ball, not catching it.

"No, it is actually, I have some… other things to be done, bye."

With that, Haizaki Sachi walks out the gym.

AAAAAAAAAA

It's raining outside, and Kise sat quietly on the bench by the door, waiting for the rain to at least be less huge.

"Ki-chan, me and Dai-chan is going home, want to go together?"

"Nope, I think I'm staying for a while."

Momoi, seeing the sad expression on her best friend's face, starts to worry.

"Hey, Ki-chan, don't mind about Haizaki, you're a brilliant player, please don't quit!"

"Relax I'm not quitting."

"Yes, that's the spirit! Bye Ki-chan!"

Momoi walks out the gym as Aomine trails behind with an umbrella.

"Cheer up, you're awesome," Aomine said.

As Aomine walks out, many other players going out the gym also tells her to cheer up, making her a little annoyed, it's not like she's that desperate. But yet, she's still happy that people care for her.

As the gym becomes empty, she realises that there's still one player left practicing.

Swish

The ball went in smoothly from Midorima's three pointer. He picks up another ball and shoots again.

Swish

Kise really is impressed, and decided to walk towards Midorima.

"Your shots are really cool, Midorima-s.. Is it okay if I call you Midorimacchi?"

Midorima, without turning to look at Kise said, "first, yes they are really cool. Second, no, don't call me that, why on earth would you call me that?"

Swish

"You see, it's just how I call people I respect, and I respect you because your shooting is cool."

"Whatever the reason, it is annoying, don't call me that."

"Ah, Midorimacchi's mean!"

"I told you not to… Argh, I'm going home." Midorima quickly walks towards the locker room to change.

"Hey! Don't stop practicing because you're annoyed by me!"

"It's not because of that, anyway the one who needs practice is not me, it's you. Haizaki totally owned you back there."

"Ah… You're mocking me, not cheering me up like the others? You are mean Midorimacchi!" Kise said with her dramatic style.

"People cheering you up is not important, I always rely on my own abilities, not other people's support, that's why my shots never miss, that's why I am the best shooting guard in Teiko."

As Midorima continues to walk towards the locker room, Kise realises something.

No guy has ever mocked her, no guy has ever told her she was wrong. And even though Midorima's words seem cruel, and very narcissistic, she took it as an advice.

In the empty gym, Kise Ryuuko picks up a basketball lying on the court, and shoots a two pointer.

Swish

Yeay! 2nd chapter done! Doing this while there's both maths and chemistry exams tomorrow, better start studying, so what do you think? Is the Haizaki character spot on enough? Review please!