A/N: Mah, I feel guilty for providing such a short chapter after not updating for MONTHS. Gah. School's been tedious, my results were terrible, and I just didn't have the motivation to write I don't know when I will update again. But hopefully before school starts for me next year! It will be my last year before entering university so I need to buck up! Cheers to everyone who is studying or working hard!
Nothing much going on in this chapter, I initially wanted to get rid of the Seirin-Kaijou arc with this chapter, but I guess that's a bit too much for me. One problem I faced was to like "translate" from the manga/anime into words for this fanfic :( I also want to improve on my writing skills, but I figured I can pick things up as I go along with the story! That means I need to write more to improve more! Grrrr :P
I feel like the story is not flowing as what I had intended e.g. I didn't want to reveal that Komeze can play basketball so soon into the series bleh. I thought I had everything in my head (I don't really type out the storyline unless I feel like I might forget the details, so everything is sort of inside my head.) but I realized I only have the gist of it :'D Now that I want to type everything out I keep facing writer's blocks and because of that I don't feel like writing anymore :(
But I'll still try my best and don't worry I will finish this series (will be a few years though :'D) and now I just can't wait to see if my story can match the upcoming KnB sequel! Yes I have planned out the rough flow of my fanfic even until after the part where the original series has concluded in. So now it's just the translating problem from my brain to my hand :'D
In the meantime, enjoy your year-end breaks and look forward to Season 3 and KnB 2! :D
/
Words: 2, 947 (not including author's notes and bloopers that's why the chapter looked long lol)
Storyline taken from: Chapter 4 (and a bit from 5); Season 1 Episode 3
Warnings: Major content from the original series (because my brain is fried ;_;)
/
Continuing from the previous chapter…
Stopping the dribbling, Komeze looked at Kagami.
"Can I expect you to want to beat me when I ask for a one-on-one with you, then?" Kagami smirked. This might actually be interesting…
/
"…Right now?"
"Obviously! I'm pumped up!"
"…Tell me how I smell to you, then."
Kagami was taken aback. "H-huh?"
"You said Kuroko's strength is odourless, right? You claimed you can smell the strength of others. How do I smell then?"
Staring at Komeze, Kagami scratched his head.
"…To be honest, I don't know."
"So I have no scent as well?" Komeze raised a brow at him.
"No, it's not that… You're different from Kuroko, that I know. However, I can't seem to…identify your scent?" Kagami hesitated, unsure himself of how to say it. "It's like… unique. Although strong people should have a scent of strength to them, you seem to be… indifferent. Like, for someone who plays basketball, you should have that distinctive shine in your eyes I've seen in many basketball players. Even Kuroko has it. Yet, somehow you feel strange…"
Kagami paused after that, scrunching his brows. "Urgh, never mind. I'm not sure of it myself, either. Just that there is something different about you."
Komeze merely nodded. "…I see. After going around, you didn't exactly say how I smell like."
"Shuddup! I don't know, okay?!"
She chuckled at his defensive outburst. "Relax. I was joking. I don't care how I smell to you, anyway. I was just curious about that strength radar of yours."
"Anyway, I've answered your question—"
"No, you didn't."
"…I've tried, right?!"
"You didn't try hard enough, though."
"Dang it just stop that! Urgh…" Pinching his nose from the frustration while Komeze merely grinned, Kagami continued, "Can we just have that one-on-one now?"
"No."
"What! Why—"
"Now's not the time."
"Then when would it be time—"
"Just. Not now." Komeze seemed adamant with her decision. "Right now, you shouldn't be focusing on me. You should think of how to beat Kise Ryouta, and how to work with Kuroko as well. You'll need his strength to win."
"Huh… But I really want to know how strong you are! If you can beat Kise's captain, then—"
"That was just luck. I merely caught him off guard. They didn't know I have experience with basketball."
"I... I see. It's that simple?"
"Yes, it is you simple dork."
"Why you—"
"Okay, enough prancing around. Let's get you some sleep and energy for the match."
"What. We still have a week!"
"It doesn't mean you don't have to prepare for school, either. You're a returnee so I expect your academia to be of standard."
"...urgh. I'll see what I can do."
"Tsk. That's not good enough. You need more energy than that."
"...I LOVE SCHOOL!" Kagami rolled his eyes and waved his arms about.
Seeing Kagami's dorkiness, Komeze snickered. "I can't believe you actually did that. What a dork."
"Shuddup!"
/
Kaijou vs Seirin! Kuroko and Kagami's first opponent is one of the Generation of Miracles, Kise Ryouta!
/
Chapter 3: Why must you treat me like this?
"Oooh, so big!" "The energy they put in the sports clubs here is on a different level after all…"
"Oh, our refreshments! Komeze, are you sure you don't need help? That box looks heavy…"
"There's no need, but thanks for offering."
It was the day of their practice match.
"…Kagami-kun, your eyes seem even worse than usual…"
"Shut up. I was too fired up, so I couldn't sleep at all last night."
"…Are you supposed to be a grade schooler before a school trip?"
Kise approached them. "Hi! I'll be counting on you guys today! Since the place is so big, I came to greet you."
Urgh obstinate much… Kise blatantly ignored the exasperated stares from the others and turned to the phantom player.
"Kurokocchi~ Ever since you turned me down so easily… I've been crying myself to sleep every night… Not a single lady has turned me down before, you know?"
Annoyed at his fake antics, Kuroko merely asked him to tone down with that flamboyant attitude of his. Kise touched his chest and feigned hurt.
"You should get some training done instead of fooling around like this."
A cold, aloof voice cut through Kise's attempt to get Kuroko's attention, amplifying the unnoticed tension in the air. Riko turned and looked at Komeze worriedly. Is she going to flare up again?
Kise stopped mid-sentence and stared at Komeze. She sent an indifferent glance back, startling him at the sudden eye contact with her. He jerked his head down, like a child caught with his hands in the cookie jar.
"A-ah. Do you need help with those? They look heavy—"
"I don't need your help. Just do what you're supposed to do and let this be done with." Komeze simply brushed him off with a mutter of "I don't want to have anything to do with this school anymore" under her breath. Kuroko merely stared at the exchange in the background.
Flinching visibly under her harsh words, Kise silently led the team to the gym without another word of chattering. Seeing this, Riko dragged Komeze to the back of the group and whispered stiffly.
"Kiseki-chan, as much as you hate the Generation of Miracles, he is still a rival player we are playing against. So please don't let your unhappiness ruin the game, alright? Your behavior is affecting the team as well."
"Riko-senpai, it's not that I am doing this for fun. I really think he doesn't deserve any kindness. After what he had done, he dared to be so carefree and appear in front of Kuroko like that—" Cutting herself mid-sentence, Komeze took a deep breath to calm herself down.
"Wait. What did he do exactly to make you so angry at him? At the Generation of Miracles?"
"It's okay, Riko-senpai. I got too hot-headed. You'll know why eventually." Komeze started walking faster to catch up with the group.
"Wait Ki—"
"Another time, senpai. We still have a game to play." Komeze dismissed Riko's stubbornness and walked on. It did not falter Riko's curiosity and uneasiness. Just what do Kiseki-chan know that we don't?
/
"Tch, even though we expected this, it still pisses me off."
"Calm down, Hyuuga. It would get anyone annoyed at such a setup, but we need to focus for our game later if we want to let his throne be thrown—"
"Shut up, Izuki."
As predicted by Komeze, their practice match will be played on only a half court, with the non-participating members practicing on the other half. After a reluctant greeting from both sides, Takeuchi Genta confirmed their prediction. Even so, Riko could not help but get annoyed.
"What do you mean by half court?"
"It means exactly that, young lady. It's just like you see. Today's match is just a light warm-up for our team, but the club members that won't be playing will not have anything worth learning by watching the match, so in order not to waste their time, the other members are going to practice as usual."
Riko tried to give a polite smile through gritted teeth, but deemed it impossible. "Let's just get the match started and—"
"Despite the arrangements, you'll be playing with our regular members. You and that manager of yours earn that, at least. But that's all. I hope you won't let us triple your score."
A vein popped on Hyuuga's head. Now I know why Komeze kept insulting him when she was briefing us… Kuroko frowned at the coach, while Riko looked like she was seconds from squeezing the fats out of a certain someone.
Kagami gave a fierce grin and an intense glare, ready for some kill. They think we suck. In other words, they're treating this like a sideshow to their practice… Komeze merely rolled her eyes.
"Whatever. I have enough of the chit-chat. We'll go and get ourselves ready now." Leaving the box of refreshments by the bench, she was about to walk towards the locker room when Kise approached her.
"Wait! Erm, can I have a word with you—"
"Hmm? Kise, why are you tucking in your uniform? You won't be playing!" At his coach's booming voice, Kise looked back at him, confused.
"I know we've got star players from all the middle schools, but you're on a completely different level. It's already unfair as it is with just the other regulars playing."
"Don't do that, Coach. Seriously, stop saying that."
"If I let you play, it won't even be a game anymore."
Kise rubbed his head in a self-conscious manner and sheepishly glanced at Seirin, who were currently glaring menacingly at him.
"Tch. Listen to him." "I haven't been this pissed in a while."
The blonde model jogged towards them and flashed an apologetic smile.
"Wha… sorry! It's alright, I'll still be on the bench!" Lowering his voice, he stuck a thumb in Genta's direction and continued, "If you just knock this guy off his pedestal, I'll probably play! Sorry if that sounded selfish, but…" Straightening his posture, his apologetic smile was replaced with a cocky smirk.
"If you can't even make me play in this match, you have no right saying anything about wanting to take down the Generation of Miracles." At his haughty comment, the entirety of Seirin glared at him, with undeniable tension building up at a ridiculous rate. Komeze had opted to stay awfully silent behind Kise, fists clenched.
Swapping his egoistic personality with his phony one, the corners of his eyes crinkled as he grabbed Komeze's shoulders and continued, "Ah. But I have faith in you guys! After all, your manager managed to beat—"
"Shut up." Komeze shoved his hands away.
Staring at his hands as if they have committed a sin, Kise snapped out of it and finally raise the question that has been probing him since their last encounter.
"Why must you treat me like this? Have I done anything to you—"
"You can ask yourself that question. Tch. You still have the audacity to approach us like this—"
"Hey Kiseki-chan! I think that's enough hostility from you!" Pulling the sullen teenage away from the model, Riko rambled on, "I know it's because you are pissed we are being treated like no one's business! But we still have a match to win, so let's save your energy for later, okay?" If she blew a fuse here, who knows what might happen!
Komeze puffed out a breath. "I apologise for my hot-headedness."
"Alright guys, stop staring at let's get ready for the game!" Hyuuga hollered and grabbed the box of drinks and proceeded towards the exit of the gym.
Kise, however, was relentless. He reached out for Komeze again.
"But…Kome—"
"Don't. Act as if you know me. Kise Ryouta." A ring of finality and bitterness in her voice was followed by a deafening silence in the gym. Kise just froze, his arms awkwardly hanging in the air with nothing to hang on to, a visual portrayal of his helplessness with the situation.
Takeuchi seemed to noticed the weird atmosphere in the gym. Coughing to grab everyone's attention, he motioned for the still stunned Kise.
"Hey Kise, show Seirin to the locker room."
Straightening up, Kuroko declined his offer. "It's fine. Please stay up. You will not have to wait for long—"
Riko also gave her final words before moving off. "Err… excuse me. I think it's a bit impossible for a warm-up—"
"Because I don't think you will be able to afford holding back."
/
"Well then! We'll now start the practice match between Seirin High and Kaijou High!"
"Er… well… I said we're starting…Seirin, would you mind getting our fifth player on the court quickly?"
"Erm… We have five players here."
"Gwoh?!" "Whoa… what the hell is this guy?!" "Is he invisible or what…" "A guy like that is a starting member?!"
The Kaijou regulars have the same train of thought.
Uwah, I didn't notice him in front of my eyes…
Such a gloomy guy… well, that means we only have to take care about that Number 10.
Wait, can that guy actually play basketball?!
Genta seemed disappointed at the matchup. "Ridiculous. After all that big talk, I thought they were going to make more decent players play."
The Generation of Miracle settled beside him merely grinned at the disbelief shown on everyone's faces. "…I wonder about that. Though, well… he might not be a decent one."
Riko had been eyeing the Kaijou regulars with worry etched across her features. Their stats… isn't it looking bad?! I can't see everything with their clothes on, but… well, their stats are high altogether. We might already be losing on the physical side. As expected from a team of the national level.
We have Kuroko-kun and Kagami-kun on our side, but how much can we use those two's abilities?
"Tip off!" Seirin's Mitobe Rinnosuke and Kaijou's Kobori Kouji jumped for the ball, with the latter reaching for the ball at a faster pace and it eventually got passed to Kaijou's point guard.
Komeze calmly regarded the start of the match. While Mitobe-senpai does have some skills as a player, his experience on the court is meager compared to Kobori-san. With more exposure, I'm sure Mitobe-senpai will become a formidable center. But for now, he can only try his best to not lag behind too much.
Firmly catching the ball, Kasamatsu confidently started dribbling the ball down the court. "Alright! Let's start by scoring once! Let's make that properly!" Your manager was good. But let's see how the team will fare against us!
Just as Kaijou's captain was thinking of that, the ball he was holding just seconds ago flew out of his hands, with Kuroko Tetsuya turning the table in his favour.
"Wha…" Where did he come from?!
Quick on his reflexes, Kasamatsu recovered quickly and soon bounded after Kuroko.
Not that I look at him, this guy is slow!
Just as the thought flitted through Kasamatsu's mind, Kuroko skidded to a stop and back passed the ball to—
"Number 10?!"
Kagami caught the smooth pass from Kuroko and bounded towards the problematic basket.
"So how would destroying the hoop do anything?"
"Everything. With one of the hoops spoilt, Takuechi-san would be forced to use the full court."
"And about subbing Kise in?"
"Well, if the strong, powerful dunk is from one of us, he would be intimidated to some extent, wouldn't he?" As she said this with a smirk, she glanced at Kagami.
He caught on. "So, you are saying that I should score the first dunk? And it should be a powerful one?"
"That's right. It's best if it happened right at the start of the game."
Smirking, Kagami made a powerful leap into the air, and succeeded in securing the first two points of the game. For Seirin.
As Kaijou looked on dumbfounded after the powerful dunk, everyone seemed to notice Kagami had brought something down with him other than the ball.
"…huh?" "H-h-he took the hoop down as well?!" "How is that possible?!"
Izuki went closer to inspect the damaged basket. Komeze was right…a bolt has completely rusted…
Kasamatsu warily glanced at the culprit. That's still not normal though!
Meanwhile, Riko seemed pleased with the outcome. Although we planned for this to happen, it still came as a surprise to me!
Kagami was still staring at the hoop. "Oh, a hoop is bigger than I thought."
"Don't choose a time like this to be an idiot, Bakagami."
Said red head whipped his head around to glare at Komeze. "Shut it! I did as you said, right?!"
At his outburst, Kise widened his eyes. …What? They planned for this to happen?
"Yes, yes. Good job to you, Mr. Brawns-and-no-brains—"
"Oi!"
"But now is not the time to marvel about the wonders of the circumference of a hoop. We have a match to win, don't we?" She turned to Kuroko with a smirk. He returned with a small twitch of his lips.
"We do, Komeze-san." Walking over to Takeuchi, he dragged Kagami along and forced down the ace to do an apologetic bow with him.
"I apologise. It seems we have damaged one of the hoops. Since we can't play like this, could we use the full court?"
Genta could only grit his teeth in frustration, ashamed at how the match had started.
Komeze grinned at his embarrassed face and muttered, "Well, I'm not apologetic though. That's what you get for acting so high and mighty."
As both teams get ready for the match again, Kise chuckled at the memory of his coach's agitated face. His laugh caught the attention of Kuroko and Kagami.
"Now that's what you call a beating."
"Huh?"
"It's true that you've surprised him with that. I've never seen Coach like that before. Well, other than that time when your manager and coach approached us."
"You should tell your coach that that's what he gets for underestimating us!"
Seemingly ignoring their conversation, Kuroko just walked off while pondering loudly, "I wonder how much a replacement hoop will cost." His indifference towards him caused a weird feeling to churn inside Kise.
"W-what?! We have to pay for that?! Komeze didn't mention anything about paying!"
"Because it's common sense, Kagami-kun. I thought you would have at least some amount of logic. I'm disappointed, Kagami-kun."
"Stop ganging up on me, the both of you!"
"Leave me out of this."
At the close proximity of a feminine voice behind him, Kagami Taiga suffered from a whiplash. For the umpteenth time.
" *$&( #*&)!"
/
Author's note: Heh. Sorry I just HAD to add the whiplashes again.
I think I didn't do justice for Komeze But you will (might) understand her hostility towards Kise in the future, so please don't hate on her yet!
Bloopers below!
/
Bloopers
Komeze's scent
"So I have no scent as well?" Komeze raised a brow at him.
"No, it's not that… You're different from Kuroko, that I know. However, I can't seem to…identify your scent?" Kagami hesitated, unsure himself of how to say it. "It's like… unique. Although strong people should have a scent of strength to them, you seem to be… indifferent. Like, for someone who plays basketball, you should have that distinctive shine in your eyes I've seen in many basketball players. Even Kuroko has it. Yet, somehow you feel strange…"
Kagami paused after that, scrunching his brows. "Urgh, never mind. I'm not sure of it myself, either. Just that there is something different about you."
Komeze merely nodded. "…I see. After going around, you didn't exactly say how I smell like."
"Shuddup! I don't know, okay?!"
She chuckled at his defensive outburst. "Relax. I was joking. I don't care how I smell to you, anyway. I was just curious about that strength radar of yours. If you are really curious I can tell you what I think of my scent."
"Y-you can describe your scent?"
"Sure, why not? The shampoo that I am currently using is Sunsilk's Anti Frizz with its unique Fruity Floral Fragance because my hair has been disobedient for the past month, so 14.3% of my scent is a weird mix of roses and strawberries because my head-to-body ratio is 1:6. And since I have sensitive skin I used JOHNSON'S baby soap formula so I smell 85.7% like a puny one. I spray perfume on rare occasions so I might have that yucky smell on me, although faintly. I would say less than 1%. So in total—"
"That wasn't what I meant! And stop with the percentages!"
Inappropriate time to complement on a pun done well.
Swapping his egoistic personality with his phony one, the corners of his eyes crinkled as he grabbed Komeze's shoulders and continued, "Ah. But I have faith in you guys! After all, your manager managed to beat—"
"Shut up." Komeze shoved his hands away.
Staring at his hands as if they have committed a sin, Kise snapped out of it and finally raise the question that has been probing him since their last encounter.
"Why must you treat me like this? Have I done anything to you—"
"Yes you did, Kise!" Everybody whipped their heads towards a particular jokester.
"Izuki, it's not your turn to say anything yet—"
"I have to! Did you guys not see something special here?!"
Kise just stared at him, confused. "Eh?"
"Oh gosh, Kise! I didn't know you had it in you! That must be why you are called a genius!"
"W-wait, Izuki please enlighten us on what in the rainbows are you blabbering about—"
"His statement! Did you guys not catch what he said?!" With sparkling, inspired eyes glancing around the gym – only to receive exasperated and blank looks in return – Izuki continued on, like a preschooler finally grasping that 1 + 1 equals to 2 and not 4.
"Okay, let's do a flashback here. Saxhyske! If you can kindly—"
"Wait! Now's not the time to break the fourth wall! We were in a solemn conversation just now!"
Swapping his egoistic personality—
"Wait, Saxhyske are you seriously going—"
—with his phony one—
"—to do a flash—"
—the corners of his eyes crinkled—
"—back—"
as he grabbed Komeze's shoulders—
"Urgh I give up!"
—and continued, "Ah. But I have faith in you guys! After all, your manager managed to beat—"
"Pause right there!" Izuki flashed out a stop sign. I don't even want to ask where he got it from?!
"Did you guys still not see it?!" Izuki's little bubble of excitement has not faded away.
"…"
"…"
"…"
"After all, your manager managed to beat—"
"Oh my goodness are you for serious Izuki—"
"That wasn't even a good one what the—"
"He ruined the mood just for this little !)( #*)%—"
"That was an inappropriate time to make a joke Izuki—"
"I thought you know your limits this is seriously getting out of hand—"
"I'm seriously going to kill you!"
As the entire gym groaned and yelled in frustration at Izuki's cluelessness as to when it is inappropriate for a pun joke, Kagami looked utterly dumbstruck.
"Wait, so the Generation of Miracles have another ability?! They are geniuses at making puns as well?! I don't know if I can beat them in that aspect—"
Komeze burst out laughing. "Seriously Bakagami!? I know you are trying to live up to your name but this is seriously too much!"
As everyone stared wide-eyed at the odd sight of a laughing Komeze, Izuki merely grinned while pushing off Hyuuga's attempt at strangling him. "See?! It worked, I managed to manage our manager to calm down—"
"JUST SHUT UP, IZUKI!"
(A/N: I had fun with this chapter's bloopers xD)