Wow! I got a lot of positive feedback from you all in such a short period of time! Arigatō gozaimasu~! *bows*
Warning: I've changed some of the things in the anime's original plot line [ex. Haizaki's age and how they set up the system in Teikō], I hope you don't mind!
Happy readings~
"Shirogane Riyeko. Please take care of me!" The white-haired girl bows deeply. Her eyes flutter open, startling white pupils sweep across the room to peer at every single face. Standing at merely 150 cm, she is dwarfed by the surrounding adults.
"Eh? THE Shirogane Riyeko? The one who's won many tournaments across the world?" a boy questions dubiously.
"Ne, ne! I remember now! You are the famous basketball prodigy from Japan!"
"I recall seeing her featured in Basketball Monthly!"
"Sugoi! A famous celebrity in junior high!"
More and more voices input their thoughts, adding to the ensuing chaos . Shirogane sweatdrops and waves her hands frantically in front of her.
"Ah, yes, that is all true... Ano... I didn't realize I was so popular..." She offers a hesitant smile. Everyone falls silent, momentarily stunned by her innocent behavior.
"Kawaii..." one of the upperclassmen murmurs in a daze.
"Choosing you as captain doesn't seem reasonable... Aren't you only a first year?" another comments snidely. Everyone stares at Shirogane expectantly.
"That's true, too. I am only a first year." she continues on despite the wave of gossiping whispers that follow. "But I have lots of experience that would benefit the team." Sanada nods, emphasizing her point.
"Enough questions." Kōzō cuts off a few curious students who had begun to blurt out even more inquiries. They immediately shut their mouths in fear and respect. "Sanada-san will call names."
"If I call your name, please follow me." Sanada briefly riffles through his papers before stopping on one that has a relatively short list of names.
"Haizaki Shōgo." A tall second-year with ash-colored hair emerges from the ranks, receiving congratulatories from his fellow classmates.
"Akashi Seijurō." The red-haired boy slowly stands up from amongst the group of first years and makes his way towards the front.
"Aomine Daiki." The tanned, blue-haired boy jumps up from the first years with a cheer before hurrying over to the slowly growing group of players. He flashes a thumbs up towards Momoi's direction excitedly before taking his place next to Seijurō.
"Midorima Shintarō." A green-haired boy with a plushie in hand also rises from amidst the first years and calmly picks his way through the crowd.
"Murasakibara Atsushi." An incredibly tall, purple-haired boy lumbers over from the first years with a bar of chocolate hanging from in between his lips. "That will be all." Sanada looks up impassively from his notes in conclusion.
Some of the players begin to groan and grumble as soon as they realize that they didn't make the cut. Others unabashedly voice their disapproval.
"How come there are five first years in the first-string?! Unheard of!"
"No fair...!"
"Quiet!" Kōzō thunders, his voice bouncing off of the walls of the gym. "If you have a problem, speak to me afterwards. Otherwise, we will continue with the listing."
"Mm, let's go." Sanada directs, swiftly turning on his heel and exiting the gym. Due to the fact that Teikō's basketball team was well-known for being one of the best in Japan, they had many sponsors and were therefore very well provided with equipment and such. The first-string coach pulls out a set of keys before unlocking one of the gym doors.
"This is where we will be meeting from now on. You will report here everyday after school without delay.
"In Teikō, we are expected to win. We will only accept victory. Prepare to commit yourselves to at least three hours of practice after school. If you do not have the time or will to do so, please show yourselves out now."
No one budges. Haizaki scoffs and crosses his arms. Sanada shoots him a harsh glare, as if challenging him to leave. The second year merely rolls his eyes and looks away.
"Good. The locker rooms are over there." He gestures stiffly to the two doors off to the left side of the court. "I will leave the rest to you, Shirogane." Sanada quickly exits the gym, seemingly in a hurry to get somewhere else.
"Ah... yes... Alright, let's introduce ourselves first." Shirogane clasps her hands in front of her, nodding at Haizaki to go first.
"Tch... this is fucking stupid..." he mutters lowly.
"Hurry up, senpai, it's not like you have a choice." Shirogane scowls, placing two fists on her hips. Haizaki frowns, glaring down at his captain's tiny structure. She barely reaches his shoulder.
"Yeah, yeah. 'm Haizaki Shōgō, class 2B..." he grunts out in annoyance. There's a pregnant pause as Shirogane unnerves him with her blank stare. She slowly lifts her arm and stabs him with two fingers. "Agh! What was that for, ya little shit?!" he demands, clutching his vulnerable sides. Aomine bites back a snicker, his eyes shining with mirth and slight respect. Despite being half his size, the girl in front of him is not afraid in ordering her senpai around.
"That was the lamest introduction ever..." she scoffs.
"Well, what do ya want me to say?!" he challenges threateningly.
"Hm... share something interesting thing about yourself." Shirogane offers vaguely, motioning with her hands.
"Ergh... Fine... I like karaage..." he trails off. His captain motions for him to continue. "And, uh, girls." Shirogane deadpans.
"Great... Your turn."
"I am Akashi Seijurō in class 1A." he presses on quickly, hoping to avoid being assaulted by his captain. "I enjoy shogi and go." The white-haired girl offers him a dazzling smile, her emotions taking a drastic turn from Haizaki.
"Murasakibara Atsushi... 1C... sweets..." the giant answers through each bite of his candy bar. The other members carefully observe their captain's reaction towards Murasakibara's obvious gluttony.
Shirogane yanks on the tall, purple-haired boy's shirt, pulling him forward so his face is level with hers. His body has to make a right angle in order to compensate for the height difference. Shirogane's eyes are covered by a dark shadow, appearing frightening despite her doll-like appearance.
"He's gonna get it..." Haizaki smirks, watching with morbid delight. Murasakibara continues chewing, oblivious to the intense atmosphere. Everyone watches with bated breath as Shirogane slowly lifts up her other arm...
... and pats him on the head.
"Don't eat too much, okay?" she smiles angelically before releasing her grasp on his shirt. The purple-haired boy slowly nods his head before straightening up.
"Wh-wha?!" Haizaki sputters. "How come you give me a fucking hard time when all you do is pat him on the head?!" Aomine coughs loudly in order to mask his not so subtle laughter, causing the second year to harshly glare at him.
"I like him. Gotta problem, senpai?" she asks, pouting childishly. Haizaki grunts and turns away sullenly.
"Next..." She motions vaguely towards the blue-haired boy next to the sweet-loving giant.
"Yo! I'm Aomine Daiki and I like basketball and magazines!" he announces quite loudly.
"Tch, what a simple-minded brat." Haizaki snidely remarks.
"Oi! What did you say?!" the first year quickly retaliates.
"... Calm down." Akashi monotones darkly. Aomine cringes at his dark aura, timidly stepping down.
"Stop bullying the poor first years, senpai." Shirogane butts in, acting as a mediator.
"As if you're one to speak, you're a first year, too." Haizaki grumbles but back down anyways.
"Right, you next."
"I am Midorima Shitarō in class 1A, too. I am a Cancer with the best luck today. I enjoy listening to Oha-Asa." the green-haired male pushes up his glasses while holding up a small plushie in his hand. Everyone sweatdrops as Shirogane cooes over the cuteness of the small bunny figurine.
"... Weird..." Aomine comments dryly before brightening up at a sudden realization. "Hey, four-eyes, how lucky am I today?"
"Please refrain from calling me such juvenile names... When were you born?" Midorima frowns slightly, already disapproving of Aomine's bright and loud personality.
"August 31st!" the blue-haired states proudly.
"... That mean's you are a Virgo, with the worst standing luck today." Midorima replies after a brief silence of thought.
"Eh?! Sōka...?" the tanned boy slumps off with heavy depression lines weighing his head down. He sullenly picks at the mushrooms growing in the dark corner.
"It is your turn, now." Akashi suddenly speaks up, nodding towards Shirogane. She blinks, pulling her sympathetic gaze away from Aomine's sulking form to face the rest of the group.
"I am Shirogane Riyeko, as you all know by now, in class 1C." she scratches the back of her head in thought, struggling to come up with interesting facts about herself. "Eto... I've been to all of the continents, except for Antarctica, and can speak two languages."
"That many places?! Sugoi!" Aomine shoots up from his crouching position and rushes over to join the rest of his teammates. "Were they for basketball tournaments? I heard you play in competitions worldwide! What's it like?" As the energetic boy fires off question after question, Shirogane's face slowly fills with a furious red bush. Noticing her discomfort, Akashi steps forward and slams a fist down on Aomine's head, effectively shutting him up.
"Itai! What was that for?!" the boy howls and clutches his head in pain.
"A-Arigatō..." Shirogane stutters, nodding appreciatively towards the redhead.
Akashi nods blankly. "It's of no issue, Shirogane-san."
"Eh! Please don't call me that, it makes me sound old..." she turns to address them all. "Since we're going to be stuck together for quite a while now, you don't need to use formalities! Most of us are in the same year, so there's no need."
"Tch, speak for yourself. I demand respect from all you first years." Haizaki sneers, looking down upon the younger members.
"Right... Ojiji..." Aomine snickers, forgetting about his wound.
"Oi! Ya little-"
Shirogane loudly claps her hands together. "Right! Now that that's over, we'll be meeting right after school tomorrow for our first practice. Dont be late... or you'll be punished." she adds darkly. A few of the members shiver.
"I'm not sure if you all know how the system works but us, regulars, will be playing in all of the tournaments representing as Teikō. Reserve players are selected from the second-string and will often practice with us. Any questions?" The four first years shake their heads while Haizaki stares uninterestedly out the window. "Alright, then, you're all dismissed!"
"Actually, Captain-" Aomine waves his hand in slight embarrassment.
"It's Riyeko." she corrects automatically.
"Eh... how about Riyeko-hime?" he offers with a chuckle. Shirogane's jaw unhinges.
"D-Don't call me that!" she splutters indignantly.
"Ne, that's what they call you, though." he states, referring to some of the articles that go so far in praising Shirogane's basketball skills that they had begun to call her "The Japanese Basketball Princess."
"Sōka?" Haizaki slithers up to them with a sly smirk, not hiding the fact that he was eavesdropping on their conversation. In fact, it seems that all of the players were listening in on their argument.
"Hime...?" Akashi mumbles. Midorima raises a brow but otherwise remains emotionless.
"Heh, what a girly title..." Haizaki sneers. "Fitting, though. It sure doesn't even look like you actually can actually play basketball." He looks her up and down, noting her small stature that couldn't be hidden by her baggy slacks and sweater.
"Urusai!" Shirogane grumbles, cheeks tinted red. "It's not like I actually wanted to be called by that name. You don't know how many times I've told people to stop saying that!"
"Sure, sure..." the second year drawls with a wicked gleam in his eye. He ambles out of the gym with his hands stuffed in his pockets. "Ja ne, brats." Shirogane huffs.
"Don't worry, Ri-chin." Murasakibara reassures his distressed captain lazily. He ruffles her snow white hair with a large hand, his other one occupied by another candy bar.
"Ri-chin...?" Shirogane echoes softly. She turns back to Aomine with a shake of her head. "Anyways, what did you want to ask, Daiki?"
His tanned face dusts with pink at the casual way she uses his first name but otherwise brushes it off. "Oh, yeah. My friend, Satsuki, was thinkin' about becoming the basketball team's manager..." he trails off suggestively.
"Ne, you mean that girl by the door?" Shirogane asks, rising onto her toes in order to peer over the tall boy's shoulder.
"Nani?!" Aomine whirls around and spots his childhood friend loitering awkwardly in the entrance. "Eh, hai, that's her." He motions for her to come over.
"A-Ah, sumimasen..." the pink-haired girl bows hurriedly towards the captain, glancing at the remaining players through the corner of her eye.
The white-haired girl waves her hand. "No worries. But I'm not the one to ask, you'll have to consult the coach."
"O-Oh... Arigatō! Let's go, Dai-chan...!" she tugs the complaining blue-haired boy away by his elbow, offering Shirogane a wave over her shoulder. Shirogane returns the gesture with a smile.
"Oi, you two three should get moving two! You'll need to rest up before tomorrow's practice, it'll be brutal." she addresses the three boys behind her. They nod and file out the door with Shirogane bringing up the rear and locking the gym.
"Ja ne, minna!" she waves before turning around and heading back towards the school. They watch as her snow white curls disappear from view before going off in their separate ways.
Shirogane knocks quietly on the door to the coach's office.
"Come in." comes a voice inside. Shirogane quietly steps inside, shutting the door behind her.
"Kon'nichiwa, Sanada-sensei." She bows respectfully before moving closer to said person. The man sitting at the desk swivels around in his chair to give the petite first year his full attention.
"Ah, Shirogane. How did the first meeting go?" he questions, leaning back in his chair with his hands folded in his lap. "Smoothly, I hope."
"Hai, hai. It went perfectly fine... Ano, did Satsuki-chan talk to you about the manager position yet?"
"Momoi Satsuki? That girl? Hm, yes, she just did." Sanada hums thoughtfully. "What do you think?"
Shirogane shuffles her feet nervously. "Well, she did sit next to me during the tryouts and she has quite an interesting skill in reading and predicting moves."
"Oh?" Sanada raises a brow. "I see..."
"She also seems close to Aomine Daiki." she adds.
"Shirogane, I don't want someone on the team that will just distract others. We are the first-string representing Teikō Junior High, we are expected to, and will, win all of our games."
"Hai, sensei. However, I think Satsuki-chan has an unique skill that can't be overlooked. Perhaps she'll end up motivating the team..." Shirogane states slowly.
"... Then what do you propose?" Sanada leans forward, resting his elbows on his desk and lacing his fingers together. He rests his chin on his hands and stares straight into her eyes.
The white-haired girl suddenly grins. "What else but test her! Send her to one of our opposing schools and tell her to collect data. Then you can decide afterwards." she suggests.
"I suppose... It looks like you have it all under control, Shirogane..." he shuffles the papers on his desk for a moment before piercing the first year again with his intense gaze. "I'm expecting only the best from you."
She bows again. "Hai, sensei."
"By the way, did you mention your... condition to the other players yet?" he continues cleaning the table, packing away his items.
Shirogane frowns slightly before sighing and glancing out the window. The sun had begun to set, lighting up the sky with fiery hues of red, orange, and yellow. The school yard was deserted and there was no sound of happy chatter that was usually heard during school hours. "Iie, I hope to keep it hidden for as long as possible. I don't want them to look down on me and worry."
"Oh?" comes the only response.
"Ne... Sensei, please don't tell them yet." she pleads gently, her brows furrowing together in concentration as she faces the coach.
Sanada sighs. "It's none of my business. However, you should prepare in case if an incident does occur."
"Of course, sensei!" she bows. "Arigatō!" Shirogane waves before exiting the room with a flash of white.
"That girl..." Sanada shakes his head, letting a miniscule smile cross his lips briefly. "Something interesting is going to happen with this team..."