ERI'S P.O.V

The next day

The club activities has ended and I was assigned to help cleaning the gym they used by the first string members . I was picking up the ball they used for training and putting them back in the ball cart until their captain called out the members as they gathered in one place . And suddenly I was called out by the manager of the basketball club .

" Takasugi ", I shifted my attention at them " Come here quickly ".

" You're having a meeting , right ? I have nothing to do with that ", I simply replied .

" There is . You are the candidate for the next manager so you should come here this instant ", Higuchi-san commanded. I have no other option so I followed him halfheartedly .

Somehow Rakuzan has changed eversince they lost at the Winter Cup though they were placed second in the tournament . The practice was intense as ever but the way that Akashi treats them had also changed . He is not that arrogant anymore but he remained strict during the club activities .

" Alright , tomorrow we are going to Tokyo . We have a practice game between Yosen ", the coach began the meeting .

" But Yosen was from Akita , right ? ", some of the member asked .

" That's right . That's why Akashi came up with this plan . Going all the way to Akita will cost an amount of time . And it would be nice if we meet in Tokyo and besides Akashi has his own reason ", the coach explained .

" But that might be happen in Yosen because Akita is a far away place ", I stated calmly while raising my hand .

" That might be true but do what I told you . Let's meet up here at 6 am ".

" Hai ! ".

The next day ~

Everyone arrived early . Each of them greeted " good morning " at each other as soon as they came infront of the gymnasium , where our rendezvous point is .

After five minutes of waiting , the coach came , making attract everyone's attention .

" Okay , it seems that everyone is here ", the coach began , scanning the figures infront of him .

Yeah , everyone's here except the team captain . I'm curious why the coach seems fine with it that's why I decided to raise my hand and asked him directly " uhh ... Coach Shirogane ", I paused a bit when he looked at me " ... Aka ~ I mean ... captain is not here ".

" Akashi will take a different way . He is taking a train ", he simply answered .

" Is that so ? ".

" Everyone , let's get inside the bus ", the coach ordered and we instantly followed him .

While walking to get inside the bus , the certain blond guy stride alongside at me and talk to me .

" I heard from Akashi that they have a gathering with Generation of Miracles ", Hayama butted in " And ... ", He place his hand on his chin , thinking something " He said that today they were celebrating their old teammate's birthday. ", he pause a bit " Who was it again? I guess its the sixth phantom man whatever you call him".

" Ah you mean Kuroko Tetsuya-kun? ".

He snapped his fingers as if he remembered the name of the guy he mentioned earlier " Yeah, that's right. Wait, why it sounded like you're a close friend with this Kuroko guy? ".

" No, not really. We're just acquainted at each other ", I answered plainly, not even trying to look staightly at his face " And it has nothing to do with you if I'm Kuroko's close friend".

" Cold as ever ", Hayama commented.

"So today was Kuroko-kun's birthday , huh " , I muttered almost to myself then suddenly he smirked and gazed at me playfully " A bit disappointed , aren't we ? ".

I get startle . I don't even know if I'm blushing or not " Huh ?! W-why did you come up with that conclusion ? He is the captain so I think he should be present today ".

" hmm ... then why are you blushing ? ", he simply asked .

" That was your imagination ", as I entered first at the bus and take my seat on the second row . I sat beside the window 'coz I love gazing outside and enjoying the scenery .

" Am I ? ", he asked to himself then suddenly he was interrupted by the tall guy , who is actually behind him .

" Oi Kotarou , you're blocking our way ", Mibuchi said , making Hayama sat on the second row on the opposite side while apologizing twice . On the other hand , I simply gazed outside and smiled secretly .

After few hours ...

We stayed at the hotel which is near the gymnasium that we are going to use . Apparently , I am the only girl who was insisted to come at their practice game and also I am the so-called next manager that's why my room was good of one person .

The night came and we already ate our dinner. After eating our dinner I immediately take a quick shower. After taking a bath I wrapped the towel to cover my body and went out the bathroom while drying my hair with another towel . I sit at the edge of the bed and thought of something .

' It's already late , I wonder if Akashi is still enjoying the party ', I shook my head violently when I realized what on earth am I thinking with such a nonsense thing. So what if Akashi was spending his day with his old teammates ? He has the right to do it and I should not sticking my nose in someone else's business .

" Ah , that's right ! ", I say to myself , brushing off my thoughts.

I immediately went to my bag and pick up the clothes that I was going to use . I wear a thick clothes because I was planning to sneak in the gymnasium that we were going to use .

Just what I predicted the gym was closed and I don't have the key . I also brought the ball with me . I sighed . I have no choice but to go back to the hotel .

" Planning to sneak into the gymnasium , huh ", a familiar voice said , making me startle as I spin around and see the red head man who is the last person that I'm expecting to .

" A- Akashi ?! You're back ? ", I asked . What a nonsense question . It's obvious that he is back .

" uh ... ", he nods .

After that silence strike the two of us .

Is it just me or ... why does the atmosphere feel so awkward ?

" Uh ... ", I begin and start a conversation to lessen the tension between the two of us or maybe to myself " I .. I heard from Hayama - kun that there's a gathering between the generation of miracles for Kuroko's birthday ", Why am I stuttering ? I've been having a conversation with him for so long but eversince he changed and the time he ... I mean they protected me from those students ... why did I suddenly feel so conscious with him ? I feel nervous and my heart feels heavy .

He chuckled and nodded " It's fun and I enjoyed it . Gathering with my old teammates once in a while wasn't bad . And Takasugi you should not feel awkward in front of me . Treat me like you were used to be ".

Does that mean that he read my mind ?

He suddenly inclined his head " I apologize for making you feel like that ".

" Eh ?! You don't have to apologize ", I straighten my body and gaze at the ball I am currently holding " But ... you might be true . I'm not used to that kind personality of yours ", I laughed a bit " Strange , isn't it ? Back then I was actually pissed off with your bad personality until I got used to it and now that you've changed ... " .

" No , I didn't change ", I quickly look at him in the eyes , waiting for his next words he is going to say " I just went back to my old self ".

" Old self ? ".

" There was two of me to begin with . And we merely switched places. ", he said .

" Two of you ? ", its was a great shock , hearing those from him " So in other words , the arrogant Akashi that I knew all along and the Akashi who was now in front of me are totally a different person? So you haven't really changed? ".

He nods " It all started when my mother died that's why I devoted myself to basketball which the only foundation that my mother left me. For the only heir of Akashi family, it is my duty to win and stand above others. And during in middle school, all of my teammates, to be more precisely, the generation of miracles, their individual talent started to bloom as they became strong to the point that their powers were overwhelming. At that point it feared me that I might left behind".

This is really shocking I thought all along that I already knew him but it is just the other side of him . This is the first time that I see the real Akashi Seijuurou , the one that I never met before.

I don't even know what I'm going to say. The only words that escape from my mouth is " I'm sorry ".

" You don't have to apologize as the next manager of the club ", he raises his hand and places it on my shoulder as she smiles a bit " you should at least know me not as the team captain but as a friend ".

" Uh ... By the way , what are you doing here at a time like this? Could it be that you're planning to practice basketball on your own? ", he guessed .

I quickly hide the ball behind me knowing that its too late to hide it from him . I'm sure of it that he already notice it from the start " Uh ... kinda ".

" Is that so ? ".

" Oh ?! Akashi you already back ", a familiar voice said , approaching us .

Akashi twirled around to see the guy who just called out his name " And with ... ", he continue " Eri ?! ".

" What are you two doing here ? And Sei-chan you should at least rest for today . You must be exhausted , right ? ", Mibuchi said worriedly .

" Don't worry , Mibuchi . I'm just here to check out the gymnasium that we were going to use for tomorrow's practice game ", Akashi plainly replied .

" Arara ~ Akachin I thought you already went back to the hotel ", an unkown voice said . Why there's a lot of people coming today? This is too much coincidence.

" Murasakibara ... that same goes for you", Akashi said .

" Murochin and I are going to check out the gym that we will going to use for tomorrow . I never thought that I will see you here ", the guy who was called Murasakibara said lazily with his hand was inside the potato chip snack . This guy sure eats a lot plus they are the one that who will be playing against with for tomorrow's practice game .

" Himuro Tatsuya and Murasakibara Atsushi ", Mibuchi place his hand on his chin " I'm looking forward for tomorrow's game ", he said as if he was challenging him .

" Same here . Yosen are going to win tomorrow , right Atsushi ? ", the guy said whose hair is covered by his left eye .

" As the same position , I'm expecting a lot of you Murasakibara . I'm not going to lose ", Nebuya said , also challenging him .

" How troublesome . Well , I don't want to lose , anyway especially in Akachin since I lose earlier but this time I'm going to defeat you ", Murasakibara also challenged him .

" Hm .. I accept your challenge ", Akashi simply said .

Somehow , I feel so out of place here . I know that there's a practice game tomorrow between Rakuzan and Yosen and I can feel that there's an intense aura hovering around in everyone .

In the end , I didn't get to play basketball alone instead we just went back to the hotel after that intimidating scene . I think I should look forward to the game tomorrow .

The day of the practice game ~

The first quarter has ended both teams did their best and their score was tied . And right now , I am distributing the towels for the first line up . I said " great job " to each member while giving the towels .

And when Akashi's turn " Great job , Captain ", I said as he took the towel and wiped it over his face .

" Uh .. but the real game is about to begin ", he said as he looked at the other side of the court .

From the other side of the court , there was a tall man with purple hair , who recently arrive while holding a lots of snack in his large hands . There was a fuss going on there probably they were scolding Murasakibara for arriving late .

" Alright everyone ", the coach begin " since Yosen's Murasakibara has arrived and I'm sure of it that they will put him in the court in the second quarter . Let's stick to plan and win this game ".

" Uh ! ".

" Now the real game is about to begin", Mibuchi said as he stood up from the bench, ready for the second quarter.

THIRD PERSON'S P.O.V

The second quarter has started and the ball was in the Rakuzan team captain's possession , dribbling it until he was guarded by the tallest member of Yosen , Murasakibara Atsushi .

" Akachin ", the purple haired guy called the man in front of him . " I won't let you pass ", he continues while extending his long arms to guard his opponent with all of his might .

The redhead guy smirked " Let see what you've got, Murasakibara", with that he swiftly break through the tall man and pass it to his teammate " Mibuchi ! ".

It was now in Mibuchi's possession , attempting to shoot the ball but Murasakibara blocked him . He never wavered as he still decided to shoot using his Heaven shot and in the end Murasakibara was able to stopped him just by extending his arm .

" Aaahhh ... that was close ", the dark haired girl muttered and gotten caught by the moment.

But Rakuzan doesn't lose their composure , then again , when it was in Yosen's possession and tried to pass it to his teammate , Rakuzan took the chance to steal the ball and it goes well .

While running to the other side of the court , where their goal was lying down , Mibuchi passed the ball to the team captain when he was suddenly guarded by the opponent . He hastily dashed while dribbling the ball as soon when the ball is within his hands . As expected he was blocked by some member of Yosen but he didn't wavered. Predicting the move of his opponent until he find the chance to shoot it.

" GO AKASHIIIIIIII !", someone cheered him and shouted like there's no tomorrow. And this cause to catch everyone's attention.

On the bench of Rakuzan, there's a girl who is covering her mouth. She realize that everyone is looking at her. Eri looked away, pretending that nothing happened, though deep inside she was totally embarrassed for what she did. She wasn't planning to do it from the start and probably that is the spur of the moment because of the intensity of the game.

" That's the spirit ", Akashi commented before shooting the ball into the hoop. Since everyone's attention where on the Rakuzan's bench at the certain, he take this opportunity to shoot the ball without any difficulties.

The whistle occur, meaning to say that the ball went in and the Rakuzan gained its point. And right now the Rakuzan leads its point.

" Oi Eri! What about me? Why you didn't cheer me when the ball is in my possession? ", the blonde haired guy from Rakuzan complained.

" Shut up. W-what are you saying?! ", she retorted.

After an hour, the game ended and Rakuzan won the practice game. There's only one point difference between the two teams. Everyone give their best to win this practice game. Even though that it is not an official game. Yosen was quite disappointed for losing the game but they didn't even show it to the other team but rather they were all psyched up to face them once again in the court and this time it would be an official game.