Chapter 2 - The Mini Game
As Coach Adia took notes about height and such from Jo, Koganei announced there was another recruit.
"Is this the basketball club?"
A man, for once bigger than Jo, stood behind Koganei as he looked down at Adia and Hugya. He had dark red hair and fierce red eyes. He wore the school uniform but had his jacket unzipped so you could see the white undershirt the boys wore. He also had a chain around his neck with a silver ring that hung from it. He looked a bit intimidating. But for the life of her, she couldn't look away.
"Yeah." Adia nodded.
"I want to join." He bluntly stated and sat in the chair.
"Excellent! Wait one minute." She began to talk about the team when the tall high schooler put his pen down after filling out the paper work.
"I don't care. Basketball is the same no matter where you are in Japan."
He stood up and walked away.
"Kakgami Taiga. It says he also went to middle school in America." Coach read aloud as she looked at the paper.
"Don't forget this recruit." Koganei pushed a paper towards Adia.
Adia raised her eyebrow. "Huh? Tetsuya Kurorko? I don't remember him. Wait it says he's from the Teiko Basketball Club!" Her eyes began to widen.
Hyuga stammered, "THE Teiko club?!" He took the paper to look closer.
Jo looked at the other guys that had gathered around the table. They all seemed impressed.
"Can I ask why that is important?" She asked as she stuck her hands in her pockets.
A young man with a buzz cut black hair she had not met turned to her.
"It means he's more than likely one of the Generation of Miracles. They were unbeatable in middle school. They had basically had no weaknesses. Then when it was time for highs school, they all went to different schools. There were 5 of them that were the kings of the team."
"No Koichj remember there were 6. The phantom 6th man." Another player spoke up.
Koichj nodded and said, "Oh yeah. I forgot about him."
Buzz! Buzz! Buzz!
Jo's alarm went off. Jo fumbled for the alarm to shut it off. She stretched and yawned.
Alright, I should get my exercise done with then I've got to get ready for school.
She sat up and saw the clock read 4:30 am. The sky outside was still pitch black.
She locked the door behind her and began to jog down the sidewalk. The city was still asleep, but it seemed like people had began to move about.
She thought of yesterday as she jogged. It was pretty laid back compared to Saturday. She had flipped through the school books she had picked up. It looked pretty complicated when it came to high school work. Not only was it new material, but everything was in Japanese characters. She turned on her computer and while she read some of the books, she looked up any words she didn't recognized then made a note on the book what it meant.
She saw a sign that said "park" and she decided to check it out. Jo continued to jog and the park not far from her apartment was really nice. There was a full basketball court that made Jo stop.
"Awesome, now I have a place to practice besides school." Luckily she brought her basketball from home so now she has something to let steam off with.
Jo finished her jog and returned home. After a quick shower, she gobbled down some cereal. She had lost track of time yesterday and forgot to find her homeroom classroom so she needed to leave early to figure out where that was. She grabbed two bags. One for her homework and the other was her gym bag.
Jo was tickled pink that she was going to be on a basketball team this year. She hoped it would not interfere with school work so she would have to work double hard to focus, especially now that she found that basketball court not far from her apartment.
"Room 1B. Room 1B… where are you on this silly map?" Jo grumbled to herself.
"Need a hand?"
A girl's voice came up from behind Jo. It made her jump. When she turned around she saw Hana. Hana stood with her hands behind her back.
"Oh Hana, you startled me. Yeah I guess. I am looking for my homeroom, 1B." Jo looked back at the map that hung on a board.
Hana nodded and pointed with her finger. "There. That's room 1B."
She gave Jo brief directions then waved goodbye.
Jo sighed with relief once she found her homeroom. She walked in and several students talked to each other while others read books and manga. Jo decided to sit in the back. People generally don't like tall people in the front row.
She got her act together and sighed when she was able to relax. Just as she was releasing the knots from her neck a voice boomed over her.
"Is that desk taken?"
Jo opened her eyes suddenly and was startled a bit.
There stood Kagami, the red head teen from the basketball sign up table.
Jo shook her head, "Not that I'm aware of, no."
Kagami nodded once and flopped down in the desk beside her.
Great now I've got to focus on school while Mr. Lets Scare Kids While They Are Sleeping, sits beside me. Perfect.
Jo decided that even though she knew who to write in Japanese, English for taking notes would be a lot easier and faster for to write.
After the bell chimed Jo gathered her stuff.
Kagami got up as soon as the bell chimed and headed out the door. Jo stuffed everything in her bag and headed to her next class.
Apparently school is school no matter what country you go to. Boring and confusing, especially on the first day of a new school. Luckily she was not the only one who would look at the map with their school classes in hand.
When lunch came around, she had her lunch and sat at a table. At first no one was there. She felt eyes on her, but there was nothing she could do. She had brought a book from home that she had not finished on the plane. She flipped it open and began to read.
Eventually Adia and Hugya came and asked to join her. She was pleased and encouraged them. They made light chit chat over the food. Jo noticed that Kagami got a lunch, but then went outside with it. She shrugged and made a mental note that he was a little odd.
Eventually the school day ended but basketball practice was about to begin. She went over to the gym. There was only one locker she saw. All it said was locker room, not if it was for men or women.
She was beginning to wonder what to do when she heard Hana laugh. She flagged her down and asked about the locker room situation.
"Oh yeah, I guess there is only one. Sorry, but good luck. Let me know who has ripped abs ok?" Hana winked.
Jo hung her head and stood in front of the door.
"Are you going in or not? This is for basketball players only."
Jo was beginning to recognize the booming voice. Jo tried to say something but then closed her mouth.
"Move I've got practice to go to."
He went passed her and went inside the locker room. She could hear the voices of the other guys on the other side.
You've got to change. Come on. Just go in, find a locker and then change in the bathroom stall. Ready? Set. Move… why didn't you move? Come on go… now... Any day now.
Finally she worked up the courage to enter the locker room. As the door closed she looked down but looked up to try to find her way around. As she went around the corner she saw almost the whole team mostly in shorts and not much else. They were joking and laughing at each other. Eventually, one by one, their eyes fell on her. The tension was so thick you could've cut it with a knife.
"I'm sorry I won't be long. I just need a locker." Jo stammered and briskly walked towards the sport lockers.
"I guess I didn't think about that." Spoke up Hyuga. The other players looked at him.
"Yes she is a member of the team now and yes there is only one locker room. Jo, take your time. We are all almost dressed and you can have space right fellas?"
All the players nodded and agreed. Come on guys, let's head out to the court. Jo, meet us out there when you are done." Hyuga motioned for the doors that lead to the court.
"Thank you Hyuga."
The guys put the rest of their clothes on and headed out.
She began to undress when the door finally closed.
She was in her bra and pants when a stammered voice boomed.
"What the… What the hell are you doing? You can't change here. This is for basketball players dummy."
Jo quickly pulled the shirt over her sports bra. "I am a member of the team… dummy. I thought you went to the court with the other guys."
She turned around and saw he one had hand holding the towel around his waist and the other covering his eyes. Her knees buckled a little at the sight of his abs and hair still wet from the shower.
"No I didn't hear that. I was taking a shower. You mind hurrying a little so I can change." Kagami spoke with a bite to it.
"I'm not ready yet. Look I'll stay on this side of the wall; you stay on that side of the wall. I will warn you before I leave deal?" Kagami looked ready to argue, but then Jo turned to have her back to him.
"Whatever…" He huffed. He went beside her and unlocked what she assumed was his locker and yanked his bag out and went to the other side of the wall of lockers.
Couple moments later, "I'm done. Can I pass?" She asked.
"Yeah, I'm almost done too."
They both left the locker room and went to meet the others. They were warming up by shooting and stretching. Kagami turned to face Jo and gave her a sneer.
"Now we will have two worthless players. You and that invisible creature."
"I'm right here." Kuroko tapped on the arm of Kagami.
Both of us jumped when we realized he was there.
"Kagami, I am a good player. You just watch." Jo reached for a ball that was on the rack.
Kagami crossed his arms.
"Bring it on…"
"Jo. My name is Jo."
"Ok you two settle down." Hyuga stepped in between the two of the tallest players on the team. "Coach wants everyone to line up."
"Who is our coach?" Koichi spoke up and looked around.
Adia spun around and a whistle dangled from her neck.
"Alright everyone I need shirts off!" Coach called out as she looked at her clipboard.
"WHAT?!" all first years called out.
"I will analyze your bodies and figure out what kind of training you require. Come on now, shirts off."
She looked up and we make eye contact. I gave a look of "Me too?" and she nodded to Jo. So Jo returned the nod. Luckily Jo had a sports bra on and took off her shirt. She looked straight ahead all too aware that some roaming eyes saw her. She wasn't sure who but then again she didn't want to know.
Coach Adia went down the list one by one of the players. She got to Jo and analyzed her. Now all the team looked at her. "You are in real good shape Jo. You have more abs showing than some of the others here. Looks like you upper body might need some work along with your back, but not bad.
Once everyone was finished, coach told everyone to split up into upper classmen and first years. She tossed yellow scrimmage jerseys' to the first years and blue jerseys' to the others.
"Alright we are starting with a mini game. Everyone put on a jersey."
Everyone pulled one on. Kagami being the tallest was told the start the game with the jump ball. Jo crouched down ready to move once the ball had begun to fall. Unsure on who would win at the jump ball, Captain or Kagami. Coach blew her whistle and tossed the ball in the air. Kagami's jump was amazingly tall. He tapped the ball backwards towards our side and Jo jumped at the movement. She grabbed the ball and began to dribble down the court. Once Fuirhata came into view Jo passed the ball. He saw Kagami open and passed to him. Kagami grabbed the ball then made his way to the basket. He jumped and did a slam dunk with cry of triumph.
When the second years set up for a play, Jo guarded Izuki so he could not get the rebound. Hyuga went for a jump shot, but was off by mere inches so it began to fall. She boxed out Izuki and jumped up for the ball. She was able to get the rebound and quickly passed it off to Kagami who did a full on sprint to the basket. He jumped up once again and made another dunk.
Several successful plays later the score was 11 to 8 with the first years in the lead. Everyone seemed a bit winded but was having a good time.
After Jo was passed the ball she turned around and drove for the basketball. She may not be able to dunk but her lay ups were spot on. She looked as if she was going on the left side of the rim then fed the ball through her legs and put the ball up on the right side. The ball went through without moving the net much.
"Alright Jo! Good one!" Koichi cried out as we ran back to the other end of the court.
Soon the first years realized something. The upper classmen were holding back. The first years tried to keep up but it was difficult.
They began to double and triple team Kagami. Kagami was able to pass the ball to Kuroko. He caught it and dibbled a bit but the ball was easily swiped from Kuroko's grasp. Kagami's veins on his forehead looked ready to explode.
This time Hiroshi passed the ball down where Kuroko was. He was mere feet from the basket and missed with an unguarded layup.
The score now stood 18 to 31 with Upper classmen in the lead.
"This is unreal. There is no way we can win. I've had enough" stated Fuirhata.
Kagami grabbed him by the collar of his shirt and pulled Fuirhata to be eye to eye with him.
"Enough? What the hell are you talking about?!" Kagami growled.
Jo saw this and ran over to the two of them.
"Kagami put him down." She yelled.
Kagami chose to ignore her, but Kuroko came up behind him and kneed the back of Kagami's knee making it buckle.
It looks could kill Kuroko and maybe all of Japan would have just been buried in a bomb of rage. He slowly turned around to look at Kuroko.
"Please calm down." Kuroko spoke at normal tone and did not react to the change in expression on Kagami's expression.
"You bastard" Kagami growled and grabbed Kuroko by his collar.
"Kagami put him down. Pick on someone your own size." Jo yelled and tried to get between him and Kuroko.
"You have some nerve girl. Get out of my way." Now his eyes were locked onto hers but not like in the romantic way like you always see in the movies. No this was more like a deep loathe for not only you but also your ancestors kind of look.
Jo's strength was able to undo the hand that held Kuroko.
Finally it was just Kagami and Jo that stared at each other in anger.
"You can't do that to your teammates. Plus his right you need to calm the hell down."
Kagami opened his mouth ready to speak when coach blew the whistle.
"Come on guys we've still got three minutes we can do this." Fuirhata cried out.
After we passed in the ball, Kuroko came to Jo and asked, "Next time you get the ball, pass it to me."
Jo gave a sharp nod and returned down the other end of the court. She had moved towards the power forward position seeing that Kagami had the basket under control. As Jo moved around to shake off Mitobe she finally broke free. Koichi saw her open and passed her the ball. Jo dribbled a bit as she looked for Kuroko. Once she spotted him she passed the ball to him. Next thing she knew Hiroshi held the ball. By the expression on his face she guessed he was surprised as well.
This happened several times. The other team was still double teaming Kagami but you could see a glint of happiness when the score began to go up.
"Go for it! Shoot!" Kagami yelled with excited tone to Koichi. Koichi easily made the shot.
The first years were only one point difference when Kuroko was almost completely down on the other end of the court. With only seconds Koichi threw the ball far to Kuroko. He caught it and ran down the court. With no one around him he made a shot. It bounced off the rim. I could feel the happiness drain then out of nowhere Kagami came behind him and caught the ball and finished the shot with a slam dunk.
"This is why I hate the weak!" he cried out as he held onto the rim. "You have to make the shot dumbass."