A/N: I hope you guys are enjoying the story! :) I love the way it's going so far. Let me know if you guys have any suggestions in way, shape or form! Thanks guys!
Coach Adia blew her whistle.
"Good game guys. I've seen what I need to for today. Hit the showers. First years, bring your club forms back to me 8:40 before assembly. "
When the group began to walk to the locker room a hand clasped Jo's shoulder. She turned and saw a sweaty Hyuga stand beside her.
"I must say I'm quite impressed Jo. You had us work for that game. I think you'll do well on the team." He patted her shoulder and walked along side her.
"Thanks Hyuga. Hey about the locker room thing…" before Jo could finish Hyuga called out to the team.
"Hey listen up. As you can see we all do well as a team. Therefore everyone that is in the gym is staying on the team once you turn in your forms to coach tomorrow morning. That being the case we DO have a woman on the team. We DO have a great center. We WILL have to get used to sharing the locker room. So we must respect Jo and she in turn will respect us right Jo?" Hyuga finished and looked at her.
Jo smiled and rubbed behind her head. "Yeah, of course I will."
Kagami had his arms crossed and glared at Jo. Jo looked back with a questionable look, but Kagami just huffed, and went on to the locker room. Jo sighed and hung her head.
"I didn't think this would be that big of an issue captain. Sorry about this."
"It's fine. As long as you keep bringing your 'A' game, it's worth it." He said as he walked towards the locker room.
As she entered the locker room the guys were laughing and changing clothes. She quickly walked to her locker. While she opened it, Izuki spoke up.
"So Jo, I take it you've played before. Those were no moves of a rookie. Well played."
"Yeah, back in America I was on a basketball team since, well, since I was 6 years old. I was either on a team or in a training camp. I've been on several teams that have won state championships. I love playing basketball." Jo smiled as she untied her pony tail and let her mid length hair fall.
She dug in her bag for her shower bag when Kagami's face came in her side view as he opened his locker.
She untied her shoes and placed them on the floor while she looked for the last of her things she would need to change.
"What the…?! How big are feet Jo?" Kagami gasped and looked down at her shoes.
"What? Sure they are big, but I'm not exactly a small girl if you hadn't noticed." Jo shrugged and picked them up to put them in her locker.
"Wait, are those Jordan's? Where did you get them? I can never find any around here."
He crossed his arms and sighed.
"My mom bought them for me before I left home. I only ware them when I play basketball."
He lifted his chin and looked back at his locker.
"Sweet going away present then."
"She also gave me a new basketball. She didn't realize though the more worn out…"
"… the better they handle." They finished at the same time.
The both look at each other and then look quickly back to their lockers. She closed her locker then headed to the showers. She climbed in and closed the wooden door. As she let the water stream down her body she got lost in thought.
Well, that was an interesting game. If Kuroko is on these Generation of Miracles than I wonder what the others are like. Do they all pass like he does? Surely not because they wouldn't win games like the way he shoots. No they must be like a pyramid. All have different reasons that make them unstoppable. I think they said there were 6. Hmm, I guess we will meet them when we play games together. The Seirin teams seems pretty well put together. Kagami seems to have anger issues, but the love of basketball that burns in him seems similar to mine. I guess I just show mine differently. I'm glad I made the team though. I still have some homework to finish when I get home, but I'm still pumped up from the game. Maybe I can stop on the way home and shoot around before it gets to dark. I better finish up then so I have time to do everything.
Jo turned off the shower and dried off. She got dressed in the shower even though she doesn't hear anyone else in the locker room. When she stepped out there was in fact no one there. She quickly grabbed her bags and headed out the door. She turned off the light and there was a cry of annoyance. She turned it back on and looked back inside. Kagami was in another pair of shorts and shirt using a towel to dry his hair.
"Do you enjoy annoying me? Why did you turn the light off?"
"Sorry, I thought everyone was gone. I didn't hear the shower running so I assumed everyone was gone." She shrugged.
"I was changing in the shower after mine was finished like coach said. If we are going to have you around I have to be aware of you." He walked to his locker and pulled out his shoes to put them on.
"Ok so that's not fair." Jo gasped when she looked at him.
"What?" he looked at her liked she had gone mad.
"You have huge feet too! Why were you making fun of me for having such big feet when yours are big as well?!" She crossed her arms and glared.
"Guys are supposed to be bigger than girls. It's normal. You are not what they call..." he looked at her up and down "… normal.
"It seemed to be useful during the game didn't it?" She put her hands on her hips.
"Sure I guess, but you've got to get more fire in you before you can tangle with me. Until then you are just semi-useful. "
He stood up to leave and grabbed his bags. She went out the door in a huff and walked out of the building with him close behind her.
A couple blocks later she saw he was still behind her. She heavy sighed.
"You live this way or are you just trying to annoy me?" She whirled around to face him.
He looked shocked when she stopped suddenly. It looked like he had not been paying attention.
"I live in some apartments up the road. Calm down woman."
He began to walk in front of her.
She heavy sighed and continued to walk towards her apartment. She soon saw her apartment in view and smiled. When she got home she was going to grab some water and head to the court to blow of some steam. Just when she was beginning to be happy her stomach turned. He faced the gate that went to the apartments and punched in a code to unlock the gate.
"You've got to be kidding me…" Jo yelled ahead and slumped.
"What? Wait… do you…?" The reason of her annoyance hit him.
"Yes, this is where I live." She dragged her bag to the gate.
"What?! Why?" He yelled to her when she got closer.
"It's the place the program gave me for the year. I live up there 214."
"I live down there 230. Well I guess we have some sort of space, but don't you dare come crying to me if there is something wrong like a bug or… something."
"Fine." They both agreed and went separate ways.
OK now I really need some alone time. That is just going to be annoying. He is so egotistical it makes my brain hurt. Now where is my ball? Ah! Come here you. We need some time together.
She climbed down the stairs two at a time and practically ran to the court. No one was there. She put some ear buds in and listened to some music as she practiced her shots.
I wonder. How does Kagami dunk? Think back. What leg did he use? How high did he have to jump? Was speed a factor?
She dribbled to mid court and drove hard to the basket and tried to mimic what Kagami had done, but she still was out of reach. She made a mental note that she had to learn how to dunk before the season was over. She had to prove that she could be as good if not better than him. She tried several more times. She was still hitting the same mark. About an hour passed and the sun began to set. She knew she needed to finish her homework so it was back to the apartment. As she picked up her ball she noticed you could see the court from the back of the apartment's windows. She could've sworn she saw someone watching her from a window but then the curtain closed.
The homework was pretty standard and she was able to finish it. When she put her last book away she saw the paper for the basketball club application. She remembered that coach said to meet her at the gym before assembly. As she filled it out, she wondered why so specific directions. She finally laid down in bed and it felt great on the cool sheets. As she drifted off to sleep thought about her making that full slam dunk in the team's jersey.
All the first years gathered in the gym to wait for coach to arrive. She finally came in and called for us to follow her. We hurried to follow to not miss assembly.
She led us to the roof top of the school.
What on earth are we doing here? If we don't hurry we are screwed for missing morning assembly.
Kagami spoke up what I had been thinking.
Coach crossed her arms and had an evil but happy look on her face as she faced the first years.
"I know everyone here is strong, but I need to know you have something more important. No matter how hard you practice, 'someday' and 'maybe' aren't good enough. I need to know you have ambitious goals and the will to accomplish them. Give your class and name. Announce your goals here and now. If you fail to achieve them, you'll come back up here, strip naked and confess your feelings for the one you love."
The first years gasped and cried out, "What?!"
"The second years did it last year. I want to hear something better than 'play my first game' or 'try my best'."
Kagami was secure with himself and jumped up to the railing.
In a low voice he spoke, "this will be easy."
Then he yelled out, "Class 1-B, Kagami Taiga. I will defeat the Generation of Miracles and become the best player in Japan."
Next was Koichi, followed by Hiroshi, then Fuirhata.
After they were done, it was Jo's turn. Her legs shook from the fear but she had already made this goal in her head so the issue was announcing it the student body.
Jo walked to the rail and took a deep breath.
"Class 1-B; Jo Meyers; before the season is over I will make a slam dunk during a game!" Jo yelled as loud as she could. She looked back at the others who smiled to reflect on my announcement. Even Kagami seemed impressed.
Last was Kuroko. He asked coach if he could use a megaphone seeing how his voice doesn't carry well. It looked like everyone thought the same thing coach did.
"Where did you get that from?!"
Right before he was about to speak, the rooftop door burst opened. The principle stood at the door frame and looked furious. He proceeded to give a lecture on how they should know better; they were not kids anymore, blah blah blah.
As the team began to gather in the locker room, Hyuga carried a box and placed it down on the bench.
"Listen up I've got our jersey's for this year. Here…" He hands out a bag to everyone. It had their jersey, warm up suits and duffle bags for the road tips.
Jo undid hers and it revealed number 14.
"Sorry Jo, I could only find men's sizes that would fit you."
Jo chuckled and put the jersey back in the bag.
"Have you seen my school uniform? I am used to not finding my size."
Hiroshi suddenly burst through the door.
"She's back! The coach is back. We are going to play a practice game!"
A buzz of excitement filled the room.
"Do you know who we are playing Hiroshi?" Jo asked with a happy tone.
"I dunno, but she was skipping for some reason."
Hyuga went pale and furrowed his brow.
"She was skipping?! Be ready everyone. If she was skipping then that means our opponent is going to be real tough."
The room grew silent.
Kagami then said, "Ha, I'd like to see anyone as tough as me. The tougher the better."
With that the group headed to the court and began to warm up.
They eventually began a scrimmage to work on plays.
Jo was attempting to box out Hiroshi for the chance of a rebound. Izuki drove the ball down and passed it to Kuroko who whipped it to Kagami. Kagami then went for a dunk. Jo watched his form to work on her dunk.
With the other team now with the ball she had to work on her defense as coach told her. She stuck to Hiroshi but also looked out for a rebound. The ball went up for shot but bounced. Jo jumped high for the rebound and caught it. When she landed she looked to see who was opened because now not only was Hiroshi on her but so was Mitobe. Kagami was at mid court but it was too far for her to pass without a steal. She saw a glimpse of something light blue. Kuroko! She passed the ball between Mitobe's legs and it went straight for where Kuroko was. In turn he flung the ball to Kagami who made another shot.
This back and forth went on for a bit. It was a fun game close game.
"Gather round everyone!" Coach called out after she blew her whistle.
"Yes ma'am." Everyone echoed.
"A practice game against Kaijou High School?!" Hyuga stammered.
"That's right." Coach replied. "They won't disappoint. We'll put plenty of first years on the court."
"Disappoint us? They're way better than us." Koganei stated.
"Are they really that good?" Jo asked.
"They are strong at a national level. They go to the inner high every year." Hyuga sighed.
"And this year Kaijou got their hands on one of the generation of miracles, Kise Ryota."
As the team talked amongst themselves, a wave of whispers, whimpers and a squeal or two came into the gym. Jo looked around and saw hundreds of girls from the school all look in one direction and it was not at the team. It was hard to see exactly what they were so engulfed in.
Jo stepped sideways and got a better look at what she guessed was fascinated the girls. There stood a tall young man about the same age with blond hair and golden yellow eyes. His right ear was pierced with a small hoop ear ring. He was maybe an inch or so under Kagami. He wore a light gray suit and looked down as he wrote something on a paper than handed to back to one of the squealing girls.
"Uh I didn't mean for this to happen." The teen said a look embarrassment formed on his face.
She took a closer look at him and saw the reason why some of the girls were excited. He was kind of cute.
Hyuga said under his breath to the group, "That's Kise, one of the Generation of Miracles."
Jo noticed Kagami had an evil smile come across his face. Jo decided to side step away from him to avoid any issues that might come from that evil smile.
Kuroko spoke up, "It's good to see you again."
Kise lifted his head up and smiled as he replied, "Good to see you. I'm really sorry about this. Could you wait 5 more minutes?"
He was polite and finished up the pictures the girls asked to sign. He had sat on the stage to take some pictures.
"There. " Kise hopped off the stage and smiled as the last girl who skipped away from him very happy. He stuck his hands in his pockets and smiled at the Seirin team.
"Wh-what are you doing here?" Hyuga asked
Kise began to walk towards the group who were still confused on the reason he dropped in.
"When I heard our next opponent was Seirin I remembered Kurokocchi went here, so I'd thought I'd come say hi. We were best friends back in middle school."
"No more than anyone else." Kuroko shrugged.
"You're so mean!" He covered his eyes and gave a fake sob.
Jo over heared Koganei read an article from a basketball magazine, "It says that Kise has less experience on the court than the other four, he's a rapidly improving all-around."
Kise rubbed his neck and grinned from awkwardness, "Yeah well, even though I am happy to be called to be a Generation of Miracles, I am the worse of them all."
He looked to the other members of the team and his eyes fell on Jo.
"Well, who do we have here? So…" he moved closer to Jo. "…the rumors are indeed true. There is a girl on the Seirin team."
He walked a bit closer to Jo. She froze in place and couldn't move for some reason.
"I'm Kise. Pleased to meet you. Now why don't you come to my school?" He leaned in and whispered, "You could have way more fun and I could teach you some new moves."
He finished his sentence and winked with his left eye.
Still frozen she could not remove her eyes from the golden gaze. Her stomach turned into knots. She tried to look away but it was futile.
Soon a hand yanked her backwards and a tall figure stood in front of her. She shook her head to regain her composure. Her body began to shake from the scene that had just unfolded.
She looked forward to see who pulled her away and got in front of her. Who she saw shocked her. Kagami stood there with one hand still on her shoulder and his other hand was on Kise's chest. Kise seemed shocked.
"Back off pervert! Leave the girl alone." Kagami growled.
Jo was a tad surprised.
Kagami stood up for me? Why? What even just happened? Why couldn't I move? His eyes were so memorizing but now they look annoying.
"What Kagami? Do you have dibs on her?" Kise sighed with a tone of disappointment and stuck out his bottom lip.
Kagami stood straight up and turned red. "N-No, she not mine. She's just a player for OUR team. Look I know you didn't come all this way to flirt with girls and make chit chat with us. Why don't you play with me a little pretty boy?"
Kise sighed, "I don't know if I'm ready. But I just… Fine let's do it."
Coach heavy sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose.
"This could be bad." Kuroko said as he walked over to coach.