~Second Quarter – Kuroko's Basketball~

第二季: 黑子的篮球

Through My Heart

Chapter 5 – 练习－ Practice

With ups and downs, the Teiko Middle School basketball team managed to secure their victory at the National Championships at the end of August. Akashi was named the vice-captain of the team. With summer almost at its end and the approach of a new season, a new talent is discovered in the Teiko Basketball club.

"Mura Shunsuke. And that is it for those that made it to the second string this time around. For those of you that didn't make it, work hard for the next time!" Coach Watanabe announced to the third strings.

Amidst the complaints, a sense of regret and hopelessness washed over Kuroko Tetsuya as he clenched his fists and remembered his promise to his friend.

I finally got a uniform! I'm still on the bench though, and I won't get to play in matches very much. I want to work hard and become a starter. How're you doing, Kuroko? I heard that Teiko's really strong, but if you work hard, I'm sure you can do it. I believe in you.

That's right, there was no time for regret, he must continue practicing at his very best. He also had that promise with that strong willed girl from before.

"I'll see you in the first string some day!"

There was too much to lose if he didn't make it. Thus, Kuroko gathered up his courage and strength and continued with the basketball team. He will stand on the court in a match someday.

.-.-.-.

"Practicing overtime? I don't mind, but...make sure to return the key, and go home when the school closes," the coach replied to the blue haired boy's request.

"Thank you very much...!" Kuroko bowed.

With that, he gathered up his things and headed back to the gym. He worked on his footwork, dribbling, and his shooting. He was determined to advance a step once the next test came.

.-.-.-.

Tap, tap, tap.

Miho's footsteps echoes in the gym as she walked over to where the regulars were practicing.

"Sei-chan, Nijimura-kun," the girl called out.

The captain and vice-captain of the Teiko basketball team looked up and saw Miho in front of them, holding a clipboard and a pencil.

"What is it, Miho?" Akashi asked first.

The girl tapped her chin with the pencil and let out a small smile, "Shirogane-san and Sanada-san would like to meet with us after practice. Come to the head coach's office immediately after practice."

Both Akashi and Nijimura nodded before the girl walked off. After the nationals ended, the bluenette seemed to be appearing less and less at the regulars' court. Even so, the training just got more and more gruesome with the head coach's training regimes. The regulars started missing the blue haired girl. Not only because of the training menus, but also because she brought a livelier atmosphere in the regulars' court when she was there.

After she left, Aomine let out a displeased sigh, "I thought she was going to take over the training for today."

Midorima pushed up his glasses, "Don't be ridiculous. It doesn't matter who does the training. As long as we improve, then it's fine."

Even as he spoke those words, he could feel a sense of longing for the girl to be here as well. When had everyone gotten so attached to her?

Haizaki was the only one who wasn't too bothered, "Who cares?"

Akashi remained silent. It seemed like that girl was bothering the regulars more than she should have. Perhaps that is why the head coach ordered her to stay away for a while.

Letting out a sigh, the red haired vice-captain stood up and got ready for the practice.

It was for the best. It would be bad if anything started interfering with the team's policy of Ever Victory.

.-.-.-.

"So, I'd like each of your opinions regarding the National Championships," Shirogane stated as Nanase, Akashi, and Nijimura gathered in his office alongside Sanada.

The replies from everyone was the same, "We're missing something."

"I see you're all thinking the same thing as me. We won, but just barely. We have risky moments when the opponents launch a surprise attack. What I feel that we need is a trump card player—someone who can conveniently change the flow of the game when we want," Shirogane concluded.

"Other than that, keep practicing. Akashi-kun and the rest of the first years are still unstable at time. Keep strengthening your stamina and such. The head coach will be in charge of you for the time being," Sanada added.

"Alright, that is all. You three are all dismissed," Shirogane nodded.

Akashi and Nijimura bowed before leaving. Miho, however stayed behind.

"Head coach Shirogane...I think I know someone who can have that trump card effect. I saw it when I was in the third string. That player has skills that are completely different from the rest. He's like a shadow," Miho cautiously explained.

Shirogane paused, "And who is this player you are talking about?"

"...Kuroko Tetsuya. If possible, I'd like to observe the third string practices until the next test. I'd like to try and discover some developments that he could take..." Miho finished.

The room was silent before Shirogane turned towards Sanada, "What is your opinion on this, Sanada?"

The glasses man opened his mouth to speak, "I trust Nanase's instincts. She was the one that brought out the true potentials of those first years. ...I'd like to see what she could accomplish with this Kuroko Tetsuya."

Shirogane nodded, "Alright. For the month of September, Nanase, you are in charge of monitoring the third string. I will contact Coach Watanabe of this."

The girl brightened, "...Yes! Thank you very much!"

"...Nanase. Don't do anything you'll regret later on," Shirogane warned as the girl opened the door to leave.

The bluenette paused before laughing it off, "Haha, of course not. Its just observation, right? Thank you, I'll get going now."

After the door closed, Shirogane stared hostilely at the door, "Sanada, do you trust her?"

The coach of the first string was silent for a while before nodding, "Yes, I do."

Shirogane was silent at this, "I don't."

.-.-.-.

"You'll be watching over the third string? What the hell?" Aomine glared at the girl as she took a seat between Akashi and Midorima at the cafeteria.

Akashi silently pondered the girl's decision. Why would she head to the third string all of a sudden? It made no sense.

Miho took out her lunch and let out a secretive smile, "Mm...I have my reasons, I guess."

"You haven't been training with the regulars lately, either," Midorima pointed out.

"Oh that...well that was Shirogane-san's decision. He is the head coach so it should only be obvious for him to train you guys. I'm only an assistant trainer after all," Miho explained and opened her lunch.

Akashi took a look, "That is a very complete bento you've got there, Miho."

Miho smiled at the red haired boy, "Thank you very much, Sei-chan. I made it myself."

"It's great that you don't have Satsuki's cooking skills," Aomine shuddered at the thought.

The girl smiled at the comment and before long, she found herself laughing alongside all the boys. Suddenly, a dreaded thought overcame the blue haired girl.

"Oh god...I just realized... All the friends I made this year are a part of the basketball team..."

Well, it seemed like before she knew it, she completely fell in love with the sport as well. What an ironic fate.

After she finished her lunch, Miho stood up and packed her bento, "Well, I guess I'll get going now. See you guys later, I guess."

"Yeah! See ya, Miho," Aomine waved as she walked away.

Miho smiled before letting out a sigh. She felt that she needed to make more friends before she became completely obsessed with basketball...

"Nanase-san," a voice jumped out from behind her.

The girl widened her eyes and turned around. This hadn't happened to her for a while now...

"K-K-K-K-Kuroko-kun!" Miho shrieked, her face pale, "When did you get here..."

The boy had a blank expression on his face, "I was here for a while already."

Miho sweat dropped, "Of course...well I haven't seen you in a while now, Kuroko-kun."

"Yes, you've been busy with the first string lately. I saw you eating lunch with them today," Kuroko stated.

"Y-Yeah... Oh yeah, I'll be going to the third string to observe you guys for the month of September!" Miho grinned happily at the thought of spending more time with the blue haired boy.

Kuroko's expression was as unreadable as ever, "Really? Why?"

Well, she certainly couldn't tell him that she was observing him...

"Well, I'm just polishing up my training skills a bit..." Miho lied.

She wanted the ground to swallow her after that lie. It was so obvious that is was a lie that she thought it was funny.

Kuroko kept his ever-blank expression before nodding, "Alright, I'll see you at practice then, Nanase-san."

Miho debated it for a while before nodding, "Alright! I'll see you, Te-chan!"

Kuroko stared at the girl as she waved and walked into a classroom. She gave him a nickname...

.-.-.-.

"If you don't already know me, I am Nanase Miho and I will working with Coach Watanabe and to help you guys for the next month! I look forward to working with you all!" the bluenette remade her introduction and gave a bow.

Watanabe let out a small sigh. He had no idea why she was here in the third string again. He never really trusted that girl very much. It seemed strange to him for someone like her to be able to properly train the players so well. He often wondered if she had a hidden motive. But then again, she was only a middle schooler.

The practice went along pretty smoothly. Miho made sure to observe Kuroko carefully. He was...in one word, transparent. She wasn't quite sure what he was. There definitely was something hidden within him and she could only hope that it comes out by the end of September. One month was her time period.

"Te-chan? You're staying for practice?" Miho questioned after all the third strings left the gym.

There had been rumors of a ghost appearing in the third strings' gym lately and Miho started to wonder if the cause of the rumor was just Kuroko practicing. He did give off a very ghostly vibe after all...

Kuroko nodded, "Yes."

"Mind if I watch?" the bluenette grinned.

Kuroko stared at her for a while before shaking his head, "I wouldn't mind."

Smiling, the girl sat down and watched the boy practice. He was extremely hardworking—she had to admit. Suddenly, she wanted to help him make the first string as quickly as possible. Hard work should always pay off, that is what Miho believed.

.-.-.-.

The practice for the first strings have finally just wrapped up. Aomine let out a sigh. It wasn't as lively as before without Miho there. Just having her there cheered the boy up enormously and make him want to show her his best.

Stretching, Aomine took a look at the first gym. There were still a lot of people practicing overtime and they took up the whole gym. He wanted to add in a bit more practice before going home, though...

"Hm, Aomine-kun. You're not staying behind for extra practice today?" Momoi asked the blue haired ace as he walked out of the gym.

Aomine let out a sigh, "Well, I was going to...but lately more and more guys have been doing that."

He pointed towards the gym where the players were all practicing their footwork and other skills, "I heard the fourth auditorium used by the third string was empty, so I'm going to go there."

"...What?!" Momoi exclaimed, shocked.

"What's with that reaction...?" Aomine raised an eyebrow. Was it not normal to go somewhere else to practice?

"Well, I've heard that lately...a ghost has been appearing there," Momoi replied with great superstition.

Aomine put on a horrifying expression of disbelief before making idle chat with the other boys in the gym.

Momoi sweat dropped, "I'm telling the truth! Night after night, even though no one's there, you can hear sounds of shoes squeaking and balls bouncing. Micchan and I were walking home one day and we both heard it!"

Aomine laughed, "Miho's never told me anything about it. Anyways, I'm sure it's just a joke. There's no way that's true!"

"Wai..." Momoi started to complain.

"By the way, you're kind of grossing me out, calling me 'Aomine-kun'," Aomine stated blankly at his childhood friend, "Even Miho calls me 'Dai-chan' nowadays."

"Everyone knows that Micchan's doing it because of training...If I call you 'Dai-chan', people are going to talk. Micchan even suspected us dating at first..." Momoi explained.

"Well, whatever. I'll get going now," Aomine sighed and headed towards the fourth auditorium.

On the way there, the boy shook his head in disbelief, "How can there be a ghost that plays basketball? Even if there were, I'll just play one-on-one with him!"

Aomine neared the gym and saw the lights one, "See, there are lights one, so it must be a member of the team."

He pushed open the door, "He-llo."

However, his greeting was acknowledged with silence. The entire gym was empty with nobody in it.

Aomine jumped and sweated massively at the sight, "What...! Wait, wait, for real?! Really a gho—no..! I'm sure some guy just finished practicing... But wasn't there noise right up until I opened the door...?"

While Aomine was panicking, Kuroko walked up towards the boy, "Um... Who are you?"

The ace of the Teiko basketball team jumped and hid in the corner of the gym. No...this was impossible...really a ghost?! What was going to become of him?!

"Ah? Oh. Aomine-kun?" Kuroko asked after he noticed the features of the boy.

After he had practiced for a while, Miho had offered to buy the boy a drink. Even after refusing, the girl insisted and ran out for the vending machines. When the door of the gymnasium opened again, Kuroko had expected it to be Miho. But instead, a tanned blue haired boy entered. Kuroko was extremely confused until he recognized him to be the famous Aomine Daiki that made the first strings in his first year.

Aomine turned around at the calling of his name, "Huh?"

A small boy with light blue hair and an unreadable expression greeted him.

Just then, the gymnasium doors opened again, "Te-chan, there were no more waters so I got you an orange ju—huh...? Dai-chan, why are you shivering in the corner there?"

Both Aomine and Kuroko turned and saw Miho standing at the door with a confused expression on her face.

"Ah, Nanase-san."

"...Miho?!"

The girl blinked before recognizing the situation and closing the door, "Um...what's going on here?"

.-.-.-.

"Hahaha, what the heck?! So before Miho came, nobody noticed you were here because your presence was too weak?" Aomine laughed as Kuroko explained the ghost story.

Miho sweat dropped, "I thought it was something like that..."

"Aomine-kun, you're laughing too much," Kuroko stated.

Aomine looked at Kuroko suddenly, "Wait...have I told you your name before? And...why are you even here, Miho?"

Kuroko smiled gently, "...You're famous. The first year who was made a starting player on the first string team. Not only that, Nanase-san has told me about you when we walked home together."

Miho nodded, "Yup! And, I'm here because I wanted to observe Te-chan practice!"

"Oh...So Miho calls you Te-chan, huh? What's your real name?" Aomine asked.

Kuroko looked confused, "I'm in the third string."

"Stupid, I don't care if you're in the first string or third string. You like basketball enough to stay for extra practice every night, right? If you like basketball, you can't be bad! Also, Miho here gave you a nickname! She only gives nicknames to her best friends and those that she respects!" Aomine grinned and wrapped an arm around Miho's shoulder.

The girl gave the smaller boy an encouraging smile.

Kuroko widened his eyes at the display of kindness before smiling, "You're strange."

"What?!" Aomine exclaimed at the blunt statement.

"I'm Kuroko Tetsuya. Nice you meet you," the light blue haired boy introduced.

Miho smiled happily at the introductions, "Well, sappy introductions aside, let's practice! Te-chan, I've decided! I'll play some one-on-one with you!"

Aomine stared at the girl as she stood up and rolled up her sleeves in confidence, "Miho, you play basketball?"

The girl continued smiling, "Nope! I have never touched a ball in my entire life!"

Both Kuroko and Aomine sweat dropped, "I wonder how you can actually think of strategies and stuff when you had zero knowledge of the sport just a mere year ago..."

Miho glared at the tanned boy, "You can shut up, Dai-chan! Go play against a ghost! Te-chan, let's practice!"

Kuroko smiled, "Alright."

With that, it became a habit for the trio to spend night after night practicing the sport. Miho felt that by actually playing, she could gain a bit more insight on the basics of the sport. Perhaps she could take some lessons someday...

.-.-.-.

"Eh?! Micchan! You cut your hair!" Momoi exclaimed the first thing after Miho walked into the classroom that day.

Miho rubbed her temples. Her long blue hair that used to extend all the way down to her waist was now cut short so that it would end just above the bottom of her shoulder blades. Her bangs were also cut short a bit.

The reason why she had cut her hair was because of the basketball practice she had with Aomine and Kuroko everyday after practice. The two boys have been teaching her the basics of playing the sport and her hair often got in the way, even with it tied up. Thus, she went to a hair stylist over the weekend and restyled her hairstyle a bit. To be honest, she felt that it actually looked better than before.

"Yeah...I cut it a bit..." Miho stated while sitting down at her desk.

"It looks good," Midorima stated from behind the girl.

Miho widened her eyes and turned around. He...complimented her?! No...that wasn't possible, was it?

"I mean the hairstyle," the green haired shooter quickly added.

Miho sighed, she should've figured, "Thank you."

Midorima quickly turned around with a blush, "I-I wasn't complimenting you, idiot!"

Miho let out a small laugh, "Of course not. I know that."

Midorima let out a 'hmph', "Good."

Momoi skipped up to the girl's desk, "So what brought on the change? I admit it looks better than before."

Miho place her chin on her hand as she sat, "Well, I'm learning to play basketball. Thus, I don't want my hair to get in the way."

This caught both Momoi and Midorima's attention.

"Wh—really?! Does that mean that Micchan actually likes basketball now?!" Momoi happily asked.

Miho smiled softly, "Hm...yeah. I like it. It's all thanks to him..."

In her mind, an enthusiastic tanned ace stood there grinning at her. He was the one who showed her how much fun basketball could be.

"Him? Who's him, hm?" Momoi raised both of her eyebrows in question before she leaned close to Miho and whispered, "It's Dai-chan, isn't it?"

The blue haired girl felt a blush immediately creeping on her cheeks the moment the name was mentioned, "N-N-No! Wh—What are you talking about, Sa-chan!"

Momoi grinned at the girl's reaction, "Hmm? Bull's-eye, huh? Don't worry, I won't tell him~!"

"Sa-chan! It's not true!" Miho complained while she shook her friend, "It's not like that, really!"

"It's okay! There's no need to be shy, Micchan~!" Momoi grinned evilly. Oh boy was she going to enjoy this.

Midorima pretended to not hear the two girls' exchange. However, he had heard everything that was said and he couldn't help but feel something stir from within him.

"Don't be ridiculous. What happens between Miho and Aomine is none of my business," Midorima convinced himself and went back to reading the textbook.

Momoi, of course, did not fail to notice the mixed expression on the green haired shooter's face for a split second. There was a glint in her eyes as she continued bugging her blue haired friend. It seemed like things were getting interesting...

A/N: I do not own Kuroko no Basuke or any of the characters.

OKAY. OMG. First of all, I must say how SORRY I am that I didn't update this since like, forever. Honestly, I almost forgot what the story was about. The reason, well, school. I'm not sure if any of you know what IB, the International Baccalaureate is...but, it's basically a super hard program thing for high school and there's loads of homework everyday. For those of you that have the option of taking IB in highschool, if you are still in junior high, DON'T. It's terrible! I had to work until twelve everyday to finish homework! :'(

Well, enough complaining, I guess. I need to hurry and finish updating about my life so I can hurry and do today's homework... Anyways, I don't even know what I want to say about this chapter anymore.

Once again, please review! If there's no reviews, chances are, I probably won't update for a long period of time, since I have school. -_- So, please review! The more reviews, the more motivation I get to actually write!

Well, I love you all! Sorry for the super late chapter, and I hope you all enjoyed it!

~Yuvi