A doctor and some nurses rushed in the room and requested the two to wait outside. Yukiko's tears couldn't stop flowing and she buried her face in her daughter's chest, her body shaking in fear of losing her dear Yusaku. The brunette slowly stroked her mother's hair trying to at least calm her down and anxiously watched the doctors try to revive her father.

Dad…

When the doctor exited the room some time after, Yukiko asked him the current condition of the man.

"well, Miss Kudo—"

The day for Rakuzan and Seirin's match has arrived. Even though the match was held during the night, a huge crowd packed the stadium and all were very excited about the game. Noisy chatters filled the place as people discussed on who would win. The Emperor of Creation Rakuzan or The Ever Evolving Seirin.

During the warm-up, some Rakuzan's players did some shooting which they didn't miss while some of the others were preparing to battle their pre-arranged Seirin members. The tight air was then disrupted by Nebuya's very, very, very long burp.

"Just how much did you eat today!? That burp was so damn long! That's the longest burp you've ever made!"

"ouh, I had the MAX I could eat today! After all, my ,match-up today is Kiyoshi, right? It's because our fates are connected. My strength is beginning to swell!"

Mibuchi could only just sigh at the tanned player's statement.

"What about you, Reo-nee?"

"Hyūga Junpei. Didn't you watch the video of Seirin with me?" the raven-haired male turned to face Hayama who asked him. "even though he's emo and not my type, I'll be sure to show him lots of love~"

Somewhere on the court, Hyūga could feel a chill going down his spine.

"Shouldn't you be a lot more worried? You're the one marking Kagami." Mibuchi in return asked the blonde.

"yup! It totally sucks! Well, I'll figure it out! Right, Mr. Thin Eyebrows!" he turned to Mayuzumi who didn't say anything.

"As usual, you're not being serious enough.." the raven-haired male sighed. "Do you even understand the situation we're in?"

"I said I got it!" Hayama started to balance the basketball on his nose and after a while, he dropped the ball and produced a sadistic smile. "I just need to completely destroy Seirin, right?"

"…guess you'll be fine then."

"Akashi" Nebuya called out. "you'll be coming out from the start today, right?"

"yes, of course. Those guys are strong. I can't let myself get careless. However, I am absolute…and therefore,.."

"The winner will be Rakuzan. Our basketball is absolute."

Just as they finished their little discussion, a ball rolled up to Akashi who then returned it to Kuroko.

"Tetsuya." He started. "To be frank I'm surprised. I had thought your abilities were too low for you to make it all the way here. Have you found your answer from that time?"

"yes."

"then show me. Your basketball."

"no. What I will be showing isn't my basketball." Kuroko said and took a deep breath. "it's Seirin's basketball."

"I see.." the redhead smirked. "I accept your challenge."

The starting members and staff of each team were introduced through the stadium's speakers excluding Shizune due to her absence. A heavy aura and competitive aura was surrounding the court and everyone pinned their eyes on it.

The tip-off commenced as Kagami and Nebuya jump for the ball. Due to Kagami's high jumping ability, he was able to get the ball and passed it on to Izuki, who then passed the ball to Kuroko, who then used his Ignite Pass Kai, to pass the ball further to . The male didn't catch the ball as Kuroko used too much strength. The ball dribbled under the hoop but luckily Hyūga managed get it, attempting to make the basket when he is stopped by Mibuchi who was guarding him.

"If you caught that, it would have went it. Such a pity"

Rakuzan counter attacks, as Akashi passed the ball to Nebuya, who then heads to make the basket. Kiyoshi who tried to intercept him, was stopped by Mayuzumi. As the tanned muscle gorilla was about to make the basket, he is stopped by Kagami who steals the ball again.

"Good job, Kagami!" the Seirin team cheered from the bench.

He then went for a counterattack. As Kagami runs to the basket, he is stopped by Akashi who went to guard under the basket. However, due to Kagami's strong will to win with his teammates, he was able to enter the Zone and use Meteor Jam to score. Since Kagami has entered the Zone, he has managed to score baskets with two constructive Meteor Jams in a row. When Mayuzumi attempted to score, he is stopped by Kagami who has taken on the position of both offense and defense.

"ara, they're subbing that Kuroko Tetsuya-kun kid out.." Mibuchi pointed out.

"you're right.."

"..."

As the match resumes, Kagami passed Hayama who was guarding him and advanced to the basket, where Mibuchi and Nebuya were guarding.

"don't think the same moves can be used that many times! Just have to know you'll dunk…Then we can stop you right before you jump to the highest point!"

However, Kagami used a fake evading them, scoring the basket. The match continued in Seirin's favour as Hyūga scored a three-pointer. The uncrowned generals started to get a little anxious about the situation.

"Bastard…Kagami…After entering the zone, he's stronger than Midorima…!?" Nebuya cursed. "there's no way to counter!"

"keep the offense the way it is." Akashi commanded. "Defense…Kotarou and I will change places. If you say he is stronger than Shintarou…then this is the only way."

"Let me be his opponent."

The noisy car honks outside did not bother the blonde haired woman sleeping peacefully with her head on the hospital's bed where her husband was lying. A warm blanket placed over her. After the doctor successfully 'revived' Yusaku, his condition has been getting better and Yukiko has finally calmed down completely knowing that he will be up and moving in a few days.

A nurse walked in slightly to a slight check-up on the patient to see when he can be discharged. The first thing that she noticed was that the couple's young daughter wasn't around. Usually, she would be beside her mother keeping her company but not this time. She was gone. Gone for a walk? The nurse doesn't know and it was none of her business.

It was currently a few minutes before the 4th quarter ends and Rakuzan was leading 97 – 95. Everyone was nervous of the outcome. The point difference were closer than anyone could imagine and they could see that the players were out of steam. They were all panting heavily and their bodies seemed like at their limit. Even the mighty emperor Akashi was in the same condition.

"Kagami!"

A male voice shouted and Kagami caught the ball he passed over. He charged to Rakuzan's goal but Mibuchi and Nebuya blocked his progress.

"how 'bout just giving up, dear? There's not much time and I'm sure no one will blame you if you lose here"

"don't give me that crap. We made this far so there's no goddamn way we're gonna quit, bastard!" he roared and passed through the MibuNebu defense and scored a goal. The crowd cheered as the point difference decreased and the players got even more tense as the game was reaching its end.

15 seconds.

"hurry! One more score!"

"don't let them through!"

"defense!"

8 seconds.

Kuroko passed the ball to Hyūga who then made a shoot which was barely touched by Akashi who went to stop it himself. Courtesy of that, the ball missed.

2 seconds.

Hayama went for the rebound but Kagami managed to grab the ball and at the last second, with the mixture of his name being shouted by his teammates, he successfully dunked the ball in.

A moment of silence went through the stadium as players and spectators alike were stunned by the score displayed.

97 – 99.

Seirin won.

Once it was registered in their minds, the crowd went wild as they cheered Seirin's name and the Seirin players started shouting and crying from joy. They did it. They beat Rakuzan! It wasn't an illusion. It was reality. It was a fact.

On the other hand, the Emperor of Creation was stunned by their lose. Mibuchi, the least affected one, approached Akashi and gave him a soft pat on the back accompanied with a gentle smile.

"we'll win next time"

Receiving nothing as a response, the raven haired male walked over with the others to line up and officially end the match. They returned to their locker room soon after and not a word was uttered among them. Even Hayama was quiet. Their coach could feel what his boys were feeling even so, he felt that words of comfort would only deepen the scars of defeat that were in their hearts right now.

"Sei-chan.."

The redhead didn't even spare a glance when his name was called. He kept his head low covered with his black sports towel and arms supported on his legs as he sat on the bench. Mibuchi felt his heart cringe at the current sight of his precious captain. It was too saddening for him. He bent down to reach Akashi's level and gently placed his hand on the other's head as a comforting sign. The boy gave no attention to his senior's actions. He still couldn't believe that he had lost. Defeat was suppose to be impossible to him. Then why…

"we'll return to the dorm first, okay?"

Mibuchi smiled and reluctantly left his captain alone to return with the others. Akashi stayed in silence until he heard the room's door being opened. At first, he thought it was just a team member forgetting to take his stuff but unfortunately, it was a mistake.

"Seijuro."

His eyes widened and he instantly stood up. The towel over him landed gracefully on the ground and he faced his father who was looking at him. A disapproving expression was on his face. The cheerful mask he wore around everyone was gone, revealing the real him. His heart felt every so slightly happy because his father came to see his match but the scarlet haired boy knew what his real motive was about so he kept silent and his gaze downwards.

"Seijuro. I'm sure you know the criteria of a member of the Akashis."

"...yes father."

"failure is unacceptable. You lost the game and you call yourself my son? My son shouldn't have to be facing defeat."

Every syllable that escaped the older man's lips went through the boy's heart like a sharp knife but his emotionless composure was maintained.

Boys shouldn't cry.

Those were the exact words his father told him 10 years ago. Right after his mother's death. Telling a young child not to cry was cruel but to please his dear father, he did so. Even when he saw other children playing with their mother. Even when a young girl his age approached him and scoffed at him for having that kind of logic. Not a tear fell.

"—you are not needed anymore."

He snapped out from his little trail of thought and he raised his head to look at the man in front of him with widened eyes. Shuusaku could understand that he was startled by his declaration so he chose to carve it in his brain.

"you are not needed anymore, Seijuro. Like I said, no son of mine should be tasting defeat. From now on, do not call me 'father'. It is a disgrace to be called father by a loser. You, yourself, is a disgrace."

The older Akashi switched off the lights and left the boy in the room. The redhead felt his legs giving up on him and he dropped on the floor, leaning on the bench behind him for support.

It's over.

It's all over.

His father who he had tried to make him proud has denied his very existence as his child.

He has no one.

He's all alone.

His scarlet eyes slowly turned into a dull colour and he could feel himself being swallowed by the darkness.

Falling into a deep, dark, endless pit of despair.

Where no one can ever, will ever, save him.

Akashi Seijuro…is no more…

...well-
that's how I imagine the match will end-

thanks for reading!