To Anon-san: Firstly, I thank you for sending in your review. -bowed- I was well aware of what you had mentioned. The suffix '-kun' indeed is generally used for boys. However, that is not a hard rule. According to what I had found on wikipedia; "'-kun' is used by persons of senior status in addressing or referring to those of junior status." Which means in the case of Hyuga adding suffix '-kun' to Izanami, who is his junior in school, is considered appropriate.

About the name, at first I had my dilemma. I knew that the Japanese name sequence is a bit different from western. However, the OC's surname isn't a Japanese last name. And I also found it weird if I put it like 'Garcia Izanami'. (Or maybe it's just me? Lol) So I decided to put all character's name in an English name sequence in order not to confuse anyone. But now I'm wavering... /facepalmed

Anyways, thanks for pointing that out! I'll pay more attention when it comes to suffix and the placement of names in the future. :) I'll also think about it thoroughly whether or not to change the sequence of the name to Japanese like you said. Once again, thank you for sending in your review. I greatly appreciate it. -bowed-

Edited: 30/03/14

Disclaimer: I do not own KnB. Except for my OC-desu. -bowed-

"None of us knows what might happen even the next minute, yet still we go forward. Because we trust. Because we have Faith."

-Paulo Coelho, Brida

Let's Do This

Third Person's POV

It was Summer that started it all.

A season when palm trees swayed gently in the breeze in the warm tropical sunshine, the beach, and not to forget; The summer vacation.

However, to a certain group of youngster there was no such thing known as 'Vacation' in their lives. At least not now. In fact, Summer means 'Hell' to them. While all the students were having fun throughout the vacation, the basketball players were training like as if they were being possessed. The amount of sweats they were sweating could have filled a river. It was tough. Yet they never complain. Because they knew that that was the choice they made. The day when they decided to join the basketball club, they had to surrender their so called 'youth' to the great Kami-sama. They were well aware of it from the beginning.

Despite all these training and practices, a human still deserve some time of relaxation. No?

"Nene. Kurokocchi, let's go to the arcade later!" A certain blonde suggested excitedly.

"I'm surprise that you still have so much energy left after our endless training sessions, Kise." The tanned male said as he yawned. Slouching his back lackadaisically.

"So an idiot's body has high endurance compared to others. What a new discovery." The bespectacled male quipped as he adjusted his glasses.

"Mou! That's mean, Midorimacchi!"

"Although it's true that we're all exhausted after our training, it's not a bad idea to loosen ourselves a little while we have the time. Right? Atsushi." The scarlet head male chimed in. A faint smile spreaded across his composed face.

"Hmm~" The giant hummed along as he indulged in his chocolate pocky sticks while being laid-back as usual. Before long, they found themselves standing in front of the town's arcade. The blonde was the first to jumped in, leaving his teammates behind. The rest then followed suit.

"Awesome... This girl has been winning for the 98th time! Just what is she...?" At the moment, there was a ruckus going on at the video game section. Kise and the rest went over to see what was all these fuss about. Only to find a girl who's around their age, beating everyone down in the video game console with infinite winning streaks.

She sipped on her canned of green bean soup before placing it down on the platform. It wouldn't be long until she broke her old and make a new record; The 100th victory!

"Heh~ It looks fun! I'm going to play a bit." Kise seated down in front of the console opposite of her. He cracked his knuckles. Fire burned ever so wildly in his eyes; He's going to stop her!

Or so, that was what he thought.

"N-No way..."

"Oi, you really suck at this don't you?" Aomine scoffed at the poor blondie who got crushed to smithereen in just three minutes after the game had started. The tanned male then slowly dragged the soulless guy off the seat. Mopping the floor in the process.

"Kurokocchi! You've to avenge for me! Please win for my sake~!" Kise cried as he launched himself into the arms of Kuroko. Though the image seemed kind of twisted in a sense. Everyone could only sweat-dropped upon such sight.

"I understood. I'll help you, Kise-kun." With that being said. Kuroko plopped himself down onto the chair and begun to counter attack.

It was a fierce and close fight that lasted for thirty minutes long. Both of them gave their all as if their lives were depended on it. Not leaving an opening for each other as their eyes glued to the screen. The spectators have begun herding around the both of them as they watched the fiery match with awe.

"It's a t-tie..." A spectator said after the long battle had brought to an end. Resulting in a tie.

"Tsk. Only one more win then I could have break that record..." The girl clicked her tongue annoyingly. She peeked through the small gap between the consoles and spotted the bluenette seated across from her. She gazed at the boy who managed to put a halt on her legendary streak with indifferent look.

"You... what's your name?" She stood up from the stool as she asked. She has to at least find out the name of the man who was tie with her. This was the first time she had ever come across someone this skilled after-all. Though she knew that she probably wouldn't remember it; Her brain cells are as good as dead when it comes to remember names.

"Kuroko Tetsuya-desu."

"I see. I'm Garcia Izanami. Though I doubt there's a need for you to remember my name. Anyways, it was fun."

After their small exchange of greeting, the girl left the arcade.

"Eh... I've been pondering for a while now, how did that girl able to see Kurokocchi? Not even the audience sensed the presence of Kurokocchi until just now!" Kise scratched his cheek in confusion. Midorima, who has been keeping his silence these whole time, spoke. "Indeed. It seems like there are people in this world with exceptional insight capable of seeing even the invisible man that we've been trying hard to grow accustomed to."

"Well~ Whatever the case is, can we go home already? It's already this late~" Murasakibara whined as he looked at the clock that was hanged onto the wall in the arcade lazily.

With that, everyone left the arcade and split up one by one. All alone by himself, the phantom sixth man was now wondering the same thing that his blonde friend had pondered earlier. To others, it might not be that much of a deal. However, to Kuroko who has been titled as 'Invisible man' by his teammates, definitely was rare and doesn't occur everyday. No matter how much he thought about it, it was useless. He probably wouldn't be able to see her again in the future and thus, he dismissed the thought thereafter.

However, the fate has proved him wrong and decided to twist it. Not even in his dream did he thought that he would meet her again. Nor did he expect her to be his classmate in high school two years later. Fate really loves to toy around with people. No?

-Back to present-

"... And that was the story."

Kuroko explained their past encounter to the forgetful girl and the additional redhead. Not leaving any details behind. Finally, Izanami who has been listening advertently, snapped her fingers.

"So you were that guy from the arcade! No wonder I thought that I've seen you somewhere before! So that was it..." She exclaimed, "Sorry Kuroko-kun~! I had forgotten about it~ To think that fate had brought us back again, it seems as if we were predestined or something!" Said Izanami. Flabbergasted by what an incredible coincidence for them to meet and became CLASSMATE. Apparently, she found out recently that all three of them are in the same class. She's starting to get goosebumps now. Wow.

"Huh? Are your skull made of rubber? How could a person forget the name of the man who had defeated you-"

"He didn't defeat me. It was a TIE. Have you even dug your ears before listening?"

"-You!"

Again, the saliva war between childhood friends has sparked. In a midst of their rapid fire of tirade. Kuroko was left watching the duo exchanged verbal blows to one another quietly. Pondering whether he should step in and stop the both of them before he got drowned by those saliva they were spitting vigorously unintentionally at.

"Erm..." Kuroko finally gathered enough courage to step up between a tiger and a fox's glaring contest. But was unfortunately taken down with just two words from them.

"SHUT UP!"

K.O.

Adrenaline reaching at its peak, both Kagami and Izanami yelled irritably at the bluenette in unison. Kuroko trembled slightly from their ferocity, 'How fearsome...' Kuroko thought, as a cold bead dangling on his jaw line.

"Ah! Sorry again, Kuroko-kun! I didn't mean to scare you..." Izanami apologized meekly to the slightly frightened Kuroko, who looked like a soaked little puppy which got splashed by a bucket of water. Shivering in cold.

Not good. Izanami has the urge to jump on Kuroko when she saw him like this. 'Cute...!'

"'Tch. Oi Kuroko, let's head to the court a bit." Kagami pointed at the empty street basketball court located right ahead of them. Kuroko finds no qualm about his request and thus, he nodded.

Both of them began traipsing to the open street basketball court, with Izanami tailing behind.

"Let's have a one-on-one. How 'bout that?" Kagami asked with a grin. He has been waiting eagerly for this the entire time. A long awaited time to finally see for himself the rumored Phantom sixth man of Generation of Miracles' strength.

"Yes. I planned to do so at the start as well. Please take care of me then, Kagami-kun." Kuroko replied. As impassive as ever.

At the mean time, Izanami has gone over to the bleacher and seated down. She decided it would be best not to bug them at these moment. She, too, was curious about the strength of Kuroko and was already opening her eyes wide. Waiting for them to start the dual.

"Izana, what're you sitting there for? You will be our referee." Kagami said as he threw her the ball. Being caught off guard, she barely caught the ball with her quick reflex.

"Oi! Don't throw the ball so suddenly! What happen if it had hit my face!?" She scowled. Pouting as she walked to the center of the court between Kagami and Kuroko.

"Like I care..." The redhead shrugged. Which result in riling up the gray-haired.

*Twitch*

Thud!

"... You said something...?" Izanami asked as a wave of dark and venomous aura wafted from her.

"N-No... I'm s-sorry... -desu."

After launching her 'Super-Magnum-Dynamic-Kick'. Or, that was what she had name it on the spot. She stepped on Kagami's head ruthlessly; He was brutally plunged and made to kiss the floor due to his insolence towards the wrong person. The victim stuttered, and could only groveled somberly at her highness' feet.

'Farewell, my nose.' Kagami thought as he lamented his broken nose.

Kuroko gulped nervously. While making a mental note to never get on the manager's bad side. Never.

"Ready?"

Standing between the two man, Izanami held the ball in her palm. Preparing to throw the ball up high in the air.

"Ready~. Start!" She didn't had a whistle with her, so she shouted instead. The two guys began jumping with all their might and hand outstretched. No matter what, they had to be the first to claim the ball!

"Ah."

As expected, the one who managed to get his hand on the ball was Kagami, who overwhelmed Kuroko with his tall build.

The sound of the dribbling and bouncing of the ball echoed through the now deserted park. They could only hear the rustling of leaves and the huffing of their breaths. Breathing heavily as they both now drenched in sweats, Kagami advanced and passes Kuroko swiftly. The bluenette attempted to block him from advancing any further but failed. Kagami then jumped and dunk the ball hard in the hoop. Creating a loud 'THUD!' as a result.

"Oi. Stop messing around, Kuroko! Play seriously!" Kagami growled. There's a no way a Generation of Miracle's strength only go this far. Thinking that Kuroko is still hiding his ability and wasn't treating the match seriously, has made the red head seethed with anger.

"I'm serious." Despite saying so, this one-on-one was one-sided at the very beginning. Although some time later, Kuroko managed to smack the ball away from Kagami. However, he wasn't able to make the shoot. Thus, the match ended with Kagami's win. Much to Izanami's surprise.

Izanami, who has been watching the match attentively on the side the whole time, prodded her furrowed brows with her fingertip. 'Something's weird...'

"Kuroko, was that really all you've got? If that is so, then I'm really disappointed." Kagami said dishearteningly. He has heard about how powerful the Generation of Miracles are and after learning that Kuroko was part of that strong team, he expected something greatly from him. However, it didn't went the way he had wanted.

"I think you should just quit basketball."

"Wait! Taiga! What're you saying?!" His childhood friend couldn't afford not to butt in after seeing how inconsiderate and straightforward he had acted. She stole a glance at Kuroko, worried about the bluenette's feelings.

"I won't quit basketball, Kagami-kun." Kuroko stated calmly, before he continued. "My strength is different from the others. I'm a shadow."

"... Shadow?" Izanami raised her brows. Confused.

-The next day-

"So that was what he meant by shadow..." Izanami muttered.

Riko had decided to have the freshmen play against the sophomores in a practice match in order to gauge their strength. During the first quarter, Kagami was shown playing vigorously and were hogging all the points. In contrast to the rumored Phantom sixth man of Generation of Miracles, who gets the ball stolen multiple times and was proven weak again.

Despite having Kagami scoring, it wasn't enough to stop the counter-attack by the second years. Soon enough, the seniors were leading with sixteen points ahead.

However, the table was turned shortly after the game had restart. Kuroko finally unleashed his hidden potential that was unbeknownst to anyone before and was now seen using his invisible passes to help the team through its crisis. The freshmen had finally made their comeback. Thanks to Kuroko.

"Amazing..." Izanami's mouth now hanging wide. Gaping as she watched the match with such intense focus that she could bore a hole in the gymnasium floor with her laser-like-beam gaze.

No wonder last night, she felt something was weird with the one-on-one match between Kagami and him. Now she finally knew why. The corner of her mouth curled upwards. Feelings of respect and admiration whelmed inside her. 'As expected of the man who had defeated – I mean, tie with me!'

"Yosha! We're only one point behind now! Don't let down your guard and go full force, everyone!" Kagami shouted. Grinning from ear to ear as he got all hyped up seeing that their gap has shortened and victory is finally within grasp.

"Why did he sound like as if he's the leader here... Really. That Bakagami." The new manager uttered disapprovingly. Sighing and shook her head in a gesture of surrender. When the red head got all pumped up like these, there's no one and no way to stop him now.

"Maa~ I guess that's one of his charm, don't you think so? Thanks to his enthusiasm, the freshmen team's morale has went up." Riko said with a soft smile plastered on her face. She, too, has been watching the match with an equally intense focus as Izanami. Not shifting a gaze away from it. "Maybe you're right." Izanami replied as her gaze softened. Now looking at his hot-headed friend playing with all his might. Grinning like an idiot from time to time whenever he managed to score a point.

"Ah! Damn!"

Using his misdirection, Kuroko successfully stole a ball away from Hyuga and was now driving to the basket. He took his stance, and jumped before the ball left his hands as he tossed.

The moment felt like eternity, as if the ball was rotating in slow motion and floating in the air. Everyone stopped whatever they were doing and watched apprehensively on the ball that was thrown to the hoop. Beads of cold sweat were cascading down from everyone's forehead. 'Please... go in!' Clasping her hands tight as Izanami prayed with her eyes closed. Heart throbbing louder and louder with every nanoseconds passes by.

Dong!

"Ah..." Kuroko muttered disappointedly. The ball was bounced off after it had collided with the rim of the hoop; It didn't went in.

"Rebound!" Tsuchida yelled desperately. Just when he was about to catch the fallen ball, Kagami got a step ahead of him.

Kagami caught the rebound in mid-air and immediately dunk it right in the hoop with that remaining one second left for the quarter before it ends.

"W-we... won!" Furihata exclaimed. The freshmen had triumph over the sophomores and were now dancing around the court jovially. Their hardwork, and teamwork, had definitely paid off.

"We did it! Kuroko! Izana!" Kagami bellowed at the top of his lungs as he slung his arm around Kuroko's shoulder. The latter seemed surprised by the sudden close intimacy between them. However, he didn't mind it. And was smiling contently at their success.

While still having his arm around Kuroko, Kagami whipped his head to the direction of where his childhood friend stood. Eyes sparkling with happiness and sense of accomplishment. That huge jester smile still plastering all over his sweaty face.

Izanami couldn't afford not to smile upon seeing that goofy grin of his. Her eyes travelled and softened at the sight of Kagami acting all buddy-buddy with Kuroko, who was previously being denied and deemed as weak by him.

This emotional sight probably reminded her of those days back in America. When Kagami still hadn't moved to Japan. When Himuro, Kagami, and her would play together and spent those days doing foolish things that kids would do. That was, before everything fell apart. Resulting her leaving the two, the two important persons that she holds dearly in her heart till these days.

"The winner of this practice match, goes to the Freshmen team!" Riko announced in spite of the obviousness of the result. The second years huffed as exhaustion slowly kicks in on them. Yet they didn't seemed the least dejected at all by the outcome as everyone were seen wearing a satisfied smile. Acknowledging Kagami's potential and Kuroko's strength.

-After school-

"You seems to be in high-spirit today, Taiga." Izanami stated. Now sitting opposite of Kagami as they both came to the Maji Burger due to their insatiable hunger for food after the practice match. Well, it was actually Kagami alone who was famished.

Kagami swallowed his content before saying, "... Do I? I don't think I'm different from usual though." He replied nonchalantly as he unwrapped his fifth burger and wolfed it down.

Izanami chewed on her hamburger patty quietly. Glancing between her front and left warily. And before she could stop it, she was already chuckling.

"W-What?" The sudden outburst of chuckle from his friend has made the redhead panic and flustered at the same time. What just happened?

"As usual, it's amusing to see how bad your eyesight are, Taiga. -Pfft!" Dumbstruck, Kagami quirked his brow and cast a strange glance at the weird girl who has been laughing nonplussed. Thinking that she must had either gone nuts or possessed.

"I think Izanami-san is referring to how you couldn't seem to notice me. Kagami-kun."

"W-Woah!"

Eyes threatening to pop out of its sockets. Kagami fell pathetically from his chair once again from the bluenette's antic.

"... You!" The redhead grunted. Glaring daggers now at Kuroko. He slowly got up from the floor and stroke his throbbing head that has clashed with the hard, cement tiles earlier and tried to soothe the pain. His mouth twitched. Annoyed by his lack of presence and how he always scared the wits out of him.

"By the way, I've a question for you. Izanami-san." Kuroko shrugged Kagami's hostility off. Focusing on the gray-haired instead.

"What is it?" Izanami asked. Sipping her strawberry shake calmly, she looked at Kuroko who was sitting beside her. Beckoned him to go on.

"How are you able to sense my presence right from the start?"

He nailed it. Even Kagami who has been grumbling ever since he noticed Kuroko, stopped, and was now joining in the conversation. Inquisitively.

"Hmm..."

Izanami cocked her head to the side as she pondered. Resting her chin on her knuckle. The two guys begun to glue their eyes on the girl as their curiosity reaches its peak.

"Actually, I'm not that sure too. Maybe it's because Kuroko is very akin to me...?" She said as she scratched her head confusingly. That answer of her was vague and wasn't very satisfying. Thus, Kagami inquired further. "Akin? How are both of you similar to each other?"

That's right. No matter how he looked at it, both of their personalities greatly contrasted to one another. As if like a magnet of south and north pole. Although Izanami could be quite creepy like Kuroko sometimes, their over-all attributes doesn't add up. Not at all.

"Don't kno'. But when I first met Kuroko-kun, I had this strange sense of familiarity surged within me." Her further statement had confused the redhead even more now. Kuroko, who has been keeping his silence all these while, finally spoke. "I, too, felt the same way as you did."

"Really!? How cool~ It looks like we're really fated, Kuroko-kun." She beamed at the bluenette brightly. Among all the people she had met, she found Kuroko the most easiest to talk and relate to. Even though he always seems to have this poker face on him, it doesn't change the fact that she felt natural and at ease whenever she's with him.

"Maybe, we're actually long-lost siblings who got separated due to tragedy when we were young-!?" Izanami gasped dramatically.

Now, Kagami could confidently bet all his fortunes that, they're not akin to each other. Never.

"What kind of manga have you been reading all these time!? And there's no way that would happen!" Kagami blew his top at the girl who got too carried away in her fantasy. Apparently, her exaggeration seemed to have gone a little overboard. The guy who she claimed to be her 'long-lost brother', watched the scene in utter silence. As if it doesn't concern him and continued sipping comfortably on his vanilla shake.

"... Hn?"

Kuroko glanced at the tray in front of him. He believed that he had just finished eating his burger not long ago. Then why was there another one again? The answer lie in the gluttony; Kagami Taiga, who secretly gave him one of his burger as a sign of acknowledgment of his strength.

"That is yours." Kagami said as he scratched his cheek. Avoiding eye contact from Kuroko. However, in Izanami's eyes, this sight of Kagami is labeled as 'Tsungami'. A rare sight. Of course, it didn't went unnoticed from her hawk-like-eyes. Eyes sparkling with mischief as a smirk slowly crawled its way to her face.

The girl sneered, "Heh~ Tsungami is being baaashfuul~" Her hand covering the corner of her mouth.

"Shut up! I'm not! And don't call me that!" Kagami retorted strongly. Face was already in beet-red from embarrassment.

"Don't wanna~ Tsungami. Tsungami. Tsungami-" Izanami ignored his protest and continued chanting nonplussed. Her antic has made the two man doubt just how old is her mental age?

Kagami's knuckles has turned white from clenching too tightly. His body shook dangerously whenever his nickname rolled off from her tongue. Unable to take her teasing anymore, Kagami resorted to his last resort; He stuffed her agape mouth with one of his many burgers.

...

There was a few seconds of peace and silence between the three of them. However, that was just a calm before the storm. As a bystander, Kuroko watches the tragic scene that was going to unfold and befall Kagami in deadpan. 'He's going to get killed...'

"...T-a-i-g-a..." A venomous aura that shouts 'Danger' was now emitting from the poor girl, who got her mouth violated by a FRIGGIN' BURGER. At least that was how it looked like from her point of view. She would never forgive this. She would never forgive this kind of insult inflicted on her.

The pitiful guy who's about to get executed, was sweating bullets now. A ghastly whiteness spread over his face as an uncomfortable premonition of fear pervaded his sense.

Sensing the Death God slowly approaching him, he dashed off and escaped the restaurant with an incredulous speed that could even rival the speed of sound.

"You bastard... COME BACK HERE!" She howled. Causing a slight turmoil to the building as it shook for a second there. The bystanders all thought that that was an earthquake, but apparently it wasn't caused by natural phenomenon. Afraid that the restaurant would collapse from her roar of thunder, Kuroko managed to sneak out without anyone knowing. 'That was a close one...'He thought as he heaved a sigh of relief.

-Time skip-

As the night grew closer, the street lamps started to light up one by one before the darkness engulfed the city. However, the scenery doesn't matter to a certain redhead anymore. Because there was no way he would have the time and mood to admire the night scenery with the current condition he's at.

"... Kagami-kun, are you alright?" Kuroko, who was now walking beside him, asked in a worried tone.

"... Dow I loo' likew I'm al'ight to yo'?" Incapable of making a decent word, Kagami could only sighed solemnly. With his face beaten to a pulp that was beyond recognizable and human-like, it was indeed pitiful. Any passerby who had seen that face of him could only sympathize with a sorry gaze. That proved how terrible it was.

The main culprit, however, was skipping her steps joyfully as if whatever had just happened never existed. She hummed quietly as she wove her fingers behind her back. "The weather feel so good tonight~" Izanami said to no one in particular. Feeling exhilarated by the night breeze whispering against her cheek.

Kagami's brow twitched at the girl's nonchalance. Blood boiled in irritation by her 'Out-of-characterness'. 'That bitch... One day I'll make her pay for this!'It was a rather daring reverie. Too bad this reverie of his soon was crushed to pieces by his demonic friend. "Taiga... I hope you're not stupid enough to think about revenging..." He shuddered once again the moment he saw that sinister smile and deadly aura surrounded her. Like the cold breath of a grave, her words seemed to cut his very soul as all hairs on his body stood on their ends; He got see through so easily.

"Anyways, Kuroko-kun. How strong is the Generation of Miracles actually?" Izanami inquired the bluenette that was walking at the center between her and Kagami. Kuroko cast a glance at her, before he spoke. "If Kagami-kun were to go up against them now, he would be instantly killed."

Izanami's eyes widened. But it quickly softened as she kind of expected it since she had already heard about how strong the Generation of Miracles are from Izuki.

"Everyone has all gone to different schools, and one of these school that they had gone to will be standing at the top. No doubt about it." Kuroko added on as a matter of fact.

"True. I wouldn't be surprise if that really happen." Izanami said while gazing into the distant. As if deep in thoughts.

"That just suit me fine. I'll definitely defeat all of them and become the best in nation!" Pumping with adrenaline upon the mentione of Generation of Miracles, Kagami shouted his resolve suddenly. Grabbing all attention from those passerby who happened to have overheard him.

"That's very unlikely to happen, Kagami-kun"

*Stab*

"Are you dumb? Have you not heard what Kuroko-kun just said? You would get your ass kicked even before defeating them."

*Stab*

"You guys are so cold! Do you really have to be so blunt!?" Kagami wailed. All his motivation were sapped away in an instant. He then knelt sullenly at a corner with dark cloud hovering above him. Sulking.

Izanami sighed while massaging her temples, before crouching down beside him. "I'm just stating as a matter of fact. Man it up already, Taiga." She patted him on his back sympathetically. But her words meant little to no comfort at all to the depressed redhead.

"During the days in Seirin High, I had found my resolve as well." Kuroko said. Determined, "I am a supporting actor, a shadow. But a shadow will become darker if the light is stronger and it will make the white of the light stand out. As the shadow of the main actor, I will make you, the light, the number one in Japan. Kagami-kun." Though Kuroko said in a monotonous tone and with a poker face, The two could still felt the sincerity behind his words. They knew that he was serious.

As if touched by those words, a huge grin has spread across Kagami's face. Chasing away the gloominess that had previously enveloped him.

"Then, let's do our best. Partner!" Kagami said as he patted Kuroko's shoulder. In the eyes of others, it doesn't seem much. But to Kuroko, it was a gesture and sign indicating their mutual trust between them. For the first time, Izanami saw a glimpse of a genuine smile on Kuroko's face. It was short. But she would never forget that expression he wore, and the event happened tonight.

Izanami coughed slightly, "Err... I'm sorry for ruining this touching moment. But aren't you leaving me out of the loop?" She asked.

Kagami and Kuroko blinked. Not knowing how to respond in this sort of situation, they could only looked at each other back and forth with contemplative looks. Upon seeing this awkward sight, Izanami heaved a long sigh as she shook her head, "You aren't doing this alone, Kuroko-kun. I, Garcia Izanami, swear on the pride as a manager of Seirin High. Will definitely make you, Taiga, and our team the number one in Japan!" She vowed. Fist on her chest as her gaze hardened. Looking ever so determined and serious as Kuroko.

After hearing her resolve, the bluenette then smiled gently at her. A smile that could hardly considered a smile since it was so faint. But Izanami saw it, and she thinks only she had seen it. "I'm grateful, Izanami-san. Yes. Let's all do our best to reach our goal."

Despite the low temperature of the season, the night doesn't feel cold at all for the trio. For they had their hearts pumped with determination and excitement towards the oath they had made. They could only felt the burning sensation surged within them. The warmth of knowing your friends are there with you, is more than enough.

Along the way, they might hold uncertainty and doubts. Experience hardships, betrayal, and anguish. But it won't stop them from moving forward. Because they knew that they are not walking down this path alone.

Thus, the bond between the three of them had deepen from that night. The curtain has been drawn. Awaiting the three of them, will it be nothing but a thorny path? Or a road towards glory and sunlight? No one knows. And that's exactly what strive and made them look forward to.

A/N: A pretty looooong chapter. Wow. I can't believe I wrote all of these. o.o Though it's mostly comprised of nothing but my own babbling. /sigh

1) There's something I need to alert the readers. You might had noticed it since the first chapter already. Although I follow the canon storyline, it has been quite a while since I watched/read KnB. So meaning, I had already forgotten most of the scenes aired in season one already. /deadpanned

I only review and recall what has happened through KnB wikipedia and since their wikipedia didn't explained everything in details, I've to plan out the rest on my own. In other words, some canon scene here won't look exactly the same as what had been shown in the manga/animation. If you're wondering why I don't just re-watch it again, then my answer would be; I'm too lazy and it's a pain to watch everything again when I already know the gist of it. (Lol) But worry not, I'll try my best not to stray away from the canon storyline too much. /thumbsup

You see, I'm the type who seldom re-watch a series unless a century had passed. ^^

Now now! If possible, I'd appreciate very much if you could kindly drop by a review! I would like to know what everyone's thinking and how I'm doing so far. :) (It's really lonely to know that there're people reading it, yet hardly any opinion is being expressed... /sob)

-Soracchin