Hey guys! How's everyone doing today? Not much to say as the title of the chapter is pretty self-explanatory as to what it's about. Yes, this entire chapter will be dealing with the formation of the team a la Your Lie in April flavoring. Anyways, let's just jump right into it and I hope you enjoy the chapter!

Like always, I enjoy any comments, except for those that are just full of negativity and not constructive at all. Just give me something to work with instead of just "It's bad." I also appreciate any positive constructive criticism since I'm always looking to improve my writing and storytelling capabilities. Thanks for reading this story! Virtual hugs and cuddles to y'all.

Disclaimer: I do not own anything except any OC's that may come up, any world building that has not yet been officially stated by any medium, and any plot points/structures that have not been used in the anime or manga.

Warning: No beta, we die like Kaori.

Chapter 3: Creation of the Seirin Basketball Team

XXXXXX

Junpei sat listlessly at his desk, glancing at the clock every now and then. From what Shun and Teppei told him, the basketball team was going to meet up now to discuss their plans for the future and figure out how to get Riko to coach for them.

He was invited, of course, but he vehemently denied it, of course.

However, here he was still sitting at his desk even though school ended ten minutes ago.

He sighed and rubbed at the back of his head in agitation. "What am I even doing?"

He looked back at the clock one more time and finally stood up. "Might as well go home then."

Just as he finished packing up, the classroom door slammed open to reveal an irate Shuzo.

Junpei was startled at his sudden appearance. "Wha-"

"Oh good, you're still here," Shuzo said, "If you weren't, I would've asked Izuki to give me your address so I could beat your ass then drag it back here."

"Excuse me?!" Junpei exclaimed indignantly.

Shuzo marched over and grabbed him firmly by the wrist. "Come on."

But Junpei dug his heels in and pulled his wrist out of Shuzo's hold. "Hold on! I'm not going anywhere with you!"

"Yes, you are and you're gonna let me," Shuzo rebuked, crossing his arms with a glare.

Junpei sputters. "Where are you even planning to take me anyways?"

Shuzo looked at him like he was stupid. "The gym for the basketball team meeting," he said as if it was obvious which it technically was.

"I already told you I'm not going!" Junpei shouted, standing firm with a scowl.

But Shuzo also stood firm and refused to back down. "That's not what you said when I asked you yesterday."

"I'm pretty sure it was!"

Shuzo frowned. "Look, why are you so gungho about not getting involved in basketball?"

Junpei crossed his arms with a glare. "What does it matter to you?"

"Just curious I guess," Shuzo casually shrugged, "Never met anyone who vehemently hates something the way you hate basketball. Makes me think there's more to the story."

Junpei opened his mouth to say something but stopped when he realized he didn't know what it was he wanted to say. Instead, he asked, "Answer something for me first. Those people on your team, why did you care so much about making sure they had fun especially since a bunch of them weren't even good at playing basketball? Didn't you care about winning?"

"Of course I cared," Shuzo said, "Losing is something I hate with every fiber of my being and doesn't everyone want to win?"

"So then why?"

Shuzo rolled his eyes as if he couldn't believe Junpei didn't know which just made the bespectacled teen bristle indignantly. "Because what's the point of winning if you can't have fun with your teammates while doing it? And I emphasize the part about teammates greatly since I know there are teams out there with talented individuals but their cohesion as a team itself is complete shit."

Junpei flinched at the implied mention of the Generation of Miracles, a team of individuals so talented and individualistic, they could each be their own one-man team.

"Basketball is a team sport," Shuzo continued, "And I'm not just talking about the five players on the court. It's a sport where everyone contributes whether they're the ace, on the bench, or a manager. Every person involved, whether indirectly or not, is an important part of the team as a whole and we, as the players, carry the hopes and expectations of those people with us every time we step onto the court."

Junpei frowned, not understanding what he was trying to get at. "I know all that but what's your point?"

Shuzo shook his head with a sigh and spoke with the patience of one trying to explain a simple concept to a child. "My point is, if you and everyone else on the team act like winning or losing is a matter of life and death, then what's the point in playing? Victory will just taste bitter and losing will feel like something has fundamentally broken within you." He paused for a moment to let his words sink in before continuing.

"If you can't have fun playing a sport meant to be played with others and those other people aren't having fun with you, then again, what's the point of playing at all?"

Junpei was dumbstruck by his words but tried to play it off as skepticism. "Aren't you supposed to be selling me on being a part of the basketball team, which I never will be by the way, not deterring me from playing ever again?"

Shuzo snorted in amusement. "Oh please. Did you really think that was my sales pitch? You ain't seen nothing yet."

"Then why?"

Shuzo smiled wistfully as he turned to look out the nearby window. "Let's just say, it's good to remember every now and then that there's more to life than just basketball."

Junpei gaped at him in surprise as he turned away from the window and dropped his smile for a serious expression. "Anyways, I'll take your rejection for now. But don't think I'm gonna let this go. You will join the basketball team one way or another."

Junpei snorted derisively. "That will never happen."

"Never say never!" Shuzo sang out as he left the classroom.

The door closed with a soft click and Junpei dropped down into his seat with a groan as he contemplated his encounter with the force of nature Shuzo was proving himself to be.

XXXXXX

The next day after school, Teppei, Shun, and Shuzo congregated at Majin Burger in order to go over the specifics for the basketball team.

"I think that's all we can do for now until we get more members and Riko on our side," Shun said as he gathered the note they'd manage to make.

Teppei stretched his arms out with a satisfied groan. "Alright! The Seirin Basketball Team is almost complete!"

Shun smiled at his enthusiasm before turning to Shuzo. "By the way, have you made any progress on the Junpei front?"

"Wouldn't you have a better idea than me since he's your friend and all?" Shuzo pointed out.

Shun scowled. "I would but he's been avoiding me since that day. I think he's still pissed off about how I tricked him into joining us for that whole street ball thing."

Shuzo hummed in acknowledgement. "Well don't worry about it. I got a plan. After all, you can't rush things like this."

"That may be true but I think we need to confront Hyuga about this sooner than later," Teppei spoke up in concern, "He seems like the kind of guy to really dig his heels in and slam the door in your face if you give him enough time to."

Shun snorted at the accurate depiction of his best friend. "Junpei is indeed a very stubborn person who chooses to die on every hill possible."

Teppei nodded and smiled. "Exactly the kind of guy we need on the team so I'll have to say sorry in advance Nijimura, but I'm gonna corner Hyuga sometime this week."

"Can I ask what you plan to do?" Shuzo asked.

"I'm gonna play one on one with him and present the ultimatum of joining the team or forever holding his peace."

Shun whistled, impressed. "Well that's one way to guarantee landing on his shit list."

"Thanks!" Teppei beamed.

Shun looked at him like he couldn't be serious. "That…wasn't a compliment. But good luck anyways."

Meanwhile, Shuzo tapped his chin thoughtfully. "Do you mind if I tag along when you do, Kiyoshi?"

"Sure?" Teppei agreed with his head tilted in confusion, "But what do you plan on doing?"

Shuzo gave a cryptic smile that sent shivers down the others' spines. "Oh just something that will give that basketball idiot his much needed wake up call."

Teppei and Shun shared a look at the ominous way Shuzo spoke and quietly prayed for Junpei to come out in one piece from whatever Shuzo was planning to do.

XXXXXX

Somehow or another, Junpei ended up joining Teppei and Shuzo on their way home after school finished. He had been convinced (read: coerced) into doing so by Shuzo who claimed that he lived in the same direction as Junpei's house plus he wanted to talk to him about something so it was basically killing two birds with one stone. And like an idiot, Junpei agreed only to realize too late that they were most certainly not going towards his house.

"Stupid," Junpei muttered, quietly berating himself for being tricked.

"Did you say something?" Teppei asked, oblivious.

Junpei scowled. "No. Anyways, where are we going cause this is definitely far from my way home."

"You'll see," Shuzo cryptically said.

Junpei reluctantly continued to follow them until they arrived at a public basketball court. He immediately grew angry at the sight.

"I thought I told you both that I don't play basketball anymore and I'm not gonna join your stupid team!"

"I know, so I won't ask anymore," Teppei said, shocking Junpei.

"Huh?"

"But that's only if you can beat me one on one."

Junpei's shock was quickly replaced with growing anger. "What the hell? Why won't you listen to me already? Besides, you're Kiyohsi Teppei, the Uncrowned King known as Iron Heart, from Shuhei Middle School, one of the best four in the country. There's no way I'll win against you."

Teppei nodded. "That's fair. Then how about you only need to get one basket to count as your win? Or do you need me to give you a bigger handicap?"

"Shut up!" Junpei growled as he took off his jacket, "Iron Heart or not, don't get so cocky and don't you dare look down on me! I'll take that basket before you even know what hit you!"

Teppei smiled and was about to take his own jacket off when Shuzo finally stepped in, his jacket already off and sleeves rolled up.

"Hold on, let me do it."

"Huh?" Teppei said, surprised.

Junpei sneered. "What? You don't think I can win?"

Shuzo shook his head. "Nothing like that. I just think we should even the playing field a bit. After all, I don't have a fancy title or crazy talent. I'm just plain old Nijimura Shuzo. So let's see how someone who was considered the next coming of Ray Allen will fare against little old me."

Junpei flinched at the reminder of the nickname he once held. Then he gritted his teeth angrily. "You're on!"

Teppei stepped back and watched as the two played one on one. It was clear from the start that Shuzo was dominating the game, leaving Junpei behind to eat his dust. After scoring his thirtieth basket, Shuzo declared the game was over.

Junpei let out a yell of frustration in response. "This! This is exactly why I quit basketball! It's boring and frustrating and there's no point to it at all when those who are geniuses trample on people with skills that are praised as talent when really they're the result of our blood, sweat, and tears. In the end, basketball is just full of pain!"

Shuzo impassively watched as Junpei let out another frustrated yell. "Even so," he said once Junpei was done, "People will still play…just like you."

Junpei jerked back as if struck. "Wha-"

"You claim you hate basketball but I saw how seriously you took this one on one."

"I didn't-"

"I gotta agree with Nijimura," Teppei interjected, "Watching you play, Hyuga, it's clear you still treasure the sport enough that you can't walk away from it no matter how painful you say it is."

"Shut up!" Junpei vehemently denied, "Don't talk like you know anything about me!"

Shuzo snorted at that. "On the contrary, I do know something about you. You, my fake delinquent sir, are a basketball idiot and I know basketball idiots like I know the back of my hand. I know there's no way you would easily leave the game like you claim you have," he declared with such surety.

Junpei was struck by that, gaping at the other in shock. Emotions began to well up inside him and it felt like he just might give in, just might let basketball back into his life simply because of this strange violent teen's firm declaration. But the echo of that day still weighed heavily on his heart and he shook his head.

"No, you're wrong. I hate basketball and that's that."

Shuzo scowled at Junpei's continued denial. "How long do you plan to stay rooted like that? You'll never be able to move forward if you refuse to get your own two feet to move for you."

"Well good thing it's not gonna be any of your business anymore, now is it?" Junpei snapped back irritably.

Shuzo sighed in disappointment. "I see. Well then, I have nothing left to say to you. I'm leaving."

"Huh?" Junpei blinked in confusion before sputtering, "Hold on!"

But Shuzo ignored him and left without another word. Junpei turned to Teppei who merely shrugged.

"Don't worry, Hyuga. Even though you didn't win, this is the last time we'll be bothering you. I'm at least glad I managed to hear your true feelings in the end."

Then he also turned away and left, following after Shuzo and leaving Junpei alone on the court with the ball.

"Shit…Shit!" Junpei shouted in frustration. He tossed the basketball and it missed the hoop, bouncing off the board and landing back onto the court where it bounced to a halt at his feet.

Meanwhile, Teppei ran to catch up to Shuzo and eventually fell into step beside him. Both teens were quiet as they walked, letting the sounds of the night surround them until Teppei finally broke the silence.

"Why didn't you let me play against Hyuga?"

"Because you know what it's like to lose against Teikou," was the immediate response.

Whatever Teppei was expecting him to say, it certainly wasn't that. "What do you mean? Don't you know too?" He asked, confused.

"It means exactly that and no, I don't actually."

"Huh…then I guess you're lucky."

"Lucky huh?" Shuzo wryly said, "Guess I am."

"But still, if you've never lost to Teikou then wouldn't I have been more qualified to go against Hyuga since I know the pain of losing to them which seems to be the reason why he quit?" Teppei continued, insistently curious.

Shuzo hummed thoughtfully. "Is it though? The true reason I mean."

Teppei frowned. "Why wouldn't it be? So many others have unfortunately quit because of the Generation of Miracles."

Shuzo snorted in amusement. "What a lame title. Generation of Miracles? That's too much weight to put on a bunch of middle schoolers."

"Huh?"

Shuzo stopped walking and turned to face Teppei head on. "Let me break it down for you, you say that it would've been better for you to play against Hyuga because you both lost to the GoM, is that right?"

"Yeah?"

"Well I don't agree. You forget that you are also officially recognized as an Uncrowned King, which will be the only thing Hyuga sees. That even someone with such outstanding and recognized talent was still brutally defeated so what could someone like him who was only ever acknowledged for having precision shooting abilities and nothing else, be able to do?"

Teppei winced. "When you put it that way, I guess I can see your point."

"And as for never losing against Teikou," Shuzo smiled bitterly, "It's hard to lose against a team that you were once the captain of."

Teppei was gob smacked by the other's admission. "Excuse me? You were a captain for the Teikou Middle Basketball Team?"

"Did I stutter?" Shuzo smirked jokingly, laughing when Teppei sputtered, "Yeah, I was made captain for my second year when the so called Generation of Miracles were still first years. But I eventually had to leave the team and school due to family issues. Now I'm back and ready to beat some sense into those stupid kids."

"Are you seriously calling the Generation of Miracles stupid kids?!" Teppei asked incredulously.

Shuzo snorted at that. "Dunno who came up with that stupid title but yeah. Those brats are just that, brats. I thought I left them in good hands only to come back and see how far those idiots I once watched over had fallen. Beating teams with a triple point difference, acting like the game is just a boring chore, they've lost their love for basketball and made other players their collateral damage."

"I gotta be honest with you Kiyoshi, I'm only going along with your plan because I believe this team you're making can show those brats what it's like to love the game again and remind others like Hyuga that they don't need to give the game up for something as petty as talent."

Teppei was taken aback by his response but couldn't help but smile and look at Shuzo in a new light. "You know, I really respect you, Nijimura."

Shuzo frowned. "What's there to respect? I'm basically using you to knock some sense into some idiots and prove to some other idiots that you don't need talent to enjoy playing basketball." He gestured at himself. "Case in point."

Teppei hummed thoughtfully. "I dunno. I think you're plenty talented, Nijimura, so you shouldn't say you aren't. You've also got such a big heart that I can't help but admire you."

Shuzo blushed, surprisingly flustered by the compliment. "Okay, seriously, what are you going on about and can you stop?"

Teppe grinned. "Cute," he said, surprising himself.

Shuzo's blush deepened and he tried to play it off like he was unbothered by it. "Who the hell are you calling cute? If anything, I'm adorable."

Teppei huffed in amusement. "Alright, alright, you're adorable. My apologies."

"Good, now shut up before I make you," Shuzo said, raising a fist in threat.

Teppei raised his hands in surrender but was still grinning. "Hai, hai. I'll stop before the big bad captain hurts little old me."

"Shut up!"

XXXXXX

Riko stared at the note in her hand with growing confusion as she stood outside with the rest of the school for the morning assembly.

"What're you looking at Riko?" A classmate asked.

Riko hummed. "I wonder…"

She looked down at the note again, reading its bold script for the umpteenth time. 'We'll show our seriousness during the morning announcement! -The Basketball Team'

On the rooftop, the five members of the Seirin Basketball Team were assembled.

"Are you really serious about this?" Shun asked uncertainly.

"Of course!" Teppei exclaimed with a grin, "Anyways, are you guys ready? Once we do this, there's no turning back."

"We wouldn't be here if we weren't," Shuzo said.

"Alright!" Teppei hopped up onto the railing without a second thought.

"Be careful!" Koganei cried out in warning.

Mitobe nodded frantically but Teppei just grinned wildly.

"Pledge! We, members of the Seirin Basketball Team will aim to go to Nationals and become number one in Japan! 1-B, Kiyoshi Teppei!"

"Ah geez, with this, if we don't make it we'll be laughing stocks," Shun said in exasperation but his smile betrayed his enthusiasm.

Shuzo grinned widely. "That just makes it all the more fun doesn't it?" He walked over to the railing and shouted, "The basketball team will go to Nationals and beyond! You better believe it! 1-A, Nijimura Shuzo!"

Back on the ground, the assembled student body and teachers watched the proceedings above them in surprise.

"What are they doing?"

"Hey! Someone go stop them!"

"That scared me!"

"What is that all about?"

"Are they being serious?"

"Of course not, no way is that possible."

Back on the rooftop, Shun stepped back having been the last to go after Koganei who shouted enthusiastically and Mitobe who just stood there silently with a prepared sign announcing his declaration.

"Well we did it," Shun sighed.

"It feels so refreshing right? Like we've got no choice but to do it," Koganei eagerly said.

Mitobe deadpanned at him.

"Which reminds me," Shun turned to Teppei and Shuzo, "Did you two manage to convince Junpei?"

Teppei sheepishly scratched at his cheek. "Well, Nijimura did all the talking and stuff but I don't know if it worked."

Shuzo shrugged. "Who knows?"

"O-kay?" Shun said, confused.

Suddenly, the door to the rooftop slammed open.

"Hold it right there!"

Everyone turned to see Junpei standing before them with his hair cropped short and dyed black. They were all stunned by his change in appearance though Shun smiled widely in relief.

"Looks like your words did reach him, Nijimura," Teppei said.

"What're you saying, dumbass?" Junpei marched forward with a scowl, "I'm not agreeing with a single thing you said, lining up all those pretty words and trying to challenge me like that, all it did was piss me off. I'm only here to prove to you that I ain't running from shit and I'm not gonna lose to someone like you. Understand?"

Shuzo smiled at the challenge. "Whatever you say, basketball idiot."

Junpei growled and stormed over the railing where he screamed out, "This basketball team will be number one in Japan or die trying! 1-C, Hyuga Junpei!"

"Junpei?!" Riko gasped in shock.

Suddenly, a swarm of teachers appeared on the rooftop.

"Hey! What are you guys doing? There's a limit to how much you can fool around!"

"Get over here! Geez, making trouble for us."

"In the first place, there's no way you guys can become number one in Japan. Look at the reality. Don't be stupid."

Everyone was surprised by the teachers' animosity and lack of support. Junpei only became more ticked off.

"What's that you're spewing? Don't you dare look down on us! If we can't, we'll do anything whether it's confessing butt naked or whatever!"

The other guys were shocked by his loud declaration while Shuzo laughed in amusement.

"You're a riot, Hyuga."

"Junpei! You dumbass!" Shun cried out angrily.

"You didn't have to drag us under the bus like that!" Koganei protested.

Down below, students were shouting in equal parts amusement and encouragement.

"Alright!" "Do it!" "Keep your promise!"

Riko laughed. "What a fool! I can't believe it. Well, I'm in. Guess I can't help but join the team now."

The rest of the morning was spent getting scolded by the teachers but even that couldn't dampen the newly dubbed Seirin Basketball Team as they took another step closer to their goal.

XXXXXX

The members of the basketball team gathered in the gym on a fine morning for their first practice. Koganei excitedly chattered away one sidedly with Mitobe, Shun was trying to get Junpei to cheer up with some of his puns, and Teppei was happily chatting with Tsuchida Satoshi, a first year who was so inspired by their declaration that he rushed to join the team as soon as they were finished being scolded by the teachers.

Eventually, the chatter came to a halt when the gym doors slammed open to reveal Riko. She was carrying a handful of papers and was followed by a smirking Shuzo who was wheeling a whiteboard in.

"Sorry for the wait but Nijimura and I only just finished the practice schedule," she said, "Since it's the first day, we'll be sure to take it easy and ease everyone in."

She slapped the papers onto the board and everyone did a double take at the Spartan like schedule she presented.

"Hey! Hey! We'll die with this kinda schedule!" Koganei protested.

"Is she really serious about this?" Tsuchida nervously asked.

"Are you shitting me, Riko?" Junpei growled in disbelief.

"Come on guys, let's at least finish the first practice before we start complaining," Teppei interjected, placating.

"In that case, we'll rely on you to lead us captain!" Shun proclaimed.

"Huh? Me? Why me?" Teppei asked, surprised.

"You're the one who founded this team," Shun answered as if it were obvious.

"Is that how it works?"

"Yeah?"

Teppei frowned. "It's just, I thought Hyuga would be a better fit as the captain."

"Huh? Wait-" Junpei sputtered, "Why me? You're the best player here."

"The captain position isn't something you decide with skills," Teppei rebuked, "Hyuga has something I don't have. The one who's most fit to be the leader is you."

"I second that," Shuzo chimed in.

"Now hold on a minute," Junpei said, pointing at Shuzo, "Why aren't you the captain? You were the one who led that street ball team. You obviously know how to lead better than I can."

"I'd rather not. There'd be a mutiny before the first practice is over if I'm the captain," Shuzo jokingly countered.

Riko hummed thoughtfully. "I agree that Junpei should be captain. Anyone else?"

The other guys either nodded or voiced their agreement.

"Anyone opposed?" She asked just to cover her bases.

Nobody responded and Junpei groaned. "Seriously?" He pointed at Teppei and Shuzo with a scowl. "Then at least one of you has to be the vice captain! I don't wanna wrangle a bunch of idiots by myself."

"Hey!" Koganei cried out, taking great offense to that.

"I'll have to pass," Teppei declined with a smile.

Shuzo shrugged. "I guess I can give it a shot. But only if Shun joins me as a co-vice captain."

"Is that even a thing?" Koganei asked.

"Wouldn't it be better to have co-captains instead of co-vice captains?" Tsuchida suggested.

Shuzo shook his head. "Nah. Co-captains would just be like having too many cooks in the kitchen but co-vice captains can help divide the burden better. So what do you say, Shun? Help me babysit this basketball idiot?" He asked, pointing at Junpei.

"Hey!" Junpei cried out, deeply offended.

"Sure!" Shun agreed easily.

"Great!" Shuzo said, slapping Junpei on the back, "Now come on, Captain! Let's get practice started!"

Riko whistled softly, impressed by how Shuzo managed to herd a hissing Junpei away with only minimal protest. 'Nijimura sure is a strange guy. He seems to march to the beat of his own drum and before you realize it, you're already swept up in his pace.'

"He sure is an interesting person," Teppei said. Then he turned to her with a smile. "Shall we start practice now, coach?"

Riko smiled back at him. "We shall." She blew her whistle with way too much glee, startling everyone with its piercing shriek. "Alright you guys, line up!"

The guys quickly did so and she nodded in approval. "Now take it away, captain!"

Junpei rubbed at the back of his head with a sigh. "Argh, geez. Fine, let's do this!"

"YEAH!"

And scene! Hope you guys enjoyed the chapter because that is the last of what major details we managed to get from the manga and anime. All the chapters after this are going to venture into Wild West territory where I turn a montage and some scenes into a fully fleshed out story. So look forward to that and I will see y'all in the next chapter. Until then!