After the grueling training on the beach, and loss after loss against Shutoku in practice games, the victory against Komada was particularly sweet. Sure, it was just another practice game, but the results spoke for themselves. Each of them had improved quite a bit. Hyuuga was pleased at how cohesive a team they had become.

They'd more than earned a chance to relax and celebrate the win, which is how they found themselves shoving up next to one another in the booth and small table to fit in the corner. Their friends quickly filed into Kagami's chosen restaurant, Hyuuga tailing the group, making sure each of them made it inside. It was like herding cats some days with his team.

Concluding all of them had made it, he picked up his pace to join them, moving just behind Kiyoshi. What he did not expect was for Kiyoshi to stop so abruptly, and swing around so fast, Hyuuga collided with him. He was beyond irritated. What could he possibly need right now? Hyuuga opened his mouth to scold him when Kiyoshi made his plea, "Hyuuga, I need you to sit between me and Izuki."

The Captain shook his head, flooded with a lot of sensations and information. Overwhelming all of them was hunger, so he spoke pointedly. "Why? Fighting or something?" The two seemed to be just the same as ever at the practice game earlier that day. Not to mention the summer training camp, "You couldn't shut up during the Inter High."

"No. Nothing like that."

Kiyoshi ignoring everything that he said made Hyuuga bristle. "That your motto, or something?" Hyuuga glared, but Kiyoshi held his pleading look. Whatever. He was hungry and he didn't have the time or energy for this ridiculous riddle. Hyuuga huffed and pushed past him. "Fine. But you are getting me an extra serving, moron."

He slid in next to Izuki, who pounced on the chance to make a joke, seeing the pained look on his captain's face. "What was that? A lover's quarrel?" Why was he being nice to Kiyoshi, again?

"Shut up, Izuki."

Izuki just laughed it off as the rest of the team settled in. He definitely didn't hone in immediately on the fact that Kiyoshi was seated on the other side of Hyuuga, making it difficult to talk to the boy directly. Not that it mattered. He didn't need to be seated next to Kiyoshi. There were plenty of his friends at his table with him. Still, the urge to do something for the boy's attention itched at him.

He forced himself to engage in chats with Koganei and Riko, letting himself relax. The next day was set aside for rest, and he'd take advantage while he could. Izuki was not unconvinced Riko gave them the next day off because of their win. He was sure if they'd lost they would have had to make up for it ten-fold. He gave the attention he could, but one ear was pulled towards any sound Kiyoshi made. However, it only took one noise from the first years to pull them all away from their previous conversations.

Kagami dropping his broccoli was almost as funny as him fighting over it with Nigou. "Broccoli can be pretty slippery." Izuki shared Hyuuga's irritation at Kagami's public scene, but found Kiyoshi's comment amusing. It was dumb, and even Kiyoshi had to know that wasn't the issue. Still. Kiyoshi was encouraging Kagami, in his own weird way. Izuki knew Kagami would train hard, but this was next level.

When Furihata suggested street ball, Izuki knew he should encourage them to rest like the Coach did, but part of him was so pleasantly surprised by the enthusiasm on his kouhai's face. Furihata was an endless stream of ideas, some a bit more far-fetched, but a lot were quite well imagined. He enjoyed listening to him spout off idea after idea, until one caught and they'd run with it together.

"Ever hear of a break, basket heads?"

"Yeah, that's true but, Kagami and Kuroko always get to play in the games but, well, we'd like to play sometimes, too, you know?"

Izuki felt sympathy for him. Of course he'd want to play more. Izuki almost forgot what it was like to sit on the bench most of the game. Their team was so small, he'd just gotten used to being the point guard. He was almost hurt by the fact he hadn't really considered Furihata didn't get the chance to play that position like he wanted to.

Furihata always worked so hard, too. He'd been overwhelmed by Coach at the start of the year, but after countless questions to Izuki about the training menu and tips for how he could catch up, he was easily just as hard working as Kagami or Kuroko. He didn't know how to say it without risking a critical tone, and wouldn't know the correct words to use, but the extra game practice could be good for them, considering how little they actually got.

"Good. Good for you. That's the spirit!"

Both Hyuuga and Riko were skeptical, but Izuki was floored at how effortlessly Kiyoshi took the side of their underclassmen, but did it in his own relentlessly positive way. First Kagami, then Furihata. While the rest of the second years were puzzling over something that didn't quite make sense, Kiyoshi bulldozed over it all with some of his patented enthusiasm.

"Well, fine, but just the first years."

Izuki thought Riko gave in just a bit too soon, but then again when Kiyoshi smiled like that, he'd say yes to whatever he was asking. "See? You got the Coach's approval!" Had they? Or had she just said yes to get him to stop asking. The first years hadn't fully learned how Kiyoshi always seemed to have a way of getting what he , and when basketball was involved, he was the world's biggest enabler. "Do your best out there, you guys!"

"Right!" Watching Kiyoshi cheerfully cheer on the first years to play street ball and how attentive to Kiyoshi they were made him need to physically shake the wide grin from his face. He knew the underclassmen looked up to Kiyoshi, and he knew it probably meant a lot that he was supporting them.

Izuki, for one, took the advice of their coach and went straight home after their meal. The victory felt nice, like the training he was doing was finally paying off. He liked the feeling of winning, but even better was the look on the faces of all his teammates. The looks of pride and satisfaction. It was only a practice game, but Kiyoshi beamed like he'd won the championship. He'd sung the praises of their first years and the rest of the team, not once acknowledging his own dominating presence on the court.

That surely had to be the reason Izuki couldn't look away: Kiyoshi was too dominating a presence. It surely couldn't be Izuki's fault if Kiyoshi was being distracting. It was surely also the reason why snippets of Kiyoshi played in his memory like a clip show, a highlight of all the skillful plays Kiyoshi had pulled off.

Skillful? More like unbearably hot . He always worked up a sweat at games, but it was a different kind of heat. So maybe he was a little attracted to guys. It was likely just a result of being around so many attractive guys all the time. He was an athlete, he wasn't blind. That didn't mean he wanted to do . . . anything with them. Except maybe kiss Kiyoshi until he was blue in the face.

But whatever! He kissed girls! He'd kissed several, one girl even let him touch their boobs (Izuki conveniently ignored how awkward that memory made him feel) and would surely find a girlfriend before too long. He filtered through his memory for any image of a girl, but when none appeared it didn't leave him with many options.

The firm muscles and flat chest needed a face.

The strong, large hands needed a voice.

Certain features drifted in and out of focus in Izuki's fantasy, and he did all he could to push away brown hair, brown eyes, a smile… it came to him in a flash; there was one person who would get him off and not smile once while doing so. He knew Midorima would make quick work of him, too. It was a welcome excuse, even if his sense of logic and reason screamed at him how weird and wrong it was, he couldn't stop imagining Midorima's fingers spreading out on his chest while his other hand, with his taped fingers, gripped something else.

The guilt afterwards was daunting, but fleeting. Izuki pushed it down, cramming it inside a familiar, too-full box, and locking it up tightly. He went to sleep, ignoring all the incriminating feelings inside his heart.


Kiyoshi all but threw himself down on his bed the second he entered his house. He was grateful for the buffer Hyuuga provided, but it did little to quell the pounding in his chest. Despite that buffer, his ears still ached to listen in on Izuki's voice, still stole glances anytime he or someone else said something that earned a laugh.

The longer he thought about Izuki, the tighter his abdomen felt. For the first time since the beach he felt that heat pool in his groin. He might not have the ability to say it outloud, but he knew in certainty, that this was only happening because of Izuki. It was strange to let the feeling overtake him with such clear images of Izuki in his brain, but the vicious cycle only served to deteriorate any shred of shame he had left. There was a pressure in his chest, and a surge of something, almost like a shock, cascaded over him. He gasped into his pillow, so thankful for the muffling of his surprised voice, when his erection made itself known and Kiyoshi was tethering on the edge of the point of no return. He was grateful he was alone this time. He'd ignored it at camp, forcing it away by his will alone, but it hurt when he did that. He also knew there were better ways to handle it. He wasn't an expert, far from it, but he wasn't totally clueless.

Hyuuga has said that it was normal to feel this, so maybe . . . Groaning to himself, he grabbed his phone. A week prior he would have never imagined searching "how to masturbate." Yet, he typed the letters so slowly and carefully as if his grandparents would burst in the room and demand an explanation from him if he made any sudden moves.

Kiyoshi had hoped for some simple, short instructions, but, limited by the capabilities of his cell phone, and his hindered processing ability, he could not find exactly what he was hoping for. The article he'd selected had many ideas on technique, but most words washed over Kiyoshi; he was looking for a story or anecdote that matched him: feeling it for the first time, or close to it. He came up empty handed - so to speak.

So, instead, he tried to focus on what was useful to him. He could feel the blush on his face as he read, and it felt so weird to be so shy in the safety and comfort of his own bedroom. He hastily gathered the information he thought relevant, and threw his phone onto his pillow.

his growing erection had become too difficult to ignore. He was in his pajamas, so it wasn't uncomfortable, but if he moved even slightly, a pang

Before he could even feel bad or think twice about it, he committed and firmly took his cock in his right hand. The pressure was soothing, and the wave of pain (pleasure?) that worked up his spine caused every thought in his head, every shred of guilt or doubt, to disappear. He operated on instinct.

The only things in his mind were the advice from the article - If you do not have any visual stimulations, you can use visualizations of actors, public figures, or even people you know. You can imagine these people doing the things you are doing instead. Remember, your visualizations and the real person are separate. - and the debauched fantasies his brain supplied him upon reading.

"Kiyoshi." The way Izuki said his voice lingered in his ears, reverberating through him.

" Kiyo-shi." The stress and lengthening of the second syllable in an almost playful, teasing tone made adrenaline seep into his blood.

He craved more - more pressure, he gripped tighter; more friction, he stroked faster - but it wasn't enough. What did the article say? You'll find it is easier to masturbate if you use some kind of lubricant. If you don't have any specifically made for sexual activities, you can use a small amount of coconut oil for outside your body, and if you are really desperate, saliva.

He felt obscene licking a sloppy line across his palm, but those shining silver eyes filled his vision, as if Izuki was the one doing such things, as his hand glided over his length. He gladly welcomed the image of Izuki's pale, slender fingers taking over for him. Any awareness of his surroundings was fuzzy, the sensation absolutely consuming him. He felt hot, excited; he never wanted to stop - the similarities to basketball not lost on him, but that was not what he wanted in that moment.

What kinds of things would Izuki say to him, knelt in front of Kiyoshi like he imagined, with that sweet voice, hushed, laced with lust, "Is it good?"

"Yes-" He hissed, quietly.

"That's it. That's good." That sensation from before intensified, and Kiyoshi had to bite the inside of his cheek to keep from yelling out. "Let me make you feel even better, let me make you co-"

The mess, he was ready for, but it was different this time. It came unexpectedly, covering his shirt, coating his hand and he thanked the past version of himself for always keeping a box of tissues on his desk. He might have had to empty the box to clean what he could, but it was worth it.

His body was relaxed . He felt refreshed. His legs felt like they were filled with helium, and his brain was hazy and light, but, why was he so tired? Throwing his soiled clothes into the bin, he pulled on clean pajamas and collapsed onto his bed, falling asleep with fond images of a certain teammate with raven-black hair in his mind.


Kagami showed up with Kuroko to the streetball event, and he got a wave of uncertainty, like something wasn't quite right. The energy was too . . . cheerful. "I didn't know you'd be tagging along!"

"What? Can't I?" That dumb smile made him want to yell.

"But, I thought- Where's Kawahara?" The max was five players, so once he showed up, that dumb giant could-

"At home sick."

"Huh?" That ruined all his plans.

"Right. Let's have some fun, yeah?" Could Kiyoshi smile any bigger? Kagami wouldn't doubt he'd manage it somehow. It's not that he disliked his upperclassman. He was just . . . weird . He had not prepared himself for that level of energy. He'd been expecting Kawahara, who was simple to talk to, easy to understand.

Kiyoshi, though, was the opposite. Kagami couldn't get a read on the guy, because one minute he'd be joking around and the next he'd be deadly serious. If the guy wasn't so damn good on the court, he'd be less tolerant of the emotional rollercoaster.

"Sure," he sighed and trailed after everyone else. After all, he wasn't going to give up the chance to play.

Running into Seiho's team was the last thing they expected, and the last thing Kagami needed. Tsugawa was buzzing around him like the annoying fly he always was, but he shut up when his captain announce Seiho's third years weren't playing anymore. He explained the bracket and how Seirin's victory had eliminated them from the Winter Cup, and he actually felt bad for saying anything. Perhaps Coach was right when she said he needed to check the brackets thoroughly.

Regardless, the challenge was welcome. And as their rivals walked away, Kagami thought he didn't have anything to worry about.


Hyuuga didn't know what it was; he'd meant to actually relax, play some video games, maybe work on rebuilding one of his figures - it was taking him months to get through them all. He was fidgeting in his room, fixated on the idea of the first years practicing and winning games while he was relaxing. He just couldn't sit still. Why take a day off when he was itching to play anyway?

Seemed like most of the guys had the same idea. Koganei and Mitobe were heading to the locker room as Izuki approached to enter the gym with him. He greeted him and habitually fell in step with Izuki for their warm up laps.

"How'd you sleep?" Hyuuga asked him, noticing the slight delay in Izuki's response.

"I slept fine," That was forced for someone who slept fine , "but found it hard to relax today."

"Yeah I hear you there. I am just glad we all thought the same thing. It'll be nice to play a small game," Koganei was scrambling to catch up to Mitobe and Tsuchida in their own laps. "Maybe a two on two."

"Yeah, sounds good! Man, too bad Kiyoshi isn't here. We could do a proper three-on-three."

Hyuuga knew Kiyoshi wouldn't be coming; he'd heard from him earlier that morning. The guy just assumed they'd practice together anyway.

' Can't practice today :( filling in for Kawahara at streetball :D'

'Idiot. Riko said first years only.'

He hadn't heard from him since. Kiyoshi could only get away with doing whatever he wanted for so long. He'd welcome the break from dealing with it any more that day. "Just keep him off my team. You can babysit."

Izuki let out a single laugh. "Sure thing, Captain." Izuki's face retained a sweet expression, as if he was recalling a happy memory. Hyuuga didn't like how quickly he gave in, didn't like how that smile was quickly becoming associated with moments of Kiyoshi-induced exasperation.

"Where is he anyway?" The quiet, almost shy question made him suspicious. He'd bite, see if Izuki showed him what he was thinking.

"Kawahara apparently called him, and asked if he wanted his spot on the streetball team."

"Oh." And Izuki dropped it. That was weird. Izuki was never one to talk around topics. He was blunt and clear, always stating his thoughts on the matter at hand.

Hyuuga knew better than to press the issue, but when it came to Kiyoshi, Izuki had been acting out of the ordinary. "Upset about that?" Izuki looked at him, obviously lacking any kind of response. Hyuuga let him flounder, actually finding some humor in his speechless friend.

"What are you talking about?" Classic stalling technique.

"You two seemed to have a lot to say at the Inter High. Maybe you were missing him or something?" Kiyoshi hadn't given him any explanation the their actions at that game, either. He'd hoped that he could get any semblance of answer from Izuki, who at least had the decency to look guilty about his behavior at the tournament.

"It was a good game. Can't blame us for talking about it." Izuki picked up his pace, leaving Hyuuga behind. The damn point guard had always been a good sprinter. He wouldn't catch up, mostly because he wasn't sure what he'd say when he did.

Was it just him or was everyone acting more out of the ordinary lately?


"Can we stop for some food?"

"Lunch wasn't that long ago!" Furihata would never understand Kagami's appetite.

"Sure, if that's what you need to make those awesome jumps, let's go." Kiyoshi didn't even seem to register the ridiculousness of Kagami's request. He simply did as needed to make the plan a reality. It was weird, he knew that feeling, but he didn't associate it with Kiyoshi.

"Kiyoshi-senpai, you remind me of Izuki-senpai."

Kiyoshi's grin faded to confusion, but Furihata was grateful. That was it! "Oh yeah! I totally see it!"

"What do you mean, Kuroko? He and I are super different!" Were they? Sure Izuki-senpai wasn't as tall, and couldn't score like Kiyoshi could, but other than their differences in position on the court, Furihata would agree that the two were equally attentive to the needs of others. They both took an extra moment to make sure the first years weren't left behind. Kagami could keep up no problem, but even Kuroko had a tough time during practice. Furihata rarely had to ask Izuki any more for feedback on his play. He admired Izuki, and he was jealous of his eagle eye, but he used it to help his team, so in the end he was just grateful.

"Well, the way I see it, you're both talented, but super chill about it, you know?"

Fukuda laughed. "Yeah, unlike Kagami who seems to only know the words dunk and bring it on."

"Hey, what's that supposed to mean?" Kagami's words were barely decipherable with his mouth full of food from the street vendor.

"That is true, Furihata-kun, but I believe there is more to it." Kuroko paused, in thought. "I haven't known you as long, but I feel the same trust in you I would in Izuki-senpai. He is always keeping an eye out for us." Kuroko was oddly talkative that day. Though, it seemed like he had been thinking about this for a while based on how thoughtful his observations were.

"Kinda like yesterday when you convinced Coach to let us play. Izuki-senpai never thinks my ideas are dumb either." Furihata liked the moments when Izuki would exchange ideas with him. "Watching both of you work so hard together inspires me to work harder. I like seeing another senior working so passionately." He remembered the way the two of them talked so animatedly about the game at the Inter High. "Besides, I don't see Izuki-senpai talk with anyone else about basketball the way he talks with you!"

Kuroko nodded in agreement. "And similarly on the court, when you give me a play to execute, I don't need to question it. I just know it will work, that you know what's best."

Kiyoshi floundered momentarily for a response before making out, "That's just at practice, though. Come game time, I'll be taking orders, too."

"But it's not about taking orders. It's like you both bring out the best in all of us. What do you think, Kagami-kun?"

Kagami startled, his mouth full. He forced it down in a manner that was surely painful. "Ah, jeez, what are you pickin' on me for?" He focused his gaze on Kiyoshi, regardless. Furihata had noticed many times how Kagami seemed unable to ignore Kuroko's requests, which was probably what made him answer through his defiant sneer, "I don't know what Kuroko is on about, but I do know that that damn smirk of yours pisses me off just like Izuki's does."

"What Kagami-kun is trying to say, senpai," Kuroko paused to give the smallest, shortest, of glance at the other boy, "Is neither of you let him get away with his boneheaded ill conceived rash plays."

"Shut up!"


The second years finished their laps, and stretches and had just wheeled out the baskets of basketballs when Riko showed up. "I told you all to rest!" She really should have known better. And really, the fact that she had shown up there spoke for itself. What he didn't know was that she brought the results of the Interhigh with her. The conversation about the generation of miracles and how all of them sat on the bench for the championship games was equal parts puzzling and enraging.

The combination fueled them for another set of drills. Riko wasted no time working them to the bone. She sat on the stage and laughed giddily while they ran. Hyuuga wanted to collapse from exhaustion. The others were breathing just as heavy as he was, and he knew they all were feeling the fatigue. Before he was quite ready to get back to it, he saw Izuki hauling himself up for the next set. Man, that guy was stubborn as a bull. Still, he pulled himself up alongside him. It kinda felt like trying to match Kiyoshi, in a way; the complete dedication to a fierce competition in never being the first to give up.


Kuroko was almost offended for Murasakibara when Kagami started taunting him like a child, but when the opponent gave in easily, Kuroko wasn't really that surprised. Murasakibara acted like he hated basketball, but he was the first to accept an invitation, or a challenge. He had finally grown tired of the vapid display when someone else did as he was wishing.

"That's enough, Kagami."

Kuroko watched as Kiyoshi of all people stepped in to end the playground bully routine. Until Murasakibara showed up, Kiyoshi had been his usual smiling self. The only other time Kiyoshi got that serious was during a game, but the game hadn't started yet.

It was funny in a way. Because Kagami immediately dropped the act, remembering he had to mark Himuro. Kuroko had watched both Hyuuga and Izuki, sometimes together, attempt to cool Kagami off, and they'd gotten good at it, but it had taken some time. The seniors, and now Kiyoshi, spoke to Kagami in a way even Kuroko couldn't. And despite the amount of gripes and jabs he threw at the second years behind their backs, Kagami was oddly keen in following their advice.

Kiyoshi was nothing but polite, so there was no reason for the flippant apathy he displayed. Murasakibara stood taller than everyone else, no question, but he still had to turn his gaze up to further look down his nose as Kiyoshi like he was some bottom of the barrel trash.

"I'm not going to remember every weakling we crushed." Murasakibara may have been his old teammate, but he did not care for that tone. Ever since they got to high school, every one of his old teammates had a habit of looking down on others who weren't a part of their elite club, but this was too much. Kiyoshi was no weak opponent, even Murasakibara would remember with the right reminder. They acted like the only people worth acknowledging were old Teiko players, and it was getting on Kuroko's last nerve.

"Kuroko?" Kiyoshi could tell something was bothering him. Once again, he was always looking out for them.

"I also want to get back at him for the awful way he talked to you just now." Kuroko gave him a pass he knew Murasakibara couldn't ignore. Kiyoshi's dunk right above the other's head was exactly the display Kuroko hoped for. He admitted remembering Kiyoshi, but the look in his eyes was much like the victory-hungry player he always was. While both sides were raring to go, they never got the chance to play, the rain took them by surprise, and they were forced to stop immediately.


Riko blew the whistle over and over. Hyuuga had told her it was just some light practice, so why was she training them like Spartans on their day off? He was ready to give up, lay down on the cold wood floor and accept death, but Izuki hit him on the shoulder.

"Come on Hyuuga, don't give up that easy!"

Hyuuga could only think of one other person who could smile like that while thoroughly exhausted. It was the same person who also kept running until the coach said to stop, or they dropped dead - whichever happened first. To their fortune, Riko called the end of the drill before any of them actually dropped dead. They all regretted coming in for their day off. "Sorry. It seemed like you wanted to." They had just gone along with it, hadn't they? Hyuuga's clothes felt like a swamp. He hadn't sweat so much in one practice since the beach.

Izuki huffed beside him. "I'm gonna go change." At least he wasn't the only one who was thoroughly exhausted when the drill was over.

They all had the same idea, leaving the gym to go enjoy what little relaxation they could. But all of them abandoned that task when Momoi made an unexpected appearance. After his lapse of judgment and processing, he let his smiling evil girlfriend push them all out into the rain for what else? Laps.

Izuki breathed heavily. "Damn, it's totally unfair that the others aren't being tortured by Coach. I think Kiyoshi is due more than a few laps."

Hyuuga was too tired to respond. While he agreed, he didn't have the energy to speak and run at the same time, let alone try to figure out this weird new fixation between his teammates.


After meeting Himuro during streetball, after challenging Murasakibara, Kiyoshi was feeling a lot of things, but deep down at his core he just felt lost. He'd watched them talk about their relationships, brotherly, rivalry, friendly, and the more he thought about it the more he wanted to bang his head against the wall.

He wanted to refresh Murasakibara's memory, but the critical look in his eyes and the venom in his voice reminded Kiyoshi of his darkest moments. He was praised for his skill, but they would never acknowledge that even a prodigy can be knocked so far down, it seemed impossible to find a way out. He wasn't sure he'd ever pull himself out of that hole. He never thought he'd rediscover his joy for the game again, but his tiny team at Seirin was more than he could have ever hoped for.

And then so much changed. He'd missed so much. It was like they had morphed into an entirely different team while he was gone in the hospital. Sure, all of them welcomed him back with open arms, even the first years. But there was something new each day that made him feel like he was the only one not in on the joke. He could understand Kuroko, but he didn't realize he'd be thrust into the middle of the fighting ring that had become the generation of miracles upon his return to high school basketball.

But, luckily, Kuroko had a way of speaking that let Kiyoshi shed some of his doubt. "Everyone at Seirin likes Basketball, so I like Seirin."

It was the first thing that day that had really made sense.

It was so simple when Kuroko put it like that. It made the swirling in his head and chest less all-consuming. Despite how frustrating the interaction at streetball had been, it was true that, by that point, it was in the past. Himuro and Murasakibara were practically en route back to Akita, and the next time he saw them would be Winter.

He was returning back to his familiar gym, where all the basketball players he could ask for worked hard day in and day out. He thought about all that had happened since entering high school, but, for all the hardship he'd experienced, he wouldn't trade his team for anything in the world. He liked Basketball and, like Kuroko said, everyone at Seirin liked basketball. Ironically - Kiyoshi smiled to himself at the realization - Kuroko's reasoning also gave him some words, though they were few, for some other mysteries in his heart.

Izuki liked Basketball, so Kiyoshi liked Izuki. Simple.


If only it could have stayed that simple. They watched Kuroko leave with Momoi and none of them really knew how to take the news of Aomine's injury. "I can't stop thinking about all the things she said." Izuki wasn't the only one. Kiyoshi was thinking about Momoi's story and so much else.

How severe a fight did the two have to have for Momoi to come all this way from Touou in the rain? She seemed obviously hurt by Aomine but still insisted they were close friends. Momoi didn't like Aomine, but she did like Kuroko? But she and Aomine were friends? How can you be friends with someone you don't like? What do people do with people they "like?" What does that even mean? By "like" did she mean "have a crush?" Infatuation? Romantic interest? He thought of Hyuuga and Riko, the closest example he had for a romantic relationship. If Momoi "liked" Kuroko, and she hugged him, maybe Hyuuga and Riko hugged? He imagined himself hugging either of them. The only time it really made sense in his mind was after a victory. Even then, it was short, barely any contact at all.

Kiyoshi imagined hugging Izuki instead.

And the image was clear. He could almost feel Izuki where he stood, just a few feet away. He could imagine fitting Izuki's head under his chin - he was the perfect height for it - and just holding him there. Like the night before, he didn't have to think. Those thoughts had definitely been far from wholesome, and the memory nipped at him all day, giving him an itch, a desire to repeat it.

"The generation of miracles really are a bunch of monsters."

None of them had the energy to stay and ponder that reality. It had been a tough day at practice for everyone, even though there hadn't even been practice that day in the first place. With few words each of their teammates trickled away - Furihata and Fukada whispered quietly as they walked to the station together, Hyuuga and Riko turned around to go lock up the gym, followed by Kagami, grumbling about forgetting something in his locker, Koganei pulled Mitobe along with a loud statement about getting ice cream to make up for the training. He watched Izuki leave in the opposite direction of Kiyoshi's own home, thoroughly exhausted from the training. He wanted to follow. He wanted to stop him. He wanted to- he didn't really know what or why he wanted.

"Penny for your thoughts?" It was Tsuchida. "You're thinking so hard, you're gonna overheat." He laughed, but Kiyoshi was just thankful for Tsuchida being there. He was too lost to figure this out himself, but he was cautious of revealing too much. He might have preferred to talk to Hyuuga about it, since he already knew a little bit, but he was gone with Riko, and Kiyoshi was not going to chase after him. Besides, he wasn't sure he fully understood it himself.

He chose his words carefully, opting for a question to turn the attention away from himself. "Tsuchida, have you ever liked anyone?"

He was obviously confused by the question, so far removed from any other topic that day. "Got a crush on Momoi, Teppei?"

That was one conclusion he hadn't considered Tsuchida jumping to. He supposed it wasn't totally unreasonable, given the timing of his question with her appearance, the context of some of her story, and how they had all stayed to watch her leave. "I- no. I don't. I just- she mentioned she doesn't "like" Aomine in the same way she likes Kuroko. I guess I just . . . don't know what that means."

"Oh-" Tsuchida looked at him thoughtfully, thinking over what Kiyoshi had to say before answering. The time it took felt like an eternity. "It means that Momoi wants to take Kuroko on dates, share secrets, and um," Tsuchida looked a bit shy, "maybe touch more often than others. Hold hands, hug, and other things." He rubbed the back of his head, obviously feeling dissatisfied with the definition he'd made up.

Though far from a full picture, it seemed pretty simple, but then why had something so simple passed him by for so long? Why could the images not stick with anyone except Izuki? "Is there anyone you've ever wanted to do those things with, Tsuchida?"

Tsuchida gave a small smile, but he also looked like he had been avoiding answering that question in the first place. "Ah well, actually. If you had asked me that last week, my answer would have been different. But I guess I have a girlfriend?"

The way he said it made it seem like a riddle, something Kiyoshi had to decode. "You guess?"

'Well," Tsuchida rubbed his head, put on the spot. "It's new, but yeah, I have a girlfriend. We went to middle school together. She's been in my class every year. I had been working up the courage to ask her out for a while, now, and well, it worked out, I suppose." Tsuchida had a gentle look on his face. Kiyoshi could have responded, asked another question, but was only drawing blanks. Instead, the uncomfortable silence stretched on until Tsuchida took pity on him. "Why do you ask? Do you like someone?" He took it back. There was no mercy in that question.

Izuki came to mind in many ways - like the lewd image from the night before. He was not going to think about it too long, but enough to know he was for sure doing it again when he got home. It was such an out of the ordinary desire for him. He'd never had the foresight to plan something like that. And yet, there he was, planning his night time activities, with a single person on his mind. But did Kiyoshi "like" Izuki? He liked him as a teammate on his team, but what more could he want?

"I'm not sure."

"Well tell me about her."

"Well-" He almost started rattling off Izuki's best qualities, and he was glad he stopped himself before letting Tsuchida get too close. Shockingly, though, what stopped him was not his own sense of rationality, but rather that insistence from Tsuchida that Kiyoshi was talking about a girl. It made him want to turn and run, crawl into a cave where no one could find him to point more fingers at him, laughing about all the things that made Kiyoshi "weird." His stomach felt heavy, and tight, like it had been twisted into a knot.

"Okay. Tell me what you like about her."

The knot got tighter. It was not a girl. Did he assume that, because Tsuchida liked a girl it would be the same for Kiyoshi? He wanted to say it, tell him it was not a girl he was feeling this way about, but he just couldn't. It was too big a risk.

Still, he could come up with something . He tried to keep his description as vague as possible. "Good leader, skilled at what they do. Doesn't back down." He pauses before sheepishly adding, Nice to look at."

Tsuchida laughed. "Teppei, it's okay to think she's attractive. In fact, I think it's probably better that way."

Ignoring the pang of "she" he focused on the positive part of Tsuchida's answer. "Is that so?" He was allowed to find him attractive. But what if Tsuchida knew it was a he and not a she ? Would he still think that? Daring to hope that he was allowed to like Izuki, Kiyoshi pushed a bit further. "How did you know you liked her, Tsuchida?"

He spoke slowly, thinking through each word. "I don't know exactly when. I've known her for a while, so I guess it was a lot of things. I think I had a small 'crush' on most of the girls in our class. I thought they were all so pretty. But it was different with her. I got nervous to see her, but also wanted to see her even more and more. When she was near me, I felt like I was going to throw up, but I was constantly wondering what she thought of me. Eventually that feeling like I was going to throw up was worth it if I could hear her speak, or even make her smile."

"Hm. That's-" Kiyoshi thought about that for a minute. Was he nervous to see Izuki? Not when he first met him, but the word felt right for what he'd been through since training camp. He wasn't sure, though, if he "liked" Izuki. He didn't know much about dates, but what he'd gathered made it seem very similar to just being friends. There was more to it, he presumed, but with no first-hand experience, he would not be able to say. So, instead, he focused on the second part of Tsuchida's statement. He had been straining to listen to Izuki, and he'd do a fair few things to see him smile. "You don't just want to see her smile? You go out of your way to make her smile?"

Tsuchida was careful under Kiyoshi's watchful eye. "Well, yeah. If I can make a joke or do something to make her smile, well it makes me smile. And what could possibly be wrong with that?"

Holding onto his hope, the shred of it that remained, the swirling frenzy of his mind calmed a bit. He was still so unsure about so many things, but Hyuuga, Kuroko, Tsuchida had righted the way a bit. They didn't have any full answers for him, but at least Kiyoshi felt less lost.

Kiyoshi smiled. "You're right. What could possibly be wrong with that?"

The two parted ways soon after, and he managed to quell the thoughts and ideas in his head for the walk home. However, once he entered his house, and closed his bedroom door behind him, he finally stopped pushing the thoughts away. Following the same process as the previous night, he pulled his shorts down to his thighs. He felt extremely vulnerable despite the fact that he was alone in his bedroom.

He shivered as he exposed more of his skin, but the heat consumed him as he timidly ran his fingers over his growing erection. It was the second in two days, a record, of sorts, for him. It was strange, but even more so was the fact that he knew it was coming. He expected it . He planned it. He was exploring something he never had, and had he not been confined to his given body, he might not have recognized himself.

He'd enjoyed the feeling from last night. Even that was an understatement. It had been enjoyable, but there was one thing that left him with nothing short of a craving. Once again, he imagined a certain black-haired teammate touching him.

Shit! His cock twitched at the thought, sending a wave of pleasure up his spine he could not deny. Before he could hesitate, he wrapped his fingers around himself, feeling the almost painful throbbing in his hand. His breathing became labored, his hand moved slowly, gradually speeding up, all the while pretending, wishing, he was with someone else in that moment. Izuki's face was clear in his mind, silver irises barely visible as his pupils dilated, likely experiencing the same consuming waves of pleasure as Kiyoshi. His breathing would be just as labored with the effort it takes to stroke Kiyoshi like he was.

"Izuki-"

By the time the fuzziness in his mind cleared and he came down from the clouds, his limbs felt like lead, and it was a great effort to finish cleaning before he could lay down. He could feel sleep encroaching on him and felt the same tiredness that he did after a long day of practice. Hyuuga did that multiple times a day, on top of playing basketball like he didn't want to live? Where did that guy find the energy?


Kagami was in a downright amazing mood when he showed up at the gym the day of the preliminary game. He hadn't even really thought about how he'd brought the ball with him, idly maneuvering the ball this way and that. It had become almost second nature to him to have the ball with him.

"Wow, Kagami, you've gotten really good with your left hand!"

He couldn't help his smile at Furihata's compliment. "Yeah, it's even gotten way easier to eat with this hand."

"You still can't sleep the day before a tournament though, can you?" Furihata has probably noticed his tired red eyes. Whatever, he played his best all the same. "You look like a monster." Furihata wasn't going to bring him down. He shrugged him off and stood with his team, waiting for Coach or Captain to determine everyone was present. However, as he stood, a familiar, annoying feeling irked him. He wasn't sure what it was but it definitely -

"What are you so happy for? It's creeping me out."

"Oh sorry about that. Don't let it bother you."

Kiyoshi. Kagami was excited for the game, ready to crush their opponents, but his upperclassman was far too relaxed about the whole thing. This game determined whether they were going onto the league, or if their chance for any kind of title was over.

"We'd better get going. Is everyone here?"

"Let's see." Captain answered. "We're still missing one. Is it Kuroko?" Kagami had to admit he hadn't noticed him that morning yet, either.

"I'm here."

The entire team answered in surprise at his appearance. Looks like Kagami wasn't the only one who had missed him. But Kagami knew Kuroko better than the rest. He definitely would have said something to him by now. That could only mean- Kagami was already riled up by Kiyoshi's damn face, and Kuroko was acting like he hadn't narrowly missed the meeting time.

"Yes, I've been here the whole time." Kagami did not miss the huff of breath.

"Liar, you barely made it. You busted your ass getting here." Kuroko refused to look at him, or anyone else for that matter. "Say something!"


Walking onto the court, Kagami was irked. He wanted to focus on the game, even got super fired up after the Coach's speech in the locker room. Even Kuroko recovered from the incident at the school that morning. So, why could Kiyoshi not stop acting like a child at the park? He was practically sauntering onto the court, and he looked as if his face was stuck that way, too happy for his own good. He hung back near Kuroko, watching his upperclassmen handle the jolly giant.

"Why have you been smiling so much?" Izuki looked at him skeptically, and the captain's face was screwed into a scowl.

"I haven't been in a game for a while. I'm just in a good mood, you know.?"

"Are you gonna be okay?" Kagami felt vindicated to see a look of exasperation on Izuki's face. At least he wasn't the only one who thought this behavior was a bit much, even for Kiyoshi.

"Kiyoshi, we need you, so focus." Hyuuga was serious, and concentrating on the task ahead. Surely those two would be able to get through to him.

"Yeah, I'm aware of that." And for a moment, even Kagami thought the determined, stoic look on Kiyoshi's face would stay, that he'd been brought back into the game. But the illusion was shattered after only a few seconds. Izuki and Hyuuga combined couldn't even get that giant smile off his face.

"I'm kinda worried about him." Still, Izuki shook his head at the center, and as they prepared, he saw him smile. Izuki might have thought Kiyoshi was acting weird, but wasn't stopping him, even finding it humorous. What was so funny?"

He leaned into Kuroko to whisper. "He's relaxed. Is that good thing?"

"I think we'll be just fine. Izuki on the outside and him on the inside…" Kuroko trailed off in pleasant thought. "I guess having him on the court puts me at ease. I don't think we'll lose."

There weren't many people that got Kagami's skin crawling just by looking at them. Aomine and Midorima did, in an entirely different way. He admired the guy's play, so he would let it go. It really didn't matter in the end, as long as he played like he always did.


"She's not hot at all! Give back what you stole from me!"

Was that kid in high school? He was pointing at their coach and yelling like a toddler who was denied his favorite toy. The only thing that pulled Izuki's thoughts back to the moment and not on what that guy said was the look of fury on Coach's face.

The smile on her face was sinister, one that filled him with a grave fear. "Slaughter them all."

He was shocked to see how Riko reacted. Several people had made comments about Riko's appearance, even Momoi made comments. She had gotten irritated when that happened, but she had never been that angry. She said nothing else about it, but she practically radiated energy so strong, Izuki would not be surprised if she burst into flame.

"Ma'am, yes, ma'am."

Between Kiyoshi's distracting behavior, that comment about Riko, and Kagami's hot head, Izuki was acting more and more rash. The opposing team was aggressive, fast, and motivated, could they have picked anyone more difficult for them for this game? It was hard to get through, hard to connect like they were used to. And still, as Kagami simmered in his rage, Kiyoshi had the resolve to laugh with him. Despite how worked up they all were, Kiyoshi was still his same old self.

"This game is just getting started. Let's have some fun."

Izuki had missed hearing that, but he didn't realize just how much until that moment. This was the first time since Kiyoshi left the team that he'd heard anyone on their team say that phrase. It was worth the wait. No one could convey it with the conviction Kiyoshi could. The tension eased from Izuki's body. This game was going to be tough. The team was aggressive, fast, and motivated. What more could he ask for?

Josei took an early lead, but it didn't last. Seirin's plays were going off almost too smoothly, but as the minutes wore on, Josei was getting more and more desperate. That arrogant first year was very quiet as he tried to dribble past Kiyoshi, or block one of Kiyoshi's shots. Kiyoshi just did what he did best, and the rest of them would do their part. He saw the hesitations, the postponements, but he was never scared; he was ready. He'd be there, because Kiyoshi trusted him to be. Once, he would have sworn a pass was coming his way, but he just looked on in pleased surprise when Kiyoshi got the ball into the basket anyway. The irritated look on that smug opposing first year's face was just icing on the cake.

He was getting more and more hooked on playing with Kiyoshi, so much so that he could hardly remember they spent every game until this point this year without him. He loved watching him play. He heard the crowd gasp at some of the center's more impressive tricks and was filled with pride for how he lit up the court all by himself. To his credit, Josei's number nine didn't let up. No matter how many times Kiyoshi shut him down, he gave every play his full effort. Unfortunately for him, so did Kiyoshi.

"Don't underestimate me, kid!" Anyone else would have said it with a threatening tone. But Izuki almost broke his concentration when he heard Kiyoshi say it like he was flattered. He knew Kiyoshi was strong, and a lot of other people knew it too. He was glad Kiyoshi was on his team, because he'd be terrified to go up against him after spending so long working together. Playing with him was a breath of fresh air. He easily picked up the blocked ball, cycling the ball to Kagami. He had been waiting for a chance to show off, and he was perfect to pick up a fast break after Kiyoshi's block.

If only Kagami could learn to control his jump so he didn't headbutt the hoop.

As the game went on, Izuki did, admittedly, give the ball to Kagami less frequently - forgive him for wanting to prevent another incident. But he might have taken it a bit too far as Kagami confronted Hyuuga and Kiyoshi and not-so-politely accused them of "ball-hogging."

"Hey, Kagami!" He tried to back peddle, but Kagami wasn't listening.

"At least he's fired up." Izuki had to admire Kiyoshi's never ending source of optimism and resolve to give it his all, no matter the situation.

Kuroko was the one to knock some sense into Kagami, to Izuki's gratitude. He couldn't have said it better himself. He managed to refocus, but maintain his spirit. Okay, if Kagami wanted to make a declaration of war, he'd be happy to oblige.

"They make a good duo."

"They're cute as a couple." The pun left his mouth before he'd really even registered that he had said it out loud. It wasn't even any good. He wouldn't even add it to his notebook.

But he didn't let himself look at Kiyoshi when he turned back in surprise. He'd obviously heard Izuki's joke, and thought it was dumb, or didn't make sense, or both. Damn, even Hyuuga smacking him on the back of the head or telling him to shut up was preferable. It's not like Kiyoshi even said anything, and it didn't matter what he thought, but it did not abate Izuki's curiosity.

Kagami stole the attention for the remainder of the game, and Izuki was happy for it. His embarrassment dwindled during the final minutes of the game, until he'd practically forgotten about it. He let Kagami have the play he wanted, and Kagami did not disappoint when he made a lane-up. He might have missed his landing, but he made his declaration clear.

When the buzzer sounded, confirming their victory, Kiyoshi draped his arm over his shoulder, smiling, telling him good job. He liked having Kiyoshi there. The sudden proximity didn't even phase him. He practically drew him closer, and the two lingered longer than was strictly necessary. As they celebrated together, Izuki felt the urge, once again, to kiss Kiyoshi. He was close, and it'd be easy. But as soon as it came, the feeling left, because Izuki would not let himself feel it, not in public, at least.

Still, his good mood did not falter. It was Kagami's spirit, maybe. It was Kiyoshi's joy, for sure. That and the win against Josei was how Izuki justified the smile that had cemented itself to his face, not even breakable with a chisel.


Sakurai cautiously trailed behind his senpai, honestly shocked his senpai invited him to come along. Well, it was more like they had both expressed an interest in going and just happened to go along the same route. "Between Seirin, and Josei, who do you think will win?"

"Seirin has a weak inside, so they pulled the short straw. They may have a hard time."

Imayoshi talked about Seirin's bad luck, but when they entered the arena and took in the game to that point, Sakurai noticed that, while Josei was in the lead, the gap was nothing impressive. Seirin was behind, but only by two baskets. "It doesn't seem like Josei has that much of an advantage."

Already confused by what he was seeing, he was even further confused when Imayoshi said, "Yeah, I'm glad we decided to watch this game." He looked at his upperclassman in search of explanation. "See him? Their number seven. Try to predict his play."

Twice the player in question pulled off a move that Sakurai would have never know to prepare for. There was just no way he could have planned to fake that hookshot, only to toss the ball to Hyuuga instead at the very last second, who made a three-point shot. In the next play, Seirin's point guard, Izuki, looked primed to catch the ball, like even he was convinced the pass was coming his way. After the insanely close pass he'd made to Hyuuga the play before, it was clear what was going to happen: a pass to Izuki. Sakurai almost had to do a double take at the scoreboard when number seven somehow slammed the ball into the hoop.

"It's so slow." His captain seemed to know more about the player than he did. He'd never played against him in middle school. Defense of a center with the offense of a point-guard in one player? It just didn't make sense. No team played with two point guards, and based on what he observed of Seirin, there was no better choice for that position than Izuki. Still, the results spoke for themselves. If he hadn't seen it with his own eyes, he might have thought it was just a rumor that the team's inside was no longer the hole it used to be.

By the end of the first quarter, Seirin had obvious control, and they kept it the entire match. Imayoshi called this version of Seirin stable, and Sakurai was hard pressed to deny it, seeing the effects of introducing such a strong and trusted center back to their team.

After their overwhelming victory against Josei, Sakurai was impressed with the way they played. "They could make it all the way to the winter cup."

"What are you talking about? The real monsters are on their way."

Sakurai knew who his captain was talking about - the rest of Aomine's old teammates - but he was quite sure how Seirin played into any of it. He wouldn't get his answer, not from Imayoshi, anyway.

"A storm is on the horizon."


End Part 1