Hi everyone, it's been a while since I last updated! Sorry about that, but I'm back again with a brand new chapter! It's short because it's a Seirin focused episode, but I squeezed in a few Miracle moments for you all. As always, thanks to coco_coco_coconut for betaing, I really appreciate it! Okay, enjoy everyone!

Chapter 21: Welcome to Training Camp

Summer vacation began in a way that Kuroko had long grown accustomed to. Training camps were planned and a very harrowing taste test almost killed at least two members of the team.

And, regrettably, it seemed others were also going through the same experience.

Aomine-kun: oi, murasakibara, u got any edible food u can send me satsuki's cooking again

Murasakibara-kun: mine-chin, i don't understand

Midorima-kun: Your texting is, as always, atrocious, Aomine.

Aomine-kun: oi, shut it, midorima

Kuroko: I believe Aomine-kun is asking for Murasakibara-kun to send him food.

Aomine-kun: thanks tetsu

Momoi-san: Aomine-kun! :( I worked so hard on that curry too!

Kise-kun: Good luck, Aominecchi! ;)

Aomine-kun: bastard

Akashi-kun: I trust that you all are not here simply to waste time?

Kise-kun: Akashicchi!

Aomine-kun: calm down, akashi, geez

Kuroko: Do not worry, Akashi-kun. We will not give up so easily.

Momoi-san: Yes! Just like Tetsu-kun said! 3 I've got Aomine-kun's training menu all ready to go!

Aomine-kun: bye

Murasakibara-kun: does mine-chin still need food?

Momoi-san: Muk-kun, not you too! ToT ToT ToT

Kuroko was smiling as he made his way to the designated meeting spot for their ride to the beach training camp.

It wasn't often that group was active on his phone, but it left him feeling warm, knowing they could all still talk like this even with the unspoken battles hanging over them. It wasn't nearly as difficult as he imagined it would be, speaking to his fellow Miracles after losing to one of them.

He was unbelievably glad for that, truly.

Practice on the beach with Riko as coach was, as Kuroko expected, nearly as grueling as practice with Akashi.

At the same time, Kuroko found himself having to go against his instincts with his passes. Normally when he could pass using the floor to dribble the ball, he had more options available. But playing on the unstable beach made it impossible to dribble, so he had to get creative.

By the time they'd finished their night practice, Kuroko felt exhaustion clinging to his body in an oh so familiar way. He wasn't close to developing a new style yet, but he knew he could do it.

Of course, the morning of their second day at camp, the last thing Kuroko expected to hear was familiar voices.

"This place is a dump. Are we really staying here? I feel like I'm gonna see a ghost."

"Shut up, Takao."

And sure enough, Midorima and Takao walked past Kuroko and Kagami, leaving the four of them staring at each other with only Takao managing a 'what' at the sight of the Seirin players.

"Hello," Kuroko said, breaking the silence. "It's good to see you again."

"What are you doing here?" Midorima demanded, pointing at Kagami.

"I could ask you the same thing!" Kagami retorted, glaring at Midorima in return.

"Shutoku has a long tradition of coming here to train together," Takao countered in a matter of fact manner.

"And here you are enjoying your vacation!" Midorima accused angrily. "What's with the tan?"

"We're not on vacation!" Kagami argued. Kuroko almost felt like he was struggling to control his laughter. Almost.

"What?" Midorima gaped.

"Hey!" Riko called out, interrupting their conversation. "We're all waiting for you in the cafeteria."

She said this in a completely nonchalant manner, while wearing her apron and holding a steak knife that were both dripping with red, giving her the image of a killer staring the four of them down.

"What is your school, Kuroko?!" Midorima shouted as he, Takao and Kagami stared at Riko in abject shock and horror.

"It's Seirin High School," Kuroko answered, just to be a little shit.

"That's not what I meant!" Midorima yelled, glaring at him. Through their bond, Kuroko could feel Midorima's leaves shake as the stalks of his vines grew prickly in his irritation. Kuroko's ice covered the prickliest of the vines, reassuring that he was only teasing in a way he could never manage to say aloud.

And that was how Seirin and Shutoku ended up training together during their summer camp.

As they trained together, Kuroko found himself facing off against Midorima one-on-one. And though he tried to drive past him, Takao stole the ball from his grasp and passed to Midorima, who proceeded to shoot the ball instantly, earning three points for Shutoku.

"You've come to make some ridiculous plays," Midorima commented as he returned to Kuroko's side.

"They're not ridiculous," Kuroko contradicted. "I just want to be stronger."

"Don't make me laugh," Midorima stated as he and Kuroko turned towards each other, their gazes meeting. His voice wasn't insulting, only stating the facts as they currently stood. "I don't know what you felt after losing to Aomine, but we already know your limits. I thought you played knowing them. Did you really think something would happen if you tried harder? A man who cannot play by himself cannot improve by himself."

And Kuroko knew that, as did all of the Miracles. They had, after all, tried to help Kuroko become stronger back at Teiko to no avail. Whatever they tried, Kuroko simply couldn't master it, no matter which Miracle helped him to try.

But even still, all Kuroko could feel was determination to grow stronger as he stared into Midorima's eyes.

"Then I won't improve by myself."

And by the slight widening of Midorima's eyes, Kuroko knew he was heard.

"I feel rejuvenated," Takao sighed as he sank into the bath alongside Midorima that night. "How long are you going to sulk, anyway? It's starting to get annoying."

Midorima did not dignify that with a response. He was not sulking, thank you very much.

"Kuroko's normal plays are nothing special," Takao commented lightly, clearly choosing the topic to entice Midorima into speaking. "He's got his unfair misdirection, though. He should use his misdirection when he breaks away. An invisible dribble would be unstoppable."

"It's impossible," Midorima shot down. He was well aware he was rising to the bait, but he was also realistic. Throughout their time at Teiko, the Miracles had tried many methods to help Kuroko grow stronger. There was no sense in letting Takao's mind run wild, lest he mention one of these ideas to Kuroko and crush his hopes. "Do you know why Kuroko only makes tap passes?" Takao hummed in curiosity. "Because he cannot direct attention away from the ball. During a game, you must never take your eyes off the ball. In other words, it has more presence than anything else on the court. That is why Kuroko never holds the ball. Unable to use his misdirection while holding the ball, it will not be long before someone steals it from him. However, conversely, if there were a way to overcome his weakness, he may show terrifying improvement."

"That's great, but," Takao said dryly, "you've been talking to a lion."

Midorima's eyes widened and he looked away once more. Damn his eyesight and damn Takao for pointing it out.

That night, once he was safely ensconced in his futon, Midorima took a deep breath and focused on the frost within his mind, pushing aside the sakura blossoms and the sunlight.

"Good night, Kuroko."

"Good night, Midorima-kun."

The returning echo in his mind made Midorima shiver long after he fell asleep.

And there we are! Next up on the schedule for me is episode 24! I might be able to write that soon, but who knows with how fickle inspiration is. Hopefully I don't make you all wait too long, but I promise it'll be worth it! Until next time!