"Aomine, cleaning duty isn't over yet." Midorima's serious voice rang out.
Still tangled in the net, Aomine struggled and yelled, "Shintarō! What is this?!"
"This is today's lucky item," Midorima replied flatly.
"That's not what I meant!!"
Aomine was on the verge of losing it. Damn Midorima! And right in front of Tetsu, too—how embarrassing.
No matter how much he thrashed around, he was like a turtle caught in a trap—completely helpless as he was dragged away.
Kuroko stood frozen, visibly shaken.
The first-string… are terrifying. Except for Byakuya-san.
Basketball Gym
The entire team was training together. Byakuya was no exception.
However, Aomine didn't last long before slipping out quietly.
Seeing this, Byakuya followed him out.
He found Aomine crouched in the corner, pulling out a photo album he had stashed away.
Byakuya gave him a flat look. Figures. Classic Aomine.
"Aomine."
Startled, Aomine spun around—but relaxed once he saw who it was.
"Oh, it's you. Don't scare me like that."
After all, they were partners-in-crime. This photo album was something he'd originally borrowed from Byakuya.
"What's up?" Aomine asked.
"Nothing really. Wait—wasn't that album originally taken by Momoi? How'd it end up back with you?"
"Heh. Because I'm a genius, obviously!"
Aomine puffed up proudly, the smugness written all over his face.
It was the first time he'd outsmarted Satsuki, so he recounted his "brilliant" scheme to Byakuya in full detail.
Byakuya blinked in disbelief. He actually used his brain… for this? Incredible.
But he hadn't come for the photo album.
"By the way… you went to the third-string gym last night, right? How was it? Any ghosts?"
He asked the question lightly, feigning curiosity to hide his real interest.
Aomine didn't suspect a thing. The night's not as dumb as Satsuki, after all…
(If only Aomine knew that Byakuya's intelligence had just been downgraded in his mind…)
"No ghosts," Aomine said, "but I did meet someone interesting."
"Oh?"
"His name's Tetsuya Kuroko. He's in the third-string, same year as us."
"I know him."
"Huh?" Aomine blinked. "Really?"
Then again, it made sense. Kuroko had such a weak presence, it was easy for people to overlook him entirely.
Byakuya just smiled.
Now that both of us have met him, Akashi will probably notice him soon too.
Byakuya understood the concept of "misdirection" in theory, but he wasn't as gifted at it as Akashi. He couldn't help Kuroko much on that front.
"Byakuya-san, Aomine-san?"
A soft voice spoke up behind them.
Both boys turned—and jumped slightly.
Kuroko had appeared out of nowhere.
"Oh, it's you."
They exchanged glances. Speak of the devil… we were just talking about him.
No matter how mentally prepared they were for Kuroko's low presence, it still caught them off guard.
If Byakuya wasn't a science-believing realist, he might've suspected Kuroko knew some kind of teleportation martial arts.
"Hello," Kuroko greeted, bowing politely.
"What are you doing here?" Aomine asked.
"You told me to come," Kuroko said innocently. "Midorima-san dragged me along too."
"Hey!" Aomine shouted, but it was too late.
Kuroko had already sold him out with a deadpan look.
Seeing Byakuya smirking beside him made Aomine feel even more embarrassed.
It's like being smothered by a giant pillow…
Byakuya gave Kuroko an approving nod. Nicely done.
"Alright, Aomine, Kuroko—get in there and train."
"Yeah…" Aomine replied reluctantly, glancing down at the photo album in his hands.
Kuroko followed him without a word.
Inside the gym, Byakuya clapped his hands to gather attention.
"This is Tetsuya Kuroko, from our third-string."
Several players paused their training and looked over.
Even the captain, Shuzō Nijimura, turned to observe.
Perhaps it was because of Byakuya's performance on his first day—everyone respected him.
In a place like this, strength spoke louder than anything.
Humans, after all, still obey their most primal instincts.
Most of the players just gave Kuroko a quick greeting and went back to practice.
Byakuya and Aomine exchanged a glance.
"Kuroko…"
"It's fine," Kuroko replied calmly.
"Alright," Byakuya said, "Aomine, you take Kuroko and help him train. I'm going to work on something else."
Byakuya didn't bother with partner drills anymore. He was just too far ahead.
Aomine was used to this, so he led Kuroko to another area.
Kuroko watched Aomine's movements closely—his form, his footwork, his scoring techniques. He was in awe.
But when he tried to copy them… his body just wouldn't respond the same way.
He felt a pang of frustration and disappointment.
"…Kuroko?"
"Aomine-san is amazing. But I just can't do any of those moves."
"Because I love basketball!"
Aomine suddenly grinned and held out his fist.
His voice was full of warmth, and it struck something deep within Kuroko.
"But… I believe that one day, we'll be on the court together."
Kuroko lifted his hand and gently bumped Aomine's fist.
He was once again reminded of why he couldn't give up on basketball just yet.
"Oi, you two. I can't take how sappy this is."
Byakuya strolled over, smirking.
"Like we need your commentary!" Aomine huffed.
Kuroko smiled quietly at Byakuya.
Seeing that expression, Byakuya sighed inwardly.
Kuroko… could a player like you really make it?
Even if you became the best in the country… what about the pros?
Would the professional world ever make room for someone like him?
Byakuya had his doubts.
But then he shook them off.
Everyone has something they love, don't they?
If you don't give it your all—how would you ever know your limits?
Kuroko was fighting against a body with no physical talent.
And he himself… was fighting against the chains of his family.
Let's fight together, Kuroko.
"You both better keep pushing forward," Byakuya said.
"Jeez, what's with you today? Getting all motivational on us," Aomine muttered.
"Byakuya-san is very warm," Kuroko said softly. "Just like Aomine-san."
"…You little—" Aomine averted his gaze, scratching the back of his head awkwardly.
"Let's go," Kuroko said.
"Yeah," Aomine replied.
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