"Isn't that Kaijo's point guard?"
"Even the champs show up to watch other games?"
"Wait… is that the coach from Yosen next to him?! Is he defecting or something?!"
On the day of the Rakuzan vs Seirin match, Kota came to watch the game with Araki.
Kise had originally wanted to tag along but was gently rejected by Kota with a firm:
"Get lost."
"You're a celebrity now, huh?"
Araki smirked as she teased him.
Since they arrived, people kept recognizing Kota, with a few hardcore Kaijo fans even asking for autographs.
"Can't help it. Fame is just… part of the burden I carry."
Kota let out an exaggerated sigh and struck a smug pose — earning him a top-tier eyeroll from Araki.
"Huh. Looks like we're not the only ones here."
Kota glanced around. Sure enough, aside from Rakuzan and Seirin, all the other Generation of Miracles teams had someone in the stands.
From across the arena, he even spotted Kise flipping him the bird.
Kota grinned and waved back.
"I'm heading to the restroom"
He left with a casual wave, feeling completely relaxed. After all, Kaijo's game wasn't until tomorrow — today was just a good ol' show.
"Watching other teams play is so much more fun when you're not the one sweating bullets."
Kota was still chuckling at the thought as he entered the restroom — and stopped dead in his tracks.
At the sink was a small red-haired kid, calmly washing his hands.
"Jeez, what's with these middle schoolers dyeing their hai—wait a second…"
"Akashi?!"
The realization hit him mid-snark.
"Fancy seeing you here."
Akashi didn't even look up. He just kept washing his hands like he was entranced by the water.
"You got eyes on the back of your head or what?"
Kota snorted.
They'd first run into each other in a restroom back in summer — back when Akashi had almost poked his forehead into oblivion.
And now? They could talk like normal people. Funny how things change.
Akashi finally finished and turned around, patting his hair down neatly.
"I heard you didn't make the national youth team."
Kota: …
"Well, it can't be helped. Losing to me isn't exactly shameful, after all. I am absolute."
The line was absurdly arrogant, but coming from Akashi, it somehow felt… natural.
"Has anyone ever told you how obnoxious you are?"
Kota rolled his eyes.
He didn't even bother denying it. In some ways, he had lost to Akashi.
Akashi calmly pulled out a handkerchief and dried his hands.
"Don't worry. I'm not joining the youth team either. There's no one there worth comparing to you. You'll be a national player, eventually."
That sounded… loaded.
"What, too good for the national program just because you're a corporate prince?"
Kota pressed his lips together. He'd suspected it before, but hearing it straight from Akashi's mouth hit differently.
"The game's about to start. See you in the finals."
Akashi smiled faintly, turned, and walked toward the door.
Just before he left—
"Hey, Akashi!"
Akashi didn't stop.
"If you had to say it… who's the best point guard in Tokyo?"
Still walking, Akashi answered smoothly:
"Akashi Seijuro."
…
"You were gone a while"
Araki commented as Kota returned to his seat. Her tone was neutral, but her eyes flicked toward him curiously.
"Ran into someone. An old… friend, I guess."
Araki gave a soft "oh" and didn't press further. Kota fell into silence, thoughts spinning.
Thankfully, a voice from behind them snapped the tension.
"Kota? It is you! And… is that your girlfriend?"
They turned to find Momoi beaming at them, her eyes flicking with curiosity toward Araki. Beside her stood Aomine, rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly — clearly still sore about losing to Seirin.
Kota didn't waste the opportunity.
"Well, if it isn't Too's ace. Been a while. What happened? Can't even beat Seirin now?"
"Tch!"
Aomine flinched.
Perfect hit. Defense broken.
After a few minutes of introductions, everyone had been formally acquainted. The mood was relatively chill — after all, Araki was from Yosen and Momoi and Aomine were from Too. Their teams hadn't clashed yet.
"So tell me, Mr. Ace — how exactly did Seirin kick your butts?"
Kota leaned back with a smug grin.
Aomine's forehead twitched. Before he could explode, Momoi cut in diplomatically.
"Kagami's improved a lot. He's almost on par with Dai-chan now. But Too's team play just couldn't keep up."
Aomine had tried to be more of a team player, but his passes were… Let's just say they were still a work in progress.
Kaijo's tape room still hadn't recovered from that one highlight — where Aomine launched a pass clear over Imayoshi's head and nailed a poor spectator in the face. Kota had laughed so hard he literally slid off his chair.
"Honestly, you don't have to copy Akashi."
Kota glanced at Aomine, his expression serious for a moment.
"Just trust your teammates. A team's ace doesn't need to do everything. Just do your job right."
Aomine didn't respond, but his silence said enough. Kota wasn't expecting much anyway — he wasn't about to give a full motivational speech. He wasn't that generous.
"Oh, look. They're coming out."
Rakuzan and Seirin stepped onto the court, and the crowd erupted. Most of the cheering was for Rakuzan — obviously. Interhigh runners-up versus a team that barely made it through prelims? No contest in popularity.
Kota scanned the players. Both lineups were mostly the same as during the Interhigh, except…
"A new center?"
Seirin's number five was Kiyoshi Teppei.
"One of the Uncrowned Kings — Iron Heart huh?"
A center with passing vision… in this world? Kota could barely hold in his grin.
Even in his previous life, "point centers" were rare. In Kuroko's world of basic tactics and flashy one-on-ones, Kiyoshi was practically a time traveler.
"Interesting. This version of Seirin…"
With firepower like Kagami, Sixth Man Kuroko, a top-three shooting guard like Hyuga, a top-three point guard like Izuki, and now Kiyoshi at center…
They're basically Rakuzan 2.0.
Kota chuckled to himself, excitement bubbling in his chest.
"Teams, please line up for greetings."
"Looking forward to the match!"