When Nijimura Shuzo and Coach Sanada Naoto finally left, Shigure Akihito immediately stepped forward and, just like Nijimura, gave Haizaki's head a sharp knock.
"Haizaki, you idiot, what were you thinking? Even if you want to argue with the coach, that's no way to do it. You brainless little wolf…"
"Argh! That hurts! Don't imitate that violent maniac Nijimura, you monster!" Haizaki snapped back, rubbing his head.
"What's going through that thick skull of yours? You think Nijimura, who stood beside me to recommend Kuroko, doesn't know about Kuroko's ability? Even without you, he would have persuaded the coach to give Kuroko another chance. You're not the only one who's seen how hard Kuroko works…"
"Back when he was still stuck on the third string, Nijimura went to watch him countless times."
At that point, Shigure gave Haizaki a sidelong glance, but his curiosity got the better of him. "Quite the gamble you've made. Do you really trust Kuroko that much?"
"…I don't know," Haizaki muttered.
"It's just a gut feeling."
Shigure chuckled. "That's so you."
He waved them off. "Go to the convenience store, and bring me something while you're at it. I'm going to talk to Nijimura about Kuroko. Hurry up, or you'll miss lunch entirely."
Aomine and Haizaki froze, a sinking feeling hitting both of them at once. Aomine's heart leapt into his throat.
"Eh?! My wallet?!"
"Crap, I must've dropped it on the way here, or maybe left it in the locker room"
As he frantically patted down his pockets, Kuroko appeared from nowhere, quietly holding out the lost wallet.
"Aomine-kun… your wallet."
"Thank you! Really, I owe you for bringing—wah!"
"Damn it, Tetsuya! Stop sneaking up on me like that!"
Kuroko didn't reply, only fixing his gaze firmly on Haizaki. The latter, flustered, turned his head away, pretending not to notice.
"Haizaki-kun," Kuroko said calmly.
"I heard what you said just now."
"…What? I didn't say anything. No idea what you're talking about!" Haizaki barked, turning his head the other way, though his eyes betrayed irritation.
"Haizaki-kun, this afternoon, I'll succeed. We won't be sent down to the second string. We'll stay in the first."
"Hmph, that's your problem, not mine." Haizaki sneered.
"But after all… it's just passing. Even a weakling like you shouldn't mess that up."
"I can do it."
Kuroko extended his fist straight toward Haizaki, forcing him to acknowledge it. Haizaki frowned.
"What, you wanna fight me? I'll tear you apart."
"Pfft!"
Aomine couldn't hold back his laughter at Haizaki's face. Before Haizaki could explode, Aomine bumped his fist against Kuroko's.
Clack!
"Still, it pisses me off that someone like Tetsuya nearly missed his chance. Opportunities are fair to everyone—whether you work hard or not—but in the end, I think it's the ones who work hardest that truly seize them."
"Do your best this afternoon."
Kuroko nodded. "Yes."
"…Tch. You make it sound so nice. Hard to believe an idiot like you could say that," Haizaki muttered, but lifted his hand all the same.
Kuroko hesitated, then tapped his fist lightly against Haizaki's.
"…I wonder what that monster Shigure's planning to talk about with Nijimura. Don't tell me he's ditching us juniors' responsibility," Haizaki grumbled.
Kuroko shook his head. No, Shigure had seen him. That was why he left. Remembering the encouraging look Shigure had given him before walking away, Kuroko's chest warmed.
Shigure was still supporting him, as always.
That afternoon, Teiko's second game of the day began.
"Where's Captain Nijimura?"
"He's not playing, sure, but he should at least be watching from the bench like this morning, right?"
"And what about Haizaki? Where the hell did he go?"
Shigure smiled faintly. "Relax. Nijimura will be back soon."
And sure enough, moments later Nijimura walked in—dragging Haizaki by the scruff of his neck.
"Shigure, I brought him back."
"Yo, Haizaki. Haven't seen you for half a day and you already look pathetic," Shigure teased.
"Hmph! This idiot was just too scared to watch from the bench."
"Tch! Who's scared?!" Haizaki snapped.
Ignoring him, Nijimura turned to the team and announced the lineup: Shigure, Aomine, Midorima, Akashi, and Murasakibara.
"In the second half, Haizaki and Kuroko will sub in for Aomine and Midorima. Got it?"
"Yes."
"…So I do get to play, after all," Haizaki muttered under his breath.
The game began.
But the first-years' bodies, still not fully developed, began showing fatigue from playing an entire game earlier in the day. Even Aomine missed an easy layup—a shocking rarity.
"What?!"
"How could Aomine miss?"
"What's happening to Teiko? Everyone looks slower… except for Shigure, who's barely moving at all."
"It makes sense," one spectator reasoned. "They didn't use any substitutes in the last game. Two full matches in one day, just like Nationals—it's bound to wear them down."
And that was the lesson. Nijimura had warned them: at Teiko, victory was demanded even under the harshest conditions.
By halftime, Teiko led only by single digits—a rare sight.
"Pull yourselves together. You know the consequences if we lose." Nijimura's narrowed eyes cut like blades.
"Second half: Haizaki, Kuroko, switch in for Aomine and Midorima. No further instructions. The rest is up to you."
Before sending him in, Nijimura pulled Kuroko aside.
"The problem isn't your misdirection—it worked. The problem is your passing strength. Compared to practice, your current teammates move at a completely different speed. If you can't release the ball earlier and sharper, they'll never keep up."
He patted Kuroko's shoulder. "Adjust your timing. Anticipate more deeply. Understand?"
"Yes, senpai. I've already realized it too. Thank you."
Satisfied, Nijimura let him go.
Akashi, watching silently, stepped closer.
"Kuroko. There's another issue—your presence itself. What makes someone's presence strong?"
"…Someone like Aomine, who's outgoing?" Kuroko guessed.
"That's part of it. Presence comes from emotional expression. Your misdirection works because your natural presence is so faint—but to wield it properly, you must control it. Suppress emotions like fighting spirit and determination. For you, restraint is strength."
The words struck Kuroko like a revelation. Nijimura had given him technical advice, but Akashi had pierced right to the heart.
Control of presence.
"I understand!"
When the second half began, Midorima kept his eyes locked on Kuroko—but then blinked in shock.
"…Impossible. I never took my focus off him, and yet… he vanished."
The game unfolded in ways the audience could hardly comprehend.
"What?! Where did the ball come from?!"
"Am I seeing things?!"
Murasakibara, catching one impossible pass after another, looked bewildered at first—then ecstatic. The ball slipped past defenders at impossible angles and timings, making scoring effortless.
"This… this is amazing."
"Nice pass!" Haizaki yelled, throwing an arm around Kuroko's neck.
"Haizaki… can't breathe."
And from that day, rumors began to spread.
That Teiko not only had its Twin Stars, not only the Generation of Miracles, but also
"The Phantom Sixth Man."
A legend was born.
The Ten Schools Tournament ended with Teiko's expected victory. With their lesson learned, the first-years now turned back to daily training and the occasional external match.
"Oh right," Kuroko realized, "I still don't have an official jersey."
"Ah, that's my fault," Momoi said sheepishly. "For the tournament, we just used a spare so you could play. But since you've proven yourself, and Coach Sanada hasn't objected, it's safe to say—you're officially part of the first string now."
"Tch. Congratulations," Haizaki said, ruffling Kuroko's head with mock annoyance, though the mischievous grin on his face betrayed his approval.
Kuroko's blue eyes glimmered with quiet joy.
But training went on as usual.
Klang!
Kuroko missed another layup. Another shot bricked.
Even Akashi sighed. "Special ability or not, your fundamentals are still atrocious."
"Painful, Kuro-chin?" Murasakibara grumbled, swatting his head.
"Please stop, Murasakibara. It hurts."
Midorima frowned. "Kuroko Tetsuya, you're slowing down practice."
Shigure just smiled. "Let him take his time. At least he can keep up with stamina training now."
Nijimura nodded. "As long as he doesn't keep throwing up, it's progress."
Hearing this, Aomine burst into laughter.
On the sidelines, Coach Sanada watched quietly. He had never expected this frail-looking first-year to remain in the first string. In a way, Kuroko was even more astonishing than Shigure—Shigure was strong beyond belief, while Kuroko… was weak beyond belief.
And yet, this weakling had transformed games, had adapted to the brutal training, had forged stronger bonds—Haizaki's, most surprisingly.
Of course, Sanada knew the foundation was Shigure and Nijimura. But with Kuroko around, this team…
…it had become far more interesting.
END OF CHAPTER
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