Kuroko’s Basketball: Before Generation Miracles, I Already Crowned

Sakura Junior High followed a three-term system. The first term ran from around April 8 to July 20, with summer break stretching from mid-July to the end of August.

The second term began around September 1 and ended on December 20, followed by a winter break from mid-December to roughly January 9.

The third term started around January 10 and ended on March 20, leading into a spring break from mid-March to about April 7.

While dates varied slightly year to year, the general schedule remained the same.

In other words,

From the time of Shigure Akihito's first-year National Middle School Tournament in late August until now, the beginning of April, more than six months had passed.

A lot had happened since then.

Starting with,

[Current "Path to Glory" Mission: "First Crown"]

Mission Objective: As a first-year, win the National Junior High Championship, with at least five games played as a starting member.

Mission Reward: Designated "Training Data Player"

After winning the championship, Shigure Akihito had the chance to choose from among several "training data players" like Sakuragi, Rukawa, and Maki Shin'ichi.

Lacking clear skill demonstrations, he went with his gut, recalling the scene of Maki Shin'ichi breaking through a four-man Shōhoku defense. In the end, he picked Maki.

Though the results were slightly different from what he expected, he was satisfied overall.

After that,

Came the post-tournament phase.

The third-years held their graduation ceremony not long after the victory.

After all, compared to high school basketball, junior high had only one major national tournament, the "Zen-Chū." With nothing else of national significance left, the remaining matches of the academic year were mostly local Tokyo district games. For the third-years, there was little incentive to keep playing.

So most of them chose to retire and focus on entrance exams.

The retirement ceremony was relatively upbeat. With no regrets left, the upperclassmen stepped down.

To Shigure Akihito's surprise, the captain's role, vacated by Ōkura Masaaki, nearly landed on his shoulders.

He declined immediately and shoved Nijimura Shuzo forward instead. He knew exactly the kind of troublesome kids that would be joining the team next year.

Sure, things had been "normal" for a year,

But just one year.

Let Nijimura deal with it. It might also help shape Nijimura into someone very different from his original cold, "unlikable" self.

Shigure felt that becoming captain would be one of the pivotal turning points for Nijimura's growth, alongside Teiko's championship and being promoted to the starting lineup by the seniors.

After that came,

Winter.

Kurokami Shinji.

Fukaya Reiji.

The other two first-years who became part of the main team.

Then came the "Ten-School Exchange Tournament," hosted in Tokyo.

Due to Teiko's championship status, the event organizers limited their team to first-years only.

In that tournament, Shigure and Nijimura formed a lineup with Kurokami, Fukaya, and one newly promoted first-year.

Yeah…

Usui.

Just like that, as Shigure Akihito kept growing taller, spring arrived again.

It was the start of a new school year.

Cherry blossoms bloomed across the city,

And it was time for Teiko Middle School's entrance ceremony.

Outside the main gates of Teiko Middle School, the cherry blossom tree under which Shigure and Nijimura often met in the latter half of the previous year was once again in full bloom.

The crimson-bricked wall bore the school's name in bold strokes. Just beside it hung a banner welcoming new students, perhaps even the same one from last year.

As the campus buzzed with noise and chatter, a luxury import car pulled up to the front gate.

The driver stepped out briskly and opened the back door. Amid the curious gazes of onlookers, a striking figure stepped out, clothed in deep rose-red.

"Young Master Akashi, are you sure you want to be dropped off here?" the driver asked respectfully.

Akashi Seijūrō nodded and smiled. "Yes. Starting tomorrow, I won't need you to drive me anymore."

The driver blinked in surprise.

"I'll have to inform the master…"

Before he could finish, a growing commotion came from the distance, students approaching, chatter rising.

The driver frowned slightly, a reaction born from the strict discipline of the Akashi household.

Then he saw them.

Two figures causing the stir.

Coincidentally, he recognized both.

Last year, Akashi had dragged him along to watch a junior high basketball game as part of an academic reward. Even though he didn't understand the sport, those two had left a lasting impression, especially the one currently riding on the back seat.

On a speeding bicycle,

Though Shigure Akihito never got to ride Nijimura's tamed-down motorcycle,

He had settled for a downgraded version:

A bicycle.

Right now, Nijimura Shuzo was pedaling furiously, a scowl on his face as he carried Shigure.

"Woohoo~!"

"Hey~!"

"You lost the assist battle too, Nijimura~"

"Shut it."

"That's just because I had the better lineup!"

"Haha, hearing you make excuses now is rare. No wonder you only grew four centimeters over the break. Still one centimeter short of 180, huh? Keep at it~"

Nijimura: "!!"

Screeech, !

Unwilling to hear one more word about his height, Nijimura slammed the brakes at the school gate, then reached back with terrifying strength,

In Akashi Seijūrō's widened eyes, he watched Nijimura throw Shigure clean off the back seat!

And yet,

What shocked Akashi even more…

Was how Shigure reacted.

With reflexes like a wild monkey, he kicked off the bike frame mid-air, flipped forward, arms extended,

And landed smoothly on one knee.

Akashi: "…!"

Incredible agility…

And he got some serious air!

As Shigure rose from his Monkey-King-style landing, his gaze met Akashi's.

He was slightly surprised, yet also relieved to catch the Miracle Generation's entrance right on time.

Though it was their first meeting, Shigure greeted him with a familiarity that defied logic.

"Yo~"

"First-year, Akashi-kun~"

Akashi froze, but his impeccable manners kicked in. "Hello, Shigure-senpai."

He then noticed something peculiar: no one around seemed shocked. Instead, the students gathered like fans around a celebrity. Some upperclassman girls were even whispering.

Shigure stood.

Akashi's gaze flickered again.

Shigure was clearly taller than six months ago.

184 cm.

Last year, that would've made him a center for most teams. Even on Teiko or Okayama, he'd have passed for a power forward.

Name: Shigure Akihito

Position: Point Guard / Shooting Guard / Small Forward

School: Teiko Middle School (2nd Year)

Height: 184 cm

Rank: A

Offensive Stats

Close Shot: 97

Mid-Range: 106

Three-Point: 120

Dunk: 117

Layup: 110

General Stats

Passing & Ball Control: 110

Strength: 102

Toughness: 105

Jump: 118

Stamina: 105

Dribbling: 95

Defensive Stats

Rebound: 106

Block: 104

Contest: 98

Steal: 100

Unlocked Players:

Normal Data: Godai Tomokazu, Kiyota Nobunaga, Uekusa Tomoyuki, Kamimune Ichirō, Fujima Kenji

Training Data: Sendō Akira, Maki Shin'ichi

While Akashi marveled at Shigure's physical growth, his driver cautiously returned to the earlier topic. "Young Master, about the transportation arrangement, "

Akashi answered with a gentle smile. "It's fine. He'll agree. After all, if I keep getting dropped off like this every day, the Akashi family might become a laughingstock."

"Besides…"

"This is middle school."

"He should grant me more freedom here, shouldn't he?"

Hearing this, Shigure started piecing things together.

From the conversation, and knowing the strict parenting style of Akashi's father in the manga,

It was obvious. This was a privileged young master negotiating for more autonomy.

And the driver?

Probably a spy from the old man.

Shigure: "…"

Master this, young master that… So archaic!

He turned to the driver and said, "Leave this student to me. Go ahead and leave. Pickup? Come on, this is Teiko. What could possibly happen?"

"You know where you are, right?"

"Ahem…"

"He's under his protection!"

Shigure pointed to the thoroughly exasperated Nijimura Shuzo.

"Don't let the height fool you. That's the captain of the basketball team! Just finished schooling some punk with gray hair at the street court earlier!"

Amid the strange looks from Akashi and the driver, Shigure threw his arm around Akashi.

"Hey, you want to play basketball? I can tell, you've got talent!"

Nijimura pulled Shigure away from the flustered first-year, but Shigure's words made him take a closer look.

"…"

Barely 170 cm tall.

And pretty thin.

Compared to that gray-haired punk from earlier, whom Shigure accurately guessed had skill, this redhead,

Nijimura couldn't for the life of him see where the so-called "talent" was coming from.

Also,

What's with all the dyed hair today?

Still, this one looked like a proper rich kid. Definitely more manageable than that thug.

Having adjusted to his new role as captain, Nijimura now instinctively viewed things from a leadership perspective.

Then Shigure leaned in and whispered something in his ear.

Whatever it was,

It made Nijimura glance at the driver with thinly veiled contempt. His sharp eyes narrowed like a predator.

The driver thought he glimpsed a lion.

Then he turned to Shigure,

Only to feel an overwhelming aura, like a charging mammoth stomping down.

Nijimura: "This is Teiko. Outsiders are not allowed in."

Meanwhile,

Shigure patted Akashi's shoulder and started walking toward the campus with him.

Akashi looked at him curiously.

Even though Shigure had called him by name on their first meeting, he politely introduced himself:

"I'm Akashi Seijūrō. First-year student. I watched Teiko's championship game last year."

"Have we met before?"

Shigure shook his head. "Nope, first time. I'm Shigure Akihito. But that doesn't matter. Just think of me as someone who likes collecting info on interesting players~"

Akashi nodded, understanding.

Makes sense.

Inside the school, every club was recruiting new members.

But Teiko's basketball team, having reclaimed the national title, didn't need to hawk flyers at the gate like the rest.

"New students! Want to try baseball? Unlike basketball, beginners are welcome! No pressure~"

"Check out our ping pong club! All brand-new equipment, plenty of tables, no waiting!"

"Judo club, over here!"

"Eh? That student's walking while reading? Must love books. Join our literature club~"

Nijimura scanned the crowd and spotted another student with colored hair, this time green.

Thanks to Gray-Haired Punk from earlier, he instinctively frowned.

Then the green-haired kid turned.

Hmm…

Wearing glasses.

Might be okay.

"No, this is just a phone book..."

"It's today's lucky charm."

"Morning horoscope."

Nijimura: "…"

Weird.

End of chapter...

To be continued...

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