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

It was over.

As far as the result was concerned, Aomine Daiki had expected it from the start.

But what he hadn't anticipated was that the gray-haired delinquent would actually approach him during the final moments and ask to cooperate.

And even more,

That he would show such a look of defeat and confusion.

Completely different from the casual, couldn't-care-less attitude he gave off on the surface… This guy was, surprisingly, serious.

But still,

Aomine turned to look at Shigure Akihito and Nijimura Shuzo.

The gap in ability between them was clear as day.

He still had a long way to go.

Elsewhere.

Haizaki Shōgo, looking thoroughly humiliated, stood silent for a moment. Then, his expression turned vicious again as he turned toward the trio from Shōin High.

Nijimura frowned slightly at the sight.

"Haizaki Shōgo…"

"…What?"

"I get it, I'll report to the Teiko basketball club like we agreed, so quit nagging already!"

"No"

"I need to remind you something…"

"No fighting."

"Don't give anyone anything they can use against you."

Hearing that, Haizaki's steps out of the court suddenly halted. He turned around and locked eyes with Nijimura, who was staring at him with unwavering seriousness.

At the same time…

He also realized Nijimura had seen right through him, had caught the glance he'd just thrown toward the three guys from Shōin.

"I don't know what happened before this, so I'll tolerate this once, Haizaki," Nijimura said calmly.

"But," his voice deepened, "think it through. You're joining Teiko. What you'll be doing from now on, is basketball."

"…Tch."

"Yeah, yeah…"

"…Captain Nijimura."

Haizaki's expression didn't change, his voice remained just as cocky as usual, but that was nothing more than a poor attempt to mask the storm inside him.

Shigure Akihito watched Haizaki's back as he walked off.

In his mind, he thought,

This guy's just like Midorima.

So tsundere.

So easy to be misunderstood… and so prone to extremes.

Next to him.

Midorima Shintarō, who had overheard the entire conversation, furrowed his brows deeply.

"…So you brought in a bunch of high schoolers not just to play ball, but to settle fights?"

Someone like that… how could they be allowed to join a championship team like Teiko?

He glanced at Nijimura, then at Shigure, who looked completely unbothered.

Finally, he couldn't help but voice his doubts.

"Shigure-senpai, is this really okay? From the way Captain Nijimura talked, that Haizaki guy sounds like he came here to pick a fight…"

Before Shigure could respond,

Aomine scratched the back of his head. "That guy… probably not. Judging from the look on his face after the match, I doubt he's in any mood for that kind of stuff."

"Probably…"

"That's how I feel, anyway."

Shigure gave a crooked smile.

"Your instincts are right. Haizaki's pride runs deep. At a time like this…"

"He's probably bawling his eyes out somewhere."

"…," Midorima said nothing.

"…?" Aomine blinked.

Bawling…?

That Haizaki Shōgo?

"Alright, we're done here," Shigure waved. "I've got some old friends to catch up with. Hayama Kotarō, Mibuchi Reo, don't disappoint me this year, alright? You're my main rivals now."

Before long,

While Shigure Akihito was exchanging some rather unfriendly "banter" with the two Uncrowned Kings...

On the other side.

Haizaki Shōgo had already taken Nijimura's advice to heart. With a cold look on his face, he drove off the three "trash" from Shōin High.

The process wasn't exactly friendly, but he didn't go through with his original plan either. Now that he'd reached middle school and grown stronger, he'd wanted to take revenge on those three for what they did before.

But instead,

Splash, !

Splash, !

Under the bridge, by the riverbank.

Haizaki shoved his head straight into the icy water, letting it wash over his face.

"…Damn it…"

Those three pieces of trash…

Count yourselves lucky!

He pulled his head up and let out a deep, shaky breath.

The images of the match earlier still lingered in his mind, leaving him dazed.

In a game as "simple" as basketball, he had won too many times.

So many, in fact, that after entering middle school, he'd lost all interest in joining a basketball club.

And yet,

"Don't get cocky…"

"You clueless little first-year."

"You've still got a long way to go."

Those words came from days ago, spoken by Nijimura during their one-on-one.

But the voice now… it was from behind.

Haizaki's eyes widened.

That annoying voice snapped him back to reality.

Standing there was Nijimura Shuzo, who glanced at Haizaki's drenched state and said dryly, "Just like Shigure said. Lose a game, and you hide in a corner to cry?"

The moment Shigure Akihito's name was mentioned, Haizaki could practically see that massive mammoth roaring in his mind.

But the words that followed made him scowl instantly.

"The hell you talking about?!"

"…Hmm."

"I figured you wouldn't actually cry."

"The only thing remotely decent about you, "

"Is that pitiful pride of yours."

Leaning against one of the bridge's support columns, Nijimura cast a sidelong glance at Aomine Daiki and Tomoya Inoue, who were sneakily tailing them from a distance.

To outsiders, Nijimura remained as stoic as ever.

But to Haizaki…

He wasn't done talking.

"That last play…"

"At least you weren't totally stupid."

"But…" Nijimura turned, looking at Haizaki who had now risen to his feet. "Compared to what I expected, your actions in the face of overwhelming power were just… amateurish."

"In that respect…"

"You and Aomine are probably on the same level."

Not far away,

Aomine's face darkened.

"…Huh?"

"That play…"

"That punk Haizaki didn't do that badly, right?"

"He was just a bit off!"

Tomoya Inoue shook his head with a smile. "You and Haizaki both are the type who place too much faith in your own strength. Maybe neither of you ever considered…"

"If you and Haizaki had acted as the offensive focal points, drawing Shigure and Nijimura's attention…"

"Then used faster passes to open up the inside for the other two high schoolers, there might've been a better chance against me and Midorima."

Aomine frowned. "Using those two 'trash' Nijimura called out?"

"But Aomine-kun…"

"You did support Haizaki well in the end, didn't you? With that same level of support…"

"And with Haizaki finally willing to pass, "

"One of those high schoolers might've had a shot."

"Maybe even…"

"On that last play…"

Back by the riverside.

Nijimura turned his back and gave a dismissive wave.

"After Shigure and I completely shut you down, you became nothing more than a ghost on the court. If the ball wasn't in your hands, you were just… drifting. Doing nothing."

"So now ask yourself…"

"That last play."

"Was it a fluke?"

"Or was it that your pride, "

"Refused to let you continue that pathetic performance?"

Behind him,

Haizaki Shōgo clenched his fists tight.

"Report to the basketball club on Monday…"

"Second Team."

"That's my final evaluation of you."

In the distance.

Aomine, hearing that Haizaki had been assigned to the second team, didn't gloat in the slightest.

Instead, he just quietly clicked his tongue, irritated by how much attention Nijimura was giving Haizaki.

"Tch."

Shigure-senpai really is better.

Even when I got all stubborn during the entrance test and challenged him to a 1v1, he didn't hold back at all…

Hah,

Teiko's the best.

I get to play against monsters like Shigure-senpai anytime I want.

End of chapter...

To be continued...

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