Haizaki Shōgo hadn't expected that even after growing so much stronger, all he'd get in the end was that kind of evaluation.
But…
His opponent just now really was too weak.
He hadn't even brought out his full strength.
All that guy with the split eyebrows did was disappoint him.
Just then
"Oi!"
"Wait up!"
"You bastard, one more match!"
Haizaki clicked his tongue irritably. What he wanted now was to challenge one of the two real monsters standing before him. So when he heard Kagami's shout, he turned back with clear annoyance.
"Didn't I already say it?"
"You're weak!"
"So boring!"
On the sidelines, Kuroko Tetsuya caught the sudden look of frustration on Kagami's face and shook his head. Truth be told, this classmate's strength wasn't bad at all.
At least in Teiko, he would definitely qualify as a First String player.
He was probably only a little weaker than Kise.
So Kuroko quickly opened his mouth to smooth things over:
"This classmate can't keep playing. The Inter-Junior Nationals are coming up. For Haizaki to be playing outside of school already stretched the rules enough."
Kagami froze at the words, scratching his head.
"Uh? The… Inter-what?"
"The National Junior High Basketball Tournament, commonly called the Inter-Junior Nationals," Akihito Shigure explained. He turned toward Kuroko and gestured at him. "It's the highest-level event in junior high basketball. By the way, this teammate of yours is from Teiko—three-time consecutive champions. This year, they're going for a fourth straight."
"…"
Hearing this again, Kagami still found it unbelievable.
That gorilla had been ridiculously strong, sure.
But this guy…
With his frail build, was he really that strong?
Honestly, after just playing against that gorilla, Kagami never would've guessed that junior high basketball in Japan could be this intense.
And if that gorilla wasn't going to play again…
Kagami thought for a moment. Since this "Teiko" was a three-time national champion team, then logically even this blue-haired one should have some ability. Though, no matter what, Kagami couldn't sense the slightest aura of a powerhouse from him.
"Oi!"
"Hey, Blue-head!"
"If you're from a three-time national champion, then you must be strong too, right?"
"Come and play me!"
Clutching the basketball, Kagami finished his words—only to find everyone staring at him strangely. Even the blue-haired boy himself.
But Kagami, never one to lose in spirit even when losing the game, stood firm.
"What are you looking at me like that for?"
"You gonna play or not?"
"Or are you scared of losing?"
Kuroko simply shook his head.
"Sorry… I'm not very good at one-on-one."
He refused firmly, without a shred of dishonesty. His game had nothing to do with offense or defense in a one-on-one setting. But as that thought crossed his mind, Kuroko suddenly paused.
Wait…
Defending might be impossible.
But attacking, one-on-one…
Now… maybe.
Haizaki reacted even faster than Kuroko. His grin turned mocking, his eyes glinting with mischief. He looked more gleeful than when he'd just stolen Kagami's moves.
Kagami, meanwhile, raised a brow, glancing at Shigure.
Not good at one-on-one?
What kind of joke was that?
And then he heard the gorilla's booming voice.
"Fight him, Tetsuya! Use your dribbling and crush this idiot! Let him see for himself!"
"So he'll understand that a physique like his is completely wasted!"
"Heh"
At those words, Kuroko hesitated, stealing a glance at Shigure. He saw encouragement in his senpai's eyes, but the thought of his still-unstable dribble made him falter.
"Go on, Tetsuya."
"Isn't it fine to let this Kagami fellow be your free sparring partner?"
"In Teiko, aside from Haizaki, I doubt anyone else would have the patience to practice that dribble with you."
"And I want to see your progress for myself."
The image of Kuroko training alone with that unstable dribble crossed Shigure's mind, making him chuckle. Finally, hearing his senpai's words, Kuroko hardened his resolve.
"Yes, senpai."
"Um…"
"Kagami, was it?"
"Ah… yeah, that's right."
Kagami blinked, glancing again at Shigure.
So this guy was the senpai of those two Teiko monsters, a high schooler. No wonder he looked so strong.
But… how did he know Kagami's name?
Well… whatever.
Might as well use these Teiko players to understand Japanese junior high basketball a little better.
"Kagami, for the sake of my new dribbling technique, please be my practice opponent."
Kagami: "?"
"Hah?"
"Oi, oi!?"
"You're treating me like what, a guinea pig? You're gonna use a half-baked move on me and make me your sparring partner?"
"Che!"
"Whatever. Let's go."
Kuroko nodded seriously.
"To be exact… I've more or less mastered it. I'm just working on stability."
"Yeah yeah!"
"Cut the crap and come at me!"
"Don't underestimate me!"
Kuroko set the ball down to the side.
"Then, I'll begin. Please be ready."
"Grr… don't look down on me!"
Thump, thump, thump!
Basketball pounded crisply at his side, Kuroko's face focused and solemn.
Right foot pushed off.
Hips rotated.
Acceleration!
In Kagami's eyes, these movements were clean and practiced, but hardly fast. He frowned, convinced again that his instincts were right: this guy was weak.
But then
In the very next instant
He froze.
Not because of overwhelming speed.
But because… the boy in front of him had suddenly vanished.
It was surreal. The moment Kuroko leaned forward and accelerated, his figure simply disappeared from Kagami's vision!
Sweat beaded cold on Kagami's forehead.
"What… the…!?"
He hadn't blinked. He was sure of it. It was like a ghost step, like Kuroko had just phased out of existence.
Staring in shock, he spun around
The boy was already behind him.
But…
"Huh?"
Where's the ball!?
Thump-thump-thump-thump!
The sound came from right in front of him. Kagami snapped his gaze forward.
The ball bounced leisurely before his feet, dribbling away with mocking taps.
…
Silence.
A strange, heavy stillness.
And in that silence, there were also the stunned, bewildered gazes of Aida Kagetora, Aida Riko, Kiyoshi Teppei, Hyūga Junpei, and Momoi Satsuki.
"Uh…"
"Sorry…"
"I messed up a little. With senpai watching, I got nervous. Can we go again?"
END OF CHAPTER
CROWN BEFORE THE MIRACLES
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