The sun was already high when Isagi opened his eyes. The room was silent, except for the distant sound of birds outside and the soft hum of the wind passing through the slightly open window.
"Ugh… my whole body feels… heavy…" He murmured, rolling over in bed with a groan. Every muscle seemed to protest, reminding him of the insane training from the night before. He sat up, scratching his messy hair, and looked around. The shirt he had sewn yesterday was still carefully folded on the desk. That made him smile faintly.
"Right… let's start the day."
He stretched long, feeling his shoulders crack with the movement, and headed to the bathroom. The hot water from the shower relieved some of the tension in his muscles, running down his back as he let his mind wander.
"Sunday, huh… I think I can take it easy today."
After the shower, he put on a light gray sweatshirt and black training pants. He grabbed his phone from the charger and went downstairs, still drying his hair with a towel.
In the kitchen, Iyo was cleaning the counter, humming something that sounded like an old anime song. The smell of soap and fresh coffee mingled in the air.
"Ah, good morning, Yoichi!" she said without stopping scrubbing the sink. "Sleep well?"
"More or less…" He replied, smiling lazily as he opened the cabinet to grab a mug. "I'm wrecked."
"Well, look at how much you trained yesterday. You looked like a robot sewing and running at the same time."
Isagi let out a low laugh. "Yeah, I got a bit carried away."
He prepared the coffee, added a little milk, and grabbed some slices of whole wheat bread, boiled eggs, and an apple. While eating, he enjoyed the calm silence of the house. His dad must have left early, probably to handle something at work… Something that happened on some Sundays sometimes.
Iyo passed by him with the cloth in hand, watching her son chew with that motherly look that alternated between pride and the urge to ask more questions than she should.
"Going out today?"
"Uh-huh. Just taking a walk." He finished the coffee, placed the mug in the sink, and stretched his arms. "It's been a while since I went out without it being for training."
She smiled. "Alright. But take your phone and jacket; it's windy out there."
"Yes, Mom."
He grabbed the black jacket hanging by the entrance, put on his headphones, and left.
The morning air was cold but pleasant. The neighborhood streets were quiet, with some people walking dogs and kids playing with colorful balls in the parks. The smell of freshly baked bread came from a nearby bakery, and the distant sound of laughter mixed with that of passing bicycles.
Isagi put his hands in his pockets and started walking without a specific destination, letting the music play on shuffle.
After a few minutes, he decided to head to the small square near the station. It was a simple place, but with benches under trees and a court where some students were playing basketball.
The sound of the ball bouncing echoed with a precise rhythm, and the air seemed to vibrate with the players' energy. Even in what seemed like just a light practice, the skill level was absurd. Every pass, every shot, every movement flowed with a naturalness that bordered on superhuman.
A guy did an elegant spin, his blond hair swaying in the wind, and scored a basket with a carefree smile.
"C'mon, Aominecchi! You're not gonna let me shine alone, right?"
"Shut up, Kise." The lazy but confident voice came from the opposite side of the court. The guy called "Aominecchi" advanced with explosive speed, his body moving like a living shadow. "If we're playing seriously, I'll end this in two minutes."
The dry sound of the ball hitting the ground echoed before he bypassed the blond guy named "Kise" with a dribble so fast that any normal person would lose sight of it. The ball went through the hoop with a clean sound: swish.
The tallest boy on the court, casually munching on a pack of snacks, sighed next to the basket.
"Ahh… tired. I don't wanna play anymore…"
Another shorter boy, standing in the center of the court, looked at him with that calm and authoritative gaze that seemed to cut through the air.
"Murasakibara. Continue. Practice isn't over yet."
"...Yes, Akashi-chin."
A gust of cold wind passed, swaying the tree leaves, as he went back to observing. A boy with light blue hair, almost invisible in the corner of the court, made an impossible pass; the ball disappeared for a moment before reappearing in the hands of a guy with green hair wearing glasses, who shot a three-pointer without even looking.
The ball went in.
Of course it did.
Isagi, who had stopped for a moment to watch, furrowed his brow at the sequence of high-level plays happening in less than a minute. Soon after, he let out a sigh and flashed an ironic smile.
He recognized those guys immediately.
The blond called Kise was a tall young man with a striking appearance, the type that drew attention without trying. His blond hair, in a yellowish tone and medium length, fell softly, highlighting his golden eyes that reflected the light with an almost hypnotic intensity. His long lashes accentuated the expressive gaze even more, while a discreet piercing in his left ear added a touch of boldness. His athletic body completed the image of someone naturally attractive, and the way he wore his uniform highlighted that. Without a doubt, that was Kise Ryota.
The boy whom Kise had called "Aominecchi" had a completely different presence. Tall, with tanned skin and an athletic build, the kind of physique shaped by years of instinct and movement, his short navy-blue hair, slightly messy, fell to the right side carelessly. His thin, well-defined eyebrows emphasized his long, slanted eyes, in the same deep blue tone, which conveyed an intense shine, between confidence and disdain. He wore the white and blue uniform of Teikō Academy, but open, in a rebellious way. There was no doubt: that was Aomine Daiki.
Next, there was the tallest boy in the group, the same one who, moments before, had shown an almost childish laziness. It was Atsushi Murasakibara, abnormally tall for someone his age, with a presence that stood out even among the others. His lilac hair, long enough to touch his back, fell messily over his shoulders, while his violet eyes reflected a mix of boredom and indifference.
And the one who had reprimanded him was, without a doubt, the club captain. Despite his average height and build, something that, among the other players, made him seem even smaller, there was an impossible-to-ignore presence in him. At one meter and fifty-eight centimeters tall, he was the shortest in the group, but also the one who radiated the most authority. His red hair, short and slightly tousled, shone like flames when catching the light, while his eyes of the same intense tone displayed vertical pupils, giving him a feline and dominant air. That was Akashi Seijūrō, the Teikō team captain.
Finally, the boy who had gone almost unnoticed before was Kuroko Tetsuya, the protagonist of the manga [Kuroko no Basket] that he had read in his past life and who had been the reason for recognizing them so easily. He should say that… well, the boy was somewhat disappointing at first glance. His fragile appearance and small build were not common traits in a basketball player, which is why he often went unnoticed. His light blue hair, carefully combed to the left, contrasted with his equally blue eyes, whose empty gaze seemed to dissolve in the air. His excessively pale skin completed the discreet image of someone almost ghostly.
The one who received his pass was Midorima Shintarō, owner of a striking presence. His dark green hair, carefully parted to the left, didn't cover his eyes, leaving his gaze always visible. His light green eyes, enhanced by prominent lower lashes, conveyed precision and determination. He wore black-framed glasses, with a frame on all sides except the top, adding an air of intellectuality to his countenance. Very tall, he was the second tallest in the Generation of Miracles, imposing himself without effort.
They were exactly like in the manga chapters he had read in his past life. It was impossible not to recognize them. The posture, the way they moved, even the facial expressions were identical to the pages he had already seen.
But a doubt began to grow in his mind.
Teikō was in Tokyo, a school with a national reputation and an intense routine. It wasn't common for its players to appear in a simple square in the province of Saitama, much less without any kind of notice or official event.
Were they here for a friendly match against some strong team in the region? Maybe some team managed to schedule a confrontation against Teikō… That would explain their presence here. But on a Sunday? And he still thinking he was putting in effort…
Isagi sighed, adjusting the jacket on his shoulders. He stood there for a few seconds, looking at the court, observing each movement with a strangely distant calm.
With a faint ironic smile, he decided to lean against the court fence and do some pull-ups.
His hands found firmness on the rusty bar, and he lifted his body with a controlled movement, letting his muscles work while keeping his gaze fixed on the game.
Kise raised his arms in a quick and smiling shot, as if he were having fun just by existing. Isagi barely blinked before focusing on Aomine, who advanced with full force, dribbling with bursts of speed that almost distorted perception. It was like watching lightning in slow motion—impossible to follow without effort.
Murasakibara munched his snacks as if watching a theater performance, while Akashi commanded with authority and calm, observing everything like a maestro. Kuroko, in turn, was almost imperceptible, the kind of presence that would only draw attention when absolutely necessary. Midorima adjusted his positioning with almost obsessive care before firing another impeccable three-pointer.
It didn't take long for his already fatigued body to start feeling the strain.
Isagi released the bar slowly.
A soft crack came from his shoulders as he straightened his body, breathing deeply. Noticing a place to drink water, he headed to the side fence of the court where there was a rusty faucet. The water ran cold, and the sound of the metal creaking mixed with the bounce of the ball. Isagi drank calmly, closing his eyes as he let the hydration flow through his body.
Upon opening his eyes, his attention was drawn by the soft sound of footsteps on the concrete floor and a cheerful voice. He then saw a girl approaching, carrying a large bag, smiling as she walked toward the court. She was a slender and curvaceous teenager, with a silhouette that drew attention due to the harmony between height and proportions. Her bubblegum-pink hair, silky and shiny, fell to the middle of her back in soft waves, while long fringes framed her face delicately, one on each side. Her large dark-pink eyes had a slightly almond shape, conveying an intense and almost hypnotic expression. Her skin was smooth and even, with a slight glow that highlighted her youth. Her ample bust stood out noticeably, contrasting with her slim waist and curved hips, creating a striking form.
Her hair was pink, shining under the sunlight, falling in soft waves to her shoulders. Her expression radiated enthusiasm.
"Good morniiiing, everyone! I'm back!" She sang, opening a huge smile: "I brought popsicles for you! I hope you like them a looot!"
From the other side of the court, Aomine was in the middle of a shot, completely absorbed in the game. His attention was diverted by the voice and the girl's movement. In the next moment, he hit the basket hard, but the impact was so powerful that the ball bounced off the court and headed toward the young woman.
She didn't notice the dangerous trajectory, too focused on the smile and the shouts from the other boys. The dry sound of the ball hitting the ground sounded like a late warning.
"Satsuki!"
The tension grew in fractions of a second. The girl seemed not to notice the ball approaching, her expression too enchanted to perceive the danger.
That's when everything happened like a flash.
Isagi advanced without thinking, his feet touching the ground with a speed impossible to follow. Each step seemed to shorten space and time, and he was already inside the court before anyone could react. It was as if he had disappeared and reappeared beside the ball's trajectory.
In a movement that seemed rehearsed by physics itself, Isagi delivered a perfect kick while jumping with his body half sideways. It wasn't a common kick; it was so precise, so beautiful, that it seemed part of an unreal choreography. The ball didn't just change direction; it received such a perfect impulse that it didn't make the usual arc. It was more like a powerful shot toward the goal.
Swish.
Contrary to what everyone expected, the ball didn't ricochet off the basketball hoop.
The ball fell clean, entering the net with surgical perfection. The sound echoed, breaking the absolute silence that followed.
The entire square fell silent. Even the distant sound of bicycles and laughter seemed to have stopped. The Teikō players froze in their movements. Kise opened his mouth, Aomine raised his eyebrows in surprise, and Akashi tilted his head slightly, his eyes fixed on Isagi.
The pink-haired girl stood still, holding the bag, mouth agape. Her eyes shone with surprise, almost as if she couldn't believe what she had just seen.
Isagi simply returned to an upright position, breathing normally, as if he had just done something trivial. A faint ironic smile touched his lips.
"Are you okay?" Looking at the girl he had just saved, he asked, with a calm tone, but laced with concern.
Satsuki Momoi blinked several times, still surprised, as if processing what had just happened. A faint blush rose to her cheeks, and for a moment she looked away, biting her lower lip.
"I-I… yes… I'm fine…" She replied, her voice a bit trembling, as if she couldn't hide a deeper emotion. Her eyes still shone. Deep down, her heart raced. It was a new feeling, a mix of admiration and something undefined. She knew, without understanding exactly why, that something in that moment had stirred her.
For a moment, silence hung between them. Then, as if awakening from a collective trance, the other Teikō players started moving again.
Kise was the first to react. His golden eyes shone with enthusiasm, and his smile opened instantly. He clapped his hands hard and laughed loudly.
"Dude, that was sensational!" He exclaimed, laughing loudly and pointing at Isagi with a gleam in his eyes: "Did you see that, Aominecchi?! The guy deflected a basketball with a kick and still made the basket! That's like… national championship highlight level!"
Aomine huffed, stuffing his hands into the pockets of his half-open uniform. His dark blue gaze alternated between Isagi and Momoi, who still seemed slightly embarrassed. He scratched the back of his neck, looking away with a faint blush.
"Sorry about that, Satsuki…" He murmured, half-grumbling. "I went too hard on the shot."
Momoi blinked and quickly waved her hands, forcing a sweet smile.
"No, no! It's fine, Dai-chan! It was just a scare." She said, trying to sound carefree, but the look she gave Isagi betrayed something else, a curious gleam, perhaps enchanted: "If it weren't for him, I would've become a silly accident statistic."
Aomine sighed in relief and replied with his usual relaxed disdain.
"Yeah… lucky for you that this guy was around." He crossed his arms, now staring at Isagi with a half-provocative smile: "But hey, who are you, man? Never seen you around here."
Before Isagi could respond, Kise was practically on top of him, his golden eyes shining with excitement.
"You play soccer, right? You have to play!?" He leaned in a bit to observe him better, as if analyzing every movement, every detail of the previous kick: "That reflex, that movement control... It's not something anyone can do. Tell me, what's your name? Are you a pro? Or like… a famous high school athlete I haven't copied yet?"
Isagi raised an eyebrow, a bit surprised by the avalanche of questions, but kept his tone calm and direct.
"Yoichi Isagi. And no, I'm not a pro." He gave a half-smile: "But… let's say I like to play."
Kise blinked a few times, as if his name sparked some recognition, and then opened an even bigger smile.
"Yoichi Isagi, huh?" He repeated the name with relish, as if tasting the sound: "Cool name, matches the insane kick you just did! But wait, you said you don't play professional soccer?"
Isagi shrugged, still calm.
"Not officially... I just play casually, no big deal..."
"'No big deal,' he says…" Kise put his hands on his hips, laughing incredulously: "You deflected a moving basketball and still made the basket! Dude, if that's 'no big deal,' I wanna see what serious is! Come play a bit with us! It'll be fun!"
Aomine arched an eyebrow, letting out a short laugh.
"You're crazy, Kise? The guy plays another sport. You want him to burn out here?"
"Oh, come on, Aominecchi! It was just a scare, and it'll be fun!" Insisted Kise, too excited to listen to reason. He turned back to Isagi, his golden eyes shining like he had just found a rival: "Come on, Isagi-kun! Play a little game! Doesn't have to be serious, just for fun. Who knows, maybe you discover a hidden talent?"
Isagi looked at him for a moment, thoughtful, the wind lightly messing up his black hair.
"I didn't bring proper sneakers, and it's been a while since I touched a basketball."
Kise laughed animatedly and pointed his finger as if he had a genius idea.
"Perfect! That makes things even more interesting!"
"You're unbearable when you get excited, Kise." Commented Midorima, adjusting his glasses: "But, I admit, I'm curious too. A kick like that… it's not something you see every day."
The soft sound of footsteps echoed on the court floor. Akashi Seijūrō, who had been observing everything in silence until then, finally approached. His crimson gaze was piercing, and his simple presence made the air around seem denser.
He stopped in front of Isagi, his red eyes shining under the morning light.
"Before anything else…" He began calmly, but there was weight in his tone: "Thank you for saving Momoi-san."
The way he pronounced the words wasn't just courteous; it was genuinely grateful. Akashi tilted his head slightly, a rare gesture from him.
"She's an important part of our team, and an accident like that could have been… unpleasant."
Momoi, still holding the bag of popsicles, blinked in surprise and waved her hands, her face blushing.
"Ah! N-no big deal, Akashi-kun! It was just a scare." She said, trying to sound carefree, but the look she gave Isagi betrayed something else, a curious gleam, perhaps enchanted: "If it weren't for him, I would've become a silly accident statistic."
"Faster than all of us…" Corrected Akashi with serenity, without taking his eyes off Isagi. "And with precision enough to convert a kick into a perfect basket."
The redhead gave a small smile, the kind of smile that, though polite, made it clear he was already thinking three moves ahead.
"Yoichi Isagi, right?" He said, repeating the name with exact pronunciation, as if memorizing it: "I'm Akashi Seijūrō, captain of the Teikō team. It's a pleasure to meet you."
He extended his hand.
Isagi, a bit surprised by the formality, shook it firmly.
"The pleasure is mine."
"You have good reflexes and impeccable body control." Continued Akashi, observing him with the same surgical attention he used when studying an opponent on the court. "It's not common. I'd like to see how you move in a real game."
Kise cheered.
"I knew he'd say that! I told you, Isagi-kun, you need to play with us!"
"It's just a friendly…" Added Akashi. "Nothing too long. I'm… curious."
Aomine huffed, crossing his arms with a lazy half-smile.
"Curious, huh? You mean you want to test the guy."
"Maybe…" Replied Akashi, without denying. "But curiosity is also a form of respect, Aomine. He saved Satsuki from taking a ball to the face, and the skills shown in that action demand at least respect…"
That phrase made Kuroko, silent until then, take a step forward.
"I want to see too; that was amazing, Isagi-kun," he said, his voice soft, almost faded.
Murasakibara, who was still munching absentmindedly, slightly lifted his gaze.
"Ahh… so he's gonna play too? That means practice will take longer, right…?"
"If you complain, I'll take your snacks," commented Midorima, dryly, adjusting his glasses. "But I confess… that kind of reflex isn't something I see every day. I want to measure his precision."
Kise opened his arms, excited.
"It's decided then! Isagi-kun, you play with me! Me and you against the rest! It'll be amazing!"
Aomine let out a short laugh.
"Hahaha, great. That way I can take you both down at the same time."
"You guys never learn…" Murmured Midorima.
Momoi, who was watching everything, finally approached Isagi, her gaze gentle but curious.
"Looks like you've become the center of attention, Isagi-kun." She said, smiling, her tone sweet but sincere: "But don't worry. They play seriously, but deep down… they're just boys who love to compete."
".... Well, that's obvious..." Said Isagi with a certain sarcasm in his voice.
Kuroko smiled at Momoi's words; he took a small step forward, his presence almost imperceptible, and extended his hand.
"I'm Kuroko Tetsuya. It's a pleasure to meet you."
Isagi shook his hand.
"The pleasure is mine."
One by one, the others also introduced themselves in a way typical for each of them.
"Kise Ryota! Model in my spare time, player, and now officially your number one fan!" Said the blond, winking with that natural charm.
"Aomine Daiki." The dark-skinned one spoke with his lazy tone: "I play because I like it. Hope you can keep up with me."
"Midorima Shintarō." The one with glasses declared seriously: "I believe in absolute precision. We'll see if your 'intuition' can match that."
"Murasakibara Atsushi…" Murmured the giant, munching on a chip: "If you make me move too much, I'll get mad, okay?"
"And I'm Akashi Seijūrō." Completed the captain, his gaze fixed on Isagi: "Remember: on the court, no one defeats me."
Momoi laughed softly.
"And I'm Momoi Satsuki! Team manager. I stay on the bench, but I promise to cheer for you, Isagi-kun!"
Isagi sighed, scratching the back of his neck.
"You guys really aren't gonna let me refuse, huh?"
"No." Replied Akashi, simply.
A light silence hung, followed by Kise bursting into laughter.
"Hahaha! That was classic Akashi-cchi!"
Isagi ended up smiling, resigned.
"Alright then. Just don't expect too much. Basketball isn't my strong suit."
Well, in his past life, he had played a few times, so he couldn't be considered a complete amateur.
Besides, the current Generation of Miracles hadn't yet reached their full potential. He noticed, for example, that Akashi hadn't awakened the [Emperor Eye] yet, since his eyes remained the same color. At this stage, keeping up with them shouldn't be too difficult for him.
"Excellent." Akashi took a step back, his expression serene: "That's exactly why I want to see what you can do."
Momoi watched him with a different gaze now, a mix of admiration and curiosity.
"Good luck, Isagi-kun!" She said, raising her fist in a gesture of encouragement: "Show them what you can do!"
Isagi just nodded, walking to the center of the court.
His peaceful Sunday had just gotten interesting.
___________________
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