Chapter 3
As the sun began to set, Taiga Kagami found himself alone at an empty streetball court, engrossed in his solo practice. Suddenly, his concentration shattered when he noticed Tetsuya Kuroko standing beside the hoop. Startled, Kagami missed his shot and demanded to know why Kuroko was there.
Kuroko responded with the same question, his calm demeanor contrasting Kagami's frustration. Kagami explained his background, having lived in America until his second year of middle school. He expressed his disappointment with Japan's basketball standards, describing them as appallingly low. Kagami sought serious competition rather than mere recreational games.
Intrigued by Kuroko's lack of presence and scent on the court, Kagami challenged him to a 1-on-1 match, hoping to gauge the true strength of the Generation of Miracles. Kuroko agreed, revealing his own desire to face Kagami.
The match began, but Kagami's hopes for a challenging game were swiftly crushed by the stark contrast in their talents. Frustrated, Kagami berated Kuroko, deeming his basketball skills so bad that they could be fatal. Kuroko admitted he had never expected to win and had only sought to witness Kagami's strength firsthand.
Growing angrier, Kagami abruptly ended the match and insulted Kuroko's lack of talent, urging him to quit basketball altogether. Before Kuroko could respond, the sound of approaching footsteps filled the air. It was Kaito, dressed in a suit, exuding an aura of confidence and ego.
Kaito scathingly criticized Kagami, calling him mediocre at best and a trash monkey. Infuriated, Kagami couldn't resist the challenge and challenged Kaito to a one-on-one match. The basketball court became the stage for an intense showdown between the two players.
The following scenes showcased their intense basketball skills, their bodies moving with agility and precision. Kaito dominated the game, leaving Kagami panting and defeated, unable to score a single point. Kaito, on the other hand, remained unruffled, not a drop of sweat staining his suit.
After the match, Kaito approached Kuroko, who had been silently observing from the sidelines. He greeted Kuroko, using his first name and mentioning their time together at Teiko. Confused, Kuroko questioned how Kaito knew about his regular playing days at Teiko. Kaito's response left Kuroko wide-eyed and teary-eyed. He referred to Kuroko as his first light and Little Shadow, triggering a flood of memories and emotions.
Overwhelmed with nostalgia, Kuroko embraced Kaito, recalling their friendship, with Kaito being the captain and ace of Teiko before his departure. Perplexed by Kuroko's emotional outburst, Kaito inquired about what was troubling him. Kuroko explained the downfall of Teiko after he left—the team's obsession with victory, neglecting training and losing their sense of teamwork and love for the game.
Kaito nodded, his mind already set on dismantling the Generation of Miracles. However, Kuroko shared his perspective with Kagami, expressing his love for basketball and disagreeing with the notion that talent was necessary. He acknowledged their contrasting styles, referring to himself as a shadow.
As Kaito and Kuroko prepared to leave, Kagami, still bewildered by their exchange, looked up and witnessed a scene that perplexed him further. It appeared as if Kuroko, the shadow, stood behind Kaito, the light. Though he couldn't comprehend the meaning behind it, the image lingered in his mind.