Two days later.
At Teiko's basketball club.
That day, Kuroko Tetsuya didn't show up.
But clearly…
It wasn't because of Ogiwara Shigehiro.
Because
The ones missing weren't just Kuroko, but also Haizaki, Aomine, and Akashi.
"Hey, Murasakibara, when's our withdrawal ceremony again?"
"Eh?"
"I dunno~"
"Akashi's not here…"
"Guess the captain should decide, huh~?"
Crunch
"Seriously, Murasakibara, you're always eating. Don't tell me you're still planning to grow taller?" Kise Ryōta muttered in exasperation, then sighed, "The finals just ended, and suddenly everyone's busy with something… Even Akashi's vanished. Is nobody managing the basketball club anymore?"
At that, Murasakibara gave Kise a puzzled look.
"Uh…"
"Hasn't anyone come looking for you?"
"Kise—"
Just then, from a nearby activity room, a middle-aged man Kise didn't recognize stepped out.
"Well then, we'll talk again later, Midorima-kun. I hope by then you'll reconsider."
With those words, Midorima followed him out. Kise greeted him casually, but his curiosity got the better of him. "Oi, Midorima, was that guy… a scout?"
Midorima shook his head. "No… that was Shūtoku High's head coach."
Kise's eyes widened. "The coach himself came?"
"Nothing's decided yet… but Shūtoku's facilities are excellent, and they emphasize academics too."
"That really does sound like a good fit for you, Midorima." Kise nodded. But then he noticed something unusual—hesitation flickering in Midorima's eyes. He frowned. "What's wrong?"
"…Nothing." Midorima paused, then turned to Murasakibara. "And you? Have you decided—leaning more toward Akita, or staying in Tokyo?"
"Eh?"
"I dunno~"
"But…"
"I heard the cafeteria over there is really tasty…"
"…What exactly did that former national player say to recruit you?"
"Ah, you mean Ayako?"
"She said… their players are really tall…"
"Good on defense?"
"Maybe…"
"That's it?"
"Pretty much."
"Oh."
"Right… she also said Yōsen High's frontcourt all stands over two meters."
At that, Midorima nodded slightly.
So besides Murasakibara, they had two more big men above 2 meters?
In other words…
If he and Murasakibara both joined, Yōsen could build a super-sized lineup. At the very least, in terms of sheer height, they'd have a way to counter their former seniors.
"Wait"
"Wait a sec!!"
At this point, Kise raised his hand in alarm.
"You guys already decided on teams?!"
Midorima gave him a look just as puzzled as Murasakibara's. "Not just us. Haizaki and Aomine probably went to the hospital by now to convince Kuroko."
"Hospital?"
"They say Kuroko's decided on Seirin. He went this morning to visit Kiyoshi Teppei. As for Haizaki and Aomine, Fukuda Sōgō and Tōō have both reached out… but if Kuroko joins Seirin, then Haizaki most likely won't go to Fukuda Sōgō."
Kise felt his heart sink. "Then… what about me? Why hasn't anyone come for me?!"
Midorima was just about to suggest something—maybe telling him to stick with Aomine and go to Tōō—when, not far away, Akashi suddenly appeared.
Behind him
Returning together—were Kuroko, Momoi, Aomine, and Haizaki.
"Everyone."
"Put the high school recruitment talk aside for now."
"Because in a bit, we're heading out for Hiroshima."
"Hiroshima?"
"What for?"
Akashi's gaze sharpened.
"To watch tomorrow's Inter-High final."
"Kaijō…"
"Against Rakuzan."
Everyone: "!"
Three days after the Junior High finals.
For Kaijō High, the Inter-High was the final step toward a possible championship. But standing in their way
No surprise
was the Emperor of high school basketball, Rakuzan, champions of every title for the past two years.
That day…
Inside Kaijō's locker room.
Kuroko's former teammate, Kurokami Shinji, glanced at Kasamatsu Yukio, who was unusually quiet. "Didn't sleep well last night? You've got dark circles under your eyes."
Kasamatsu Yukio: "…"
He rubbed his eyes roughly, saying nothing.
"Don't tell me you're so nervous you couldn't sleep?"
Kasamatsu turned toward Kurokami's relaxed expression. Facing a teammate who had once been part of Teiko's winning machine, he hesitated, then admitted, "This is the first time I've ever reached the finals, from middle school to high school…"
He trailed off, his gaze falling on Shigure Akihito. "Facing Hagioka Kasayuki, Akihito will have to expend a lot of stamina and energy."
"I want to support him as much as I can."
But as he said it, Kasamatsu lapsed back into thought.
"…You're sounding a bit timid."
Kasamatsu: "…"
"You know," Kurokami continued, "it's fine that you want to share the backcourt pressure with Akihito—but don't get cocky, idiot. Akihito doesn't necessarily need it. Even against Hagioka Kasayuki, that doesn't change."
"Besides…"
"Did you forget about Nijimura, that monster?"
"Just focus on doing your part. On that front, I've got the most experience."
"With Akihito and Nijimura together…"
"We'll win."
"Trust them."
Kurokami stopped there, then extended his fist toward Kasamatsu.
Meanwhile
Fukasaya Reiji glanced over. Compared to Kasamatsu, who was still stiff with nerves, Kurokami was already completely at ease with his new teammates. Instead of anxiety, his hand was practically trembling with excitement as he rubbed the basketball.
Lowering his eyes, Reiji noticed his own hand doing the same, rubbing at his wristband.
He smiled to himself.
"But that said…"
"We have to win, Kasamatsu!"
"Even if the one standing across the backcourt is Hagioka Kasayuki, don't let fear break you!"
Clap
Their fists collided.
"You talk too much…" Kasamatsu muttered. "Worry about beating Nebuya Eikichi first!"
"And besides…"
"Don't forget—I'm the senpai here, freshman."
END OF CHAPTER
CROWN BEFORE THE MIRACLES
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