NBA Skills: Dominating Kuroko no Basket

At dusk, Midorima and Akashi walked together down the school hallway, getting ready to head home.

"Who would've thought Kise would accept Kuroko so quickly?" Midorima remarked.

"Oh? Why, have you not accepted Kuroko yet?" Akashi's lips curled into a faint smile.

"I've accepted him long ago! Not just me — Murasakibara and even the seniors have, too," Midorima replied confidently, looking Akashi straight in the eye.

"That's all that matters. Kise just happened to accept it earlier than the rest" Akashi said calmly.

But Midorima, ever observant, pointed out the issue directly. "Still, as Shiro's substitute, Kise's position now clashes with... him" he said, referring to Haizaki without naming him.

At that moment, Akashi's expression turned icy, and his tone grew sharper.

"Haizaki... Come to think of it, he skipped practice again today, didn't he?"

"Yeah, that idiot skipped practice again. It's a shame since he clearly has the skills to be on the court. Should we make him Shiro's substitute and Kise take Haizaki's spot?" Midorima suggested.

"No, that's not what I have in mind" Akashi replied, his tone icy. "Kise's potential and rate of improvement far outpace Haizaki's. Besides, we already have senior players like Nijimura to cover rotations. Haizaki's selfishness is intolerable. If this continues, he'll only hold us back" Akashi's voice was devoid of emotion, yet the pressure he exuded was suffocating.

Midorima's eyes widened. The Akashi before him felt like a stranger.

Akashi spoke again, his voice decisive. "He's… useless now. Let him quit the team"

"Akashi is usually calm, kind, and highly respected within the team, but at times, he seems like a completely different person—cold and ruthless. No, to me, it feels like he's a different personality altogether. So, which one is the real Akashi?" Midorima wondered silently, swallowing nervously as he observed Akashi.

...

"So, Haizaki's really not playing anymore? Well, nothing we can do about that" Aomine said to the group, his tone indifferent.

"Don't you think that's a bit cold?" Kuroko chimed in.

"You tried to talk him into staying and failed, didn't you? Then there's really nothing we can do" Aomine replied bluntly.

"Haizaki is someone with a lot of pride. If we or the seniors try to persuade him, it might just backfire" Midorima added, glancing at Kuroko with a calm explanation.

"Honestly, don't be so naive" Nijimura cut in, his tone dismissive. "We're teammates, but we're also rivals. Instead of worrying about him, maybe use that time to push forward. Focus on your own growth."

Though disappointed by Haizaki's departure, especially since Nijimura had personally recruited him, he knew it couldn't be helped.

Recalling his failed attempt to stop Haizaki from quitting, Kuroko felt a pang of regret.

"Alright, don't dwell on it" Shiro said, patting Kuroko on the shoulder. "Focus on training"

"Gather up!" Coach Sanada's voice suddenly boomed through the gym. The team quickly assembled.

"The preliminary round for the Nationals is less than two months away. From now on, Coach Shirogane will take over your training" Sanada announced sternly.

"Huh?!" Murasakibara gasped.

"You've got to be kidding me" Aomine said, looking unusually serious as if he'd just been told something terrifying.

"Um, what kind of person is this coach?" Kuroko asked Aomine, who stood in front of him.

"Oh right, this is your first time meeting him, isn't it?" Aomine turned toward Kuroko, almost pityingly.

"That's right. I should make a proper introduction—" Suddenly, a hand landed on Kuroko's shoulder. Aomine's face froze, and the voice of the hand's owner spoke up, "I'm Coach Kozo Shirogane. Pleased to meet you, Kuroko"

Coach smiled warmly at Kuroko, his demeanor friendly.

"How do you know my name, coach?" Kuroko asked, startled.

"Of course I know. I remember all my players' names" With that, he walked to the center of the group.

"Thank you for your hard work!" the first-string players called out in unison.

"Ah, no need for such formalities" Shirogane said, waving his hand.

"The coach often comes by to watch training" Akashi said, leaning closer to Kuroko.

"Yeah, he likes observing us from the second floor to get a sense of everyone's day-to-day form" Shiro added with a kind smile.

"He seems kinder than I expected" Kuroko remarked with a small smile.

At this, the rest of the team turned to Kuroko with looks of horror. "That's just an illusion" Aomine muttered, rubbing his forehead.

"I guess you're talking about the 'core' of a nuclear bomb, right?" Shiro joked, his lips twitching.

Kuroko tilted his head, confused by their reactions.

Still wearing his "nuclear" smile, Shirogane addressed the team. "You've been taking it easy until now, but the real training starts here. The intensity will be much higher, but don't worry. You're young, so you won't die from it"

"But it will feel like hell" Aomine muttered, rolling his eyes as sweat trickled down his back.

"There's one announcement to make" Shirogane continued, his tone growing serious. "Akashi!"

"Here!" Akashi stepped forward, following the coach's cue.

"From today onward, Akashi will take over as captain, replacing Nijimura" Shirogane declared.

The players exchanged stunned glances before their eyes landed on Nijimura.

"Is this for real?" Murasakibara voiced everyone's thoughts.

Shirogane quickly steadied the atmosphere. "I know some of you may have concerns, especially the third-years, but this decision is for the sake of victory. Nijimura has done an excellent job and worked hard. Thank you for your dedication!"

The mood was heavy, but Nijimura bowed slightly and replied, "Thank you for the kind words."

Though some dissatisfaction lingered, no one openly questioned the coach's decision.

...

Later that evening, Murasakibara popped chips into his mouth, remarking, "That was a surprise."

"Yeah, I knew Akashi was amazing, but I didn't think he'd become captain so soon" Aomine added.

"But he's only a second-year. Is that okay?" Kuroko asked hesitantly.

"You don't need to worry about that. Akashi comes from one of Japan's most prominent families" Midorima said calmly.

"Really?" Kise leaned closer to Midorima, his face full of shock.

"Raised under strict family rules and exceptional education since childhood, he's better suited to lead the team than Nijimura. Speaking of which" Midorima glanced at Shiro, who was chatting intimately with Momoi, "Shiro is also a young master of the Kawakami family"

"No way! Seriously, Shirocchi?!" Kise exclaimed, his jaw dropping.

Shiro waved them off, signaling to let him enjoy his moment with Momoi.

Kise sighed, turning back to Midorima. "By the way, Midorima, doesn't your family background measure up too?"

"Not to Akashi's level. More importantly, Murasakibara, don't eat while walking" Midorima scolded, frowning at the snack-loving center.

"Huh? Nah" Murasakibara replied lazily, refusing to comply.

Midorima's glare hardened, while Murasakibara returned it with a defiant stare.

"Do those two not get along?" Kise whispered to the others.

"It's not that" Aomine answered nonchalantly.

"Midorima's a perfectionist who insists on doing everything properly, while Murasakibara's all about going with the flow. They've clashed since the start, and lately, it's been worse" Shiro explained, walking over with Momoi.

"Ah, it's probably because they've both been in top form during games recently" Kise guessed.

The others nodded in agreement.