To think he actually pulled off the Ultimate Shadow...
And you still call yourself an ordinary person?
Turns out, the environment really does change people. While it may feel a bit thick-skinned to credit this to my own influence, the results right in front of me speak for themselves.
It's not quite on the level of the Generation of Miracles blooming into full form,
But without a doubt...
This was the moment an "ordinary person" blossomed.
Instant catch-and-release handling.
Explosive, borderline reckless burst power.
The Ultimate Shadow.
In Shigure Akihito's impression of the world of Kuroko's Basketball, outside the "Miracles," everyone else were just stagehands, "ordinary people." But since last year, ever since Hagioaka Kasayuki showed up, Akihito began to witness the power beyond the miraculous.
"Ordinary people" had their own unique kind of brilliance.
If…
If Hagioaka Kasayuki and Fukasaya Reiji, with their boring, black-colored hair, could even still be called "ordinary."
Because clearly, the Hagioaka who nearly took down Teiko singlehandedly at last year's Nationals…
And the Reiji who just now gave him goosebumps with a single final play,
They were anything but.
Off to the side.
Fukasaya Reiji, who had been under relentless pressure every possession, collapsed flat on the gym floor, letting out a raw, unrestrained roar.
It had only been a few rounds, but thanks to that continuous eruption of power, he'd sweated like he'd been training all day.
Flat on his back, he gasped for air in heavy, rasping breaths.
Above him, the dome lights cast harsh beams of white incandescent light.
So blinding,
It knocked his brain blank for a moment.
And just then,
He heard Shigure Akihito's voice.
"…You were amazing."
"Reiji."
He blinked open his half-lidded eyes, squinting against the glare, only to see the shadow fall over him.
Looking down at him was Shigure Akihito.
…Amazing?
Me?
Shigure Akihito was towering over him.
Yet in that moment, standing in that position that usually signaled Akihito's signature domination, there was none of the usual vicious glee in his expression. No satisfaction in having crushed a weaker opponent.
Instead…
He was smiling brightly.
And extending a hand toward him.
"You okay?"
Akihito's smile held a rare softness.
In that instant,
Shigure realized something.
Something was different this time.
He thought he'd seen it all, that the outcome was set in stone. But just when he was about to wrap things up, Reiji had thrown in one final, unexpected counterattack.
Even though, yes, he'd still won in the end,
For a moment there, his heart had thundered again with excitement.
It wasn't until,
He heard Reiji's victorious roar, saw him collapse with satisfaction,
That Shigure Akihito finally understood.
Ah...
Fukasaya Reiji, who threw everything he had into chasing him down,
Who for one brief moment, had truly reached him,
Was...
Cool as hell.
And so, he said it aloud without hesitation.
"You were incredible, Reiji."
"This year…"
"You're going to make everyone notice you."
Reiji, stunned by Akihito's words, paused as he reached out in response.
But then,
He took hold of the offered hand.
Gripped it tightly.
Pulled himself up.
"…Yeah."
"I will."
This was his first time, as an opponent, facing Shigure Akihito directly after a match. It had only been a single play, but for him…
To meet a monster like this,
To earn a seat at the monster's table,
That alone was enough.
Exhaling deeply, Fukasaya Reiji smiled too. This time, he shed yesterday's skin, looked up, and pushed his bangs aside to reveal both eyes.
"Shigure, I'm not stopping here."
"…Reiji."
"I've never considered myself defeated."
"…"
"Shigure…"
"You bastard."
That kind of flower, one that claws its way through the mud and blossoms from the dirt,
Hits different.
Today,
Maybe it was the first time Shigure Akihito had witnessed someone else's "moment."
Teiko's second year.
A seemingly ordinary, yet extraordinary 1v1 match.
Marked the day,
He fell even deeper in love with basketball.
Behind Shigure Akihito,
Shinji couldn't hold back anymore and stepped onto the court, slapping palms with Fukasaya Reiji.
In the silence that followed, all the first-years could see it,
That tall upperclassman, over 190cm, known for his gruff face and fierce expression,
His eyes were sparkling.
Aomine.
Midorima.
Haizaki.
Akashi.
Murasakibara.
Even Kuroko Tetsuya.
All eyes were now on Fukasaya Reiji.
But just then, Nijimura Shuzo looked up.
To the second-floor gallery,
Where Coach Kōzō Shirogane stood watching it all, smiling faintly.
Nijimura froze awkwardly.
"So it's the final month of intensive training before Nationals, huh…"
Shigure Akihito strolled over to Nijimura, still wearing that satisfied grin.
But then he followed Nijimura's gaze upward.
Shigure Akihito: "…The devil's here."
Nijimura nodded. "Wonder if the first-years can survive it."
Shigure: "…"
Shigure: "…They'll be fine, probably."
Although the second-year "Miracles" still shuddered at the mention of Coach Kōzō Shirogane, nothing in the original storyline ever said any of them literally got trained to the point of puking like Kuroko was.
Nijimura turned,
And saw a rare expression flicker across Shigure's face, one even Shigure himself didn't notice.
A small, genuine smile.
"Reiji's performance…"
"Made you that happy?"
Shigure nodded, then immediately shook his head.
"Nope."
"I was just thinking about Reo and those guys"
"What a shame"
"To be facing this year's Teiko…"
"Pfft, hahaha!"
Thinking about those other fairly strong schools, and then comparing them to this year's completely overpowered Teiko lineup, even Nijimura couldn't help but chuckle.
Strangely…
He found himself looking forward to it too.
This year's overwhelming victories,
So different from the future over-the-top antics of the Generation of Miracles.
The Twin Stars of Teiko,
Nijimura Shuzo was a man obsessed with victory.
Shigure Akihito, on the other hand, didn't care if you fought back or not, he'd crush you completely. And if you collapsed in despair, he'd grin like a beast.
But if you gave it your all, like Reiji just did?
He'd respect you with the same fire in his eyes.
Two "half-monsters"...
Clack!
This time, it was Nijimura who held out his fist.
Smiling.
They bumped knuckles.
And then Nijimura quietly said:
"I want to see what lies beyond that wall of yours, what kind of scenery will unfold before me on the other side."
"This year's Nationals, let's find out."
"Shigure."
"This so-called 'Teiko Twin Stars'…"
"Will it still exist after this year's tournament?"
That view from the peak of last year's Nationals?
I wasn't sure I could reach it alone.
But now, I truly believe I can drive Teiko forward,
And see it again, with my own power.
But,
"Nijimura."
"Remember this."
"After the rain, comes the rainbow."
Nijimura blinked, then gave a half-laugh and shook his head.
"You…"
"It's the rainbow that draws everyone's eyes."
End of chapter...
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