"By the way,"
"I heard there's a guy from the Second String who's about to be promoted to the First Team?"
"Hm?"
"Right now?"
"Yeah."
"It's that guy from the other day, right? In a way, he's kind of impressive. A complete beginner who only picked up basketball two weeks ago, and he's already about to join the First Team."
"True, if we're just talking about improvement speed, he might be the fastest in Teiko's history, even compared to Captain Nijimura or Vice-Captain Shigure."
"Don't be stupid, that's only because he started from zero."
"No, Shigure-senpai said that someday he'll become part of the Generation of Miracles. At first I didn't really believe it, but looking at it now, if he can reach the First Team in such a short time, he must be something special."
As Aomine finished speaking, everyone in the Teiko cafeteria turned to stare at him—everyone except Murasakibara, who was still stuffing his face without pause.
"Kise Ryōta? Just him?"
"Haizaki, I'm surprised you even remembered his name. That's rare."
"Tch. Maybe he's got some talent, but I know for sure I won't get along with him. I could tell from the first moment I saw him."
Meanwhile, the person at the center of their conversation was happily chatting on the phone.
On the other end was his modeling agent.
"Kise-kun, are you really going to cut back this much on your modeling jobs?"
"Yeah, because I want to join a school club."
"What could be more important than this? Your popularity's growing fast…"
"Well…"
"My decision's already made."
"…Fine. So, which club did you join? If I remember correctly, Teiko's most famous club is… the basketball team, right? They always make it to nationals, and didn't they just win back-to-back championships?"
"Yup~"
"I joined the basketball team! I'm even about to join the First Team!"
The agent froze in shock.
Already… this fast?
The next day.
Momoi stood outside a second-year classroom, lightly knocking before asking,
"Sorry to interrupt, but is Kuroko-kun from the basketball club here?"
"He's here."
A familiar voice came from behind her, making her jump.
"Momoi-san, did you need something from me?"
Clutching her chest, which had started to develop noticeable curves, Momoi exhaled deeply. No matter how many times she looked, she still found it hard to believe that the boy standing in front of her—the quiet, almost invisible Kuroko Tetsuya—was the rumored "Phantom Sixth Man" of Teiko.
Snapping back to focus, Momoi explained why she had come.
"Today, a second-year will be promoted to the First Team. But he only joined two weeks ago as a complete beginner. Vice-Captain Shigure specifically requested you to be his mentor."
"So, be prepared, Kuroko-kun."
Kuroko froze.
First, because he had never been assigned as a First Team mentor before.
Second, because he knew exactly who that newcomer was. Not just a newcomer—an absolute beginner at basketball.
This sudden news left him stunned.
He himself had clawed his way up from the Third String to the First, through years of effort and patience. Yet Kise Ryōta…
…only needed two weeks.
While Kuroko was still dazed, the classmates around him began whispering in shock.
"Amazing, Kuroko's already trusted enough to mentor a First Team rookie."
"But… can he really handle it?"
"If the decision's been made, then he must be capable. Don't forget, the team captain is Nijimura Shuzo—he's notoriously strict."
"That's not the point though…"
"Two weeks to the First Team. That fast… aside from the two third-year captains and last year's Generation of Miracles, he's the fastest in Teiko's history, isn't he?"
"Yeah. I thought this year wouldn't produce anyone special. With Teiko's talent explosion over the past two years, the other schools must be dying of envy…"
After informing Kuroko, Momoi headed to her next stop.
Second Team Gymnasium.
Kise Ryōta was diligently helping his teammates clean up the court when a pink-haired girl strode in without hesitation, scanning the room before walking straight toward him.
"I'm Momoi Satsuki, team manager. Starting today, Kise-kun, you'll be training with the First Team."
"Eh?"
"Seriously?!"
Her words silenced the gym instantly.
"That fast…?"
"He didn't even have to take the promotion test, just straight into the First Team?"
"But Kise only joined two weeks ago…"
Hearing the murmurs, Kise couldn't help but smile as he followed Momoi toward the First Gym.
The First Team—that was his true goal.
Compared to that, the Second Team felt no different from his old life.
As he stepped inside the First Gym, he immediately remembered that day when he had seen Shigure-senpai and Aomine play. Finally… he was here.
The moment he entered, a deafening crack of thunder echoed from the court. A gray-haired figure moved with such ferocity that it almost looked like lightning sparked from his hands.
Boom! Boom!
Thunder roared again and again.
Incredible!
Who was this guy? And the one guarding him… was Captain Nijimura?!
Smack!
A clean block!
Just like the first time Kise had witnessed the First Team, the basketball whistled past his ear and slammed into the wall with a thunderous rebound.
Nijimura's sheer presence left Kise wide-eyed.
But the gray-haired player couldn't be overlooked either.
That dribbling style…
So cool!
Yet just as Kise was marveling, the situation escalated.
The two clashed head-to-head—not just in basketball, but in sheer willpower.
The pressure between them was so intense that Kise swore he could see an image of a gray wolf being pinned beneath a roaring lion. In reality, the gray-haired boy's head was being pressed down by Captain Nijimura.
"Idiot. Didn't you watch last year's finals? You should've seen how Hayama Kotarō's move was countered. Using a technique I've already beaten—what's the point of copying it against me?"
"Where's the variation?"
"I want to see change. Understand?"
Haizaki Shōgo gritted his teeth, trying to shove his head up, but Nijimura held him down effortlessly.
"…"
Damn it!
"…I get it."
Someday… I'll press your head down, just like this!
Thud!
"What the hell?!"
"I don't like the way you're looking at me."
"Bastard!"
"Another round."
"Fine, another round!"
At that moment, Haizaki noticed Kise standing nearby, watching. His mood darkened instantly.
"Hey, rookie! What the hell are you staring at?!"
END OF CHAPTER
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