Kuroko Tetsuya's missed open layup made Shigure Akihito burst into laughter.
"Hahaha! Kise already couldn't accept him, and now Kuroko does something like this, that guy's conviction must have gotten even stronger. Still, to be fair, Kuroko's fundamental skills really are weak."
With that level of ability, in real life he would never make the starting lineup of a middle school team. But fortunately, this is the world of Kuroko no Basket, and Kuroko has his own 'skills.'
"Ha~ Science fiction really saved you, Kuroko."
At that moment
"Weakling…"
"What the hell are you doing?!"
Even Haizaki Shōgo, playing as Kuroko's opponent, couldn't stand watching anymore. "What have you even been training?! When you played against me before, you at least showed some fight! Now you don't even defend, you miss another shot, are you messing with me?!"
Shouted at mercilessly, Kuroko didn't look discouraged. He just smiled awkwardly.
"Because I can't keep up with everyone's pace… I don't have the stamina."
Everyone…
They're all too strong.
Nijimura and Shigure-senpai were right. His ability was only suited for being the sixth man, a substitute. He couldn't stay on the court for long, and as the game progressed, the effect of his misdirection had indeed faded away.
Meanwhile
No matter how much the First String had recognized Kuroko up until now, Kise Ryōta's fleeting trust was shattered the moment he saw this.
Someone like that could be a regular?
There's no way he's stronger than me.
If he can do it, then I definitely can!
With that thought in his mind, and remembering Momoi Satsuki's stern refusal when he demanded a new mentor earlier, Kise's frustration only grew heavier. He vented all of it into the match.
Though only a First String rookie, Kise still dominated against the non-regulars in the practice game.
On one fast break, using his superb athleticism, he completed a beautiful coast-to-coast drive and finish.
The people around him gasped:
"Well done, Kise!"
"Is this really a rookie's performance?"
"Amazing."
"By the way, if a first-year like Shigure-senpai or Nijimura-senpai is already that strong, what kind of monsters are they?"
Kise compared himself against the non-regulars and thought smugly, Seems I can become a regular sooner than expected.
And his explosive performance did not go unnoticed.
Assistant Coach Sanada Naoto, watching from the second-floor stands, looked down at Kise in disbelief.
Unbelievable. For Teiko to produce such a player again this year…
Even though he was still a beginner, even though only in his second year of middle school, Kise Ryōta was already showing a talent completely different from anyone else on the team.
Elsewhere
Aomine smirked. This Kise wasn't the rookie he had imagined. "Not bad, he's got some skills, though he's still far from being interesting."
Midorima, on the other hand, looked serious. "It's hard to believe he's only been playing basketball for half a month."
Murasakibara, drenched in sweat despite completely overpowering Kurokami Shinji, clearly wasn't having it easy. He turned his head lazily to the others.
Curling his lips, he muttered, "Kuroko should really learn from him in some areas~"
…
After practice ended, Nijimura Shuzo gathered everyone together and called out, "That's enough for today!"
"Good work!"
"Good work!"
"Good work!"
When they dismissed, Kuroko walked straight over to Kise.
"Kise-kun, there are things you need to handle next—cleaning the First String gym, and sorting the training equipment…"
"Wahh!"
Kise jumped in shock again, caught off guard by Kuroko's sudden presence. Then he remembered the thought that had been bothering him all day.
"Wait a sec…"
He glanced over at the captains, who were busy talking with Akashi and not paying attention. Only then did he dare to speak.
"About my mentor… I want to change."
Kise tried to say it with confidence, as if it were the most natural thing in the world. But the moment his words fell, a basketball smacked him squarely on the back of the head.
"Hey!"
"Rookies shouldn't be making demands. Just behave and listen," Haizaki Shōgo walked over, frowning in irritation.
Kise pursed his lips, refusing to back down, and finally blurted out, "I can't accept being taught by someone weaker than me!"
Aomine overheard and came over too.
"Didn't we already explain this to you? Tetsuya is a proper regular of Teiko, he has an official number…"
"But…"
"Did he do anything impressive in training today?!" Kise pressed.
Aomine scratched his head seriously, then admitted, "Well… today, maybe not. But listen, that's because we had the full lineup of the Generation of Miracles on court, and he was matched against Akashi. Anyone would struggle in that situation."
"Kuroko's ability… No, put anyone else in his place, and it would've been just as hard."
Midorima, watching silently, shifted his gaze toward Akashi, who had just finished speaking with the two captains. But Akashi, unusually distracted, didn't respond at all.
Seeing this, Midorima pushed up his glasses and sighed, "With Kise's mindset, no matter what we say, he won't accept it. Should we really consider changing his mentor?"
As he spoke, he subtly glanced at Fukasaya Reiji.
Honestly, no one was more suited to being a mentor than Fukasaya.
Fukasaya caught Midorima's look and lowered his voice. "If you want me to take over, I don't mind. But have you thought about how Tetsuya would feel if we replaced him?"
"…"
Midorima fell silent.
"Sorry, senpai, I didn't think that far."
Fukasaya wasn't surprised. Midorima had always been this straight-laced and methodical. He simply smiled.
"By the way, Midorima, your shooting has gotten really sharp lately. It's not just about range. From what I've seen, as long as your shooting form isn't broken, you don't seem to miss, do you?"
At this, the restraint Midorima usually held in front of Fukasaya suddenly turned into fighting spirit.
"Yeah, that's right. Once I set my goal and give my absolute best, it just… happens naturally."
"That's called talent, Midorima." Fukasaya clapped him on the shoulder. "But don't get too cocky… I'm not going to lose to you."
Midorima Shintarō: "…"
Midorima Shintarō: "I understand, senpai."
END OF CHAPTER
CROWN BEFORE THE MIRACLES
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