The next day.
The seaside training camp still smelled strongly of salt and waves.
Sunlight streamed through the window of the coastal inn, casting its glow over several figures sprawled all over the floor, limbs tangled like fallen dominoes.
"...Tch~"
"These brats…"
"Even if watching Nijimura's one-on-one 'lesson' against Haizaki last night shocked them a little, they shouldn't be this wiped out, right? That guy Nijimura… that was just basic training…"
"They actually stayed up all night talking and fell asleep on the floor— even Akashi's out cold…"
"..."
"Then again…"
"Yeah, Nijimura last night really was on another level."
Well…
That obsession of his
It was almost embarrassing how intense it was.
Shigure Akihito walked over to the window, glancing out at the waves. Thinking back to Nijimura Shuzo's state yesterday, no matter how many times he saw it, he couldn't help but marvel.
In this Kuroko's Basketball world, of all the bonds he had formed— the one that had grown the deepest… wasn't with the Generation of Miracles.
It was Nijimura Shuzo.
Hmm… maybe Hagioka Kasayuki too.
Rubbing his face awake, Shigure picked up his toiletries and headed for the shared washroom— where he immediately spotted Nijimura already there, as disciplined as ever.
Nijimura heard footsteps, turned slightly, and gave a nod in greeting.
The two stood side by side, brushing their teeth in perfect synchronization.
Gurgle, gurgle~
Gurgle, gurgle~
They rinsed at the same time…
And somehow, without meaning to, even spat out the water in perfect unison.
Splash~
Splash~
Splash~
"Oi~"
"Tetsuya~"
"That stealth routine of yours doesn't work when it's me and Nijimura, you know~"
Kuroko, who had appeared silently between them, didn't manage to startle either of them. Shigure simply twirled his toothbrush in front of Kuroko's face, saying,
"By the way, you're surprisingly sly sometimes, Tetsuya~"
"Good morning, Captain. Good morning, senpai."
"'Sly'... what does that mean?"
Shigure gave him a long look.
Yeah right, like you don't know.
But wait a second…
"What's up with your hair? How did you even sleep last night? Did someone electrocute you with a stun stick? It's completely exploded."
At that, Kuroko froze mid-expression, his calm face twitching.
"Please don't say such frightening things first thing in the morning, senpai…"
Just then
Two familiar voices echoed behind them.
"Set the luggage down over here, Eikichi."
"Yes, Captain Hagioka!"
Their eyes met in the mirror— and both sides froze.
Nebuya Eikichi blinked, then blurted, "Huh?! Eh?!"
Now even Shigure and Nijimura couldn't hide their surprise.
And Kuroko, still standing between them with his fluffy hair, straightened his back instantly upon seeing that towering figure— over two meters tall.
"Hello again."
"What a coincidence, huh, Shigure."
At that moment, more people began arriving— Teiko's team members, and a few Seirin players sneaking over because their own inn's sinks were too few.
But when they saw Nebuya Eikichi and Hagioka Kasayuki, everyone wore the same dumbfounded expression.
"Hagi…"
"Hagioka Kasayuki?!"
"Why are you guys here?! You're supposed to be in Kyoto…?"
"I'm about to graduate from Rakuzan's basketball club. This is our last summer training camp— and when it came to picking a worthy opponent, of course the first name that came to mind was you, Shigure."
"So I asked Coach Fukasaya Reiji to find out where your camp was being held."
"Sorry for barging in~"
"Ah… it's fine, just unexpected. We only parted ways on the court not long ago, and here we are again."
"After I leave Rakuzan, I'll be heading to U-20 training camp. Once that starts, it'll be tough to meet again."
Before everyone's eyes
A scene too powerful to process unfolded.
Shigure Akihito.
Nijimura Shuzo.
Hagioka Kasayuki.
All in the same frame.
And then someone muttered
Rakuzan's graduation…
That part, they'd seen in Weekly Basketball Magazine.
But U-20 training camp…?!
He was already skipping straight to the national under-20 level— as a high schooler?!
The shock hadn't even settled before another, even more absurd scene hit them.
"Hey!"
"Hurry up with the wash-up and get to the dining hall!"
Coach Riko Aida marched in, holding a kitchen knife.
She wore an adorable bear apron— except that the bear on her chest was splattered red!
When everyone looked up, they saw streaks of red dripping from her face too, paired with her usual fierce glare— instantly freezing the entire crowd.
Aomine Daiki shivered, dark lines running down his face as he whispered to Kuroko,
"Just what kind of school are you going to, man?"
"Seirin High."
"You know that's not what I'm asking!!"
Riko stepped closer, still gripping the knife, then froze— spotting the Rakuzan members.
"Huh? Eh?! You guys are from Rakuzan…?"
"Ogi… Hagioka-senpai?!"
"Ah— this?" She awkwardly pointed at her apron. "It's just ketchup, really…"
"Have you eaten breakfast yet? Want to join us?"
Trying to hide her embarrassment, Riko quickly turned toward Teiko's group.
"Teiko, how about you guys too? There's plenty to go around—"
Everyone instantly shook their heads, terrified.
No way.
No one sane would eat that.
And sure enough
When they entered the dining hall, they finally understood why.
"What… the hell is this?"
"I don't even recognize half of it…"
Aside from the mountain-sized piles of rice and the few normal-looking sausages, eggs, and tomatoes— everything else looked like… experiments gone wrong.
The Seirin team sat in gloomy silence.
Hyūga Junpei, who'd long since accepted the reality of Riko's cooking, didn't even bother to complain.
But still
"Uh, Coach… isn't this a bit much?"
Riko smiled sweetly behind them.
"Eating is part of training too! At least three bowls, alright~?"
"T-three bowls?!"
"I can't… eat that much first thing in the morning…"
"I'm gonna puke…"
"Another bowl!"
"Huh?!"
Someone had just said something insane— everyone turned to look…
It was Nebuya Eikichi, sitting there with a grin.
So big. So muscular.
And at that moment—
"Um…"
"Nijimura-captain… are you… going to try it too?"
Riko asked bravely.
The entire Seirin team froze mid-bite and turned in unison toward Nijimura.
But this time
Their eyes weren't filled with fear.
They were filled with respect.
Nearby, Koganei Shinji looked confused.
He didn't know what had happened the night before
But whatever it was, it must've been something extraordinary.
Because that look in their eyes
Was the exact same look Midorima gave Reiji.
And as for what happened last night
Well, that's a story for another time.
END OF CHAPTER
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