Chapter 018
Over the following days, Akashi continued arranging practice matches for Murasakibara, with opponents primarily being schools from within their prefecture.
It took several days to complete all the practice match challenges sent by various schools. Not a single game resulted in defeat—every match ended in victory. Complete domination in every battle was Teiko's fundamental principle, and Murasakibara's group of first-years had demonstrated this philosophy perfectly.
"Murasakibara, it's almost time to go home. The first-string is dismissed for today." Akashi watched as Murasakibara stood beneath the basket holding a basketball, looking utterly bored as he casually attempted layups. Each shot went in effortlessly, and he didn't even bother jumping—just reaching up and dropping the ball through the hoop.
Hearing Akashi's words, Murasakibara's vacant eyes showed a flicker of interest: "Oh, then I'm heading home. Midorima-chin, want to walk back together?"
"Sure. By the way, where did Aomine disappear to? That guy vanishes the moment school ends these days and never waits for us." Midorima adjusted his glasses with obvious irritation. While they didn't necessarily have to go home together, all three lived in the same direction—the least Aomine could do was say something if he wanted to leave early.
Murasakibara replied with his characteristic drawl: "Oh, you mean Mine-chin? He didn't go home yet—he's still training at the new gymnasium. He's been going there to practice every day after school recently."
"Why would he choose to train over there specifically?" Akashi's brow furrowed slightly at this information.
"He's been training with Kuroko-chin every evening lately. Since Kuroko-chin works incredibly hard and trains every single day, Mine-chin has been joining him." Murasakibara spoke slowly, as if the explanation required significant effort.
Hearing Murasakibara's words, Akashi asked gently: "Murasakibara, who exactly is this 'Kuroko-chin' you're referring to?"
"His name is Tetsuya Kuroko, and he's a third-string player." Murasakibara pouted with obvious displeasure: "But I really don't like that guy. He obviously has no talent for basketball whatsoever, but he keeps working so hard anyway. It's annoying just watching him."
Akashi listened with growing interest: "I see. Let's go take a look then."
At the new gymnasium, Aomine noticed Kuroko approaching but completely missed his dejected expression, calling out excitedly: "Tetsuya, you're here! Let's get some practice in!"
"Aomine-san." Kuroko looked at Aomine's enthusiastic demeanor, then lowered his head and spoke with obvious frustration: "I'm sorry, Aomine-san, but I'm afraid I won't be able to train with you anymore."
Aomine's excited expression immediately shifted to shock: "What's going on? Tetsuya, why would you say something like that so suddenly?"
Kuroko clenched his teeth with visible reluctance: "Just like Murasakibara-san said, no matter how hard people like me try, I'll probably never be able to stand on the court alongside you. No matter how much I train, nothing changes at all. Perhaps I really don't have the qualifications to play basketball." As he spoke these words, tears of frustration began falling despite his efforts to hold them back.
"Tetsuya..." Aomine looked at Kuroko with genuine concern, understanding the powerless feeling his friend was experiencing—loving basketball so deeply yet lacking any apparent talent for it.
"You don't need special qualifications to play basketball," Aomine said, his expression growing serious. "I absolutely refuse to believe that someone who trains longer than any first-string player every single day gains absolutely nothing from it. Someone who works as hard as you do, someone who loves basketball as much as you do—all that effort has to count for something."
Hearing these words, Kuroko felt warmth spreading through his heart. Aomine continued: "Don't give up, Tetsuya. While Murasakibara might be right that hard work doesn't always guarantee results, if you give up now, you definitely won't achieve anything."
"Seriously, hearing such passionate speeches the moment we arrive is really disgusting, Mine-chin." Murasakibara entered alongside Akashi and Midorima, speaking with obvious distaste.
Aomine looked surprised at the trio's arrival: "Why are you guys here?"
"We heard from Murasakibara that you were training here, so we decided to check it out," Akashi replied with his gentle smile.
Murasakibara looked at Kuroko, who stood behind Aomine and remained almost completely unnoticeable. If he hadn't encountered Kuroko several times before, he probably would have overlooked his presence entirely. "Mine-chin, you're really being excessive. You're encouraging Kuroko-chin again, aren't you?"
"It's true that if you give up now, you'll have nothing. But if you keep persisting, you'll probably just lose even more. Basically, Kuroko-chin, you should just quit basketball."
Kuroko looked up at Murasakibara's towering figure, still carrying psychological scars from their previous one-on-one encounter where he'd been completely dominated. His eyes showed slight fear as he regarded Murasakibara. Aomine immediately bristled with displeasure—it was because of Murasakibara that Kuroko had nearly given up basketball before. "Atsushi, you bastard! Tetsuya loves basketball so much, and he trains twice as hard as you do every day! While Tetsuya's talent might not be apparent right now, I have this feeling that someday he'll become the player who can save the team."
Murasakibara looked at Aomine's sudden anger and responded with casual indifference: "I'm just stating facts. You said 'someday'—that's nothing but a hypothesis. Unfortunately, reality is cruel. Basketball is fundamentally an unfair sport where taller players always have advantages. That's simply the truth."
"I'm just advising Kuroko-chin to give up. Why are you getting so worked up about it, Mine-chin?" Murasakibara concluded with mild dissatisfaction.
At this point, both Akashi and Midorima noticed Kuroko's presence—this person who seemed almost translucent, like a shadow. Akashi looked genuinely surprised: "Don't be so harsh, Murasakibara. Maybe things will turn out exactly like Aomine predicted."
"Eh? What are you talking about, Akashi-chin?" Murasakibara asked with confusion.
Akashi focused his full attention on Kuroko: "This is the first time I've encountered this type of player. Maybe he could become the complete opposite of us."
Turning to address Kuroko directly, Akashi spoke politely: "Excuse me, but I have a few things I'd like to discuss with you. Could I have a moment of your time?"