Chapter 022
The scoreboard read 58-49. The previous quarter's consecutive passing errors by Kuroko had allowed Nankyu Middle School to close what should have been a comfortable gap. At the start of the fourth quarter, Akashi looked at this score with clear dissatisfaction. Nankyu's strength wasn't particularly impressive—he hadn't expected them to narrow it to a single-digit difference. Determined to rebuild their lead, he dribbled past two defenders and passed to Murasakibara.
The moment Murasakibara received the ball, he immediately went up and unleashed his most devastating move: Thor's Hammer.
Score: 60-49.
While Akashi still held some hope for Kuroko's passing ability, the previous quarter had contained far too many mistakes. He approached Kuroko and whispered: "I'll pass to you next, Kuroko. Whether your distribution can bring victory to this team is entirely up to you. Good luck!"
"Yes," Kuroko agreed with an expressionless face.
Kuroko's subsequent pass, while less affected by nerves, wasn't significantly different from his earlier attempts. Mistakes continued mounting. One pass intended for Murasakibara barely grazed his fingertips before sliding directly out of bounds.
The referee immediately blew his whistle: "White team out of bounds—black team possession."
Murasakibara grabbed a handful of Kuroko's head and said irritably: "How exactly do you expect me to catch a ball like that? Didn't you just promise to pass properly? Are you mocking me?"
"I'm not mocking you—that was a good pass," Kuroko replied with the same blank expression.
Midorima breathed heavily and spoke through gritted teeth: "Akashi, there are still three minutes remaining. From now on, pass every ball to us instead. We need this victory."
"Understood," Akashi nodded. While he'd wanted to continue testing Kuroko's abilities, it seemed completely unnecessary now. Whether due to lingering nervousness or incomplete mastery of his misdirection technique, if he couldn't even execute basic passes, the first-string had no use for such a player.
For the remaining three minutes, they didn't pass a single ball to Kuroko, playing entirely with their established four-man rotation.
Final score: 88-73, Teiko Middle School victorious.
"Thanks to someone's contributions today, what should have been an easy victory turned into an exhausting struggle," Murasakibara said with obvious contempt while looking at Kuroko walking behind them on the way back to Teiko.
Aomine protested: "Come on, Atsushi, you can't blame Tetsuya entirely for this!" Despite Kuroko's mistakes, Aomine maintained the closest relationship with him and didn't want Murasakibara bullying him like this.
Murasakibara completely ignored Aomine and continued attacking Kuroko: "I'm simply stating facts. People without talent will always lack talent, and no amount of hard work changes that reality. Today's passes completely dragged down the entire team—you should just quit basketball."
Aomine clenched his teeth slightly but found himself unable to refute Murasakibara's harsh words. Midorima remained silent but adjusted his glasses and nodded somewhat in agreement with the assessment.
Akashi said nothing. In his view, victory was everything, and Murasakibara, who contributed to their victory, was justified in whatever he said. Meanwhile, everything about Kuroko's performance had been wrong.
After returning to Teiko Middle School, the coach immediately demoted Kuroko back to second-string. When Aomine learned of this decision, he immediately sought out the assistant coach and said with obvious agitation: "Coach, why? Why are you sending Tetsuya back to second-string?"
Akashi looked at Aomine with slight displeasure: "Aomine, this was a decision made jointly by myself, the coach, and Captain Nijimura."
The assistant coach spoke matter-of-factly: "While Kuroko's misdirection technique shows promise, he clearly hasn't completely mastered his abilities yet. If he can fully develop his skills and truly coordinate with first-string passing standards, it won't be too late to promote him back."
Aomine listened with growing frustration, and Akashi added gently: "Don't worry, Aomine. I've already explained to Kuroko-san exactly where his passing errors occurred. We'll continue observing his development, and when he's thoroughly mastered his abilities, he'll still have opportunities to play alongside us."
Aomine looked startled: "Passing errors? What specifically, Akashi?"
"The main issues are speed and strength. Kuroko has always been with third-string players, so his passes are calibrated for their skill level. But our speed and strength far exceed third-string standards, so the passes we receive are completely out of sync with our playing rhythm," Akashi explained calmly. "If he can't learn to adjust this, he'll never be able to join the first-string."
"So that's it!" Aomine immediately perked up with excitement and ran out of the room.
The next day, Aomine and Kuroko arrived at first-string practice together. "Akashi..." Aomine called out enthusiastically.
"Aomine, is Kuroko-san here as well?" Akashi noticed Kuroko behind Aomine and frowned slightly. Could he have mastered the adjustments in just one night?
"Akashi, Tetsuya has learned! Yesterday I played games with second-string players, and Tetsuya's passing speed and strength are now properly controlled. Really, his passing is guaranteed to elevate the team now," Aomine said with obvious excitement.
Murasakibara looked somewhat skeptical: "Really, Mine-chin?"
Both Midorima and Haizaki felt displeasure about this development after yesterday's ugly passing performance.
Akashi looked at Kuroko seriously: "Have you truly mastered your abilities, Kuroko-san?"
"Yes, Akashi-san." Kuroko bowed respectfully to both Akashi and the assistant coach behind him: "Please give me another opportunity."
Akashi regarded Kuroko with grave seriousness: "Of course, Kuroko-san. However, our upcoming opponents will likely grow progressively stronger. If you fail this time, you probably won't be able to join the first-string this year until you've completely mastered your abilities."
"Please, Akashi-san—this time won't be a failure. Please give me this chance," Kuroko said while bowing again.
Having made such a heartfelt plea, what more could be said? A slight smile crossed Akashi's lips: "Coach, please allow Kuroko-san to participate in our next game."
....
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