In the afternoon, the gym was split in half between Teiko and Kaulaie for practice.  Even though Kaulaie is a local school, the other two schools were still on their way so starting tomorrow they would practice together. Under the guidance of Coach Sanada, even though they were doing the same practice menu as they would in Japan, their minds kept drifting to the next court.  As expected of Hawaii's powerhouse school.  Their practice was just as hard as Teiko's.  But more than anything, seeing them up close for the first time, they realized how overwhelming their height and power were. 
"Did you see that pass?!" Kise said to Kuroko during their short break.  "Their speed and power aren't a joke!"
Even though they're also middle schoolers, Kaulaie School's average height is more than 180cm.  Most of their physique was good, and thanks to their trained muscles, their passes flew really well.
"A chest pass at that distance would be a foul wouldn't it?" said Ivy with sparkling eyes despite being bitter about the topic.  Aomine and Blaze was the same.  Those idiots naturally hates to lose.  They understood the feeling of being excited to play against a new opponent.
"I wonder if I can send a chest pass flying at half court~"
"If it's you Kise-chin then it's impossible isn't it?" said Murasakibara as he gulped down a drink in annoyance. "You don't have the power or speed.  It'll be stolen really easily."
"Huh?! What?! You don't know until you try!"
"But he's tried before. Mine-chin that is."
"Eh?" Kise turned his head and looked at Aomine.
"Ah, that," Aomine responded as he changed out of his sweaty T-shirt into a new one and throw the sweaty one into Blaze's face, Blaze of course complain but he ignored her.  "I challenged them last year, but Tiki stole it with no problem."
"Huh? Who's Tiki?"
"Their Small Forward. He's not tall but he's got speed and fast reaction time."
"Heh~" Kise looked towards the court next to them.  Kaulaie had taken a break before them and had resumed practice.  At that moment, he noticed one fast player. "Wait, he's not tall at all.  He's about the same as us."
Compared to the players around him, it's true that he is quite small, but for someone his age he was indeed tall.
"But for someone with his physique and height, he lacks the strong points to be a player here," said Kuroko as he watched Tiki.
"Oh look a girl? Who is she?" Kise asked.
"Ah that's Mira, my childhood best friend, she is competing in the males game as well, she is a shooting guard, but very fast" Blaze smiled.
"Ah I remember Mira" Alaska said looking across the court.
Tiki ran on the court making a cross pass to two of his teammates. Mira got the pass and did a three pointer. As Aomine said, he was the fastest on the team.  His passes were also sharp. Mira shots are always perfect. After making a layup under the basket, he exchanged smiles with his teammates along with Mira.  It was clear that they loved basketball very much.
That basketball career, would be decided tomorrow.
"If I was a bit taller, I probably would've been scouted by a team in America but...a short-built player is at a disadvantage.  But if it's Japan I still have a chance.  I want to bet on that." Tiki's tone was calm, but from his eyes you could feel how strong he and Mira felt about tomorrow's gamble. 
They had to win all of the league matches, or at the very least, win against Teiko.
If Kuroko and the others win, Tiki and Mira would have to give up basketball.
"....."
Kuroko looked towards Aomine and Blaze.  They had also been watching Tiki and Mira playing.  Until he heard the command to resume practice, they continued to stare at the opponent's court.
To be continued...