In Shadows

Chapter Ten

Old Acquaintances

Gina's finger ran over the numerous titles in the school library, her eyes taking in each name as she waited for one to grab her interest.

Lunch plans had been shattered when Saki was called to a quick lunchtime meeting to discuss her solo performance for her upcoming concert. Left alone, Gina had decided to come to the library for lunchtime and try to find herself some new reading material.

Gina loved the library; loved the way the books crammed the shelves, how she spotted books whichever way she looked. Reading had always been one of her favourite past times since she was a child. Her bookshelf at home was just about overflowing. Her parents often joked that, if they ever were to get an extension to their house, they'd get a library just to compensate for her large number of books. She found that she had been reading a lot more when she came back to Japan, to give her something to do.

Gina paused, her finger hovering over a certain title. She pulled the title off from the shelf and flipped it over to the back, her eyes scanning the blurb. A soft smile spread across her face. This definitely appears to be an interesting read.

"Gina."

The voice came out of nowhere. Gina's eyes flicked over to the source of the voice and saw Kuroko standing there, as though he had materialised out of thin air, and was himself looking at the selection of books the school had to offer.

Her heart skipped a beat.

"Ah! Kuroko!" she screamed, shattering the silence of the library. She was so shocked that she dropped the book in her hand.

Her loud voice caused several students nearby to glare in her direction, and many quietly told her to keep quiet. Gina flinched as the passing head of the library sent a glare her way. Hey, it's not my fault! You try having the phantom sixth man appear out of nowhere! It's scary, you know.

Gina looked glanced down at the floor as the librarian passed, and bent down to collect the book that she had dropped. After a quick inspection, she was relieved the find she hadn't caused any damage to it; there were no corners folded or anything of the sort.

Once she was sure she wasn't about to be kicked out, she glanced back up at Kuroko. "You need to stop appearing like that," she gasped, her voice barely above a whisper.

The blue-haired boy turned and looked at the books before him. "You like reading?"

He hadn't responded - or even reacted - to her earlier comment, but Gina let the frustration slide as the mention of books were brought up. Books... she just loved reading, and immersing herself in the world written in the words of the pages.

"Yeah," she murnured. "Reading and listening to music... I've almost finished my current book, and I don't have the money to spare to go and buy another, so I thought I'd come here instead." She glanced his way. "You like reading, don't you, Kuroko?"

Now she thought of it... she had often run into Kuroko while he was carrying a book, or had his nose buried in one.

"I do." He looked away from the numerous titles on the shelf and glanced her way. "What sort of books do you like, Gina?"

Gina hummed, her mind flashing back to the numerous books she had read over the years, and the numerous ones she had called her favourites at simultaneous times. "This conversation may take a while..."

"There is plenty of time."

Gina looked across at him, a small smile slowly speading across her face. "Okay," she agreed.

They spent the rest of lunch talking about their preferences in books: genres, authors, and particular titles they really enjoyed. They agreed to share their favourite books with each other, and then tell each other what they thought of it.

When the bell rang to signify that they had to head back to class, they walked there side-by-side.

"So, later today you're against Midorima," Gina mused. "You've played his team before, haven't you?"

Kuroko nodded. "Yes. But the margin was narrow. We only won in the dying seconds of the match. Also, going up against Midorima-kun caused Kagami-kun to injure himself, which caused him to be withdrawn from our match against Touou and the rest of the finals."

Gina winced. "He sounds like a hard opponent."

Then again, he is a member of the Generation of Miracles. They're monsters, and very difficult to stop. Gina hadn't witnessed any of the Miracles playing for herself, but had heard of how good they were. And good was an understatement.

A thrill of excitement passed through her as she realised that today would be the first time she'd see any of the Generation of Miracles play.

Kuroko nodded. "He is. Their entire team is strong. There's no doubt it will be a difficult game."

Gina just looked across at her friend and smiled. "Well, I have faith in you, Kuroko. I'm sure Seirin will win this match, and guarantee a ticket to the Winter Cup."

*          *          *

It was raining hard when school finished for the day. The consistent, heavy droplets hit the roof of the school. As it fell, Gina couldn't help but wish the rain wasn't a bad omen for the upcoming match.

Due to the rain, all sport practices that took place outside were cancelled so the health of the club members was not put at risk. This included the track team.

Even if it hadn't rained, Gina would've skipped practice that day. She wasn't about to miss Kuroko and Midorima's game for the world. Besides, she didn't feel very welcome at the track team, anyway.

Like the other day, Gina caught the bus to the stadium her friends would be playing in. She didn't want to walk through the rain. She had become soaked enough on her dash for the bus stop.

The stadium they were playing in was much larger than the one they used to verse Josei. The crowds were larger, too. Gina found out why soon enough: the four teams competing for one of the two spots available for the Winter Cup played on two courts next to each other. Both games would be played simultaneously.

Gina claimed a seat just as the two teams walked on to the court. Gina smiled as she watched her friends from Seirin walk out, and her attention was quickly diverted to Shutoku's team.

All members of the team walked out in track suits and jackets that were bright orange. Despite the large number of people, Gina was able to pick out Midorima quickly. There was no mistaking his bright green hair.

Midorima Shintaro. Gina narrowed her eyes. A strict follower of fate; reading Oha Asa every day and carrying around Cancer's lucky item.

He also never missed his shots, no matter where he shot on court. Gina had heard he shot goals from the opposite end of the court and got the goal in, nothing but net.

Not only that, but Shutoku also had many tall players. Gina gulped, and looked back at Seirin. Kagami will be on Midorima for sure... she sighed, and ran a hand through her hair. I wish you luck, guys.

The game started soon after. After the initial bow

From the moment the ball was touched, sparks flew between the two teams. Gina watched with widened eyes as the ball passed between possession of both teams, neither being able to score a point. Midorima continued to try and shoot his long three-pointers, but kept being blocked by Kagami;s jumps. Gina frowned. She thought Midorima might have picked up a new skill after his last match against Seirin where Kagami defeated him with his jumps.

Unless he has another plan?

A few minutes had passed without either team scoring, the ball continuing to go back and forth between them. Gina rubbed her temple. Goodness. This is an intense game.

Gina looked back, just in time to catch a blonde figure in a grey school uniform walk into the stadium. She frowned as she lay eyes on him. He looks familiar...

After a few moments of studying the newcomer, Gina's eyes widened. Is that... Kise?

Gina studied the blonde a little closer and gasped. There was no denying that the blonde was Kise Ryouta from the Generation of Miracles. Gina guessed she shouldn't have been surprised that he'd turned up to watch this match; two of his former teammates were competing against each other, after all.

Out of everyone in the Generation of Miracles, she had probably run into Kuroko and Kise most. Which she found to he a fortunate thing: they were the two she found most approachable. Everyone else she found to be rather intimidating, or maybe that was just because she didn't know them well.

Still, despite the few times they'd run into each other, Gina found that she seemed to get along with Kise easily enough. She'd found that even from the first time they talked.

*          *          *

They were working on a project, and they were to work in pairs. Groans came from the class as their teacher declared that they wouldn't be able to choose their pairs, but she'd choose their partner for them.

Gina's stomach knotted. She hoped she was paired with someone nice and approachable. She still didn't know many people in the school, since she was a little too shy to approach everyone.

Their teacher read through the list of pairs. The knot in her stomach tightened as the people she could be paired with grew less and less.

Her name was then called out, quickly followed by another. She was paired with Kise Ryouta from the Generation of Miracles., and the model This automatically caused her to be the focus of several glares from her female classmates, who had wanted to be paired with Kise.

"You're Tsukino Gina? Momocchi's friend?"

Gina flushed bright red at the memory of their first encounter, ending with her in an messy heap on top of Kuroko, and Kise having to offer her his assistance. Not exactly the best first impression to make.

She bent her head down a little to hide her flaming cheeks. "Well, yes."

"It's nice to meet you again." He plonked into the seat opposite her. "So, what do we do for this project?"

"Discuss and analyse the text, and then write a conclusion based on both our thoughts and opinions."

"Ah, right." Kise grinned at her. "Of course."

Gina just rolled her eyes at him.

The two worked through their project. Kise was a surprisingly easy person to work with. Despite not knowing him very well, his cheerful and charismatic nature made him an easy person to talk to. Gina found that they were able to get a lot of work done, even if Kise did prefer to talk about other things than the task at hand and she had to remind him they had a task to continue on with.

By the time lunch rolled around, Gina was surprised with how much work they'd been able to do. She normally didn't get too much done on group projects.

Kise grinned at her as he stood up, and prepared to head out for lunch. "It was a pleasure working with you, Ginacchi."

She stared at his retreating back. "Ginacchi?" she mumbled, confused. "Hey, Kise-kun, wait up -"

He was gone by then. Gina sighed, and instead of going after him, handed their project in to their teacher.

*          *          *

Gina looked at Kise for a little longer, deciding that she couldn't just sit around. She hadn't seen him since middle school. They were acquaintances; she should greet him.

Gina rose from her seat. Stepping over a few legs, she made her way to the walkway, and headed up the stairs. She made her way to where Kise stood, leaning against the railing. "Kise-kun?" she called.

Kier turned around. Upon spotting her, his face broke out into a large smile. "Ginacchi! I didn't expect to see you here!" he exclaimed, approaching her.

She frowned a little at him at his chosen name for her. "Why do you call me Ginacchi?" she muttered. "It's not like I've done anything to earn your respect."

Kise always added "cchi" to the names of people he respected. Something that bewildered Gina, since she wasn't sure what she'd done to earn his respect, or if she'd done anything at all. They only had had a few conversations, and worked together for that one group project.

"Why shouldn't I? You're Momocchi's closet friend, right?"

"Yeah, I am." Gina then frowned at him. He had been standing in this area since he arrived, and had shown no desire to move to a seat. "Why are you standing up? Wouldn't you be more comfortable sitting?" she questioned.

He laughed. "I'm fine here, Ginacchi."

Gina eyed him for a moment and then sighed. "Well, I guess I'll stay here too. It's better than sitting alone."

And it also means that I don't have to deal with the possibility of a captain of a rival school coming down and sitting next to me. At least Kise and Kuroko appear to be on good terms, off court, at least. He's friendly and approachable enough.

The match gradually progressed, Seirin managed to break through and take the first set. Throughout the game, Kagami continued to block Midorima whenever he tried to shoot. Gina frowned as she watched. I didn't expect Midorima to be stopped so easily. Doesn't he have a plan as to how to deal with Kagami?

But still, Gina felt a little uneasy. When she studied the court closely, she noticed Kagami was already breathing heavier than Midorima or any other person on the court.

Is... he exhausting himself so early on in the game, but continuing to use those super jumps to block Midorima?

The game progressed. Gina noticed Kuroko wasn't touching the ball much. His mark, a first year with dark hair, seemed to be keeping him in check. 

The ball passed to Midorima once again, who once again went to make the shot. Kagami caught on at once and jumped to block him, but Midorima didn't shoot. It had been a fake: he ran while Kagami was still midair and proceeded to try and take a shot again.

Midorima... faked? I didn't think he did that.

Gina gasped as Midorima went to take the shot, but Kagami was already there and had jumped once again. Gina's breathed hitched in her throat as she watched the ball arc through the air. It looked as though it would be short.

Sure enough, the ball hit the edge of the hoop and bounced back on to the court.

Midorima missed. Was Kagami fast enough to catch up in time?

The ball was still in play. No one was there. Gina thought it might go out, but a hand reached up and grabbed it. She gasped. Kuroko. He had run forth while everyone else had watched Midorima's shot. 

Quickly, Kuroko caught the ball and passed to the other side of the court, allowing Izuki to score a goal.

"Yes!" Gina grinned at the small victory. But, she couldn't help but feel worried. If Midorima is mixing in fakes... things have become worse for Kagami. He'll only become more exhausted because of this. Can he keep up with this?

Sure enough, Shutoku's next pass went to Midorima. Kagami jumped to block, but once again Midorima faked. This time, Kagami was slow to land and couldn't reach Midorima in time. Gina was sure he would score, but Kiyoshi appeared and blocked him.

There's no way he's getting this one in, surely!

What happened next made Gina's jaw drop to the floor.

Midorima didn't shoot. Instead, he passed.

"He passed?" Gina squawked. From everything she had heard about Midorima, passing wasn't a normal thing for him to do. She looked up at Kise. "That's not normal for him, is it?"

Kise shook his head. "Midorimacchi is rather prideful. He didn't pass much during Teiko, nor in many matches previous to this, especially when about to take a shot. This is a first."

Gina bit her lip. The situation only seems to be getting worse.

The buzzer sounded, for a Seirin member change. Gina looked down and noticed Kuroko was being switched out for Mitobe. It makes sense, I guess. His misdirection isn't working as well in this game in comparison to previous ones. And they need all the defense and height they have to counter Midorima.

Just then, the sound of fast footsteps and heavy breathing met her ears. Gina looked to her left and gasped, seeing a familiar figure with long pink hair gasping for breath on the stands near them.

"Momoi!" Gina exclaimed. 

Momoi glanced over as Gina ran over. "Gina-chan!" she exclaimed, a wide smile on her face. The two hugged quickly.

"Are you here to watch Kurokocchi and Midorimacchi's game?"

Kise walked up behind them. "Ki-chan!" Momoi greeted warmly.

"Can you please not call me that?"

"But you're Ki-chan." Momoi glanced around. "Where's your team?"

"I came alone. I invited my them, but they turned me down. It's disheartening."

"Here, watch with us." Gina placed her arm around Momoi's shoulders and grinned.

Momoi beamed. "Thanks, Gina-chan." She too place her arm around Gina's shoulders.

"It's a little weird, standing with someone who beat us," Kise admitted, "But we're both going to the Winter Cup. How about a temporary truce?"

"Sure." Momoi nodded and glanced down to the court. "Anyway, how's the game going?"

Kise chuckled. "It's getting interesting."

Gina looked back down at the court. Kiyoshi and Kagami were now double-teaming Midorima. That makes sense. If Kagami injures himself again, then the team really is in a difficult position. 

But still, by doing so, Mitobe was left to handle the inside alone. It wasn't a good position to be in, but neither was letting Midorima easily get the ball.

"They're double-teaming Midorin?" Momoi murmured.

"They're not letting him make any shots," Gina muttered. His threes really are devestating.

Shutoku had the ball in possession. Sure enough, Mitobe was outnumbered, so Shutoku was able to slip past and score.

Shoot. What are they going to do to counter this?

Izuki went for the throw-in. He threw it, and it went to Kiyoshi. Gina gasped at what happened next: Seirin storming through with fast passes and a high speed of play. It resulted in a goal.

"They're fast!" Momoi exclaimed.

Gina watched with widened eyes as the game progressed. Seirin's ball movement was incredible. They must have practiced this a lot in the past. The ball went between Shutoku and Seirin quickly and easily.

Izuki shot a three but missed. Gina bit her lip, hoping Kiyoshi would get the rebound, but it was Shutoku who got it instead. The ball went to Midorima, who shot a goal from the opposite end of the court.

It went in, nothing but net. Gina's jaw dropped.

Goodness. How on earth did he get that in with nothing but net?

The buzzer sounded, signifying the end of the first half. Gina breathed out as the teams walked off the court. This game really is intense. I'm really glad I was able to watch it, too see both Midorima and Seirin play. Shutoku really is an interesting team to watch as well.  

"Ki-chan, Gina-chan, how do you think the second half will go?" Momoi asked.

Gina frowned, thinking things over. She was used to analysing matches from netball. Her team would often analyse their opponents before playing, so she had gotten used to taking certain aspects of matches and using them all to come up with a thought as to how the match would go.

"I have no idea," Kise said presently. Gina and Momoi exchanged a quick glance, holding back laughter. "The second half will definitely be a point war, though."

"I'm not sure, either," Gina mused. "It stil could go either way. But watching that play now... I think Seirin's at a disadvantage." She had noted it when Shutoku got the rebound. There was a weakness in Seirin that Shutoku could take advantage of.

Kise nodded. "She's right. Seirin have no way to stop Shutoku, but it's not like Shutoku can't stop Seirin."

"At this rate, we will most likely fall first," Gina murmured.

"But that's only true without Kurokocchi," Kise said. "He won't be able to keep his mouth shut."

Gina's gaze wandered down to Kuroko, who was seated on the bench. That's right. Kuroko still hasn't used his drive. Has he perfected it already, I wonder?

"The Phantom Sixth Man of the Generation of Miracles is the real deal."

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i apologise so much for the delay! i really struggle writing matches because i'm never sure how much detail i should put in, so it always takes forever. i'm so sorry! to make up for being away for 2 weeks, i'll be uploading another chapter later today :)