In Shadows

Chapter Twelve

History

Hyuga told them everything - right from the very beginning.

He told them how he'd gone to Seirin with Izuki, with no desire to ever play basketball again. His morale had been shattered by constant defeat in middle school and the helplessness all teams felt as they encountered the Generation of Miracles. As a brand new school, Seirin had had no basketball team, and he hoped it would stay that way.

Until, he had bumped into Kiyoshi. Even though he could've easily been accepted into any strong school, he went to Seirin since he was raised by his grandparents and it was easier for them. Kiyoshi had been on his way to hand in a club application form for the basketball club, and had been dismayed to hear of how there was no club.

However, his spirit soon changed and he instead went about planning forming a basketball club. He had managed to recruit Izuki easily, and then they met Kogani and Mitobe, who also joined. However, no matter how much he pestered Hyuga about joining, Hyuga's answer remained the same; no.

Even Riko hadn't been able to convince him. Until Kiyoshi convinced Hyuga to play one-on-one, saying that if Hyuga managed to score, he'd stop asking him to join the basketball club. Hyuga accepted, but Kiyoshi was too strong and stopped all of his attempts at goal. It was then Hyuga had given and the next day, joined the basketball team by joining the others on the roof and declaring his intentions to be the best.

Riko had decided to become to coach upon seeing their determination to become the best, and Hyuga was nominated captain by Kiyoshi. They'd trained hard, and since they had a limited time until Inter-High, they'd focused on run-and-gun.

When they entered the Inter-High, they surprised everyone as they won each game they played. Everything went relatively smoothly until they reached the final of the preliminary league, and went against Kirisaki Dai Ichi.

At first, everything had gone well. Seirin had led through the entire game. Then, toward the end of the fourth quarter, Kirisaki Dai Ichi put Hanamiya Makoto in.

Hardly minutes after he came on court, Kiyoshi was injured as he attempted to get a rebound. The opponent, even after being obviously late on the rebound, smashed into his knee. Kiyoshi had been feeling pain in that knee for some time, and that blow had finished it off. The Iron Heart had to be carried off court by a stretcher.

Though Hanamiya claimed that he was not the cause of the injury, Hyuga said he saw him give some sort of signal.

Seirin had still won narrowly and had gone to see Kiyoshi in hospital straight afterwards. Though he had put on a brave face, Kiyoshi was terribly injured. It would take two years for his knee to fully heal. However, he could cut it down to just one if he chose to just to rehabilitation and not take the surgery.

But by doing so, the stress on the knee would continue to accumulate until he was back where he started. And that would only take a year.

And Kiyoshi chose the second option despite it meaning he'd probably never be able to play during his third year, or any time after. He wanted to be there to take Seirin to number one in Japan.

So, the team was without Kiyoshi for the finals league of the preliminaries for the Inter-High. They didn't stand a chance as their score was tripled by the three Kings of the West, ending their campaign for the year.

Hyuga sighed as he finished his recollection of their team's last year. "That's that," he said quietly. He looked back at three first-years. Gina bit her lip as she walked along, her heart reaching out for Kiyoshi. To think he was willingly destroying his knee to play one more year with his friends...

"Come on, don't take it so seriously. It's just an old story. You don't need to worry about it," Hyugs told them, after catching their grim expressions. Gina looked up incredulously and opened her mouth to argue, but Hyuga came to a stop. His eyes were fixated on a point in the distance. "This is the only year I'll get to play with Kiyoshi," he said quietly, a glint to his eye.

"I don't want to have any regrets."

*          *          *

Hyuga parted ways with them soon after, Kagami a little after that. For most of the time, Gina was silent, still absorbing the full impact of Hyuga's story.

She grit her teeth together. Seirin had better best Kirisaki Dai Ichi - no. She wanted to see the other team destroyed. Kiyoshi deserved so much batter. And he could've, if it hadn't been for Hanamiya Makoto.

But why Kiyoshi? They hadn't encountered each other much, but Gina had seen the way Kiyoshi looked out for his teammates, and always looked out for her when they saw each other. Her heart ached as she remembered how he'd encouraged her when she headed home from her first meeting with the track club.

"Is Kiyoshi-senpai going to be okay?" Gina murmured. She looked at Kuroko with widened eyes, desperately seeking reassurance. She wanted Kiyoshi to at least be able to last the Winter Cup.

Kuroko frowned, his gaze drifting downward. "I hope so."

His voice was quiet and lacking conviction. "Why him? It's just not fair."

"Don't worry." Gina gasped as she felt Kuroko gasp her hand again. He squeezed it and looked directly into her eyes, a determined glint to his own. "We'll best Kirisaki Dai Ichi for sure."

Gina blinked, momentarily caught in Kuroko's stare. Then she shook herself and nodded. "Yeah. You're right." Wanting to change topics and think of something a bit more cheerful, Gina flicked her thumb toward the upcoming Maji Burger. "Say, you want to stop off and eat? I'm sure you're hungry after that game."

Kuroko glanced over at the restaurant and nodded. "Sure."

They entered the shop. It wasn't too busy due to the time of night. Gina wasn't very hungry, so instead of ordering something to eat she just ordered herself a chocolate milkshake, while Kuroko got his usual vanilla. Gina didn't know he he'd fill up with only the vanila milkshake, but didn't question it. He never ate that much, anyway.

They found a spare table and sat down. Gina took a small sip of her drink and smiled. It really was delicious.

"How are you going?" Kuroko asked presently, in his usual calm voice. "With the track team?"

Gina lowered her drink, placing on the table. She stared at it, biting her lip. "I've decided... I think I might just drop it after all," she murmured.

"How so?"

Gina sighed, stirring her drink with her straw. "I'm just... not enjoying it. I'm pushing myself hard and giving up my time everyday for something that I don't find enjoyable." She closed her eyes. "I just miss the atmosphere of a team environment. I miss being in a sport that allows me to be surrounded by my friends."

"Are there any team sports here you could join?"

"Unfortunately, no. Hockey? I'm terrified of that sport. Baseball? I hit thin air more than I hit the ball. There's no girl's basketball club." She huffed, a little irritated at the limited options available to her sports-wise. "There's hardly any girl's team sports I could join, now I think of it. Seirin's still only a new school."

There was a small pause. And then, as if it was the most normal thing in the world Kuroko said, "You could become our manager."

Gina choked a little on her drink. She hadn't been expecting that answer. Once she recovered, she gasped out, "What?"

"We don't have a manager, so our coach takes on the role of both," Kuroko said. "It's a lot of hard work for her, and I'm sure she'd be glad to have you on board to help. Besides, we enjoy your company. It would be nice to see you more often, Gina."

"Really?" Her cheeks flushed at Kuroko's words, and she had to look down before her cheeks heated up even more.

She thought agouti it. It definitely was an appealing idea. She was already acquainted with all members of Seirin's team and friends with quite a few of them. She liked them all, and liked that friendly atmosphere that surrounded the team.

Joining them as manager... she could see them everyday. And help Riko out. And look out for the team, her friends.

I want to do it. The thought crossed her mind in an instant. Gina had never done anything remotely similar to a manager before, but she was all too willing to give it a try.

"Well, it won't be instantaneous but..." Gina smiled, a warm feeling spreading through her body, "I'll definitely think about it."

As soon as she spoke, Kuroko smiled.

*          *          *

The next day, and Seirin's next game, approached quickly.

The entire day, Gina was restless. She was nervous about this upcoming game. If Kirisaki Dai Ichi had been the cause of Kiyoshi's ruined knee, who knew what they could do to all the other team members? She was especially nervous with Midorima's warning in mind.

Gina had never wished for a team to be beaten more than Kirisaki Dai Ichi - no, she didn't want the team to be defeated. It was Hanamiya Makoto she wanted Seirin to crush beyond repair.

When school was finally finished, Gina made a rush for the stadium. She didn't even worry about the track team. She just wanted there for her friends.

A large crowd of people was pouring their way into the stadium as she arrived. Gina walked along, hands in her pockets, her eyes lazily scanning the crowds.

Even though she didn't know anyone else from Seirin who might be going, she couldn't help but scan the crowds in the hope of finding a familiar face. Being alone while watching a match just wasn't the same as being with someone you knew.

And it turned out, she was in luck. She gasped, spotting a blonde head sticking out of the crowd, someone she knew well.

She smiled at the sight of the welcome face. "Kise-kun!" she called, breaking out into a run.

Kise looked over her way, his golden eyes brightening up as she saw her. "Ah, Ginacchi!" he greeted warmly as she came to a stop. The others - who Gina assumed were the other starting members of Kaijou's basketball team - looked over as she approached.

One of them sighed - one with short dark hair. He appeared to be rather exasperated. "Another fangirl?"

Gina bristled at this comment. Yes, Kise might be a model and be quite good-looking, but there was no way she was one of his fangirls. "I'm a friend," she corrected pointedly, not caring that she was talking to a third-year. "I went to Teiko with him."

Kise looked back at the other members of his team. "Ah, Ginacchi, I should make a few introductions. "

She was introduced to Kasamatsu Yukio, the captain and who she'd just talked very pointedly to (she blushed at this), Moriyama Yoshitaka, Kobori Kōji, and Hayakawa Mitsuhiro. Once the introductions were out of the way, they headed for the stadium. Gina walked beside Kise, since he was the only one she knew.

"It's Kirisaki they're against today," Gina muttered. She had to walk with brisk strides in order to keep up with Kise. She cursed her short legs.

Kise's eyes narrowed at the name. "I haven't heard anything good about them," he muttered.

Gina sighed and ran a hand through her hair. "I'm worried for them," she admitted softly.

Kise rested a hand on her shoulder. "I'm sure they'll be fine, Ginacchi."

She sent an appreciative smile his way.

They entered the stadium, passing through the door into the stands. Kise looked back at his team, who were lagging slightly behind. "Come on, hurry up!" he called.

"Don't rush," Kasamatsu sighed. The team came to a stop beside the railing and glanced down at the courts. "They're still warming up."

All four teams in the league stood in one half of the courts they'd be competing on. Gina glsnced at where Seirin was gathered, going through warm up drills. Her eyes drifted to the other end of the court and her eyes narrowed to see Kirisaki Dai Ichi. She couldn't pick out who Hanamiya Makoto was, but was sure she'd learn who he was in due time.

"Anyway, Kasamatsu..." Moriyama peered at the crowds. "Where are the hot girls?"

A scowl crossed the captain's face. "That's not why we're here!" he barked.

"I'm getting pumped!" the shorter one, Hayakawa, proclaimed loudly. "I'll get all the rebounds!"

"We just came to watch!" Kasamatsu snapped at him. "And shut up!"

As the others argued, Kise had been scanning the stands. He suddenly perked up. "Momocchi! Aominecchi!" he called, his voice echoing across the stadium as he waved vigorously at two people on the opposite side to them.

"You shut up too!"

Gina laughed, feeling a little sympathetic for Kasamatsu as she realised what a team he had to keep in check. But, at the mention of Momoi's name, she perked up. "Momoi's here?" Gina brightened as she searched the opposite end of the crowd. Her eyes lit up as she spotted her friend's pink hair.

"I'll be back!" she cried to Kaijo's members, and made a run for the opposite end of the stadium. She earned herself a few odd glances from others who were sitting around she she barrelled past, nearly knocking in to a few people.

"Momoi!" she called out as she neared.

Momoi turned around in her seat, and grinned. "Gina-chan!" She leapt to her feet. "We're running into each other a lot more often now, aren't we?"

"Now we're both part of the world of high school basketball, yes." Gina looked over at where Aomine was seated, lounged back in his seat, a bored expression plastered on his face. She laughed. "You managed to drag Aomine here, then? Congratulations."

Momoi giggled. "Quite literally. We caught him in a trap and dragged him here."

Gina's mouth promptly fell open. "How'd you do that?"

"With bait." Momoi smiled sweetly, and Gina couldn't help but laugh. Momoi was most often bright and bubbly, but she could be quite determined and cunning when she wanted to be.

And, she was always looking out for Aomine, and trying to convince him to do things he didn't want to.

*          *          *

It was the same day where Gina had first encountered four of the five the Generation of Miracles, and tripped over Kuroko, the Phantom Sixth Man. Momoi had caught up with her soon after she had made a run for it, with assurances that everything was fine and no one was going to care about what had just happened.

They were just exiting the school grounds when a low voice called out, "Satsuki!"

The two girls paused in their tracks and turned around to see Aomine Daiki approach them. Gina flushed and instinctively pulled her skirt a little further down, recalling the instance than had taken place just mintues beforehand.

Momoi beamed at the sight of her friend. "Aomine-kun!" she greeted brightly.

"Hiello," Gina greeted quietly, once Teiko's ace caught up with them.

Aomine glanced her over once. "Tsukino Gina, was it?"

"Y-yeah." She bobbed her head.

"You weren't trying even remotely hard enough in practice today, Aomine-kun," Momoi bemoaned suddenly. She glared at him. "You hardly ever turn up for practice, and for the few times you do you should be trying!"

He glanced to the side. "Shut up. The more I practice, the better I become, and the gap between me and everyone else widens."

"Jeez..." Momoi sighed. She turned to Gina with wide, pleading eyes. "Help me, Gina-chan!"

"What? How am I supposed to help?" Gina was confused how she even could help. She knew that Aomine only sought to find an opponent as equal in strength to him and have a real, good competition, but it was impossible since he was too good. The gap between him and other players was just too great. As a result, he had started to find basketball boring and stopped turning up to practices.

Gina couldn't understand how Aomine felt. She had been labelled as a prodigy netball player, yes, but she still had to work hard. Even though she was highly skilled, there were defenders just as talented and as much of a prodigy as she was. She had to continue working hard to keep picking up new skills, and give her that little bit of an edge over her opponents.

"Please, Gina-chan!" Momoi gripped her hand. "You said yourself, you were once a star player in your own sport! Surely you have some words you can say to this idiot to motivate him to practice!"

"What can she say to help?" Aomine asked. Gina scowled a little at this.

"She can say a lot!" Momoi snapped, lightly hitting him in the side. "She was a prodigy in the sport she once played!"

"H-hey, Momoi, you don't need to say that..." Gina rubbed the back of her head and flushed deeply.

But Momoi didn't have time to answer as Aomine said, "A prodigy?"

Gina shrank a little under his gaze, but still nodded once. "Yeah," she murmured. "The sport I played isn't played in Japan, however." She pushed her glasses up her nose.

"Which country was it played in?"

"Australia."

"Australia, huh?" Gina nodded. Aomine hummed and turned away, but Gina thought that he might have been mildly interested.

Before long Momoi was pestering Aomine once again, trying to pursuade him to come to practices. Gina chuckled to herself and followed, more of an observer of the conversation .

*          *          *

And Aomine hadn't really changed much since those days, Gina reflected as she looked at him. He still didn't turn up to practice but was still a highly skilled prodigy.

Aomine wasn't paying attention to their conversation, but his gaze was locked on the court in front of them. "I'm not interested in the game, but they seem awfully bloodthirsty today," he observed, in his usual deep voice.

Gina narrowed her eyes, as she glared at the other team dressed in dark green. "They have good reason to be," she hissed, recalling Hyuga's story from the previous day.

For Seirin, this wasn't just another game.

It was a game to pay Hanamiya Makoto back for what he did to Kiyoshi.