Looking for a Miracle
Chapter Twenty Two
Fractures

The beginning of Nationals was actually a little scary.

We had barely entered the venue when we were swarmed by reporters, all clambering to get stories from the entire team. Everyone was questioned, including Momoi and myself. It was overwhelming, and I found I stammered when I spoke all my answers. 

Sei, of course, handled the situation perfectly and gave model answers. It was a relief when it was known we'd miss the first game if the reporters kept at us for much longer, and we were able to make it to the gym thankfully still in one piece for the game.

The first round of games could've gone better, but they also could have been a lot worse.

Everyone knew the culprit, though: it was pressure.

The stadium was packed, even if it was only the first game. Everyone had come to see the Generation of Miracles play, and they had high expectations on them. A close margin was not allowed, and a loss definitely wasn't. Everyone expected a goal difference in the double digits - anything less was a let down.

I could tell everyone felt it. They were all spaced out, distant, not fully paying attention. Kuroko was paler than usual. Kise's leg kept shaking even as he remained seated. Aomine drummed his fingers against the bench, eyes flicking around the crowded audience. Midorima was triple-checking the taping to his hand and making sure his lucky item for the day was still in good condition every five seconds. Murasakibara wasn't eating, and didn't even show a desire to eat. Sei remained still, but I could see his

"Hey," I murmured, coming to his side and taking his hand. "You'll be fine. You know how strong everyone is... You have faith in them, right?"

He nodded, the action rather jerky. "Right."

"There's no need to worry. You'll win, I can guarantee it." I gave him a quick hug before Shirogane called for attention, and I sent a thumbs-up to the others as I passed before taking my position beside Momoi.

Originally things were going to be kept to the usual one man anger per game but, upon request, or was agreed that both Momoi and I could be present on the bench at the same time.

Soon after that the players walked out on to court, and the game commenced.

From the beginning, everyone was aware something was off. Movements and combinations weren't working fluidly, silly little mistakes were made, and things felt force. I bit my lip, knowing that nerves and pressure were building up and taking over.

Despite the uncommon amount of errors, everyone still proved how strong they were, making up for mistakes with intercepts and scoring consistent threes, thanks to Midorima. When the final whistle sounded, the score was 78-59.

It was a more than respectable margin. I grinned and gave high-fives to everyone as they came off court, looking like the weight of the world had just been lifted from their shoulders. They were all tired and puffed out, more than they should've been.

Stress and pressure really has a negative affect, I noted worriedly, as I hurried to hand out everyone's drink bottles and gave them hugs in turn, not caring they were sweaty. When I reached Sei I held on to him for a little longer, and I felt him relax into me.

I knew he'd never admit it, but as captain, he had definitely felt the most pressured out there. I squeezed his hand when I let go before I was called somewhere else, to let him know everything was okay.

It was unfair, how everyone put my friends under such strain. The five might be geniuses, but they were still middle school students, for crying out loud! I wished people would remember that and not put them under such enormous pressure.

To give everyone a break, for the final match of the day the third-years played while the others rested. It was the best call I could've thought of in response to the events.

Of course the third years, lead by Nijimura, again won by a comfortable margin, and everyone breathed out in relief.

We'd advance to the second day of the tournament.

Only we didn't yet know, the problems we'd face the next day made today's feel minuscule.

*          *          *

Aomine was over the moon when he found out our first opponent for the second day of the tournament - Inoue, whom he'd shared a fierce competition with the last time they played against each other. I watched on with a fond smile as Aomine's eyes sparkled, so delighted to be met with a challenge. He was practically radiating enthusiasm and continued to check the time, counting down until the match.

Momoi watched her childhood friend, a bright smile on her face. Everyone else on the team also looked more relaxed one Aomine's cheerful, carefree attitude shone through again.

He wasn't the only one reuniting with an old friend - I saw Kuroko greeting someone as well, grind on both their faces. I couldn't make out the uniform from here, but I was glad Kuroko had a friend as well.

When I sat down to watch the match, I was buzzing with anticipation, waiting for the

The match turned out vastly different to how I expected.

And it wasn't different in a good way. Definitely not a good way.

Aomine was dominating the court, leaving even Inoue unable to deal with him. I watched, caught in a horrified trance watching Aomine's prodigious skill. If he and Inoue had been evenly matched last year... I sucked in a breath, heart momentarily stopping.

He was a monster on the court.

I wasn't the only one who noticed it; the opposing team had given up. I'm the final quarter, when Aomine had the ball, everyone on the opposite side came to a standstill - even Inoue.

Aomine received no challenge whatsoever, and was just allowed to run to the net and score.

He was too strong for the opponents to even try and stop him. They'd just given up.

My heart shattered upon seeing the expression on Aomine's face - he was devastated. Confused. Lost. Trying to come to terms with just how strong he really, truly, was. I could've sworn I saw his eyes shine with unshed tears for a brief moment.

Teiko won the match 169-81.

And with Aomine playing carelessly in the next match, as though he lost all will to play, he ended up scoring even more points than before.

But he didn't smile.

From that moment on, I never saw another smile on Aomine's face.

He had been well and truly broken.

He'd been ruined by the sport he loved.

*          *          *

The third and final day consisted on the semifinals and the finals.

The semifinals were like every other match; Aomine was dominant, and the margin was huge. It was the finals match that everyone remembered, because of our opponents.

Twins, who were particularly skilled at making it look like fouls had occurred. Kise was pulled off with three fouls and replaced by Nijimura, while by the end of the first half Aomine had four fouls to his name.

On top of that, Teiko was trailing by five, since they all had to be super cautious to not unknowingly pull a foul, which disrupted the flow of the game.

Fortunately, we had Kuroko, and Momoi's data. Kuroko was the element of surprise we needed to get around the twins and free everyone up - and, as a result, win the match.

Without Kuroko, we would've lost the match - Sei even confessed that to me later on.

When we won, everyone celebrated - even Aomine was convinced to join in by Nijimura. 

Little did we know, that would be the last match we'd ever celebrate winning.

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ew what was the ending even

idk my mind just went blank i apologise so much

anyway who's ready for teiko angst.... this is going to be fun :)))))