A/N: Hello, readers! First update of the new year! Sorry that it took so long (again!). Enjoy the chapter!

edited on february 12th, 2024 @ 6:17am

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CHAPTER EIGHTEEN - GIVE UP

THE BUZZER WENT OFF, startling both Kagami and Midorima and causing the ball to miss the hoop and land on the court. Daigo quickly looked at the scoreboard, seeing that both Seirin and Shutoku were tied, shocking the audience.

"They're tied." Kise pointed out. "The game's going into overtime?"

"Normally, yes. But because this tournament is trying to keep games short, they have no overtime rules." Momoi replied.

"Which means..." Kise turned to look at her.

"It's a tie." Riko finished.

All of the Seirin members were panting, trying to catch their breath as Shutoku was doing the same.

"That last free throw... If I had just made it..." Kiyoshi trailed off.

"Kiyoshi!"

Kiyoshi turned and saw Hyuga, Izuki, Kagami, Daigo, and Kuroko running towards him to high five him, making him crash to the ground.

"You guys are brutal. Honestly, I didn't expect you to blame me that much." Kiyoshi said.

"Blame you?" Hyuga repeated.

"The hell are you blabbering about, Kiyoshi-san?" Daigo asked in confusion.

"Those were high fives." Hyuga explained.

"What?" Kiyoshi questioned.

"Don't be stupid. We made it this far because of you." Hyuga claimed.

"No one took it easy. It's no one's fault." Izuki added.

"Besides, we didn't lose." Kagami said.

"It just ended in a tie." Daigo finished in irritation.

"We did the best we could. I have no regrets." Kuroko stated.

"You're right." Kiyoshi said.

"Kagami."

Everyone glanced over when Kagami's name was being called. "Surely you're not satisfied with this." Midorima said.

"Of course not. We'll settle things later." Kagami told him.

"There will be no ties at the Winter Cup. Let's settle things then." Takao said.

"I couldn't ask for more." Kuroko agreed as the audience began clapping.

"What a good game." Momoi complimented.

"With a score of 104 to 104, it's a tie! Bow!" The referee announced.

"Thank you very much!"

Both of the teams soon left the court.

On another court, Kirisaki Daiichi won against their opponent, Senshinkan, with a score of 108 to 70.

"That's not fair! How can you be happy winning like that?"

"Not fair? Sorry, but I don't understand. I don't remember breaking any rules."

"Of course we're happy. Are you sure you don't have Bavarian cream for brains?"

"The game next to ours was a nail biter. I can't believe Seirin made it a tie."

"It's not surprising. If anything was unexpected, it's that they're all goody two-shoes. It made my skin crawl. We have one more game. We'll crush Seirin and advance to the Winter Cup." Hanamiya claimed.

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"Oh, he found Number 2." Kagami said, looking at his phone while Daigo walked next to him with his hands in his pockets.

"Don't be ridiculous!"

Kiyoshi's sudden shout made both Kagami and Daigo get taken aback. "Sheesh, that doesn't sound good." Daigo muttered as Kagami silently agreed with him.

"This year is probably my last chance. Even if it destroys my knees, I'm playing." Kiyoshi declared, causing both Kagami and Daigo share a look with one another.

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Later that night, Kagami, Daigo, and Kuroko were walking with Hyuga. "What's wrong, Kagami-kun? Daigo-kun?" Kuroko asked, seeing the looks on their faces.

Kagami and Daigo both stopped in their tracks. "Captain. Can I ask you something?" Kagami questioned.

"What?"

"What was that about? Why did Kiyoshi-senpai say this year was his last chance?" Kagami asked.

"He also mentioned something about playing even if it destroys his knees." Daigo added, shocking Kuroko and Hyuga.

It was silent between the four. "You two heard that?" Hyuga finally questioned. Kagami nodded in reply.

"Sorry, we didn't mean to eavesdrop. Taiga and I just happened to walk by the locker room." Daigo apologized.

Hyuga closed his eyes. "Fine, then. Considering his condition, you'd have found out eventually." He said, walking to the railing of the bridge, resting his arms on it. "I might as well tell you everything. It happened last summer..."

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"Hey, Hyuga. Hyuga."

A blonde-haired Hyuga stopped walking and turned around. "Shut up. I hear you. Izuki..." He said.

"Hey. We're in the same class again." Izuki informed before he began laughing. "I can't take it."

"What's so funny?!" Hyuga asked in irritation.

"It doesn't look right. You bleached your hair at the start of high school. That's not something a basketball player does." Izuki responded.

"Of course it isn't." Hyuga said. "I'm done with basketball. It's just hard. There's nothing fun about it."

Hyuga raised his pointer finger in the air. "I'm going to take over this school and stand at the top!" He declared.

"There aren't many people like that at this school." Izuki claimed. "Besides, jokes aside, that's not cool, Hyuga. You worked so hard in middle school. You never missed a practice."

"What good came from that? We didn't win a single game." Hyuga said. "Fortunately, this school doesn't have a basketball team. You should find a different club, too."

Hyuga continued walking slouched over until he bumped into someone. "Ow!" He exclaimed. "That hurt! Watch where you're..."

He stopped when he looked up at Kiyoshi. "H-He's huge. He must be taller than 190 centimeters." Hyuga noted.

Kiyoshi smiled sheepishly. "Sorry, sorry. I'll be more careful." He said.

"Sure..."

Kiyoshi noticed a phone on the ground. "My phone..." Hyuga said as Kiyoshi picked it up, seeing a lock screen of a basketball player.

"Do you like basketball?" Kiyoshi questioned.

"What? Well, uh..." Hyuga trailed off. "Oh, crap. He overwhelmed me."

"Seriously? You're joining the basketball team, then?"

"Um, I..."

"I'm Kiyoshi Teppei. I was just on my way to submit my club entry form. Let's go together." Kiyoshi said.

Hyuga shoved his arms off his shoulders. "You've got the wrong idea! Besides, this school doesn't have a basketball team!" He shouted.

"It doesn't? That's not possible." Kiyoshi said.

"It doesn't."

"Seriously?!" Kiyoshi had a deadpanned look. "What am I going to do?"

"Were you planning on taking that form?!" Hyuga asked.

"I get it. I have no choice, then. Let's form a basketball team together!" Kiyoshi declared.

"What? Why would I... Together?!" Hyuga exclaimed.

"If one doesn't exist, we have to make one. With three more members, we can play games." Kiyoshi said.

"What are you counting me for? I quit playing basketball." Hyuga claimed.

"What? You did?"

"Find someone else. Later." Hyuga said as he began to walk away.

Hyuga was sitting in class as he sipped on a juice box with an annoyed look on his face. Izuki sitting in front of him.

"You've been in a bad mood lately." Izuki mentioned.

"Of course I have been. Try having that giant follow you around. There'd be something wrong with me if I were happy." Hyuga replied as Kiyoshi was sitting behind him.

"Don't be like that. Let's play basketball together." Kiyoshi said.

"I told you, I'm not playing!" Hyuga shouted.

"I don't mind." Izuki said.

"Seriously? All right. Now we just need two more." Kiyoshi informed.

"Don't include me!" Hyuga exclaimed before turning towards his friend. "Izuki!"

"Who cares? Besides, I want to play." Izuki said.

"Do what you want! I'm not playing!" Hyuga declared before standing up and leaving the classroom. "I'm sick of losing."

Izuki turned towards Kiyoshi. "Kiyoshi-kun, right?" He asked.

"Call me Teppei." Kiyoshi replied.

Izuki rested his chin on his hand. "You don't learn. Why are you trying so hard? You're Kiyoshi the Iron Heart, aren't you?" He questioned.

"I don't really like that nickname. It's not a name for a student, anyway." Kiyoshi responded.

"If you wanted to play basketball, I'm sure a strong school would have recruited you. What are you doing here?" Izuki asked.

"I don't have a reason."

"What?"

"My grandparents raised me. They're both old, so it's easier for me to attend a school that's nearby. I like basketball, but it's just a club. As long as it's fun, I don't care." Kiyoshi explained.

"Since he's a famous player, I thought he'd be more ambitious, but he's pretty laid back." Izuki noted. "As long as you're having fun, you don't care if you win or lose."

"What? It's not like that. Why would you take it easy?" Kiyoshi asked, making Izuki get taken aback.

"What?"

"It's not the same as taking it easy. Training to win and improving yourself. Devoting yourself to what you enjoy. Isn't that what it means to have fun? Besides, we're only students. Even if we give it everything we have, it may not be enough." Kiyoshi said.

"I take back what I said. Guys like this really do exist." Izuki thought.

"Hey!"

Koganei and Mitobe walked up to the two of them. "I heard you guys talking about a basketball team. Can we join?" Koganei asked.

Kiyoshi and Izuki looked at each other. "Yeah, of course." Kiyoshi replied.

"All right! Isn't that great, Mitobe?" Koganei questioned as Mitobe nodded. "I'm Koganei. Nice to meet you."

"Nice to meet you. I'm Izuki. Have you played before?" Izuki asked.

"Of course! This guy has!" Koganei responded, pointing at Mitobe.

"What about you?" Izuki questioned.

"Take three steps, and it's cycling!" Koganei replied.

"It's traveling." Izuki corrected. "You must be a beginner."

"I played tennis in middle school, but after watching Mitobe play, basketball seemed fun!" Koganei grinned.

"You seem pretty athletic. Oh, that's your reason for joining?" Izuki asked.

"All right. Now we have five members." Kiyoshi claimed.

"You're still counting Hyuga?" Izuki questioned. "Hyuga aside, we should get a couple more people. Games and practice will be difficult with exactly five people."

"A manager! A cute manager!" Koganei exclaimed.

"I understand how you feel, but hold on. And listen to people when they're talking. I have someone in mind for a manager, though. Aida Riko." Izuki said.

"No way." Riko declined.

"That was quick." Koganei commented.

"Don't be like that. Come on. Join the basketball team." Kiyoshi pushed on.

"This guy won't budge." Izuki thinks to himself.

"Were you even listening? Basketball's my least favorite sport. More accurately, I especially hate everything about our generation's middle school basketball. Teiko Middle School was overwhelmingly strong. Most high school players will be their former members. I don't have a problem with that, but everyone around them has given up on winning. That's what I hate most." Riko explained.

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Kiyoshi, Izuki, Koganei, and Mitobe were all at Maji Burger. "That was pointless." Izuki stated.

"She's cute, but not in the way I expected." Koganei admitted.

"A few clubs have asked me to join, but I'm not accepting any offers unless they're serious about being the best." Riko claimed.

"I'm relieved, though." Kiyoshi said.

"Huh?" Izuki questioned in confusion.

"She just doesn't like half-assed teams, right? If there's a problem, it's how to convince her we're serious." Kiyoshi stated as Koganei turned around.

"Is that the Hyuga-kun I keep hearing about?" He questioned, seeing Hyuga walk by.

"Excuse me." Kiyoshi said, getting up. However, Izuki stopped him.

"Wait, Kiyoshi. It won't be easy." Izuki informed.

"Huh?"

Kiyoshi sat back down. "He was a pretty good shooter in middle school, but we never won. If someone beat us, they'd lose their second game. The guys who beat them would lose their third game. Everyone who managed to win would ultimately have their score doubled in the final round by Teiko. He told me..." Izuki began to explain.

"'Your hard work will be rewarded.' What kind of idiot came up with that nonsense? An ordinary man who works hard is just wasting his time!"

"So..." Izuki trailed off as Kiyoshi stood up.

"I'm not just trying to get enough people. I really want Hyuga to play. More than anyone else, he..." Kiyoshi paused as he got up and left to catch up with Hyuga.

"Hey, Hyuga."

Hyuga turned around. "You again!" He exclaimed.

"Let's walk home together."

"Get off of me!"

Hyuga and Kiyoshi began walking as Kiyoshi was in front of him. "Did you say something?" Hyuga asked.

"No." Kiyoshi replied.

"I see... Hey, where are you going? This isn't the way home. Just so you know, I'm not playing basketball." Hyuga reminded him.

"I know. I won't ask anymore." Kiyoshi told him.

"What?"

"That is... Only if you can beat me one-on-one." Kiyoshi said as the two arrived at a basketball court.

"Wh-What?" Hyuga questioned. "Listen to me. You were in a top four middle school! There's no way I can beat you!"

Kiyoshi was rolling up his sleeves. "If you can make just one basket, you win." He said as Hyuga widened his eyes. "Is that not enough of a handicap?"

Hyuga gritted his teeth. "Shut up. I don't care if you're the Iron Heart. You're pushing your luck." He replied, unzipping his blazer. "Don't underestimate me. I'll make one before you know it."

The two of them soon began their one-on-one as Hyuga was dribbling the ball. He passed by Kiyoshi, who guarded him. Hyuga tried to make a shot, but Kiyoshi knocked the ball out of his hands. He tried to make another one, but Kiyoshi blocked that as well.

Eventually, Hyuga was trying to catch his breath. "I'm not done yet." He declared.

"Hyuga, give up." Kiyoshi told him.

"Shut up!" Hyuga shouted.

"That's not what I meant. Give up on giving up on basketball." Kiyoshi said, making Hyuga get taken aback. "If you really hated basketball, I wouldn't say anything. But you..."

"Shut up! Ordinary men aren't like gifted guys like you!" Hyuga exclaimed.

"Natural talent has nothing to do with it. I'm just like you. At the very least, I... I fought against the prodigies of Teiko and tasted despair, too. I thought of throwing out my basketball shoes plenty of times. No matter how many times I tried, I just couldn't let go. You're the same. You hate losing, and that's why you can't forget. You like basketball as much as I do. No, more than I do." Kiyoshi claimed.

Hyuga clenched his fists. "Don't talk like you know me! I know that! That's why... That's why I'm so bored every day!" He declared.

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A/N: Another chapter is done! Thanks for reading!

Word Count: 2398 words.