Chapter 1: Bullshit
Chapter Text
The fresh breeze circled around the streets, reflecting the springs slight warmth and spreading the lovely scent of buds that bloomed in trees that would only get more colourful. It was Kagami's first day in Japanese high school. The concept itself was very hard to comprehend for him. It had only been a year since he moved to Japan, attended the last year of middle school and now he was starting his first year in high school with a life he still hasn't gotten adjusted to.
Life was really not his best friend. First a messy divorce between his parents where his mum didn't even pretend to care about him like she had done many times before, making obvious that she only wanted money from his father. It hurt like hell. And then he lost the guy he called his brother, a topic he pretended he was over. So when his father mentioned the idea of going back to Japan, which he was still deciding on, Kagami expressed no objection and just assured his stressed father that he was fine with it.
Back to the present, It was orientation day, at least that's what Kagami remembered it as. He stepped into the school, passing by the clubs. People subconsciously stepped out of the way, staring at him in awe and shock. He was used to this, he got the same stares on the first day of middle school. He was larger then average. Much larger. Taller and muscular. Back in middle school he would snap at them and glare, but it never got better so he just gave up and kept a permanent RBF on his face so people at least knew to fuck off.
Club by club passed by, a few tried approaching him. The soccer club, baseball club etc. etc. But he only had eyes for one. Technically two, he can join the cooking and baking club but he'd be the only tall and muscular guy among a whole bunch of girls so no. Not that he had toxic masculinity, he wouldn't mind it at all, but the problem was that he always got awkward around girls. after all he mostly only interacted with two. His mother who abandoned him and his master that was over the board perverted.
After a bit of getting through the crowd he reached his target. A basketball club. The Tōō Academy's Basketball Team. One of the best in Tokyo. He stepped ominously towards their extravagant table and towered over the sitting team members. There were three, two of which he assumed were managers from their uniform. They looked at him in shock, eyes wide at Kagami's physique. But the third was a guy, he had an impressed look, but his eyes were closed under his glasses. He can tell he was one of the playing members. And a strong one too. He can smell it. The strong will always smell like the strong after all, it almost made him giddy but he stayed stoic not bothering to show emotion. The guy stared at him.... maybe. Kagami couldn't tell with how his eyes are closed. It was kind of annoying, especially with how he had no idea what the guy was thinking. He was almost like a fox. Just not the usual looking one. The one in front of him had messy black hair and wearing the basketball team uniform numbered.... 4.
4....
4....
That was the number of the captain. The thought got Kagami excited internally. If the captain smelled that strong then surely the team was finally good. It meant he wouldn't have to bear all the burden anymore like he did in middle school. It gave him hope.
Maybe Japan's basketball wasn't all that weak.
"Welcome to the Tōō Basketball club. I'm Imayoshi Shoichi, captain of the team." The fox guy introduced with a smile on his lips that looked it was stuck there.
"Yo... Umm, Hello.." Kagami quickly corrected himself when he remembered he should mind his manners. Especially since they were seniors.
"I want to join." He said bluntly.
"Short and simple. Here, please fill this out." The captain guy... uhhh... Imayoshi handed him a paper. He didn't bother filling out things like reasons and just filled out his details. After a brief look over he just put it down.
"Here." He announced and put down the paper. The captain inspected the paper in interest.
"Kagami Taiga huh? You didn't put down a reason for joining." Imayoshi looked back up, now inspecting Kagami himself, impressed but doing a good job at hiding it.
"Do i need one? Not like it matters. Basketball is the same everywhere in Japan." Kagami replied gruffly, quickly turning his back and left. Nothing more said.
"Great, instead of just one egotistical player. We seem to have a second one." Imayoshi joked to the two managers that sat with him who still were shocked at Kagami's presence.
( ¬_¬) ( ¬_¬) ( ¬_¬) ( ¬_¬)
The next morning was the first official day of school. But also the first day of basketball practice. Also the day where they pick the first years that can join the team. Kagami hoped that the challenge is good, and out of bad habit, he didn't sleep, eyes bloodshot from staying up all night.
The gym was more filled then he thought it would be. But then again the team had rightfully gained it's name as the strongest in Tokyo. Out of the people he lined up besides, Kagami definitely had the most impressive physique, the others in the line came to the same conclusion.
The guy to the right of him was staring at him. Staring too much. Kagami side eyed him and the timid boy flinched and stammered apologies. The sight made the red head raise a brow and sigh in annoyance, turning back his head. Although the boy definitely had something special. He smelled strong despite the stage of timidness. He had a decent height, only a few inches shorter then Kagami. His hair was a plain light brown with matching eyes that made him look like a kicked puppy. He looked weak, but smelled strong.
His thoughts was interrupted by a loud clap that caused his attention to drift to that direction. It was an middle-aged gentleman in a well kept suit. Two strands of curly black hair flowed Infront of piercing grayish-black eyes whilst the rest was neatly groomed back and reached his lower neck. Next to him was a pretty pink haired girl in a green jacket over the girls school uniform, a clipboard in hand. Probably another manager.
"I am Katsunori Harasawa, the couch of Tōō Acadamy's Basketball team." The coach spoke, voice firm and no nonsense.
"This beside me is Satsuki Momoi, a first year like all of you, but she will be our manager, in charge of providing us with information and will help decide on your training regime." The stoic man stepped aside to let Momoi introduce herself.
"I'm Satsuki Momoi, I hope we can work well together." Pinkie spoke with a too cheery of a tone. The guys in the line mumbled in awe and blushed at the pretty girl with a beautiful voice.
"Back to the subject at hand. To decide whether you join the team and what string you will be put in, you will play against each other in randomly assigned teams. This will start in the afternoon practice. For now we will announce your teams, and you will have time to get to know each other and warm up this morning." The couch announced then stepped aside again and went to the established team members and starters, leaving Momoi in charge to tell us our teams.
Kagami got assigned with the nervous puppy looking guy as well as another three guys that he couldn't be bothered remembering the names of, only the timid kid, Ryo Sakurai. The others didn't have a distinctly strong scent for him to remember their names. Although their numbers were 23, 26, and 27, so that'd be how he'd remember them.
Team 3, Kagami's team, did some warm-ups that'll help them get to know each other's style. Sakurai was great at three point shots, the others.... were just basic to the point it annoyed Kagami. It seemed Sakurai and him would have to carry the games this afternoon. He got lots of nervous stares from the other first years and the other official members were impressed but it seemed like there was something deeper. Something hidden. Someone....
Before morning practice ended they sat on the stage and had breakfast. Another small and insignificant bonding time. He didn't care about the others. But the bonding kind of worked. Sakurai and him definitely got to know each other. He found out that the apologetic boy also cooks for himself and they were in the same class. You could say the American raised teen found a friend.
(￢_￢;) (￢_￢;) (￢_￢;) (￢_￢;)
And then it was time for classes. The thing Kagami dreaded. His Japanese still wasn't perfect so it will take a while for him actually understand things. He could get help but the only one he had was his father that lived in a completely different house due to work. So he was alone.
Annoyingly so, they had to sit in assigned seats that were written on the board when they walked in. Unfortunately, Kagami wasn't assigned to the only person he knows, but instead sat next to a rando. Odds were that was going to happen so he wasn't surprised, just annoyed.
He just made his way to the seat in the back and slumped on the chair, dropping his bag beside him. His seatmate was already there, but his head was down, probably asleep. Short navy hair that looked slightly spikey to the touch, but it definitely suited his tan skin. His tan complexion was perfect under the sunlight that shone through the window, it almost compelled the red head to touch it.
He ignored the temptation and just rested his head against his hand, stabilised by his elbow on the desk. Classes were uneventful, everytime he dozed off a teacher would scold him. However, they never pointed out his seatmate that was asleep the whole time. The only time the tanned teen was awake was for lunch where he ate some store bought sandwiches.
The American teen decided to sit with Sakurai and eat together. The timid boy looked at him nervously but regardless ate with the other in silence, their homemade bentos in front of them. Occasionally, they had small talks about cooking and their bentos, but otherwise silent and peaceful.
(ó﹏ò｡) (ó﹏ò｡) (ó﹏ò｡) (ó﹏ò｡)
Then came the afternoon, and the first year games were about to begin. Overall there was 6 teams. You had to at least win 4 to be considered for any of the strings. The game were only 10 minutes so it doesn't take all day.
True to his theory, Sakurai and Kagami absolutely carried their team, the other three were useless. Regardless, they obviously won two games so far and had 4 more to go. Right now they had a small break whilst the other teams were playing. The games also were played half court so 2 games played at the same time with the captain, vice captain (whom Kagami found out was named Yoshinori Susa), Momoi and the coach were taking notes of each playing team on the courts.
"Dai-Chan! Your late!" Momoi's high pitched voice called out (conveniently when the current games finished). All heads faced the manager, then slowly diverted to the gym doors. There stood a slouched teen in the team uniform.
Wait... blue hair... tan skin... isn't that the guy who sat next to me? Why's he already wearing the team uniform.
"Huh?" The blue haired player let out a confused, lazy sound.
"Does it matter? Not like anything important is happening." He yawned and scratched his head, dragging himself to the stage where he layed. A bit behind Kagami himself.
Kagami looked at Sakurai who looked shocked and horrified (although that's what he's always like, from what Kagami observed).
"That's him...." Sakurai whimpered timidly, biting his nails nervously.
"Him who?" Kagami asked dumb founded. Thankfully the lazy teen was arguing with some starter member he hasn't learned the name of yet and Momoi got busy with the games again.. But he did have short platinum blond hair and a big build that was only an inch taller.
"You don't know him? He's Aomine Daiki, Ace of the Generation of Miracles. They scouted him for this team so he got a position immediately." The timid puppy replied nervously as he watched the other two argue. Aomine just being lazy and dismissive.
"Generation of miracles huh? I heard about them are they as good as they sound?" Kagami turned to stare at the lazy teen curiously. The Navy haired teen snapped, getting up and standing in front of the second year starter (who kagami later discovers is named Kōsuke Wakamatsu). This got the arguement more heated and people tried to intervene but Aomine ended up kneeing the upperclassmen in the guts.
"Why does it matter if i show up? There's no point in practice. Afterall.. The only one who can beat me is me." The teen said arrogantly, a bored look in his eyes. In Kagami's peripheral, he saw the pink haired manager's worried and hurt expression.
"Bullshit." The words left the American teen before he even realised it. However he meant what he said.
.
.
.
.
"What did you say?"
Chapter 2: Replacement
Summary:
What will be Kagami's position?
Notes:
Another one, Yay!!
So far i have lots of motivation and love for this story so i hope that won't change.
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
"Why does it matter if i show up? There's no point in practice. Afterall.. The only one who can beat me is me." The teen said arrogantly, a bored look in his eyes. In Kagami's peripheral, he saw the pink haired manager's worried and hurt expression.
"Bullshit." The words left the American teen before he even realised it. However he meant what he said.
.
.
.
.
"What did you say?"
"Bull. Shit." Kagami said more firmly, glaring at him challengingly. It was Kagami who was bullshitting, he sat next to the guy in class, he could smell that guy's strength. No doubt about it. Which is why he spoke up. He wanted to see the guy's strength with his own eyes. He wanted a challenge. The Aomine guy would definitely be one.
"Kagami..." Sakurai mumbled nervously, trying to calm down the redhead.
"I highly doubt that you've never lost before. How old are you to make those claims?" Kagami taunted, placing his bento down before standing up. Him being on the stage helped with the bravado since it made Kagami look like he was looking down at the tan male.
The targeted teen slowly turned his head to the audacious man, clear irritation in his eyes. All games stopped, everyone looked at the two in shock. The captain who's eyes mostly stayed closed finally opened them wide in surprise to reveal the grey colour.
Damn. Is what i said really that bad? Why are they all acting like that?
"You tryna pick a fight, red headed bitch?" Th ace replied in annoyance, veins in his forehead but he didn't shout as Kagami had expected him to. Although the nickname definitely annoyed him, it nearly made him want to start an actual fight. But he didn't. He had only one goal.
"No. But play me. Let's see if your bite is as good as your bark." Kagami smirked but with slight irritation towards the tanned teen.
Damn, why do the pricks always have to look hot as hell.
"Huh?" He sneered as if offended by the idea. "You think you're that good?" He scoffed with a smirk that matched Kagami's. The red head hopped down from the stage and walked till he stood eye to eye with the so called ace of the team who seemed only an inch taller. Aomine's features looked different up close. His eyes sharper and more slanted, eyebrows thin and followed the curve of his eyes.
Dammit, he's hot as hell.
"You scared?" Kagami continued with a mocking baby voice, pouting his lips to taunt further.
"Scared? You sure that ain't you. And what's with your eyebrows dude? Why're they split?" Kagami irked and clenched his fists. Without saying anything, Kagami walked to one of the half courts, the other first years stepping aside. He bent forward and picked up a ball before straightening his back.
Excitement ran through the red head and he tried hard to hold back an exhilarated smirk. He felt the eyes of the coach as if he can sense Kagami's giddiness.
Turning on his heels, Kagami quickly threw the ball with extra strength to the cocky ace. Annoyingly the ball was caught effortlessly.
"You serious?" the teen raised a brow, smoothly spinning the ball on his index finger.
"Do i look like I'm joking?" Kagami sneered. Everyone instinctively moved off the closest court as the blue haired player started to dribble, slowly approaching the court, a bored look on his face.
"Alright then. First to five baskets win." The coach surprisingly complied, surprising everyone in the gym.
"Guess we're doing it then." The ace yawned, bored before the one on one started.
"Here, ill be nice and give you the firs-"
"Don't want it. Play me like a real man." Kagami interrupted and took a defensive position opposite of Aomine who sighed and started dribbling the ball.
"Don't say i didn't warn you."
One
Aomine started with a jump, his stance ready for a three pointer. Kagami bolted, putting extra power into his jump. People let out awed sounds at how high the teen jumped. It earned a glint of amusement in Aomine's eyes. Regardless, Aomine leaned back in mid air and still shot. Kagami gasped in shock as the ball soared and fell smoothly into the net, never having seen such a smooth formless shot.
Two
Kagami retrieved the ball and started dribbling forward, almost immediately Aomine was in front of the red head. Kagami tensed but didn't lose control as he tried to escape Aomine's cornering. As he was about to bounce the ball between the other teen's legs, the ball was slapped out of his hand. Aomine took a hold of it again and passed by quickly, Kagami barely kept up but stuck to the other's tail. Kagami jumped to try and block Aomine's dunk. Aomine was too strong, he slammed in the ball, making the red head fall on his butt. Kagami panted in awe and shock, however the other teen looked unaffected. It annoyed Kagami that his seatmate wasn't going all out.
Three
Aomine stood on the other side of the court as if mockingly. Kagami huffed and got up, the fire in his eyes hotter. He grabbed the ball and dribbled hard towards his opponent. The blue haired boy had a bored look which only made Kagami more fired up. He did his ridiculous high jump, going for a dunk, but the other caught on and jumped just as high and slapped the ball out of the other's hands, taking it then running towards the other side of the court and preformed a layup with the red head behind him. It disappointed the first years that such a jump was stopped. however the keen eyes of the couch and Momoi saw how Aomine barely reached Kagami's height in the air. Had he left Kagami a bit longer in the air he wouldn't have caught up.
Four
Kagami smirked, not even paying attention to his stamina. He just grabbed the ball and dribbled forwards to just before the three point line and jumped into a shooting stance.
"Still haven't given up huh?" The tanned male's husky voice sounded as he jumped to once again slap the ball out of the other's hand.
"I kinda feel bad." Aomine smirked as he took the ball and preformed another formless shot when Kagami tried to intercept again.
"Give up already. It's useless effort." His opponent bored,
"Where's the fun in that?" Kagami smirked grabbing the ball and dashing really fast when Aomine had his back turned, preforming a high jump early so Aomine couldn't catch up in time then tossed the ball into the net.
"There's no giving up in a game." The red head let out a pant as he landed.
Five
Woosh
Kagami looked back in shock as Aomine shot that ball from the half court line before the red head could process where the ball went. For a second he had witnessed the ace's full power.
"Now that was bullshit. Everyone eventually gives up when they're up against someone they can't beat. You'll realise that eventually." His opponent only gave him a glance before walking away, exiting the building.
The gym was silent.
"Here. You did good." The pink haired manager appeared in front of Kagami, a towel and water bottle in hand.
"I'm sorry you lost-" Kagami interrupted her sympathetic phrase.
"Don't be. There's no point in living if there's no one strong to play. Its better if I can't win today." Kagami said with a fired up grin, eyes full of excitement that he may have finally found someone that could keep up with him. Momoi's eyes widened. She can see the impression Aomine left on him. She knew that he would become great potential.
The coach had the same idea as his eyes stayed on Kagami with interest before getting the attention of everyone else.
"Alright, back to the games." The coach clapped to bring the first years back. The interrupted games restarted. And Kagami came back to the stage, the others there still in awe. He ignored everyone, still too engrossed in the earlier game he experienced as he wiped his sweat and drank water.
Kagami's games passed like a breeze, still thinking of his games against the tanned teen. He still won the other four, overall six out of six games won. It mostly was thanks to Kagami's jumps and Sakurai's three pointers. It was obvious to everyone that those two are definitely part of the first string.
ಠ,_｣ಠ ಠ,_｣ಠ ಠ,_｣ಠ ಠ,_｣ಠ
The second day came, as expected, him and Sakurai made it into the first string as well as a few others that Kagami couldn't remember the names off, meaning he had the potential to be a starter member. However before he went to class, Imayoshi pulled him aside.
"What is it uhh.... captain?" Kagami said when they were in private, of course after he changed clothes, this time the red head remembered to use his manners.
"Let me start by saying, congratulation on getting into the first string. We all kind of predicted it after the whole Aomine thing." Imayoshi started, it annoyed Kagami how he couldn't tell what his fox of a senior was thinking.
"Oh, uh.. Thanks-"
"But sorry to burst you bubble. Sakurai may become a starter but you definitely won't." The black haired teen interrupted, his words blunt. Kagami flinched, trying to read the captain's expression.
"Why the hell not?" Kagami scowled, though mentally he knew why. His and Aomine's style is pretty much the same.
"I'm sure you know why. We don't need another Aomine in a game at once." The dark-haired teen said exactly what Kagami was thinking.
"You can imagine the coach's and Momoi's thought process, if we had to pick between two players with the same style, we'd obviously pick the strongest of the two."
His words hit hard, especially since these were facts he knew. The red head's hands clenched in frustration, staring down at the ground because he can't glare at his captain.
"No offense hopefully. You'll still get a chance to play on the court. That is when Aomine isn't playing." Imayoshi patted the tanned male's shoulder before walking away first, leaving the other to his thoughts.
Kagami grunted in annoyance.
"Dammit..." He groaned under his breathe before heading to class so he's not late.
He walked in quietly, still thinking about the captain's words. Worst of all, the man of his problem was his seatmate who was on the brink of sleeping but awake regardless. He dreaded his life as he approached his table, throwing his bag next to his chair before pulling it out and slumping on it.
"Huh? It's you. Why are you here, split brows?" The lazy teen snarled at the male that sat next to him.
"I'm your seatmate, idiot." Kagami snarled back, glaring at the prodigy. Sakurai stared at the two nervously from the other side of the class, unable to do anything to prevent problems.
"Whaaattt??" Aomine stretched his words, annoyance in his face.
"Just my luck." The teen added under his breath.
"Yeah great one." The other replied sarcastically.
"You got a problem, red head?" Aomine scoffed, sparing him an annoyed side eye.
"Nah, do you? And that's not an insult!"
"I do. I want to know where all your audacity comes from? You know i wasn't planning on playing yesterday, you made me." The teen replied with a scorn.
"I didn't make you do shit. You just got angry like a baby." Kagami gave a mocking smirk.
"Oh yeah? Well how's not being accepted into the team huh?" Aomine tried to taunt, but the red head rolled his eyes.
"If you were at practice you'd know i got into the first string with a perfect score, idiot." Kagami replied, trying to sound proud but there was sourness in his words.
"Oh you did? Why do you sound sour? Let me guess, your just a replacement for when I'm not in games right? You're gonna be a bench warmer." the blue haired ace smirked tauntingly, putting his arm on the back of Kagami's chair and leaning closer with a shit-eating grin. As much as Kagami wanted to deny it, he knew there is no point in doing that. It was as obvious as daylight. He just leaned away from the other's face with an annoyed glare.
"So I'm right. How does it feel huh?" Kagami held back the urge to punch the guy, but thankfully the teacher came in before more trouble ensued. So Kagami unclenched his fists and Aomine pulled away with a bored look, annoyed that his taunting was interrupted.
The fact that Aomine was aware that Kagami was an emergency version of him, really ruined Kagami's mood. His seatmate fell asleep, and annoyingly, the teacher said nothing to the lazy ace like they do when the red head sleeps in class. It's like the individual next to him had a text over him spelling 'privilege'.
Aomine disappeared half way though the day, Kagami assumed he's just skipping class since it seemed like something Aomine would do. But Kagami didn't stay hung up on it.
He once again sat with Sakurai at lunch, mostly staying silent as they eat their individual bentos; Sakurai shocked by the amount Kagami eats. They would occasionally share a few words but it mostly stayed quiet, something they both enjoyed.
( ╥ω╥ ) ( ╥ω╥ ) ( ╥ω╥ ) ( ╥ω╥ )
At the afternoon practice, all the first string players were gathered, mostly to talk about the Interhigh Preliminaries. Everytime Kagami got excited, he'd remember the Captain's words and he'd get irritated again, but it never distinguished the fire in his eyes.
If that bastard is stopping me from playing because he's stronger, then i'll just have to get even better then him.
"Sakurai-kun! Kagamin! Have you seen Dai-chan?" Momoi interrupted Kagami's and Sakurai's warm up.
"No, I'm sorry!!" Sakurai immediately bowed in apology and Kagami side eyed him again. He truly wondered why the puppy like teen always apologised but he just ignored it.
"Nah, he just left in the middle of the day. Probably skipping." Kagami shrugged.
"I'm sorry i should've stopped him." Sakurai spoke again and kagami sighed
"No need. Kagami-Kun, can you please find him? It's really important that he's here for the Interhigh discussion."
"Why me!??" The red-head protests, fists clenched at the thought of seeing the ace's bored faces.
"Please, just this time. I'm busy, please. He'll probably be on the roof!" The manager bowed before running of towards the couch's direction.
"Wait-" Kagami called out before grumbling in annoyance as he stomped off to find the lazy teen.
The roof door was already creaked open, hinting that there were was presence inside. Walking in, the breeze ran past him, ruffling the red-head's hair soothingly. The atmosphere made his nerves cool down, temporarily extinguishing the feeling of weakness. Looking around, he saw the roof was empty. He walked closer to the fence to witness the view of the school from above. It looked amazing, peaceful. Definitely a great spot to cool his nerves.
The corner of his eyes caught a glimpse of dark blue hair on the top of the rooftop room. The teen sighed, remembering his mission to retrieve the ace. He climbed the ladder to reach the other teen. Once he got up there he saw Aomine asleep, a dirty magazine in hand.
Perve.
Kagami looked down at Aomine's sleeping face. It was relaxed, not scowling which made him look better for one. He found himself staring, surprised that the lazy teen can actually have a good side.
Who would've thought that if he shut up and slept he'd be a decent person.
He held back a laugh at the joke he made in his head, remembering what his original task was.
"Hey! Wake up, perve!." Kagami yelled at him, irked that the male didn't react.
"Hey! Wake up, Bastard! The couch called for us!" He tried again, kicking the other's side whilst he laid down on the stone surface.
"Ow! Hey! What's the big deal?!" Aomine jumped, holding his side.
"What's the big deal?! The coach wants us to meet, idiot. The Interhigh prelims are in a month. Get up." The red-head scoffed and nudged the other with his foot.
"Stop that!" The blue haired boy scowled and got up dusting his clothes and his magazine.
"So what if they're in a month? This is just stupid." He yawned.
"Stupid? These are serious games you bastard. Whatever, I just came to deliver the message." The red-head turned.
"Serious? You got lots to say for a replacements." Kagami froze as he was about to leave, hands tensing, trying to hold back a punch. He sighed and just hopped off the building so he can go back to practice.
Damn bastard! They should give me an award for holding back on punching that egotistical idiot!
(◞ ‸ ◟ㆀ) (◞ ‸ ◟ㆀ) (◞ ‸ ◟ㆀ) (◞ ‸ ◟ㆀ)
Back in the gym, Kagami returned alone, his mood even more sour but he took it out by playing ball. Everyone was taking a break, having small chats. Kagami didn't, immediately walking in and grabbing a ball to practice alone, afterall, Tōō never cared for teamwork. That wasn't their style at all. Kagami had no issue with it, even in middle school that was how he played. Except back in middle school he was the one that held up the team. He was the strongest. But not anymore.
He was only a replacement in times of need.
He dribbled and dunked. Alone. Mostly practicing his jumps. The first string players would watch occasionally. But only the Captain's eyes noticed his irritation, his distracted state. He jumped to preform a lay-up but his hand slipped slightly causing the ball to fall back. The teen looked in shock that he missed, gritting his teeth. A presence behind him jumped and pushed the ball in, time moving in cliche slow motion.
"When you go to score, make sure it goes in, split brows."
Both players landed on their feet around the same time. Kagami took a deep breathe to not lash out. He spun on his heels, glaring into the sharp dark blue eyes.
"Oh really? Thanks for the advice captain obvious." He replied sarcastically before walking away to grab a drink.
"Aww, what's wrong? Still Sulky?" The other teen imitated a mocking baby voice. It took lots of resistance not to throw a bunch. He didn't want to give the coach an excuse to keep him off the court.
"Everyone! Gather up!" Momoi announced, standing next to the couch a clipboard in hand. Everyone made their way towards them near the stage. Lazy Aomine dragged himself to the stage and decided to sprawl on it. Coach side eyed him but said nothing.
Talk about privilege.
"As you should know the Interhigh Prelims are in April so next month." Coach Harasawa began, leaving tension to roam between the players.
"Our bracket is full of no name schools, but we won't take risks. We'll play with the best of our abilities." He continued firmly, making sure Aomine heard as he'll be the center of the team.
"The starting line-up, unless stated otherwise, will be.." Momoi took over, reading of her list. Kagami clenched his fist in hope, but he already knew where he'll be...
"Imayoshi, Susa, Wakamatsu, Sakurai and Aomine." The pink haired girl listed.
Kagami would have to be a Bench Warmer. The thought irritated the red-head, Sakurai looked at him nervously from the spot next to the muscular player as if silently apologising. Kagami only let out a huff and patted the shorter boy's shoulder, non-verbally saying he's fine.
The coach and Momoi continued, but Kagami didn't fully focus. In the end, the pink haired manager gave them the player information before they went back to warm ups.
Aomine stayed on the stage despite Momoi's pestering whilst the other's practiced. Once again Kagami practiced alone, practically ignoring everyone else. He took out his frustration on the ball. After a strong dunk, Kagami landed and found himself looking back at Aomine, finding said male staring back from his slacked position, his head hanging off, staring at Kagami upside down.
This only made the red-head's eyes more fierce. Determined. A silent promise to get better then the prodigy ace.
Notes:
I've used a few quotes from the anime tehee
can you recognise them?And i feel so bad for my baby TT
Chapter 3: Change
Notes:
Sorry this took long i don't really have a set schedule so i will only write and post when I'm free from school work.
Sorry again.
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
The prelims ended way too fast for Kagami's liking. Four games where he only got to play because Aomine came late. The moment the ace would show up, he'd be subbed out. It pissed him off. He knew protest would do nothing. Everyone knew the red-head's role in the team. It was humiliating. Frustrating. Kagami never had enough words to describe this feeling. However the most evident would definitely be weak .
He'd sit on the bench and watch the lazy player score baskets again and again. Kagami can't even pretend like he doesn't know the difference between them two. He can tell that Aomine is strong. A monster even. A true prodigy that he can only watch from a distance.
BUZZZZ
There he goes again. Dammit.
Kagami gripped his knees tightly whilst he watched Aomine shoot a buzzer beater as if it was second nature.
He's amazing. So damn amazing.
Kagami grit his teeth as the ace walked off the court after the bow, grabbing a towel from besides the red-head. They were so close to each other yet their skill is separated by dimensions. It made the teen pissed. Even more pissed at the fact his blue haired teammate never acknowledged him, only talking to taunt him in class when said male was bored.
The red-head held back everytime, only throwing back snarky remarks and glares since he didn't want to risk the coach keeping him on the bench.
The locker room was rowdy with Wakamatsu picking a fight with Aomine who just picked at his ear (Kagami scowled at the disgusting sight, but decided to stay silent about it). He got dressed properly and grabbed his bag.
"Oh yeah, I have honey soaked lemons for after the game." Kagami remembered and pulled out two containers for the team.
"Thought it'd be a nice treat after passing the prelims."
"Treat? What's the use of it? Not like it was hard." The lazy ace replied but took one of the containers and opened it, already eating half of it.
"Well if it was so easy then you don't deserve it! We actually worked hard so give that here!" Wakamatsu yelled in annoyance and snatched the treat from Aomine and devoured them all.
"Yeah i don't care." Aomine said lazily and threw his jersey and jacket into his duffel bag without folding them.
"Wakamatsu those are for all of us!" Imayoshi tried to stop him.
"Here take the other one. You can throw the containers away after." Kagami handed the treats to the captain before turning to leave.
"You're already leaving Kagamin?" The pink haired manager perked up as the team members scowled and stepped back from her uncut honey soaked lemons.
"Yeah." Kagami replied and exited the locker room with no explanation, bag slung over his shoulder.
The team watched him leave, captain staring with an unreadable expression and Momoi and Sakurai stared at him in confusion and worry.
ಠ_ಠ) ಠ_ಠ) ಠ_ಠ) ಠ_ಠ)
His walk home felt like it took hours. Well he did take the long was home so that might be why. He needed the quiet. He hated noisy places when overwhelmed. The problem was due to the excitement of playing a game, Kagami had too much energy. Especially from anger.
He passed by his favourite street court. It was close to his house and very quiet. Isolated. Just how he likes it. The ball he usually leaves at the court hasn't moved. It relieved Kagami. He needed to vent all his anger.
The duffel bag was abandoned to the side as he ran to get to the ball. He'd run back, dribble, jump and dunk. Again and again so he wastes the energy of frustration. He couldn't even call it unfair. It wasn't. It was known that the blue-haired male was better. Way better.
That's what got him madder. But it's also why he stayed so motivated. He wanted to get better then Aomine. No, he needed to get stronger then the blue haired prodigy.
(¯﹃¯*) (¯﹃¯*) (¯﹃¯*) (¯﹃¯*)
This pattern of his repeated for days after the prelims. He'd go to morning practice, class, afternoon practice, then take the long way home so he can pass the street court and practice more. At school they'd practice together but never on teamwork. Sometimes having practice games without Aomine (since he thinks its pointless) and win effortlessly. But his lone practice sessions were his private time to practice his own skills before the final league starts, which is now in a few weeks. He needed to get better.
"Nice dunk." A soft, unheard of voice spoke out. A long silence followed after as the ball fell and rolled away.
.
.
.
"WHAT THE HELL?!" Kagami yelled in surprise as he looked around, finding a short, light blue haired man with emotionless eyes.
"WHERE DID YOU COME FROM?!" The red-head screamed at the top of his lungs from shock.
"I was here the whole time." The short male replied with a bland, monotone voice. Kagami observed him, he was wearing a sports uniform he couldn't recognise. A white jacket with black sleeves that had two red stripes going down them, the pants being a similar design.
"Who are you?" The red-head remembered to ask after calming his nerves, eyeing the mysterious male carefully, eyes sharp with a slight glare.
"Kuroko Tetsuya. I'm from Seirin High." He replied unaffected, his eyes bland. Kagami thought deeply, recognising the name of the school but not quite remembering. It took a second but it clicked.
"Seirin huh? The school we're going against in the Final League before the Interhigh." Kuroko nodded in confirmation.
"Why are you here? Do you know me?" Kagami had a doubtful gaze, as he narrowed his eyes with a flicker of suspicion.
"I was passing by and saw you playing alone. I recognise your uniform since we've been analysing your team. Although, i only know you because we saw how you get switched out for Aomine-kun every time." Kuroko explained plainly and the red-head immediately clenched his fists at the fact, the other male seem to have noticed it.
"What's your name?" He asked genuinely which slightly shocked Kagami more then when the male suddenly appeared. It sounds stupid but he felt acknowledged... seen for once.
"Kagami Taiga." The red-head replied reluctantly.
An arm wrapped around his neck, putting weight on him. He turned his head to see who it was, to Kagami's disbelief it was Aomine in the flesh. The new arrival had his usual bored eyes, but with slight recognition.
"Tetsu. Long time no see." The dark blue haired man spoke, calling the shorter male by a nickname, but the way he said it sounded annoyed. Without letting Kuroko reply he quickly added on.
"What do you think you're doing alone with one of my team members?" Aomine spoke dryly, arm still slung around Kagami's nape who was still stunned, staying silent to hear the interaction.
"I was passing by and saw him playing alone. He's good." Kuroko replied stoically, the red head was annoyed that they talked like he wasn't there, however that thought was pushed to the side when Aomine's arm on his shoulder stiffened, then tightened. It was faint, barely something you can pick up on, but Kagami definitely did.
"And what?" The ace replied uncaringly and it made Kagami glare ever so slightly.
"Why doesn't he play in more of Tōō's games?" The question made the American raised teen tense and look away. Hands clenched by his side.
Great, the bastard will just mock me now.
"Why would he waste his energy on pathetic games?" The answer hung between the three, shocking the red-head. Kuroko also raised a brow in interest at Aomine's response, almost as if he's surprised too.
"Hold on a minute! Don't talk about me when I'm right here!" Kagami snaps at them when he finally got enough of it. He looked between the two that had joined him on his court, the tension seemingly high, and red-head was stuck in the middle of it.
"How the hell do you know him?" He turned his head to the teen that had an arm around his neck.
"Middle school. Ever heard of the sixth man of the generation of miracles?" Aomine responded blandly, eyes bored, clearly not caring about the reunion with his ex-teammate.
"I put very little effort to inform myself about this clique of yours." Kagami retorted with a scowl.
"Either way, that's him. And hopefully you're smart enough to know he is our next opponent." The ace countered, unaffected by his teammates statement.
"Of course i know!" Said teammate yelled, but he got silenced by the tightening grip on his shoulder.
"I'll get going then. I'll see you again at the game." The shorter miracle bowed shallowly before turning to leave.
"I hope you also will be on the court, Kagami-kun." The Seirin player commented and left officially. Kagami couldn't tell whether it was genuine or mocking. He can't read Kuroko's face, unlike his captain, which was often smiling, he held almost no emotion on his face.
"What the hell was that about?" Kagami scowled at his team's ace who still hadn't removed his arm.
"You guys don't seem close." He continued and shrugged off Aomine's arm to grab his bag and the ball.
Aomine shrugged, and stood under the hoop, staring up at the worn out metal ring, partially since the court was abandoned, the other reason was most likely because of Kagami's solo training.
"Long story short, we were, now we aren't. He was my shadow." The blue-haired prodigy replied uncaringly.
"The hell does that mean?!" The red-head glowered.
"Ask Satsuki if you really want to know." Aomine answered nonchalantly and Kagami rolled his eyes.
"Then why are you here? Were you just passing by like that Kuroko guy?" Kagami sighed and slung his duffel bag over his shoulder, the ball in the other hand, preparing to leave as soon as the conversation was over.
"Nah, i followed you." Aomine replied blandly and walked over to Kagami, wrapping his arm around the others' neck once again, putting weight on his seat partner who got irked.
"CAN YOU AT LEAST PRETEND TO NOT BE SHAMELESS!!" He rightfully yelled and Aomine grimaced, moving his head away.
"Whatever, why did you follow me?" He sighed, trying to shrug off the arm that put weight on him, but it refused to budge.
"Huh? Oh, I just got curious of where you ran off to sulk." He replied with a teasing smirk, the arm around the red-head tightening as more weight was put on him and basically pushed him away from the court.
"I'm not sulking! And where the hell are you leading me to?" Kagami yelled in annoyance.
"Huh? Your house obviously. It's closer, ain't it? I see you passing near my house all the time to go to school. Pretty sure we're a few blocks apart." Aomine answered as if it is the simplest thing ever. Of course he would act like that, he's the epitome of privilege.
"I can't go home, my mum is mad at me."
"WHY WOULD I LET YOU INTO MY HOME!?!?"
(≧∇≦)/ (≧∇≦)/ (≧∇≦)/ (≧∇≦)/
"Damn that was a nice shower." Aomine stretched as he walked back out to Kagami's living room. Kagami was in the kitchen, grumbling behind his open kitchen that was exposed to the living-room.
Somehow, in a way Kagami can't comprehend, Aomine managed to convince the red-head to come into his house, take a shower, wear Kagami's clothes, and have said male make him dinner.
HOW THE HELL DID THIS HAPPEN?
He saw the navy-haired male snoop through his living room, seemingly looking for something.
"C'mon. Where is it?" The intruder grumbled as he looked between couch cushions, movie CDs, and random stuff.
"Has to be here somewhere."
"What is?" Kagami asked as he stirred the curry, the rice already prepared in the rice cooker.
"Damn man, you must have good hiding skills. I see no dirty magazine in sight." The answer the male gave astonished his teammate, making him paused for a second.
"THAT'S BECAUSE I'M NOT A PERV LIKE YOU, BASTARD!!" The outburst was deserved, a nearby oven glove thrown at the taller male who easily dodged as if it was nothing.
"What??" His reply was stretched and surprised.
"So boring."
"Atleast, I'm a decent person." Kagami huffed as he turned off the stove.
"Whatever. Anyways, this place is decent, pretty clean too. Do you live here alone? How do afford this place." Aomine asked, impressed, it was unlike the usual boredom and disinterest. It was a peculiar sight that made the other male intrigued.
"I was supposed to live with my dad but his work got in the way. But he pays for it. And I prefer my house stays clean." Kagami gave a warning glare to the ace who pretended not to see and snatched the plate of food from Kagami. Said male sighed and grabbed a plate of his own and moved to the dining table opposite of Aomine. He didn't even want to ask about the other staying over for the night and just accepted it, but his thoughts lingered on one thing...
"Hey.... about what you said to the shorty in the court back there..." Kagami hesitated but ultimately spoke up after a few bites of food.
"About me playing.." He clarified.
"What about it?" The other hummed mid bite, his demeanor different. Weirdly different.
"Well... i was kind of expecting you to mock me, call me a replacement again." Kagami admitted though gritted teeth.
"It was tempting. But it'd sound like you're weak."
"Huh?" Kagami widened in shock at the words that left his semi-rival (which pretty much was only one sided).
"Don't get me wrong you're still are one. But my replacements aren't weak. Had i said that you were one infront of him, which you are, he'd think you're weak." Aomine explained. Kagami didn't know whether to feel complimented or punch the guy sitting infront of him.
"That makes no sense." Kagami sighed and got up to pour both of them seconds, since apparently both of them had big appetites (however it was quickly discovered that Kagami had the bigger one of the two).
"Whatever. Replacement or not. I'll get stronger. Strong to the point I'll beat you and become a starter." Kagami half expected the other male to be ignoring him, but he was dumbfounded when he saw Aomine staring straight at him, his eyes bored but staring nonetheless.
"I seriously don't get it. Just give up. That's so much simpler." The silence was deafening after Aomine's words that it kind of made the same male feel uneasy.
"WHAT!? Hell nah! Now why would i do that!?" Kagami yelled and gripped the collar of Aomine's shirt that was borrowed from Kagami.
"Basketball ain't a joke, y'know! I've loved this sport ever since i learned about it. Why would i quit it because of a douche like you whom i can train and get stronger then." Aomine's eyes were definitely wide in astoundment at the anger the other expressed, he wasn't expecting it at all.
(˵ ¬ᴗ¬˵) (˵ ¬ᴗ¬˵) (˵ ¬ᴗ¬˵) (˵ ¬ᴗ¬˵)
The next morning at practice Kagami walked into the gym, Aomine nowhere in sight after he forced him out of the house the other intruded into. Like always since there was no set training for mornings, Kagami practiced alone. It became known by now that Kagami practices alone in the morning and since this club wasn't a team oriented one, it mattered to no one. It's second nature to all of them at this point.
This time however it seemed to be different because Kagami was joined by Aomine half way through.
"What's up with you?" Kagami grumbled as they went back and forth in a one on one, Kagami being able to keep up but it still wasn't enough against hsi rival.
"Nothing. Why?" Aomine asked as he effortlessly scored with a formless shot despite Kagami having jumped to stop him.
"Your being weird." The red head panted as they paused the playing to wipe off his sweat with his shirt, the warmish humid air making him sweat more, not just him, every player even the usually unaffected Aomine.
"You being way too buddy buddy with me." The ace wasn't particularly nicer, he still teased the shorter of the two, but he actually acknowledging Kagami, following him and now practicing and playing with him was something that was unexpected. The blue haired teen was acting different, he looked bored but not in the same way as before. Something changed.
"Huh? What are you on about? I'm just bored." Aomine snarled in annoyance and decided that was it for the morning as he turned and left, probably to change and head to class. Kagami just stared at the other's back, panting as he calmed down from their one on one. He really was confused.
Why the hell is he acting like nothing is wrong?
It wasn't only Kagami who found it confusing. The other members too were surprised when Aomine showed up and actually played against the red head. Momoi was the most shocked, she barely focused on her usual duty of advising the others or giving them water and towels, her attention was mostly on the navy blue and red duo who were in their own world, taking up half the court.
It was truly a bizarre sight. But it certainly wasn't the last one.
Notes:
Do you guys like the emoticons i have between scenes?
Do you wanted them to stay or should i change them and use something else?