Kuroko’s Basketball: Before Generation Miracles, I Already Crowned Chapter 103: Nijimura Shuzo vs. Kuroko Tetsuya?

One month later, ti had slipped into June.

With only one month remaining before the July National Middle School Qualifiers, the Teiko team had entered a critical phase.

During this period, Akashi, Murasakibara, Aomine, Midorima, and even the later-joining Haizaki, all progressed into the sa phase that Shigure Akihito and Nijimura Shuzo had experienced the year before.

All of them,

Had earned official first-string jerseys, ranked in order of priority.

Among them, Akashi Seijūrō even claid the starting No. 8 jersey as point guard.

This didn't necessarily an Akashi was stronger than Murasakibara or Aomine at this stage, it simply reflected the fact that, compared to other positions, Teiko lacked depth at point guard.

Especially after last year's third-years graduated, the current second-year cohort, sandwiched between Shigure and Nijimura's generation, had a serious talent gap. Rather than choosing from the underwhelming third-years, it made more sense to promote a more gifted first-year like Akashi.

Of course,

All of this was predicated on one condition:

That Nijimura had returned to the power forward position, no longer playing point guard as he did in last year's Nationals final.

In contrast to Akashi and the others' teoric rise,

Another first-year, Kuroko Tetsuya, was still struggling in the third string with no signs of improvent.

Third-String Gymnasium.

"Notani Kenichirō."

"…"

"Shinta Shinichi."

"These four are the ones who passed the sumr promotion test and advanced to the second string."

"The rest of you, reflect seriously on your shortcomings and continue training."

"That is all!"

Inside the gym, Kuroko Tetsuya stood with his head lowered, sweat streaming down his face. His expression was tight with frustration. Around him, others who had failed to advance were murmuring their own bitter regrets.

"Damn it…"

"If only I hadn't ssed up back then…"

"Next ti, I'll definitely move up!"

But unlike the others, Kuroko, transparent as ever, had no one to confide in. He drifted through the remainder of training like a ghost, lost in his thoughts.

In truth, it had only been two months since he joined the team. Kuroko had a fair sense of his own skill level. What weighed on him wasn't just his performance.

After school. On the road ho from Teiko.

Kuroko walked along the street, his gaze fixed on a letter in his hand.

His second letter since entering middle school.

"Tetsuya, I've got good news!"

"A few days ago, I finally received my team jersey."

"I'm still a bench player with limited ti on court, but I'll keep working hard to earn a starting spot."

"How about you?"

"Teiko is super famous, I know, but I believe if you give it your all, good things will co too!"

"Oh, by the way, "

"Have you seen Teiko's Twin Star, Shigure-senpai?"

"Haha… let's both work hard so we can et on the court one day. When we do, get Shigure-senpai's autograph, okay?"

, Shigehiro Ogiwara

Kuroko's expression grew more downcast as he reread the letter.

Elsewhere, at a cross street just ahead,

Shigure Akihito and Nijimura Shuzo were walking toward the sa intersection.

Nijimura frowned slightly, while Shigure continued chatting, unaware of what, or who, was in front of him.

"How's Uncle Nijimura's health lately? Did he get it checked out?"

"Yeah…"

"Good thing you listened to ."

"Hah Back then, you said I was being ridiculous."

"…"

"I an, out of nowhere, you ca to my house and said that…"

"It was a fortune-telling thing"

"From Midorima's morning horoscope?"

"Yup! I just happened to hear it. That day was super unlucky for , you know? 'Close friend's father will fall ill.' I don't have much family, and your uncle looked pale, so… clearly, it was you who'd be affected"

"…"

"Well, in the end, it turned out to be a good thing."

Just as Nijimura said this, he reached out and stopped Shigure.

Only then did Shigure notice the person quietly standing in front of them, Kuroko Tetsuya, eyes downcast, silent.

Shigure: "?"

His first reaction wasn't to look at Kuroko, but to glance at Nijimura.

Lately…

Has Nijimura's court vision really improved that much?

Nijimura had noticed Kuroko far in advance, but the only impression he had was from the entrance ceremony: a first-year who sohow evaded his sight. And even that was only rembered because of his unusual hair color.

With a club of over 100 mbers, a third-string rookie who wasn't even in the sa year wasn't likely to stick in his mory.

"Also a first-year… from the basketball club…"

"Third string…"

"Kuroko Tetsuya."

Seeing Nijimura's blank expression, Shigure stepped in to identify him. Nijimura raised an eyebrow at that.

A third-stringer, and not even from their year, how did Shigure, the vice-captain who never paid attention to team logistics, know his na so precisely?

With a curious look, Nijimura turned his gaze toward Kuroko.

Kuroko had noticed them too. He looked up, expressionless, but clearly not in a good mood.

Then Shigure, catching sight of the letter in Kuroko's hand, instantly pieced things together.

Ah, so that's what it is,

A letter from Shigehiro Ogiwara.

Shigure didn't know exactly what stage Ogiwara was in now, but he knew very well what Kuroko was going through.

These two childhood friends, after entering middle school, the growing gap between them, plus that now-distant promise to et in an official match...

No wonder Kuroko was lost.

Yeah...

Looks like it's about ti.

Across from him, Kuroko raised his head, eting Nijimura's curious eyes and Shigure's burning gaze. Before he could even greet them, Shigure opened his mouth.

"Kuroko-kun…"

"You haven't made it to second string yet?"

"Akashi's already starting, you know."

Kuroko: "…"

Nijimura: "?"

Kuroko imdiately thought of that first-year point guard prodigy. He stayed silent. Nijimura looked puzzled at Shigure comparing this unknown rookie to Akashi Seijūrō.

But,

What surprised Nijimura even more ca next.

"Don't joke, senpai."

"How could I possibly compare to Akashi-kun…?"

Shigure shook his head, then patted Nijimura on the shoulder.

"You see this guy next to ? He's Teiko's team captain."

"How about going up against him?"

"If you do well enough…"

"You might get fast-tracked straight into the first string"

Kuroko: "…"

He swallowed hard.

He'd seen Nijimura in action.

Just imagining himself standing 1v1 against this lion-like captain sent shivers down his spine.

He was still third-string, how could he possibly manage that?

Kuroko shook his head.

But Nijimura,

Knew all too well that when it ca to basketball, Shigure's sense for talent was… different.

So,

"If you're a Teiko player…"

"What are you hesitating for?"

"Afraid?"

"You can be scared after you try."

"First-year…"

"Kuroko Tetsuya."

Kuroko stood frozen.

He looked up again, eting Shigure's eyes, filled with silent encouragent.

In his mind...

He recalled the words Shigure had once said to him,

Nearly identical to what Captain Nijimura had just said.

"To give up without trying, to surrender without resistance, that's far too disrespectful."

Kuroko: "…"

Kuroko: "Understood, Captain Nijimura."

Kuroko: "1v1…"

"At the very least, I'll try."

End of chapter...

To be continued...

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