Kuroko’s Basketball: Before Generation Miracles, I Already Crowned Chapter 181: Haizaki Shōgo vs. Kuroko Tetsuya

That evening.

Inside the Third Gymnasium.

Although Kuroko Tetsuya had already been promoted to the Second Team, Coach Daigo Matsuoka was generous enough to allow him to continue practicing in the Third Gym after hours. Perhaps, though, the real reason was that Haizaki Shōgo from the First Team often dropped by for his own late-night training.

Like tonight.

"Hey! Transparent Third-Stringer! Where the hell are you hiding?!"

Kuroko lifted his head just in ti to see Haizaki swagger in, his face carrying that sa arrogant smirk as always. As usual, Haizaki failed to notice him.

"..."

And this ti, Kuroko hadn't even bothered to use Misdirection.

Glancing up at the glaring overhead lights, he felt a flicker of speechless exasperation, though none of it showed on his face. Instead, he let the basketball in his hands do the talking.

Thump

Thump

Thump

The echo of bouncing ball rang sharply through the empty gym. Haizaki, used to Kuroko's silent presence, didn't react with surprise like most people. He simply turned toward the sound.

He smirked, ready to spit out so cocky remark, only to hear the boy in the shadows under the hoop speak first.

"Good evening, 'Miracle's All-Around Scorer,' Haizaki-kun. I heard you lost to the 'Ace of Miracles,' Aomine-kun."

"...!"

The sharp glint in Haizaki's narrowed eyes betrayed his irritation. He was never used to Kuroko showing this rare, hidden sharpness.

"Congratulations on winning the championship," Kuroko continued calmly. "By the way… I'm now the 'Second-Team Transparent Player,' Haizaki-kun."

For a mont, Haizaki froze. Then, with a curl of his lips, he touched the earring on his ear, his scowl easing into a mocking grin.

"Hmph. So what if you made Second? That's supposed to be impressive?" His tone dripped with disdain. "The Nationals are already over… and you're only in Second Team. Pathetic."

But Kuroko didn't falter. Still dribbling gently, his eyes fixed on the hoop.

"I know I'm still far behind compared to soone like you, who entered the club and imdiately joined the First Team. But Haizaki-kun, I will continue to move forward. And soon, I'll reach the First Team too."

His words were accompanied by a quiet, earnest smile—the smile of soone whose hard work was finally beginning to bear fruit.

Haizaki was taken aback for an instant.

To him, all the things that monster Shigure had told Kuroko—the promises of "waiting in the First Team" and encouragents, were nothing more than cruel lies. Yet here Kuroko stood, his determination turning those empty words into reality.

Misdirection.

Promotion to the Second Team.

Each one was proof. Proof born of effort.

Compared to Reiji Fukaya's desperate challenge against Shigure during Nationals, compared to all the dazzling monts of the sumr, this scene right before Haizaki's eyes felt more real, more tangible.

Still… all he could manage to say was:

"Oi! Second-Stringer! Want , a champion player, to give you so lessons?"

Thump Thump Thump

Haizaki spun the ball in his hands, dribbling at a speed so fast that Kuroko instantly knew, he could never hope to match that pace.

"..."

"Haizaki-kun," Kuroko's voice was firm, "I'm not Aomine-kun."

"Hah? Aomine? What about him? Don't tell you think that idiot could still beat ! And why do you talk so much crap? What's the matter… scared, Second-Team Kuroko Tetsuya?"

"I'm not afraid."

"Ha! You are, aren't you? Admit it!"

"..."

Monts later, the only lit court in the Third Gym saw the two players stand across from each other, ready for a one-on-one duel.

"Getting the chance to face , a National Champion, is rare, you know," Haizaki sneered. "Next ti you write your little letters to your friends, make sure you brag properly… 'I, Kuroko Tetsuya, had a one-on-one against a champion.' Yeah… write it just like that."

Suppressing a sigh at Haizaki's nasty attitude, Kuroko held the ball tightly in his hands.

"I'm going to start now, Haizaki-kun. Please, be prepared."

Thump! Thump! Thump!

With a grave look in his eyes, Kuroko dribbled steadily. Then, in a sudden burst—he pushed off with a clean, sharp step.

A straightforward drive.

To Haizaki, the move looked as simple as any beginner's. The form was fine, but the speed—limited by Kuroko's frail build, was predictably slow.

"Tch…"

Since you've just been promoted, I'll play along, Haizaki thought, deliberately not even applying real pressure. He watched Kuroko slip past with his light-blue eyes burning faintly.

Then he turned

Thump. Thump. Thump.

Sothing strange. The dribbling sounded faster, more frantic.

And when Haizaki glanced back—he saw Kuroko frozen in place, his attempt at a drive already stalled, the ball bouncing awkwardly against his own foot.

...He had dribbled straight into his own legs.

The gym fell into a suffocating silence.

"Pfft! 'Be prepared,' was it?" Haizaki burst into cruel laughter. "If the whole Second Team is like you, Teiko's basketball club should just disband!"

But Kuroko, face calm, only replied matter-of-factly:

"I was promoted to Second Team because of my passing ability. And… my earlier words ant this: when it cos to offense, I haven't improved much yet. So I wanted you to be prepared for that."

Haizaki gawked, disbelieving. "You expect anyone to read all that into one sentence? You did that on purpose! You sneaky little weakling!"

Snarling, he ruffled Kuroko's soft blue hair roughly with his hand.

"Tch! Unlike with my dyed gray, your hair really is natural, huh? Sa as Aomine and the others. Annoying."

"..."

Whatever. After all, monsters like Nijimura and Shigure were both black-haired anyway.

"Hmph! Want to go again, Second-Team?" Haizaki's smirk twisted oddly. "Though I don't get why your eyes are sparkling like that when you clearly can't even play one-on-one."

Still…

"My turn now. Of course we're continuing. Don't even think about running—I'll show you! That crap about 'Aomine being the Ace of Miracles' is total nonsense! That idiot could never compare to ! After Nationals…"

"I've beco soone entirely different!"

Boom!

The ball slamd against the court with a force that echoed like rolling thunder.

The sound itself carried Haizaki's fury.

A faint thunderstorm was rising.

END OF CHAPTER

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