Kuroko’s Basketball: Before Generation Miracles, I Already Crowned Chapter 198: I'll Sit Out This Afternoon! Let Kuroko Play In

"An internal conflict in Teiko…?"

"Uh…"

"Was that last play connected to that blue-haired kid?"

"No, wait…"

"When did he even get over there?!"

On the court

Midorima stepped in front of Murasakibara to block him, casting a glance toward Kuroko Tetsuya. Although he had already pieced together the basic principle of Kuroko's ability, and it was indeed sothing remarkable, if it could fail like that, then it was nothing more than a liability.

And that mistake—was it because Kuroko was too nervous, or was it simply that he lacked mastery of his technique?

He had used it flawlessly during the tryouts for the First String. Could it be that his ability faltered when the teammates around him beca too strong to sync with? If that was the case, then it was a fundantal flaw.

anwhile, on the sidelines

At Teiko's bench, Haizaki Shōgo frowned, muttering complaints under his breath. But the look in his eyes was not one of mockery. His emotions were clearly shaken, and that unease lingered all the way until the ga's end.

Because

Even though Teiko ultimately won with a thirty-point lead, Kuroko Tetsuya, who had stepped onto the court, didn't land a single successful pass.

…

Teiko's morning match concluded.

The team gathered outside the gym for lunch. Poor Haizaki hadn't brought anything, so he was about to head for a convenience store al, when he noticed soone in an even worse state.

That soone—was Shigure Akihito.

Haizaki turned and saw his senpai looking utterly dejected, his lunchbox filled with unidentifiable, pitch-black "food." He couldn't help but laugh:

"Senpai~ think you can even digest that~?"

Murasakibara, still chewing on a piece of at, turned curiously at the remark. But the mont he saw Akihito's lunchbox, he hurriedly swallowed his food, as if terrified that Akihito might try to share it with him.

Akihito shook his head slowly.

"Mm…"

"Momoi's cooking…"

"Truly…"

"…remarkable."

Aomine clutched his stomach, laughing hard—only to choke when Akihito shoved a bite of Momoi's indescribable dish straight into his mouth.

"Ugh… wha!"

"Mmgh…!"

"Senpai!"

"Hm?"

"You seed so happy laughing. I figured you're already used to eating this stuff anyway, right? So, I'll leave it to you~."

"No way in hell!"

Having finally escaped Momoi Satsuki's culinary clutches, Aomine Daiki wasn't about to fall victim again. He bolted to his feet and slipped away. Akihito glanced down at Momoi's "love-filled" lunchbox—love that was as black as coal—and thought to himself:

Forget it.

And so, the "Convenience Store Trio" was ford.

With Aomine and Haizaki bickering, and Akihito egging them on, the three made their way toward the store. But as they walked, they suddenly spotted Nijimura Shuzo sitting on a bench, talking with Coach Sanada, who wasn't leading the team that day.

The conversation they overheard froze Aomine and Haizaki's banter mid-sentence.

"I've already seen enough in the morning match…"

"As I thought…"

"Because of you guys, I was far too optimistic about the first-years."

"It's not just about that special ability."

"The training, too—it's the sa problem."

"Kuroko Tetsuya should return to the Second String for now."

Upon hearing this

Aomine, who had witnessed firsthand how hard Kuroko pushed himself just to endure training, clenched his fists, ready to step forward. But before he could, Haizaki moved faster.

Whsssh!

Fury radiated from him, even his "wolf's shadow" flaring to life.

"Wait just a damn second!"

"That was only one ga! In the afternoon match, he'll definitely do it! Passing is all we're talking about—sothing that simple, there's no way he can't handle it!"

As one of the few who had guided Kuroko through the details of misdirection, building upon Shigure Akihito's insights, Nijimura had been about to explain the real reason behind Kuroko's passing failures. But Haizaki's sudden outburst cut him off.

"Haizaki?"

It was clear—Sanada Naoto truly didn't see any potential in Kuroko.

"No need to look further," Sanada said flatly. "One ga is enough. Coach Shirogane gave the sa instructions."

Haizaki shot Sanada a glare. "You really are obedient, huh? That old man didn't even bother to show up himself, so what kind of instructions are you parroting? In that case… how about this? I'll sit out this afternoon!"

"Let Kuroko play instead!"

"Would that be good enough for you?!"

Hearing Haizaki's words—and especially his blunt defiance toward both Sanada and Coach Shirogane—Nijimura's "lion" suddenly reared up, crushing Haizaki's wild aura beneath its weight.

"Fine."

"But on one condition. If Kuroko still fails in the afternoon match, you'll be sent down to the Second String with him. And you'll both stay there until your second year to reflect."

"Fine by !"

"You violent bastard!"

Haizaki's instant agreent left even Akihito stunned for a mont.

He knew that his very existence had already shifted the paths of many around him.

For example—reminding Nijimura early of his father's illness allowed him to devote himself fully to basketball, accelerating his growth to an astonishing pace.

Or Murasakibara, who had begun honing technical skills. Aomine, who had developed passing instincts. Midorima, who now had senpai he truly respected, and who learned to face weaker opponents with full strength.

So many things had changed in just two years. Even the Generation of Miracles' own paths had shifted.

But truthfully…

Nothing had shocked him as much as this mont.

Haizaki's wildness, and even his budding "Thunder Dribble" and other skills, could be put aside. Looking back, where exactly had Akihito's influence touched him?

The first encounter at Tenbashi Court?

The Third String gym?

The journey through Nationals?

Or sowhere else entirely?

Regardless, after hearing Haizaki's unhesitating answer, Akihito couldn't help but feel that Haizaki, in his own way, was loyal—soone who could actually be called a "good guy."

Just as Akihito prepared to step forward to persuade Nijimura, his eyes caught sight of a sliver of blue peeking out from behind the wall. Without a doubt

It was Kuroko Tetsuya.

Realizing this, Akihito hesitated and decided not to intervene.

anwhile, Sanada Naoto fell silent. The situation had developed in a way he hadn't foreseen. The thought of sending Haizaki down to the Second String left him hesitant.

But Nijimura's crushing presence, so absolute it almost felt like standing before Coach Shirogane himself, weighed on him heavily. After a long pause, Sanada finally nodded.

If it was Nijimura's decision, there shouldn't be a problem.

"…I understand."

"Then it will depend on the afternoon match."

"But Haizaki, think carefully. If he still fails, you'll be demoted alongside him. This is not just empty talk."

Under Nijimura's sharp gaze, Haizaki nodded, a little less aggressive, though still grumbling in his own way.

"Got it…"

"Annoying."

"Doesn't matter. If it cos to that, it cos to that."

END OF CHAPTER

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