Kuroko’s Basketball: Before Generation Miracles, I Already Crowned

Afternoon.

Teiko Third String Gymnasium.

Today, Teiko's external scrimmage was scheduled against a visiting team, Jogaya Middle School, also based in Tokyo.

The match was set to take place in the Third String's training facility.

Though Jogaya had never quite made it to Nationals in recent years, they had always remained one of the top contenders in Tokyo's regional preliminaries.

"So today's team leads are Nijimura and Shigure, huh…"

"They're both first-years, but they joined the First String the moment they entered the club. That's insane. Still, thanks to them, we get a break from training today…"

"I didn't expect Third String training to be this brutal, though."

"Also, "

"Nijimura Shuzo is terrifying. I passed by the First String court once and saw him in a one-on-one with one of the upperclassmen. Yikes, what a bloodbath."

"Nijimura Shuzo… That thug-looking guy, right?"

The murmuring among the Third Stringers came to a sudden halt as two boys stepped into the gym, both wearing official Teiko basketball jackets. Trailing behind them were several other youthful faces.

The new first-years in the Third String recognized them instantly.

They were fellow rookies, same grade, same cohort.

The only difference?

Only Akihito Shigure and Nijimura Shuzo, who were leading the group, were wearing the official Teiko jackets.

And beneath those jackets

You could clearly see the numbers: Shigure, #12; Nijimura, #13.

Some of the rookies who had prior experience in formal basketball clubs caught on right away.

Numbers 4 through 8 were typically reserved for the starting lineup.

Numbers 9 through 13?

Top-ranked bench players.

In other words

From entrance trials to now, in just two short weeks, Shigure and Nijimura hadn't just secured spots in the First String, they'd even been assigned official playing numbers!

Which meant…

If they could hold on to those spots, it was entirely possible they'd get selected to represent Teiko in the National Junior Championship as first-year players.

And judging by those jersey numbers, they were essentially guaranteed court time.

On the bench, Akihito Shigure sat comfortably in his official Teiko jacket.

He couldn't help but feel a little smug, as if he were a rising star casually making his public debut. Especially under the envious gaze of Kokuna Shinji, who had been stealing glances at the number on Shigure's chest from the moment they reunited.

"So scary, Nijimura-kun~"

"Come on, give us a smile~"

Shigure suddenly turned and teased Nijimura Shuzo, who was seated beside him.

After two weeks of braving Teiko's "First String Upperclassman Challenge Mode" side by side, Shigure had earned not only a bunch of system rewards but also a more comfortable rapport with Nijimura.

All in all,

While Nijimura still wasn't what you'd call warm-hearted behind a cold face, he also wasn't as terrifying as people made him out to be.

Still, if the First String upperclassmen heard Shigure say that out loud, they'd probably give him a slow thumbs-up, then slap a big old "Are-you-crazy-6" on his forehead just to knock some sense into him.

"Shut up…"

"We're First String, and we're still acting as subs for these guys. What's there to be happy about?"

But Shigure just smiled at the remark. He didn't seem the least bit bothered.

"A scrimmage focused on Second String development, huh~"

"And we're here as backup insurance~"

"That makes us kind of cool, doesn't it?"

"We're just first-years, after all~"

Before long, Jogaya Middle School's coach and players entered the gym.

And it was obvious

From the jersey numbers, you could tell they were fielding their main lineup.

Jogaya's coach shook hands with Coach Ino, who was representing Teiko's Second String, then immediately looked toward the Teiko bench.

At first, his expression twisted into a mild frown upon seeing the players all dressed in the Second String's blue training vests.

Then he spotted two players in official jerseys, and his face eased slightly.

But when his eyes fell on the two unfamiliar boys wearing #12 and #13, his brows knit together again, hard.

The way his face morphed in quick succession was almost comical. Coach Ino had to suppress a grin.

Still, the Jogaya coach didn't comment. He'd been to Teiko enough times to know how they operated.

Whenever they scrimmaged against Jogaya, Teiko's lineup usually consisted of two First Stringers, followed by a group of Second and Third String players.

The only difference this time?

The two First Stringers were just a bit too… unfamiliar. And too young-looking.

Maybe…

They're sudden breakout talents from Teiko's Second or Third Years?

Tch…

A club with over a hundred players…

Teiko, huh. Must be nice to be part of a powerhouse school like that.

Soon, both teams began warming up.

On Jogaya's side, the coach's gaze lingered once more on the cluster of blue vests surrounding Coach Ino, his brows drawing tighter.

Beside him, the team manager, who was responsible for gathering intel, spoke up.

"Aside from a few familiar faces, the rest are all complete unknowns…"

At that moment

A player from the bench raised his hand and spoke with an awkward look on his face:

"Uh…"

"I actually heard something from a friend at Teiko…"

Coach: "What did you hear?"

"Those two in official jerseys…"

"And those unfamiliar blue vests…"

"They're all first-years."

"Among them"

"Akihito Shigure."

"Nijimura Shuzo."

"I heard the two of them joined the First String straight out of the entrance trials. And now, just two weeks later…"

"They've already been assigned official numbers."

To be continued...