Kurobasweek Day 07: Free Day - āFree Throwā
AU: What if the Generation of Miracles met before junior high?
āYes!ā Aomine shouts when another shot makes it in. He dribbles the ball making moves as though to pass invisible opponents when heās surprised to actually knock into something solid. A startled gasp followed by a low groan alerts him to the fact whoever he ran into is now on the ground. Looking down, heās surprised to see a shock of blue hair followed by bright blue eyes when the boy he knocked over looks up at him.
āOi, sorry ābout that,ā Aomine says with a sheepish grin, āI didnāt see you.ā He extends a tanned hand which is taken by the smaller boy.
āItās ok, that happens to me all the time,ā he replies as he stands.
Aomine is confused on how someone who was literally right in front of him could just disappear but he opts to forgo further investigation in favor of recruiting a player so heās not alone. āWell, since youāre here anyway, wanna play?ā he asks tossing the ball in his hand up and catching it on the tip of his finger.
The smaller boy nods softly. āGreat!ā Aomine exclaims, then almost as an afterthought asks, āWhatās your name?ā
āKuroko Tetsuya,ā is the reply.
Aomine sticks out his hand again, shaking the otherās. āNice to meet you, Iām Aomine Daiki!ā
The two play a bit of one on one though Kuroko struggles to do anything even remotely right. But instead of being frustrated, Aomine finds himself welcoming the challenge of teaching someone something. As Kuroko takes another shot that hits the rim sending the ball backwards to the other end of court, Aomine instructs, āOk, you need to hold the ball a bit different. I think youāre putting too much spin on it.ā
Kuroko nods and is about to turn to retrieve the ball when both boys are startled by it sailing over their heads and cleaning through the hoop with a faint whoosh. Turning around, their eyes land on a green haired bespectacled boy whoās just as tall as Aomine.
āWait a second,ā the dark blue haired boy says, ādid you make that shot from there?ā
The boy nods and Aomine rushes to him. āThat was awesome! Do you want to play?ā
At first it looks like the newcomer is going to decline but the slight gleam in his eyes gives away the fact that he really does want to join in. So, he nods in affirmation, following Aomine back to the free throw line where he introduces himself: Midorima Shintaro.
āMaybe you can help this guy,ā Aomine says flicking a thumb towards Kuroko.
āI highly doubt it,ā mumbles Midorima.
āHey! Do you guys need another player?ā a shrill voice cries out.
The three on the court turn their heads bringing into their line of sight an enthusiastic looking blonde gripping the chain-link fence set around the basketball courts.
āYeah!ā Aomine responds with a flick of his wrist.
The boy lets loose a yelp of happiness, rushing to the gate and over to where they stand.
āIām Kise Ryouta, what are your names?ā he asks excitedly.
After introductions, itās decided to have Aomine and Kuroko play against Kise and Midorima. The game is a bit one sided to the half of the blonde and green haired boys, mostly because Kuroko has a really hard time keeping up with the running. But Aomine doesnāt really care since he finally has some people to play with.
Eventually the quad of boys decides to take a break, mostly so Kuroko can catch his breath.
āSorry,ā he pants heavily, wiping sweat from his brow, āI just donāt have a lot of stamina.ā
āItās fine,ā Aomine says quickly, āweāre just having fun you know?ā
āCare to add two more to your game?ā a voice says from behind.
The four players look over their shoulders, eyes widening a bit at the sight of a huge purple haired boy standing next to a shorter red head. It must have been the latter who spoke since the formerās mouth is full of chips that he crunches.
āSure,ā Aomine answers standing up. āWho are you guys?ā
āIām Akashi Seijuro and this is Murasakibara Atsushi, itās a pleasure to make your acquaintanceā¦ā
āAomine,ā he replies pointing to the other boys as he introduces them. Ā
Akashi smiles softly, looking up at his tall companion. āCome on, Murasakibara, put down your chips and letās play.ā
The purple giant grumbles but does as instructed, brushing crumbs from his t-shirt as he walks onto the court. He joins Kise and Midorima while Akashi is with Kuroko and Aomine. With another player able to score on their team, the blue haired boys start to close the gap in points between themselves and their opponents.
Akashi, after watching Kuroko for a while, calls a time out and draws him aside. āKuroko, I think it would be better if you focused on passing more. Dribbling is not your strong suit and your shots are making it harder for us because we have to get their rebounds,ā he says but with a gentleness that takes the sting out of the truth of his words. Kuroko nods feebly, heading back to where the rest of the boys stand waiting for them.
After the first pass, he feels his heart lighten up a bit; he just may be good at something after all.
The six boys play until almost sun down, each promising to return the following Saturday to play again and bring someone else if they can so it can be more like a real game. As Aomine makes his way home, his smile is bright and wide. He really loves this game and itās been a lot of fun getting to play with other boys who, while maybe are not as good as him, take away the loneliness of playing by himself. Ā
He thinks as he bounces the ball in his hand, āI hope we all end up at the same school in junior high, we could really dominate if we do!ā