First look at Teiko

[Ryosei POV]

With our match over with there were just 2 more games to be played, Teiko vs Nambara. No notable players and they only won their first game 57-52, either they got unlucky with back to back tough teams or they aren't very good. Time to watch Teiko live and see what they are all about.

Bleh, I don't know if I can keep watching this. Too many uselessly strong players against guys that would barely be considered better than my team. It easy to tell that Teiko isn't trying, but they're still each scoring 20 points. It's like watching high schoolers play middle schoolers.

With a sigh I stand up, Kuroko happened to be on the bench at the time saw me stand up to leave. It was a small change but he seemed sad. Had I left that big of an impression already? Momoi seemed to notice his mood change and followed his sight to me, and also seemed to get a little sad.

What do they want from me, I can't sit here and watch this. I can't agree with Akashi's style either, he purposely plays them this way to develop these habits into high school. If Kuroko wasn't Kuroko then I imagine Akashi would have easily won in the show.

He uses them and makes them win, but he also stunts their growth. I don't know if what I do is much different, but I'm definitely actively helping my teammates improve. I guess I do know even if I help them none will even reach uncrowned kings level, but I also don't prevent their growth.

One last look at the score shows Teiko winning 63-30 in the 3rd quarter and Nambara scored 15 of those points in the 1st until Akashi said something to Murasakibara.

Block B match was even more disinteresting, 2 teams playing each other that my team could beat with minimal help from myself. With another sigh I finally leave the gymnasium to see my team playing at the outside basketball court. They weren't even playing, they were practicing. Running our formation and practicing their passing, they are coming closer and closer to being elite passers.

Even with how bad they are individually this level of teamwork and trust they have developed has made them able to contend with decent teams. However I'm interested to see how they do in our next match. The team we play is Iwai Middle school and they are all tall players with their shortest being the same height as Kawahara. Skill wise they aren't much, but their height and size have made them a tough team for their first 2 matches they played.

Both games being defense heavy.

1st match 40-25

2nd match 37-17

Big and slow and an even slower pace, it's honestly a little impressive they are able to keep the score so low. It won't matter much though. Approaching my team I watch for a little bit until I see Ikehara make a mistake. I was going to yell out lunges, but he immediately started doing lunges from one side to the other and everyone joined him.

I'd never made that a requirement before, but I guess if you have to stop the drill you might as well do something productive. Deciding to make myself known I step into the court while clapping.

"Good work everyone, but it's time to stop. Wouldn't want you all to be too tired tomorrow."

"Are the matches over Captain?" Kawahara speaks up

Nodding first I say. "Pretty much they are only in the 3rd quarter but it was pretty much over or I had seen what I wanted to see."

This earns me a nod from all of them, and they stand their waiting for the next thing I say.

"As a reward lets go out to eat, my treat."

Their eyes start to sparkle and they give a cheer as they grab their stuff and slip back into their track suits. Gotta reward my little ducklings ever so often or they might start to resent my tort- I mean training hehe. We didn't go anywhere fancy, just a local burger shop as I'm not rich enough to feed these fiends steak or anything of the like.

It was nice to just sit and enjoy the company of the team. Although I must say I'm getting antsy to play some better teams. Winning any game I play in by double my opponents score is starting to get boring. I need something worthwhile to play for again. Before I had 2 teammates that were nearly my equal so it didn't feel as lonely, but now I'll only get that feeling against the Generation of Miracles.

Speak of the devils and they appear. Hearing the door open I lazily look over to see the starting Teiko roster besides Haizaki Shogo. I don't care for his style of basketball anyways. My head propped on my hand I watch as they make their way through the restaurant.

They noticed my teammates bags and Momoi immediately walked up.

"Hey, you're all on Katagiri right?" She asks with a smile

All of them have hearts in their eyes and gain a faint blush at Momoi's beauty. Ikehara seems to be the brave soul to speak first.

"Yes! We Katagiri are players of Junior High!" He stutters out, I can only groan and face palm at this idiot. It's just a girl, how can you not know how to talk to a girl. Oh here goes Kawahara, surely as a 3rd year he will do better. Please don't embarrass me Kawahara!!

"Uh Uh marry me." Kawahara says with a puppy dog face.

Ugh you oaf, a puppy dog face doesn't look cute on you at all. Not to mention who asks someone to marry them with a puppy dog face, and on the first meeting no less! Gah I'm surrounded by idiots.

I can see Aomine holding in his laughter the best he can while the rest seem disinterested. I wish I could laugh too, but how can I when I'm so embarrassed by these idiots.

"Uhmmm I'm too young to get married, plus I already-.." Momoi glances at Kuroko before heavily blushing before looking away. Kuroko stares with his same usual blank stare, and it seems Aomine could no longer hold it as he starts full on laughing while holding his stomach.

"Hahahaha he asked you to marry him! Hahaha!" Momoi turns and hits Aomine before turning back.

"I'm flattered, but I must decline. Anyways is Aida Ryosei here?"

Despair is written across everyone's face, specifically Kawahara who looks like his souls has left his body since Momoi said she's too young to marry. With downcast expressions everyone points to the corner seat where I'm sitting. Still with my head propped on my hand with my usual aloof expression. Except on the inside I'm ready to start yelling at my team, how can you be so weak! Putty in the hands of a middle school girl. Tsk

All of Teiko's eyes widen as they finally seem to notice me.

"Yo." I say with a slight wave of my other hand

Akashi gains a slight grin, Murasakibara quickly went back to eating his pile of burgers he ordered. Midorima quickly shakes off his surprise and stares on indifferently, Kuroko has a slight smile while Aomine and Momoi are still surprised they didn't notice me.

"What? You aren't used to that with Kuroko yet?" I ask with a small smile of my own.

"Interesting." Is all Akashi said before heading to the exit.

"Akashi?" Kuroko looks at him confused.

"I came to see the person that interested you 4 and now that I've seen him I'm leaving. It was worth the trip to know that there's another one of you in the tournament." He says before walking out, Murasakibara following close behind.

"So you were looking for me?" I ask them

"Uh not really, we had planned to eat here anyway. I'm not sure why Akashi left so quickly though he didn't even eat." Momoi adopts a thinking face, which seemed to spark another wave of blushing in my teammates.

"I have a question though." Aomine speaks up.

"Yes?" I turn towards him.

"Why do you not score more? It's obvious from watching that you could score more. You give up easy shots to pass to your teammates, not to mention your steals and blocks make you seem strong yet you have the lowest score on your team."

"Oh ho? The mighty Teiko already doing their research on little Katagiri? I'm flattered."

Momoi speaks up next

"Katagiri Junior High on paper their team captain is Kawahara Yoshiaki, but really it's you, Aida Ryosei. Son of Aida Kagetora former Japanese National team member and owner of Aida sports gym. No none knowledge of you before middle school. Where in your first game you crushed another school 115-10."

"Did we? I honestly forgot about that match." I respond cooly

She looks a little surprised but continues.

"Arata Haru seems to be the Point guard when you aren't on the floor, but he receives any plays from different signs you give him. Nobody else besides Kawahara has a set position on the team leaving them to be mostly unknown how they'll play unless you have someone gathering stats.

Teshima surprisingly high 3 point percentage for someone unknown before this year shooting 73% throughout all his games up to this point. Otake Michio lockdown defender, not much else known. Ikehara Kichirou, leading rebounder and also a great defender, not much else known."

"Is there a reason you're telling me everything I already know, Momoi?" I wave my hand to get her to continue.

"Yes, how did a team notorious in Tokyo for losing every game terribly, suddenly become a possible Nationals contender with one player. Not to mention you have no coach or manager."

"That's a dangerous question isn't it? Are you going to tell me all of Teiko's secrets in return? Not that there's much I don't know." I say with a glance at Kuroko, Midorima and Aomine.

"Kuroko, misdirection and passing specialist. Low presence makes opponents lose sight of him. Midorima, known for his high arc 3 pointers, nearly perfect with a 98% shooting percentage. Aomine fastest member and uses a street ball style along with formless shots, making him highly unpredictable.

Most would think he's the most naturally gifted, but we know that's actually Murasakibara if he ever actually played seriously. Need I continue?"

Aomine looked a little annoyed, Midorima was briefly shocked, but Kuroko and Momoi shock was written clearly on their faces.

"Why does it seem like you don't like us that much?" Midorima finally speaks up.

"It's not that I don't like you all personally, I actually quite like you all. It's the way you play basketball. It's weak." I say cooly with my eyes becoming colder.

They all looked shocked this time, lots of people have said they hate Teiko, the player or the basketball style. However no one had ever said it was weak before.

"Bastard, if it's so weak then play me 1on1! I'll show you weak." Aomine said with determination, Kuroko also had a look of determination on his face as well. While my teammates had nervous sweat dripping down their backs.

They knew that I was serious right now and they didn't know who was scarier, me or Teiko.

"Hmph, very well lets play." I snort before responding, and standing up. I pay for my teams food and we all walk back to the court at the stadium.

Finally a real opponent, I hope you don't disappoint me. Aomine Daiki!

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Author's Note

It's happening! I wasn't really planning on doing an Aomine vs Ryosei 1on1, but it felt right while I was writing it. Ryosei really does think Teiko is weak or at least their style. It's easy to rely on yourself and play to your strengths, but it's harder to believe in your teammates and play to their strengths. This might end up being a little hypocritical only because he more controls his team than trusts them, but we'll get more into that later.

Once again I hope the dialogue and talking scenes were written enjoyably. I always find them to be the toughest to write. I also hope to do the 1on1 between them justice.

Hope you enjoyed.