TWENTY FOUR

Up in the audience, there were whispers and chattering about the sudden substitution. Everyone had seen Takumi on the bench but never saw him play making them think he was just a bench warmer but he wouldn't be a simple bench warmer for their coach to send him out at the climax of the game.

"So you've finally decided to join us," Hyūga sneered. His dark-side making an appearance.

"I'm merely here to relieve some pressure off you guys. Leave greeny and their captain to me," Takumi said.

"Ha?! Listen you little--"

"Got it, Takumi-kun." Kuroko said. The team turned to him in confusion because Kuroko wasn't usually one to talk like that.

Kuroko continued, "Any normal basketball plays doesn't work on Takumi-kun. We can leave it to him,"

"I'm so touched that you believe in me," Takumi wiped a fake tear.

"No, it's just that you a strong." Kuroko said.

"....Ouch,"

*BRRRT*

The buzzer sounded and Takumi got into position with marking Midorima.

"Nice to formerly meet you green-kun," Takumi smiled.

"It's Midorima," The boy's glasses glinted. "You're confident in stopping me."

Takumi shrugged. "I guess,"

"Tsk. Foolish,"

That's when Shutoku began on the offensive. Kasuga dribbled the ball up and paced it to Takao who ducked past Kuroko's weak defence and moved up to throw to Midorima.

Takao who passed the ball without looking was expecting Midorima to catch it but to his shock, the ball was intercepted half way and landed in Takumi's hands. The duo's normal combination was cut off by the newcomer.

"Don't think you're the only one who can steal the ball," Takumi smiled at the slack-jawed Takao.

Takumi leisurely dribbled the ball down to their basket and was blocked by Midorima.

"You won't get past me," Green-kun sneered.

"Oh? Who said I was wanting to get past?" Takumi smiled. His hands clutched the ball and he bent down before shooting it towards the hoop.

"A three from here? He's not Midorima," Kasuga muttered.

Takumi was steps away from the three-point line and he took a shot.

But everyone was stunned senseless when they recognised a familiar high-arc.

"No way!" Takao shouted.

The ball effortlessly fell through the net not hitting the sides of the rim.

Silence.

Up in the stands, Kise was leaning on the railing with a shocked gaze and Kasamatsu next to him was jaw-dropped.

"W-Who the hell is that? I had a feeling he was a player but this....this is ridiculous," The Kaijo captain asked with wide eyes.

"I've seen Takumicchi play before and something told me he was on par with us. I didn't think his abilities were like this though," Kise said.

Back on court, Takumi was busy smirking at the stunned faces.

'Muahahaha, I look totally badass don't I?'

"You look creepy Takumi-kun. And we're on defence," Kuroko muttered jogging past him.

"Phantom....you really have no filter do you?"

On the other side, Midorima was admittedly shaken but calmed himself.

'That has to be a fluke.' He assured himself.

"Don't worry Shin-chan, we'll get em back." Takao gave a thumbs up.

"....Urusai,"

-----------------

Seirin sans Kagami, Kuroko and Riko, were shocked at how powerful Takumi was. When the match continued, Takumi kept his guard with Midorima and jumped for rebounds and overpowered the Shutoku captain who Seirin couldn't handle before.

Kuroko used his fast passes on Takumi because he knew the boy was skilled enough to catch them which he did.

Takumi dribbled the ball and ducked past the defenders at an incredible speed before shooting threes.

All his shots were high-arced like Midorima's and never once missed.

"Dammit." Midorima huffed. "Pass me the ball,"

Seeing Midorima getting serious, Takao didn't question and passed the ball to him before Midorima took position.

He jumped and shot the ball towards the hoop thinking no one was here to stop him since Kagami was benched.

Oh how wrong he was.

From the front, Takumi appeared from his earlier position and jumped high in the air slapping the ball to Kuroko who passed it to Izuki with Takao distracted.

"Ha?!" On bench, Kagami stood up and shouted.

The first-years on the bench were staring with open mouths as they watched their lazy manager effortlessly take on the powerhouse Shutoku.

.

.

~ Behind the big steel door that held the miracles, there was another one inside. One that held a talent above their own ~

.

.

Midorima clenched his teeth as his heart rate sped up. This person in front of him.....was a true monster.

At the end of the court, Takumi caught the ball coming towards him and aimed to shoot.

"He can't be....." Takao muttered.

Shutoku saw him and knew they were f***ed.

As Midorima had done previously, Takumi did a full court shot and the ball went in the hoop.

And that was the end of the third quarter with the scoreboard as;

90 - 80

-----------------

"Jeez, how tiring." Takumi dropped a wet towel on his forehead. "And can you guys please stop staring at me like that? It's making me uncomfortable."

"I'm just trying to confirm that you're the Takumi we know and not an imposter." Koganei said.

"You bastard! Why the hell didn't you come out sooner and save us all the trouble?!" Kagami yelled and pointed.

Takumi took off the wet towel and sighed.

"And what good would that do? I think we've gone over this already but what's the point in winning if I do everything by myself. I'm not bragging but in terms of skill, you'll need around twenty years to catch up to me. If I come out and win the games, you guys won't improve."

Kagami bit his lip and looked away.

"Besides, you guys love basketball right? And in a way, you're having fun playing together." said Takumi with a smile. "That's why I'll only play when you need it the most. The reason coach switched us, Tiger, was because your legs were nearing their limit."

Riko nodded, "Above winning, your health comes first. I know you could go longer Kagami-kun but I didn't want to risk any injuries that might be damaging to your muscles. The Inter-high is still in it's preliminary stages."

Kagami felt a bit better hearing the reason he was taken out but was still sulky that Takumi's level of skill seemed unreachable.

"Takumi will stay on court. Knowing your impulsiveness, you'll ignore your body's limits." Riko continued looking at the red-head. "We'll maintain our flow and push for more points. Ready?"

""HAI!""