99 Chapter 99 : Seijuro Akashi

"So, it's finally over, huh?"

On Senshinkan's bench, all of their players had their shoulders slumped dejectedly, depressed after losing the game against Seirin. The atmosphere there is gloomy compared to the other side of the court where all the Seirin players celebrated crazily after their win. They looked at the Seirin's side with jealousy, wanting so hard to be in their place right now.

"Hey, why are you so depressed like this?" Oda's voice suddenly snapped them from their depressed thought. "We all know since the third quarter that we would lose, right? So, why are you looking so dead now?"

"That's different, Captain!" Hara, the first-year point guard whined. "Knowing we would lose and experiencing the lost itself is completely different!" The other players also nodded in agreement.

"Yeah… I really want to win and take revenge against Yosen for senpai last year…" Saki, the second-year shooting guard added his opinion.

Oda fell silent for a second before he finally opened his mouth.

How everyone feels right now, just by looking at the defeat and agony expression that befell on his teammates' faces, of course, he knows. He was the same last year, crying and roaring to the sky after losing against Yosen. However, this time, he couldn't do that. He is the captain now, and he has the role to stay high even though they face defeat.

"It sucks, right?" He finally spoke. "I know how you feel. You think that it is not fair, that we have already worked harder than anyone else, but how could we still lose? And maybe, some of you would start questioning, did our hard work really betray us? Is that right?"

Seeing a few of his teammates nod, he continued,

"Believe me when I say, I am very familiar with your feeling right now. Who do you think will be the most devastated after this loss? Of course, it is us the Senpai. Me, Saki, and Narita. Us three started to work hard right after our Senpai graduated last year, trying to improve our strength so we would be able to hold our ground. However, we are unlucky."

There, he let out a bitter laugh.

"We are so unlucky that only three of us stayed on the team, so we had to rebuild the team from zero. So, believe me when I say, we are the players who were hurt the most here."

Here he could see Saki and Narita, his compatriots since he joined the team in the first year turning their gazes upward as they tried to hold back their tears to fall as hard as possible.

"But we are lucky here!" Oda continued his speech. "I am still a second year. Both Saki and Narita are too. And the rest of you are all the first years. We still have a lot of chances to improve ourselves here. Just look at Seirin! We beat them black and blue last year, just for them to come here again stronger and on the path of being a powerhouse. If they can do it, why couldn't we?"

Now, all of their gazes landed on Seirin's players.

"So, I know it hurts. But don't be too depressed here. Our journey is just begun. Hold your head high! Let's go home and start over again! And in the next tournament, let's come back again, stronger than ever. Are you with me, Senshinkan?"

"Yes, Captain!"

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"Their captain is amazing." Kuroko who saw Senshinkan's players gradually turned their state from depressed into motivated one couldn't help but shake his head in astonishment. "Even though he faces defeat, he didn't show any negative emotions and still encourages his teammates to do better next time. There are not a lot of captains that could lift up their teammates like that."

"Not even Akashi?" Furihata who sat beside him raised his eyebrows. Hearing that question, Kuroko just snorted a little as the answer.

"Come on, Furihata-kun. You know about Akashi-kun too. You could describe him with many words, but caring for his teammates is definitely not one of them. Hell, I bet you all the money in my pocket that if he ever faces defeat, the first thing he would do after that is to put all his teammates on the bench and replaced them with a new batch of players."

"Is that so?" Suddenly, an unfamiliar soft voice could be heard from behind, making Kuroko tense for a second. When they turned around, Furihata could see a red-haired boy about as tall as him with the fakest smile he had ever seen directed at Kuroko. "I am hurt, Kuroko. Is that how you feel toward me?"

"Akashi-kun…"

Now, not only Furihata, but almost every Seirin player turned around with shocked faces as they wondered, what the hell is the former captain of the Generation of Miracles doing here?

"So, that is Kuroko-kun's former captain.."

"I couldn't see anything special from him though…"

"Idiot! Anyone who could control a bunch of troublesome guys like Aomine definitely not someone you could mess with.."

Furihata's face palmed as he could hear the whispers from his teammates, and he bets Akashi and Kuroko could hear it too. But before he could speak anything, Kagami suddenly took a step forward, grinning as he stared down at Akashi.

"So, you are Kuroko's captain, huh?" His grin widened as Akashi nodded his head slightly. "I have already beaten two of your teammates before. I hope you could bring me more challenge compared to the other two."

Hearing Kagami's provocation, even Kuroko who hardly reacted to his antic groaned in exasperation. Honestly, did he forget that for all of their win against the Generation of Miracles, they had to die first to obtain it?

However, instead of answering directly, Akashi suddenly let out a creepy smile, and a dangerous aura suddenly emerged through his small body.

"Taiga Kagami…" He spoke slowly. "Coming from America with the arrogance that believes no one in Japan could beat you, yet couldn't stay healthy enough to face Aomine's challenge….. I am curious, what is your qualification to face me?"

And right after that, noticing Akashi's fast movement, Furihata couldn't help but curse as he grabbed Kagami's collar and pulled it forcefully.

"DUCK, RED!"

"What?"

*Slash!*

*Brugh!*

Kagami who was still grinning like a loon a second before suddenly found himself sitting on the floor with Furihata's hand on his jacket. And when he looked up at Akashi, he could feel a cold sweat running down his face as the other red-haired boy pointed a scissor on what he thought was his face's position before Furihata pulled him down, a sadistic smile could be seen on the other red-haired boy's face.

"In front of the absolute force, no matter who you are, you must bow down and know your place, peasant."

The other Seirin players who finally realized what just happened reacted strongly at Akashi's violent action, surrounding the red-haired boy immediately.

"Damn! What the hell is your problem here?!"

"Someone, call the security! It is a borderline criminal here!"

However, right before they could do anything, they could hear an older voice coming from behind.

"Akashi-kun, are you done with your greeting? Don't make too much scene here."

There, they could see a strange old man looking at Akashi with a disapproving gaze. At first, no one knows who is that old man. But in a second, Riko and Hyuga suddenly tensed as they realized his identity.

"I am sorry if Akashi-kun makes trouble for your team. I hope you can forgive him and let it go. It would be quite troublesome if you reported it to the security."

"Oi, old man! What the hell do you think let it go!? He held a scissor and pointed it at-"

"Shut up, Koganei!" Riko suddenly pulled the cat-like second-year and hissed at him before smiling at the old man in front of them. "Don't worry, Sonoda-san. It is not a big deal. We will let it go. Come on, guys!"

"What the hell, Riko-san?"

All Seirin players looked at her confusedly. Hell, even Furihata didn't understand, who is this man who could make his coach fold like this?

"Good decision, young coach." The old man nodded his head slightly, approving Riko's quick decision. "I know Akashi-kun could be uncontrollable like this. But he is a valuable asset to this country. If he is in trouble because of your team…."

Now, all of the Seirin players tensed for a bit, understanding the hanging threat from the old man.

"Don't worry, Sonoda-san. We would not make a big fuss about it…"

"Good!" Suddenly the old man smiles brightly as if nothing just happened. "I would hate if something happened to a good team like yours. But I hope you can understand my position here. Akashi-kun, let's go."

"Hai, Sensei." But before he left with the old man, he turned around and landed his gaze on Furihata. "Kouki Furihata... We will meet again soon… I hope you will not disappoint me. Until then, see you next time….."

And with that, the former captain of the Generation of Miracles left the Tokyo Gymnasium, leaving all the Seirin players in anger and confusion.

Who is that old man's identity?

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Author note :

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-Zeta Faes-