Spark | Kuroko no Basuke x OC

No Intention of Losing

Finally managed to get this one out! It was a real struggle for me because I actually had this chapter done like a week after I posted 32, but then the WHOLE THING ERASED bc of some technical difficulties. So I had to start all over... Second semester has started for me and my schedule is packed - especially since I suck at chemistry and need to get all the help that I can receive TT-TT pray for me that I pass chem with at least a B...

Anyway, please enjoy this belated chapter!

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"The beginning will be important. Our opponents placed second place in the Interhigh. On top of that, they doubled our score last time. The difference between our strengths is glaring, so if you think they're underestimating us, don't hold back. Start at full throttle and take the lead!"

That was the game plan. It didn't take a genius to see how much Touou had improved since the last time Seirin played them, and their only hope was to take control at the start. But even so, Aomine had managed to gain the first points with a surprise ally-oop.

And even with Kuroko's newly released Ignite Pass Kai, Touou got past the initial shock and was going strong with follow ups. With no opening or weakness to exploit, a one-on-one with Aomine seemed like the last logical thing to do; Tomoko and the rest had held their breaths when the redhead seemingly tried to make a move durning their intense stare down and was relieved when he made the mature choice to pass to Izuki instead.

Another breath of relief came when Hyuuga revealed his barrier jump and scored three-pointers for Seirin. It had visibly irked Touou, but they were hardly deterred as Sakurai suddenly gained super precision with his quick releases as well. There was a lot of back-and-forth with scoring; the lead Touou had during the first quarter was small, and right when the buzzer sounded, they were tied. Seirin had managed to keep up.

But then came the inevitable in the second quarter.

Aomine cracked Kuroko's Vanishing Drive.

And all hell broke loose within Kuroko.

"Don't do it, Kuroko!" Izuki shouted, eyes widening at fully knowing the consequences of the boy's actions if he carried through with it right now.

None of our marks are shaken yet! He has to get ahold of himself! Tomoko jolted up from her seat at the bench, "Tetsuya-kun!"

But it was too late; the shadow's palm had already hit the high-velocity spinning ball for his Ignite Pass Kai again. She could already see what was about to happen by Aomine's unfaltering navy eyes. Time stood still as his tanned arm reached out and stopped the ball effortlessly.

The ball fell to the ground with a deafening bounce.

"Do you think the same move would work twice against me? Try not to disappoint me so much, Tetsu," Aomine narrowed his eyes. "If this is your answer to defeating me, I'll make it clear. It's useless effort."

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Kuroko was pulled out.

Tomoko could tell by the way that he merely agreed without any form of argument that he was disheartened. But more so, he was frustrated beyond words could convey—the few droplets of sweat and tears falling down from his towel-concealed face was the tell-tale sign.

No doubt Aomine's words were ringing in his head like a never-ending chant.

"It's useless effort. It's useless effort. It's useless effort."

Tomoko let out an airy breath; their knees were barely touching as she sat there besides him in silence. Her hand hovered over his clenched and shaking fists, but paused as if the slightest contact would shatter the boy. She knew he wasn't fragile, though.