Capítulo 55: Officially Joining the First-String

"That's it, Tetsu, keep working hard! Oh, I haven't eaten yet—I need to stop by the convenience store" After saying this, Aomine dashed toward the store like a whirlwind.

"Hey, isn't that Aomine's wallet?" Murasakibara immediately noticed the item left on the bench.

"I'll take it to him" said Kuroko, already getting up in a hurry.

"Wait up! I'll go with you. We still have a game this afternoon, and considering Momoi's bento, I better grab some medicine from the pharmacy. I don't want to be unwell before the match" Shiro said, his face showing discomfort.

After forcing down Momoi's lovingly prepared bento, Shiro still felt queasy. Yet he couldn't bring himself to refuse something she had woken up early to make.

Murasakibara handed the wallet to Kuroko, and the two set off together. Kuroko carried the wallet while Shiro, still looking uncomfortable, followed alongside him.

As they searched for Aomine, they heard his voice around a corner:

"What? You want to demote Tetsu? We've got a game this afternoon! Please, give him another chance!"

Shiro immediately grabbed Kuroko by the arm and pulled him into a spot where they could listen without being seen.

"There's no need. The decision has already been made—he's getting demoted" replied Sanada Naoto coldly.

Aomine clenched his teeth. "If he doesn't do well in the next game, then I'll be demoted with him! So please, let him play one more time! That guy will save the team one day—I don't know why, but I just know it!"

Shiro, impressed, murmured to Kuroko, "Now that's true friendship. Aomine's working so hard for your sake. Take this opportunity and don't waste the trust he's placed in you."

Kuroko leaned against the wall, his head slightly lowered as his eyes filled with tears. He took a deep breath, trying to hold them back, and then nodded firmly.

...

The afternoon arrived, and it was game time. After warm-ups, the team sat on the bench, awaiting the referee's whistle.

Suddenly, Nijimura walked in carrying none other than Haizaki—who was battered, bruised, and had a bloody nose. "Say hello to everyone!" Nijimura commanded irritably.

"Hello… everyone…" Haizaki mumbled, struggling to speak as he caught his breath.

"Whoa, Haizaki was beaten so badly!" everyone thought.

"The second-string players found him at an arcade. Even though he's got a cold, he looked lively enough, so I dragged him here" Nijimura said with a grin that, to the others, looked downright devilish.

"But he's already half-dead!" they all replied in unison, silently vowing never to cross Nijimura.

Back to the topic, Sanada picked up his clipboard and began assigning roles.

"The starters for the first half will be Akashi, Midorima, Murasakibara, Aomine, and Shiro." Then he turned his attention to Kuroko. "You'll sub in for the second half. Is that clear?" Though phrased as a question, his tone left no room for debate.

Kuroko understood this was his chance to prove himself. He nodded resolutely.

...

At halftime, Kuroko prepared to step onto the court. Shiro approached him and said, "Remember what I told you earlier—give it everything you've got and trust in your skills. You can do this!"

Taking a deep breath, Kuroko suppressed all his emotions. His expression became neutral, his presence nearly undetectable. In a low voice, he replied, "Understood."

When Kuroko subbed in for Shiro, the dynamics shifted immediately.

The game resumed with Akashi receiving the ball and advancing quickly. With a simple in-and-out dribble, he left his defender sprawled on the floor.

As the opposition scrambled to recover, Akashi made a precise long pass to Kuroko, who was perfectly positioned.

Without hesitation, Kuroko redirected the ball at high speed. It curved sharply, slipping past defenders and landing in Midorima's hands.

"The ball… it curved?" Midorima thought, stunned, before effortlessly draining a three-pointer.

The opposing team was left speechless, unable to comprehend what had just happened.

The sequence repeated: Kuroko's ghostly passes enabled Murasakibara to dunk with ease and set up Aomine for flawless drives.

"With Kuroko's pinpoint passes, scoring feels effortless!" Murasakibara remarked, barely breaking a sweat.

"When it clicks, he changes the entire game… Kuroko is incredible" Midorima murmured.

Even Sanada, typically stoic, couldn't hide his astonishment. He nodded subtly at Kuroko, a rare gesture of approval.

In the end, Teiko's team secured an overwhelming victory.

"Great job, Kuroko!" Shiro said, handing him a towel and a bottle of water.

Kuroko smiled, heartened by Sanada's approving nod. Did this mean he might stay on the first-string team?

As praise poured in, Akashi and Midorima exchanged knowing glances. This is the sixth man we've been looking for, they thought.

Back at the gym, Sanada gathered the team and made a formal announcement. "Tetsuya Kuroko, starting from this season, you're officially part of the starting roster, wearing jersey number 15. I look forward to seeing you shine as the team's sixth man."

Blushing with pride, Kuroko replied firmly, "Yes! I'll give it my all and won't let anyone down!"