Cooled Off

Author's Note: You can skip this and go straight to the story if you want but I felt like I needed to thank everyone reading this. I know it's cliche to say I started this without expecting to get feedback, which is part true and part not. I definitely didn't expect to get this amount of support for something I was doing because I was bored.

We are really high up on several of the "ranking charts"? I don't really know what they are called, but I just wanted to thank everyone. And while I can't promise I'll continue the consistent uploads, I will try. I only have 1 day off today so I may not be able to stock up on enough chapters until my next day off. Sorry I'm advance if that happens.

Oh well back to the story and I hope you keep enjoying the story.

——————————————————————————

[Ryosei POV]

We make it back to the locker room after the match and I was off thinking about other stuff when I'm brought out of it by a voice.

"Ehhh, Captain? What are these barrels doing here?" Ikehara

"And why is it so cold in here? Brrr. *sniff*" Teshima

With a light chuckle I turn around with a small smile.

"Oh you don't have to worry about those until after the next game." I say while waving my hand dismissively. I could see everyone gain confused expressions on their face while I just kept my smile. Eventually they got the hint that I wasn't going to tell them what they were for, which is good because I wasn't.

"Alright guys we just won our 3rd round match and we will be moving onto the 4th round. We will be playing Hatori Junior High. While I haven't heard about them before now, they must be a somewhat decent to have made it to round 4.

However that doesn't matter, you guys will mostly play the next game and I'll come out if you need help. I'll still be calling plays from the bench like usual, so just keep yourselves focused and you should be fine."

They all gave nods and adapted serious expressions, I gave them a wry grin before clapping my hands.

"Alright let's head outside to the basketball court and keep our bodies warm."

""Yes Captain!"" They respond.

With a nod we exit our locker room and make our way down the corridor to go outside. On our way we pass by other teams who as they see us start whispering. Some in awe, and obviously some in disgust/annoyance. The whispering is mostly focused at me, which makes sense considering how that last game went.

We see another team heading our way and I smile on the inside while keeping my aloof expression. I see 15 players but 2 of them stick out from the rest. The reason being is that they are identical twins, the "Genius Twins" to be exact. Sota and Shota Sasaki. We won't meet them until the finals, but I'm looking forward to them.

Maybe not in the way you're thinking, not in any kind of anticipation for a close match. No. I hate their play style almost as much as Teiko's. The flopping and drawing fouls always annoyed me even in my past life. You're almost not even playing basketball anymore at that point, but what can you do. Some people will do anything to win, no matter how cheesy.

"See you in the finals." I hear as we pass them, and with my head slightly turned to project my voice over my shoulder I respond.

"I hope you don't disappoint me." With a lazy 2 finger salute and grin as I catch the eye of Shota Sasaki who frowns in response. I turn back and we continue our way outside.

Reaching the basketball court who else do we find, but the Teiko trio. Aomine, Kuroko and Momoi.

"Guys go do the drills I taught you, it seems some people have been waiting for me."

""Yes Captain."" They jog past the Teiko members and start doing lay up and passing drills.

"Sorry to keep you waiting, I was just so tired after our match you know." I say with an exaggerated yawn while stretching my arms into the air. Only to end up chuckling when I hear Aomine give an annoyed growl.

"What was that on the court just now?" Momoi speaks up

"Be specific." I give a bored look in response.

"That whole match! What was that." Aomine answers for her.

"No need to be loud I'm right here. I was just relieving some frustration." I said dismissively.

They are really hypocritical without even knowing it, without me here they would basically be doing what I just did in a year from now.

"It was wrong to do that." Kuroko finally speaks up.

"So you're saying I should have held back?"

Kuroko looks conflicted at that and I can only smirk before speaking again.

"Don't worry Kuroko I know what you mean, but that big guy did say 'we're going to squash you little bugs' or some such arrogance. I simply couldn't stand by and let some genetic freak be that arrogant, when he doesn't have the skills to back it up." I give a small shrug before stuffing my hands in my pockets.

Kuroko is still conflicted, but he doesn't really know what to say to counter it. It devolves into a small silence, and I just soak it up. Being a sports guy maybe you wouldn't think it, but I love the silence. It's peaceful and lets me think, even awkward silence I like for a different reason. While they're fidgeting and trying to think of something to say I'm just basking in it.

"You say you hate our play style and think it's weak, but then you go out and do the same thing. Isn't that hypocritical?" Momoi breaks the silence, and here I thought it would be Aomine.

Sighing I respond. "Haaah. Indeed, I took the easy way out because I wanted to blow off some steam. I could have let my team play them and it would have been a close match. But don't misunderstand, I don't play like that because I think I don't need my teammates. I can play like that because my teammates know and trust me, and they know I can be selfish from time to time."

I look at them before giving a long exhale.

"Aomine is probably the only one out of you 3 that will understand this next part, and even he probably won't understand yet." They all refocus on to me and especially Aomine adopts a serious expression.

"When you stand at the top, winning is no longer enough. Maybe for some people it is, but for the ones that truly love the sport unless there is someone to challenge and push you it's not the same. Don't get me wrong I don't think I'm the best player in the world, but in the current competition it's not even close.

That's why I'm hoping the combined force of Teiko will be able to at least challenge me."

Grabbing my ball out of my sports bag, I spin it in my hands and stare at it. I slap it in between my hands before 2 hand passing it to Aomine with enough force for it to sting his hands and grimace.

"What was that for!" Momoi yells.

"It's fine Satsuki." Aomine says

"But?" She goes to starts again just to get cut off.

"I said it's fine. It's a challenge and I accept it." He says while staring intently at the ball before looking up to see me giving him a wry grin.

"Good, I would hate for you to not understand my gift." He gives a slightly confused expression.

"Ah so you don't completely understand it yet, but you will. I'm sure we will see each other again on the last day, so bye until then." I give a slight wave and head to the basketball court with my team.

As I passed them I whispered to them.

"And tell your friend Akashi to stop hiding and just come out next time. I don't bite, unless I'm annoyed." I finish with a bright smile before going back to my normal expression.

All 3 of them look around and catch sight of someone with red hair walking towards the gym. They head off after him, while I start warming up with my team.

Our next match was 3 hours after my conversation with the Teiko members, and my team had stayed warm the entire time. Alternating between light drills and stretches as to not wear them out. They had a light sweat and should be completely loose and warmed up for our match.

"Head onto the court and start our usual drills, I have to call someone real quick."

""Yes Captain."" They give a quick bow and continue the rest of the way onto the court.

Pulling out my phone, I scroll down my contacts until I reach my dad's number and hit call. The phone rings a few times before he finally picks up.

"Ryo? What's up?"

"Hey, dad. I know you're at work right now, but just wanted to give you an update. We are about to play our match to advance to day 3."

"That's great. I'm glad you're doing well. Riko said she would be heading there after school so she should catch the at least the second half of your match."

"That's perfect then, and leads into the other reason I called."

"Oh? And what's that?"

"Ice, I need lots of ice. Enough for 6 people to be able to submerge in. I already have the 40 gallon barrels in the locker room. (151 liters)"

"Are they going to be that worn out they need ice baths?"

"Ya, I plan on letting them play without me for as long as they don't need me. And they match up well against this team so it should be a battle the whole way through."

"I understand, I get off work soon as well so I'll pick up Riko and we'll get the ice baths ready."

"Thanks dad, just ask for the Katagiri locker room when you get here."

"Alright see you then Ryo, and good luck."

"Hah, come on dad. When was the last time I needed luck to win something."

"Tsk, you've really become sure of yourself since you started playing middle school basketball. Anyways see you there."

"Ya see you. Bye dad."

"Bye Ryo"

With the click of the call ending, a mischievous grin crossed my face. They are going to love these ice baths haha. I head out onto the court and take my position on the bench, they just started lining up for the tip off when I sat down. Arata had a relieved expression when he saw me sit down. I have a nod and the rest of the team gave a nod back.

With a few indiscernible gestures to Arata to give him the plays to run at the opening, I lean back and get ready for the match. With the blow of the whistle and the toss of the ball the game was underway.

Much like I thought it was back and forth throughout most of it. My teams training shined through with very little mistakes, and only allowing the ball to get stolen 1 time. By the end of the 3rd quarter my team had gained a double digit lead of 73-63, and didn't slow down from there.

Their passes became quicker and more accurate and they entered a good rhythm. They kept Hatori off balance with the numerous passes and lockdown defense. Because of their stationary but impressive volume of passive they were able to tire out the Hatori team too much in the 4th. The lead steadily grew until the final buzzer went off.

""Game over! Katagiri 109-80 Hatori! Katagiri moves on to day 3 and round 5 of the preliminaries.""

As they came off the court I could see how tired they were, and could only continue to grin like the Cheshire Cat in my head.

"Great game you guys! And for such a great game I have a reward for you. Just follow me to the locker room to get it." I say with a bright, happy smile.

They all gained tired but happy smiles as they followed me to the locker rooms. And with them at my back I could finally let my Cheshire Cat smile show on my face. When I did, they all wondered why they felt a chill run down their spine, but decided not to think about it.

——————————————————————————

Author's Note: I'm almost regretting making this tournament 4 days long lol. But I'll make it. Only 2 more games until the finals anyways. I'll probably also just give ending scores for them like I did with Hatori, as I don't really have any other notable characters to add to the teams to make it worth breaking down the whole game.

Which means more slice of life stuff. And don't worry, MC and Teiko are not alwasy going to be so hostile towards each other. It's just conflicting personalities at the moment, but as time goes in they'll lose some of that.

I know a lot are here for the basketball, but all I can say is wait for the finals where they will play Kamata West. I don't see the point of going play by play against teams and players you don't know about, because they are made up. Hope everyone can understand that.

More interactions with Kagetora and Riko to come as the last 2 days of the tournament are on the weekend. Meaning they will get to be there the whole time cheering for Ryosei and Katagiri.

Hope you enjoyed.