Chapter 10 : Similarities

After Shin left they went to Kagami and asked him if he's okay. They helped him into their bench while the younger members got some water to give it to him.

Kagami nodded and told them he was just exhausted as he sat on their bench.

RIKO: So how was it playing against that guy?

KAGAMI: It was difficult coach. Fakes after fakes, but when you think that he would just fake that guy changes his mind. So there's always that question in your head that is he gonna fake?or he would shoot. You're gonna be in a dilemma when you face this guy.

There's also that dribble of his similar to Hayama's lightning dribble, Kiyoshi senpai's Right of Postponement, and Captain's Barrier Jumper it felt like I was facing 3 different guys at once. To top it off he completely overwhelmed my zone.

I haven't noticed it but when my body felt exhausted after that final shot of his, that's when I understood that my zone has stopped. That's why I felt no strength coming from my legs and just dropped down.

The weird thing is it felt like I had played for an entire game. I was so exhausted at the end I can barely stand. What the hell was that guy? Then I heard him said he just came back from America.

Kagami was starting to have ideas of returning to America but he didn't tell them at first. "I must think this carefully at first then tell them when I'm ready, especially Kuroko" Kagami thought.

HYUGA: Yeah we saw it too, don't worry about it. Atleast we can prepare for that guy when we face against him.

KIYOSHI: If I was the one facing him, I will also fall for that fake. I saw it too, what Izuki said. That guy wouldn't probably miss if he did shoot the ball. So don't think too much about that loss.

KAGAMI: There's also that dribble move he did before his last shot. That dribble or size up move was quite familiar. The one he did before that half spin. I've seen it so many times. I was sure he was going to do a jump shot after he did the crossover to his right that's why I immediately close out on him.

RIKO: What do you mean by that? Familiar? So you've seen those dribble moves?

KAGAMI: In the US people call it the Size up move to observe your opponent how he would react. But when I saw him did that move I found it very familiar. They were the same as that person who played in the NBA. Well he is retired already, it's just sad about what happened to him and his daughter.

Five championships on the same team, and was in talks to be better than his teacher. People call him "The Black Mamba". I had doubts at first but when I saw that final shot, his form, that cleared it all away. No doubt it was the same as him.

RIKO: Are you sure? that guy was a relentless scorer and a clutch player at crunch time.

KAGAMI: I am sure. I saw that guy's image. That's why I wasn't able to react when he did that final shot, I was so shocked. After that, exhaustion invaded my body and fell down on the floor. I wonder how he's acquainted with that guy.

HYUGA: You're saying maybe he is that guy's student or something?

KAGAMI: Pretty much. It's much better if we ask him.

After Kagami told them, everyone was silent. Thinking that they had uncover some secrets about that guy. They could only look at Kuroko for answers but Kuroko shakes his head.

Indicating that he also doesn't know about it. Since Shin had just recently came back they haven't had the chance to talk about where he's been those years after he quit at Teiko.

In fact, It was also the first time he heard Shin talked about coming from the US. When he left Teiko he didn't say anything about going to America. So it also came a surprise for him.

Kiyoshi suddenly interrupted them and ask "There's nothing to do here anymore, right Captain? Is it okay for me to leave first? I gotta catch up with that guy".

Hyuga nodded at Kiyoshi before asking "What the hell are you thinking now Kiyoshi? What are you gonna talk about with that guy?

Kiyoshi then looked at Hyuga and said "Well nothing much. We got to make some friends sometimes right. Since I can't practice right now, might as well talk with that guy. It's been pretty annoying talking with you lately." with a teasing smile.

Which Hyuga replied "Sh*t Up. If I haven't been checking on you, who knows what you have been doing. You could've been crying in your room for not being able to play". with a teasing laugh towards Kiyoshi.

KIYOSHI: Yeah yeah whatever! I better get going, before that guy changes his mind.

HYUGA: Go already. It's not like we need you here anyway.

Kiyoshi then said goodbye to the others to meet up with Shin. As he was leaving, Kuroko suddenly arrived behind him and said "Senpai? Is it okay if I tag along? Don't worry I wont be a bother. I'm also curious about how did he end up in America".

KIYOSHI: It's alright, I'm just gonna ask him for somethig it's not like he will agree to it. Besides, it's better if you are there to relieve the awkwardness. I'm pretty sure you also have many questions to ask him right?

Kiyoshi then changed the topic and asked Kuroko "Say Kuroko would our team be able to defeat that guy when he plays on another team?

Kuroko then looked at Kiyoshi and said "To be honest, if you are not playing Senpai I don't think we can. You saw for yourself, Kagami can't stop him even when he is in the Zone. But if you are playing with us there is a chance. That's what I think".

Kiyoshi nodded then told Kuroko "That's what I also thought. The problem is we haven't seen him use his Zone or something. I doubt that's only what he has when he played against Kagami".

Kuroko also nodded and muttered "Yeah, we haven't seen everything from him yet".

Meanwhile, outside the convenience store, Shin was happily eating his ramen while having a cola on the side. When he suddenly choked on his food, he quickly started drinking the cola to stop himself from choking.

Feeling relieved he couldn't help but curse and shout" Who the f**k is talking behind my back while I was eating. I almost died f**k".

All the people around was looking at him. Noticing everyone was staring at him he immediately apologized to them.

Then among the crowd, he saw again that guy who had an accident looking at him as if he was crazy.

He called out to the guy but the latter just ignored him and quickly rode his bike trying to get away as fast possible. As if he was trying to not associate himself from Shin. Shin then muttered "Shohoku huh. I wonder where that school is at."

After that, Shin continued eating his ramen not minding the people around him.