Chapter 227: The Completed Chessboard

The room was shrouded in the stillness of the night as Kagami stirred from a restless sleep, a dull ache throbbing in his head.

"Urghh..."

Glancing around, he saw his teammates soundly asleep, their forms barely visible in the moonlit room.

A sigh escaped his lips, dissipating into the quiet darkness.

Wandering through the living room, Kagami's eyes fell upon Aida, peacefully asleep on the couch.

An involuntary twitch played on his lips as he observed her, the devil herself, blissfully unaware of her own "sins" that had disrupted Kagami's rest.

"...Fuck, I can't go back to sleep."

Realizing sleep wasn't an option, Kagami opted to step outside for a breath of fresh air.

He grabbed a basketball and silently ventured into the cool night, drawn towards the faint glow of the nearby basketball court he often frequented.

Taking a basketball with him, he silently slipped out into the cool night, guided by the dim glow of the nearby court he frequented.

The looming matchup against Fukuda Sogo, specifically Tsunayoshi Kazama, monopolized his thoughts.

Kagami's expression tensed at the recollection of Tsuna's formidable dunk, which had shattered even the combined prowess of the Generation of Miracle's, executed through Kise in both his Perfect Copy and the zone states.

The scene replayed in his mind, each moment etched with the indomitable force Tsuna exhibited on the court.

"...I know Alex had told me about that, but it was just crazy."

Kagami muttered lightly to himself.

Even with Alexandra's repeated warnings about Tsuna being on another level compared with the Generation of Miracles, the sheer magnitude of what he had witnessed left him in awe.

It wasn't just surprising; it was downright staggering, and Kagami couldn't shake the tremble in his hands.

"As expected, I'm glad to be back in Japan..."

Kagami's voice held admiration and determination as he stared at his trembling hands.

"What's with that smirk, Kagami?"

A voice suddenly echoed from the side as Kagami dribbled the ball in his hand. His face paled as he was startled, causing the ball to slip out of his hand and bounce toward the figure who had spoken.

"...Kuroko, you sly trickster."

Kagami shouted annoyedly, realizing who it was. However, his face eased as he recognized it was Kuroko.

He had momentarily thought it was a ghost, creating a brief moment of fear. Kagami shook his head, muttering, "I thought I wouldn't be surprised anymore by his low presence. Seems like I was wrong..."

Kagami glanced at Kuroko, puzzled. "What brings you here?"

Kuroko maintained his usual poker face. "I noticed you leaving, so I decided to tag along..."

"..."

A sigh escaped Kagami as he struggled to find the right words, leaving an uncomfortable silence hanging in the air.

Kuroko was unfazed and even kept his gaze fixed on Kagami, intensifying the awkwardness.

Kagami fidgeted, muttering to himself, "How is he so calm in this eerie silence? Damn psycho..."

To break the discomfort, Kagami shifted his gaze to the basketball hoop. He hesitated before asking, "...Ever get scared, Kuroko?"

"Scared?"

"Yeah, facing someone like Kazama. It's like staring down a beast. Can't say I'm not afraid."

Kuroko tilted his head, a hint of confusion in his eyes. "Fear is normal, Kagami. It's how you handle it that counts."

"I'm clueless about what to do with it."

Kagami admitted the truth. It was a genuine feeling of uncertainty, one he couldn't shake. Yet, there was a peculiar sensation within him that felt oddly familiar.

A yearning for the challenge tugged at his limbs!

However, his instincts warned him to proceed with caution or maybe even turn and flee.

"You're drawn to it, Kagami. Like a moth to a flame." Kuroko grinned, piquing Kagami's curiosity as he raised an eyebrow.

"What do you mean?"

Without uttering a word, Kuroko gently lobbed the ball into the air. Caught off guard, Kagami followed its ascent with widened eyes.

"Hmm?"

His body seemed to have a mind of its own as he instinctively chased after the ball, sprinting towards the basket. In a spontaneous moment, he leaped into the air, snatched the ball mid-flight, and slammed it down through the basket.

A resounding noise echoed, magically dispelling his earlier confusion. As he landed, Kagami found himself bursting into laughter, the kind that verged on madness.

After a hearty laugh, Kagami coughed and turned to Kuroko, saying, "Nice pass, Kuroko."

"I figured you might enjoy it..."

"...Yeah."

Kagami shook his head, taking a moment to catch his breath. Calmly, he looked up at the starry night sky.

Suddenly, he turned to Kuroko, a rare stern expression on his face. "I can't take on Kazama by myself, Kuroko. Will you fight with me? I don't think I can handle it alone."

Kuroko let out an unusual chuckle, leaving Kagami wide-eyed in disbelief.

"Of course, Kagami. You are the light, and I am the shadow. It's only right for us to complete each other. Together, we'll face whatever comes our way."

"Hahaha, you're right. I remember you mentioning that..." Kagami chuckled heartily.

Their eyes sparkled with a shared understanding, the intensity growing as they prepared to confront their most formidable opponent yet.

In the lavish royal suite of the Kazama-owned Tokyo five-stars hotel.

Tsuna's figure was seen by the window, taking in the glittering cityscape. Nestled in a plush chair, he faced a circular table where a chessboard lay in the midst of a strategic showdown.

The soft glow of city lights played on the pieces as Tsuna contemplated his moves, the Bishop in his hand poised for the next play.

A gentle knock on the door made Tsuna respond calmly, "Come in..."

Nijimura entered, bowing respectfully before closing the door behind him and approaching Tsuna.

"...Are you still setting up these chess pieces alone? Don't you want some company, Young Master?"

"Don't bother with something so trivial..."

"...Always cold, huh?" Nijimura scratched his head, looking a bit embarrassed at Tsuna's straightforward words.

"What do you think?"

Tsuna continued setting up the chess pieces, disregarding Nijimura's question about their previous discussion.

"...the semi-final's in two days, right after Rakuzan vs. Shutoku..." Nijimura mentioned, showing Tsuna the committee's recent announcement on his phone.

"I see. It'll be intriguing to see if Shintaro can put Seijuro in a tight spot," Tsuna remarked, nodding.

His focus remained fixed on the chessboard, now meticulously arranged.

Nijimura observed the chessboard in silence.

Throughout the season and day after day, he had been quietly watching Tsuna do his thing. Finally, during his report, he witnessed the completion of the chessboard.

"...Looks like you finished it," Nijimura replied after pondering Tsuna's question.

"You're correct," Tsuna affirmed.

"I see..."

Tsuna's eyes sparkled as his familiar smirk adorned his face. He was now quite eager for the upcoming semi-finals!

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