Try Outs Part II

WOOSH!

Everyone stared in amazement at the ball that was bouncing on the floor. Shinoda had just successfully shot the ball in the hoop and added three points to their team. "Alright! That was awesome Shinoda!" One of his teammates cheered and gave him a fist bump.

"I actually thought that we wouldn't have a chance against the seniors! But with you, maybe we do have a little bit of chance." Shinoda chuckled as a light blush appeared on his cheeks. The players in the other team now looked at Shinoda differently.  They thought that this would be an easy round and that they only had to be careful of the purple giant and the green-haired kid.

Now they had to pay attention to this enigma. Shinoda Hyokishi.

"Looks like these new recruits are going to be a handful." The captain of the basketball club grinned excitedly as he watched Shinoda with interest. However, there are different reactions to what had happened. Some of the applicants and audience who are present at the gym were having doubts.

"Tsk. That was just luck. How could a newbie have that kind of speed?"

"I bet that the seniors were just shocked. That kid wouldn't be able to do that kind of trick again."

"Look at him, he looks so proud… he probably thinks that he is the best."

Their words were filled with jealousy and contempt. But the subject of their ire wasn't affected at all. As the whistle blow, the game continued but the atmosphere was now tenser. "You're good Shinoda." Akashi was facing Shinoda with narrowed eyes.

"Thanks… But I know you have something up your sleeve. Akashi right? I remember you introducing yourself in class." The two were now measuring their opponent, ready to score points for their team. Shinoda purposely jumped away from Akashi to avoid being guarded by him.

His eyes were still following the ball that was now on the large hands of Murasakibara. With his long legs, he dribbled the ball to the other end of the court. One of the seniors was quick to block him and was able to take the ball.

The court was filled with fast movements as everyone was battling for the orange ball. "Give the ball to Shinoda!" A brown-haired applicant shouted. They knew that in order to win this game, they had to rely on their blond teammate. The others shared a look and agreed to the plan.

Midorima was approaching Shinoda with the ball, "Head's up!" But before the ball could land on Shinoda's hands, Akashi was faster and was able to obtain it. "Tsk." Shinoda was frustrated, looks like my strength still needs improvement.

"Your team won't win." Akashi's voice floated inside Shinoda's ear, but instead of getting instigated, the blond smirked. "You're not going anywhere." With a deep breath, Shinoda tried to even out his breathing and felt a slight movement to his left.

Akashi's moving… to the left.

Without opening his eyes, Shinoda quickly maneuvered his trained body to the left where Akashi was about to pass him. The redhead's eyes widened as the ball in his hands disappeared. He tried to move as fast as he could, but it was no use. The sight of the ball entering the hoop made Shinoda's team cheer in happiness.

"Yes! Great job Shinoda!" Everyone was hyped to win this game against the seniors. "Again." Akashi narrowed his eyes at Shinoda's form as they once again stood in front of each other. "Damn it, Akashi! I want to go against Shinoda!" Aomine was ignored at the moment.

The captain was about to throw the ball when he was suddenly blocked by Murasakibara's large form. The ball bounced and the others tried to grab ahold of it. One of Shinoda's teammates was able to grab it and threw it directly at Shinoda.

Akashi immediately ran past Shinoda, but the blond was quick on his feet and ran after the redhead. "Oh no, you won't." Shinoda's eyes hardened as he took the ball and started to dribble it. Everyone's eyes were glued at the two applicants who were facing each other. One was a redhead with unique eyes, and the other was a blond who had the ball.

Shinoda charged towards the opponent's basket but was blocked by Akashi. But because of the blond's past training, he could see a small opening in Akashi's movements. Shinoda bounced the ball to his right hand and did a feint, expecting Akashi to follow him and become unbalanced.

The blond was surprised when he saw that Akashi didn't fall for his trick. "Too bad, I'm skilled as well you know," Akashi smirked and reached out for the ball in Shinoda's hands.

However, Shinoda bounced the ball back to his left hand again and grinned playfully at the shocked redhead. "Well too bad… this game is ours." Ignoring the amazement in his eyes, Shinoda whispered. "Thunder Breathing first form, Thunderclap and Flash."

Now Akashi had a clear look and experience of seeing the little streaks of thunder as Shinoda passed him with inhumane speed. Even though they have already seen this, they still couldn't believe that Shinoda was able to execute it.

They only heard slight zaps of electricity, and the next thing they saw was Shinoda under the basket ring, the orange ball falling into the red hoop. A loud gulp could be heard as they silently watched the scene.

Everyone thought they were hallucinating. Those individuals who had just slandered Shinoda almost choked at their own spit as they saw the skill Shinoda possessed, that it wasn't a fluke or luck. One jealous student slowly reached out and opened a bottle of water to quench his thirst, his face was full of twitches as he continued to stare blankly at Shinoda.

In the end, Shinoda had completely overwhelmed the other team. They had scored more than 50% of the other team's points. "ARGHHH!!! I can't believe this is true!"

"Pinch me! I can't believe we won against some of the seniors!" Everyone was completely hyped and excited. To think that they had won. But to be fair, Shinoda was the one who carried the team. But who cares! The fact that they won made the happy teammates too overwhelmed that some even had tears in their eyes. As if they had won a tournament.

"Congrats!" Shinoda turned around and saw the smiling face of the basketball club's captain. "That was amazing." The blond scratched the back of his head with a slight smile. "T-Thank!"

The captain continued, "Normally, we would send a text message to the individuals who were accepted to come back to the next schedule. But I think you have proven yourself to be a very good player." No one could deny that Shinoda had impressed everyone in the gym. If it was an event, no doubt someone would already have scouted Shinoda even though he was still a freshman.

"Congratulations! Welcome to the club!" Shinoda was filled with elation as he heard the words. "In fact, I will personally tell the coach and manager that you and others will join the first strings immediately." The captain's bright eyes glanced at Aomine, Akashi, Murasakibara, and Midorima; indicating that they too, would are accepted into the first strings.

"Wait for a text, we'll tell you when to come back for training alright?" His eyes swept through the crowd of colorful hair. "I could see the future of basketball shifting with your generation."

*

Shinoda, although exhausted, was filled with glee as he walked out of the gymnasium. The tryouts had finally finished, and Shinoda couldn't wait to return home to his parents and little sister. But Aomine on the other hand was different.

"Shinoda! Come on man! I want a rematch!" The dark blue-haired youth ran to catch up with Shinoda. Aomine was impressed at Shinoda's skills. He had kept on bugging Shinoda for another rematch to take a closer look at his skills. As always, playing against a strong opponent is not only fun but can improve an individual as well.

Aomine was playfully glaring at the blond who was yawning. "I am not satisfied at all! In the game, it was Akashi who kept on guarding you! I want to play against you again!" His voice echoed through the air, which made other students look at them. "And this time, I want it 1 vs 1!"

Shinoda let out a sigh as he ran a hand through his blond shiny hair. "Sorry man, I have to say no. If my little sister knew that I went off to play basketball as soon as my first day in school is finished, she'd get mad at me. And I don't want that."

In the short amount of time they had been friends, others already knew the close relationship Shinoda had with his sister. "Maybe some other time, ok?" Shinoda grinned as he patted Aomine's shoulder. "I promise, the two of us can play to our hearts' content… And I'll still win."

The dark blue-haired teen narrowed his eyes. "You bet. I'll keep on pestering you on that Shinoda." The atmosphere was cheerful as they walked out of the campus. Smiles on their faces as they were now part of the Teiko's Basketball club.

Now, I'm a little step closer to my dream. Shinoda smiled as he gazed at the orange sky.

[Author's Note]

[Let me know what you all think of the chapter. Of there is something that needs to be changed let me know. Hope you all like the chapter just as much as I did.]