Chapter 13 : Tim Grover and Improvement

In LA,

Tim was talking with someone in on the phone. He called Vanessa after his talk with Shin.

He wanted to tell her about Shin and where he was right now as Shin didn't say anything after he left.

VANESSA: Hi Tim, I wasn't expecting a call from you. What's up?

TIM: Hello Vanessa sorry about the abrupt call. So how are you and the kids?

VANESSA: Were fine. The big man came to visit us the other way.

TIM: That's good. Anyway, I called to let you know that Shin called just now.

Vanessa was shocked at first then with a sad voice she asked "So how was he? Where is he at right now? Instead of calling me, he called you huh?"

TIM: I'm sorry. Shin's fine I guess, since he decided to call me. He's in Japan right now, where he grew up. He told me to let you know that he'll return when he's ready.

VANESSA: It's fine. Don't be to hard on him Tim. You know that kid is still hurting. His hurt is not any less than what I and the kids are feeling. Remember Shin was training with him everyday after they've met. My husband was like a father to him, as Shin was like an older brother to my daughter. I remember my husband telling me that Shin is gonna shock the NBA. He saw greatness in that kid, he was excited for Shin to enter in the NBA. That's why he kept on pushing him to be better but sadly that accident happened. It might be good for him to put his mind elsewhere.

TIM: Yeah I think so too. By the way that damn Kid just asked me to help a friend of his who is coming in LA in two days for a knee surgery. He also told me to pay for everything using his money, the money that your husband left for him. He then asked for a doctor I knew to help that friend of his plus the hotel where his friend will stay at.

VANESSA: Ha ha ha He's already ordering you around huh?. It's okay. It's not like you won't do it. You love that kid cause you saw it in him right? Those eyes same as my husband and his teacher. Besides that money was left for him by my husband let him use it however he wants. Just nothing illegal or something.

TIM: Fine. Okay I better go. I've got to make a couple of calls to ready everything. Take care Vanessa.

VANESSA: You too Tim. Bye.

"Hopefully your doing well Shin" thought Vanessa.

Tim then ended the call and looked at the TV as he was intrigued by what's on it.

It says "Jabberwock Tours to Japan". Tim could only shake his head and muttered "That kid can't really escape basketball huh" while turning off the TV preparing to leave.

As he was leaving he suddenly thought of someone then he smacked his forehead and said

"I don't have to get close to an owner. I already knew someone who is an owner. Why didn't I think of him in the first place. The only problem is will he accept it? That man is very hard to please or to make him agree on something. That man is also so busy these days it's hard to get an audience. F**k, that kid will be the death of me. I might turn into a real Grandpa because of him".

"I guess I can only try. Damn brat" added Tim.

In Japan,

"Achoo!! Who the f**k is cursing me right now?!" says Shin while he was talking with Kuroko.

Kuroko just shakes his head seeing Shin curse in front of him after that sneeze.

Kuroko then asked "Where did Senpai go Shin?"

Shin then answered "He left, he forgot about you".

KUROKO: So what did you two talked about?

SHIN: Nothing much. I just helped him for his trip to the US. I thought he might need it since he doesn't know much in LA. So I called someone to assist him once he got there.

KUROKO: Thanks Shin. He's lucky he met you before he left.

SHIN: It's alright. I just wanted to help him seeing how much he wants to play with you guys.

KUROKO: Yeah, I hope it goes well for him.

SHIN: You don't have to worry about that. He will return stronger. I can promise you that.

Hearing Shin, Kuroko could not help but wonder "What kind of help did he give to Kiyoshi?".

Kuroko then said to Shin "By the way, what brought you back here? when you were already in America".

Shin answered "While I was there something happened that made me decide to come back here. I wanted to give myself sometime.

But after a couple of days I got bored so I watch a couple of pick up games.

Every morning I jogged and always ends up in a basketball court and I watched more pick up games but I never played.

Some guys would come up to me and invites me to play with them since I was kinda tall but I always declined.

After a few days, they didn't invite me anymore knowing that I always rejected their offer.

Then a couple of guys were talking beside where I sit at, that's when I heard about the Winter Cup finals.

It was your team Seirin vs Rakuzan.

So I decided to go and watch it. Never did I expect to see you there playing against Akashi.

The game was so intense my hands were shaking of excitement at that time. Then the moment came where I saw the others cheering on you.

I felt goosebumps hearing those cheers.

That's when it hit me. The reason why I played basketball.

I was glad I watched that game. That's why I decided to talk to you after your win.

And to Akashi, I think I overdid it a little. I just found the opportunity to tease him a little never would I expect that psycho would turn me into a villain already".

Kuroko was laughing so hard hearing Shin's story. He didn't think that what Akashi thought was all his presumptions. "Well I guess it's Shin's fault for teasing Akashi" thought Kuroko while holding his stomach continuing to laugh at Shin's situation.

Shin then looked at Kuroko and smacked his head for laughing saying "What's so funny about it Kuroko?"

Kuroko didn't stop from laughing even after that smack from Shin. He then composed himself and said to Shin "That hurt you know, It was your fault in the first place Akashi misunderstood".

Shin could only mutter "Fine".

Shin then asked "Anyway Kuroko? Do you plan to be like that forever? Don't you want to improve as a basketball player? I can help you if you want"

Kuroko answered "If I can improve why not, but I'm afraid this is all I have".

SHIN: No thats not all you have Kuroko, You still have room for improvement. You might also grow a little more in the process. How about it?

KUROKO: Alright, I'll trust you on this one. There's nothing wrong to try. I'll be in your care Shin.

Shin then made a fist towards Kuroko to which he also did the same.