FINALS.

“Kyaaaa! It’s already the finals!” Tsukiko cheered as she walked with her team towards the court. Kise frowned at her.

“I don’t see the reason why to get excited, Tsukikocchi!” he whined because he was feeling nervous at that time. “It’s so nerve racking today because we have the responsibility in bringing Japan to the top of the Internationals!”

“Well we just have to win right?” Aomine appeared behind them putting his arm around the two’s shoulders.

“Easy for you to say” Kise pouted. Tsukiko looked at Aomine from behind and smiled. “Now, now, Kise, don’t get your hopes down yet! We’re going to win! Tell yourself that!” Tsukiko encouraged fisting her hands.

“That’s right, Ki-chan~” Aya appeared in front of them, as they flinched getting startled.

“Where did you come from?” they chorused.

“Minna! Let’s do our best today!” Aya ignored their question and cheered them on happily.

“By the way you talk, as if you’d play today” Aomine commented as Akashi walk pass them. “She is going to play” the red haired spoke and pulled Aya with him proceeding to the court benches.

“Eh?! Aya’s going to play?!” they reacted and follow their current captain of Team Japan out to the court. They set their things on the bench and started to do some warm ups and was surprise to hear someone dunk. It was Aya. They stood their surprised, their eyes widening as Aya let go of the ring as her feet met the floor.

“H-How can she do a dunk with that height?” Tsukiko asked a sweat running down to her cheek. “By her height, she can’t reach it, but if she…”

“She can jump that high, it’s possible” Aomine finished for her having that serious look on his face. “It’s been a while since I saw her play” Tsukiko stared at Aomine and gulped. She glanced at Aya who’s practicing with Kagami, Kise, Midorima and Murasakibara at the court, and seems to have a serious look on her face.

“Aya-chan’s in her zone already?” Momoi spoke, surprised.

“Zone?” Tsukiko wondered looking at her. “Hai, the zone is a state of being that a player can access once he has found a worthy opponent and reached his full potential. Being in the zone means nobody else can stop him unless he or she is in the Zone as well. When entering the Zone, one forgets everything and focuses solely on the game. It is a superlative of regular concentration. Only the elite of the best of the best of players are allowed to enter the Zone.” Momoi explained to Tsukiko who nodded her head.

“I think I never entered my zone before…” Tsukiko said rubbing her chin.

“Well I think it’s the best time to do that now because we have to win this match” Aomine spoke with a serious tone. Momoi and Tsukiko looked at him and their eyes widened seeing him—“Aomine-kun…?” Momoi wondered. Aomine joined in the warm ups and so did Tsukiko leaving the two managers there.

“I think everyone’s serious today, Satsuki-senpai…” Emiko appeared beside the pink head surprising her.

“Emiko-chan!!!” Momoi jumped away from her but relaxed afterwards. She looked at everyone who was playing. “It’s because they all want to win…” she spoke and smiled. “We’re going to win this!” she cheered then noticed Emiko thinking deeply.

“What is it, Emiko-chan?” she asked.

“Hm? Oh, I was just wondering…” Emiko started with a serious look on her face. “How Tsukiko-san is when she’s in her zone…”

“You’re right, I never seen Tsuneko in her zone, I wonder how good she is if she’s in that state?”

They heard the buzz.

Their heads turn to the referee who was making his way at the middle of the court. He blew his whistle signaling that the match was about to start so the players made their way to the bench and the first five positioning themselves at the court. Of course the GoM were the first five and Kagami, Kuroko, Tsukiko, Aya and Himuro being the second 5. They grouped the five uncrowned generals and will be using the GoM again for the final quarter.

“Hai! Let’s do our best!” Riko yelled at the first five.

The referee blew his whistle and at the same time threw the ball in the air. It was the Tip Off. Murasakibara jumped for the ball and so did their opponent’s captain who failed in getting the ball because the purple giant had already swatted the ball into his large hands. “It’s Japan’s ball! Go Japan!” they cheered as Murasakibara passed the ball to Aomine who sprinted towards the ring together with his teammates and the game against the US started.

“Man, I’m starting to get nervous now!” Tsukiko exclaimed feeling the adrenaline rush throughout his body while watching the five prodigies play for their country. She noticed how her teammates looked serious as she gulped and focused on the game. ‘I wonder how to get inside the zone…’

She snapped out of her thoughts after seeing Kise dunk. “Alright Ki-chan!” Momoi cheered. She noticed the weary look on Tsukiko’s face as the monster stood up and walked out of the court. “Tsuneko! What’s wrong?” she called but the brunette didn’t hear her and continued walking.

“What’s wrong with Tsukiko-san?” Emiko wondered.

“I have no idea” Momoi replied. Aya stood up and followed her. “I’ll go talk to her”

“I’m nervous as hell! I wonder what’s wrong now.” Tsukiko paced back and forth by the locker room while biting her nail. “Is it because that I’m afraid to lose? Well duh everyone doesn’t want to lose!”

“Tsuneko?” Aya appeared looking at Tsukiko with a questioning look. “Are you okay?”

“A-Aya!” Tsukiko jumped away from her and sighed. “Yes I’m fine, thank you”

“You don’t look okay, are you nervous?” Aya guessed tilting her head to the side. Tsukiko looked at her and gulped. “I guess, my heart just pounding so fast right now, I have no idea why!” she threw her hands in the air.

“Yup, you’re nervous alright” cleared Aya crossing her arms.

“How would you know?” Tsukiko looked at her.

“It’s obvious, Tsuneko”

“Oh”

Aya chuckled. “You’re like Daicchi when it was the finals during middle school” she remembered as Tsukiko stiffened. “Really?” Aya nodded with a smile. “He was as nervous as you, you two are so alike” Tsukiko blushed and found her shoes amusing.

Aya giggled and grabbed Tsukiko’s wrist. “C’mon, let’s support our team!” she dragged the girl out to the court.

TIMESKIP.

It was 2 minutes before the second half ended and Himuro had the ball. He was surrounded by two players and at the same time, Kagami was having a hard time with the one whom as guarding him. Kuroko was also guarded and the only ones left are Tsukiko and Aya who are left unguarded. “Himuro!” Tsukiko called but she was already guarded when she did.

“Hi-kun!” Aya waved her hand as Himuro passed the ball to her and ran towards the ring with the whole team. Aya was blocked by one of the tallest guy of their opponent’s team so she passed the ball to Kagami who did his Meteor Jam technique setting the score with 54-45 with them on the lead.

It was their team’s offense so the point guard of their opponent shot a three pointer making it 54-48. “Damn they’re catching up!” Aomine cursed from the benches.

“Calm down Aomine” Midorima told him.

“Tch” he said and stared at the gym. He was stressed.

“Kagami pass it!” Tsukiko signaled and received the ball from the ace tiger then sprinted towards the ring. She easily avoided her opponents and dunked the ball after spinning in the air after her jump because of a block.

“So cool!” Momoi stared in admiration.

“Nice!” Himuro asked for a high five from her but she ignored him and went at their ring to prepare for defense. “Tsukiko?”

“Hm…” Aya thought. “What’s wrong with that girl now?” Kagami asked. “Maybe she’s just tired?” Tetsuya guessed but took it back after seeing Tsukiko’s face. “She’s…”

“In her zone” Aomine spoke looking at Tsukiko.

“Hm, interesting…” Akashi commented.

“Tsukikocchi finally entering into the zone?” Kise smirked. “This is a scene worth seeing”

“I agree” Midorima pushed his glasses. “Mmm” Murasakibara agreed.

“Let’s go!” the player opponent who had the ball exclaimed running for the ring with his team. He was startled to see the ball disappear from his hands and a shadow passing by. It wasn’t Tetsuya though. It was Tsukiko who stole the ball and ran for the ring. Her speed was ridiculous; nobody in the team could cope up with her so she shot a three pointer without anyone guarding her.

“Whoa, didn’t expect her to see her here” said a blonde player of their opponent who just arrived at the game. He stared at Tsukiko and set his gym bag down.

“Jeremy! Why are you late?!” scolded the American manager at the blonde stomping her feet. Tsukiko recognized the late comer and pointed at him.

“It’s you!” she snapped.

“Hey Tsukiko” Jeremy said her name with an accent.

“Y-You’re a basketball player? And you’re my opponent?” she replied, surprised that he was here.

“Apparently, yeah” Jeremy scratched the back of his neck boredly. “Who the hell is he?!” Aomine stood up from the bench pointing at Jeremy annoyed. “Oh, he’s…” they heard the buzzer. The first half ended. Jeremy was pulled by their manager at the ear and was starting to get scold at by their coach for being late. Tsukiko with her team went back to the bench to rest and sat beside Aomine who threw a towel at her face.

“How the hell do you know that guy?” he asked her with an annoyed tone. She picked up the towel peeking at Aomine.

“I bumped into him at the arcade” she answered innocently. Aomine flinched and remembered the guy who he passed by that day. ‘So she was talking to him...’

“What’s wrong?” Tsukiko asked. “Nothing” Aomine huffed and looked away stubbornly. She sweat dropped. “Alright, please assemble and I’m going to discuss the next strategy for the game” Coach Shirogane announced as the whole team assembled.

“I bet they’re going to use that blonde who just arrived!” one of the players assumed and Shirogane nodded. “Of course they will he’s Jeremy Sylvan, one of the best players in America” he said. “His abilities are as close with Akashi’s and he’s also called the American Monster Player” that fact made them flinch.

“What do we do now coach?” Midorima asked.

“I’m going to put you five back” their coach started referring to the GoM. “But Kise, I’m afraid I have to sub Tsukiko with you” Kise nodded understanding. “We have to be careful whenever that blonde attacks, so Akashi, I’ll leave you in guarding him” Akashi nodded. “And Tsukiko, we’ll put you in the scoring with Aomine”

“H-Hai!” Aomine and Tsukiko chorused.

“You’re not putting Aya in the match, coach?” Midorima asked.

“That’s what I’m going to request, Shintaro” replied the old man. “I was thinking if she could take place in the three point shots”

“If it means for the team’s victory then okay” the green head replied.

“Thank you”

BUZZ. The 10 minute break ended between the first and second half. The Japan team had already enough rest for the next game so the next five had entered the court. Aya removed the weighted wrist bands she put on her wrist increasing her speed for the game. And the second half started.

“Tsukiko wait” Aomine called the brunette before she could return to the court. She stopped glancing at Aomine. “What is it?” she asked, facing him. He blushed and hesitantly asked her. “I-If—after this will you…”

“What is it, Aomine? Just spit it out” she said as he blushed more. “After the finals, will you go out with me?” “E-Eh?” she blushed. “W-Why are you asking me that now?”

“I promised myself something okay?”

“What promise?”

“That when all of this is over, I’ll make you mine” he gushed and looked away. Tsukiko’s eyes widened as she smiled. “S-Sure, I’d love to”

“REALLY?!” Aomine beamed and Tsukiko just smiled at him. “But first, let’s go win!” she fist pumped making him smirk. “I’ll make sure of our victory!” he smirked as they ran towards the court. 

The match continued and Akashi had the ball and ordered his teammates to position at the court. He was guarded by Jeremy who had a cocky smirk on his face annoying him. Akashi used one of his techniques on him as he passed by the blonde without even blocked by him and ran to the ring. Jeremy stood up and chased after the captain and slapped the ball from behind. He almost got the ball when Aomine had got it and did a formless shot when Jeremy had tried to block him. Japan scores again. 58-48. they were ahead with 10 points.

“Well 10 points isn’t hard to catch up with, c’mon team, and let’s score!” Jeremy exclaimed and got the ball and ran towards the ring with incredible speed. Tsukiko and Aomine chased after him and tried to steal the ball but Jeremy was too fast and ran away from them sticking his tongue out childishly. “Can’t catch me!” his accent when speaking Japanese irritated Aomine.

“What the heck?!” Aomine shouted his eyes whitened. Jeremy had shot a three point shot setting the score. 58-51.

“7 points~(^_^)~” Jeremy cheered like a little kid with sparkles around his head. Aomine felt a nerve pop and glared at the blonde. “He’s starting to irritate me!” he complained and got the ball from Jeremy.

“Chill there, tanny, we’re just getting started” the blonde smirk sadistically.

“You’re on…” Aomine was now in his zone.

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let me just say that i miss typing action chapters!!!!~ the next chapter would be full of those moves ~(*_*)~ hahah sorry for not updating these days! blame our stupid internet!T3T i'm trying my best to type long chapters for you guys! so here you go! part 1 of the finals! >:D