first.. a very beary big thank you to AngelHeartObsession. this edited chapter one was because of her hardwork .

and don't forget to leave a review once you finish reading

disclaimer: I do not own Kurobasu and any other character except for the OC I made

-xx-

Ayaka looked at the building in front of her. The sign in front read, "Teiko Middle School". She had just transferred here late in the school year unusual time. She had heard about the reputation of Teiko's basketball club. Of course she would have, since Ayaka had been playing basketball since she was old enough to be able to dribble a ball. She didn't want to missed out playing for one of the best basketball teams.

Ayaka was also a basketball player in her old school. But she was an average player, and she didn't have enough stamina to last the whole game. To make up for her weakness, she studied her opponents, and she made sure she got all the data and the best way to counter any attack. The reason why she could last for another quarter of the game was because she played so efficiently. She would not play in a game where it could be a fast paced one.

On her last game before she had to transfer, she was asked to make a strategy to win that game. She developed a fearsome ability from her earlier effort to be able to last for 2 quarters, and she had shown this ability to her coach in the practice match against a stronger school. She could analyze and predict most of her opponent skill just by seeing that person. She didn't even need to see the tape from that person's previous game. Ayaka never really explain to her old team about her ability. She only told them what to do and how to win the game. When Ayaka played her cards well enough, she would play in the last quarter and surprise both her team and the other team.

Unfortunately for Ayaka, Teiko didn't have a female basketball team. They only have a male basketball team. Her homeroom teacher told her that it might be okay for her to join the male basketball club, but she refused politely. Male basketball will be harsher and it will be a miracle for her to last just a quarter of the game. Moreover, they divided the team into three different gym and only those in first string were able to play in areal match.

"There is no way I could join this basketball club," Ayaka sighed. She had seen how hard the third string has been playing. While she could beat them easily, she wouldn't last more than 10 minutes in the court. There was no way the coach will let her advance to the first string.

"Oi, Kuroko! Don't throw up in there!" Ayaka heard one of the team member said. She saw a blue haired boy who was pretty short for a basketball player. Ayaka saw that he was just like her. Someone that wouldn't be able to stand for more than two quarter of the game. Ayaka gasped when she watched that boy intensely. He still has a hidden talent.

"He willdefinitely be useful in court. He just needs a little push in the right direction," Ayaka mumbled. She kept an eye on that blue haired boy.

-xx-

Ayaka need to use her skill in a true basketball game. Maybe she was better being a manager? Ayaka sighed after she thought about that. She was not suited being a manager sinceshe loved to play on the court.

She walked to her usual spot, the place she used to stalk the blue haired player. Again, she saw that player again. After one week of stalking that boy, she was itching to tell him about his ability.

"As usual, he is good, but with that attitude, he won't be able to last for the entire game," Ayaka said to herself while she munched on her chips. She knew that the blue haired player could last the entire game. Ayaka has made several papers about the strength and weakness of that boy and she determined to give it to him. Maybe she ate too much or maybe it was the way the wind caressed her face slowly, butshe could feel her eyes closing slowly.

Ayaka didn't realize that her paper has been scattered around by the wind, and it attracted a redhead boy who had been walking around the third string gym. Nor had she realized he has seen what's written on those papers and kept them to himself.

-xx-

"GAAAH!" Ayaka screamed when she felt mosquitoes biting her body. Then she realized the following two things: night has fallen, and she lost her papers.

"Noooo, my papers!" Ayaka wailed. She could re-write those papers, but she needed to give them to the blue haired player right now. She heard they were going to promote the third string players to the second string tomorrow.

"And that boy already left too," Ayaka said. She couldn't believe how stupid she could be. That washer last chance to help someone that has the same problem as she did. She started to leave the school, hoping that she wouldn't need to climb the school gate. She saw the fourth gym's lamp still on, and it piqued her curiosity, so she immediately walked to that direction.

Ayaka opened the door, and the first thing thatshe saw was a basketball. Instantly, she dropped all of her belongings on the wooden floor, picked up the lone basketball, and do a quick dribble before she dunk. Even when she was at 165cm, dunking was her specialty.

"You are amazing," she heard someone said. She saw the blue haired player whom she had stalk for weeks.

"AH!" she screamed while she pointed at the blue haired boy.

"Tetsu, you know this chick?" she heard someone's voice again. A different, deeper voice.

"Aomine Daiki?" Ayaka screamed when she caught sight of tanned skin, navy blue hair and the same shade for his eye color. She had been researching the first year student that has become a regular player. Ayaka saw the potential this boy has and she knew this boy will be the future ace of Teiko.

"Huh? Never met ya before," Aomine said to Ayaka. "Are you stalking Tetsu?" Aomine asked her.

"Tetsu?" Ayaka asked. 'Who is that?'

"This guy right here," Aomine said while he pointed at the blue haired boy.

"Hello, my name is Kuroko Tetsuya," Kuroko introduced himself while giving a short, polite bow. "My name is Satou Ayaka." Ayakacopied his actions as she introduced herself.

"Aomine-kun, I just saw Satou-san dunk. It was amazing," Kuroko said.

"Is that so?" Aomine said. He didn't believe Kuroko one bit.

"We need to help Kuroko-san to get promoted tomorrow" Ayaka said hastily, ignoring Kuroko's statement. She will not reveal her secret to anyone else. But she just made a mistake.

"How do you know tomorrow will be the day they elect new second string members?" Aomine asked Ayaka.

'Crap,'Ayaka thought. 'It supposed to be a secret.'

"I overheard it.. hahaha," Ayaka try to pass it off,but she saw that both Kuroko and Aomine didn't buy it. Fortunately, they let it go.

"Let's practice harder then!" Aomine said to Kuroko. Kuroko smiled and they continuing their practice together. Ayaka left the gym silently. She didn't want to disturb Aomine and Kuroko.

The next day, as Ayaka usually does, she kept her eyes on Kuroko again. At least she know the name of the blue haired boy. That wouldn't be categorized as stalking, right? She saw the coach come to the gym, and she prepared to hear Kuroko's name in the second string.

"For the fall test, this time no one going up to the second string," the coach started. Ayaka choked on her drink. "I want you all to think about what you are missing when you are practicing," the coach continued. Ayaka instantly search for Kuroko, and she saw how shocked Kuroko is.

"That is all," the coach ended his announcement.

"Kuroko, come here," the coach said to Kuroko once everyone dispersed to practice. To hear them better, Ayaka moved to where Kuroko and the coach were standing.

"Let me tell it to you straight. Our club will be impossible for you," the coach said to Kuroko.

"Eh?" Kuroko said in shock. Ayaka clenched her hands. She hated this guy already. Ayaka couldn't stand hearing the rest of that guy nonsense; she ran with the intention of giving Kuroko a piece of her advice. It took several secondsto run from the second floor to the first floor in the gym, but she already saw Kuroko leaving the place. Ayaka chose to follow Kuroko rather than confront the coach. She had been this way before, and she knew her priority.

Ayaka saw Kuroko crying on the basketball courts in the park nearby. She wanted to come to where Kuroko has been crouching underneath the basketball ring. She remembered her past instantly.

Flashback

"I am sorry Satou-san,butwe cannot riskputtingyou on the court again," Ayaka's coach told her. "We don't need a player who can't play the whole game"

"ButI could playinthe last two quarters," Ayaka defendedherself.

"Will you win the game in just two quarters?"the coach countered. Ayaka couldn't answer that. She rarely practiced with the team, and they didn't trust her enough toevenpass the ball to her. Shedidn't appearon the game recordsthat often also.

"I thought so. You could be a manager in this team. We need your observational skill" the coach saidwhen he thought that the silence ran long enough.

End Flashback

At first she was proud to be a manager, but when she told the coach that she could help in practice and training, her coach told her to just sit quietly and watch the game. "You are just the manager," her coach told Ayaka. Since that day, she hated being a manager. It's a good thing she had to move to another school, and she could develop her ability further. Shealways tripled the score when her new team played against her old school.

Ayaka knew that it was better for her to juststand in the shadows rather than try to console him with sweet words. Ayaka stood there, watching Kuroko cry until he poured all of his sadness out. He need to accept his weakness before he could overcome it and become a greater player.

-xx-

The next day, Ayaka came to school without any spirit. She didn't have any friends since she always refused her classmate offer when they asked her to go home together. Maybe they got tired of their nice girl/boy act and decided to leave her out. Ayaka had prepared another game plan for Kuroko too. This time, she was planning to give it to him for sure. On her way home, she saw another figure waiting at the gate. That person has a red hair and his scarlet red eyes that matched his hair were already fixated on Ayaka.

Ayaka walk and planned to ignore the guy, but he stopped Ayaka by showing her some papers. Ayaka instantly recognize those papers as her first game plan for Kuroko.

"Ayaka Satou," the boy said. 'Since when did this guy learn my name?'Ayaka thought before concentrating on the boy's next statement. "My name is Akashi Seijuro," he introduced himself.

Ayaka realized this boy was one of the freshmen who become a first string player on their try outs. She couldn't help but gape at the very existence of Akashi.

"I am interested to know about this," Akashi asked Ayaka,again waving the papers. "Who gave you this?"

"I made it," Ayaka admitted. She is proud of her handiwork, and she won't hide it from other people.

"Who is this for?" Akashi asked.

"Some guy in the third string," Ayaka said. She has no idea why she was answering this guy questions.

"Interesting," Akashi said. He smiled a little but Ayaka, who is too focused on seeing various extra notes on the paper Akashi finally gave her, failed to see that.

"You make these notes?" Ayaka asked. She saw Akashi nodded. She couldn't believe there is someone more advance at un-wrapping other people's talent than her. "Let's discussed this on a café down street," Ayaka said excitedly.

"Hai," Akashi answered.

Both of them walk together to the café, but Ayaka's eyes remained on the paper. Akashi wasamazed at her concentration and amazing observational skill. She hadn't run into any person, and she stopped right when they have reached the café.

They ordered some food, which werestrawberry shortcakes and vanilla milkshake for Ayaka and green tea for Akashi. Finally, Ayaka put down the papers and stared at Akashi.

"I guess you want to ask about the extra notes," Akashi said, already knowing what she was thinking.

"Yes, they are pretty good. You even added his new training regime," Ayaka said seriously.

"But you are the amazing one, you discovered him," Akashi said.

"Because I want to see how good Teiko basketball club is," Ayaka said.

"What do you think?' Akashi asked Ayaka.

"It's pretty good." Ayaka answered robotically. Akashi sensed that it was the end of their discussion on how Ayaka saw basketball in Teiko's team.

"Did you think about joining the basketball club?" Akashi started the conversation again by asking her a question.

"Woman's basketball," Ayaka answered. "But Teiko didn't have a woman's basketball team."

"You can play in the male basketball team," Akashi stated. It was true that there was no rule in Teiko's basketball team that would not allowed woman toplay in their club. It would be interesting to see a woman play as their regular.

"I can't play for more than one and ahalf quarters in woman basketball," Ayaka pointed out.

"Then, you will not be able to play even just one quarter in the male basketball team," Akashi said. "You are a useless player," he finished. Ayaka put down the fork she had been holding, and Akashi saw that she had finished eating her cake. She put the money on the table and stood up.

"Let me show you that there is no such a thing as useless player," Ayaka said coldly.

-xx-

Ayaka and Akashi went to one of the empty gyms in Teiko. Third string should have been using this gym, but they have a practice match in other school. Ayaka put down her bag and she went to storage room to get a basketball.

"What are you planning?" Akashi asked the girl. Ayaka threw the ball to Akashi, which he smoothly. Then Ayaka took off the blazer she has been wearing and proceeded to take offher school uniform.

"What—"Akashi went to stop the girl, but thenhe saw that she was wearing another shirt and shortsunderneath her uniform.

"It won't be comfortable to play game while using a school uniform," Ayaka explained innocently. "Or are you thinking about something else?" Ayaka said playfully. She wanted to tease this boy, but unfortunately he didn't seem to play along with her.

"Are you challenging me?" Akashi said. He also took off the blazer and put all of his belongings next to where Ayaka's was.

"One on one, the first one to score wins," Ayaka explained. Akashi nodded in agreement, and he stood in front of Ayaka. After the little old coin toss, the ball was in Ayaka's possession.

Ayaka started to dribble the ball. She saw Akashi did nothing but watch her. It seems he also has the same skill as she did. Ayaka looked at his eyes, and she knew thatAkashi knew about their similar skill.

'It seems that it will be hard to get past him,'Ayaka thought. 'But I needed to try.' She started to run left, and as she expected Akashi try to stop her. She changed the ball to her righthand, and just as Akashi tried to slap the ball out of her hand,Ayaka twirled around him, evading his defense. Ayaka shot easily from the three point line.

"You surprise me," Akashi said. "I never thought you would be brave enough to go past your opponent like that."

"One more time," Akashi challenged Ayaka after a short lapse in conversation.

"Fine by me," Ayaka said happily. She loved a good challenge like this guy. This time, Akashi got the ball first.

Now he dribbled the ball, and his eyes were on Ayaka. Ayaka tried to read him, and she saw that he has an interesting ability. Ayaka move a little to her left and she saw Akashi move to his right. It seemed that he was challenging her.

Then suddenly she saw Akashi advancing, and her attention went to the ball in his hand. That was her mistake. Suddenly, Akashi shot the ball that he had been dribbling, and the ball went in.

"Smart move," Ayaka commented." I never expected you to shoot directly."

"Really? You didn't expect me?" Akashi asked Ayaka . It appeared that he knew that she was just teasing him.

"We are tied," Akashi said, changing the subject. He couldn't believe a girl was winning against him. Either he took it easy or this girl is a genius in basketball.

"I suppose we are. I have no intention to continue our match," Ayaka told Akashi. She saw that Akashi about to disagree with her.

"Don't worry," Ayaka said while she grabbed her phone. "In real game, I will lose against you." She saw two people entered the gym, and Ayaka took a relieved breath. She knew thatAkashi would not press for a rematch with these boys inside the gym.

"Akashi," one of the boys called for the red head. She saw that it was a green haired boy who called his name. A taller boy with purple hair was trailing after him..

"Midorima Shintaro and Murasakibara Atsushi," Ayaka said both of their name immediately and a bit unconsciously, but the boys didn't even realize that she was there.

"Shintaro, what are you doing here?" Akashi asked. He was not in a good mood after Ayaka beat him in a one on one. Midorima has come at the wrong time. He was about to have a rematch with this girl.

"We were looking for you" Midorima said. He finally noticedthe girl that was standing next to Akashi, and a brand new basketball was in her hands.

"My name is Ayaka Satou," Ayaka introduced herself when she felt green eyes on her..

"What do you need?" Akashi asked Midorima. He gave Ayaka her blazer, and Ayaka raised an eyebrow at the action. She took it anyways.

"We need to find Aomine. We haven't seen him lately in practice," Midorima said to him, but his eyesnever left Ayaka.

"I know where Aomine went. We can visit them tonight," Ayaka said. She put back on her uniform and her blazer.

-xx-

Ayaka brought them to the gym where she found Aomine and Kuroko training. She walked next to Akashi in silence, andshe need to start a conversation. Theawkward silence was a bit suffocating. Murasakibara still munched on his snacks, and Midorima kept on watching her every move.

"We will meet the guy also," Ayaka said to Akashi, but she was given no further answer by him.

Once they have arrived at the gym, Ayaka heard Aomine say the same thing thatshe said a few minutes earlier.

"There is no such a thing as useless player."

Ayaka stop walking, and she could see Kuroko's devastated expression through the doors that were cracked open.

"At least, I see what you are doing and respect you for it. And it made me want to try harder too," Aomine continued. "But if you do give up, there will be definitely nothing. I won't say you will be able to do it if you give up."

Ayaka studied Kuroko's expression, and she saw that he had the same face as he did the night before.

"Aomine," Akashi called to the tanned player, finally announcing their, or at least his, presence. "I thought I hadn't seen you around."

"Ah, the other gym has too many people," Aomine explained, masking his first reason for why he wasn't at the usual gym.

"Ayaka is the one who broughtus here. she said that she saw you practicing here every day," Akashi said.

"Ayaka?" Aomine asked. Ayaka walked out from the shadows and waved at Aomine.

"Is that the guy?" Akashi asked Ayaka, nodding to the shorter bluenette that was standing near Aomine.

"Yes, it's him," Ayaka answered.

"Who is he?" Akashi asked, directing his question to Aomine this time.

"Ah.. we have always practiced here," Aomine told Akashi.

"I don't remember seeing him at any of the gyms," Akashi said, although Ayaka could tell that he knew that Kuroko was in the third string.

"It's because he is from the third string" Ayaka said just to play along with Akashi's game.

"Huh, I see," Murasakibara finally spoke. "Let's go already" Murasakibara continued, having no interest in someone who is weaker than him. Ayaka, Midorima and Murasakibara started to leave the gym.

"No, wait," Akashi grabbed Ayaka's arm to stop her from leaving. "Ayaka, what you wrote on your notes…."

"It is true, but Kuroko-san has not realize it," Ayaka finished.

"Fascinating, I've never seen his type before," Akashi said. "And I've never seen someone like you either" Akashi directed that statement to Ayaka. The way he say it made Ayaka blush. He did not need to say those words.

"What are you saying, Akashi?" Midorima asked him.

"I found these papers." Akashi gave the paper to Midorima. When Midorima read it, he couldn't believe the detailed the information about whoever is described there. "Ayaka was the one who made this," Akashi told Midorima.

"And I want to talk to him for a bit," Akashi continued. "I hope you don't mind coming with me, Ayaka," Akashi said to the girl.

"Hai," Ayaka answered shortly. Midorima look between Akashi and Ayaka. Both of them are scary in their own way.

"It's the first time I've seen someone like you," Akashi told Kuroko. "Ayaka said you have been putting all yourself into basketball, even though other people can't see the result."

'OUCH.'Ayaka thought. Akashi shouldn't have to put it bluntly like that.

"Sorry, right now I don't like you that much after hearing those words," Kuroko said just as bluntly. Ayaka could see how depressed Kuroko was. 'Gomen Kuroko-san,'Ayaka mentally said to the blue haired boy.

"Ah, sorry," Akashi said without really sounding sincere. "But there really is no reason for you to feel like this.".

"You have a low motion faculty, but your reflex are not that bad," Ayaka added. "And you have a high IQ too. Also, you have been training very hard. As soon as I started following you, I saw that you have gathered much experience."

"Following him?" Akashi asked Ayaka.

"Erm.. I wanted to confirm my data," Ayaka said in defense.

"But, if what Ayaka said is true, I don't feel anything while I am looking at you," Akashi said. "This might be a special ability. The special atmosphere I sensed from you might be your special ability. This is your strong point."

"Kuroko-san, this will become your greatest weapon and will make up for your other weaknesses," Ayaka added.

"Ayaka, Kuroko still doesn't understand what you aretalking about," Akashi said.

"Sorry, let me explain it. You have the ability to overcome your weakness once you mastered this secret weapon," Ayaka said.

"I want to teach you this technique to complete our existing team," Akashi took over. "But first, you have to focus on making this technique work. If it's not for Ayaka finding you and this technique, I wouldn't want you to join the team."

Then Akashi walked to the door and almost left the room, but he stopped and look back at Kuroko.

"Don't consider this as a hint but more as a useful solution," Akashi said. "I will propose a referral by the coach and the captain if you pass my test."

Ayaka saw how determined Kuroko has become. She went to give him a hug. "Kuroko-san, don't give up," she whispered in his ear. Akashi saw Ayaka and Kuroko in deep embrace. Instead of letting the two of them having their moment, he called for Ayaka. "Ayaka, let's leave."

Ayaka gave Kuroko one last encouragement pat and ran to the door.

"Akashi," Ayaka called once she closed the door. She saw Midorima and Murasakibara waiting outside.

"Did you eavesdrop?' Akashi asked the green haired man.

"After seeing him and reading this papers," Midorima began while he gave the papers back to Akashi. "I can't say I am really pleased with your doing."

"And what's with the girl?!" Midorima said while he pointed at Ayaka."Why were you in the gym in the middle of the night with her?! Are you stalking Akashi?" The last question was directed to Ayaka.

"EEEH?" Ayaka stopped walking and screamed at his accusation and questions.

"Shintaro," Akashi reminded him.

"B-b-but I-I don't…" Ayaka stuttered.

"Don't worry about it. She will be our new manager," Akashi said. "I was testing her ability, that's all."

"What?! Since when did I agree on becoming a manager?!" Ayaka screamed back at Akashi. Fragments of her memories as being a manager flashed through her mind, but she mentally shook her head and focused on the present time.

"I will give you a letter of recommendation so you could go straight to be the first string manager," Akashi said, ignoring her outburst.

"No. I refused to be a manager," Ayaka said sternly.

"It will be a waste of your talent. If you can't play you should be able to support us," Akashi pointed it out. "As you said before, there is no such a thing as useless player"

"My answer is still no," Ayaka said stubbornly.

Midorima could feel the tension between Akashi and Ayaka, so he decided to step out of their arguments. Midorima did not want to step in between the crossfire of two people with similar attitudes. One Akashi is enough for him.

"You will be the one training Kuroko," Akashi suggested. "Officially." Ayaka hated how Akashi could read her mind. She had been planning to train Kuroko secretly and had been thinking several ways to make Kuroko agree to her idea.

"Still, my answer is NO," Ayaka answered back. There is no way she will lose to this boy. Midorima could see a vein pop in Akashi's head. This was the first time someone went against Akashi.

"Let's settle this with basketball. Another one on one," Akashi said when he spotted a street court."If you lose, you will be the basketball team's manager."

"But if you lose, you will leave me alone," Ayaka set her own prize down. They both shook their hands in agreement and walked to the court. Midorima had no choice but to follow them.

"Shintaro, you will throw the ball," Akashi said while he take off his blazer yet again. Midorima saw Ayaka do the same thing and both of them were already face each other.

"Fine," Midorima sighed. He put his belongings down and positioned himself with the basketball, which he fetched from Akashi's basketball bag, in his hands.

"Ready? Go," Midorima said with microscopic enthusiasm. He threw the ball, and Ayaka got the ball first since she jumped higher than Akashi. Then she dribbled, but Akashi immediately defended her.

'I can't use the same trick twice with this guy,' Ayaka thought. She must do something to get past Akashi.

"Too slow," Akashi said. He easily stole the ball, dribbled to the basket, and shot it.

'I THINK TOO MUCH!'Ayaka screamed in her head. She had let her guard down.

"Come to the first string's gym tomorrow," Akashi said while he picked up his belongings. "Let's go," Akashi said. It was obvious that he was waiting for Ayaka to move.

Ayaka hated to admit her defeat, but she could not go back on her words.

"It is true when I said I never saw someone with your ability. And I find you interesting," Akashi told Ayaka before he left the park. Ayaka fumed with anger. It will be interesting to be working with a guy like him, that's for sure.

From tomorrow on, she was a manager in Teiko Middle School Basketball Club.