"Seirin...? You have been talking to Kurokocchi, huh?" Kise asked softly, which earned him a nod from the pink haired teen.

"We met up a few times already. He even introduced me to Tai-kun. He looks scary, but he's kind." Haruichi said, playing with the hem of his shirt "Satsu-nee took some of my things already. She brought it over to Tai-kun's place."

"Tai-kun..? You mean... Taiga? Kagami Taiga?!" Kise said, too shocked and felt like he was going to die when Haruichi nodded "You could've just stayed at Kurokocchi's!"

"Tetsuya-kun said he's going to move in with us. Saying something to him like, and I quote 'Akashi-kun won't allow Haruichi to be alone with Kagami-kun'." Haruichi said

"True. Akashicchi would skin him alive if something happens to you." Kise chuckled and smiled even wider when he got the younger Kominato to smile as well. "So that means I'd be seeing you in court?"

Haruichi smiled and nodded "I can't wait to play with, or this time against, you guys again."

Ryousuke frowned as he watched his brother and Kise talk far from where they were. It wasn't like he wasn't happy that Haruichi made friends in the span of two years that he was gone. He was in fact, happy. He just didn't like the thought that Haruichi was keeping something from him. He didn't miss the way the glint Kise's eyes changed for a moment when Kasamatsu asked about Kise playing baseball. He knew that Kise avoided answering the question.

It wasn't long before Kasamatsu and Kise left, with Kise promising Haruichi that he'd treat Haruichi some cream stew next time they see each other, earning an excited look from the younger Kominato. Telling himself that he'd ask Haruichi one of these days, he stayed quiet about his thoughts. What he didn't know, was this action was his mistake.

Two days after the two Kaijou basketball players visited, Ryousuke found Haruichi's bat leaning on the door of his dorm room. He can't shake off this heavy feeling in his gut, nothing happened to Haruichi right? He just probably forgot about it accidentally and went to practice without his bat. Maybe Eijun pulled him again with him before Haruichi could get his bat. Yes... it was probably that.

Taking the bat along with him, he made his way to the baseball field, unaware of the look the coach was giving him.

"Team! Assemble for this announcement!" Coach Kataoka said when he was sure that everyone from the first string was there.

Everyone gathered, obviously confused on what was the announcement about. But before Kataoka could talk, Eijun had beaten him to it.

"Coach Kataoka! Harucchi isn't here yet!" Eijun said, earning nods from the other members. Kataoka was silent for a moment before nodding.

"I know. And that is what we're going to discuss about." He said, only to receive various reactions. Confusion from the 3rd years, worry from the 2nd years, a questioning look from Furuya and voiced out questions from Eijun ('Is he okay? Is he injured? Was he taken to the hospital?'). But when he looked at the older Kominato brother, the 3rd year had an unreadable look on his face and his usual smirk wasn't there.

"He's not hurt or been brought to the hospital." Kataoka said, earning relieved sighs from his team before the looks on their faces turned into horror when Kataoka showed them the last thing they were expecting. A resignation letter. Everyone was too shocked to say something and stared wide eyed at the envelope until their attention was caught by a loud thump. Looking at the source of the sound, they realized it was Haruichi's wooden bat that Ryousuke dropped in shock, and they didn't expect to see Ryousuke's eyes open.

No, Kuramochi expected the reaction from his partner. But what he didn't expect to see mixed emotions in it. He didn't know if it was horror, surprise, anger, sadness or all of it. But he can see that Ryousuke was shaking.

"Haruichi gave it to me earlier this week. He said he was going to transfer schools and was accepted in one here in Tokyo. He didn't tell me the real reason why he left though. However, he asked me not to tell anyone where he had transferred to. And as a coach and as a second parent, i respect his decision. So, Kominato, if you wish to know about it, call your parents." He said, looking at Ryousuke before nodding at him, a sign that he could leave and do what the elder brother wanted to do then looked at the team "We have a practice match in three days! All of you, back to practice!"

"What do you mean you can't tell me?!" Ryousuke asked, gripping the phone tightly.

"I'm sorry, Ryou-chan. But Haru-chan told us not to, for now. He said you two would see each other again, considering he's still playing a sport. It won't be hard for you two to meet again." His mom said, trying to calm him down.

"But I'm more concerned if he's going to be okay out there on his own!"

"Ryou-chan, he's going to be okay. Satsuki going to look after him."

"Sakuki? You mean our cousin? How come she gets to know where he is and I don't?! I'm his brother, damn it!" Ryousuke asked before slamming the phone shut, not bothering to hear what his mother was going to say next, knowing it was just another 'I'm sorry'. He punched the wall in anger, angry tears running down his cheeks.

"Ryou-san..." Kuramochi said softly, slowly getting near the emotional third year in case he pushes him away. He wasn't used to see Ryousuke show his weak side.

"He went away, Kuramochi... He might've quit baseball..." Ryousuke cried, clutching the wooden bat tightly "Maybe... that's why he left the bat in front of my room. Why didn't I see the signs?!"

"Ryou-san... None of us did... Please..." Kuramochi said, gently placing a hand on Ryousuke's shoulder, trying to comfort him.

It took the whole night to comfort Ryousuke, and Kuramochi stayed with him.

"Everyone! Come here!" Aida Riko said before blowing her whistle, getting the attention of the Seirin basketball players who crowded around her in a matter of seconds. "We have a new member that will join us today."

Kagami and Kuroko smiled (grinned in Kagami's side) as a pink haired teen walked towards them and stood beside Riko. "I-I'm Kominato Haruichi. Freshman..."

"Ehh~ He's cute!" Koganei said, looking at Haruichi intently, making the pink haired teen blush and shift uncomfortably.

"Koganei-kun, you're making him uncomfortable." Riko reprimanded him as Haruichi sent her a thankful look.

"From what did you transfer from, Kominato-kun?" Hyuuga asked

"Haruichi is fine." Haruichi replied, smiling softly. "And its Seidou. Seidou High."

"Seidou?! You mean... The one known for their baseball team?!" Hyuuga asked, surprised

Haruichi nodded shyly, not used to being the center of attention "Yes... I used to play there."

"EHHHHHH?!" The Seirin members, except Kuroko and Kagami, shouted

"What position?" Koganei asked excitedly

"I'm... the reserve second baseman." Haruichi said, before enjoying the shocked look on their faces.

"You... You bat...?" Hyuuga asked and received a nod from Haruichi

"Haru-kun uses a wooden bat." Kuroko said, standing beside Haruichi who slightly hid behind him

The others stared at them with shocked faces

"Then why basketball?" Riko asked, looking at Haruichi and Kuroko "Do you two know each other?"

Both of them nodded. "I met him through our manager back at Teiko. They are cousins. She brought him with her during one of our training camps in Kanagawa. We thought Haru-kun how to play basketball. In fact... His play style is at par with the Generation of Miracles. He could've been one if he only studied in Teiko."

"Y-you mean..." Izuki said, wide eyed

"Yes. Haruichi's potential for basketball was awakened due to the Generation of Miracles because of playing and training with us."