[KNB] Chapter : 15

Aomine Daiki’s eyes were still as clear as ever.

So clear… you could see a basketball spinning inside them.

That fierce, undying love for the game had made him a powerhouse on the court—but it also gave rise to a quiet fear: a fear that one day he’d become too strong… and the thrill of a real challenge would disappear.

Yesterday, he’d been completely absorbed in the match. Oblivious to what was happening on the other courts.

It was his childhood friend, Momoi Satsuki, who told him later—about a certain group of monsters in the basketball club.

Aomine’s interest sparked immediately.
Especially toward one name: Han Suichi.

He wanted a one-on-one. Badly.

“I like you better when you’re all wild and rebellious.”

“Huh?”

“Nothing. Just saying... if I get the chance, I’d love to go up against you.”

The guy standing in front of him—unreadable, composed—was destined to be Teikou’s ace in the future.

And Aomine wanted to test his own talent against that future.

“Then it’s a deal,” he grinned, flashing his perfect white teeth.

That simple, carefree smile stung Han like sunlight through stained glass.
Too bright.

He’d been soaked in the shadows of adulthood for far too long.

“No talking during warm-up,” came a stern voice.

“Han, Aomine—you two, five extra laps!”

...What?

The grin on Aomine’s face froze.

Han didn’t protest. Wordlessly, he started jogging.

“Man, Captain Nijimura’s so strict. All I did was say two sentences! And did you see that death glare?”

By the time they finished their penalty laps, sweat was clinging to both of them like second skin.

“Nijimura-senpai used to be a delinquent,” a voice chimed in beside them, soft and playful.

Aomine blinked. “Satsuki!?”

“You’re kidding—Nijimura? A delinquent? Seriously?”

Satsuki grinned. Gossip lit up her eyes like firecrackers.

She was Aomine’s childhood friend, after all. An encyclopedia of secrets, and an unstoppable force of curiosity.

“Oh, absolutely. The worst thing he did? Took a joyride on a stolen motorcycle.”

Aomine’s jaw dropped.

“No way! He’s always so serious! I thought he was born with a clipboard in hand!”

The revelation hit him like discovering a new continent.

Eyes shining with newfound respect (and mischief), he stared across the court at Nijimura Shuzo. Slowly, instinctively, Aomine styled his hair into an imaginary pompadour.

“Like this, right? Total delinquent vibes!”

He burst out laughing.

Han didn’t join in. He knew a bit about Nijimura’s rough past already. It didn’t surprise him.

He was about to say something—until something moved in front of him.

“Huh?”

“What’s wrong?” Aomine asked, glancing over.

“Did something just float past us?”

“You seeing ghosts or something? Don’t tell me five extra laps gave you hallucinations—that’s so weak.”

Han didn’t respond.

He was sure of what he saw.

Because right in front of him… a barrage of floating comments danced in the air:

‘HAHAHAHA!’
‘Kuroko’s presence is so low, Han didn’t even notice him run by!’
‘That deadpan face—so cute!’
‘You weren’t imagining it. Kuroko really ran past you.’
‘Satsuki and Aomine didn’t notice, but Han did? He’s so into Kuroko, huh?’
‘You fujoshi need to stop shipping everything—you’re going to rot your brains!’
‘Satsukibe it’s his visual talent? Han’s got more than just quick hands. He sees what no one else can.’
‘You better not be aiming to "snatch" our Kuroko!’

It was unmistakable.

Kuroko Tetsuya.

Han slowly turned his head and scanned the court. And sure enough—

There he was.
Kuroko, blending seamlessly into the background, jogging across the court alone.

Invisible to everyone.

But not to him.

He was clearly exhausted—but still refused to give up.

Unlike Han and the others, Kuroko had been flat-out declared talentless by the prestigious Coach Shirogane.

When team placements were announced, he was casually tossed into the Third streing without a second thought.

What was the third string?

Basically, the bench of the benchwarmers.

If the second string was made up of hopefuls—players who, with effort, might earn a spot in an official game—then the third string didn’t even get that far.
They were spectators in their own club.

To Coach Shirogane, Kuroko had no redeeming qualities.
Endurance? Lacking.
Speed? Below average.
Explosiveness, vertical, strength? All bottom-tier.

To put it bluntly: Basketball was not meant for him.

In ordinary school scrimmages, he wouldn’t even be allowed to step on the court.

This year, the only newcomer in his mind right now was Han.

And where was Han now?

The head coach scanned the court during drills and quickly noticed something missing.

Neither Han nor Aomine were with the main group. His gaze slid across the gym—only to find the two of them off in a corner, chatting and laughing like kids ditching class.

“Han! Aomine! Back to practice—now!”

“On it!” Han called back, snapping out of it and jogging over.

During these dull stretches of training, Han didn’t get any flashy scenes.
He wasn’t the type to play the big-brother role, running laps with Kuroko like some inspirational sports anime.

But even without attention, he could still see the occasional barrage of floating comments pop up in front of him.

He knew Kuroko was watching from time to time.
Stealing glances.

After Club Activities.

As Han exited the locker room, toweling off sweat, he spotted Riko standing with her hands planted on her hips.

“Making a beautiful girl wait? What happened to chivalry?”

“You expect a future national champion to skip club activities? Are you dumb?”

They locked eyes, both sighing with exaggerated annoyance. A brief bickering match followed—one that instantly triggered a floating wave of audience barrages.

“Wait, barrages again?” Han blinked and looked around.

Was Kuroko spying again?

He turned his head—and nearly jumped out of his skin.

Kuroko was right beside him.

“GAH!”

He and Riko leapt away in perfect sync, faces frozen in identical shock. Their reaction rate? A solid 99% match.

“Kuroko!!”

“Han-kun,” Kuroko said calmly, then glanced at Riko, “…And, uh… hello!”

“Hello?! You scared us half to death, then greet us like it’s nothing?!”

“But… I’ve been standing here the whole time.”

‘He’s not lying. But I was here, waiting to walk home with Han!!.’

‘LOL no matter how many times this happens, their reactions are priceless!’

'Han’s heart rate hit 10086!’

‘This level of stealth should be illegal. Someone get this boy a Harry Potter reference!’

‘Nah, he doesn’t need an invisibility cloak. He’s got Invisible Woman’s DNA!’

Han clutched his chest.

“If I don’t live to be a hundred, it’s your fault, Kuroko! This level of presence—or lack thereof—is unnatural. Are you sure you’re not in Hogwarts?!”

“Stupid,” Riko muttered. “Harry Potter needs a cloak. Kuroko doesn’t even need that. He must be related to Sue Storm!”

They both stared at him like he’d grown out of thin air.
Which, in a way, he had.

Kuroko smiled faintly, his lips barely curving upward.

“You two are close. Are you dating?”

That question hit them harder than his sudden appearance.

Dating?
Are you blind?!

Riko turned, suddenly realizing she was still clinging to Han in the aftermath of the scare.
Reflexively, she shoved herself away, her face burning.

“Get away from me, you scumbag!”

“You’re the one who latched onto me, stupid woman!”