STEPBROTHER (HAIKYUU X KUROKO NO BASKETBALL SUMMER CAMP)
69

"You lost again to me" Akashi told the sweat-strewn Midorima.

"Akashi, let's print the numbers one more time. Show me all your skills" Midorima asked as she placed her hands beside her.

"No problem, I'll invite you to play against my other self soon anyway. At least you can feel my abilities original version," said Akashi who immediately smiled and mendribble the ball.

He instantly closed both his eyes and started counting the numbers one to three many times. Kuroko began to look at Akashi with focus, it could be important information to later fight Rakuzan.

"One. two. three..," murmured Akashi who directly dribble the ball towards the ring. Surprisingly, he seemed to be calmly running with both maat covered as if he was just relying on his instinct and hearing alone in this mode.

Even as Midorima tried to block Akashi's play, he was able to avoid Midorima and keep the ball within his grasp.

Akashi could feel the breath of Midorima that he passed easily, he could even listen to Midorima's footsteps as he approached him which made it easier for Akashi to create a one-step strategy opportunity over Midorima.

Although he is not currently in Emperor Eyes mode, he is able to prevent all possibilities that occur by relying on his auditory senses that have been sensitive since undergoing training. Because this ability is not an ability similar to Emperor Eyes or Absolute Eyes. If both are created by the accident of Akashi himself, then his hearing ability is created by routine exercises that he always does.

But unfortunately Midorima was not out of his mind, he sped up his pace and stood just below the Ring to wait for Akashi's arrival.

Akashi who was feeling somewhat troubled at Midorima's current position, moreover, Midorima has a high body beyond Akashi which makes Midorima easier to take the ball back or touch the ball that is floating above the ring.

And this did not make Akashi make a rash decision, he stopped for a moment with a considerable distance from Midorima.

He opened his eyes again, having created three printed figures without relying on his two eyes. His left eye is now completely changed, there is a ring circle in the eyeball that indicates that Emperor Eyes Akashi began to be active. His smile was as thin as paper, his spirit aura began to spread around the field.

But it seems that it is not only Akashi that has developed. The same is true of Midorima. But for some reason until now he has not shown anything about his ability, it could be because he still holds firm to the rules that the coach says not to play it unofficial match situations.

Meanwhile, Akashi immediately gives Ankle Breakak to Midorima who until now no one has managed to overcome the ability of Akashi. And sure enough, Midorima fell while facing directly on Akashi's Ankle Break. But this time he no longer slumped like before, he only received the pressure of influence from the ankle break quickly and started chasing Akashi who had already passed him.

"It's great that you get back up so quickly, you seem to thrive a lot in the face of my ankle break. But still, you still can't win my game this time. I'm the leader in this match" said Akashi, who immediately made a trick as if he was about to jump.

The gazes of the two facing each other, Midorima could see Akashi's smile aimed at her and the white ring circle in Akashi's right eye which made her feel like she was hypnotized unconsciously.

And suddenly he was thrown backward with the position of his lower body landed first on the asphalt field. It felt almost the same as being hit by an ankle break, but this had a different version as if his body could move on its own like it had been ruled out.

With this opportunity, Akashi managed to score again and make a distance of three numbers from Midorima.

"I'm failing again, you're really hard for me to catch up with." Midorima's grumpy grouse, though, still didn't have enough ability to match Akashi. Although he had given up on reducing his remaining time to continue training.

"You've grown a lot, Midorima-kun. You can overcome the effects of Akashi's Ankle Break, which means you've managed to grow quite far." Kuroko tries to encourage Midorima.

"Shut up, Kuroko! I don't need to be helped by your sweet words, because what I need now is evidence and facts. You better develop even more or your Winter Cup title is usurped." Midorima stood up while taking off his two dirty palms.

"If only I could use that new ability of mine, I would have a chance to stop Akashi's defense." Midorima cried out inwardly, a moment later he immediately walked over to retrieve his lucky object.

"The game is over. Let's go meet Aomine and Kagami, they must be tired of fighting there, too." Midorima immediately pulled out the earphones from his pocket and walked away first while listening to the zodiac prophecy to calm his heart's disappointment.

"What Shintaro said was true, Kuroko. You also have to improve a lot to defend the Winter Cup next year, because defending the title is much more pressure than winning." Akashi pats Kuroko on the shoulder while picking up her basketball back.

Kuroko herself could only nod, she strongly agreed on the words of the two friends. Especially after he saw the development of Midorima and Akashi which is much better than the previous game. He feels there is a difference in the distance between them and his team at the moment. Maybe hoping fully for Kagami is not the right thing, he can't make Kagami hold them like the previous game was too dominated by Kagami and himself.

"Hey, Akashi-kun. What was your new power that we saw at the Teiko and Shiratorizawa game?"ask Kuroko.

"Yes, but this time it's perfect enough to use. I also didn't get any more side effects when I let out the power of my eyes, even my Emperor Eyes have improved greatly."

"And your ability to play by closing your eyes is also your strength, does it still need to develop again or has reached its limit like that?" ask Kuroko.

"I think it's yes, because it's not purely my strength but something I've been practicing lately. And I hope that what you saw today will allow you to have a plan to stop my power. Although I'm pretty sure that you guys will never be able to defeat him." Akashi smiled proudly, he looked at the side of the ball that started not to look new again.