Comment and vote!

THEN

There is a thing about growing up Anna thinks to herself as she leans against the seat of the moving train, arching and swaying to the side with the tracks. The harsh summer sun pierced through the window, casting Anna's shadow that stretched along the train floor.

She had thought things at first would always last forever, but the harsh truth was that it was not always the case. That wonderland can't last forever; everyone grows up and we have to let go of some things. But she realised the most magical and vital things know how to reappear again in different mediums and forms, and that some magic was there.

"Hiro-kun," Riko had snapped out of her thoughts. Anna lifts her head from her book 'Alice Through the Looking Glass' and the blurry vision of the light seems to become clear.

"Neh, sorry," she takes her AirPod out of her ear, "I was lost in thought."

Riko smiles at her underclassmen and manages to take a glimpse of the title of the book Anna was reading. "Alice through the looking glass?" The brunette reads. Anna looks down at her book. "I didn't know you were interested in the classics."

"Yeah, I don't know. I just felt like reading it," she turns the book and marks her page. Her eyes run through the intricate detail of the cover. "My mother was a fan apparently when she was younger."

"Huh," Riko hums to herself. "Anyways, we're almost there," she points out.

Ever since Anna learnt that Riko's father Aida Kagetora had managed to score some tickets to the game of the university basketball team Strky, made up of last year's previous third years and infamous street basketballers from America known as Jabberwock, Riko had asked Anna if she wanted to attend the game with her along with their captain Hyuga.

After a minute passes the trio get off at their stop and takes a three-block walk to the park where they line up and get in to watch. Bleachers that are usually half empty and filled with bags and towels are packed with a sea of people. In the corner, a tent is set up where the organisers and Riko's father sit.

"I should have worn long sleeves," Anna mutters to herself, rubbing her arms. "I'm going to get so tanned."

"Heichou," Hyuga calls. Anna turns her head to him. "Look at all the cameras!"

"Neh, there are even American crews too," she says, pointing out to the two. "They must be that popular."

"Have you done any research on them," Riko nudges her.

"No," Anna chuckles, "Why would I? It's not like we're playing them. There's no need. I don't even know who the players are. I'm completely drained from inter-high. Can't believe we lost, I need to start working on a hardcore regimen for our first years," she curls her fists in determination. Ever since they lost Kiyoshi Teppei, it had been hard to fill the backbone of the team. He had secured all the rebounds and now Kagami was busy on being the dominant player on the centre court and taking care of rebounds.

They had managed to come in second, placing only second to none other than Rakuzan (it was a painfully gruelling game) but unfortunately, they had lost by two points (much to Kagami's dismay of wiping off the smirk on Akashi's face - Akashi only gave him a simple smize - and the team had lost Anna that after a bet was made that Anna would go on date with Akashi if his team won over her's, instead of her celebrating with the team) against them. Though, on the bright side they won against Tōō which gave Anna and Kagami bragging rights till the Winter cup over Aomine who was pissed.

"Thank you for waiting, everyone. The amazing street basketball team Jabberwock's exhibition match will begin shortly!" the announcer called out.

"YEAH!" Anna cheered making her two friends deadpan at their underclassman's enthusiastic demeanour.

"First let's introduce the Japanese team!"

"They're here," Hyuga says. "I can't believe those guys are actually playing together."

"Team Strky!"

"Look! That's Kasamatsu, Kise's old captain!" Anna points.

"Imayoshi cut his hair," Hyuga comments.

"We haven't seen them in a while," Riko says. Anna feels a vibration from her pocket and checks the notification and instantly smiles. Riko looks over to see the contact's name being none other than Akashi Seijuro who sent a photo of him and his other teammates watching the game.

Anna takes a quick photo and sends it before turning her phone off and returning her attention back to the court.

"Hey look over there!" Hyuga shakes Riko's shoulder and points to the otherside of court.

"Here they are! Team Jabberwock!"

The cheers are deafening, with even a lot of international crowds on the otherside of the court, filling up the bleachers. Anna squints her eyes and leans over as much as she can before letting out a sneeze.

"You alright Heichou?" Hyuga checks on her.

"Yeah, I think so. I'm trying to get a better look at the players. I don't know I feel like I've seen them before or something," she replies still trying to find the face and memory of why they strike a memory in her she can't find.

"Have you seen them in your time in LA?" Riko asks.

"Maybe, I don't know. I met a lot of people in LA. Maybe they look similar to someone who perhaps I just know."

"Neh, I can't believe they're almost our age," Hyuga looks at the players.

"I guess American and other Westerners are just naturally taller than other countries," Riko shrugs. "And they are a professional basketball team," she reasons.

"The match will begin shortly."

---

The tip-off swings in motion, with Jabberwock's centre number eight managing to grab it with ease and passes it to the blonde number four. Anna takes note of number four's quick action into dribbling the split second he got passed the ball, flooding her with reminders of her time in LA and how the tempo was starkly different to Japan's.

Yet rather than it being a fresh reminder something about the player set her a grim reminder that she couldn't place on. It's so familiar Anna kept telling herself trying to place the player. The playing style was so similar to hers yet so different.

"He got the ball!" Hyuga snaps her out of her thoughts, with Strky's number six with the ball and managing to score in a layup. "Yes!"

Riko chuckles at her captain's enthusiasm for the point and turns her head to Anna who reflected the exact opposite. Huh? She ponders about her friend. The brunette tries to read her eyes and the mix of frowning and displacement in her features. Something was off Riko finally realised and turns back the game. This wasn't a normal civilised game, this was hardcore streetball she had to remind herself.

As the game continues Anna picks up instantly on the leverage Jabberwock gives Strky to score, letting them pass them and score. But, it was the feigned expressions of the members that settled Anna's judgement. They were letting them take the lead, but it was the fact that in was in such a mocking manner and not a discreet one that infuriated the female so much.

She had seen before back in LA, when she played with Taiga they would use that trick if they knew they could sacrifice a few points to analyse what type of players they were and then show them their true colours. But she had seen stronger teams-, arrogant ones that would mock less skilled players by feigning losing expression at the start, only after crushing them in the second half.

And just as she predicted, Jabberwock showed Strky their true colours. They didn't just leave them in the dust, they scorched them. The mocking, the ruthlessness and how they looked down on the players were just disgusting in her eyes. Even the crowd fell into silence, the cheers and amazement were traded for closed mouths and pity for Strky.

The painful game finally comes to an end. With a score of 86 to 6 in favour of Jabberwock. Strky were exhausted. Jabberwock only laughed and looked as if they didn't even break a sweat. Anna's eyes trailed along Kise's former captain, Kasamatsu, tired, exhausted and angered yet still approached Jabberwock's captain with his held high with dignity.

"Good game," Kasamatsu congratulated. The crowd watched in silence waiting for Jabberwock's representative captain to return the congratulations. It was also a minute that the blonde stared at the hand as the crowd murmured what was going on.

Quick on his feet, the host ran up to the two to try and dispute the awkwardness and quickly asked the blonde male: "that was an incredible game. Do you have a message for your fans?"

"Well, today's match reaffirmed something for me," he spoke, "watching you guys makes me want to puke."

Those words staggered everyone. Speechless at what he had just said.

"Did I just hear that right?" Riko mumbled in disbelief.

"Everyone here... no everyone in this country who pretends to play basketball... please quit paying or die."

Every member of the court from the Strky to the crew members on deck stared in incredulity at him and his harsh choice of words.

"In Japan, you don't go around sumo-wrestling monkeys, do you? But we did. We were made to play basketball against monkeys who think they're real players. A message, you say? First off, realise that you're monkeys. And that monkeys have no right to play basketball." Kasamatsu is then spat on and the players only laugh and return to their side of the court.

"Arrogant pricks," Hyuga spits but his eyes then widen when he sees Riko's father come out of the tent and halt the players. "What's he doing?"

"You came all the way here, so why not play a little more?" he proposed to the players.

"Huh? What do you mean?" number eight questions.

"We'll have a rematch in a week! If we lose I'll cut my stomach open!"

"What?!" Anna brusquely exclaims in a hushed tone at Kagetora's madness.

"But if you lose, you can paddle home on a raft after you apologise!" he shot so angrily you could see the veins popping out of his forehead from the bleachers.

"What is he doing?" Hyuga questions before returning his attention back to court. The blonde walks up to Kagetora.

"It'd be one thing if you kept your mouth shut, but I can't tolerate monkeys who underestimate us. I don't give a damn if you slice open your stomach, but if we're going to do this, I'll make you pay in a different way. In one week I'll make sure you'll never speak to us like that again," he grins accepting the challenge.

"Dad?" Riko is left wordless of her father's offer, "Who's going to play in the rematch?"

"The only people I can bet my life on," Anna answers as the two looks at her in realisation. "It can only be them... so I can send that prick a monkey-designed cake."

NOW

Though the bus ride is long, Anna couldn't help but be overwhelmingly excited to see all of her friends once again and especially her beloved red-head boyfriend. After what she called her 'genius' idea, she brought up with Riko - who was more than overboard with the idea as well - to reunite all the Generation of Miracles and their teams for a basketball camp located none other than Riko's father's training facility situated just on the outskirts of Tokyo.

Riko had said it would be a great opportunity to learn from one another, verse harder teams and not but her favourite along with Anna to gather information for the upcoming Winter Cup. Anna sits next to Kuroko, sandwiched between him and the window. Kuroko, fast asleep with his mouth slightly open leans on Anna's shoulder. The female reviews on her phone the training schedule she, along with Riko and Momoi, prepared a week ago in preparation. It would be also the first time they would meet the new managers for Tōō (whom Momoi was currently taking under her wing), and Rakuzan.

Lost in thought, a notification buzzed from the top of her screen from her group chat made up of her, Momoi, Kuroko and the rest of the Generation of Miracles.

*Ahomine has changed the group chat name to Aomine and others.*

Motheraboveall: Wtf baka? I thought we agreed on Rainbow Shits?

Ahomine: I believed it was a superior name

Motheraboveall: Superior my ass Daiki, how dare you

*Motheraboveall has changed the group chat name to Rainbow Shits*

Favourite son: HELLLOOOOOOO EVERYONEEE

Favourite son: WE'RE ALMOST AT THE PLACE ANNA-CHIIIIIIIIIIII AOMINE-CHIIIIII

Carrot top: Kise-Kun, please refrain from writing in all caps and adding too many 'i's. It's unnecessary.

Favourite son: HIIII MIDORIAMA-CHIIIIIIIIIII

Favourite son: I WILL DO WHATEVER MAKES ME HAPPYYYYYYYYY

Carrot top: remind me why I am friends with all of you.

Ahomine: who says we're friends 😏

Carrot top: Aomine I swear-

HangryDinosaur: Neh? What the heck is happening? My phone keeps vibrating I'm trying to sleep.

Favourite son: HELLLOOO MURISAKIBARA-CHIIIIIIIII

HangryDinosaur: Hello Kise-chin.

Sei ❤️: uh, what's happening?

Motheraboveall: Sei! Hiiii!

Sei ❤️: Hello, dear.

Ahomine: ew

Ahomine: My eyes

Ahomine: Imagine having good grammar

Motheraboveall: Yeah keep imaging asshole. That's all you're going to get.

Favourite son: HAHAHAHAHA

Carrot top: Stop using all caps!

Favourite son: Mum got you there Aomine-chi!

Ahomine: Shut up!

Ahomine: I got a 47 on my test!

Carrot top: that's still a fail.

Ahomine: shut up four eyes! Some of us are dumb

Motheraboveall: And he admits folks!

Ahomine: Ya'll are rude Im leving

Motheraboveall: YOU CAN'T EVEN SPELL!

---

"Heichou! Let me carry your bag for you!" the - current - first-year boys cry out as Anna is about to carry out her duffle bag. Anna sighs in defeat looking at the boys running towards her. Ever since five new members joined the basketball team, three of them - Nojima Hirofumi, Mizutani Naoki and Tsuda Kenjiro - had been highly defensive of their manager, spending half of the time receiving a one-sided love from the female.

"Why couldn't there be another manager to join us," she mumbles and then turns to them. "It's alright you guys."

"Nonsense!" Nojima dismisses.

"Yeah! Heichou! I'll carry your bag!" Tsuda says.

"No, I will!" Mizutani yells. The three begin to fight with one another as Anna rolls her eyes and leaves.

"Those guys..." Riko groans.

"Neh, ever since Vorpal swords won against Jabberwock, Anna as well has been receiving a lot of attention from the media," Fukuda says to Furihata.

"Yeah, basketball monthly did two whole pages on her and her basketball past," Furihata adds.

"We're truly lucky to have such a great manager," Nojima joins in.

"Oi! First years! Hurry up!" Hyuga scolds the three making them instantly freeze.

Anna makes her way towards the gymnasium, opening the doors and she is instantly met by Tōō's team, Shutokū, Kaijo and Yosen.

"Neh! Anna-chi!" Kise turns, bright-eyed and waves as he runs over to embrace his friend into his signature tight hug.

"Ryou-kun! Can't breathe!"

"Geh! Sorry!" Kise sheepishly chuckles, rubbing the back of his neck.

"It's alright," Anna laughs.

"Neh! Anna-chi! Did you see our pages dedicated to us on Basketball monthly?! I got two whole pages to myself!" he grins.

"I know! They got really good shots of you."

"Aww, you're so sweet Anna-chi! You got two whole pages too!"

"Oi! What are you guys talking about?" Aomine calls out, approaching the two alongside Momoi, another girl who was of a more diminutive stature than Momoi with black hair and glasses. Midoriama trails behind them too with Takao.

"Nunya," Anna puts her hands on her hips and sticks her tongue out.

"I was just telling mum about the recent Basketball monthly release," Kise informs.

"Well did you see my section," Aomine says with a smug grin, pointing his thumb to himself as Midoriama and Anna roll their eyes.

"Yeah, and they forgot to ad how much of a huge dick you are so I drew one on you," Anna snickers.

"Well, at least it was big-,"

"Language!" Midoriama scolds smacking him hard on the back.

"Neh, where's Tetsu?" Momoi pouts looking around.

"I'm right here," a voice is heard next to Anna as everyone instantly jerks to see the phantom player there.

"Tetsu!" Momoi exclaims running towards him, and tackling him with a hug.

"Satsuki," Aomine groans rubbing his head. Anna laughs and then turns her head to the shy-looking female that was basically towered over by the people she was with. She gives a sympathetic smile and walks towards her.

"Hey, I don't believe we've met. You're the new co-manager with Momoi am I right?"

"Y-yeah! I'm Suzuki Fumiko," she bows. "But I'm sure you know everything about me already, please look after me," she says sheepishly.

"Might be true, and of course. You're in good hands-, I think-, maybe-, anyways. Have you guys seen Sei?" Anna quips.

"Ugh, you're boyfriend's team hasn't arrived yet," Aomine teases. Anna just mimics him in a childish manner and crosses her arms. "Going to run into his arms while calling out his name and then kiss him or something?" he mocks making kissing faces.

"Shut up, and no. I'm not going to do that, that is embarrassing. I only do that when there's not a crowd. And for the record, we're going to be professional about it when we're on the court."

"Professional?" Takao and Suzuki raise a brow.

"That means basically once everyone's not looking they're going to hide in the janitor's closet and-,"

"Shut up Daiki you peace of crap!" Anna punches him causing him to yelp at the pain. "We are not!"

"I knew I heard a familiar yelling," Himoru chuckles joining the group with Murisakibara next to holding another chip bag.

"Tatsuya!" Anna exclaims giving him a hug. "how are you? Have you talked to Taiga recently? He hasn't been answering me."

"Ew, that thing," Aomine mutters.

"Uh, I texted him a week ago. He said he's been really busy since he moved back to LA. He said he's trying to get into the drafting."

"Really? Wow that's an early move, I always thought he was going to give it a few years and play college ball so he can get into the drafting."

"well, apparently he's anxious to give it a shot."

"Things are going pretty well for Kagami-chi neh?" Kise smiles.

"I'll be the next person to go to the NBA and meet eyebrows there," Aomine grins.

"Well, work on your English and get onto the national team first," Anna says, "Then you can go for drafting."

"I'll work hard really too!" Kise says. "Neh, Anna-chi are you going to continue with basketball?"

"I don't know," Anna replies, "I'm not sure yet, I want to go to college but I also want to play as well."

"You could always play college ball," Himuro suggests, "It's big back in the states and you can get a lot of benefits."

"Wait, Anna-chi, I thought you were going to study here?" Kise pouts.

"I still don't know yet," Anna says, "And I've still got time to think about it." The plan always was she and Seijuro were back in Teiko and they would attend Tokyo university together, Seijuro would get a double degree in some major with business and Anna with whatever course she wanted to study. But now that Anna had spent time in LA and reconnected with her own love of basketball and playing it she had been scouted by universities if she ever wanted to play for them in the future. And the truth was, Anna did want to. She loved the campuses she visited and their basketball teams, but she was torn between trying to keep what she had now that she lost before and what she wanted to do.

"So what's the plan for food?" Murisakiara quips. Himuro sighs at his friend.

"Yeah, whose cooking?" Aomine inquires. "Wait it's not Momoi right?"

The generation of Miracles, Anna and Kuroko all shiver at the thought of being food poisoned.

"I assure you no one is getting food poisoning," Anna chuckles.

"Hey! The bento I made last time wasn't that bad," she defends.

"We vomited for three straight hours," Midoriama says. Kise and Aomine snicker at their friend's blunt but harsh comment.

"Cheer up everyone! We got a whole week of spending time together and playing against each other! When does that ever happen?" Takao brings up. "And apparently I overheard from the coach that there's going to be a prize for the winning school with the most points. Hirose-kun, do you know anything about it?"

"You'll find out soon enough," she winks.

"Anna-kun," Kuroko says making the female turn to him. "Rakuzan's bus is here." Everyone watches to see her eyes widen and light up, as she dashed out the door and towards the entrance.

"She's going to run into someone's arms," Aomine snickers as the rest of the generation of miracles follow her.

---

"Hiro-chan!" Anna hears a familiar voice calling out her name. In the distance, a very tall ravenette excitingly waves at her with one arm and the other holding his luggage.

"Reo-kun!" she laughs and jogs towards him. Mibuchi Reo, now a third-year envelopes her in a tightening hug. Over the course of the few months after the Winter cup, the two had become extremely close despite the distance.

"How's my favourite rich aunt?" Anna teased, bringing up their new contact name ever since she had added them to the 'resurrected' platonic family.

"Alright, ugh I couldn't get any sleep from those delinquents on the bus. Their so loud Hayama-kun and Nebuya-kun," they effuse. "But it's alright now because I get to see my favourite manager-, oh is my Junpei-chan here?"

"Don't worry he is, and still single" she winks. "Where's Seijuro?"

"He should be coming down now," the both of them turn their heads. Last out Anna finally sees Akashi Seijuro in all his glory, talking to the coach, glancing at the clipboard.

"Sei-!" Anna instantly stops as her jaw drops to see a girl running towards Seijuro, the same way Momoi reacts when she was in middle school and developed a crush on Kuroko. She smiles brightly and him with her hands behind her back and stands close (rather too close for Anna's liking) next to Seijuro who acknowledges her and instantly glues his eyes back to the clipboard.

"W-who is that?" Anna gulps, speechless.

"What's going on? Why does Anna look like she's going to kill someone yet cry at the same time?" Aomine says, arriving with Kise and Midoriama behind him. Aomine turns his head in the direction they are staring that. "Oh..." is all that leaves his lips.

"Damn she has bigger boobs than you Anna-,"

"Shut up!" Anna elbows at him panicking. "Who is that? Why is she so pretty and why is she close to Seijuro?!"

HEHE

Let the drama unfold! Comment on what you think!

Comment and vote!