Fragile Toughness

Seirin Versus Shutoku (Part 1)

The tension in the locker room grew as the time before their next decreased steadily. Seirin High versus one of the three kings, Shutoku High. All the players gathered in the room, most of them lying on the floor, their bodies aching from their previous match against Seiho High.

Riko could not help much, judging the situation was pretty terrible considering their net match was also going to be an important and possibly tough one. She continued to bark orders to the players.

"Go put on your jackets before your bodies get cold! And make sure you stretch!"

Hyuga groaned as he hastily grabbed his jacket before throwing it over his shoulders the moment he felt a cold glare coming from below him as Riko massaged his legs.

"Furihata! Get the blue bag next to Kuroko-kun and give it out. All of you make sure to drink those liquid amino shots and those energy drinks. I also prepared some fruits and bars in case you are hungry."

Izuki raised his eye as he watched several bottles of some yellowish-green color in small plastic bottles.

"Ermmmm.... What are those?"

"Oh, some energy shots that I asked Kuroko-kun to prepare yesterday."

Izuki immediately looked thankful as he chugged the small bottle down. The drink was pretty sweet which was surprising considering it had a blend of fresh greens, apples, pineapples,  ginger, lime, and coconut water

"Oi Bakagami! Don't sleep! Your body will freeze up!" Riko reached out in an attempt to smack her clipboard but was stopped by Kuroko.

"Just let him, Riko-san. He's tired after all."

Riko bit her lip. "Fine. But wake him up and make sure he warms up. I don't want complaints of muscle cramps coming from him later." Turning back to her players. "Take off your shoes, after I'm done with Hyuga-kun I will go down and massage all of your legs."

Izuki looked relieved until he glanced at Koganei who was screaming like a mad dog while punching his leg repeatedly since it had fallen asleep. "Forgive it man!"

"Fine," Koganei snatched a banana from the bag and chomped the top off. For one, bananas tasted great and it made him more energised. And two, he and Kuroko were the only ones who ate bananas in the group, and with Kuroko not eating, he had the whole bunch to himself.

Kuroko leaned back in his wheelchair. The previous game took a massive blow to his stamina. His eyes threatened to close as he forced them back open. As excited as he was, it had been some time since he had to play in matches, let alone two whole games in one day. He pressed a lever on his wheelchair to stationary it.

A low buzzing noise came from Kuroko's locker.

"Kuroko-kun? Is your phone ringing?" Riko asked, recognizing the ringtone after hearing it many times.

"Huh?" Kuroko went to his locker to get his phone which was vibrating in his bag.

Sei... Kuroko mused as he read the contact. I wonder why he would call me at such a time... He inserted a baby blue colored earpiece with its red rubber tips into his ear. After a few seconds of listening to the other end seriously, he turned towards Riko.

"Riko-san, I need to leave for a bit," Kuroko headed towards the door, leaving before she could process what he had just said.

~~~

As Kuroko rounded the corner to the restroom, he heard knuckles cracking before a girl's voice came in. Three distinct voices that he recognized so well. Approaching the noise, he saw a bright red-haired boy arms crossed and jacket floating in the wind. Beside him was a taller dark blue-haired boy with tan skin getting whacked in the head by a shorter pink-haired girl.