Moriyasu

Chapter 1 - The Training Camp: Confrontation with the past

Riko expected many things when she woke up; but certainly not an e-mail from Winter Cup Association. Ever since Seirin High won the competition, she had been receiving letters of congratulations from fans, requests of training matches from various clubs, and unexpectedly, love letters from secrets admirers.

But not an e-mail from Winter Cup Association.

After a good shower, she went back to her phone and read the message.

From: Winter Cup Association
To: Aida Riko, Seirin High Basketball Team Coach
Subject: Invitation

Dear Aida-san,

First of all, WCA would like to congratulate your team for the efforts you did and for your victory at the last Winter Cup Competition. We're looking forward to even, or better, display of effort from your team in the future.

As you may already know, the last season was a particular one, as the number of teams selected for the competition was higher than normal. This situation was due to the anniversary of one of the partners of WCA; Saizen Corporation. In continuation to that anniversary, WCA and Saizen Corporation have decided to organize a one-of-the-kind training camp for the best six schools for the competition, and it's our pleasure to inform you that Seirin High School has been nominated for the training camp.

::

"A training camp?!" The players chorused in sync.

Riko nodded, looking at her sweating players in excitement. "The training camp gathers the six best teams from last Winter Cup, and as the current championship, our attendance is requested."

"And who are the five others?" Kagami asked curiously, earning pointed looks from the second and third years.

"Kagami-kun, you're definitely hopeless." Kuroko deadpanned.

"TEMME!" Kagami snapped at his shadow.

"Shut up, you two!" The captain, Hyūga, snarled before internally sighing. Those two would surely be the death of him with their pointless arguments.

The first-years watched the scene unfold, not knowing what to do. They were still in awe that they got to play with the last season's champions, even though they'd joined the team one week ago.

"So, the five teams are...?" Kagami questioned, throwing a side glare to Kuroko who was royally ignoring him.

"Kaijō, Shūtoku, Tōō, Yōsen and Rakuzan." Riko stated. "With no surprise, they are the teams that have a member of the Generation of Miracles."

Kagami grinned widely at the news. A training camp with those basketball monsters got to be really interesting, alright. The others second years--- Furihata, Fukuda, Kawahara; the third years and even Kuroko eventually felt the same. Though they had played against numerous strong teams, the members of the Generation of Miracles were off the charts and their respective teams were the strongest they had to play against without fail. It was also against them that Seirin improved the most. Having the chance to participate to a training camp with such sublime would be benefic to all of them.

Only the first years froze at the news.

"W-We're going to be with them?" One gulped.

"Are we going to be alright?"

"I guess...?"

"Oi, first years!" Hyūga exclaimed and punched the head of the two first years. "What's up with the scared face? Man up! We're not going as some pushovers. We're going as the Champions!"