The morning of a new school year is always quiet. Seirin High School's first gymnasium. On a floor that should have been empty, Kuroko Tetsuya sat alone. Soft spring light streamed through the gym's high windows. Slender bands of light lay faintly across the court floor, one after another. The air was still a little cold. But only in the places where the light touched, it was faintly warm. Kuroko simply gazed vacantly at those bands of light. In his hand, a paper cup held a vanilla shake from Maji Burger. More than half of it had already melted, and when he sucked on the straw, it made a faint, slushy sound. The usual taste. The Maji Burger on Haruba-dori shopping street, where he'd often gone with Kagami Taiga. The box seat by the window. The extra-large burger set, and this shake. (*What is Kagami-kun doing right now?*) Vaguely, he thought that. The moment he thought it, a tight pain squeezed deep in his chest. Not a pounding heartbeat. A sensation like something was clenching tight. Expressionless, Kuroko sucked on the straw once more. A cold sweetness spread through his mouth. But that coldness didn't reach his chest. It had been a little while since the Winter Cup ended. The fierce matches against the Generation of Miracles. The moment Kagami entered the Zone during the final Rakuzan game. He still remembered clearly the exhilaration he'd felt on the court at that time. Kagami had trusted him, had sought his best pass. He had answered that trust and delivered his best pass. The instant the shot went in, a roar loud enough to shake the gym had resounded. That was, without a doubt, the greatest moment of his life. But that wasn't all. Kuroko quietly closed his eyes. What surfaced was after the match. In the locker room, when Kagami had laughed and ruffled his hair. When he'd said, "Your pass was the best," in that low voice. His heart had leaped with a thud. A strange palpitation he'd never felt before. It was from then on. That his chest started feeling strange whenever he thought about Kagami. Just hearing Kagami's voice made his body temperature rise a little. Just seeing Kagami look at him and smile made the world a little brighter. Conversely, seeing Kagami talking happily with someone else spread gray clouds through his chest. This was, probably — what they call jealousy. (*Is this... love?*) Kuroko opened his eyes thinly. A shadow like himself, falling in love with the light. Was that something that could be forgiven? Kuroko looked at his own hands. Thin, delicate hands, without much strength. Not like Kagami's, with the power to pull others along. These hands were for passing. Shadow's hands, meant to make someone else shine. (*A shadow has to stay a shadow.*) Kuroko told himself that. Misdirection was a technique that diminished presence. It diverted the opponent's awareness through eye guidance, erasing one's own existence. This ability, which applied methods of stage magic, was an ultra-rare one that only an estimated one in a hundred thousand could wield. Since a naturally thin presence was its prerequisite, those who could use it were limited. It was precisely because of this ability that he had been able to fight as the phantom sixth member of the Generation of Miracles, as Kagami's shadow. The reason they'd won the Winter Cup was also because Kagami had believed in his passes. If so, fulfilling his role was his mission. (*If I wish for anything more, it will surely break.*) The arena's thunderous cheers, the trophy's brilliance — all of it was part of the irreplaceable time he'd spent with Kagami. He mustn't taint that with love or whatever else. Kuroko swore that firmly in his heart. "...It's heavy." Suddenly. The gym door creaked open. Kuroko turned around. In the entrance stood a single boy. Somewhat long, jet-black hair. His bangs slightly hid his left eye. Gray eyes tinged with purple glinted quietly. Depending on the light, his pupils seemed to narrow like a cat's. He was a little taller than Kuroko. His Seirin High School uniform, still new, was stiff with starch and looked somehow borrowed. A new student, Kuroko thought. "Ah." The new student let out a small sound. And then — he looked straight at Kuroko. Their eyes clearly met. Kuroko felt his heart thump. (*Just now, this person...*) Ordinary people didn't notice Kuroko. His presence was too faint, and even if he was right in front of them, they'd register that "no one was there." That was the fate, and also the strength, of one who used Misdirection. Kagami alone was the exception, and that was precisely why he was a special light. But. "[gentle]You're Kuroko Tetsuya-senpai, right?" The new student's mouth softened just a little. His voice was quiet and carried well. Though polite, it had a resonance that was somehow overwhelming. "[surprised]...Yes. That's right." As he stood up, Kuroko gave a small, slight bow. He kept his expression blank. But inside, a not-insignificant shock was running through him. The new student, who introduced himself as Kageyama You, slowly approached Kuroko. Only his footsteps echoed crisply across the gym floor. The distance at which he politely stopped felt just a little too close. "[gentle]I admired you, senpai, and came to this school." "Ah." "[gentle]I've watched videos of your play over and over. Every match of the Winter Cup. Even though you're a shadow, you shine brighter than anyone. I've been watching that senpai all along." Kuroko was at a loss for words. A shadow, shining? He'd never been told anything like that before. Kageyama's gray eyes stared intently at Kuroko. In those eyes dwelled clear will and heat. Adoration, respect, and — something else, resembling a different kind of fervor. "[gentle]And also, I—" Kageyama closed the distance by half a step. "[serious]—can use Misdirection, just like you, senpai." Kuroko's throat made a quiet gulp. Kageyama narrowed his eyes smoothly. With that single gesture, his presence seemed to softly fade. If you weren't conscious of it, you'd almost forget he was there. A phenomenon Kuroko himself often caused. "[gentle]That's why I've always wanted to meet you. My one and only senpai." Kageyama gently reached out his hand. Thin, beautiful fingers touched Kuroko's left wrist. They softly traced over the blue wristband he'd received from Kagami. "[cold]That's from Kagami-senpai, isn't it." Startled, Kuroko pulled his hand back. "...I don't think that has anything to do with you." Expressionless, but his voice was a little stiff. Kageyama looked at the withdrawn hand and smiled, seeming slightly lonely. But his eyes weren't smiling at all. The purple light in them narrowed sharply. "[sarcastic]You're right. For now, at least." That was what happened on the morning of the first day of the new school year. ──── After school. For the preparations of the new student welcome party, many students had gathered in the gym. Voices chatting and laughing mingled in a buzz. Kuroko stood by the wall, vacantly watching the waves of people. "Hey, hey, did you hear? About that new student, Kageyama." "Yeah! Is it true he can use Misdirection, just like Kuroko-senpai?" "No way. That thing's super rare. They say one in a hundred thousand." "So that means... Kuroko-senpai won't be one-of-a-kind anymore?" Words of idle curiosity reached Kuroko's ears. (*Won't be one-of-a-kind anymore.*) Those words pricked sharply in his chest. Kuroko gripped the wristband on his left wrist tightly with his right hand. The shadow for Kagami — he alone was enough. He alone wanted to be that. Was thinking that way just ego? Just then. He felt an intense gaze on his back. Something sharp, like a needle piercing him. Kuroko hurriedly turned around. But no one was there. Just the buzzing crowd. (*That just now—*) He'd definitely felt it. That was Kageyama's gaze. But how could he erase his presence so completely? Even for himself, cutting off his presence this perfectly was difficult. If Kageyama's Misdirection was more advanced than his own— (*What will... become of me?*) Kuroko let out a small breath. ──── On the stage of the welcome party. The second-year club members began introducing themselves in turn. The new students watched with sparkling eyes. The basketball club, having won the Winter Cup, was the school's star. "Next, Kuroko Tetsuya." Called by the emcee, former captain Hyuuga, Kuroko stepped forward. "[gentle]I'm Kuroko Tetsuya. I don't have a particular position. I look forward to working with you." The gym buzzed in an instant. "Huh? Who?" "Where's Kuroko-senpai?" "He's just standing there normally, but my eyes slide away on their own!" "Misdirection really is insane." It was the usual. With an expression so blank it couldn't even become a wry smile, Kuroko tried to step back. He was used to this sense of alienation. A shadow should stay in the corner quietly, as a shadow should. But someone grabbed that hand. Warm fingers gently wrapped around Kuroko's thin wrist. "[gentle]He's right here, Kuroko-senpai is." Kageyama You had come up onto the stage. The new student held his hand and raised it before everyone. The hall stirred. Even Kuroko himself, for a moment, didn't understand what had happened. "[gentle]Everyone, please look properly. This person is our senpai." Kageyama's voice was filled with strong pride. (*...Other than Kagami-kun,*) Kuroko stared intently at Kageyama's profile. (*There was someone who found me, who takes my hand like this.*) Deep in his chest grew warm. It was relief. It was happiness. And at the same time, it was also a guilt that tightened around his heart. Because the one he held special was Kagami. Even though he wanted only Kagami to be special. Kageyama's kindness, for some reason, stirred Kuroko's heart into a mess. "[whispers]Kuroko-senpai." Amid the stir, Kageyama brought his lips close to Kuroko's ear. "[serious]I will absolutely take you away from Kagami-senpai. Please be prepared for that." Kuroko was at a loss for words. Only his heart pounded furiously. Whether it was fear or anticipation, he couldn't even tell. The only thing he knew was that his peaceful life as a shadow would never return. The cheers of the new students and the bewildered voices of the second-years melted into the gym. The spring night was just around the corner.