Tetsuya Kuroko froze for a moment. He knew exactly who Seijuro Akashi was. As Teikō Middle School's vice-captain, Akashi's strength was unquestionable.
And yet, someone so powerful was saying that Kuroko possessed a talent different from theirs.
But even Kuroko himself had no idea what kind of hidden talent he might have.
Seijuro Akashi continued,
"Midorima, you two go ahead. I'd like to talk with this student alone."
Shintaro Midorima adjusted his glasses, nodded, and walked out of the gym. Atsushi Murasakibara followed him out.
After hearing about the dinner gathering, Daiki Aomine also ran back to the locker room to change.
Soon, only Seijuro Akashi and Tetsuya Kuroko remained in the gym.
Akashi spoke to Kuroko calmly.
"Could you dribble a bit and take a shot?"
Kuroko nodded and did as instructed, beginning the test.
...
After a long while, when Kuroko missed yet another shot, Akashi finally sighed and said,
"This is the first time I've ever seen someone who works this hard yet achieves absolutely no results."
Kuroko stiffened on the spot.
"I'm sorry… hearing that really does hit hard."
Akashi immediately raised a hand to clarify.
"My apologies. I didn't mean to discourage you. I was simply struck by how unusual it is."
"Your athletic ability isn't poor, and your training experience is certainly there. After all, someone who trains with Aomine can't be that bad."
"But even so, I can't sense anything from you."
As he spoke, Akashi's tone became serious, his expression turning sharp.
"This is extremely rare."
"People who engage in a sport long-term inevitably give off a certain presence—an aura unique to the experienced."
"For example, Miyamoto. Even when he's just walking down the street, he naturally exudes a distinct presence."
"But you… your presence is far too faint. However, that isn't merely a weakness—it's a strength unique to you."
"If used properly, it could become a powerful weapon for the team."
Listening to Akashi, Kuroko asked hesitantly,
"Using a lack of presence… is that really possible?"
Akashi didn't answer directly. He picked up his bag from the floor and said,
"Sorry. That's all I can say for now. If you find the answer, come find me."
With that, Seijuro Akashi left the gym, leaving Tetsuya Kuroko alone inside, deep in thought.
...
After stepping outside, Akashi suddenly heard Shintaro Midorima's voice.
"Is he the follow-up member you mentioned?"
Earlier, Akashi had discussed this with Midorima. In his view, although the current team was strong, the bench was still lacking.
Among the substitutes, only Shogo Haizaki could be considered strong. However, Haizaki only listened to Miyamoto—he ignored everyone else, to the point that even Coach Shirogane and Shuzo Nijimura struggled to control him.
In Akashi's eyes, the bench couldn't truly be called strong, and very few substitutes were capable of keeping up with the starters' pace.
That was why he wanted to find someone who could link the team together—both to strengthen the bench and to allow the substitutes to match the starters' rhythm.
Akashi saw that potential in Tetsuya Kuroko, which was why he had spoken to him that way.
Back in the present—
Akashi noticed Midorima was still waiting for him and paused slightly.
"Midorima? Didn't you go to the restaurant with Murasakibara?"
Midorima nodded.
"I was waiting for you."
The two then started walking together. Along the way, Midorima asked,
"Do you really think that guy will change?"
Akashi replied coldly,
"Who knows? I saw potential in him."
"It was only our first meeting. We're not friends. I have no obligation to guide him further."
Midorima sensed something and turned to look at Akashi, a trace of surprise on his face.
At that moment, a chilling aura radiated from Akashi as he continued in an icy tone,
"I merely lowered the rope for him. Whether he can climb up is entirely up to him."
Midorima felt as though Akashi had become a completely different person—so cold and detached that he could no longer tell which side of Akashi was the real one.
...
When Tetsuya Kuroko left the school, he ran into Daiki Aomine, who had also finished changing and was heading out. The two walked together.
Along the way, Aomine asked about Kuroko's conversation with Akashi, and Kuroko told him everything.
After listening, Aomine said,
"So you talked about what you can do for the team, huh."
Kuroko nodded as they walked.
"Yes. My shooting is terrible, so I can only rely on passing or assists."
Walking beside him, Aomine said,
"That makes sense. There has to be something only you can do."
Kuroko glanced at him from the corner of his eye.
"For example?"
Suddenly, Aomine drew a circle in the air with his hand and said,
"Like a ball that curves—whoosh—and suddenly changes direction."
Kuroko shook his head helplessly.
"Forget it. I'll figure something out on my own."
Aomine laughed.
"Don't worry, Tetsuya. If it really doesn't work out, we can ask Miyamoto. He'll definitely explain things clearly for you."
"Come on, let's go find Miyamoto."
With that, Aomine prepared to take Kuroko along.
But Kuroko shook his head and declined.
"Let's forget it, Aomine. That's your group dinner. It would feel awkward if I went."
Aomine thought for a moment and realized Kuroko had a point, so he gave up.
He waved and said,
"Alright then, I'll head out first."
Kuroko nodded and waved back.
"Goodbye, Aomine."
After Aomine left, Kuroko walked alone into a bookstore, planning to pick up a few books to study.
Suddenly, something caught his eye.
His pupils widened as he stared at the title.
He reached out, took the book from the shelf, and fixed his gaze on the words on the cover.
[Techniques for Using Visual Guidance]