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Kanagawa Prefecture.
In a park.
Kise Ryota and Kuroko Tetsuya were walking slowly.
After a long silence, Kise Ryota finally spoke.
"Speaking of which, it's been a long time since we've had a proper chat like this. How's your injury?"
"It's fine, nothing serious."
Hearing Kuroko's words, Kise Ryota secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Then he continued.
"I just ran into Midorimacchi, and..." Kise Ryota thought for a moment, then said, "It seems like Ryucchi is here to watch the match too."
"Huh?"
Hearing this, Kuroko Tetsuya looked up at Kise Ryota with some surprise.
Seeing his expression, Kise Ryota said with a wry smile, "I only found out from Midorimacchi teammate, but I think Ryucchi is really here. That dangerous feeling… no one but fellow members of the Generation of Miracles can give us that kind of feeling."
"A dangerous feeling?" Kuroko Tetsuya was somewhat puzzled.
"Yeah, I think your teammate Kagami probably felt it too! After all, that guy has the same level of talent as us."
Hearing Kise Ryota's words, Kuroko Tetsuya fell into deep thought. But soon, his expression changed, as if he had thought of something, and he exclaimed, "Could it be from that time?"
Kise Ryota nodded. "Probably! Midorimacchi felt it too."
"I see!"
After saying that, Kuroko recalled everything about Ryu, and a smile appeared on his lips. His relationship with Ryu was different from the other members of the Generation of Miracles.
Kise Ryota glanced at Kuroko Tetsuya and said seriously, "Actually, I came here to ask you why you disappeared after the middle school league ended?"
Kuroko remained silent for a long time before speaking after hearing Kise Ryota's question.
"I don't know."
"Huh?" Kise Ryota's lips twitched, briefly entering a state of confusion.
Kuroko Tetsuya continued, "The reason definitely stems from the finals. At that time, I always felt something was missing, making me feel doubt and bewilderment about Teiko's strategy."
Kise Ryota raised an eyebrow, saying doubtfully, "In sports, the most important thing is to win! What could be more important than victory?"
Kuroko Tetsuya shook his head. "I don't know either, but at that time, I hated basketball from the bottom of my heart. Even though Ryu had already texted me before that to stop you guys, it was still too late."
"Ryucchi? A text message? He texted you?" Kise Ryota asked, somewhat surprised.
Kuroko Tetsuya nodded. "Yes, Ryu-san had Momoi-san relay the message."
Hearing this, Kise Ryota asked in surprise, "Did Ryucchi go to watch the match too?"
Kuroko Tetsuya shook his head slightly. "I don't know. Momoi-san and I didn't see Ryu-san."
"Is that so?"
Kise Ryota thought about how Ryu had come to watch the middle school finals and today's practice match. His heart was filled with complex emotions. He was not only puzzled by Kuroko Tetsuya's sudden disappearance, but also by Ryu's abrupt departure.
Was it really just because of a conflict with Akashi that he left? Putting himself in Ryu's shoes, he would never have chosen to leave. This was something he had never understood from the beginning.
Kuroko Tetsuya said, his eyes lowered, "Since that day, I've felt lost. I started playing basketball because I liked it, but I developed an aversion to it."
He looked up at Kise Ryota. "Until I met Kagami. He's really amazing. He genuinely loves basketball. Although he can be a bit scary sometimes, and sometimes he gets very depressed, it's all because he's more serious about basketball than anyone else."
"Sigh, I still don't understand!" Kise Ryota sighed softly. Then he spoke again, "But according to you, Ryucchi left the team for the same reason you did?"
Kuroko Tetsuya pondered for a moment, then shook his head. "While I don't know why Ryu left, I can somewhat understand his feelings when I chose to leave."
Kuroko Tetsuya said, recalling the past, "I think Ryu must have thought about it from the beginning, which is why he decisively chose to leave." He added with an envious look, "I really envy Ryu. He always seems to know what he needs most and how to achieve it. If Ryu hadn't left back then..."
Kuroko Tetsuya and Kise Ryota fell into deep thought. The room fell silent.
After a long while, Kise Ryota looked at Kuroko Tetsuya and reminded him, "Although I don't quite understand why you and Ryucchi left, I can tell you something. If you value Kagami because of his attitude towards basketball, Kuroko, you and Kagami will inevitably part ways one day."
He continued earnestly and seriously, "The other five are fundamentally different from me, not just in terms of physical ability. Each of them possesses unique talents that even I can't imitate, especially Ryucchi. I've tried to imitate him privately, but his moves are simply beyond human capabilities."
"However, speaking of parting ways, Ryucchi was the first to do it. The reasons might have been different, but the result was the same."
At this point, Kise Ryota's tone shifted. "Today's match made me realize that Kagami possesses a unique talent just like us. It's just that his talent hasn't been fully unleashed yet; he's still an immature challenger, enjoying the thrill of fighting strong opponents. But one day, he will grow stronger, becoming as powerful as the 'Generation of Miracles,' a figure who transcends the team. At that time, do you really think Kagami won't change?"
After listening to Kise Ryota's words, Kuroko Tetsuya fell silent. The scene fell silent once again.
...
Night fell.
On the quiet street, bathed in the dim light of the streetlights overhead, two weary figures walked slowly, step by step.
Ryu was breathing heavily, his hair wet and disheveled, with a small grain of sand and green algae clinging to his face. He seemed utterly drained of energy, completely listless.
Karupin wasn't in much better shape. His fur was soaked, with droplets of water dripping from it. With each step, his chest heaved beneath his fur, his tongue lolled out, and he kept panting; whether from exhaustion or the heat, it was unclear.
After four hours of strenuous effort, the two, human and cat, had overcome countless obstacles and finally absorbed the energy ball in the sea.
Ryu was filled with regret. He should have rented a boat; otherwise, he and Karupin wouldn't be in such a sorry state.
Without a second thought, he had jumped into the sea and swam towards the ball of energy. But halfway there, he felt his strength rapidly waning. Luckily, he had bought a life jacket at a nearby shop; otherwise, he might have really drowned.
While Karupin was absorbing the energy ball, Ryu was constantly watching over him, preventing him from sinking. He had survived thanks to his extraordinary physical strength and the meager buoyancy of his life jacket.
Gurgle…
Ryu's stomach suddenly growled. A wave of hunger washed over him, causing his legs to buckle, and he collapsed to the ground.
Seeing this, Karupin stopped and fell to his side, landing on the ground.
"If there's a next time, remind me to prepare a boat, otherwise people really will die."
Karupin stuck out his tongue and transmitted his voice, "I haven't eaten any baby sardines yet."
"We're already like this, and you're still thinking about eating?!" Ryu replied irritably.
Grumble...
Suddenly, both the human and the cat's stomachs began to rumble loudly. The two exchanged an awkward glance.
Ryu said helplessly, "Fine, let's go get something to eat first!"
Karupin naturally agreed.
The two of them stood up again and walked towards the street lined with shops in the distance.
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