2 days later Kiyoshi boarded a plane to LA for his surgery. His team accompanied him to the airport and told him to focus on his recovery after surgery. They expect Kiyoshi to return healthy without worries about his injury.
Kiyoshi was thankful for Shin and he was expecting him to be seeing him off. But Shin never appeared so he could only pull Kuroko aside and whisper to Kuroko to thank Shin for him.
He never thought that meeting Shin was a blessing for him. Now, everything was ready for him, all he needed was to go to LA. Never would he expect the surprise waiting for him when he arrives in LA.
After sending Kiyoshi off, Kuroko talked to Riko if he could ask to leave practice for a while as he wants to train by himself for a few weeks. Hearing Kuroko's sudden plan, his teammates had a shocked expression as they didn't expect Kuroko to make a sudden request.
Riko was conflicted as to whether she would allow Kuroko to practice on his own. It came a surprise for her, Kuroko never requested something like this to her. She was wondering why Kuroko would make this request as it was better to practice with the team rather than practicing alone.
Seeing Kuroko's eyes full of determination, she knew she would never be able to say anything that would make Kuroko change his mind. Riko reluctantly agreed and told Kuroko to comeback after he was done with his training.
When Kuroko was about to leave, Riko suddenly asked Kuroko
RIKO: Are you sure about this Kuroko? You know it's better to practice with the team rather than training alone. There's someone to guide you when we are around you know.
KUROKO: Don't worry coach. Shin will help me with my training. Hopefully after this, I can improve myself and make the team a little stronger.
Kagami suddenly interjected and cursed
KAGAMI: You little s**t?! Are you telling me he is much better on training you rather than us, your teammates?
KUROKO: No, Don't make everyone get the wrong idea Kagami-kun. I just want to improve myself, especially now that they know everything in our team. You can't expect them to not make some adjustments against us. I want to help the team more.
RIKO: Alright, enough Kagami. If it's for the team you can't be a hard on Kuroko about this. Besides, It will be difficult facing those teams next tournament. Especially now that Kiyoshi is out, it will be much more difficult than the last. So we better improve our team than last time.
Hyuga then interrupted
HYUGA: Yeah, We can't be the same team as last tournament. Also, don't tell me Kuroko is the only one thinking about improving. Everyone else is the same. Let Kuroko train with Shin, I guess he already has a plan for you, right Kuroko?
KUROKO: I think so, he said that after our training maybe not only I can improve my game but also grow taller. I hope he's right but I'm also a bit worried, what if I lost my lack of presence in the process. Forget it, if it's him I think he has a plan for it. Besides, It's not like I will start tomorrow. It will be 2 weeks from now, so I can still join you guys before that.
RIKO: Huh? Are you sure he said you can grow taller while training? You are already 17 this year and you have hit your limit already. What the hell is that guy saying?!
KUROKO: That's what he told me. I don't know if what he said will happen but it never hurts to try.
RIKO: Alright, I'll agree to this. But you better comeback at the start of tournament. You okay with that right Kagami?
KAGAMI: You better improve after that. Remember I hate weak people.
Kagami then smiled and formed his fist towards Kuroko to which he responded with a fist bumping with Kagami's.
Evening came and Kiyoshi arrive on LAX, he muttered "I hope everything will be fine. That Shin, he forgot to tell me how will I contact that Tim Grover guy. Come to think of it that name sounds very familiar".
Kiyoshi took his bags ang got ready to head out. As he was walking out he saw a sign that has his name on it. He approached the guy holding the sign and there was a man standing right beside the guy. He said "I'm Kiyoshi Teppei, are you the one Shin told me about? Mr. Tim Grover right?".
The man smiled and puts his hands forward to shake Kiyoshi's hand and saying "So you are Kiyoshi Teppei? I'm Tim Grover. It's a pleasure to meet you. How was your flight?"
Kiyoshi returned the greeting with a smile and said "It was okay but my butt hurts from that much sitting". Tim just smiled as he new how tiring it is from a flight that took 9 hours plus.
Tim urged Kiyoshi to go and had the other guy holding the sign to help him with his bags. They went outside and a car was already waiting for them. Kiyoshi sat at the back while Tim was sitting on the front. He was surprised by the treatment Shin prepared for him.
He couldn't help but wonder how Shin made this all possible. He could only thought that Shin was rich for having this all prepared for him. He thought " Who the hell is that Shin? Why am I having this kind of treatment? Is he some kind of a son of a rich person?"
While he was trying to figure out Shin's identity, Tim suddenly spoke to him and said "Tomorrow at 9 am you are scheduled to have your knee checked before any surgery will be made. It's better to be sure about your injury first. After finding everything about your injury, I'll make a call to decide when your surgery is gonna be. So just rest and try to get up early tomorrow as I don't want to be the one waking you up. Everything's been ready for you including the hotel so just rest early. Understand?"
Kiyoshi could only nod and said "Okay sir I understand. I'll get up early. You don't have to worry."
Tim then replied "Good as I don't like wasting time. The sooner you get your knee checked the faster we will be able to set the date for your surgery. By the way, don't call me sir. Just call me Mr. Tim. How is Shin by the way? That brat never bothered to update me where he is, but has the gall to call me for a favor, to help with your surgery".
KIYOSHI: Shin is doing fine Mr. Tim. He's been excited meeting his former teammates. I'm also sorry about this Mr. Tim. I didn't know Shin would be asking you as he only said that he will help me with my surgery and had to call someone. I had no idea about his plans for me when I arrive here. It's been quite a shock for me as well.
TIM: It's alright, that ungrateful brat always do that. So did he already met those former teammates of his? The Generation Miracles right?
Kiyoshi was surprised as he didn't think Mr. Tim would know about the GOM's. He replied "Not yet, for now he only met with Kuroko the 6th man of those GOM. He didn't really talk with the 5 GOM's just greeted them".
TIM: So there's also a 6th man huh? How did you knew Shin?
KIYOSHI: Well, It's not like I knew him it was my teammate Kuroko. Shin told me he watched the Winter Cup Tournament Finals. It was my team with Kuroko vs Rakuzan where 1 of the GOM's played.
TIM: I thought those GOM played together?
KIYOSHI: I don't really know the details but after middle school, Kuroko told me that their captain the one playing on Rakuzan wanted to find out who is the best among the 5 GOM. So they were ordered to choose different schools to determine who will be the best among them.
TIM: Is that captain high or something? Why would he do that? forget it. It's not like I don't know two people who are like that. So it was your team with that 6th man against the Captain who was in Rakuzan? Who won?
KIYOSHI: Luckily we won. Shin saw all of that. That's why he approached us and Kuroko, that's where I came to know Shin.
TIM: That Kuroko kid is he also a GOM?
KIYOSHI: Technically he is a member of those GOM but not as talented as those guys. Kuroko is a little different, he calls himself the shadow of a light.
TIM: What does it mean?
KIYOSHI: I don't really get it but from what I understand basically we have an ace on our team and Kuroko said that an ace is the light and he supports that light as a shadow.
TIM: Interesting. Well, let's hope I meet them soon.