Powers:

All of the Generation of Miracles are rooted with a common denomination – and that is their (un)natural ability to excel at basketball. While some may rely heavily on speed, height, manipulating the courts, Akashi spearheads with a tactical approach prior to revealing what is essentially laden in unnerving intimidation; a facet rooted within natural determination. He is intelligent, capable of hoisting championship upon championship upon his shoulders while retaining level-headed ideology. What may appear to be the innate ability to ‘see the future’ of an opponent’s move is nothing short of memorization and quick response; indulging in a mental strategic dance many steps ahead. Think of a timed game of chess mixed with a commanding presence of a general leading his troops; that is his style of play.

ACTUAL application thing:

You may have been born with a silver spoon, but you were taught by your father to make it golden. Even at an extremely early age, you could recall equations and historical figures by the handfuls. Adults frowned upon the idea of such a strict regime within the household, although you pushed through without lack of support. Her face still remains fair in your fondest memories; a smile that could illuminate even the most closeted doubts. She was a woman that your father adored and in turn, you must carry on a legacy within your mother’s loving attributes. If only you had the time to pass more than a small offering upon the inlet that housed her image.

The arts held your melodies with the piano and violin. The councils displayed your name at the highest of honors. You minded extracurricular activities as though they were but an extension of yourself. The horse’s saddle elevated your muted adorations while the perfectly measured squares of a shogi board gave way to increased exhilaration by timed battles of wits. Something was lacking, however. Therein a mixture of a physical workout while minding the positions of your peers in executions of distinct plays had caught your attention – and so the birth of a legacy was at your command.

Your father may have questioned your involvement with such a consuming sport. You had yet to see the problem.

Basketball had become the ladder to perfection, rather than a sport to alleviate boredom. Victory embellished the courts with high praise and underneath your watchful gaze did those of high quality arise to meet you.

Or was it the reciprocal?

The basis of understanding such epiphanies had all but been swept under the rug. It was of no Fight Club within the hushed tones of bewilderment, or rules for that matter. You had felt it surge forth, an eerie desire to do whatever it takes to ensure your winnings; even in the face of momentary indecision. Your troops were faltering within their own hubris and you had accepted challenges to ensure your place amongst them. Even in the place of victory had you allowed some freedom, rather than punishment. After all, no fool will respect another if a certain level of esteem wasn’t found. Atsushi was but one of many to fall beneath you.

During your reign as an emperor of the courts, you had found talent in the most unlikely of individuals. As long as a certain skill level could be used as an asset to ensure favorable results within your conquests, then anyone could be a pawn; however, respected rather than to be used entirely. They’re still more than acquaintances, but friends could be stretching the truth – at least in some regard. Your concerns may have flitted between being socially savvy and retaining some semblance of acquaintanceship with your peers, but you still hold yourself at a respectable distance. It had worked well for you, perhaps a little too well. Minced with truths and manipulations, Tetsuya’s world shifted and you were the one to blame.

You’ve found that adjusting your psyche to meet the expectations of a situation to be the best way to cope, leading others to believe that you may have adopted a second personality entirely apart from what they’ve become accustomed to. That wasn’t the case at all. That distant, calculating side had always been a part of your demeanor, just as your haughty outlook upon the opposition to impose some form of intimidation is but one of your capabilities to enact a mere fraction of complexities within the root of your individuality. It just so happens that one side simply reigns supreme, while your compassionate nature had become reserved for more intimate notions. Shintarou had come to recognize the change – and you knew the moment in which the casual games of Shogi eventually slowed to nil upon entering the last half of the middle school season. You’ve won them all, anyway.

That didn’t stop Shintarou from competing against you. He was different, almost to an ineffable fault. Training refused to cease as he continued with the same determination as the first moment in which the two of you shared the court. His ideologies never failed, no matter how peculiar the sentiments for his lucky charms had become. At a point, you had decided to position him just a step beneath you, comparing intelligence with more than just discussions amid mindful games on more than one summer afternoon. A valuable asset, one that had proved to keep you from becoming bored – or, rather, disappointed.

Teikou’s Generation of Miracles dispersed among the ranks of the top tier schools, after an oath of future battles. Sparse contact kept the excitement brewing beneath the surface of an otherwise expectant season, whereas news outlets had become a source of readily available information. With Rakuzan at the ready, their individual natures seemed to mimic those of your favorable past; with the exception of an upgrade. You expect nothing less, after hand-picking one directly. Another favorite – as opposed to Tetsuya’s lack of general strengths, this one held promise. Chihiro realized his attributes as you shed light on them. Ironic.

With several of the Uncrowned Kings lending strength within your wake, you desire nothing more than to have the first year of leadership within the ranks of the prestigious school to be slathered with gold. Winners are validated while the rest are denied. It has been proven time and time again; from your first breath until now. Victory courses through your veins. Winning is everything.