[ Who knew that the rumored Phantom Sixth Man is actually lousy at basketball except for one special ability?
Even for someone as guarded as Mayuzumi, it's pretty flattering to be told he's inherently superior to a (sort-of) legendary player by another legendary player; the potential avenue opened to him just becomes that much more tantalizing. ]
In other words, I could be a more versatile player than this Kuroko guy, by taking advantage of what I can already do and combining it with that kind of passing ability.
[ A playstyle that's different and wouldn't relegate him to just a one-note role, building on his own solid fundamental strengths but adding something new to make him entirely unique...
It's almost too good to be true, really— and that possibility does occur to Mayuzumi; what if Akashi's just buttering him up because they're soulmates, what if Akashi's offering him an opportunity because they're soulmates, what if Akashi's pride demands Mayuzumi be on the team because it'd be unacceptable to him as a player of his caliber for his soulmate not to be?
But if that were the case, Akashi's approach has been completely, hilariously wrong; the guy's barely even acknowledged that a connection between them exists at all. Even with that offhand flattery, Akashi's explanation feels too grounded and detached an assessment, a captain's objective viewpoint rather than something emotionally compromised.
And maybe a small part of Mayuzumi beneath all the cynicism wants to trust, wants to believe his soulmate would know instinctively just how much he'd despise being handed something he's worked for without really deserving it.
I guess I really am kind of a sentimental guy, huh.
It all ultimately earns a grin, maybe not so different from the one Akashi showed him a moment ago. ]
...Heh. You know, I have to admit that does sound pretty interesting.
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Even for someone as guarded as Mayuzumi, it's pretty flattering to be told he's inherently superior to a (sort-of) legendary player by another legendary player; the potential avenue opened to him just becomes that much more tantalizing. ]
In other words, I could be a more versatile player than this Kuroko guy, by taking advantage of what I can already do and combining it with that kind of passing ability.
[ A playstyle that's different and wouldn't relegate him to just a one-note role, building on his own solid fundamental strengths but adding something new to make him entirely unique...
It's almost too good to be true, really— and that possibility does occur to Mayuzumi; what if Akashi's just buttering him up because they're soulmates, what if Akashi's offering him an opportunity because they're soulmates, what if Akashi's pride demands Mayuzumi be on the team because it'd be unacceptable to him as a player of his caliber for his soulmate not to be?
But if that were the case, Akashi's approach has been completely, hilariously wrong; the guy's barely even acknowledged that a connection between them exists at all. Even with that offhand flattery, Akashi's explanation feels too grounded and detached an assessment, a captain's objective viewpoint rather than something emotionally compromised.
And maybe a small part of Mayuzumi beneath all the cynicism wants to trust, wants to believe his soulmate would know instinctively just how much he'd despise being handed something he's worked for without really deserving it.
I guess I really am kind of a sentimental guy, huh.
It all ultimately earns a grin, maybe not so different from the one Akashi showed him a moment ago. ]
...Heh. You know, I have to admit that does sound pretty interesting.