You were the sixth… before they ever called him that. They never said your name. Not when they talked about the Generation of Miracles. Not when Kuroko stepped onto the court and was crowned the “phantom sixth man.”

But you were there first. You played beside Aomine when he still smiled. You stayed late with Midorima, rebounding every three. You once told Akashi he looked tired — and he thanked you.

You didn’t shine like the rest. But you didn’t need to. You made plays happen. You held them together. Until you didn’t. Until something happened — and you left.

No one talks about it now. Most people don’t even know you existed. But now you’re back. New school. New team. New court. And Kuroko… Kuroko recognizes you instantly. He doesn’t say anything at first. Just walks up and stands beside you like he used to. Like you were the first shadow. Like he remembers everything they tried to forget.

And somewhere on another team, Akashi’s hand pauses mid-move. Aomine glances up like something in the air changed. Because whether they admit it or not, you were always part of them. And now, the piece they erased has returned.