The first time I had watched him play was back in middle school, during my last year.

I was heading home after school a little later than usual due to kendo practice, and decided to cut through the yard. And then I saw him, Kiyoshi Teppei. I always thought he was a strange boy with strange habits. He had a taste for strange candies and was too honest. But when I watched him shooting baskets, he was beautiful. His form was flawless and his accuracy was perfect. He seemed to glisten in the light of the setting sun.

I hadn't even realized I had stopped to watch him play until the ball bounced off the rim and rolled to my feet.

"Hey! Could you pass that?"

"Oh! Umm... sure," I said as a fiery blush lit my cheeks. I felt embarrassed that he found out I was watching. I bent down and picked up the ball before tossing it to him.

"Thanks."

Out of habit, I adjusted my glasses and stared down at my toes.

"It's no problem."

"You're... Suzuhara-chan, right?"

I looked up. He was facing the basket, preparing to shoot.

"Izumiko is fine!"

Swish.

"Is that so? Well then Izumiko-chan, care to rebound for me?" He looked at me and smiled.

I tilted my head. "Rebound?"

His expression dropped. "You don't know what a rebound is? You collect the ball basically."

"Oh! Ahahaha... So that's what it is." My cheeks felt ten times hotter as I began to stroke my braid more furiously. "I'd be glad to rebound."

I walked over toward the net and placed my bookbag and shinai down. My two braids fell over my shoulders.

He smiled as he squared up to shoot. His knees were bent, muscles flexed, eyes locked. Then he shot and I swore that was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen. I grabbed the ball and passed it to him. He shot again, and again, and again. I wasn't able to tear my eyes away from him.

Before I knew it, it became dark. He took the hem of his shirt and wiped it onto his face.

"Let's call it a day, neh?"

"Oh. Um, okay."

I grabbed my bookbag and shinai wrapped in a blue cloth. His eyebrows shot up.

"You play kendo?"

I nodded.

His mouth curved into a thoughtful smile. "I never would have guessed."

I shifted the bamboo sword in my hands awkwardly. "I'll see you in school tomorrow."

"Do you want me to walk you home? It's getting dark."

My eyes widened and I shook my head frantically. "No no no no! I'm okay! I- I'll see you at school tomorrow!"

Then I ran off, my two braids flying behind me.