See the end of the chapter for the notes.

Honki no koi nante

(I thought I seriously)

Shinai to omotteta

(Would not fall in love with him)

Boku no naka de nanika ga kawatta

But something changed inside of me)

Atsui asa

(On that hot morning)

Winter Cup, as awaited and terrifying, came to an end. Although this day has kept them awake for several weeks, they also won't be able to sleep this evening.

Because of happiness.

Seirin's team has won. It's true that they didn't crush their opponent and the match was gripping 'till the end, but eventually the balance tipped in their favour. There was no end to euphoria and tears of joy. Here, after so many trainings, poured sweat, nerves, they felt that they achieved what they planned.

And they didn't intend to rest on their laurels.

But first, they're gonna celebrate. When they run from basketball court, in their direction jumped their trainer, Aida Riko. With all her strength, not looking who's fallen into her arms, she hugged the first person and started to cry in his arms. Hyuuga, who didn't know why she was crying, just put his hand on her head and patted her short, bright hair.

-We made it - he whispered, hugging Riko tighter around her waist.

-Yes, you made it - she raised her head, laughing thorough tears.

When she looked around, she noticed that almost every one of them has tears in his eyes. My boys, she thought tenderly about Seirin's team. Kagami picked up Kuroko and seated him on his neck, and then marched with him in front of tribunes, where people was screaming his name. Until now Kuroko was unnoticed by outsiders, but today he was the star of the evening. If it's not for Kagami, he probably wouldn't dare to go out to people. Today, none of them was light or shadow. Today, both of them shone even brighter.

But Riko couldn't forget about the arms that were embracing her. Although every player was patting others on back and was raising fists, Hyuuga didn't let go of her. Otherwise, he hugged her tighter and hid his face in her hair. The girl guessed that the captain also had tears in his eyes and tries to hide them. She patted him on the back.

-You have to pick up the cup - she said, stabbing him slightly between his ribs.

-Not me - he said, moving away, but not too far. –Teppei, it's all thanks to you - he said to his friend. –You created the team, you gave us the will to fight. This cup is yours.

The rest of Seirin's players looked at them and smiled, approving the decision of their captain. Teppei wiped his watery eyes with arm.

-Thank you, Hyuuga - he said.

When they heard how his voice is cracking, they realised that they really won. They all started to hug again. Only Kuroko, who still was sitting on Kagami's shoulders, escaped being crushed. And Riko, before she realised, she was in the air; boys picked her up and flip over. She squealed, straightening her skirt so that none of them could notice anything.

They were still celebrating in a bar near their school. The cup took honourable place in the middle of a table, they planned give it to school on the next day.

When they ate what was on the table, new portions has appeared (mainly for Kagami, who still didn't have enough).

Riko watched them as they laughed and congratulated each other. She felt a little like she was watching them through a thick pane. The voices reached her a little late, what she saw was slightly blurred.

That's why she didn't notice a tissue before her nose immediately.

-Here - Teppei patted her on her shoulder. –Do you know that you're still crying?

She nodded and wiped her eyes, and then cleaned her nose discreetly.

-Thank you - she sighed.

-Not a problem. But for you, none of us would go so far. Am I right, guys?

She got a lot of compliments, which made her cry again. Riko felt really silly, but on the other hand, seeing so many happy eyes looking at her made her smile.

And she got a hiccup which caused peals of laughter.

When Kagami noticed that Kuroko is starting dozing, he slightly moved to him. Within few minutes he felt that his friend's head leaned against his shoulder and Kuroko fell asleep peacefully. On his lap, balled up, slept Tetsuya no 2. Kagami raised his finger and put it to his mouth, asking others nonverbally to not awake them. Tsuchida and Kawahara raised their thumbs and grinned, while Koganei went to order drinks for them.

-You know, I just reached the conclusion that in next year, we'll have a greater challenge - said Izuki suddenly.- We'll have to defend our title.

Silence fell at the table. Everyone stared at him, and euphoria slightly decreased. Riko lifted a little.

-You won it and you will defeat it - she said firmly. –I'll help you, right? We're not gonna rest on our laurels!

-Yeah!

-You said it!

Hyuuga stood up.

-I want to propose a toast - he said, raising his glass. He waited 'till everyone get up and continued. –Toast to us. Toast to the team who didn't give up, despite fouls, despite adversities. But first of all I want to propose a toast to the trainer who led us so far and still wishes to lead us further!

Boys from Seirin began to nod and then drunk the trainer's health, who blushed.

-I'm sorry for a moment - she mumbled and left the table, colliding with a waitress.

She went outside and noticed, with shock, that slowly night turns into day. They spent most of the night in bar. That's a good thing that I told them to tell their parent that they'll come back later, she thought and went to a bench. She sat on it and lead her head back, letting the sun shone on her face. She didn't feel cold, quite the opposite. She had the feeling that the disappearing night is taking away the stress and fatigue of recent days. The crisp air was cooling her feverish cheeks.

-You'll catch a cold - Hyuuga said, sitting next to her.

Riko jumped slightly, but she overcame it immediately. It was only Hyuuga, boy, whom she knew for years. There was nothing to fear. She wasn't surprised when after a few seconds, Seirin's captain wrapped his blouse around her; a blouse with name of school as well as the number and his surname on the back. The only thing that surprised her was the fact, that she felt really nice when Hyuuga's smell and warmth embraced her.

-Thank you - she mumbled, wrapping with his blouse tighter. –But now you'll catch a cold.

Hyuuga waved his hand lightly.

-I'm not so…delicate - it took him a while to find right word. He often had this impression, that only he sees Riko's feminine side.

And he was glad of it, all in all. It meant that no one will compete with him.

-I didn't want to embarrass you - he said, changing the subject. –Then, at the table, I really said what I think. That it's all thanks to you.

He owed her a lot. She didn't even know how much, but he knew.

-Thank you - she smiled at him. –But you're the captain.

-This kind of conversation doesn't amuse me, Riko- he put his hand on her head.

He regretted the fact that every single gesture which he made, she was understanding as something coming from purely friendship. He knew her as long as he felt something more to her. But he couldn't change it, he didn't have courage to confess his feelings. However, today, in the sunrise, it could be a breakthrough, he thought, moving closer to Riko.

And he was just about to start a conversation about this, when Kagami came out from the bar. He was carrying sleeping Kuroko on his back, who was embracing his neck firmly. Kuroko's nose brushed his neck. Just behind them the rest of team was going. Koganei was carrying in his arms Tetsuya no 2, who was sleeping as soundly as his master.

-We're going home - they said, waving to them. –And you? We've already paid the bill.

-Thanks. I'll walk Riko home, it's on my way - Hyuuga said.

When they walked away, slightly awkward silence has fell. Hyuuga stood up and held out his hand. Riko hesitated for a moment, but she eventually grabbed it. He frowned.

-You've got cold hands - he said and pulled her closer, closing Riko's hands in his and warming them. –You dressed too lightly again.

-Yeah, dad - she snorted, but she felt wonderfully when Hyuuga's warmth heated her. Starting from hands, it moved further and further. –I didn't know that I'll go home in the morning - she explained.

-Alright, alright - he started to walk, but he still was holding her hand. –Next time, when we plan a victory, I will take a jacket and gloves for you.

-I hold you to your promise!

They laughed and felt like when they were kids. Hyuuga relaxed a little. He shouldn't be nervous in her company. He and Riko had been friends for many years, he should be honest with her. She deserved to know about his feelings. He deserved to not hold them up inside.

As they were approaching her house, Hyuuga made a lot of scenarios in his head. His favourite one was this one, where Riko throws her arms around him and tells that she reciprocates his feelings.

The most likely one was this one, where Riko accuses him of a silly joke.

When they stopped at the door, Hyuuga didn't let her to let go of his hand.

-Wait - he asked. –Riko, I…

-If you want to tell me that you're nervous, because you'll be famous, then excuse me, but you asked for it - she said jokingly.

-No, I…- he scratched his neck. –I thought that "Frozen" is being shown in movie theatre. You like cartoons, right? Should we go?

-Oh - Riko became sad. –Hyuuga, I've already seen this movie. On last Sunday, me and Teppei saw this, while we were shopping.

He felt like she hit him with something hard and heavy in his stomach with all her strength.

-Teppei?- he raised his eyebrows, trying to sound jokingly. –I didn't know that he likes cartoons.

-He doesn't, but he said that I can choose a movie - she smiled.

-Mhm. So maybe you'll choose one for us? Unless that you and Teppei are, you know…you're dating - he looked at their clasped hands.

-No, no way - she laughed. –Did you eat something? You're acting weird - she put her hand on his forehead.

Hyuuga leaned over and kissed her on her mouth. Riko, for a moment, was staring at him stunned, but finally she closed her eyes and let him hug her. She uncertainly returned the kiss, clenching her fist on his shirt.

She never thought that Hyuuga's lips may be so warm. She knew his smell, but know it seemed totally knew and tempting. It was nice to feel how he hugs her tightly.

-You will go with me to the cinema - it wasn't a question, it was statement.

-I will - she agreed right away, too shocked to protest. She still could feel his lips' taste and something was trembling in her, unsatisfied. She wanted more.

They both wanted more.

Nee nani shite mo kimi ni aitaku naru yo

(Say, I really want to see you)

Suki ni naru tte kurushii'n da ne

(Falling in love is quite painful)

Ureshiku naru no mo setsunaku saseru no mo

(You're always the reason behind)

Itsu de mo riyuu wa kimi dake da yo

(Both my happiness and my pain)

Notes:

Hello! My name is Alex and I'm really glad you are reading this now. I started writing "Nee, aitai yo" last year and it's still not finished (there are 33 chapters right now). It's originally written in Polish (my native language), but thanks to my friend and room-mate, you can read it in English now :) It's still just the nice and slowly beginning, but in polish version I get a lot of questions about "Who is the murderer?" etc., so I just wanted to tell you that it's not some OC, it is someone from KnB series. And if you have any questions (or if you guessed who is the murderer!) you can write to me, I will be more than happy to talk to you :)

In prologue fragments of following songs were used: „Suki ni Naru to Doushite" and „Nee" (Maiko Fujita).