One Final Game: A Romantic Tale in 3 Parts Chapter 1: The Party, a kuroko no basuke/黒子のバスケ fanfic

Chapter 1: The Party (Catalyst)

It was, Akashi supposed, his fault. Partially. Probably. After all, if he hadn't broken his arm in a fall during his bi-weekly horseback riding sessions, Rakuzan would have undoubtedly been the champions for his third and final year there. Were that the case, none of his friends would have descended into insanity, acted inappropriately, and made uninformed decisions in order to dwell there permanently.

(He supposed that might be going too far. He supposed Taiga was fairly helpless in the face of Tetsuya's determination, and he was privately - very privately - impressed with Daiki's self-control. The others all needed punishments ranging from a swift kick in the pants to permanent exile, Atsushi and Shintarou especially.)

As it was, it happened quite differently.

It all began with Momoi.

…

Satsuki knew better than to spring something on Dai-chan while he was in the middle of Basketball Mode. So it was not until they made their way back to the hotel that night, their victory over Rakuzan complete and wondrous, that she told him of her resolve.

"I'm going to do it, Dai-chan."

"What, buy me teriyaki? Ahh, thanks. Beef."

"No- what? No. Dai-chan. I'm gonna' tell him."

"Satsuki you gotta' make more sense. Tell who, what? About our win, maybe? Your dad or my dad?"

It had been a long time since Satsuki had stomped her foot, but she did it now. Aomine's bemused expression reminded her why she did it so rarely.

"Did you really just do that? Satsuki, that's adorable-"

"I'm confessing to Tetsu-kun. At the end of the Cup. I- I'm not going to wait any longer. I'm not going to back out this time. I'm going to really do it, Dai-chan." When half a minute passed and he still hadn't responded, Satsuki snuck a glance at her friend. Although she never, ever would admit it, she valued his input more than anyone else's. She couldn't stand the thought of his being disappointed in her. So, even though she had formed her resolve, she still wanted his approval, if not his outright support.

"At the end of the Cup? What, do you mean our run or his? It's not certain that we'll face each other in the playoffs, you know."

Satsuki exhaled slowly, discreetly searching his face for any sign of emotion. Dai-chan's stoneface was a rare and unpleasant experience, even for her. That he was adopting it now caused her heart to drop a beat, even if his words were strictly business. That at least was understandable. Dai-chan didn't like thinking about anything else during tournaments when basketball took precedence even over eating and sleeping. "At the end of the whole tournament, Dai-chan. I wouldn't do anything that might affect their teamplay - I'm not that kind of woman."

Aomine sighed and ran a hand through his hair. "I wasn't saying you were, Satsu."

Satsuki smiled in equal parts for his endearment and his discomfort. Anything was better than Dai-chan's unreadable expression. "I know. I just wanted to tell you. We'll be graduating soon, and I didn't want this chance to pass me by."

"Hmmm."

They walked in silence for another minute or two, before Dai-chan surprised her. "Will you still do it if they win?"

Satsuki nodded slowly. "Yes. My feelings aren't that shallow, Dai-chan."

"And what if we win?"

She met his guarded eyes with a wicked gleam in her own. "When we win, Dai-chan. I'll have to comfort him, then. You know, after we win."

"Haha, yeah. But...what if he says no?"

She held her grin, feigning confidence she didn't truly feel. "Then you'll just have to comfort me."

He held her gaze for a long moment, the fading light hiding the depths of his expression. Slowly, his lips turned up in a smirk to match hers. "After we win, eh? Yeah. I guess we'll see what happens then." He raised his fist to hers, signifying his promise. Laughing slightly, she bumped her hand against his. Tomorrow, come what may, was going to be a wonderful.

…

CONGRATULATIONS SHUUTOKU!

The handpainted banner hung garishly outside the otherwise nondescript teahouse. Inside was a scene no less jarring - packed into the old-fashioned restaurant were third-year members of the greatest basketball teams in Japan, in varying degrees of happiness and sobriety. As host and renter of the teahouse, Akashi wandered around with a polite smile on his face, and a vaguely bewildered look in his eye. He would spend most of the evening wondering when he acquired half so many friends, and reminiscing fondly on the days when everyone was afraid of him.

"Banzaiiiii Shuutoku, Legendary Kings! May your shots never miss and your reign never end!" Miyaji Kiyoshi, fervent supporter of his old team and a man well on his way to inebriation slung his arm around Shuutoku's captain, Takao Kazunari. He, along with their old teammates Kimura Shinsuke and Ootsubo Taisuke, had come and supported them throughout the tournament. Takao raised his glass to his, and with eyes slightly too shiny to be unmoved by emotion or liquor, deftly deposited him with the other Shuutoku alumi before setting off in search of his best friend and vice-captain, Midorima Shintarou. He found him near the kitchen exit, looking longingly towards it yet currently trapped by Kaijou's ace, Kise Ryouta.

"Booo, Midorimachi! Don't be so stingy with yourself! It's the biggest celebration of your life, and you're refusing alcohol? Takaocchi, don't you agree with me?"

"Hey, Kise. Leave Shin-chan be, someone has to be responsible by the end of the night. Who else will carry you home when you've had too many?" Takao couldn't help but laugh at Midorima's flustered grumbles. He was rather red faced, and he supposed all this attention was a bit too much for the reclusive shooting guard. Taking pity on him, he pulled Kise over to the spiked punch bowl and ladled them both a refill. Glancing back to make sure Shin-chan wasn't going anywhere, he dropped his voice and settled a suspicion with Kise.

"But I bet it's not Shin-chan you want to take you home, no? I think you have your eye on a different ace..." He tried not to sound threatening. He really did. He knew that Kise didn't want Shin-chan, he didn't even need his hawkeye for that.

Kise took it the wrong way anyway, even when tipsy. "Takaocchi! You know better than that! I'd never make a move on your man! Besides, you're right. And tonight's the night I'm going to make my move."

Takao's eyebrows rose. "Ara? You really think tonight is the best night? He's going to be upset after the loss, even though Touou made it to the finals..."

Kise shook his head before he pushed off the counter, giving a cheeky smile to Midorima as he did so. "Don't worry, Takaocchi. I think he'll be in need of some comfort, and I'm just the person to give it to him. But leave it all to me - you have to take care of your own ace!" Giggling, he bounded out of the kitchen. Takao couldn't help but laugh himself as he went.

"That Kise. Didn't settle down at all - no wonder he refused the captaincy. Now he's about to go make someone's night a little more exciting- Shin-chan? What's wrong?"

It had taken him twenty seconds too long to notice his discomfort. Not only was he pointedly not saying anything, but he was still red-faced and seemed a little too reliant on the cabinets at his back to remain upright. Now that Takao was looking a little more closely, it was almost as if-

No. No, it couldn't be.

"Shin-chan? Did you try some of the punch?"

Midorima tilted his head from side to side, signifying neither yes or no. He then smiled, a tiny, unguarded, heart-melting smile, and whispered, "We won, Takao. We won."

Takao sucked in a deep breath as his heart spontaneously combusted in his chest. Screw Kise and his infatuation with Touou's tank, his Shin-chan was the cutest ever. "Yes we did, Shin-chan. All thanks to you. And maybe the punch too, do you think?"

Midorima frowned, and it was the frown of a toddler attempting to impress. "Takao there was no punch involved. As good as it tasted, it would have done nothing on the court. You did much more. You won with me, nanodayo. That makes you much, much better than the punch." Midorima's flush grew darker, and Takao's suspicions were confirmed. Shin-chan was drunk. He was also saying the most wonderful things he had ever heard him say, but as euphoric as they made him feel, he could do nothing until he determined just how drunk Midorima really was.

"Not as good as you, Shin-chan. Although I'm pretty sure you're better than all the punch in the world, neh? Or at least the four cups you had of it."

Midorima's befuddled face would have melted even Kuroko's heart. "Better than punch? Am I really? But I didn't have four cups, nodayo. Just three. Then Kise came, and I didn't want to talk to him. He's just the kind of person I was hiding from, with his sparkles and congratulations and disregard for personal space. I want to talk to you though. I'm happy when I talk to you, nanodayo." His smile broadened and he proved the truth of his statement with the light in his eyes. "I'm also happy when I play with you. And win with you. Takao we won!"

Takao was speechless. He knew he shouldn't be encouraging this. Shin-chan was his best friend, and he didn't deserve to be taken advantage of like this. When he sobered up he was going to be mortified, and Takao would have to cart him around in the rickshaw for a solid month and- none of this was working. Midorima was smiling so freely at him, so blessedly happy and relaxed and it was all Takao could do to keep himself from pouncing, let alone act on preserving Shin-chan's pride. At least they were alone in the kitchen. From the sound of things, it was getting pretty rowdy in the teahouse, and it would have been much worse had Shin-chan decided to announce his gratitude in front of everyone.

"Are you happy too, Takao? You looked really happy earlier. I liked that. Sometimes you don't look happy, even when you try to. When you wear your smiling mask. I don't like those times, nanodayo. I want to know why you are unhappy, and why you can't just tell me so. That makes me unhappy too." Midorima's silly joy was sinking quickly, and Takao realized there was absolutely nothing he could do about this. Shin-chan was drunk. He was just going to have to weather this storm, and protect his image from everyone else.

"Shin-chan, it's not like that. I just didn't want you to worry about me, is all. I promise I am happy with you. I have fun with you everyday." There. That was safe. Safe and not too much, right?

Midorima brightened, and the drink shook in Takao's hand. Why had he fallen in love with this perfect, impossible man? "Really? Everyday? Even when my objects are bigger than you are?"

Takao snorted. How could he forget the day Oha Asa had demanded a doll from her faithful followers, and the only thing Shin-chan could find - even while living in the same home as his younger sister - was a blow up doll? "It wasn't bigger than me. And the problem with that wasn't the size, Shin-chan. It was more about it being a sex toy. Especially because you blew it up instead of keeping it in the box."

The shadows converged on Midorima's handsome face, and Takao swore inwardly. "But that's still ok, Shin-chan! I like you even with - well, maybe even because of your items-"

"Everyone thought I was perverted, didn't they."

"No. I am fairly certain that is not what they all thought." Weird, yes. Perverted...not so much.

"Takao, I...I think maybe I am perverted. Nanodayo."
Takao suddenly became acutely aware of his inability to fairly mediate this discussion. Midorima was looking down at him with such an endearingly nervous expression, and all he could think about was if he downed the rest of his drink really quickly, he could kiss him and claim he was drunk. "Shin-chan, I'm pretty sure all guys our age are perverted."
Midorima shook his head wildly, causing his glasses to slide down his nose. Hastily, he pushed them back up. "No! Not like me. I try not to do anything about it, but I like the wrong person, Takao. I want to kiss them a lot. All the time. It's wrong. I'm wrong, nanodayo! And if I ever tell anyone everyone will hate me."

All of Takao's happiness plummeted to the bottom of his stomach. Shin-chan had never within the last three years even spoken of liking someone, let alone liking someone...wrong. If he had known all it would take was a suspicious mixture of rum, vodka, triple sec and cherry cola to loosen his tongue, he would have spent the rest of his life keeping Shin-chan away from alcohol. That wasn't important now, however. "Shin-chan, that's a lie. No matter- no matter who it is, I won't hate you. I will never hate you. I couldn't."

The hope in Midorima's bleary green eyes was almost too much for Takao to take. "Really? You won't hate me, nodayo? You promise?"

Takao smiled gently to stave off the unwelcome moisture prickling against his eyelids. "I promise, Shin-chan. I will never, ever hate you. And you don't need to tell me who it is if you don't want. It is up to you."

"Takao."

"Yes?"

"Takao."

Takao raised an eyebrow. "Yeah, Shin-chan. What is it?"

Midorima looked back at him with a pained expression. He then took a deep breath and promptly covered his face with his hands. "It is Takao. Nodayo."

All of Takao's attention honed in on the cracks between Midorima's fingers. "It's...it's me?"

Wordlessly, Midorima nodded.

"You like me?"

Another nod.

"You want to kiss me? All the time?"

Finally he responded, in a worried, quiet voice. "Please don't hate me."

After a long, joyous yet trying day, Takao's brain gave in and shut off. He was dimly aware of muttering I love you, but the next moment was primarily concerned with tipping back all the alcohol in his glass, slamming the cup down onto the counter, and pulling Shin's chan's hands away from his face so he could then pull that down to his, and-

"Mmmm."

Shin-chan hummed nearly before their lips made contact, and the sound of it made Takao's lips part automatically. Thus, their first kiss was something less chaste than he had imagined, but ultimately more satisfying. Midorima bent down into him, and the knowledge that he was kissing his ace, his Shin-chan, his long-unfulfilled secret love made his head spin more pleasantly than alcohol ever could. Soon there was no time for thoughts, or comparisons, or even elation. There was only the feel of Shin-chan's mouth moving against his, the hands that clutched at his back, and the hums and gasps that Shin-chan was too far gone to bite back.

Eventually, however, the clamor from the party grew too loud to be ignored. Although they had stolen fifteen precious minutes alone in the kitchen, people were bound to come through the door any minute now, and Takao was in no mood to be sidetracked. He pulled back from Shin-chan, planting kisses on his jaw and neck before he could fully pull away.

"Shin-chan, we should get you a glass of water...and maybe take this somewhere else, yeah?"

Midorima nodded slowly, his eyes wide and dark. His hands ran restlessly up and down Takao's ribs, and it made him shiver. "It's fortuitous that we share a hotel room, nanodayo."

"Hyaaa Shin-chan, I love you so much!"

...

…

...

The two were thankfully unaware as to the exact nature of what was happening on the other side of the kitchen door.

"Atsushi, please move."

"Nuh-uh."

"Atsushi, I need to refill the tea racks."

"Nuh-uh."

Akashi's brow knitted, and danger was imminent. "Atsushi, I am not asking. I need to get into the kitchen, and I will not be denied."

Murasakibara removed the lollipop from his mouth, smacking loudly as he did. "Akachin. Not now. Trust me. We have all waited too long for this."

"What are you talking about?"

"Well, maybe not you. But believe me. Everyone wanted this to happen."

"I don't even know-"

"Akachin you cannot ankle break with me with your eyes. Please stop trying."

"ATSUSHI-"

…

Kise whistled as he left the kitchen, feeling pretty damn good for a man whose high school basketball career had only ended a day ago. This was largely attributed to his ability to compartmentalize. Promoting both modelling career and basketball had taught him how to take one thing at a time, and how to arrange his priorities. Tonight, he had only one priority: Aomine Daiki.

It had been a long, hard road since Kuroko and Kagami had knocked some sense back into him. It was ultimately worth it, however. Having the real Aomine back was worth anything, even if it meant having an Aomine who noticed nothing but basketball, and subsequently not Kise's advances. To a lesser mortal it would have been quite mortifying, the way he had stuck himself out there, time and time again only to be ignored. Still, tonight was the night, he could feel it in his bones. They were all here, together, drunk. His opportunity was now, and he was going to take it.

However, first he had to find Aomine. This would be a lot easier if the teahouse wasn't currently packed with raucous males. Any other time this would be an event to set Kise's blood boiling - tension was high, drinks were flowing, testosterone was everywhere. As it was, he was having an inordinate amount of trouble finding someone who stood a head above the crowd in literally every other situation he had ever been in. He took a step to the side to avoid an oncoming Kimura-san when he jostled up against someone.

"Oh! I'm sorry, I didn't see you there-"

"Ahh, hello, Kise-kun. I see you are as lively as ever." Himuro Tatsuya's gently smiling face was an interesting contrast to the mayhem around them. He, like the Shuutoku alumni, had attended the Winter Cup albeit to support Yousen. If he had also requested Alexandra Garcia to record Seirin's matches, he was being quiet about it. Kise smiled back at the handsome man, feeling an unexpected kinship with him. They had only spoken a few times before, although he knew plenty about the man. He was Kagamicchi's childhood friend, and judging by the rings they long wore around their necks, perhaps something more.

"Good evening Himurocchi! Are you enjoying yourself?" A quick glance to either side assured him that Himuro had been, prior to their collision, alone. Kise moved on an intuition. "Where is Kagamicchi? I thought he would be here, hanging out with you?"

Himuro's smile was still gentle, but there was a wistful look in his eye that Kise could not fail to catch. It was gone in an instant, however, when Himuro glanced at something behind him and then smiled far more happily. Kise surreptitiously glanced back over his shoulder, yet all he could see was Murasakibara's broad form blocking the entrance to the kitchen. Interesting.

"I believe Taiga and Kuroko-kun had some business to discuss- I'm not sure where they headed off to, but apparently it was somewhat serious. I didn't catch a good look at Kuroko-kun," here Himuro shrugged, playing off his inability to accurately track Kuroko's movements, "but Taiga seemed more than a little subdued. Although perhaps that is to be expected with their loss earlier today."

Kise nodded, exuberance tamped down momentarily. Seirin had suffered a heart-rending defeat against Touou earlier that day, and while Kise was happy for Aomine's team making it to finals, he was also disappointed for his friends. Yet he had seen them earlier at dinner, and while they both were quiet, neither was significantly upset. Perhaps the alcohol had strengthened their sorrow...or perhaps it was something else entirely.

Kise had imbibed just enough to voice his suspicions. "You don't think they're off, um..." he trailed off when he noticed the shadow in Himuro's eyes. He mentally kicked himself. At least there was one suspicion proved - Himuro had feelings for Kagami, or at the very least, had used to.

"It's a possibility. I am unsure of Kuroko-kun's feelings and intentions, but judging by Taiga's reaction to him I cannot deny the possibility."

"How do you stand it?" The question slipped past his lips before he could realize the impropriety of it, and how much it could possibly hurt Himuro. He looked up at him, surprised. He then glanced over at Murasakibara - currently arguing with an increasingly irate Akashi - and set his shoulders. He then answered Kise with a surprising amount of frankness.

"One day at a time, Kise-kun. I'd always been resigned, even before he met Kuroko-kun. It was only a matter of time. Besides, I like Kuroko-kun, and I know he will be good for Taiga."

Kise's eyes widened, and for the first time all evening, Aomine was forgotten. "Then...is it official? Are they together? I had thought-"

Himuro shook his head, bangs sweeping over his eye. "No. They are not. I am only preparing myself for the possibility that they could be. I am not even sure whether or not Taiga truly has feelings for him, and the same with Kuroko-kun. I merely suspect they do."

Kise nodded slowly, mind leaping to the next logical conclusion. "And what of Murasakibaracchi?"

The color that bloomed over Himuro's pale cheeks wasn't subtle enough to be hidden in the dim light of the teahouse. "Eh? What of him? He has nothing to do with Taiga and Kuro-"

Kise grinned widely. "No, but he has everything to do with you." He shook his head, marvelling at Murasakibara's patience. "Don't tell me you haven't noticed. Or were you that fixated on Kagamicchi?" When Himuro did nothing but look down at the ground, Kise realized his mistake. "Oh. So you do know. Is it...I'm sorry to pry, but is it no good then? That's hard to believe when just mentioning him can make you blush like this, and the sight of him makes you smile."

"It's not that simple, Kise-kun. I can't promise him everything when I'm still torn like this. And he's a man who deserves everything. I won't play around with him-"

"And you are a man who plays around then? I doubt that, Himurocchi, I think you're exactly the opposite-"

"I'll hurt him. I hurt Taiga and I'm still not completely over him, and if I will not let Atsushi be hurt-"

Kise would have thrown his hands up into the air had he not been holding a drink. "You think he isn't already hurt? Look, I know I'm not as close to him as you are, but even I can see the situation between you two is a painful one. Besides, sometimes you have to move forward before you can move on, you know? It's not always the other way around."

Himuro opened his mouth to retort, but there was nothing he could say. Such thoughts had plagued him with increasing intensity over the last few months, and his serious physical attraction to Atsushi only helped to sway Kise's point.

"Regardless, you should probably be talking to Murasakibaracchi about all this, Himurocchi. Let him decide what will hurt him and what won't. He is an adult, even when he acts like he's not."

Himuro sipped at his beer, and finally nodded in acknowledgement. "Maybe you have a point, Kise-kun - at least about talking to Atsushi. We will see about all else. But for now, I think I had better go rescue him. It looks as if Akashi-san may be getting annoyed."

Kise paled. Although Akashi had long since reverted to his calmer, less psychotic self, there were still moments when the demon would emerge. He wished Himuro luck, and then slowly made his way to the eastern room, where several members of the Seirin team - Furihata, Kawahara, and Fukuda - had just rigged an iPod to a pair of external speakers, and an impromptu dance party had begun. Soon, members of the other teams and their alumi began to stream in.

It was pure luck that caused him to spot the dark shadow leaning against an even darker wall. Aomine seemed bent on ignoring the festivities, although he nursed a bottle of beer. Kise's heart flipped, and seeing that not one of the laughing, gyrating bodies paid him any attention, made his way over to Aomine.

He didn't look up as he approached, but Kise expected that. Touou had lost by only 3 points in the finals - the space of Midorima's final shot - and Aomine would take it harder than anyone. Yet that was what he was here for, wasn't it? To make him feel better? "Oi, Aomenicchi! Why are you here all by yourself? Don't you want to come join the party?"

Aomine looked up, and gave Kise a small, tight smile. "Yo, Kise. Just taking a breather. Don't worry about me, go on and dance." He glanced over at the growing throng of dancers, and whistled. "Well would you look at that. Those Seirin alums know how to move." The movements he was referring to - performed by Hyuuga Junpei, Aida Riko, and Kiyoshi Teppei - could have easily made its debut in the bedroom, as long as one was prepared to undergo it horizontally.

Kise stepped squarely in front of Aomine with all the grace of a runway model. He knew how to look good, how to present himself in the most flattering light, and how to coax honey from the stingiest bee. Aomine would be his, or his name wasn't Kise Ryouta. "Then let's go, Aomine. Come dance." His voice had dropped low and persuasive, and he leaned in closer so that he needn't shout over the music. "Forget about today. Let's just move. You know it will be good..."

Aomine shook his head, remaining silent. He took a pull at his beer, but even when he dropped the bottle, he had nothing to say. Kise's mouth twitched, but he wouldn't take such a half-hearted rejection. He moved closer, trailing his fingertips down Aomine's arm as he spoke.

"Come on, Daiki. Come with me. I'll make you feel better about everything. Just let go, neh? I'll show you how good I can move. And then maybe...I can show you how I want you to move." There. He finally had Aomine's attention, although the expression on his face was surprisingly stoic. He couldn't tell exactly what Aomine was reacting to - the use of his given name? Or the promise of seduction? Kise caught the way Aomine's eyes dropped to his lips when he parted them, and made a decision. He was going to kiss him. Then he'd step back and see if Aomine was still so indecisive...

"I'm sorry, Kise. I can't give you what you want."

Kise froze, his face less than six inches away from Aomine's. His eyes flew to his infatuation's, but there was no more hesitation in them. His stern, unreadable expression was back, although there was a small amount of pity there, too. He opened his mouth but Aomine would not let him speak.

"It's not you. You know that. Maybe if things were different I'd be open to it. But as it is, I can't. I'm sorry."

Kise straightened and fought against the urge to grind his teeth. Instead, he settled his best pair of puppy eyes on Aomine in the hopes of changing his mind. "So it's not that I'm...male? Is it because of the Cup finals?"

Aomine frowned. "No. Why would this have anything to do with basketball? And about you... I mean, a little, but maybe it's something I could look past. There's someone else though, and I can't look past them."

Knowing that he was digging his own grave, Kise continued on in the pursuit of knowledge. "And they don't want you back?"

There was suddenly a lot more pain in Aomine's eyes than he ever remembered seeing before. When he had surpassed everyone in middle school there had been emptiness and despair, but not this pain. This was fraught with it, and it made Kise's own heart twist in his chest. "No."

"Then have me instead." The words sprang unbidden to his lips, but they were honest. Kise wanted him badly enough to offer up himself, even if he could never get what he truly wanted in return. Just to be with him, once, was more than he had ever truly hoped for.

"It doesn't work like that Kise. You both mean too much to me. I'm sorry. I can't do it." He turned to go, laying a hand on Kise's shoulder as he passed him. It was gratifying to know that he had taken no offense, and even more so that he valued him so highly. Still, there was something Kise had to know.

"Is it Kurokocchi?"

Aomine turned back to face him, brows pointed into a question. "Tetsu? Ha, no way. It's pretty obvious what's going to happen there. But don't worry about it, Kise. I'll...I guess I can tell you if anything ever happens."

"Yeah. 'Cuz if nothing ever does, I'm coming for you again!" Kise winked and smiled brilliantly, the smile that had garnered him fame among the females of the nation. Aomine smiled back, but it was a thoughtful smile. He had not been fooled.

Yet then he was gone and there was nothing else Kise could do. He cast a wary eye over the impromptu dance floor, but it didn't seem as if anyone had noticed their altercation. Far more attention was upon the Seirin threesome that had broke outs- Hyuuga's and Aida were now kissing, and neither seemed upset about Kiyoshi's lips on Aida's neck, nor his hands that gripped Hyuuga's ass. Thank god for that - at least he could keep some semblance of pride. Not that pride was the important thing, here. He should focus on his courage, and the tears that may or may not be streaming down his face.

It was time to go. He couldn't stay and let someone see him like this. Sure, he cried at the drop of a hat, but he couldn't stomach the idea of anyone here comforting him. The only person he might be able to talk to and take comfort from was miles away, having been unable to come and support his old team. Still...maybe he'd give Kasamatsu-senpai a call. Yeah, he'd always been able to beat some sense into him...

…

...

Satsuki grinned at Furihata as he waved to her, signalling what looked to be a pair of speakers. Dancing would make the night memorable, she knew, but currently she was a woman on a mission, and would no longer be denied. She had lost Tetsu-kun in the crowds only a few minutes ago, but she knew if she couldn't find him soon it may take her all night. So, adequately loaded with liquid courage, she made it her business to find him now, come hell or high water.

She pushed her way through the teahouse's main room, planning on starting her search in the kitchen. Seeing Muk-kun, Akashi-kun, and Himuro-san in (agitated) conversation directly in front of it, she quickly revised her plan. Whatever the three of them were discussing (in steadily rising tones), she wanted no part of it. She merely hoped it wasn't what she thought it was - if Akashi was refusing Himuro and Murasakibara's potential relationship, Muk-kun would mope for years.

She turned her sights to the mainroom, yet was disheartened when she saw neither Tetsu-kun or Kagamin. Although there was a slight chance the Seirin stars wouldn't be together, she doubted it. They were best friends now, like Tetsu-kun and Dai-chan had been back in middle school, and tonight of all nights they would be together; accepting congratulations and sympathies, reminiscing with their friends (and not so friends), and keeping each other strong. In a way, it was inspiring to see a friendship like theirs. It rivalled what she and Dai-chan had, and-

"Ooof."

Satsuki squeaked as she ran into a veritable wall of human flesh. She backed away quickly, bowing in apology as she did. The apology was accepted with a smile and a nod, and somehow, she knew that Mitobe Rinnosuke was asking if she was all right. She cherpily replied that she was, going on to ask if he had possibly seen his old teammates recently? He smiled again, and pointed outside, and again, she knew he was directing her to the side alley. She bowed once in thanks, and then she was off.

It was cooler outside than she had expected. She hugged her elbows, rubbing her biceps briskly. Hopefully she would be able to entice Tetsu-kun to come back inside, where she would not feel half so sober, and flashing her cleavage would be socially acceptable.

"Tetsuya."

Satsuki felt something stir deep in her womb. She had never heard Kagamin speak with that tone of voice - so low, and deep, and...she shivered, unable to put words to the sensation. It kept her from walking boldly into the alley, however, and so she settled for peeking instead.

Oh dear god-

…

Kuroko Tetsuya was vastly displeased. Not only had Seirin lost to Touou during the first game of semi-finals, (five points, five measly, all-important points that even Kagami-kun and I could not make up) but he had since then been forced to spend the remainder of the day in the company of fools, clumsy teammates, and outright idiots.

At this moment, Kagami-kun encapsulated all three.

"Banzaiiiii Shuutoku, Legendary Kings!" Kuroko barely glanced at the (drunken) fool next to him, whom he vaguely remembered played for Shuutoku his first year of high school. Miyaji, was it? It didn't matter. He was simply one more cretin in a collection of halfwits and even amongst them Kagami-kun was an absolute cad-

Kuroko's hand shook, sloshing alcohol over the rim of the cup. Judging by the hazy quality of the people, objects, and walls in his sights, his one drink had been one too many. Judging by the rage simmering in his belly, however, he'd had the perfect amount. As long as he didn't drink too much as to become conspicuous, he'd be perfect. He was in no mood to talk to anyone tonight, especially as the one man he would deign to speak to was too busy talking to someone else.

Kuroko pressed up against the wall as his former teammates, Mitobe-senpai and Koganei-senpai, rushed past him. Koganei-senpai was wearing a overturned lampshade on his head, and his pants seemed to be inside out. Koganei-senpai, like Kagami-kun, was a complete and total idiot.

Kuroko sighed. He had to get out of this funk! He couldn't just hate everybody and everything because Seirin had lost. That would be demeaning the amount of work the entire team had put in, and the blood, sweat, and tears it had taken to even get them this far.

No, but it is entirely appropriate to be mad at Kagami-kun for his asinine life choices!

As if he wanted to exacerbate himself against the man further, Kuroko's eyes swung over to where he was - chatting happily with his best friend, Himuro Tatsuya. They both looked relaxed and happy, and it made his stomach churn. Kuroko drank deeply, draining his cup. Enough was enough. He wasn't going to take any more of this. So what if Kagami-kun only got to see Himuro-san a few times a year? Kagami-kun and he had a thing to work out, and it was getting resolved tonight.

Using his misdirection to weave (slightly unsteadily) through the crowds, Kuroko made his way to Kagami-kun's elbow. It was a testament to the years they had spent together that Kagami wasn't even startled at Kuroko's appearance. He simply looked down, frowned, and shifted a little so that Kuroko and Himuro had a clear view of each other.

"Ahh, hey, Kuroko. Did you need something?"

Kuroko didn't immediately reply. Instead, he bowed slightly to Himuro-san in greeting, trying very hard not to notice just how attractive he was, and how little he, himself would fare in comparison. He then jabbed Kagami in the back, taking care to keep his face impassive and the rest of his body perfectly still.

To his credit, Kagami-kun did not stumble forward, flinch, or cry out. If his left eye twitched, it was probably missed in the dim light of the teahouse. "Oh yeah, I forgot we had to go see the senpai - sorry, Tatsu-nii, I gotta' go. I'll call you later, 'k?"

Himuro waved his goodbyes, and all Kuroko chose to focus on was the regret in his expression. Stupid, good-looking shooting guards - they all thought so damn highly of themselves, and spent entirely too much time with his power forward-

Kuroko's train of thought abruptly re-aligned itself when he felt Kagami's hand engulf his. He tilted his head down so that Kagami wouldn't see the flush steal over his cheekbones, but Kagami was headed directly for the exit, looking nowhere else but his destination. Kuroko's scowl lessened as he felt his anger melt into the warmth of Kagami's palm. Stupid tigers, stupid warm hands, stupid butterflies in my chest. It wasn't until Kagami had dragged him out of the teahouse and into the side alley that he let go of his hand. At this, Kuroko's scowl became a glower, and his anger reasserted itself. He wrapped his indignation around him like a cloak, and used it to shield himself when Kagami turned around, clearly annoyed as well.

"This better be good, Kuroko. You know I never get to see Tatsuya."

Kuroko's cheeks puffed out like a child's, and he did not care at all. "We need to talk, Kagami-kun. It is important."

"And it couldn't wait one friggin' night? Seriously, Kuroko, sometimes I just don't get you."

Kuroko scowled, but sucked his cheeks back in. "No, it cannot wait. Our balance has been off for weeks, and I allowed it only because it did not affect our team play, but now that the Cup is over, we need to address this."

Kagami's distinctive eyebrows rose to his hairline. "We have to talk about that tonight? C'mon, Kuroko, live a little! I'll still be here tomorrow, won't I?"

Kuroko glared at him, and muttered under his breath, "Isn't that the whole problem, Bakagami?"

"I heard that. And no, it's not a problem, it's my choice-"

"It's the wrong choice! You can't stay here for such childish reasons-"

"They're not childish, Kuroko, you just won't accept them-"

"Of course I won't accept them!"

"Well, why not?!"

"Because they make me angry!"

Kagami started, surprised by Kuroko's passionate outburst. Kuroko felt his breath come in short pants, slightly surprised as well. He hadn't realized alcohol was so effective at unravelling his sensibilities. He would have to be wary in the future, but for now, he could only regret Kagami had chosen not to imbibe.

Kagami looked down at the ground, rubbing the back of his neck. "Why do they make you angry, Kuroko?"

Kuroko exhaled angrily, but his rage was ebbing in the face of Kagami's tired, quiet tone. No matter how angry he was with his partner, he never wanted to hurt him. "Because you're wasting yourself if you stay here. You have the chance to go back to America, and to play with one of the top college teams in the nation! How many people do you think get recruited from Japan, huh? Not even Aomine got that kind of attention! Japan doesn't have that kind of opportunity. There's nothing for you, here. I don't understand why you want to stay."

Kagami looked at him, for a moment so piercingly direct that Kuroko was almost forced to looked away. Yet he then averted his gaze to the ground and smiled grimly. "I guess you don't. But it's not up to you, Kuroko. I want to stay. There's more for me here than you think."

Something in his tone warned Kuroko not to push the issue, but his lack of patience and sobriety urged him to ignore it. "Like what? Will you just go pro? You talked about going to college, you even looked several up with me. I don't understand. Why not just go to college in America?"

"Is everything about basketball with you? Maybe there's something worth staying for that isn't basketball. Did you ever think about that?"

Kuroko stared wide-eyed and unblinking at the man in front of him. "That's impossible," he announced flatly. And it was. There was simply no way that Kagami-kun was making a major life decision without basing it off the most important aspect of his life. "I don't believe you."

Kagami grit his teeth and looked as if he might not mind knuckling down on Kuroko's head. "Well it's true, so you'll just have to get over it."

"No, it's simply - fine. Fine. Then tell me: what is so important here? Is it the food, the culture?"

Kagami began to look vaguely uncomfortable, and it mixed oddly with his frustration. "No. 'M still not really used to the culture here, and I can't deny that I miss American food and portions."

"Is it the language, then? The writing?"

Kagami frowned, clearly not liking where this was going. "No, my English is fine, and you know my kanji is fuckin' terrible, there's no need to keep bringing it up-"

Kuroko's heart was pounding against his chest. The drink and the late hour was pulling at his rage, tweaking it until it became something that lay heavy and constricting over his body. Why wouldn't Kagami-kun just talk to him? Why was he being so stupid? "It can't be the basketball, because there's no doubt the competition over there is superior at a college level. It also cannot be a family matter, as I know you are on good terms with your parents, and miss them quite a bit. So tell, Kagami-kun. At the clear expense of your future, why. Do you want. To stay?"

Kagami took a step closer to him while throwing his hands down to his sides. The pain on his face was now obvious, concealing even his frustration. "Because you are staying in Japan!" Kagami sucked in his breath, and then swore in English. "Fuck."

All the world had quieted. If he listened, he was sure he could hear Japan's heartbeat, thumping in the same erratic rhythm of his own. "What did you say, Kagami-kun?"

Kagami rubbed his face roughly with his palm, and rocked back and forth from the pads of his feet to his heels. "I think you know what fuck means, Kuroko."

"No. The part before that."

Kagami wouldn't look at him. He wouldn't meet his awestruck expression with his own. "I want...to stay where you are."

He had never hoped for this. He had never dreamed of this. He had been raised in a culture where this was wrong, even though it seemed to be rampant among their friends. Yet the words spread sunlight over his heart, and his anger utterly vanished. Kagami-kun was not an idiot. Kagami-kun was brilliant.

But perhaps he was interpreting things incorrectly. He was quite tipsy, after all. "But you don't...then why don't you..." Why couldn't he just say it? "If you like me, why don't you say my name?"

Kagami's brows knitted. He obviously hadn't been expecting that. Kuroko didn't blame him, as he hadn't either. "What- your name? But I..." he trailed off, swallowed, and took a deep, cautious breath. "I didn't think you wanted me to."

Kuroko was suddenly and inexorably fixated on the idea of his name coming out of Kagami's mouth. Wanted it? He wouldn't be living until it happened; his given name coming out the mouth of the tiger. It was practically like being hunted wasn't it? The thought of that was almost too much, however, and all Kuroko could manage was a whisper. "Say my name, Kagami-kun." Say it and make me forget everything, all my helpless anger and how this is forbidden. Say it and make me prove how much I need you.

"Tetsuya."

Out of the tiger's mouth came a voice unlike Kuroko had ever heard before - low, rich, dark; full of desire and its promise. Kuroko felt as if he had been given wings. He used them immediately, throwing himself forward and jumping up into Kagami's arms.

Kagami's back hit the brick behind it the same moment their mouths collided. Neither boy paid the jarring impact any mind. Between them lay the weight of years of unspoken desire that had steadily evolved into this overpowering attraction. Their only concern, for now and the immediate future, was to prove their love for each other in the most physical way possible.

Now there was no more indecision, no more bitten lips and mantras of propriety; there was only the hot slide of tongue over teeth; kisses and sucks; gasps and moans. Kagami was particularly vocal, pulling away from their kisses to mutter encouragement - god you're perfect; fuck, yes; Tetsuya Tetsuya Tetsuya- against Kuroko's thin lips. There was nothing Kuroko could say in reply. He could only act on the insatiable urge to push up against Kagami, and hope that he understood the depth of his feelings through the desperation of his kisses.

His breath caught as Kagami hitched him higher, spinning them around so that he could pin Kuroko against the wall. Ahh, this- this was better. Now Kuroko could feel the full effect of Kagami's body against his, and anticipation mingled with the pleasure coiling in his gut. Kagami's mouth slanted over his, and Kuroko struggled to match his passion. All these years, and this was what he truly wanted. He had wanted to be devoured.

"Mmmm. Kagami-kun-"

Kagami pulled back just enough so he could rake his dark eyes over Kuroko's face. Kuroko shivered, and his cock throbbed painfully. Kagami's current expression - hungry and alert like a wild animal - had long been Kuroko's most potent sexual fantasy. That it was directed at him, and not any of their opponents on the court made him groan and mindlessly rub himself against Kagami's abdomen. Kagami smirked, yet turned away when Kuroko moved in to kiss him.

"Nuh-uh, Tetsuya. You gotta say my name, too."

Kuroko whined needily and tried to entice Kagami back into a kiss. This time, Kagami let himself be pulled down, but instead of giving Kuroko what he wanted, he planted his mouth on Kuroko's neck. It wasn't until he set his teeth against the smooth skin that Kuroko finally gave in.

"Taiga!"

Kagami bit down, not quite breaking the skin. It set Kuroko off like nothing else could - he arched into Kagami, calling out roughly and cracking his head against the brick. It was not until the stars cleared that he realized he had not orgasmed. That there seemed to be no difference between the two sensations staggered him.

"Kuro-Tetsuya, are you ok? Jesus I'm sorry I didn't mean to do it that hard. Ahhh fuckfuckfuck Tetsuya you didn't have a concussion, did you?"

Kuroko shook his head, wondering if it was impolite to quiet Kagami's worries with a kiss. He then did so anyway.

"Tetsu-mmm."

Yet he now knew the impossibility of continuing this in the alley, and would rather they reached the hotel before he committed the impropriety of coming in his pants. With that in mind, he brought his hands to Kagami's face, and pinched his cheeks.

"Ow, what the fuck? Ku-Tetsu-"

"We should go back to the hotel, Kagami-kun, unless you wish to be arrested. I have a feeling Kagami-kun is the type who wouldn't stop even for a police officer."

Blood pooled in his cheeks and he nearly dropped Kuroko in his surprise. "That! No, I wouldn't - not here and of course I would stop! I mean, jeez, Kuroko. Why do you say such things?" His protestation were undermined by the gentleness in his hands as he lowered Kuroko to the ground, and the way he kept one arm around him even when he no longer needed to. Kuroko smiled, happier now than he had been in weeks-months-years. Judging by the embarrassed scowl Kagami was sporting, he was as well.

"Kagami-kun?"

"I thought we were on first name terms now?"

"Only when we are kissing, I think. Otherwise I will attack you too often."

The scowl deepened in direct correlation to his blush. Kuroko attempted to hide his grin behind his hand, but he did not try too hard. Kagami noticed this and began walking faster.

"Goddamnit, Kuroko. Why do I even put up with this? Maybe I should go back to America." The last part he said in an aside, but Kuroko's ears were sharper than he'd like.

"That remains to be seen, Kagami-kun. But we will talk about that in the morning. Right now, I think we should get to the hotel so I can take your pants off. Preferably with my teeth."

"Kuroko! I- just...! Ok, let's go."

"Lead the way, Kagami-kun."

…

Aomine suspected it would take between eleven and seventeen minutes for Tetsu to turn Satsuki down. There were outside variables that might skew his reasoning, of course, but as long as Tetsu hadn't gotten too drunk he could safely say fourteen minutes, give or take another three. His timing had gone a little off due to his interaction with Kise, however. That had been more than unexpected, and it was something he knew he would have to devote some thought to. Ultimately nothing would change, however. Although Kise was very attractive, and he himself was sexually aware of him, he couldn't kiss him when his head was so full of-

"Dai-dai...Dai-chan?"

Oh, fuck. Tugging at his elbow was Satsuki, dead on time and looking up at him wide, empty eyes. Although he had expected this seeing it was still a punch to his gut. He swallowed down the lump in his throat as he pulled her into a hug, not bothering to see who was watching. Everyone had long since migrated to the dance floor, anyway, with the exception of Akashi and Murasakibara who seemed to be undergoing some sort of impromptu sumo match with Himuro as an ineffectual referee. No one was going to care about them, two childhood friends embracing in the entryway of a teahouse.

"Satuski. I'm so sorry. Let's go back, ok? I already have your coat."

She was unnaturally still against him, not even lifting her arms to hug him back. This was wrong, nearly as wrong as the absence of tears and her silence. Aomine began to think dark thoughts of Tetsu, even though lusting after Bakagami was probably the worst punishment he could wish on a person. "Satsuki, hey. It's gonna' be ok. C'mere, let me take you home-"

"They- they were - Dai-chan? Why were they...?"

Worry settled over his bones. They? Tetsu wasn't plural, no matter how you looked at it. Unless, of course, he had been with Kagami- "Satsuki, calm down. I don't understand. What happened? Who's they? I thought you talked to Tetsu?"

Momoi shook her head slowly, incomprehension in her eyes. "Didn't talk. Went to find him. And then I did. I saw it, Daiki. I saw them."

Daiki. She had never, ever, called him that. He was going to kill Tetsu. "C'mon, Satsuki. We're going back to the hotel. I'll fix everything, I promise-"

"No!" Her eyes flashed with fear and she dug her heels into the floor. "No! Don't go out there! They - no, Dai-chan. No. They're still out there."

Her fear and his confusion killed any inclination to argue with her. He remembered that the kitchen had a back exit, and nodded firmly. Taking hold of her hand, he led her to the back of the teahouse, carefully circumnavigating their old teammates.

"Atsushi! Let me in the kitchen this instant or I will murder your parents!"

"You need to update your threats, Akachin. Also my parents would crush you."

"At this point, I am no longer angry. I just want to know why I cannot go in the kitchen. It is now my life's goal."

Aomine deftly kicked the door open while taking hold of Satsuki with both hands. She was shaking now, and whatever had happened to her out there was finally taking hold. He hoped the shock would hold until they got her back to the hotel, otherwise he was going to have a difficult time explaining the sobbing woman in his arms to anyone they met on the street.

As soon as they had made their way through the door at the end of the empty kitchen, Satsuki collapsed onto the pavement outside. She stared down at her splayed fingers as if she had never seen them before. Not for the first time, Aomine regretted never warning her that Tetsu might never return her feelings. If he hadn't been so weak then, perhaps the devastation wouldn't be so bad now...

"Dai-chan, I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. I know I'm acting like I'm crazy. I just can't...I can't handle this. They were kissing, Dai-chan. Tetsu and Kagamin. They were kissing."

Ahh. Aomine hummed as he briefly considered this. Apparently, against all odds, Tetsu's longtime infatuation with Bakagami had somehow paid off. Furthermore, he assumed this would mean that their weeks-long cold war about Kagami's college plans was won, or at least been set aside. Lastly, this meant he didn't have to kill Tetsu for intentionally breaking Satsuki's heart. Beyond that he didn't give a damn. "Well. At least you know it wasn't you, Satsuki. I mean, there's nothing you can do if Tetsu is...that way." Like Kise, his mind supplied unhelpfully. Why are all my friends gay?

Unfortunately for Aomine, it was his lack of surprise which punctured her shock rather than his attempt at comforting her.

"Wait. Dai-chan, did you know? Were they together and you didn't tell me? How could you?!" She looked so much like her mother Aomine flinched away on instinct, as her okaa-san was quite possibly the scariest woman he had ever met.

"No! No, they weren't together, Satsuki. If I'd have known I'd have told you, I swear."

Satsuki's rage lasted for the space of his assurance, and then the tears finally began to fall. Sighing deeply, Aomine wrapped his arms around her and hoisted her up to her feet. He then squatted back down and gritted his teeth. "Hop on. Otherwise I'll carry you like a princess all the way to the hotel."

Satsuki rubbed her eyes with her fists, ineffectually trying to hide her tears. "No you won't. You hate carrying me!"

"Do not test me, Satsuki. You better climb on before I hold you all the way there. I may even give you kisses too, so you better be careful."

She continued to sniffle, but jerkily climbed onto his back. Kissing monster, he thought he heard her mutter, and his heart lightened. His childhood threat to kiss her in public had only worked up until puberty, when she had grown out of her coltish legs, flat chest, and stick-straight body. Consequently, that had been the year he had begun to appreciate gravure models. Still, it seemed a step in the right direction that she could admonish him about it even now.

He stood up slowly, so as not to jostle her tenuous hold. He caught a joking comment about her weight on the tip of his tongue, and after he swallowed it down, wondered if this was how sainthood felt. He had further chance to examine the possibilities of holy life when he felt her slip down his back, and instinctively used both hands to hoist her higher.

"Eeep! Dai-chan! Where do you think you're touching?"

Whomever had first lauded being in love with your best friend was seriously, seriously wrong.

"Just keeping you on there, Satsuki. Why, are you afraid I'll touch your boring panties?"

Satsuki pounded her fists against his broad back. "They're not boring! They are comfortable and economical. Not everyone wears panties like your stupid models, you know."

I know, Aomine thought. And if you were ever to wear those, I would probably have to kill myself. Via nosebleed. And inaction.

God, I hate myself.

The two fell silent, slowly yet surely making their way to the hotel. Every so often one of her tears would fall against the back of his neck, and his next step would be a bit more definite than it needed to be. This was a circle of hell, he was sure. To be so close to the woman he loved, yet completely unable to touch her heart; she relied on him for comfort, yet he could never be explicit in his feelings. Even when he held her in the teahouse it was a mixed blessing - as good as it felt to have her in his arms, her pain cut him more deeply than anyone could ever know. Now he would be by her side as she got over her heartbreak and the end of her first love. Although he had been waiting for this moment since their second year of middle school, he did not feel ready for it at all.

"I thought...I thought Kagamin was with Himuro-san. Or at least that he liked him."

Aomine's mouth twisted at the thought. While Tetsu had long since told him of his feelings, Bakagami's feelings were never even a topic of debate. To anyone who knew him at all, the obvious answer was basketball, end of. It was true that his relationship with Himuro was something special, and judging by Murasakibara's possessiveness and vague animosity towards Kagami, Himuro probably had feelings for him. Yet Tetsu had claimed Kagami and Himuro were like brothers, and Aomine saw no reason to disbelieve that. Besides, he could remember a time or two when he'd caught a light in Kagami's eyes that was uncomfortably close to what he himself hid from Satsuki. "He was never with Himuro, I can say that for certain. I'm pretty sure it was all platonic on his side, at any rate."

Satsuki laid her head against his, and he could feel the wetness of her cheek against the nape of his neck. "It wasn't platonic between them, though. Tetsu-kun was-" Her breath hitched and she shuddered before she could continue, "Tetsu-kun likes him a lot, doesn't he?"

Satsuki was asking more than one question. Aomine knew this, and therefore prepared himself to be hit quite hard, probably on the back of the head. "Yes."

"For a long time?"

"Yeah."

"Did you know?"

It was in times like this that he wished he could lie to her; wished she didn't know him as well as she did, and while he was at it, wished he wasn't in love with her, either. "...Yes." Now he could only wish for a helmet.

Yet the expected abuse did not come, and that worried him more than anything else. "Satsuki? Are you ok back there?" When no reply came, he inwardly swore and kept on. "Ahh jeez. I know you're mad, so go on and hit me, ok? I'm sorry. I promised Tetsu I wouldn't say anything. And I didn't want to hurt you, either, so I just kept quiet. I realize now I should have said something. I shouldn't have kept his secret when it meant you'd be this hurt-"

"Dai-chan?"

He swallowed. "Yeah?"

"What was more important?"

"Between...?"

"Tetsu-kun and me. What was more important, keeping his secret, or protecting me?"

"You." The answer was out of his mouth before his brain had fully processed the answer, and the ramifications of answering it. He cringed, and was desperately glad she couldn't see his face right now. He should have pretended to think about it, buying some time and some normalcy. Maybe he could even save himself now, by dropping a flippant line - well I'm here now, baka; or 'Course it's you. Kuroko can't shriek the way you do- but the moment had stretched on too long. There was nothing he could do about it now. So he simply hitched her up a little higher onto his back, and kept on walking.

"Thank you, Dai-chan." Her arms tightened momentarily around his shoulders, and for a fleeting moment he could have sworn he felt the faint imprint of her lips at the nape of his neck. "Thank you for being here for me. And for being my best friend. For being Dai-chan."

Then, because his mouth and heart had entered into an alliance against him, he couldn't help but reply. "I'm always here for you, Satsu. Always."

…

This is an ambitious plan, but I hope to update once a week on Sunday afternoons. So. Look forward to the next installment!

...

Drunken Shin-chan was nearly too adorable for me to write about at work. He generally elicits high-pitched undignified noises, and I simply cannot help myself.

...

I don't remember what year Himuro is (in school). My bad. I know he's a year older than Kagami, but I couldn't remember if he had been held back a year or not, and decided to have him graduate a year earlier than the boys anyways. Please correct me if I'm wrong! (I'm probably wrong. I'm often wrong.)

Comments? Questions? Concerns? There's a button for that :)