Let It Rain

by SparrowOfTheBlock101

"Life is a storm - either get an umbrella or dance in the rain." - Anonymous "Clarity is momentum that has no resistance in it." - Abraham Hicks

1. Chapter 1

He could remember how they met with full on clarity that only ever happened in a game...

Daiki had been walking beneath an overpass, ducking out of the rain. He'd skipped practice, no longer able to stand the sound of the basketball bouncing, the swish of the hoop, the squeak of the shoes (he kept seeing eyes dimming, no longer full of passion). His hand went through his hair and he sighed heavily. For the moment, he stood there, feeling his phone vibrate against his side, knowing it was Satsuki or Akashi. He just - he couldn't find anything in him to care. How could he when basketball had become boring?

It was the sound of music that brought him out of his stupor. Dropping his hand, he looked around and moved closer to the other exit, where the noise was originating. Blue eyes fell on a bag cradling speakers and a phone, the devices attached. Next to them was a pair of orange converse sneakers and small black socks. His brows furrowed and he looked back up and saw a figure dancing the rain, spinning wildly. There was female laughter. Stepping closer, Daiki was a bit relieved that the rain was light enough to see the girl, maybe around his age or so, clearly.

Barefoot, her legs were clad in ripped blue jeans and her (rather large, he noted automatically) torso was covered by a grey tank top and a orange crop top hoodie. Black hair made darker by the rain was set up in a really messy bun and when she came to a spinning halt facing his way, left leg swinging water up in the air with a louder, gleeful laugh and wide splash and he thought some sort of image covered her when there was the sound of thunder, lightning striking in the background and making the area around her go white for a second. The wide smile made his chest ache, reminding him of his (tainted) love for basketball. She spun once more, kicking up water with her right leg this time…

And stilled, staring straight at him.

Both were frozen, the music playing distantly with the rain cutting in from time to time. He barely moved when he breathed, blue eyes hardly blinking. Daiki felt like whatever happened next, could make or break something, he just didn't know what it was. He doubted she knew, too.

The girl broke the tension, straightening and standing tall. Her head tilted slightly and she held out her right arm, hand out.

He swallowed, not sure why, but pulled his phone out of his pocket and slid it into his backpack and dropped it beside hers. Daiki bent over tugging his laces and removing first his shoes, then his socks. Those off, he rolled his pants up to his knees and walked over to her.

The first step into a puddle made him grimace, the cold water lashing angrily at his toes. Rain got him wet instantly and his hair plastered itself against his head and the top of his forehead. His steps were quick and soon he was beside her, looking down into blue-green eyes. A pause. A breath in. A breath out. He reached out and placed his hand against hers, the tiny palm shifting so their fingers linked and she pulled him closer. Her pale pink cheeks turned redder and she beamed up at him, blinking against the rain.

"Do you know how to waltz?" She asked over the rain.

A small frown formed. He knew a little from what he'd been forced to do with Satsuki when she had her dancing phase. "A little."

"That's okay, that's what the spinning is for."

Blue eyes blinked down at her and then they were moving. Somehow (he still didn't know how) they got into position. His hand resting along the back of her waist, hers on his shoulder. Their other hands were clasped together and she lead their dance. When he fumbled a step, she simply turned it into a wide spin. Her lips stretched once more into a gleeful grin and her eyes were bright as she looked up at him. He couldn't help smiling back. She was just a little shorter than him, just up to his shoulders, a bit taller than Satsuki. Her chest pressed against his and he could feel it more with every spin, their breathing speeding up at every turn. Before he realized it, he was laughing. Not one reason why, but for some reason, he felt lighter than he had in days.

(The beast was content for the first time in weeks)

"Aomine Daiki."

She blinked at him and smiled softly. "Tachibana Kasumi."

Nothing else was said as they continued to dance in the rain, losing track of the hours. It was only when the speakers blared an alarm that they stopped. After that, everything lost its clarity as the two rushed to get their stuff and get back home in the late night. But not before exchanging numbers and plans to meet in the rain again…

---

He remembered asking her to be his girlfriend…

It was a couple months after their meeting, near the beginning of winter break in their second year, months after when Murasakibara had challenged Akashi and a different Akashi appeared. When it happened, Daiki spent the majority of his time hiding beneath the overpass. Kasumi joined him, as both were from Teiko (he was surprised, as he'd never seen her there until learning she was in class 2-A and tended to disappear into the photography clubrooms) and she was one of the better photographers so she got away with more things despite her begrudgingly will to take sport pictures. That, he knew mainly because she'd force him to go on walks with her while she took pictures. Daiki personally preferred her rain photos.

At the time, they were wandering through the light snow along the streets near the Touou Academy. The duo had begun learning more about each other, the girl coming out of her comfort zone and losing some of her awkwardness. She was different depending on the situation. When it came to photography, she had no compunctions about ordering him around if she included him in a picture. At dancing, she tended to forgo personal boundaries and get up close, bright and loud as she sung with the songs (which, as most were from America, helped to improve his English speaking) and her eyes would light up (her eyes would be so full of passion, so full of life that it hurt, wishing even more to have someone to play against). During moments that didn't have the two, she was quieter, but startlingly honest. Of course, she had no problems about insulting people or things under her breath when she was upset, which happened a lot when they (mainly her) did homework. Kasumi would switch to either English or Spanish when she did and he found himself slowly learning the languages as he asked her about them. Not to mention she sometimes used Pokemons as descriptions (she usually called him a Snorlax).

For their walk at the time, they were curiously looking at Touou.

"So, do you plan on going here, Daiki?" She asked as she looked through her viewfinder to the building. "It's near your house and all."

Daiki grunted as he leaned against the stone wall surrounding the school. "Ah. Maybe? Don't really know. You?"

Kasumi shrugged as she pulled away from the camera and scowled at it. "I think I might go to Seirin. It's only a few blocks away from my house, so less travel time and completely new slate."

"Lazy," he drawled and smirked at her flat look.

"You're one to talk," she said, but her lips were twitching as she looked through the camera at the school again, shifting her body. There was a faint click.

Daiki silently straightened and walked up behind her, dropping his chin on her head and making her twitch as his arm looped around her shoulders. He lazily looked the tiny picture screen over. "Are ya gonna do that contrast thing to it? Looks like it'd be better with the lights brighter on the sidewalk."

Her head shifted and he lifted his as she began mumbling to herself, dropping his head lightly onto her scarf-covered shoulder instead. Her voice was indecipherable as she messed with her camera. He breathed in the light apple scent and buried his face into her shoulder, thinking.

"Oi, Kasumi."

"Hmm?"

"I like you. Be my girlfriend."

Pit pat pit pat pit pat

"One condition."

"Ah?"

"Teach me more about basketball."

Scoff. "That's a given. Don't need you seeming like a bad girlfriend for not knowing crap 'bout basketball."

"Don't be such a Beedrill."

"Hey. You know I don't do black and yellow, stop that."

"They have white-silver wings."

"I don't do that either."

---

They graduated from Teiko and were relaxing beneath the overpass again. Rain could be hear echoing through the area and seen on either side.

"Touou, huh? Least it's still in Tokyo," Kasumi hummed lightly as she frowned idly at his magazine that she stole.

Daiki scoffed lightly. "Satsuki's following me, though. She's treating me like a kid."

"Poor Daiki," she teased, eyes flicking to his above the magazine. "At least you won't have to deal with Kise-san daily."

He laughed. "You didn't have to go with the Zunon Boy internship."

Kasumi groaned. "Yes, I did. It's the only one close by that I won't have too much travel time." She paused and slapped the magazine with a Spanish curse. "That position is wrong! If they really wanted to accent her curves they'd have her use her arm to push her breasts up and looking over her shoulder back at the camera!" She fumed.

A choked laugh escaped him and he rolled closer to her, draping an arm around her waist and pressed his grinning face against her clothed thigh. "You know most girls would be upset about their boyfriend having a gravure magazine, not the whole "wrong position.""

She huffed and pouted at the magazine before dropping it on his bag. "They've clearly never thought about improving and complimenting other girls than." Kasumi leaned back against the stone wall of the tunnel and began running her fingers through his hair. The music was softer than usual and he could feel himself falling into a doze.

"I'll watch over them."

The soft whisper made him look up at her with one eye. Her blue-green eyes were calm as she gazed at him. A small smile tugged at his lips and he squeezed her slightly.

"Thank you."

---

A week after the school year began, Ryouta lead his new coach and team out of the Zunon Boy branch in Tokyo. Takeuchi had wanted to meet with his manager and his team (mainly Moriyama and Hayakawa) wanted to see the building and the people. The meeting was over, though Takeuchi was still speaking with his manager a bit and they were getting ready to head back to Kanagawa.

He blinked in surprise as he spotted familiar dark blue hair in the courtyard of the building when the regulars left the building. "Aominecchi?" He mumbled as he spotted a bouquet in the darker teen's hands.

Aomine was dressed in grey cargo shorts, a surprisingly orange shirt, and a loose dark blue jacket. He wasn't wearing sneaker either, rather just white sandals and Ryouta was a little stunned because he actually looked nice! He was usually just dressed in easy to move clothes that never complemented each other! The bouquet also matched his outfit and Ryouta could only name the flowers thanks to his older sisters and mom. Orange tiger lilies and blue irises with white plumeria flowers popping up between the two colors. He'd look up the meanings later, for now…

"Ah, look! It's Aominecchi!" His senpai followed his gaze and he gleefully bounced over to his former teammate, calling out. "Aominecchi!"

The other teen looked up from his bag, blinking blankly at the blond. "Kise?"

"What are you doing here? Is Momocchi here?" The blond asked curiously. "I haven't seen you since graduation!"

A scowl of annoyance formed on Aomine's face. "I'm not a kid, Satsuki doesn't need to stick to me. And I'm here to pick someone up."

"Eeeh?" Kise twitched in surprise as his teammates came up beside him.

"Is it a girl?" Moriyama asked curiously and Kasamatsu twitched slightly.

"I'd hope so," Aomine drawled, eyeing the seniors and nodding silently in greeting before looking at his phone and then the door. "Yeah, she should be here by now…"

Aomine trailed off and Ryouta stilled underneath his hooded, unimpressed stare. He tried smiling, but it came out weakly. "Aominecchi?"

"I don't think I need to tell you to keep this quiet, do I, Kise?" A dark blue eyebrow raised. "I'd rather not have anyone sticking their nose in my business. Wouldn't wanna haveta harvest any toes and use 'em in voodoo."

"H-hai." Ryouta paled rapidly and blinked at the faint, crooked grin forming.

"Good. It was nice seeing you." Aomine glanced at his seniors. "I expect to see you in the Inter High. See ya."

That said, he tilted his head and slipped around them, heading towards the company entrance. The Kaijo boys turned to see a girl, one Ryouta recognized as the photographer intern, step out of the building. Her steps faltered along with Aomine's as they glanced between each other. She was dressed in matching orange ripped capris, dark blue shirt under a grey jacket, and white sandals. The black haired girl (why couldn't he recall her name?!) said something and the two laughed. Accepting the bouquet, her face lit up and Aomine took her hand before they began walking away from the building. Her camera bag rested on her hip as they walked, swaying slightly.

Ryouta stared in confusion, never knowing that Aomine could be such a gentlemen.

"I'm guessing Aomine usually isn't like this?" Ryouta looked at Kobori, blinking.

"Ah, yeah. He's never acted like this before…" he trailed off, frowning. 'What else is there I don't know? And I can't even tell Momocchi… Does she even know?'

"Well, you better keep your word about not talking about this." Hayakawa said, glancing at the blond. "He seemed like he'd hit you if he did."

The blond bristled, pouting at the brunet. "I wouldn't do that! Besides," he shivered. "Aominecchi has too much blackmail on me."

"Wonder if he'll share," Kasamatsu mused and Ryouta squawked. "What? If it keeps you in line…"

He could only flail, horrified. "Senpai, no! There's already too much blackmail on me out there, there doesn't need to be more! Senpai!"

Ignoring him, Moriyama glanced at Kasamatsu. "Can't we just make our own blackmail?"

"We don't usually have our phones on us, though," Kobori pointed out quietly.

The four continued speaking about it and ignoring their ace blatantly (Kasamatsu did bop him on the head when he got too loud).

---

"They had a practice game," Kasumi said as she plopped down beside Daiki on the sleeping bag they'd stashed in a tree near the tunnel.

"Hah?" Daiki rolled onto his side, confused at the lack of greeting.

"Seirin and Kaijo. I managed to sneak my way onto Kaijo grounds to watch," She held up her phone. "Wanna see?"

He side eyed it then nodded, sitting up and leaning his back against the wall. "So long as we don't need to do homework. Satsuki's getting suspicious over my grades."

The girl snickered as she slumped against his side, passing him the phone. "I can try and help you go for a C average if you want…"

His eyes flicked down to her and he dropped his arm on her shoulders. "What's up?"

She was silent and he chose to watch the videos, letting her gather her thoughts. He kept himself relaxed as he watched the videos, scowling when he saw Kise accidentally hit Tetsu and squished Kasumi slightly. "How did you not go down there and fuss over Tetsu?"

"Hmm?" Kasumi lifted her legs over his so she could get closer. "Ah, I followed his team to the doctor. When they got out, Aida Riko, their coach, said he was cleared, no concussion."

A hum left him as the game finished. "So the redhead is his new Light, then… Kasumi…" He trailed off, locking eyes with her.

A small, apologetic smile turned up her lips. "You screwed up, doll. You're gonna have to fix it yourself."

Lips pursing, he squinted at the phone. "I know… anyway, what were ya thinkin' about earlier?"

Grimacing, she sat up straight. Her eyes flickered everywhere but his. "I was, uh, thinkin' about becoming their manager…"

"Why the stalling?" Daiki asked curiously, toying with her hand.

Kasumi coughed slightly and he watched in slight amusement as her cheeks turned red. "I, uh, wanted to stalk them a bit longer…?"

Daiki laughed and wobbled their legs. "So you admit it! You are a stalker!"

Her face turned even darker and she frogged him in the thigh, making him flail slightly in pain. She sighed. "I don't know, I still have basketball terms to get right and not mix up… Maybe…" Kasumi scowled at the far wall.

Rubbing his thigh, he nudged her. "Give it a few weeks. Your brain will turn to mush if you don't chill."

"It's been a year and a half, though… I should know them by now."

At her pout, he leaned forward and kissed her softly. Pulling away, he murmured, "Let's go to the big mall, yeah? You can scout the camera store."

He felt her lips turn up into a grin. "Don't you mean terrorize the workers."

They kissed again.

---

Slouching against a pillar, Daiki glanced around the mall and up at the skylight, squinting. 'She must be getting more polaroid film.'

Pulling his phone out, he double checked with her.

In reply, she sent back a picture of a polaroid set, multi tinted greyscale items, and asking if he wanted one.

From: Uxie
'THEY'RE ON SALE, IS IT MY LUCKY DAY OR WHAT?!'

He laughed at the message quietly.

From: Snorlax
'They got basketball stickers?'

From: Uxie
'Lucky day~ Lucky day~'

From: Snorlax
'Black, please? No girly stuff'

From: Uxie
'Why would I want girly stuff? Animal stickers don't count'

Sending her an emoji with the tongue out, he said he'd see her at the sushi restaurant and earned an affirmative.

"Aomine?"

Blinking, he glanced up and raised a brow. "Midorima?" Daiki looked the green haired teen over, seeing four other guys over. All five looked frazzled and the short black haired male was looking around warily. He deadpanned, knowing immediately what happened. "It's a bad day for Cancers and you don't have your lucky item."

"He almost got ran over by a motorcycle on the way here," the tallest teen said dully, keeping a close eye on Midorima.

"A crate nearly hit his head when we entered the mall," the lone blond added, just as dull. He kept squinting up at the skylight suspiciously.

"Midorima barely stepped on the escalator when something went wrong with it." That came from the teen with really short hair, seemingly close to tears. "And we didn't believe him in the beginning."

The shortest teen smiled weakly at Daiki. "Is this the same on good days for Cancers?"

Eyeing an exhausted and paranoid looking Midorima, Daiki lifted a hand and waved it from side to side. "Kinda. Good days without a item are iffy depending on where he is. Almost lost a foot when he got a heavy box on it." The four tossed mildly horrified looks at the shooting guard. "What's your item?"

"Camera plushy," Midorima said blankly, eyes a bit glazed. "Big, camera plushy that is not sold at my usual stores."

"Ah." Daiki looked at his phone again and began typing. "Hold on, don't move."

From: Snorlax
'They got any huge plushy cameras there you can get?'

She responded quickly, sending a picture of one that was the size of a food tray. He showed it to Midorima, eyebrow up questioning. The shooting guard nodded quickly, green eyes filling with relief.

From: Snorlax
'Thanks, babe. Maybe Maji instead'

It took a while before she replied.

From: Uxie
'Choose seats that are in the back, please'

Blue eyes narrowed before he typed in an affirmative. Looking up at Midorima and his team (because who else could they be?), he motioned to the side. "We're meeting Uxie at Maji. Only place that'll be okay with a huge plushy."

The tallest teen squinted at him warily. "It's not on another floor, is it?"

"Nah. Just a few shops thatta way." Daiki lead the way for the group and soon entered the restaurant with the guys on his heels. "Can I get your names, since ya already know mine?" As the group sat down, they did. Daiki dragged another chair over for Kasumi when she joined them, earning questioning looks, but ignored them.

Five minutes passed and they had ordered food (when he heard they hadn't had lunch yet, he'd just ordered for them).

"Aomine, do you know when your friend will get here?" Midorima asked carefully as he nibbled on a cherry tomato.

"Soon, I think," Daiki answered absently, tilting his head to see past Otsubo. "Uxie?"

The others turned to look.

Kasumi looked disheveled, her blue-green eyes wide and lips in a firm line. Her normally straight hair was ruffled and he thought he saw a leaf. Her sandals were in hand along with Midorima's item. In the other hand were two shop bags, one that was an oddly bright red and the other also from the camera shop. She had more rips in her jeans, borderlining improper, and her hoodie was rumpled. If he didn't know her any better, he'd say she was about to cry or shriek. Instead, she was pissed.

She walked over to them, silently passing the plushy to a bemused Midorima, putting the red bag slightly behind their, and setting her camera stuff beside her chair and dropped into it, folding her arms where she buried her face.

"You okay?" She twitched. "You get broken?

"Am I a magnet?" Kasumi asked, muffled.

Daiki tilted his head before he began snickering. "You ran into Kise again, huh?"

Kasumi lifted her head, scowling at him. She seemed to ignore Shutoku. "He keeps popping up! And he had his hoard with him!"

"Have you run into him before today?" Kimura asked and she looked at him, startled.

A slow nod, her eyes flicking to their faces, blue-green eyes zeroing on Midorima. "Not including the Zunon building, yeah." Kasumi straightened and looked between Daiki and Midorima. "Does he have a radar for people he knows or something?"

The two Miracles shared looks. "Probably. Did you run through the Greenhouse Store?" Midorima asked as he motioned to her hair.

Seeing her frown in confusion, Daiki pulled the few leaves from her hair and Kasumi blinked. "Yes… that and the uh…." She cut herself off, face turning red. Ducking her head, she mumbled. They couldn't understand her.

"Would this have anything to do with afterwards?" Takao asked her curiously, holding up the red bag, peering into it with a red, bemused expression.

Kasumi made a dying noise and lunged for the bag, face turning darker as she squealed softly. Her elbow nearly went into Daiki's face and he grabbed her. "D-Don't open that!"

Takao leaned away and passed it to Kimura, who was across from him. The first year was grinning mischievously at Kasumi, who had slumped against the wall covering her face in mortification. "So what's the story?"

Kimura choked when he looked in the bag, covering his own face as he passed it around to Otsubo across the table. The tall teen eyed Kimura, Takao, and Kasumi warily and peeked in. His face went flat and he stared at Kasumi. "I thought only eighteen and older could get these."

"It wasn't by choice!" Kasumi hissed quietly, straightening and leaning onto the table, looking around nervously and lowered her voice more that made them all lean closer. "That damn blond chased me through the Greenhouse Shop and the sex shop was just right around the corner!" She flailed a hand at her jeans. "When I dove through the entrance, I didn't realize it until I got caught on a metal stand!"

Daiki began snickering and she kicked his leg. Otsubo seemed unimpressed, Midorima was slightly flustered and Miyaji, Kimura, and Takao were snickering. "That doesn't explain the dildo," Kimura murmured.

"Kise followed me into the store." Her lips stitched slightly, blushing dying down a bit. "He shrieked like a girl and the owner grabbed him before he could flee. The guy swindled him into giving him an autograph and picture. After Kise left, the owner gave me that. What the hell am I supposed to do with a dildo?!" Her voice squeaked as she flailed.

Daiki opened his mouth, smirking wider-

"And if you say use it, I'll rip out your intestines and wear them like a scarf," she growled at him in Spanish. He laughed despite himself. She looked like she was going to lunge at him.

Ignoring their byplay, Miyaji said, "You know there's a PO shop a few doors down." They looked at him in confusion and the blond sighed. "You could send it to Kise by using the mail system."

The group stared at him. Takao said plainly, "Senpai, that's terrible. Have you had an idea like that before?"

"How come I've never heard something like this?" Kimura wondered, staring at Miyaji in betrayal. Shutoku went on to be ignored by the private couple as the two stared silently at each other.

Kasumi tilted her head, questioning. He pointed over his shoulder with a thumb and nodded, her face lighting up. Sliding on her shoes, she pressed a quick kiss to his cheek and, after grabbing the red bag, rushed out of the restaurant. Daiki raised a brow when he saw Shutoku staring at him. "She's going with Miyaji's idea," was all he said and stood, heading over to the counter to place Kasumi's order to go, knowing she'd be awhile.

---

Blinking slowly, Kasumi squinted at Suzuki Amaya, a former senpai from Teiko. "Senpai, I get you're worried, but could you speak slower?"

Taking in a deep breath, the brunette second year sat back down at the table in the newspaper committee room and pressed her hands across the wooden surface. "Okay… my grandma is sick and I'm the only one available to help her, right?" Amaya glanced at Kasumi and the black haired girl nodded. "So I gotta go to Akita to help her for the next two weeks, but the basketball team's got the InterHigh coming up, which is my column, and I can't because I have to go to Akita. Everyone has the other sports tournaments to cover, so I was wondering if you and your kohai- Mitobe Chigusa-chan, right?- would videotape the games for me." Hazel eyes were full of hope as they gazed at Kasumi.

Said girl blinked and tapped the table, thoughtful. "Chi-chan usually does take time away from her club time to see her brother's games," she mused and focused on Amaya. "I think Rin-senpai could help, too. I know his coach usually gets the videos from the people. Will you need me to take pictures? I think their one center, Kiyoshi Teppei, has been replaced by Kagami Taiga."

"Please? I spoke with Yuki-senpai and he said as long as I could compile all the games I didn't see into one large article, I'd get the centerfold."

"As long as you only use my pictures." The girl then scratched at her cheek sheepishly. "Actually, to be honest?"

Amaya tilted her head as her shoulders relaxed. "What is it?"

"Recently, I've been wondering if I should become the team's manager. I've seen Aida-senpai rushing from the faculty areas to the gym and back trying to get things done, along with refilling the bottles and the towels. When they aren't playing, I could do that for her since the only columnist I've been assigned to is you." Kasumi leaned back and sighed. "I know Rin-senpai will worry less about her."

A hum of agreement. "Yeah, she's always working hard and is in the top of the class. You should go for it."

"Really?" Kasumi blinked at her.

"Of course. I don't mind sharing you. I think Yuki-senpai is going to assign me firmly to the basketball team, so I think it'll be good." Amaya paused, frowning. "Should we ask Aida-san?"

Kasumi toyed with her camera strap and glanced at the clock. "Yeah. Want to go now? I think practice is in session."

-LIR(tS&tU)-

Rin's shoulders drooped in exhaustion as he wiped his face with a towel and accepted a bottle from Kawahara, offering the teen a grateful smile. The younger returned it before continuing to pass out the bottles, acting as manager for the day as Riko did paperwork in the office and the males practiced. Furihata caught his attention when the brunet motioned to the door.

"Hey, Fukuda, isn't that girl in our class?"

The team all turned to look at the girl residing in the doorway to the outside. He blinked and raised a brow at the nervously shifting girl. 'Kasumi? What's she doing here?'

Setting his towel down, he headed over to her and she glanced up at him, smiling crookedly despite looking like she wanted to run as she messed with her camera bag strap. "Hey, Rin-senpai, is Aida-senpai here?"

He nodded and motioned to the office, tilting his head inquiringly as they both moved towards the room.

Kasumi shrugged slightly. "Amaya-senpai's not going to be able to see your team's games, so she's asked me if I could take pictures and maybe get Chi-chan to videotape the games."

He made a few gestures and she nodded, relieved.

"That's what I thought, too," she sighed and glanced back towards the bench, brows furrowing. "The prelims start soon, don't they? Guess that means I'll apply for manager, too. Aida-san will be really busy…" Kasumi trailed off with a mumble and he smiled slightly before taking a drink from his bottle and opening the office door after knocking and receiving a "Come in!"

The black-haired girl bowed to Riko as she entered, the brunette looking at the curiously. Rin offered them a wave before shutting the door and heading back to his curious team.

Koganei bounced towards him, curiously leaning towards him. "Ne, ne, Mitobe, who was that?"

Rin didn't answer, instead smiling and shaking his head before finishing off his bottle and setting it back on the bench. Motioning to the court, they all groaned (Kuroko, he managed to notice, wilted) before following his suggestion and beginning practice again.

-LIR(tS&tU)-

Kasumi followed her new supervisor, shuffling through the notes she'd gotten down on Shinkyo as they walked back to the gym. "You know, Aida-san, and this might just be my basketball inexperience talking, but these guys don't seem that good."

The older girl looked back at her, lip quirked up wryly. "You did see the tall exchange student, right?"

"Well, yeah. But if you've ever seen the GoM's center, you'd see he's more taller." Kasumi put her notes away and looked through her pictures of the teen, mainly Papa Mbaye Siki. "He may have long everything but Murasakibara-san is way taller."

Aida slowed, staring at the girl oddly. "You've seen the GoM?"

"I went to Teiko with them," she answered, carefully focusing on her pictures. 'And I may or may not be dating their ace.'

"Do you have any pictures?" Aida asked as she looked forward again.

"Uh… maybe? I wasn't in the basketball section much in Teiko, only the track and field when I got bribed. I think Chi-chan might have some videos, though…" Kasumi frowned in thought as they entered the gym. "We're back!"

Hyuuga glanced at them and turned to face the girls fully. "How'd it go?" He asked.

"We may have trouble with one of their players. Kasumi-san borrowed a video camera so we'll view the video later." Aida motioned to Kasumi and the girl rotated her camera so she could show the group first the close up of Siki, then the full-length picture. "Woah," Furihata breathed. "He's huge."

"The center from Teiko is larger," she told him absently as she took the camera back with a huff. "He didn't even seem to notice me taking his picture, and I had the flash on."

The males smiled or shook their heads at her, already knowing that she took pride in her work. Aida continued to explain and the senpai exclaimed in slight surprise. The new manager answered Izuki. "It's in Africa."

Kagami was rather blase. "He's just big."

Kasumi listened to the teens struggle through saying his name, snickering slightly when Kuroko bestowed him with a nickname of "Otou-san." Aida seemed done with the whole group as she barked out, "Enough, listen!"

They straightened to attention and Kasumi could only hide her smile behind her hand.

"He's not just tall, his legs and arms are long, too. Everything about him is big," Aida was serious as she crossed her arms. "More and more schools are inviting from abroad to increase their power. Shinkyo High used to be a middle-tier last year, but with Otou-san, they've become a completely different team. They can't reach high enough. Because of this simple reason, no one can stop him."

"We can't just do nothing," Kagami protested.

"Who said we would?" Aida smiled before focusing on Kagami and Kuroko. "Which is why you two have your own regimens to work on. The prelims start on May 16th, until then, you'll have no time to complain!"

"Hai!"

---

Kasumi observed Shinkyo from the bench, noting Siki wasn't there yet. She tossed a ball back to Furihata when it bounced to her, both looking towards the door when it opened and Siki walked in, rubbing his head after smacking it.

Tearing her eyes away from the foreign teen, she glanced at Aida. "Does Kagami-san know what to do?"

"Yes." Aida looked at her. "How about Kuroko-kun?"

"Hai." She glanced over at the blue haired teen, still unsure on how to feel about him. "I just hope he understood it more than me."

Aida patted her on the arm. "Don't worry. You'll get the terms eventually."

They shared smiles then the ref called for the players to get on the court. Kasumi got her bag beneath the bench and settled down to watch, making sure to jot down whatever Aida mumbled so they (the team) could look back on. She also had notes for what was needed to work on.

Aloud, she grumbled, "I thought they were supposed to focus on the game, not talk."

She heard Aida mention the plays from Rin to the other freshman, but focused more on the game since it wasn't about the actual game. Kasumi blinked when she saw Kagami block Siki. After Kuroko cut in a pass and Kagami dunked, the first quarter ended. Sliding her camera back into it's bag she moved to pass out towels and bottles. Aida spoke as she did. The second quarter began after she recollected the bottles and towels. Her camera back in hand, she had the speed and setting adjusted, the lens changed, her knee pressed against the bench to steady herself, and began clicking away, being extra careful to get photos of Kuroko (he kept disappearing but thanks to her always looking for something as a subject, she got some nice photos) and soon the game ended.

Kasumi eyed Siki after the game ended as he flailed in his captain's hand. "Weirdo." Rin patted her on the head, smiling down at her and she sighed. "I know, I know…"

-LIR(tS&tU)-

The next few days and games passed by quickly. Kasumi had asked Fukuda to help with the videotaping (after being threatened with her own camera breaking by Chigusa should anything happen to the girl's video camera - for a sweet girl, she could be terrifying) and they'd been sent to Amaya. The girl was already writing her article while exchanging emails with both Kasumi and Aida. She hadn't been able to spend time with Daiki, but she had grown slightly (emphasis on slightly) more comfortable with Kuroko. She was more comfortable with the rest of the team and the older girl had let her call her Riko during non-basketball times.

At the moment, after their latest game with Meijo, Hyuuga was explained about the three Kings of Tokyo. That was also the day where Shutoku would be playing Kinka and at the thought, Kasumi began digging through her bag her a piece of scrap paper and jotting down something, blinking when a marker was stolen, but it ignored it for the moment.

Kagami had already headed over to Midorima when Shutoku arrived. Smiling slightly at Rin as she slung her bag on her shoulder, she headed over to the rival school, just in time to notice Kuroko pop up beside her. She raised her brow, curious, before waving at Takao and Midorima and leaning towards them curiously as she cut in. "If strength is absolute, then how come Goliath was defeated by David? The future results don't always rely on past results."

The two males on her team stared at her, but went ignored as Midorima stared down at her. "I'm surprised you'd say that when you're dating him, nanodayo."

Her eyes darkened even as she smiled slightly. "It's because I'm dating him that I'll say it." She passed the scrap of paper to him. "This is for Miyaji-san, for the photos."

Takao promptly lunged for it and Midorima held it away from him, scowling. "Ehh? How come Miyaji-senpai is the only one to get it? That's not fair!"

Shaking her head, she glanced at Kuroko and Kagami. "Let's head to the balcony, I want to see them play. Maybe even see them get squished by their seniors." The last part was said in Spanish as she shifted her shoulders.

"Did you meet them somewhere else? 'Cause that's kinda mean to say, Tachibana." Kagami asked and she froze in shock, eyes widening as they landed on him.

"You know Spanish?" She squeaked out, stumbling.

He nodded as he lightly caught her by the back of her large sweater. "I lived in L.A. with Hispanics as my neighbor and my mentor was half. Had to learn if I wanted to know if I was being scolded or cheered on."

A strangled noise left her as the two boys lead her after their team. "I've said so many cuss words near you lot, why didn't you say anything?!"

"It was funny," Kagami said simply as he passed her over to Rin. "Plus, I learned new insults."

She sagged against Rin in a daze, eyes flitting down to the court. 'I feel betrayed… and by my own tongue…'

-LIR(tS&tU)-

She snapped out of her daze when Riko began scolding Kagami. Her eyes moved to Rin. "It's Hakuryo next, right?" He nodded and she hummed, quickly moving to check she had both enough storage space and battery life, doing the same for Chigusa's camera. Kasumi idly noted that none of them had asked about her speaking to Midorima and Takao, relieved as she'd have time to come up with something to tell them (Rin didn't know either, but only because she'd asked Chigusa to not tell him, not wanting to earn the look of disapproval from him if he learned about what she'd sent to Kise).

---

The next day, the day before the semifinals and finals, the team spent their morning in the school. Kasumi had taken over one of the benches with papers spread out from Riko, sitting on the ground by it. At the moment she was squinting at Furihata with a thoughtful frown, eyes flicking between the notes Riko had made about the boys. She glanced at Kuroko's papers then Hyuuga's, glancing quickly at said teens and humming in thought as she adjusted her headphones, starting to jot down notes in her manager notebook. Kasumi was so caught in her notes she didn't notice Rin come up to her, flinching in surprise when he touched her shoulder. Blue-green eyes batted when she saw the team around her bench and paused her music and took her headphones off.

"Yes?" She said uncertainly, stretching a leg and shoving the cooler of bottles out from beneath the bench and towards them, the towels at the other end of the bench.

"Coach wants us," Hyuuga said as Rin helped her to her feet.

She began packing her notes up quickly. "Oh, the Seiho analyzation, right? I think I saw something when I was looking the videos over last night, but wanted to ask Riko-senpai about it."

"Really?" Izuki blinked at her as he picked up the towel carrier.

"Un." She glanced at Rin as they began walking to the club room. "Remember when Shina-chan joined cross and asked me to look different efficient running styles? One of them popped up in my head after watching the video."

"Can you tell us about it, even if you're wrong?" Furihata asked curiously, leaning a bit behind Tsuchida to look at her.

"Yeah, of course. The one I was thinking about is actually from old martial arts - and no, I don't mean the fake ones seen in movies, Kagami-san." The redhead closed his mouth, blinking at her in mild surprise. She shrugged. "I had the same response. Anyway…"

---

Ignoring the talking between the teams, Kasumi frowned at her phone, annoyed as she messaged back.

From: Uxie
'Do you have some sort of man-crush on Kuroko-san? Or do I have a Kise-magnet?'

She glanced up to check that Riko hadn't thrown herself at Tsugawa at the latest comment when her phone buzzed again.

From: Gold Piplup
'I don't do it on purpose, Kasumicchi! It's not like I knew you became Seirin's manager! 'Sides, Midorimacchi's playing here too!'

From: Uxie
'I can't wait until your birthday. I'm going to get so much blackmail.'

From: Gold Piplup
'Eh? Birthday? What?'

From: Uxie
'Shush. The game is starting. And don't think I didn't notice you avoiding my first question.'

Ignoring the beeping, Kasumi followed her team to the locker room where it was rather tense. Pulling out her personal notebook, she spoke before Riko could do anything odd (she was going by the older girl's eyebrow twitching). "What're your guys' favorite foods?"

They stared at her.

"Favorite foods," she repeated tapping the paper. "I already know Rin-senpai's, but what about the rest of you? Riko-san, you too."

The teens in front of her shared looks before slowly providing answers and she wrote them down. "Alright. Whenever everyone is free, I'll have you all come to my house for a party."

"Kasumi-chan?" Koganei looked at her strangely.

She raised a brow. "Even if you guys don't get yourselves together now, you'll have something to look forward to when you win. You seniors have a lot to pay Seiho back for from last year. And I can tell you now, Amaya-senpai really wants the pictures of your smiling faces specifically for her article. Let's not let her down, yeah?"

The boys grinned and Tsuchida chuckled. "Free food and our pictures in the newspaper? Who wouldn't want that. Let's do this!"

"Seirin!" Hyuuga called out

"Fight!"

-LIR(tS&tU)-

Glancing down at her notebook, Kasumi huffed slightly. "He's probably going to get another foul."

Koganei leaned slightly into her. "He's such a hothead."

Tapping her pen against the notebook, she began muttering beneath her breath. "Man-to-man defense, with no way for Kuroko-san to pass… you gonna call a timeout, Riko-senpai?"

"Yeah," the coach said absently and moved. Kasumi moved to grab the towels and bottles as the guys got off the bench.

She passed the bottles out as Riko spoke, kneeling in front of the bench. Her eyes moved over the five teens and pursed her lips, bristling as they all heard a loud, "Kasumicchi!"

Jerking her head up, she looked through the stands and felt her brow twitch as her eyes landed on the blond haired teen. Forcibly calming herself, she looked at Riko. "Do you think you'll need me at halftime?"

"Ah, no, not really." The brunette squinted at Kasumi's suddenly serene expression.

"Good, that means I have time to punish that attention-needing piplup." She ignored the choked laugh from Kagami as the break was up and the boys went out on court again. She collected the bottles and overheard Kagami speaking to Izuki and Kuroko saying something after the black-haired teen said something else.

Then they were back on court, with Kagami being given the ball.

Kagami moved around Tsugawa, catching the bald teen off-guard and wound his way around Iwamura, dunking the ball through the hoop. Her face lit up and she lifted her camera, aiming it at the three seniors on court.

Click!

'Definitely to Amaya-senpai,' she thought as the game continued. A frown adorned her face as Kagami fouled a third time as time passed and her brow twitched when Tsugawa freaked over Kuroko.

"Seiho better rein in their brat before he gets strangled," she growled lowly and Tsuchida patted her head calmingly. Kasumi glanced over to check on the video camera and stood. "I'll go refill the bottles. If Kagami-san does something stupid, there's a spray bottle in my bag."

"Spray bottle?" Furihata wondered from behind her as she picked the bag of bottles and slid out of the gym, noticing they had Midorima benched on Shutoku's side.

-LIR(tS&tU)-

When she returned, the freshman duo was benched and all five seniors were on the court. Even from her position, she could hear Tsugawa and reached for a bottle. Kawahara removed the bag from her grasp, looking at her in exasperation. "Hitting him won't help anyone."

"Are you sure? Hyuuga-taicho looks ready to lay him out," she pointed out and they all blanched as the megane went into clutch mode.

"Ah," Riko breathed before motioning for the manager to sit down by Fukuda on the other end. Their attention focused once more on the game, her camera back in hand.

They went back and forth, right up until Koganei saved a ball and went over the bench. Kasumi was a bit stunned as she moved with Fukuda and Kawahara to get a mat and first aid kit. 'Why does it seem like Seirin is injury prone?' When they came back, Kuroko was subbed in and Furihata stayed with Koganei as the game went on.

Seirin won, 73-71.

She eyed Koganei suspiciously as he bounced off to join the other seniors and Kuroko, Furihata copying her. "Should he even be bouncing around?" He muttered to her, clearly unsure, but unwilling to go against a senpai.

"No idea," she muttered back. "I should have signed up for the health committee or did some medical research if Seirin was this prone to injuries… I even missed punishing the piplup"

They shared exasperated, but fond looks and moved clearing out the court and headed to the locker room with the bags.

-LIR(tS&tU)-

Kasumi passed out fish onigiri Chigusa had made for the team and the sports drinks, glancing around and checking the boys had their bags and miscellaneous. There were also the peanut butter bars she'd made from her grandfather's recipe that she passed around. Kasumi didn't know the massages Riko did, so she couldn't help there. She had to resort to dealing with the food, drinks, towels, and whatever else there was. Rin caught her before she could walk around the room aimlessly and pressed her camera to her hands.

Her eyes flicked to it and she quirked a lip up at him before looking through the pictures she'd taken. Times passed quickly and soon they had to go.

As the group left the locker room, Kasumi spotted Seiho and quickly dug through her bag, grabbing something. "Fukuda-san, hold this."

"Eh?" The brunet blinked and scrambled to catch the bag. "What-"

"Hey, Tsugawa-san!" The bald teen glanced back at her, his teammates copying him. Their coach had gone on ahead.

"Yeah? What-! Ow, hey! What are you doing?!" The teen squawked and flailed as she body slammed him, tripping him onto the floor so she could reach his upper torso with better ease and pulled the lid off the marker, squishing his face to her middle so she could draw on his neck. "Th-that tickles!"

Finishing, she let him lightly flop to the floor and stare at her in bewilderment. She offered the upper years a quick bow before jogging back to her team, beaming at her captain. "I thought a Koffing pokemon fit him," was all she said as she accepted her bag back from Fukuda.

Riko eyed her as Rin sighed. "You're secretly a troublemaker, aren't you?"

Kasumi beamed at her and Riko sighed, but a smile tugged at her lips as they headed back to the gym once more.

-LIR(tS&tU)-

Hyuuga lead the pre-game talk and soon he, Kagami, Kuroko, Rin, and Izuki were out on the court. The manager has asked Furihata to take over her notes as she took pictures (her flash was off due to the lights above being bright enough). After switching for a new memory card and battery, Kasumi asked Riko, "Think any of Shutoku with tick us off like Seiho?"

The brunette chuckled despite herself. "We'll see."

Seirin got the tip off and Izuki ended up with the ball. He passed it to nowhere and Kuroko passed it to Kagami, an alley-oop, but Midorima blocked it. The teams were then stuck in a stalemate until four minutes in, when Midorima had a halfcourt shot. Kuroko and Kagami got him back though. Kasumi automatically took a picture of a shocked Midorima, blinking at her tiny screen. 'That's… actually a good picture. Would Kuroko-san want it?' She shook the thought away and refocused herself.

"He's got Midorima on pause," Furihata noted.

"That's… good, right?" Kasumi looked at Riko, unsure.

"For the most part," she answered. "But that means the others will be in action."

Just as she said that Otsubo dunked the ball after getting it from Takao. Yet, Kuroko got the ball in his hands and passed it to Rin, who dunked. Her eyes lingered on Takao curiously. "Hey, Furihata-san, what're my notes on Takao, number ten?"

"Ten?" He repeated before looking through her notes. "Uh… he's got good technique, as a point guard he's got the dribbling and passing, and brilliant spatial awareness."

Taking a picture of Izuki, she looked at Riko. "You think he's like Izuki-senpai?"

The brunette tapped her foot on the ground, thinking, and got up to call a time-out. A hum left Kasumi as she moved to grab the towel and bottle bags, passing them out one handed to the regulars as they came to the bench.

Kagami requested, "Let us keep going like this, coach."

"You know your misdirection won't work against Takao-kun, right?" Riko questioned, staring at Kuroko.

A noise left Kasumi and they looked at her as she looked down at her camera screen, smirking slightly. "It won't work now," she agreed then smiled wider as she looked at Kuroko. "But what's more terrifying than a phantom that's been there for a while to suddenly disappear from sight?"

Blue eyes met hers in realization. "You think Takao-kun will become so used to me, he'll be thrown off balance by my presence disappearing abruptly."

"Exactly."

"What makes you think it'll work?" Koganei asked, glancing at Kuroko.

"I'm a photographer first and foremost," she reminded him. "I don't know how many times I've had the perfect shot outside then something will pop up in front of the lens, like my hair."

Glancing over at the referee when he called them back to court, Kuroko said, "I'll come up with something to keep his focus."

Putting the bottles and towels away, Kasumi glanced at the brunette when she hummed. "What's up?"

"Our play depends on Kagami-kun and Kuroko-kun for the most part," she answered slowly and held something out to the girl. They looked at the tiny broken piece as she explained about last year after they lost. "Although… Hyuuga-kun's personality may have suffered a bit."

They could hear Hyuuga say, "Who cares about kings? Go die!"

Kasumi stared after him blankly. "A bit, she say."

Riko winced slightly. "He'll always make important shots," she offered sheepishly.

Settling a knee on the bench, Kasumi held the viewfinder up to her eye, snapping a picture of Kuroko making a steal, slightly relieved she missed Takao stealing it. Her eyes went wide as Midorima made a shot from a bit behind the halfway line. Blue-green eyes narrowed. "Is it just me or does the arc look funny?"

"What do you mean?" Riko asked, not looking away from the court.

"I don't know…" Kasumi frowned a bit deeper as Kagami shot from the outside then rushed in to dunk it, Otsubo unable to block him. Her eyes landed on Midorima and her heart skipped a beat. "Wait… was he holding back?"

The ball left Midorima's hands and slowly (it seemed) made its way to the hoop before swishing. The buzzer rang once, than twice as the first quarter ended. All the teens on the court headed back to the benches. Furihata passed out the bottles and towels in her place as she looked through her pictures, scowling absently as she tried to think. 'They need to block Midorima-san, but how? If Takao-san can still see Kuroko-san, they probably won't be able to unless Kuroko-san figures out how to break free.'

The game started up again and Seirin saw Shutoku kept passing to Midorima. And somehow, some time when Kasumi wasn't watching, a feeling to when Daiki was teaching her to play basketball and he got excited came over Kagami. She couldn't help the wariness from bubbling up, and glancing over to see Kuroko lower his gaze, Kasumi could tell he was worried, too. 'Is this how he felt before Daiki fully blossomed?'

-LIR(tS&tU)-

Halftime break, they were in the locker room, where it was slowly turning from being quiet and tense to a louder, more relaxed air as they listened to Kuroko make odd conjectures.

"What if they all get stomach aches?" Tsuchida proposed, tapping his chin.

"Do you want me to mess with their drinks?" She asked dryly as she leaned against the locker behind Rin.

Koganei laughed, crossing his arms behind his head. "You're a bit too awkward to even try it, Kasumi-chan. A comeback in the second half is way more realistic." She scowled lightly at him.

Hyuuga smiled and nodded in agreement. "For now, let's keep running and think after the game's over. Let's go!"

"Yeah!"

Kasumi saw Kagami had barely reacted.

-LIR(tS&tU)-

Her camera was away for the moment so she could focus on Kagami, wondering what the feeling from earlier meant as Kagami faced down Midorima a second time since the third quarter began and the feeling came up again, like an intense feeling of something peering over the edge, but not actually doing anything. Kagami's brushed the ball as it left Midorima's hands… and it went off course. Otsubo rebounded it though.

The third time, Kagami prevented it completely.

'If Kise-san copies, Midorima-san can shoot from anywhere, and Daiki has his animal instincts…' She stared at Kagami's legs, wondering if she'd get an answer sooner or later.

The redhead was rushing to protect their basket from Otsubo, succeeding. Her eyes moved to Kuroko, seeing him frowning slightly at Kawahara's words. Hooking an ankle through the strap of her (not camera) bag, she tugged it closer and checked it, noticing her quarry near the top. As the game continued, she pulled it free and carefully stood up, moving behind the bench to press her hand reassuringly to Kuroko's shoulder as Shutoku called a timeout. "Let me deal with it." Was all she said as Furihata once more passed out towels and bottles (she really, really owed her classmates).

When Kagami began to say, "I'm the only one who stands a chance against Shutoku," She moved in front of him quickly with the item in front of her and-

Psht! Psht!

-sprayed him twice in the face, then a third time for good measure.

Psht!

She spoke serenely and casually as Kagami sputtered, staring down at him placidly. "A few days ago when I was looking up basketball terms-" they all knew she got mixed up sometimes so it wasn't too random to say "-I found a quote by an American basketball coach, Brad Stevens. "How good can we expect to be if our best player is not our best teammate?"" She raised the bottle when Kagami tried to open his mouth. "As I don't think you've looked up the Generation of Miracles up yet fully, let me drop a piece of trivia about them. The Miracles have mainly relied on themselves, which is why they are as strong as they are. The games I saw during the last year pissed me off, because the only ones they went not even half-power against were each other, trying to get the most points, and even then none of them cared about the actual winning part."

Kasumi paused to let that sink in as shocked realization formed on Kagami's face; she continued.

"They won the championship, but none of them were happy, as they knew it was inevitable that they'd win. If the team won on only your power, who'd be happy then?"

"It's not like we want to lose," Koganei added and dropped a towel on Kagami's head, slightly aggressive as he wiped the water from his hair and face.

"There's no reason to do it alone," Izuki mentioned.

Hyuuga leaned forward and and raised a brow at the sheepish Kagami. "Do you have any objections?"

Kagami's peered out of from the towel cautiously. "No, but… well…"

"I'm sure Aida-kantoku has a paper fan if he does," Kasumi said idly and Kagami eyed her warily as she smiled placidly at him.

"I'd be happier if we won as a team," he admitted, ducking his head apologetically.

"Well, now that Kasumi's cooled Kagami down," Hyuuga blatantly ignored Izuki's "I'm the pun-master!" as he spoke. "The situation hasn't changed. What do we do?"

"Excuse me," Kuroko said, startling the girl at the suddenness and nearness. "There may be one thing we can do, but I will need to break free from Takao-kun and I think I've come up with something after what Tachibana-san said." She blinked at him as his eyes moved to hers. "You have seen my pass that very few can catch."

It wasn't a question but she nodded anyway, eyes widening a bit. "You think Kagami-san can?"

"Hai."

"We'll have to add wrist strengthening exercises to his regimen, then," she mumbled, turning to eye the redhead.

Riko was gazing at them in confusion, but was forced to ignore it as she looked over Kagami for how much he could do in the fourth quarter before the buzzer rang.

-LIR(tS&tU)-

The ten teens headed out to the court soon enough and Kasumi put away all the bottles and towels. The group settled into positions they favored as the game began again, Kasumi's camera in hand and her knee rested once more on the bench. Strangely, a good feeling rested in her chest, even if some parts made her heart skip a few beats. Her camera was mainly focused on her teammates, sometimes catching a picture of Shutoku when they were surprised or caught off guard by something. She was relieved she'd changed her battery and memory card again, like she'd done for the previous quarters. She'd need to buy more USB drives (and labels) to transfer them onto. Photographing continued until Shutoku called a time out.

Fukuda patted her on the shoulder before she could move, taking over her duties and she wondered what to get him, Furihata, and Kawahara. 'Sweets, maybe?'

Her picture taking continued when the game started back up. 'Fifteen seconds… you guys can do it! I believe in you!' Her heart raced as she took a picture of the final three scored (she could tell Seirin was slowly winning over her heart and knew she wouldn't be able to cheer fully for Daiki if Touou went against her team).

Five clicks rapidly left her camera as she caught the lit up faces of Hyuuga, Rin, Izuki, Kagami, and Kuroko after the clock hit zero. More clicks sounded out as she caught the glee from the rest of her teammates and coach.

That completed, she carefully threw herself at Riko, cheering softly. "They did it! Our boys did it!"

-LIR(tS&tU)-

Knowing from Momoi's complaining in the background that he wasn't on speaker Shintaro asked, "Did you know Uxie is their manager now?"

"Saah, really?" Aomine sounded a bit relieved. "'Bout damn time."

Shintaro blinked at the phone when the other teen hung up. 'Does he not care?' Shaking his head, he shoved it out of his mind as he did not want to get caught up in their relationship, muttering to himself as he put his phone away. "Kise's nosiness rubbed off on me."

-LIR(tS&tU)-

Kasumi peered at her seniors, Kuroko, and Kagami over Riko's shoulders, muttering, "Zombies?"

A startled laugh escaped Riko and she glanced at Tsuchida and Fukuda after looking Kagami over. "Do you two mind helping him to the nearest restaurant?"

They didn't mind, rather amused as they went to help the redhead.

-LIR(tS&tU)-

Kasumi, spotting a head of blond hair and Kasamatsu Yukio across the table, rushed past Riko carefully as the brunet called out to the chef. "Piplup!" She cooed and laughed as she ran her fingers through Kise's hair, earning a flail.

"Kasumicchi!" He complained, swatting at her. Absently trying to smooth his hair back to normal, Kise pouted up at her. "What did you mean earlier by my birthday? Did you get me a gift?"

He stilled at the mischievous grin on her lips. "You'll just have to see, ne?" She waved at Kasamatsu who returned it, his cheeks red, but she wasn't fazed, knowing he was shy with girls. Glancing at her three helpers, she asked, "Where are we sitting?"

Fukuda lead her over to the table, sliding in first. Glancing past Furihata and Kawahara, she saw the seniors squishing together. "You know Kise?" The tiny brunet asked as he sat across from her.

Removing her shoes, she nodded as she settled beside Fukuda. "Yes, I'm an intern at Zunon for his photographer."

Furihata paused in deciding what to order. "When do you have time for that? I mean with the newspaper committee and basketball?"

"The weekends, usually," Kasumi answered, looking through her menu. "My boss, Miyuzu-san, normally has me adjusting his photos for the magazine."

"Oh," Kawahara said then looked at the other two. "Want me to do the mixing?"

"I can do the cooking part," Furihata offered and the two nodded at each other before slipping away from the table.

Kasumi and Fukuda stared after them then looked at each other, blank. "We could make small talk?"

"Sure," she cast an amused look after her classmates where they had the order and were coming back. The two smiled thankfully at Tsuchida when he put a water pitcher on the table, Fukuda moving it closer to the wall after pouring four cups.

"Did you go to Teiko, too?" He asked. Furihata and Kawahara glanced at her curiously as they set the foodstuff on the table, the duo sitting helping to move things around carefully.

"Yeah. All three years," she confirmed. "And before you ask, I barely interacted with anyone from the basketball group. I was usually assigned to the graphics area in the school newspaper or the track and field club."

"Really? But you're really good at taking motion shots," Kawahara said as he stirred the mix.

Kasumi blinked and smiled a bit wryly. "That's why I was usually sent to the track and field club when bribed. What about you guys? I know Kawahara-san was in basketball in middle school, but not you two."

Fukuda stared in longing as Furihata began cooking. "I was in the debate club and on the P. E. committee. We would have made it to nationals for debate, but our top debater was sick."

"Seriously?" Kawahara wondered. "Why debate, though?"

The tallest teen shrugged. "Two older brothers, need some way to shut them up when they get mean. Words put them down faster than wrestling."

She giggled as Furihata hummed. "I'd try that with my older brother, but I doubt it would work… I was in the health committee last year and in the biology club."

Fukuda opened his mouth to say something when the door opened, a familiar voice sounding out, and all of Seirin and the duo from Kaijo turned to see Takao and Midorima in the doorway. Furihata squawked in panic when grilling smell got a bit sharp and Kasumi swiftly put a tiny plate beneath a portion as he doled out the food to the three, Kawahara holding two plates.

They glanced up to see Takao beaming at them, Kasamatsu behind him, seeming resigned. Past them, Kasumi noticed Midorima sitting with Kise, Kagami, and Kuroko. "Mind if we join you?"

"Ah," Furihata glanced at them and they shrugged. "Hold on."

The new duo grabbed more cushions to sit down on as the four moved down, closer to the wall. Kasamatsu sat beside Furihata and Takao Kasumi. The group stared at each other before Kasumi broke the silence - literally. Chopsticks broken apart and in hand, she promptly began eating and eyed the two on the end curiously. "So, what are you two up to? Outside of basketball and exams. Significant others?"

Kasamatsu accepted a glass of water from Kawahara with a surprised thanks and glanced at her before dropping his eyes. His cheeks had turned a bright red at her question. "N-no significant others," he got out and the five first-years shared slightly amused looks at his embarrassment. "Ah… one of my favorite bands is selling a new CD."

"Which band?" Fukuda asked before biting into his food. Kasumi smiled slightly as she copied him, listening as they began discussing bands.

Takao reappeared with his own tray of food and began prepping it. Furihata looked at him warningly when it seemed like he was about to get exuberant with the mixing and the black haired teen wilted against her. "I didn't even do anything," he complained.

"Yet," Kasumi said absently, holding out her plate to Furihata and blinking wide eyes at him. The brunet snickered at her expression as he gave more to her, adjusting the grill for Takao, who promptly began cooking his dinner.

"We've only met once, yet you seem to know me so well," Takao drawled.

"Well, you're kinda like a mix between Kise-kun and Koganei-senpai. Just a bit… weirder." Seeing the trio looking at her, she jabbed a thumb at Takao as he flipped his okonomiyaki. "Met him at the mall, where one of his senpai, Miyaji-san, gave me a good idea for Kise-san's birthday gift." Kasumi and Takao shared wicked grins before Takao was forced to focus on his food before it burned.

"Wait for Kise's birthday," Kasamatsu said softly, smirking as he peeked at the blond. "It's July 18th."

Kasumi bounced slightly in her seat, beaming. "I'm going to get so much blackmail!"

The three teammates stared between the rather gleeful three and shared looks. "Wait till the 18th?" Kawahara offered.

The brunets nodded in silent agreement, eyeing their manager warily.

"Oh, which reminds me," he tossed an impish grin her way. "How's your boyfriend doing?"

"Snorlax?" She was startled, but easily caught herself, ignoring the curious looks from her teammates. "He's doing alright. What about you and Midorima?"

Takao blinked at her. "What?"

She blinked wide and innocent eyes at him. "Aren't you two dating?"

Furihata dove to rescue the food, Kasamatsu turning the grill off as Kawahara put a plate beneath the okonomiyaki. "I don't think Takao can recover from that burn," Fukuda said, staring at the rather crispy looking okonomiyaki.

The six jumped as Izuki suddenly yelled, "I am the pun master!" He was jabbing a tiny spatula at Fukuda with a scowl and Kasumi burst out laughing at the bewildered teen.

"I made a pun?" Fukuda wondered in confusion. She wheezed into her palms.

-LIR(tS&tU)-

Stretching her arms up, Kasumi looked at her phone and smiled slightly at the photo she managed to get of Midorima after he came back inside the restaurant after trying to leave the first time. Peering around for Kuroko, she spotted him and swiftly followed him. "Kuroko-san!"

He paused in heading into an alleyway. "Yes, Tachibana-san?"

"You can call me Kasumi, you know," she said as she showed him the photo and earned a faint smile. A noise in the alley caught their attention and she wondered closer to a cardboard box, passing her phone to Kuroko after turning on the flashlight app. "What the hell?"

Needs A Good Home was written horribly on the side of it and the two shared a look, Kuroko's eyes pissed as she scowled darker. Her hands quickly tugged the flaps open.

"Ruff!" They froze at the wide blue eyed puppy inside. Kasumi knelt on the wet pavement and moved slowly, picking up the puppy after he sniffed her hands and licked at her fingers. She straightened up and the two looked the dog over.

"He looks okay," Kuroko said slowly as he ran his free hand around the puppy's head, checking the face. "But…"

"Let's go back to the light," Kasumi said and the male lead the way, but not before she kicked the box further down the alley in anger. Kuroko's hand on her shoulder kept her from going back to it as they neared their team.

"Oi, you two…" Hyuuga began to yell at them when he spotted the dog in her arms. "A dog?"

""Needs a good home," the box said," Kuroko said coolly, turning her apps off and closing the phone. He put it carefully back in her bag, anger in his movements still.

"Rin-senpai, Shiro-kun still interns at the vet clinic, right?" Kasumi asked as they moved closer to the other teens.

The gentle giant nodded as he stepped closer, slowly petting the dog on his head as he pulled his phone out and messaged his younger brother.

"Oi, why are you all blocking the doorway?" Riko scolded and stared in surprise at the puppy. She swept closer quickly, pausing beside Kuroko as she stared at the puppy with a softer, cooing voice (the older girl seemed tempted to take the dog, but noticed how upset the two first years were). "Where did you find this cutie?"

Kuroko answered in stilted tones and Kasumi offered him the puppy, seeing how he seemed more interested in the male. The teen visibly calmed down when the puppy nosed his cheek and licked it. Kasumi blinked slowly, eyes flicking between boy and dog. "Eyes?" She wondered abruptly and Hyuuga let out a strangled laugh.

"We're keeping him, aren't we?" He asked rhetorically as Rin made a few gestures.

"His name will be Tetsuya #2!" Koganei crowed lightly as he pointed at the dog.

Kasumi giggled weakly at Hyuuga's flat expression as he stared at the brunet. She looked at Kuroko. "Rin-senpai said Shiro-kun is willing to look him over if we go to their place."

He nodded distractedly, brows furrowing slightly. "Kagami-kun," he called out, making them all follow his gaze. "Why are you over there?"

Crouching behind an electronic stand, the redhead turned to them, brows twitching. "Ah… well… I really can't stand dogs…"

They stared speechlessly, Kasumi muttering, "Nigou-chan isn't even a chihuahua."

---

Settled on the gym floor, Kasumi adjusted her skirt carefully even though she had shorts beneath it. Nigou was leaning against her side, having earned an all clear from Shiro, and happily chewing on a toy Kuroko had bought the puppy. A black stretchy and adjustable collar with basketballs on it rested on his neck with the tag naming her place. Looking on as the team played a practice game, she called out to Riko. "Hey, Riko-senpai?"

The brunet looked down at her, whistle hanging from her neck. "Yes?"

"Hyuuga-taicho is the only shooting guard we have, right?" Kasumi clarified and Riko nodded, a small frown coming to the coach's lips.

"We only have one?" Kagami asked from Riko's other side, eyeing the puppy warily. Nigou wagged his tail and he flinched away.

Riko stared at Kasumi, knowing she wouldn't bring it up for no reason. "You have an idea?"

"Well, Izuki-senpai and Furihata-kun are the ones we have per year," Kasumi tapped her notes. "But I thought maybe we could do a repeat from your first year."

The older girl stared blankly. "Explain, please."

"Kuroko-kun has the observation skills of a point guard, like Izuki-senpai and Furihata-kun, along with the passing. What if we had Furihata-kun become the first year shooting guard, while still possessing the skills of a point guard?" The younger girl explained.

"Teppei was our center under the net," Riko murmured, tapping her lips. "Let me speak with Hyuuga-kun and Furihata-kun about it. He'd be the one to teach Furihata-kun and it involves him in question."

Kasumi nodded and patted Nigou on the head when he yipped.

"You know, for not really knowing all the basketball terms, you used those ones pretty well," Kagami said as he edged away.

"Really?" A small smile made its way onto her face. "Guess my newly made dictionary is helping, then."

---

Kasumi followed a mischievous Kagami with her own grin, weapon in hand. Both were in shorts and he had a tank top on while she had a sleeveless hoodie, not unlike the one she had worn when first meeting Daiki face to face. Her hair was held back in a braided ponytail.

"Tachibana, I hope you're prepared for the hell you're about to unleash on our teammates," he said and smirked at her. "I mean, we were supposed to only get drinks."

"Kagami-kun, I'm sure you've noticed, but you've been really twitchy since Riko-senpai benched you. This way, you can simply stand in one place. Just make sure you don't end up in the pool." At that, he paused and pulled his phone from his pocket to give to her. She accepted it with confusion, blinking up at him as it went into her leather bag (where her camera resided safely).

He shrugged. "Just in case."

She shook her head as they neared the doorway after continuing. "You're ridiculous. Aren't those the only clothes you have?"

"I saw dryers in the locker room." A startled laugh left her as he began pumping before they were in view of the door. Reaching a good amount, he gave her a two fingered salute before diving through the doorway, screeching an English war cry that had her collapsing in the doorway with laughter, bag of weapons falling beside her.

"PAY FOR THE SINS OF YOUR CHILDREN!"

The startled teens in the water turned to stare in shock and Koganei howled as Kagami shot him in the chest with the water gun.

"Kagami?!" They yelled and the redhead cackled maniacally as he aimed for Fukuda, who barely managed to get under the surface. It still hit him.

Two pairs of legs appeared in front of her and she followed them up to see Riko (looking very unimpressed in her slightly modest swimsuit - she looked adorable) and Momoi Satsuki (looking a bit concerned and rather pretty in her swimsuit) staring at her.

"Really?" Was all Riko asked and Kasumi motioned to the extra guns. Riko stared at them flatly.

"They were on sale," Kasumi said sheepishly. "I'm weak against sales."

She stood leaning weakly against the door frame as she grinned at the chaos in the pool then at the two girls. "You two up for winning?"

Momoi chuckled. "You're not what I expected," the girl said quietly. Kasumi and Riko looked at her curiously. "I thought I'd find an introvert of a photographer, one who preferred being on her own."

"Maybe two years ago. But then I met my Snorlax of a boyfriend and my overly pushy kohai forced her way into my life." She grinned at the two girls in front of her as the bag of guns were picked up and held out to them. "They didn't want me in my pokeball anymore."

They stared at her and Riko chuckled as she took a water gun. "I can't see it," she said, checking the water level. "I mean, you've got the awkwardness of an introvert, but you mesh well with the other first years. Momoi-san, if we, and Kagami-kun, are going to win, you might want to zip up your jacket. Don't need you being overbalanced."

The pink haired girl stared at the two in surprise, then beamed, accepting the last gun as her own water gun after doing as the oldest girl said. "Of course." Her eyes gleamed mischievously. Pumping the guns, Kasumi set her bag behind the farthest bench and aimed at Rin.

She laughed at the flat look she got as he turned to stare at her. "We're gonna win!" She called out, rushing to join Kagami on the other side of the pool, making sure not to slip.

"We'll see about that!" Koganei yelled as he began splashing at them.

Practice forgotten, the four out of the pool waged war. Hyuuga had slid out of the pool to put his glasses on her bag before tackling Kagami into the pool, leaving the three girls out. Momoi went after the freshman trio for the most part, unable to find Kuroko. Riko went after Hyuuga and Tsuchida while Kagami got Izuki and Koganei. Kasumi went after Rin and Kuroko after realizing only she could really tell where the blue haired teen was thanks to her always focusing for a camera shot. She never really how pouty he could be after not really moving a facial muscle. Rin promised silent payback for whenever she'd go to his house next. From the corner of her eye, something, rather someone, moved and she called out to Momoi, who was nearest to her after they had moved around. As one they turned on the person and sprayed, freezing in shock and mild panic right after.

Daiki stood in the doorway, eyes scrunched close after being hit in the face with two water guns. Kasumi stared wide eyed at him as the pool fell silent and he slowly opened his eyes, looking first at her, then Momoi. Completely and fully unimpressed.

"A-ah… Aomine-kun," Momoi greeted weakly.

His brow twitched. "Satsuki… you can find someone else to walk with tonight. You… I hope you fall…" Kasumi wheezed slightly, nervously sharing a look as Daiki left.

"Oops," Momoi whispered weakly.

"Is it bad that I wish I had a camera of some kind?" She whispered back and they burst into hysterical giggles.

Riko sighed as she realized they'd have to start practice again and blew into her whistle lightly. "Momoi-san, go get changed. Kagami-kun and Kasumi-chan will make sure get home okay. Kuroko-kun, don't even think of leaving."

"Hai…" the phantom responded desolently and the girls began laughing again as Nigou barked in agreement.

---

Daiki barely managed to prevent himself from hitting Wakamatsu when his phone went off, Kasumi's call chime dinging.

"You've caught a pokemon!" It claimed in English, making the blond holding his collar falter in confusion. Sliding free, Aomine drawled, "See you later," and disappeared swiftly, pulling his phone from his pocket as his magazine hung at his side. "What's up?"

"Is your face okay?" She promptly asked. "I mean, I know I asked yesterday, but-"

He snorted. "Uxie, it was just water from water guns. Not even high powered ones like from a Starmie. I'm fine." A small laugh left him as he wandered off campus before Satsuki could come after him. "I'm glad you're okay with Satsuki, even if it's at my expense."

A soft laugh left her. "I'm glad, too, if a little surprised. By the way, would you know anything about Kagami-kun practicing when he wasn't supposed to?"

A wince crossed his face. "I just wanted to see his light," he tried weakly.

"Hmm… Riko-senpai made him walk on his hands to get a heating pad," her voice was dry. "Anyway, I called to say that the team's going to be taking up my time until the games. We'll have to deal with texts or bribing Chi-chan to play messenger."

"We don't have the money for bribes." He sighed. "How about pictures?"

"Doesn't Momoi-san get into your phone at times?

"... I really need to change my password."

"Ahomine…"

"Rude."

---

Kasumi, Furihata, Fukuda, and Kawahara checked one more time that they had everything at the bench and she waved them away. "Everything is here, assist the others," she told them as she pulled her camera out and checked both battery and card space.

"Hai!" They moved to the court, speaking with Kagami, Kuroko, and the seniors.

Blue-green eyes narrowed as she looked at Kagami's legs and not for the first time envied Riko's ability to scan people. A glance into the stands showed Chigusa and the newly returned Amaya, the former with her camcorder and the latter with her folder. Chigusa made an 'X' with her arms and she frowned. 'Daiki, you idiot… where are you?'

Her gut clenched and she looked at the court. The photographer had a feeling this game wasn't going to go as anyone really expected, not even Daiki.

-LIR(tS&tU)-

As the first quarter went on, her face became a blank mask. 'I knew they didn't have teamwork, but to this extent… I think I want to hit them.'

A slow breath left her. Her camera clicked as both Kuroko and Kagami jumped and landed. Vibration at her hip in a specific pattern told her Kise was there. '5,000 yen says Midorima is here, too.' She didn't look away from the court.

The female manager from Teiko came to mind and she sighed. "Kantoku, I believe Momoi-san did what she does best on us."

"Hmm?" The brunette sounded annoyed.

"She analyzed Seirin."

Riko hummed. "Yes… but that's past information. Humans grow."

"Yes… but Momoi-san thinks ahead and in patterns," she said as she looked to her frozen coach. "They know a lot more than we think. She takes everything she has and puts it through the wringer until she gets what she needs."

"But do they know everything about Kuroko?" Furihata asked and she blinked at him. "I mean, he's been opening slowly to us and he's kind of like a wall."

"I don't know," she said quietly.

The first quarter ended and the four freshman moved to pass things out.

"Be careful either way. It's because they have little data on you two that Momoi-san will know you two will be used," Kasumi warned and let her eyes flick to the girl in question.

"She's right," Kuroko said, looking at her then at Riko. "But we have to try anyway."

-LIR(tS&tU)-

The second quarter began and Daiki still wasn't there. Her lips pursed as she ran through the few photos from the first quarter quickly and frowned, holding the camera to Riko. "Do you see it?"

Riko glanced at the camera screen and jerked her head up, eyes wide as sweat began to bead her temple. "Koganei-kun," she addressed the boy on her other side. "This is an emergency, prepare to sub for Kagami-kun."

Brown eyes wide, he nodded and did so. "Furihata-kun, get the tape ready," Kasumi said, getting up for a towel.

She shoved it at Kagami, eyes warning him not to argue before refocusing on the game, camera up. Her hip pressed against his shoulder comfortingly and he quirked a lip up at her weakly. They looked at their coach as she apologized to the redhead.

"Even with Tachibana, you do too much, kantoku." Kagami stopped, cutting himself off and realizing how sappy he sounded. His face averted fully to the front. "I mean, sending me off with an apology hardly amps me up."

Those on the bench shared grins and Kasumi silently took a picture (because come on, awkward Kagami was adorable Kagami).

"You're a brat, Bakagami." Riko stood up and smiled after him. "Go get them!"

"Seirin, member change."

"That's it, show some spirit so you can entertain me, even a little." Blue-green eyes widened in surprise before the blank mask took over as Daiki looped an arm around Kagami's neck.

Kasumi loathed the asshole act he was forced to put on.

-LIR(tS&tU)-

It wasn't obvious who didn't really know him, but Daiki avoided Tetsuya on court.

He didn't do it to be mean, but it was so he could avoid saying something he didn't mean (envy burned quietly in his veins, seeing his shadow (best friend) having someone else as his light). He knew how harsh he could be and so avoided talking to both Tetsuya and Kagami despite wanting to be completely unbearable. Because after never saying it out loud, both he and Kasumi knew he wanted the Miracles relationship to be how it had before, just like Tetsuya and Satsuki wanted, too.

And when he won (he always, always, always won), Daiki didn't want them to lose their passion like he did.

Navy eyes drifted to blue-green as halftime began before drifting away.

-LIR(tS&tU)-

Kasumi eyed the unsliced lemons warily before quietly exchanging them with the peanut butter bars Amaya helped her to make (a double batch) and the homemade juice Chigusa made.

Riko wilted in the corner as the regulars replenished themselves.

-LIR(tS&tU)-

The moment he stepped from the hallway from his warm-up, he locked eyes with Kasumi through her dark bangs. She still had the blank mask on, the only way she'd keep everything hidden. 'Which one?'

He tore his eyes away an looked into the stands, finding Chigusa quickly. The middle schooler locked eyes with him easily and nodded. Rolling his shoulders and dropping his towel onto the bench, he continued to the court.

(A soft rumble left the beast and he wasn't sure if it was of curiosity of being challenged or mere grumpiness at being bothered)

-LIR(tS&tU)-

The feeling from before appeared again, only this time from Daiki, filling the air. The hair on the back of her neck rose and it took all she could to simply breath through it. At her side, Kuroko tensed further, wanting to get back in the game. She could feel it where their sides were pressed together.

'We aren't strong enough for what Daiki calls the "beast"... Seirin won't win… and he wants me to keep close with Seirin afterwards…? Idiot! You had my heart first!'

A silent, shay exhale left her and she squeezed Kuroko's forearm lightly; he leaned into her.

-LIR(tS&tU)-

Minor taunting phrases left him automatically, unable to help himself.

Some of his formless shots were taunting the opponent, having never seen anything like it.

Was it because of how fired up Kagami was?

Daiki couldn't tell at all.

"The only one who can beat me is me. You can't do it on your own."

(His blood sang in his veins, telling him Kagami could beat him - but it wasn't that day just yet)

-LIR(tS&tU)-

20 points behind, Daiki asked to see the new light and shadow duo, see their strength.

(There was the shift of the head, eye glinting as it peered)

It wouldn't be enough.

-LIR(tS&tU)-

His eyes lingered on Tetsuya but he walked away before the bitter words could leave his tongue.

-LIR(tS&tU)-

"Nothing's wrong with the taping!" Daiki furrowed his brows slightly, observing carefully as Kagami protested about being benched.

"Kagami."

The court stilled, the words like a chilling wind as Kagami stilled, staring at the speaker. The atmosphere grew eerie. Blue-green eyes resembled turbulent ocean waves, a darker blue than before.

(An image overlapped the girl his blood sang once more at the sight; the beast rumbled in pleasure as it settled into its slumber again)

"Sit on the bench or be benched for the rest of the year." Her words made the redhead falter even more. "Your disrespect will not be tolerated."

(Her expression dared Kagami to try something)

Kagami sat on the bench after Seirin's coach didn't refute her manager''s words. A towel was dropped on his head.

The court was able to move again after the tense moment was over. Kasumi was angry and Daiki chose not to risk her ire, knowing she could be dangerous (their last year was quiet as Haizaki took to the background, avoiding blue-green eyes) and made sure to keep himself in check.

-LIR(tS&tU)-

Seirin fought, never giving up until the end. Aomine Daiki avoided Kuroko Tetsuya, never once letting a word slip free in the fourth quarter again. Touou doubled the score.

-LIR(tS&tU)-

Daiki sent the affirmative to meet up with Chigusa at the south entrance of the building, his back to his team. Then one of the benchwarmers began talking crap on Tetsuya and he moved, bag thumping against his side.

Bang!

"What gives you the right?"

"Aomine!" Wakamatsu yelled, but he didn't move away as his eyes glinted dangerously, looming further over the startled teen.

(The beast rumbled, tail flicking in the dark)

"What gives you the right to say stuff like that… when you're just a mere benchwarmer?"

The teen was silent, eyes wide with fear.

"That's what I thought." He stepped away and dropped his arm, the teen wilting like a weed. His eyes connected briefly with the coach, then he left.

-LIR(tS&tU)-

The hall by Seirin's locker room was darkened, so Kagami didn't notice Kasumi when he left the room. A breath in. He still pissed her off, disrespecting Riko right after he praised her. Kasumi shook it to the side, already knowing Amaya would be planning a sleep over at Kasumi's when the four girls were free. She moved quietly to open the door, stepping inside and closing it. The girl stepped closer and sat beside Kuroko, who didn't look at her. She loosely wrapped her arms around him and after stilling, melted into her arms, face buried into her arm. Kasumi held him until they were forced to leave.

-LIR(tS&tU)-

Seirin ended up losing the chance to enter the Inter-High.

---

Kasumi cuddled Nigou as Koganei and Tsuchida squabbled over stopping Kuroko. Her eyes kept drifting to the empty places Kagami was usually in.

Riko called for them so she could speak about the Winter Cup and Kiyoshi Teppei coming back, adding in a threat about winter being cold.

-LIR(tS&tU)-

Tachibana stayed with him after practice, uploading pictures to put on separate USB drives for Suzuki from the stage. Nigou was on her lap, dozing with a stuffed pokemon (he thought she called it an umbreon).

Tetsuya looked at the ball in his palms then shifted and tossed it towards the hoop. It bounced off disappearing behind him and he blinked his eyes slowly. A sudden flash and a yelp made him turn around, spotting a tall brunet holding a bag of candy rub his eyes with a free hand.

"What is wrong with you, Kiyoshi Teppei?!" Tachibana cried out, her camera in hand. "Are you a Gastly?"

"Tachibana-san," Tetsuya called and she looked at him, eyes still startling wide. "Breathe."

She did, climbing from the stage to hover beside him with Nigou in her arms, her camera remaining on the stage.

The older teen chuckled as he blinked down at them. "Sorry, sorry. I didn't mean to startle you." He looked at Tetsuya, head tilting slightly. "They were right about you, the only thing you can do is pass."

It was true, Tetsuya knew, and it didn't offend him, but it did Kasumi, who began eyeing Kiyoshi like she had with the Touou team. He removed the umbreon from Nigou's paws and shoved it in her face, blatantly and placidly ignoring how the tail nearly went into her mouth. Looking back at Kiyoshi, whose face has become slightly bemused, politely asked, "Was there something you needed?"

Tachibana wiped the toy against his face as Kiyoshi answered, and the two boys traded words, the lone girl stepping closer. A soft noise left her when Kiyoshi attempted to dunk, but simply bounced off the rim.

"Senpai," she said abruptly, making the brunet turned to her.

"Yes?"

Her face flat, she pointed down. "Watch where you step."

"Eh?" The followed her finger. "Ah! My candy! Thank you, tachibana-chan. See you three next week!"

They watched him leave quietly.

"He's a weirdo" she said decisively.

"Tachibana-san, that's rude," he chided lightly.

"..."

"... maybe."

"Hmp."

-LIR(tS&tU)-

Kasumi stuck a cherry rock candy stick in her mouth, watching wryly as Kiyoshi challenged Kagami for a starting position.

"Kagami-san's going to win," she noted absently and the teens by her looked at her in confusion.

"What makes you think that, Kasumi?" Hyuuga asked as he adjusted his glasses.

"Mmmm…." Her eyes hooded, brow twitching in annoyance. "Kiyoshi-san is a weirdo."

The teens drooped in confusion before turning back to watch. Kagami won and headed out first. She threw Nigou's umbreon at him, the plushy bouncing off his head. "Are you stupid?"

Picking up the toy, he looked at her in innocent confusion. "What?"

Her brow twitched again and Hyuuga patted her head. "Nevermind, Kasumi, I see it. Kiyoshi! Look at your feet!"

Wandering away, Kasumi rubbed her forehead. 'Rin-senpai didn't say he was this weird…'

"Tachibana-san, don't you think your being harsh?" Kuroko asked and made her twitch.

A sigh left her. "Maybe," she admitted. "But something about Kiyoshi-senpai drives me up the wall. Actually…" She trailed off, looking back at the brunet. "He kind of reminds me of my mom."

"Your… mother…"

"Forgetful of things and does random sayings." Kasumi nodded to herself then scowled. "Anyway, don't expect me tonight."

"Why would I?" Kuroko asked flatly. "It's not like you've been sneaking into my bedroom or anything for the past week."

Kasumi grinned and bumped her shoulder. "Take care of our baby, yeah? Don't give him anymore bacon pieces."

"I will spoil my child however I wish. Shoo."

She snickered as she bounded over to Riko when the older girl called for her, privately pleased she was growing more comfortable with the teen. 'Bet Daiki will be happy with that. Ah… he owes me a couple dates, too...'

-LIR(tS&tU)-

Junpei paused in grabbing the coffee can from Kiyoshi, blinking. "Kasumi?"

"Eh?" Kiyoshi followed his gaze.

The manager was dressed in shorts and a loose shirt, the tank top strap showing. She was flailing at the former ace of Teiko (also dressed in shorts and a tank top) who was batting back at her one handed while the other held a basketball. Kasumi seemed annoyed.

"Who's that? Her boyfriend?" Kiyoshi asked as they stepped out of the light as the other duo came closer, not noticing the seniors.

Aomine her by the arm and squished her to his side, kissing her forehead and laughing at her exasperation.

"Ah… apparently…" Junpei wondered why she hadn't mentioned it during the game, but seeing her eye Aomine grumpily, decided to put it off for a while.

---

Watching the first years play in the practice game, Kasumi looked over at Hyuuga. "So you've taken Furi-kun as an apprentice, then?"

"Ah. He's kind of like Touou's SG, which is why I had him watch the apologetic mushroom's play." He ignored Kiyoshi's confusion.

"Did it help?"

"A little. He wants to try scoop shots, like Kasuga from Seiho, but I told him to try first in practice. He's also looking up other school's shooting guards."

"Hmm…" Her eyes moved to the teen in question.

"By the way, Kasumi, I wanted to look at your notes, if that's okay."

She paused and looked at him sheepishly. "I'll have to translate for you…"

The megane looked at her as Riko laughed. "What?"

Riko answered, ignoring Kasumi's sheepishness. "She uses pokemon to describe people."

Hyuuga stared between them and sighed.

-LIR(tS&tU)-

Bouncing the ball in hand, he watched as the manager moved around the court absently to pick up basketballs, dropping them in the mobile crate when she moved by it. Junpei had no idea how to ask his question and didn't really know how to really address any girl that wasn't Riko.

"Hey, dad!" Kasumi suddenly called out, smiling at the spot to his right and he flung the basketball at the backboard, staring at Kuroko in shock.

"When did you get here?!" He looked at Kasumi. "And why'd you call him dad?"

"He's Nigou-chan's dad," she replied as she dumped a few balls into the crate, looking between them oddly. "I'm gonna go get some juice so you two can talk."

"Thank you, mom," Kuroko said, slightly dry. Kasumi snickered as she left the gym. He looked up at Junpei and the megane eyed him carefully.

He listened to the teen as they spoke to each other and felt his eyebrow twitch. 'All these first years are getting uppity…'

Junpei flicked Kuroko on the forehead. "You don't come to me a lot, but don't get ahead of yourself, moron! Replace you as a starter? Think of the guys on the bench! It's not your place to say that!"

"But-"

"I said no." Junpei eyed him. "Do you know what position Kiyoshi plays?"

Kuroko blinked at him. "Center."

"He's also the only one who can do it. He also makes a pretty good point guard…." Junpei went on to explain about the beginning of the club. "Furihata, if you haven't noticed, is also beginning to become a shooting guard to his point guard position. Has Riko not spoken to you about that yet?"

At seeing Kuroko furrow his brows, Junpei realized she hadn't and sighed.

"Kasumi mentioned you could be the point guard for the first years if Furihata took on the shooting guard position. If Kiyoshi can balance being center and point guard, Furihata can, too." He paused, eyeing Kuroko. "But is that really all you can do? I'm sure Kasumi or Riko can help you with developing other basketball skills. Or even Mitobe's little sister. Anyone of us can. I won't force you to do anything you don't want to and if you really think you can't do it, at least tell Kagami. He believed in you…"

The younger teen was quiet and Junpei turned to grab a ball, intent on letting it sink in for the moment. "Just how awkward can he be? Jeez."

"Excuse me. Thank you." Kuroko's steps sounded, like he was running and he was as Junpei looked after him.

"You sure you don't need anything else?" Junpei called and Kuroko replied in the negative.

The door opened again after Junpei made a basket and he looked to see Kasumi, Nigou by her feet. She held three cans in her arms. Blue-green eyes blinked at him after looking around the gym. "Did Kuroko-kun leave?"

"Yeah."

"Ah… so, Hyuuga-taicho," she tilted her head as she tossed him a can. "What'd you really want to speak about?"

Catching the can, he stared at her then chuckled. "Should have known you'd see past my excuse."

"Be blunt," Kasumi suggested as she walked closer Nigou bouncing over to his feet. "It's something that gets farther with me than stalling."

"Are you dating Touou's ace?" He asked, following her suggestion as he crouched and patted Nigou's head.

"How did you find out?" She asked, bristling. "Was it Takao?"

"Kiyoshi and I saw you two yesterday," Junpei clarified after taking a sip. "Who else knows?"

"No one from Teiko aside from Midorima and Kise. Kise because he saw Aomine pick me up and Midorima needed a lucky item from the camera store. Their teams, too. Uh." She took a sip, looking thoughtfully upwards. "Amaya-senpai and Chigusa-chan. I think Shiro-kun, Rin-senpai's little brother, knows but he's too hard to ask. That's… it, I think."

"Why haven't you told Kuroko?" Junpei asked curiously.

Kasumi hesitated. "That's kind of complicated. I didn't at first because we never talked before, not even during Teiko, so just saying, "Oh, hey, I'm Daiki's girlfriend," would have been weird. Now… I don't know. Might be a bit terrible sounding, but I'd rather the rest of the Miracles and Momoi-san find out by accident."

"You'd have to explain if you did," he noted as he straightened.

Her lips quirked up. "Exactly. And both Daiki and I are rather lazy when it comes to that."

"Snorlax?"

"Mm. And I'm his Uxie. Weird, but it works."

"I can tell from that silly smile on your face," he teased before growing serious. "By the way… How're your cooking skills?"

She blinked in confusion. "Cooking?"

---

"We face potential danger," Hyuuga informed them.

Kouki blinked in confusion.

"What do you mean?" Fukuda asked in confusion.

"Coach may be cooking for our camps. I'm sure you saw her lemons from Touou's game." They paled.

"It's inedible?!" Koganei screeched slightly and Kouki grabbed Kuroko's shoulder when the smallest teen swayed.

"Yes, and if Kasumi isn't able to-" Hyuuga was cut off.

Bang!

They flinched, whirling towards the doorway. He vaguely recognized the girl in the doorway as Kasumi's senpai, Suzuki Amaya.

"Never fear, boys, your heroes are here!" She crowed exuberantly.

"You say that now, but would we still be heroes if Riko-senpai had been here?" A dry, feminine voice drawled and making Suzuki freeze, sweat building along her face.

"Ah…" She sidestepped sheepishly, eyeing the gym warily, to let Kasumi and the unknown girl come in.

The unknown, in a middle school uniform, raised a hand in a wave. "Yo, Rin-nii. We're here to help Riko-senpai cook for you guys."

"You agreed?" Hyuuga asked, relief filling his face.

"Of course." Kasumi grinned as she held up a faded notebook. "And we've come up with recipes, we just need taste testers for the first round."

"First round?" Kiyoshi repeated and Kasumi beamed beautifully as Suzuki and the younger Mitobe smiled sweetly. Kouki felt like crying, and apparently, so did Fukuda and Kawahara as they shared looks.

"Yeah! If we went down during the first round, who'd help Riko-senpai with you lot? The first round is curry!"

---

Daiki found himself hiding in the underpass when Kasumi was with her team for their training camp, dragging Chigusa and Amaya with her ("Because I can't watch over both the boys and Riko-senpai cooking - I'd lose it"). They'd be back around the time his game against Kise would be and couldn't help grinning at the thought of playing against the blond.

On the third day, she finally called.

"Yo, Uxie," he greeted as he sprawled on their sleeping bag with a faint wince.

"Hey," Kasumi replied and he shifted and arm under his head.

"What's wrong?"

"Shutoku is here and Riko-senpai keeps preventing Kagami from playing in the practice games for his own training." A low, heavy sigh. "And it's taking all three of us girls, plus Rin-senpai and Kagami-kun to make sure she don't use protein powders in the food. We've taken to hiding them in Nakatani-kantoku's room with his permission, but she still keeps getting them somehow and we have no idea how."

Daiki huffed lightly before blinking. "Kagami?"

"He lives on his own, too, so he knows how to cook, thank Arceus."

"Hmm… does that make him good house husband material?"

"..."

"You can't say you haven't thought of it…"

"Shiro-kun does have a thing for hot headed people…"

"Double dates?"

"We don't even know if he's gay or not, Snorlax."

"... so? Let's double date, anyway."

"Ugh… we'd have better luck with Midorima-san and Takao-san…"

"They're dating?"

"From what I've seen of them, they have enough UST to jumpstart an accidental orgy with their team."

"... it's in my head now, dammit. Seriously, Uxie?!"

"I was never a pervert till you got your idols in my head… speaking of head, which one were you speaking about?"

"Stop it! I'll take you to the Pokemon center Mega when I can, so stop it!"

---

From: Uxie
'Is Mewtwo at the arena?'

From: Snorlax
'Dunno, haven't seen him; Steelix is. Wasn't able to do much than nod, though.'

From: Uxie
'Should I mess with him?'

From: Snorlax
'Maybe after? I mean, Chigusa and Amaya got to go home right? So you'll need to watch the kids.'

From: Uxie
'Does that make Riko-senpai the mom? Don't answer that. We're almost there, play safe, don't let the UST get too high.'

From: Snorlax
'STOP IT.'

Kasumi giggled as she slid her phone away, nodding at Hyuuga's raised eyebrow when he glanced back at her.

"Snorlax?" Furihata asked her curiously and she nodded.

"Yup, he's at the arena."

"Eh? He play or something?" Kawahara asked.

"You said you met at Teiko?" Fukuda added.

Kasumi and Furihata shifted in their seats to look back. "Or something. And we did. About… the beginning of the tournaments for the middle schools, I think. Some time in June of our second year."

"How long have you two been dating?" Fukuda leaned a bit closer, dropping his arms on the top of the seat.

"Hey, hey, isn't that too nosy?" Furihata cut in, frowning worriedly at her.

"It's fine, Furi-kun," she said as she flicked her phone open again, searching through her agenda. "It's… huh. The day of the Winter Cup."

The bus slowed and came to a stop. The team gathered up the stuff and headed off.

"Wow. That's going to be a weird anniversary, huh?" Fukuda asked.

"Yeah… hey, since we're here, I'm going to call him." The three nodded and stepped away a bit, dialing.

"Hey." Daiki greeted in Spanish and she followed his lead.

"Hey back. We're at the arena."

"Alright. I just finished my warm-up…" Kasumi hummed and held a fist towards Kagami when he looked back at her, making the redhead roll his eyes and turn around, ignoring her as he followed behind the others.

-LIR(tS&tU)-

Daiki slung his bag around his torso, towel on the body of the bag. "So where should I expect to see you in the stands?"

"Somewhere high, the place is probably going to be full. We're on the east side." She paused. "By the way, avoid ticking off Kaijo's captain. I know he's probably still upset with himself from fumbling last year and his team… well, I don't think they're good for his stress levels."

He laughed despite himself. "I won't taunt him. Kise, on the other hand… He's our piplup to mess with." His steps slowed as he neared the locker room and placed his hand on the doorknob.

"Be careful." Daiki stilled and he hummed lightly.

"I will…" He trailed off as he jerked the door open, blinking at all the eyes abruptly on his. "What?"

"Eh?"

"They're staring at me like I'm a cat and they're are a bunch of dogs… see you later."

"Hehe. See you."

Flicking his phone shut, he moved to a bench. "If you're all going to stare at me like a main attraction at a circus, I want to be paid."

-LIR(tS&tU)-

Kasumi drew her fingers lightly through Nigou's fur as she watched, shoulder pressing against Kuroko's. The puppy nosed at her fingers, tongue lapping at her nails.

"Do all point guards do that? The Ippon thing?" She wondered, looking over at Izuki, who blinked back at her.

"Now that you mention it…" Koganei looked at the second year point guard, too.

Izuki looked at Furihata and Kuroko. "Do we?"

"I do not." Kuroko answered. "I simply pass when someone is open."

"Same." Furihata shifted in his seat.

A low whistle escaped her as the game continued. "Kaijo's ten is quick with the rebound." Her eyes lingered on her boyfriend, head tilting ever so slightly when their eyes locked, lip quirking slightly.

"How did you guys beat Kaijo?" Kiyoshi suddenly asked and those there for it stilled.

"Spirit energy." Kasumi supplied, sneaking Nigou onto her lap. "So much spirit energy, a kitsune blessed them from the good meal." Her eyes darted to Kuroko, who merely blinked at her.

Riko made a noise. "Did you watch?" She asked.

"Is that so?" The manager mused instead.

Fukuda groaned. "Nooo. Don't be cryptic, Kasumi!"

"It'll be like English all over again," Furihata added with a grumble.

She snickered as she tousled Nigou's ears. The game went on.

This time, her eyes lingered on Kise. 'What are you planning, piplup?'

-LIR(tS&tU)-

Daiki stared down Kise, blinking when he passed it to his teammate, throwing out a taunt. Side eyeing the blond, he wondered, 'What're ya plannin'?'

-LIR(tS&tU)-

Nigou was slid out of her lap by Kuroko, she noted idly as she leaned forward. Her eyes focused hard. "What was Kise's skills again? With his copying?"

"What are you thinking?" Tsuchida asked after Riko explained.

"He's focusing hard on Aomine."

A small noise escaped Kuroko. "But he's never been able to copy another Miracle."

"People change, Kuroko-kun. And I think Kise-kun is beginning to on the court."

"But can he even copy anyone better than him, like those from the NBA or something?" Kawahara wondered.

They fell silent as the second quarter ended and a drawn out, "Heeh," left her. "Touou is full of Gengars," she murmured.

-LIR(tS&tU)-

"We'll keep going like this." Daiki cut Wakamatsu off. A slight smirk tugged at his lips. "Even if he can copy me, it either won't work against me and just you lot or it'll work against all of us or simply not at all."

"What?" Wakamatsu was bristling as the ace stood up.

Daiki tilted his head and shrugged. "Either way, if pushed the Giratina will come out."

Ignoring their confusion, he left the room with his phone.

From: Snorlax
'How upset would you be if the Giratina came out?'

From: Uxie
'Depends. Will you crush him?'

He stared out the window, blank.

(In the dark, the beast rolled over and flashed its eyes, teeth baring slightly)

A sigh left him.

From: Snorlax
'I can't guarantee anything. Not now, anyway.'

From: Uxie
'Then don't be stupid, at least.'

-LIR(tS&tU)-

Kasumi stared as Daiki moved to stop Kise from dunking. The ball hit the railing, bouncing up before falling back into the court.

Daiki stared at the blond before breathing deeply and stepping away. He headed away from the blond before his eyes opened.

A frown formed. "Oh, Kise, what've you done?" She breathed out and leaned forward.

"Tachibana?" Kagami said and she could only shake her head, sliding her phone out.

From: Uxie
'Did you see it?'

From: Steelix
'Yeah. We'll need to cool him down, huh?'

From: Uxie
'Giratina's started to pay attention.'

Her eyes flicked back to the court.

From: Steelix
'Let's make sure Snorlax gets the proper fur care then. He'll be grumpy otherwise.'

From: Uxie
'You're one to talk, stupid.'

More relaxed, she snagged Nigou back to cuddle him through the bag. "Stop hogging our baby, Kuroko-kun."

Blue eyes darted to her and she thought she saw a slight pout on his lips. "How rude, Tachibana-san. You're the one who keeps taking him from me."

She made a face before her phone vibrated again.

From: Steelix
'Btw, look up to the south. I'm playing Zubat.'

Her brows furrowed as she did, jaw dropping as her eyes caught the large form of her childhood friend in the rafters.

From: Uxie
'Did my mom rub off on you too much?'

From: Steelix
'Maybe. You're worse though.'

-LIR(tS&tU)-

Daiki couldn't help the slightly lecturing tone he took on as he spoke to Kise before moving along. They both moved along.

-LIR(tS&tU)-

Their game ended with a dunk from Aomine and Ryouta landed on the ground.

Gold eyes widened then narrowed as his legs gave in. Teeth gritting, he tried again. They widened once more as hands caught his jersey and arm. Gold locked with navy.

"My style may not rely on teammates, but yours does. Don't be stupid."

Aomine handed him over to Kasamatsu before walking away. "Senpai…"

"You did good," Kasamatsu said, hand patting his head. "'Sides, it's not all over yet. Pay him back in the winter."

Ryouta saw Imayoshi say something and earned a cool look from the face before he smiled dangerously and said something to make the third year stumble.

-LIR(tS&tU)-

Atsushi nodded at Araki. "Of course. Kasu-chin would be grumpy if I didn't respect you."

Her brow twitched, lips curving dangerously. "You say that and yet you still eat during practice."

"I listen to you," he returned. "I go to practice however begrudgingly and play nice with the team. 'Sides… Kasu-chin's mom is firm on respect, despite being an oyabun."

The woman and teen stared at each other silently.

His brows furrowing, he finally said. "If she finds out I told you, she'll make me eat vegetables. Please ignore me." He turned to leave, paused, turned back around a bowed lightly, turned away and ran as much as he could in the halls, sweat building already.

'I hope neither find out… veggies are horrible, no matter what they do with'em!'

-LIR(tS&tU)-

Riko sighed heavily as she lead the boys from the arena, Kuroko and Kagami both sporting sulky looks. She glanced at Hyuuga. "So Kasumi-chan left already?"

"Yeah. Said something about meeting up with an old friend." Hyuuga answered.

"She complained about me hogging Nigou, but she continues to leave him with me," Kuroko huffed lightly.

"Maybe it was important for her meeting up with her friend?" Furihata offered. "Kasumi-chan seemed a little wor-ried…"

At his stilted trailing off, they turned to the first year. "Furi?" Fukuda fell silent when he saw what caught the other teens attention. "Uh…"

"Tall…" Koganei mumbled.

Her eyes began scanning the tall, purple-haired teen even as he manhandled Aomine. A Yosen jersey rested on his long frame.

She blinked rapidly, trying to understand the rest of the scene.

The unknown teen was lightly pushing Aomine ahead of him. Tape rested on Aomie's mouth, his arms stuck in a jacket whose arms were tangled into a knot. Kasumi walked beside them, a bag of snacks(?) swinging in her hand as she spoke on the phone. The odd trio was headed to the exit. Aomine suddenly flailed wildly, smacking into Kasumi and nearly knocking her down. A quick kick to the back of his knee had him staggering and the tallest teen swooping him up and dropping him onto his shoulders, where Aomine fell limply and the teen said something. Kasumi shook her head and closed the phone, shoving it into her bag and waving a hand at the teen, leading the male to a large SUV.

Seirin stared in bewilderment.

"Did we just witness a kidnapping?" Furihata asked nervously. "I feel like we just witnessed a kidnapping."

"Kagami-kun, that was Murasakibara-kun. I don't know how he knows Tachibana-san though, nor why they would be doing that." Kuroko said slowly.

"I'm sorry, but was it just me or did Murasakibara and Kasumi seem completely casual in doing that?" Koganei blurted out.

They looked at Mitobe, questioning, but the teen was texting with a frown. He blinked at the response he got then sighed, pressing a hand to his face in resigned realization. A few motions had them turning to Koganei for translation.

Blinking slowly, he said, "What do you mean, Kasumi's mom is an oyabun? No, actually, how do you forget something that important?!"

"Is this how she kept sneaking into my house with ease?" Kuroko wondered.

Staring, Riko sighed. "I knew she was a troublemaker, but not like this… did she tell you much about her history?"

The freshman trio shook their heads.

"Think Chigusa would answer?" Hyuuga asked Mitobe and the silent teen shook his head. "Thought not… we won't end up on some kind of hitlist, will we?"

The freshman blanched and Mitobe looked at them unimpressed.

"I had to ask, alright? I mean - yakuza, okay? Please stop giving me that look, Mitobe."

---

So... I totally meant to work on my other stuff, but somehow ended up in the KnB bandwagon, mainly for Furihata and Aomine. So, uh... maybe expect more KnB stuff in their sections than anything. And if anything in this is confusing, I will say now that it's meant to be just snippets unless it's a game. I might expand on some parts (like the training camp), but for the most part, all of the seasons will be squished into one chapter. So chapter 2 is season 2, chapter 3 is season 3. If I do chapter four, it'll be over Extra/Last game, but only if I can find the manga version.

That's all I have for now. Ja ne!