"Miyagi!" Akagi's voice boomed as the young point guard just barely manages to shake past his defender, using that brief instance to attempt to shoot.
Four seconds on the clock.
When in actuality, it's a well-disguised fake. The ball is passed with speed and precision like always.
Three seconds.
And as always, Akagi is there to securely receive it, despite Miyagi not so much as glancing in his direction. As if the center's presence is never far from his mind.
Two seconds.
And naturally, the second the ball reaches Akagi's hands he jumps before anyone can react.
The last second.
And even more naturally, he slams the ball into the hoop so hard the rims shakes even as he lands back onto the ground.
The buzzer rang as the scoreboard changed Shohoku's score from 73 to 75. Just enough to beat Sumino High School: 75 to 74.
What followed after was a blur of cheering, jumping, and high-fiving as Shohoku High qualified for the regional quarter-finals, a feat that would've been unthinkable just a semester before. He distinctly recalls feelings of both relief and adrenaline but he can't say he clearly remembers any of the specific compliments he was showered with, not even Ayako's.
What he does remember is a rush of joy that quickly doubles as he's pulled into a hug by a familiar pair of strong arms. He remembers the warmth that resonates in him for the brief moment he's pressed against Akagi's body and most of all, he remembers the grin that threatens to overtake his face as he looks up to meet the equally excited smile directed back at him-
"Are you paying attention?" A stern voice interjects, interrupting Miyagi's memories of his first high school tournament. Shifting uncomfortably on Akagi's bed, the newly appointed captain attempts to clear his head of any wandering thoughts.
Looking back at the owner of the voice he unconvincingly assures, "Oh yeah, of course, Capt-I mean, Akagi-sempai."
The former captain only frowns disapprovingly at him, "Anyways, Kogure's appointed Mitsui as your vice-captain, he's had experience leading a basketball team so if you have any questions you can always ask him. Ayako's also willing to help with paper work." Sliding some documents out of his desk (mostly relating to club funds and attendance), Akagi hands the papers to his newly appointed successor.
When Miyagi only nods absentmindedly in response, looking strangely anxious, Akagi's curiosity is piqued even further, "Something wrong?" To his surprise, Miyagi's expression becomes uncharacteristically wistful, almost longing.
"…" Miyagi looks contemplative, carefully mulling over his choice of words, "Just wondering if we'll really be okay. It'll be harder to keep Sakuragi and Rukawa in line without you." The corners of Akagi's mouth twitch ever-so-slightly upwards at this, forming the familiar almost-smile that Miyagi had become so accustomed to.
"Well, Sakuragi won't be out of rehab for two months, so you'll have time to figure it out. Besides, if anything, he respects you more then he does me," Akagi huffs, half sarcastic, half serious.
The underclassman shakes his head calmly, eyes cast downwards as if to avoid eye contact, "That's not true, sempai." He pauses for a moment, weighing whether he should risk his masculine ego by continuing his train of thought, "…Hanamichi really respects you. Everyone does."
Akagi raises an eyebrow, surprised by the sudden burst of sincerity, "Not that they'd ever admit it," he feels compelled to add.
"Moreover," Miyagi continues, his voice becoming increasingly more flustered, "The team's not going to be the same without you."
Finally noticing the unusual level of hesitancy in his friend's voice, Akagi addresses the issue with his usual tact, "What's up with you?" As Miyagi attempts to put his feelings into words, the shade of red his face turns appears to answer for him. Not that the answer was a particularly clear one, as all Akagi could do was stare bewildered at how anyone could possibly turn so red so quickly.
"'ma mizz yoo…" Miyagi finally mumbles out, his voice barely audible as his fingers dig into his friend's bed, clenching on to the sheets as if his life depended on it.
Akagi simply scrunches his face in annoyance, perplexed by his underclassmen's sudden reticence, "What are you trying to s-" His question is cut short when he's suddenly pulled by the collar, leaning over till he's eye to eye with a bright red Miyagi. Before he can react, Miyagi presses his lips against his, wrapping his arms around his teammate's neck.
Yet despite the strain of leaning over, the weight currently hanging from his neck, the burning sensation in his lungs, and the shock of being kissed less then consensually, Akagi Takenori can't seem to bring himself to pull away. Instead, it's Miyagi who ends the kiss, arms sliding off the taller boy's shoulders.
The two stare at each other for what seems like an eternity, both panting and bright red, not quite processing what had just happened. It's almost a suffocating silence, until Miyagi finally breaks the tension.
"I'm going to miss you," he states flatly. Casually even. As if he didn't just kiss his teammate of two years. As if he were just stating a fact, like that the sky is blue or Yao Ming is really tall.
Akagi blinks. Once. Then twice. As he continues to gawk at his underclassman, a newly-composed Miyagi mentally prepares himself for the gorilla rage that would no doubt be inflicted on him. 'He'll probably punch me in the gut; a blow to the face might draw too much attention. Worst case scenario he throws me at a wall.'
Finally, Akagi decides to move in just a little closer, a half step at most. A newfound hardness in his eyes, he lifts his right arm and Miyagi stiffens up, prepared for the inevitable beating.
What he's not prepared for, however, is a swift slap on the back of his head.
"Idiot, I'm not graduating for another seven months!" Before Miyagi can even begin to respond, however, the taller boy pulls him into a hug. Face buried in Akagi's chest, Miyagi flinches at the sudden contact before finally wrapping his arms around his upperclassman's waist and pulling him closer.
Looking up Miyagi smiles warmly, a gesture that Akagi returns in full. The smile, however, is quickly replaced with a mischievous smirk.
"We're home alone right?"
