Chapter II
Midorima walked with slow steps holding the umbrella above the girl beside him. As he took a closer look he noticed how short she was. Around what...5'4 maybe. Compared to him that was short. Her eyes were still sad as she fixed them on the ground. Sometimes she rubbed her wrist. Something caught his attention – her wrists were red. She got hurt after all. They walked silently, Nyoko barely looked up. She was blushing slightly every time she looked at the boy who saved her. Midorima Shintaro, the number one shooter of Kiseki no Sedai actually knew her name. She never would have thought he had actually noticed her. The fact that he did made the girl have butterflies in her stomach. She smiled to herself all the way not even noticing the growing pain in her wrists. It was Midorima's voice that woke her up from her thoughts.
'We are here.' – The boy stated then stopped in front of a house. Nyoko looked up her mouth already open to thank him for walking her home then something occurred to her. He could not have possible known her address so...where were they?
'This place...where are we?' – She looked up at Midorima who walked to the gate pulling the girl.
'This is my home. I do not know you address and you were in no state to tell so I thought you could rest and get dry here then I will walk you home.' – He said perfectly pleased with his reasoning. Nyoko stared at the house with her jaw dropped. 'What? Midorima-kun took me to his home? And wants me to enter?' She bit her lower lip at the thought of being at the boy's house but before she knew the man took her hand and led her inside. Midorima took the umbrella to the bathroom then walked back to the petrified girl.
'Take off your shoes. I will prepare some dry clothes for you and you can change in the bathroom.' – He said adjusting his glasses. – 'Are you hungry maybe? Thirsty?' – Nyoko could have sworn his cheeks were getting red as he asked the questions. The girl just shook her head and started taking her shoes off. Midorima stood beside her watching her which made Nyoko feel uncomfortable and embarrassed. Once she was done the boy led her to the bathroom.
'I will be right back!' – He said then disappeared. Nyoko looked into the mirror and observed her reflection. She was in a pathetic state. Her eyes were red, her hair was a mess and her hands were still trembling. As she looked down at her hands which were resting on the side of the sink she noticed the red marks on it. Her eyes welled up in tears as she remembered the stranger's hands gripping hers. She quickly shook her head to shoo away the thoughts then started dragging her wet sweater off her. Just as she lifted her arms to take it off – pulling her shirt along with it – Midorima opened the door.
'Here, I-' – He froze completely as he stared at the girl, that is, her bare stomach as she struggled with the clothes. Nyoko quickly pushed the shirt and sweater down giving up on taking them off for now.
'Thank you.' – She mumbled blushing deeply not meeting the other's eyes. The boy just held the clothes out then rushed out of the bathroom. Nyoko felt like crying; she was always so clumsy but that was not the time to be. Midorima soon as he escaped the bathroom leaned against the wall and sighed deeply.
'What was I thinking?' – He asked himself as he waited for the girl to change clothes. He lifted his glasses to rub his eyes with his thumb and index finger then placed his glasses back carefully. Then he folded his arms and waited patiently while Nyoko on the other side of the door struggled with getting rid of her wet clothes. When she finally managed she sighed, grabbed the towel and dried herself. As she reached after the clothes she noticed something. 'Are these...his clothes?' She tilted her head as she unfolded the shirt that was three times as big as her. She blushed as she put it on then looked at herself. 'I thought he had a sister...maybe I heard it wrong, you can never trust rumours.' She took the trousers in her hands then put them on. She looked quite funny so she tried to make things better with turning up the end of the trousers but still the shirt reached her knees and the trousers were almost falling off of her. Luckily she could tighten it around her waist enough so they would not fall below her hips. When she stepped out Midorima looked her up and down pursing his lips.
'Hmmm...' – He summed it up. Nyoko blushed even deeper as she played with the shirt.
'T-they are big, but really comfy!' – She giggled embarrassed. The boy just nodded.
'Good. I'd have given you my sister's clothes, but I'm not to touch them without her permission.' – He looked at the girl again. – 'You are really short.' – Nyoko puffed her cheeks out then mumbled.
'No...you are big!' – She could not meet the man's eyes she was too embarrassed though she could not deny that she enjoyed the situation. Midorima suddenly reached for her hand and took it in his. As he lifted it up Nyoko could not help but stare at the boy her lips slightly apart from the surprise.
'Does it hurt?' – Midorima asked as he ran a finger over the bruise on Nyoko's wrist. The girl just nodded. She bit her lip as the man observed her hand for long seconds caressing the red and purple area over and over again.
'I'm afraid I cannot help with this.' – He said then gently let go off her hand. Nyoko smiled sweetly as she replied.
'You don't need to! You already did way too much for me...and-' – She bowed while continuing. – 'I'm really grateful! Midorima-kun, you...you saved me.' – She was still bowing and so she could not see the surprised face of her saviour. Midorima blushed slightly at her words but then quickly regained his control. There was something that bothered him. That short and tiny word that came to his mind when he looked at the girl. As she bowed. When she talked. 'She's...cute.' He had to take a second to shoo away this small, seemingly insignificant word which for some reason troubled him quite much. He never cared about such. He never took not even one minute to form an opinion about any girl. He had better things to do than to check girls out or such. He was just not into finding a partner or falling in love. As a matter of fact it all sounded absurd to him. Yet, he helped that girl. 'Of course...what man would leave another person behind who was in trouble? I didn't do it because she is a girl.' He tried to assure himself but deep inside he knew that for some reason he looked at that girl differently. He just did not want to admit it...or simply he just was not ready for it. By the time Nyoko straightened up Midorima's expression was the usual. His cold eyes reflected nothing but indifference and slight annoyance.
'Anyone would have done the same. In your case, it just happened to be me who passed by.' – He replied simply. His words were harsh and Nyoko felt a bit hurt.
'It still doesn't change the fact that you helped! So, thank you, Midorima-kun!' – The girl smiled at the man who just sighed briefly and shook his head.
'Don't mention it. So, I believe you are tired? I'll dry your clothes, you can wait in my room. It's the first door on the right.' – He pointed at the door. Nyoko nodded and without a word she started walking to the room. Midorima entered the bathroom and put the girl's clothes into the drycleaner then followed his guest. He found Nyoko staring out of the window holding her right wrist. As he looked at her she seemed so vulnerable and weak. He stepped behind her and touched her wrist. The girl let out a small squeal as she was so deep in her thoughts she did not even hear the man enter the room.
'I'm sorry, I didn't want to scare you.' – He said and pulled back. Nyoko shook her head.
'No, no, it was my fault!' – She said then looked down sadly. Midorima tilted his head; he could not read the girl.
'Are you still scared?' – He asked after some long and tensed seconds. The girl bit her lower lip and nodded tearing up a bit. Yes, she was scared, as she remembered and imagined what would have happened if Midorima had not walked that way or if he had decided not to help. – 'Are you scared of me?' – The boy's question made her look up with her eyes a bit wide.
'W-why would I be?' – She asked puzzled. Midorima shrugged his shoulders.
'I am a man.' – He stated simply. Nyoko shook her head and wiped a tear away from her eye.
'No, I'm not scared of you, I-' – She had to stop as she felt tears wanting to break out. She did not want to cause any more awkward situations for the man, but it was not her fault. She wrapped her arms around herself as she looked away. She could not tell what it was that she felt. Fear? Confusion? She did not know, but she knew what she needed.
'Midorima-kun? Can I ask one last thing?' – She whispered softly not looking up at the man.
'Of course if it is within my power.' – He replied as he pushed his glasses up his nose.
'C-could you...hug me?' – She could not believe she actually sad it, but soon as she did she could not hold her tears. She felt lost and insecure even though she was safe and sound. Midorima's eyes widened shocked. 'Hug her? Why, I-...ugh' He slowly raised his arms and was about to step towards her when she spoke again.
'You don't have to if you don't-' – She did not have the chance to finish her sentence. She suddenly felt the man's strong arms embrace her – one arm wrapped around her waist while the other placed on the back of her head as it gently pulled her towards him. She rested her head against his chest while her arms moving on their own wrapped around the man's waist. She buried her face in Midorima's chest as she cried softly while he held her tight. They stood like that for long minutes. The man did not have the heart to push her away even though he was looking up and down, side to side feeling awkward and embarrassed. Yet for some reason he tightened his grip on her after a while. It was his phone that brought an end to this uncomfortable situation. Nyoko pulled away wiping her eyes sniffing cutely while Midorima reached into his pocket to get his phone out.
'Midorima.' – He spoke into the phone with his usual emotionless voice then he nodded once. – 'That's right, I was forced to. Yes. Ye- wait what?' – He gritted his teeth as he adjusted his glasses. – 'It's not funny, Kise! Shut up!' – The girl tilted her head and wondered with what Kise could be mocking Midorima. After a few more "Hmm" and nodding the man hang up and turned to her.
'I have to go. I cannot skip the entire training. Your clothes are still in the machine so you can either come back with me or stay here?' – His voice reflected impatience and so Nyoko suddenly felt how much of a burden she was for the man.
'I-I can go home. You can give my clothes back tomorrow.' – She said after considering her options. She thought this way Midorima would be freed – he would not have to walk her home or bother with taking care of her for the rest of the day. It was late afternoon already anyways.
'That is not possible.' – His answer made the girl gasp with surprise. – 'I would not suggest you going home alone. Then I shall go with you and then to practice...though' – He started mumbling to himself. – 'By the time I'd get there it would be over which means I won't make it there...-' – Hearing his muttering Nyoko started waving fast.
'No, no, no it's okay I'll stay then! You just go!' – The man looked at her then nodded.
'That's the best solution. Well then, I'll be back soon. I will lock the door, so sorry, but you won't be able to leave the house.' – He said that like a kidnapper. Nyoko just nodded slowly with slightly wide eyes then watched as the man gathered his things then left. From the window he could see as he started running. 'Warming up I guess' She giggled to herself but her giggling died slowly. 'Ahh man...I mean nothing but trouble to him. What was I thinking staying here?' She pouted then sat down on Midorima's futon. She looked around observing her surroundings. It was a neat room, just how she imagined it. Probably everyone saw a neat and strictly organized room when thinking about Mirodima Shintaro's room. She smiled again the lied down on her back. 'I'm lying in his bed.' Nyoko blushed deeply and bit her lip. 'Awww stop thinking, stop thinking!' She buried her face in his hands but her smile did not vanish no matter how much she tried.
A couple of hours passed. Nyoko was checking the clock on the wall every half an hour. It slowly got dark then the clock passed six. This was the last thing Nyoko remembered before seeing Midorima's face again.
Although he did not miss one shot, Midorima was not there in his head. He was slow, could not focus which annoyed him a lot. What was wrong he could not tell. Akashi noticed his strange behaviour, but decided not to mention it. Everyone can have a bad day...or at least that day Midorima was allowed to have one. Akashi ended that day's practice later than usual; it already passed eight when he stopped the panting players. The team was grateful when they were finally let go, but the boy with glasses just wondered off the court to the dressing room like a robot.
'Hey, aren't you taking a shower?' – Aomine asked him as he changed clothes after wiping himself with a towel.
'I'll take a shower at home. I have to go.' – He stated his voice clearly signing that he did not wish to discuss that matter any farther. Aomine grinned and hopped down next to him.
'Why are you in a hurry? You have a date? Oh, yeah, why were you late anyways?' – At that question everyone turned to Midorima who fixed his glasses uncomfortably.
'That's none of your business! Now, leave me alone!' – He said and stood up. Quickly put his coat on then in a blink of an eye he was out the door. Kise and Aomine shared a puzzled glance then shrugged and want to take a shower. Midorima sighed relieved soon as he was out the door. He walked with long and fast steps. But where was he rushing to and why? He had to walk that girl home so he would have peace again. Yes, it must have been it as he thought to himself. Before he knew he got home. The lights were on in his room, but he saw no shadows there. He walked in the house then he went straight to his room. He took his shoes off and opened the door. For some reason he opened it slowly but as he did he even paused for a split second to think about why he did that. He quickly shook it off then stepped in. He looked around and almost called Nyoko's name out then he noticed her. The girl was sound asleep on his futon. She was sleeping with a faint smile on her lips. Midorima watched her for a while before leaving his room. He decided to take a shower before waking her up. He took his time under the hot running water. He placed his hands on the wall and dropped his head letting the water wet his hair. 'Why did I rush home? Midorima! Control yourself!' He scolded himself. Even he noticed he was acting strangely. 'What changed? Nothing.' He concluded then turned the water off. After getting dressed he headed back to his room. He kneeled down next to the girl and leaned over her a bit. He hesitated – she was sleeping so peacefully. As he just observed the sleeping girl a water drop fell on her cheek. Midorima wiped it off with his thumb gently but at the warm touch Nyoko took a deep sigh. The man thought he woke her up, but apparently she did not wake up completely. She opened her eyes slightly and whispered weakly.
'M-Midorima...' – The man placed his hand on her cheek as he whispered back.
'Shhh...just sleep.' – The girl nuzzled his hand a bit as she closed her eyes and smiled. The next second she was sleeping again. Midorima did not move – his hand still rested on Nyoko's cheek then he ran his fingers through her silky brown hair. He froze. 'W-what am I doing?' He pulled back and quickly stood up. 'And where will I sleep now? T-tragedy...' He grabbed a pillow and a blanket and nestled in a safe distance, quite far away from the girl. He lied down on his back, took his glasses of then rubbed his face with both hands. 'I must be getting sick or something.' He nodded to himself then sighed again. He just realized how tired he was. He turned his head to the side unconsciously in the girl's direction. It was Nyoko's soft smile that he saw last before drifting off to sleep.
