Author's Note: Hello! Here's the second chapter, as promised. Thanks to everyone who favorited and followed last time! And to NinjaPenguinLover who left a review. :D

Okay, so since this story has alternating POVs of the two OC main characters, this chapter introduces the second girl. Enjoy!


Chapter 2: Eirin


"So what did you want me to do again?"

Kasamatsu shifts uncomfortably under my stare, and spins my desk chair in little circles to avoid looking at me. "Well, if you could, just come visit practice tomorrow, and give me your opinion of the team. We're having a practice game with Seirin High School, so it would be a good opportunity to observe."

"But I thought you said you're only playing on half the court." Stretching out on the floor of my room, I dig my hand into a bag of chips and munch on a few. I offer him some, but he just gives me a look. More for me, then.

"That's right. But the rest will be doing drills, freshman mostly."

"So the regulars are playing Seirin?"

He nods. "Will you do it, then?"

I stretch out my limbs, extending the bag of chips in my hand and accidentally spilling out crumbs. "Eh, I don't really see how my opinion will make much of a difference. I haven't even played basketball in years."

Kasamatsu frowns and his hands twist together. "Eirin, don't speak like that. I just want to hear your thoughts. Whether they're valid or not doesn't really matter."

"Wow, that makes me feel a lot better."

He sighs and raises his hands in defeat.

"What about my own club?" I ask him, even though he and I both know the answer to the question.

"Don't you usually skip it anyway?"

"Um."

Frankly, I would've chosen to become part of the go-home club, but Mom insisted I participate in some "school activities." Sports clubs were out for obvious reasons, so I chose the history club. Low-maintenance, most of the time they just spend the hours arguing over which general of which era was better. They've never asked anything out of me because most of the time I disappear and simply wander the grounds until I'm expected home.

Being straight-laced as he is, Kasamatsu's clearly bothered by my cutting, but it also seems like he'll use it to his advantage when needed. (Can a captain get away with that?)

Drawing lines against the plush rug, I say, "Fine. I'll do it. I guess it would be interesting to see you as captain." I grin when he blushes. Kasamatsu has always been easily embarrassed, and I've always loved teasing him. I must say, it's quite a feat that he can even talk to me, being the girl that I am. I suppose the fact that we grew up together was enough to thaw his fear of the other gender when it concerns me.

"Who are you considering for the Inter-High team right now?" I ask him, reaching for another chip. Mom probably wouldn't appreciate me eating in my room, but seeing as she hasn't even graced this place with her presence in a while, I fail to see how it really matters.

He wrinkles his brow and starts rattling off team members. Hayakawa, Moriyama, Kobori. I'm fairly familiar with the names, having heard Kasamatsu talk (complain) about them before. Respectively, they'd play power forward, shooting guard, and center. Kasamatsu, the captain, is the point guard. Which just leaves the small forward, the position that usually has the most flexibility.

"It's Kise, right?" I say.

He makes a funny expression that screws up his features and I cock my head.

"Well, of course." He sounds almost angry about it. "He's a Generation of Miracles, so of course he has to be on the team somehow. And I can't deny his talent and potential."

"So why are you hesitating?"

"He's . . . arrogant. A flashy sort of idiot."

"Does he not work well with the team?"

"It's not exactly that. . . . I mean, he's friendly enough. Annoying, even. He doesn't prioritize teamwork, though, and that's definitely a problem. And furthermore, he has no respect."

"Ah, I see."

"Huh?"

"Nothing. Anyway, Yukio-chan, since you're his captain, I'm sure things'll work out. After all, if anyone can beat respect and sensitivity into him, it's you. Literally."

Kasamatsu shoots me a glare. "Don't call me that. And since when have you been so positive?"

"Eh? I've always been this way."

"Don't kid with me. How's school been going for you anyway?"

"Fine."

"Fine? How are the students in your class? Are they bothering you at all? You know, you don't have to . . ." He drifts off.

I sit up, crumpling the now-empty bag of chips and tossing it into the trash. It misses, and floats down to the floor two feet away from the trash can. "What? I don't have to what?"

He glances at me carefully. "I mean, you've changed a bit," he says. "But you don't have to try so hard to . . . to . . ."

I look down at my clothes. Dark and plain — an outfit that tries not to highlight my black hair and blue eyes like Mom always tried to do. She always preferred the frilly dresses, high heels, expensive things. Needless to say, she hates my current style.

"I just don't want them thinking I'm some rich kid," I say. I finger the material of my shirt. If one looks close enough, they'd still be able to tell it's of fine make despite its casual design, but so far no one's paid that much attention to me.

"What's wrong with that?" he asks.

"If they know you have money, that's all they think about." My fists clench together. "That's all they think about, and that's all they care about."

His eyes cloud for a moment, but eventually he nods. "Okay." Then, a suspiciously thoughtful look comes over his face.

"What are you thinking?" I demand.

"It's just that . . . you're a first-year like Kise, aren't you . . . hm."

"What's with that tone of voice?" I lean toward him and stare him in the eyes. A low squeak escapes from him (even I can still catch him off-guard sometimes).

"I was just thinking that if you and Kise were in the same class, you could help me with making him into a more suitable player."

"That hardly sounds enjoyable. And for the record, I am very glad I am not in a class with Kise Ryouta. I could hardly stand to be in the same room with some idiot model."

Kasamatsu sighs. "And there you have it."

"I'm just saying! I can't stand people who think they own the world. And from what I've heard, Kise's exactly like that. Isn't he? You yourself said he was arrogant."

"Well . . . just come and see for yourself tomorrow."

"Fine. I will."

"Make sure you address me correctly tomorrow. Childhood friends or not, I'm still your senpai, remember?"

"Yes, yes, Yukio-chan-senpai."


The next day, I wonder why I've signed up to go observe a basketball practice game. Regardless, I did make a promise to, so after classes (with barely a thought for history club), I make my way to the gym. Kaijou has a very nice set of club facilities, I have to admit, and when I enter the gym, the place seems to almost shine. I breathe in the smell of sweat, let the thump-thump of the balls fall into rhythm with my heart, and for a moment, close my eyes and just soak it all in. It's been a while since I've been on a court.

"Ichikawa-san!"

I open my eyes and see Kasamatsu waving at me. It's odd to hear him call me that, but since it's Kasamatsu, I would expect nothing less. He'd hate to be embarrassed in front of his kouhai (although, with those knee-high black socks, it's a wonder he doesn't get teased more). I wave back, and he points me toward the bleachers. I nod, and shifting my bag up my shoulder, I move to the seats. There's another girl there, too, but I don't recognize her. She glances at me, smiles, but doesn't say a word, and returns to watching the players, her gaze intent and intrigued by what she's seeing. I almost smile. I've gone to several of the basketball games, before I was enrolled in Kaijou and when Kasamatsu was only the point guard and not the captain, and the team certainly has a way of captivating its audience.

With Kise Ryouta, a Generation of Miracles, a player thought to exceed most everyone his age and perhaps even those above him, just how will Kaijou's presence change? How much more will the Blue Elites shine?

Like expected, the court is split, with most of the team running drills on one side. Kasamatsu and some of the other regulars are in their uniforms already — blue, white, and black — waiting for Seirin to arrive. The coach, Takeuchi, stands near them, giving them some last-minute advice.

I begin to identify the players on the side of the court that will be used for the practice match. Half are listening to their coach politely (Kasamatsu, Kobori, and Nakamura) and the rest are mainly goofing off while doing their stretches (Moriyama and Hayakawa).

And then there's Kise . . . it's easy to spot him with his blond head. And simply the way he holds himself, all confidence, makes him stand out from the others. Almost as if he can feel my eyes on him, his head turns my way. I think he's looking at me, and I duck my head down, but then I realize he's waving at the girl who's sitting a few yards down. She raises her hand eagerly. I wonder if she's his girlfriend.

Kise leaves the gym then (he seems to chose the exact moment that Kasamatsu is occupied with Hayakawa, which I find rather sneaky of him), and a few moments later, he returns with what must be the Seirin team — their jersey colors are similar to ours, though with red replacing the blue. Kise is chattering to a short blue-haired boy about something, his arms swinging about animatedly. It's almost like he's gotten brighter after meeting the other players, their presence alighting in him a new fire. He didn't act this way at all with his own team. My eyes narrow and my knee bounces up and down, an itching feeling crawling up it.

I don't know much about Seirin, other than they're a new school. Kasamatsu told me that their team is only in its second year. They don't stand a chance against Kaijou. But as I watch them, I see a red-haired player who stands tall, and walks with a similar aura as Kise. Frowning, I glance at the others, noting the rest of the team. They're not solid, with the way most of them fidget and glance anxiously around like they've never even seen a basketball court before, but they're . . . different.

And the blue-haired boy that Kise was talking to concerns me. Anyone that Kise would take an interest in is bound to cause problems. There's something strange going on with him, too. I keep losing him in the Seirin players, even though they aren't a large team.

There's a small scuffle with Seirin about playing on half the court, and I snort when the red-headed player breaks the old hoop. Serves that Kaijou coach right (even I could tell that hoop was about to fall off its hinges and I'm sitting way over in the bleachers). Several tense minutes later, and the full court has been opened. The first-years who have been forced to cease their practicing are watching Seirin with open curiosity and a few other people have leaked into the gym to watch as well. Mostly girls. Most definitely Kise's fault.

Kise himself is now playing, looking excited as he pulls on his jersey. I wonder what he sees in Seirin. What am I kidding? If it wasn't for Kasamatsu, I might be rooting for Seirin as well. They're an interesting team.

The whistle blows.

Kise tries to dunk. Well, I mean, he does dunk. He just doesn't break the hoop like the red player did. The power level was just as high — if not higher — but since the basket is newer, its screws aren't so loose or rusted. He earns a kick from Kasamatsu for his effort. I snort so loud the girl near me glances over.

The game continues at a fierce pace, and despite myself, I find myself drawn into it. The players' emotions seem to seep into the air, the tension rising and rising as each quarter ends and the next one begins. Before I know it, the first-year duo of Seirin — Kagami and Kuroko being their names, apparently — have made their final moves against Kise.

And Seirin High wins with a buzzer beater.

What a rush. I've forgotten what it's like to play basketball.

I glance down at my leg, and rub where the old scar is hidden underneath my skirt. Perhaps it's a good thing.

The girls who were watching Kise mourn Kaijou's loss. Some of them comment about him crying. The girl sitting beside me watches, a near blank expression on her face. I second-guess the idea that she really is his girlfriend. I don't think he'd date someone who'd just watch like that. He'd probably want some airhead who'd rush on the court to comfort him and wipe away his tears.

But . . . I can't say I blame him for crying.

It's stupid, yeah. He's never lost a game before? Yeah, he deserved that kick from Kasamatsu for saying such a stupid thing. But still. Losing a game that you've put your heart and all your effort into . . . that's no small thing. And sometimes, even something as trivial-sounding as a basketball game deserves some tears.

But Kasamatsu was right, after all. His style of play bothers me.

After Seirin has left and clearly incensed with his loss, Coach makes those who weren't participating in the game stay late for extra drills. There's a collective moan. Kasamatsu gives them a few sympathetic words, but it's clear that he's the one most who's most disappointed. He approaches me and sits down. As the sound of bouncing balls start up again, he digs his knuckles into his forehead, and groans. I hand him a water I'd procured earlier, and he accepts it gratefully.

"So? What do you think?" he asks, after gulping down several long sips. He tries for an upbeat persona, not mentioning the loss at all.

"Your bases are good," I say after a few moments. "Most of the team seems to work well together. But I don't like him."

"Who?"

I jerk my shoulder toward Kise, who's laughing at something Hayakawa said (or tried to say, more likely). He steals the ball from Hayakawa and then effortlessly leaps into a smooth dunk, the ball appearing so comfortable in his hands.

"Kise?" Kasamatsu looks confused. "What do you think is wrong with him? I mean, I get that he's a flashy idiot. And he —"

"He's like the sun," I interrupt. "I don't think anyone can get too close to him without being blinded."


A/N: KnB kind of has a thing with comparing people to lights, haha. The obvious one would be Kagami (and previously Aomine). But there was also the light/shadow pair of Midorima and Takao. And in the fandom, Kise is often referred to as "sunshine." So, yes, I will play with that idea a lot. I mean, he has yellow hair and golden eyes - and with his bright personality, how can he not be compared to the sun?

Also, if any of you wondering, I am aware that if you add an "S" to the beginning of Eirin's name it becomes "Seirin." . I actually didn't realize this until I was already halfway through writing the story, and by then, it was too late. The name had stuck.

Thank you for reading!

~ J. Dominique