Thank you to those who have favorited and follow this fanfic. Let me know what you think of this next chapter where Kaita is now living in America.
Location: Los Angles
It's been three years since Kaita moved to America, leaving an unanswered question lingering on her mind. It was time to start middle school; Kaita had learned English fairly quickly and was able to speak with a little accent. Even though it was easy for her to make friends she still missed the ones she already had waiting in Japan.
Two weeks into the first year of middle school there were quiet murmurs echoing Kaita's classroom as they all looked at the new student that was sitting in the back of the class. The teacher had introduced the new student as Taiga Kagami; of course Kaita knew instantly that he was Japanese since he spoke little English to his new classmates. Noticing that Kagami wouldn't relax due to not interacting much with the other boys she walked up to him during lunch.
"Hey there Kagami, what you got today for lunch?"
"It's just a regular bento. Why do you always talk in Japanese with me?"
"I thought you might find it more comfortable. Hey are you doing anything tomorrow?"
"Well it's Saturday, and I usually stay home. What did you have in mind?"
Kaita thought for a moment, "I've seen you at the park when the other boys in class go to play basketball. Why don't you join my team tomorrow and have fun playing basketball instead of watching others play it?"
Kagami was taken aback for a moment then sighed. "But…."
Kaita cut Kagami off before he could say anymore. "I know you've been practicing with Himuro and the others sometimes. I've also seen you on my way home trying to play by yourself on the court. I think you'll do just fine."
Kagami just nodded his head and told Kaita he would see her and the team at the park in the morning. Later on that evening Kagami took his basketball to the court and began going through certain plays that he had practiced with Himuro before. He didn't notice the footsteps that approached him from behind. Of course the court was lit during the evening until ten at night so the shadow didn't overlap Kagami's shadow. A grin just appeared on the girls face, a boy had tagged along with the girl to see for himself what she had told him earlier.
"Your stance is all wrong Kagami." The voice made Kagami jump. He looked over his shoulder to see Kaita and Himuro.
"What are you doing out here?"
"We could ask you the same thing. Geez, I didn't think that you would come out here to practice right before the game tomorrow. Do you want to lose?"
Kagami was confused by what Kaita had said. She gave a reluctant sigh and the pointed at Kagami's legs. "If you practice tonight your legs will feel it in the morning." Himuro nodded in agreement behind Kaita.
"Kaita's right Taiga, so you might want to go home. If you go against Kaita you might regret it later."
Kagami then looks back at Kaita who is looking at Kagami with a serious expression. Kaita then cracks her fist. "Are you going to continue practicing Kagami?" With no words Kagami puts the basketball under his arm and walks away, Himuro following after him to make sure Kaita didn't scare too much. Kaita was left on the court by herself, she looked up at the basket and memories of playing with Hyuga, Riko and Izuki came flooding back to her.
"I'll be back soon, just you wait.
Location: Japan
Across the ocean as if responding to Kaita, Izuki looked up to the blue sky, "We're waiting."
Hyuga looked back at Izuki who had suddenly stopped. He let out a sigh then put his arm around his friend's shoulders. "Come on we got practice to get to."
Izuki straightened up and followed Hyuga to the school's gym where the rest of the middle school team was waiting. The coach stood at the side as he watched the boys go through a scrimmage. After practice was done Hyuga dragged Izuki to Riko's place where her dad let them use the weights.
"You guys seem to be doing well in practice."
"We are but we can't really bring anything to the court. Even if Izuki is developing what he calls Eagle vision it might not help us until we graduate."
Riko nodded her head in agreement. "Well I think you two have had enough practice for today so why don't you call it quits."
"Riko's right Hyuga, we should go home and rest up. Well I'm off, see you at school tomorrow." With those parting words Izuki set out home. Riko and Hyuga watched as Izuki walked away. Then the two looked back at each other and they both let out a sigh.
"It seems that he's still hung up on Kaita. Even before practiced he kept looking up at the sky, my bet he was looking for planes hoping that Kaita would be on one of them."
Riko's gaze looked off towards the direction that Izuki had went, "Even though I keep in contact with Kaita from time to time I get the feeling she feels the same. Plus 'that' happened right before Kaita left." Hyuga understood what Riko was talking about, Izuki had finally told both of them that he had confessed to Kaita but she hadn't given him a response so he was waiting to hear what she had to say before leaving for America.
Location: Basketball courts (Los Angeles)
Morning broke as a few people made their way somewhere for the weekend. Kaita was already at the court warming up, Kagami and the rest of the boys followed. One of the boys stole the ball from Kaita as she dribbled the ball towards the net. Then it was time to start the game.
By the end of the third quarter everyone was sweating like crazy and chugging down water. Kaita looked at Kagami, "Aren't you glad you didn't practice last night." The other boys on the team looked at Kagami.
"Are you crazy, Kaita caught you trying to practice for this game? That happened to me and James here and she got mad at us. She's really good at sizing up a players potential but she goes a little over board sometimes."
"Hey that's not true! I just follow what my dad puts players through when he trains them." Everyone laughed then the fourth quarter began with Kaita and Kagami's team leading 28 – 19. The 10 minutes of the quarter went by quickly and Kaita and Kagami celebrated their win with their team. This became a routine of Kaita and Kagami for the next few years. Everyone had graduated from middle school and would be starting high school in the month to come.
"Hey everyone, I know this may be sudden but I won't be seeing you next year in high school."
"Aww, Kaita why won't you be there?" Even Kagami seemed a little shocked.
"Well the truth is, I'm moving back to Japan. I'll be living there from now on, so I just want to tell you all that it's been a pleasure playing basketball with you."
The boys patted Kaita on the shoulder, "Then let's make this a game you won't forget us by." They all cheered in response, Kaita smiled at them. After the game was won, Kaita and Kagami had walked together back home.
"Geez Kagami, when will you stop getting taller? It only seemed like yesterday that I was the tall one then you go and grow." Kagami tried to smile but he couldn't get Kaita's sudden announcement out of his head.
"Do you really have to go?" Kaita stopped and looked Kagami in the eyes. "I've made my decision, plus I have people waiting for my return."
"Then when are you leaving?" Kagami looked at the ground.
"I'll be leaving the day after next. I know it's sudden but over in Japan I have to take an entrance exam to the high school I'm going to attend. But cheer up; you being all gloomy are giving me the creeps." Kaita let out a laugh, which caught Kagami off guard since it had been the first time he had heard her laugh so cheerfully, it made him blush slightly.
"Well this is where we say goodbye Kagami." Hearing Kaita's voice brought Kagami back to reality. Kaita outstretched her arm in a handshake. "I want you to keep working on honing your basketball skills and see you rise to the top."
"You bet." Kagami shook Kaita's hand. "I'll shine bright that you won't be able to miss me."
The two let out a laugh and went home. A few days later Kaita left for Japan and Kagami practiced on the basketball court brooding over Himuro's declaration for the next time they played against each other. But that same day Kagami's parents told him that he would go live in Japan, so he packed up and a week later he was on his way to Japan. "Looks like I'm following you Kaita."
Just to let you guys know I will be trying to upload a new chapter every Saturday if not it will be uploaded on Monday.