Chapter 3 Confrontation

Takao barely heard the rush of water inside the shower room where the boys of Shutoku were showering. It was after their practice and everybody was washing away the sweat and grime from their bodies.

Takao didn't know how long he would be able to evade situations like this. It was like, when he realized that there was a possibility that he was gay,he kept on imagining that if anyone discovered it, he would be ridiculed to the point that he may be kicked out of the basketball team.

He debated with himself with acting nonchalant about everything. The shower stalls had separate doors anyway. It wasn't like the boys would see each other's naked state as they showered. But still. Takao was afraid to risk it. What if he got a hard on just by looking at Midorima? That would be hard to explain. Although Takao was pretty sure it would be a feat to actually get erect when fear clouded his mind like this. He had to be a total pervert to be able to get aroused even when he was afraid of being discovered.

Takao made a decision. Nope. Whether he would get a hard on or not in the company of wet naked boys in general, he was not going to take any chances. He would go home. So what if he was all sweaty and shit? He would change into a dry shirt and pair of sweatpants. Then he'd shower at home.

Great. Everyone was in the showers. He was alone in the locker room. Takao quickly discarded his practice jersey and took a dry shirt from his duffel bag, shoving it down his body. Next he removed his shorts, only wearing his skimpy boxers.

Midorima chose that moment to step in from the shower room, his hair still dry, meaning he had not showered yet.

Takao froze as his eyes landed on Midorima.

His heart thudded wildly. He was just in his freaking boxers! He grabbed the sweatpants from his duffel bag and hurriedly put them on, as if his life depended on it. He felt hot. And bothered to be seen in a semi-naked state by his green eyed teammate.

Midorima lifted his brow daintily, wondering what ruckus Takao was making on the corner, and why he didn't seem to intend to go on showering.

Takao knelt by the bench and stuffed all his clothes into his duffel bag in a haphazard way, irritating the hell out of Midorima who liked everything to be done in an orderly manner. "In a hurry, Takao?"

The black haired boy scratched his head, trying to come up with an alibi, "Uhhh – sorta."

"You have not showered," came the response.

Takao rolled his eyes, glad Midorima couldn't see. "Obviously," he muttered to himself.

Midorima took his shampoo from his locker, still watching Takao. It was indeed strange. He was so used to doing stuff together with his boisterous teammate, even walking home together that he did not think Takao would just up and leave him like this one day. He must be going somewhere important.

Takao zipped up his bag, swinging it on his shoulder. He dared to look at the stoic giant, who was holding the shampoo, green eyes fixed on him.

Takao cleared his throat. "Hafta go, dude. I – need to go to – uhhh – "

As mannerisms went, Takao shifted his eyeglasses on the bridge of his nose. He always did that if he didn't know how to react to some things. The action served as a prelude to whatever he was going to say. In this case, Midorima was truly baffled why Takao seemed to be not his usual self.

Usually it was Takao who would pester Midorima about things, where they'd eat after practice, what video game they would play at the arcade center, what topic to discuss. Lately, Midorima sensed Takao's – aloofness.

It was not something Midorima felt he needed to be concerned with. He and the annoying point guard were good enough friends, they trusted each other's skills in on the hard court, but somehow, in a bizaare kind of way, Midorima felt like it stung a little that Takao was obviously going through something, maybe trouble with his grades or with his incessant flirtations with countless girls, and that Takao was trying to shut Midorima out.

Actually, not only did it sting. It irked the green eyed basketball genius to no end.

"Have your grades dropped?" Midorima suddenly asked.

"Haaa?" Takao squeaked. "Whaddayamean?"

Midorima's lip curled in disgust. "Your game sucks. For days now. You seem to be distracted about something. Is it your grades?"

Takao scratched his nose, suddenly feeling anxious. "Well, I'm doing okay. My grades can never compare to yours, sure I get that, but everything's pretty average, I guess. I didn't fail anything."

"Then why are you always out of your element when playing? You know Winter Cup is almost up. We cannot beat Rakuzan with the kind of state you are in right now."

Takao hung his head, sighing heavily. Yep, that was why he had to cure whatever this current fascination was that he was afflicted with. He had to get over it so that he could focus on their game.

In retrospect, this was not Midorima's fault. It wasn't his fault that he was so handsome and looked so sexy playing basketball that a boy who originally thought he was straight was starting to think of swinging to the other side. Naaah. Midorima was innocent. He was simply just too perfect and Takao knew he could not resist.

But he could not confess, could he? He still wanted to live with his teeth intact.

There was just one thing Takao could think of that could cure this affliction. He had to stay as far away from Midorima as possible and get himself a boyfriend. Someone who could take the edge out.

That was what Takao had been contemplating for days since he discovered he was gay. He would find a boyfriend. Oh, he knew it was risky. Shutoku was one of the top schools in their district, and the basketball team was even more prominent. If anyone discovered that Takao was into boys, that might be the end of his career.

So this had to be plotted thoroughly.

Takao needed some time alone to sort out his feelings. He was a boy, he was at the peak of his youth. He needed to get laid, at least. If he couldn't have Midorima, then the least he could do is take off the anxiety surrounding him by diverting his attention to someone else. Then maybe eventually he would forget about his intense longing for his genius teammate.

No matter what happened, he wanted to preserve whatever friendship he had with the Miracle boy. He didn't want to sully it with his unnatural yearnings.

"Spill, Takao," Midorima barked, cutting off Takao's musings.

"Ehhh – what, Shin-chan?"

"I said whatever issue you have, say it. So that we can find a solution for it."

Takao wanted to laugh at Midorima's face but didn't dare to. Yeah. He could probably say something like , uhhh, so can you get naked and spread your legs so I can give you a blowj –

Takao gasped, slapping his face with his palm. What the fuck was he thinking in the middle of the afternoon? In a secluded shower room with a very innocent pure guy like Midorima?

I'm the worst pervert! Damnit to hell and back!

Gritting his teeth, Takao shoved one hand to the pocket of his pants while the other gripped the handle of the duffel bag. He tried to act cool, as if nothing was wrong. "Everything's good, dude. No need to worry. I'll get my game on and we'll crush Rakuzan." He showed his signature grin complete with teeth, knowing he might have looked stupid.

The blank expression on Midorima's face did not change. "Where are you going?"

"Uhhh – home, I guess. There's this game I'm playing and I'm trying to reach a certain level so I can get a – a treasure."

"We have exams in a week. Why aren't you studying?"

Takao was slowly getting pissed off. Who did Midorima think he was anyway? His mother? Other times it might have looked cute, with Takao knowing his precious Shin-chan had an odd way of stating he cared about something, but now, that he was on edge, it didn't look cute at all.

"I'm fine, dude. I'm studying, don't worry about me."

Midorima watched him, his sharp eyes boring into his black ones, as if he was trying to read his thoughts. Then Midorima said, "If you're going home then I'll drop by. I want to make sure you're really studying."

Takao felt all his blood drain from his face. Midorima. In his room. Not a very good combination.

"Uhh – dude, 'sokay. Uhhmmm, don't mind it. I'll be fine."

Midorima scowled at him. "The last time you said that you nearly failed by two points and it almost took you out of the team for the Interhigh matches."

Takao finally snapped, "Shin-chan, today's not a good day, okay. Just – just drop it. I'm going home now."

Midorima felt as though he was struck by lightning as Takao walked past him, not even daring to meet his eye.

Something was terribly wrong. Takao had always been the one in the past who begged him to stay by his house, even when there was nothing in particular to do, or to watch nonsense on TV. Why, even though Midorima knew Takao hated studying, Takao would invite Midorima over and over just so they could go through their notes together.

They were good friends.

Why was Takao suddenly – trying to do things on his own?

Midorima was still frozen on his spot even after his black haired teammate had left the locker room.

Strange indeed.

Xxx

Okay, so next chapter would be Takao finding a new boyfriend. Don't worry, I'm not betraying the sanctity of this couple's love for one another. It's just to spice things up.

Hope you're still liking it.