Chapter 3: Bait

With the tip of her finger dawdling on the corner of the card, Seika allowed the sharp edge to dig into her flesh. It wasn't a conscious act, the girl was just too preoccupied to notice the sting on her fingertip.

7p.m. tonight, in front of the train station.

I have your glasses.

Ridiculous as it might sound, someone had kidnapped her spectacles. Even more absurd than that, will be the fact that Seika actually intends to meet up with the kidnapper in person.

She had no idea who the perpetrator might be.

The first person to come across as a possible culprit was Ando. Maybe he had another creative outburst and that was a new way to invite her out for a date, Seika had thought, but in the next moment she realized that the inspiring violinist had prior engagement with a practice session for his upcoming recital. The boy had held feverish anticipation for the event, and Seika struck off the possibility immediately.

Deep gray eyes squinted as she scrutinized the card for the umpteenth time. The card wasn't signed off, and it was completely bare besides the two commanding lines written in a tight, neat handwriting, one which looked strangely familiar. It was delivered to her by a short first year boy, who curiously, was in such a badly shaken state that she could feel the card shaking when he handed it to her with trembling hands.

The absence of her glasses did not catch her attention until her eyes had fell on the two lines printed smoothly in black ink. Immediately, Seika raided her desk to confirm that her spectacles were really gone. Her memories were the next place to be ransacked, she remember having them on before she nodding off, the kidnapper must have taken it while she was sleeping...

Lively chatters interrupted her thoughts as they greeted her ears. Soon, the station grew into view, the magic of an evening glow was transforming it into a hot spot for couples' rendezvous. As she arrived at the stipulated location, Seika flipped out her phone and gave it a quick glance. 6:50p.m. She felt qualm about her surroundings, Seika was never one for crowds, she shifted her school shoes nervously and hoped that the other party will reach on time.

She always had the habit of arriving 10 minutes before the agreed time, and this was a trait that even the black-haired captain knew of. Slightly before the timing of her predicted arrival, an ambush was put into place. Hanamiya emerged from his hiding place in the shadows, observing as the girl ran a hand down the back of her skirt, he silently strode towards her unguarded shoulders as she took her seat.

Taking extra care not to alert his prey, he inched cautiously towards her brown hair. "Seika-senpai." Each syllable deliberately stretched as he whispered into her ear in a deep silvery voice.

Invaded by the sudden warmth, she promptly sprung around, and the distance between their faces were reduced to mere centimeters. His benign guise was in place, a warm gaze and a gentle smile, so well painted on his face that it would put even actors to shame. Despite their rather dreadful last encounter, his feigned amiability had managed to keep the girl from jumping out of her skin. Seika could only gape at the basketballer, since her mind had gone completely blank on the sight of him. She didn't even noticing the flush of pink that raced to her cheeks, and her heartbeats were accelerating to top speed, drumming loudly as they palpitated in her ears.

"Ha-Hanamiya-kun!" she croaked out, it was an achievement actually, considering her brain had already shut down on her.

Hanamiya felt like bursting into laughter when he saw the lack of tension in her expression. Most people in her position should have already gained an immunity against his façade by now. Just how naïve and stupid can this girl get?

"What are you doing here Senpai?" Without moving an inch, his piercing gaze held her fastened in place. Seika's brain was still offline, there was no turning away, damn, even the simple act of breathing felt difficult when he looked into her eyes.

Seconds ticked into minutes, and she continued holding his gaze.

"Seika-senpai?" He prompted. This somehow allowed her brain to finally reboot itself.

"Erm, I'm meeting someone to get something." Seika replied vaguely. A sudden gust of chilly winter breeze took over Hanamiya's warmth as the boy moved away, and the bitter taste it left felt almost lonely. Seika tried to shake away the feeling, averting her gaze in the other direction.

"Something?" Seika watched the wind ruffle his black strands as the captain produced a familiar object from his pocket."You mean this?"

The black rimmed glasses dangled from his long fingers.

Seika's eyes widened as her chest heaved an inaudible gasp.

Her glasses. Hanamiya had her glass.

"Do you want this back?" He asked in a playful tone, an impish smirk drawn across his lips. The black eyewear was held to her face, he tempted her and Seika immediately jumped at the bait. Her hand stretched to retrieve the spectacles from his fingers, and her lips were just about to form a whisper of thanks, the black object was abruptly drawn high up in the air with a swift motion. Of course, there was no way a normal high school girl can match up to one of the 'Uncrowned Kings' in turns of speed or height. Her eyes and hands trailed after the motion, but no matter how she tiptoed, the plastic eye wear was already held beyond her reach.

"How about we have a date in exchange for your glasses?"

His words instantly drew her attention to him.

"I am attached, Hanamiya-kun." There was not a hint of hesitation when she rejected his invitation, Hanamiya's lips twitched in irritation but he kept his benign cover on.

"I know that Seika-Senpai." His eyes locked on hers, Seika stood her ground and refused turn away from his intense gaze. "Scared that your boyfriend might get the wrong idea?" He provoked with a thin sneer.

"No." She affirmed, yet, her slightly shaky tone told a different story. She wasn't only trying to dissuade him, it seems like she was also trying to convince herself. "We trust each other."

"Then it shouldn't be a problem, right? It's just a date as friends." His sly smile grew as he watches the certainty drain from her face. Their trust and relationship, the things he wanted to destroy, just for the time being he will use them in his favor.

Seika's brows quivered as she casted him an uncertain look, she wouldn't be able to see in class without her glasses, and the reason she was wearing glasses was because her supply of contact lens had run out. Being a good student, Seika weighted the consequences.

"Alright."

And she decided to give in.

"Then give me your hand, Senpai." With a set smile, Hanamiya extended his left hand to the girl who stood stiffly before him. Seika furrowed her brows, she gestured her dissent through her refusal to budge, clenching her hands stiffly by her sides. The impact of regret was already starting to perturb in her chest. Seika wasn't bright, but she knew the temperaments of her former captain, and he wasn't a person who will randomly ask a person out without a deeper intention. In an effort to put up some resistance, she was purposely keeping her distance.

However, Hanamiya wasn't planning to let his prey escape so easily. Minute amount of resistance was within his expectations.

The captain halted his steps and turned to face her.

"Your hands look cold." His outstretched hand remained in place. "I'm just concerned, Seika."

Seika felt something tingle in her belly when Hanamiya emphasized her name in his smooth voice.

It wasn't 'Manager' or 'Senpai', he had called her by her name for the first time without the burden of a suffix. Seika. It was like a magic spell that echoed in her mind, making her cheeks heat up and melting her knees despite the cold weather.

"Isn't this a date as friends?" Seika struggled to stand her ground, both literally and figuratively.

"Aren't we being a little self-conscious here?" Hanamiya scoffed, the corner of his lips pulling into a smirk. "Friends do this much." He took a solid step forward, stretched hand reaching for hers.

Provoked by his taunt, she raised her right hand tentatively. Her mind was split into two parties; one fought for her to just take his hand, while the more logical side didn't allow her to fall for his trick. Hanamiya took this hesitation as an opportunity, before she could change her mind, he grabbed her cold fingers and stuffed their hands into the pocket of his winter coat. Seika was yanked towards the captain. His hands felt colder than she had expected, but she was starting to feel a tingling sensations in her chilled finger, a sign that their adjoined palms were slowly regaining temperature.

Hanamiya took the initiative and led her forward by the hand. Seika had tried to pull away, but the half-hearted attempt was easily intercepted by a gentle squeeze from his hand. The captain took a glance at his former manager, her eyes were turned away from him while her cheeks flared a bright red.

He had revoked her resolution so easily, at the thought of this, a small smirk of triumph crept onto his face.

It was all going according to plan.

Silence dawned upon them as they headed towards the nearby shopping district, it wasn't particularly uncomfortable, since the noises of chattering couples had made up for their lack of interaction. Seika stole a glance at dark-haired basketballer, to her surprise, her gaze was immediately reciprocated, the simple act managed to coerce her heart into skipping a beat. Seika was completely caught off guard, the stumped look on her face earned her a spontaneous snicker from the captain. She couldn't help pouting as she turned to face the other direction.

"Seika-senpai." Hanamiya called out as he stopped in his tracks. Still crossed with getting laughed at, Seika refused to face the boy. "I'm buying something from the coffee stand, what do you want to get?"

"Anything warm." Seika replied in a sullen tone, wiggling her hand out of his pocket. The warmth that had enveloped her hand was suddenly replaced by a frigid night wind, she had gotten too used to his temperature, and the lack of it made the winter chills feel even colder and gloomier than it was before.

"Okay, just wait here." Hanamiya directed before he slipped into the crowds.

A mixed sense of melancholy and relief washed over her as the back view of his broad shoulders shrank away. Seika leaned against a street light as she watched his dark hair vanish from view, unable to suppress it, she let out a long sigh. Not once had she gone on a date that felt so stressful before. Will her heart even last till the end of this date? She wondered to herself. Just by being next to the captain, the thumping in her chest accelerates and blood only rushes to her cheeks instead of her brain. She wasn't the particularly sociable type, but never had she felt so clumsy with someone.

"Hey there." A squeaky voice interrupted her moment of release, she turned towards the source and met with a tall high schooler piercing gaze. He was sporting the same uniform as her, but the colour of his tie indicated that he was two years her junior. "Can you help me with something?"

"Eh." She blinked, slightly startled by the sudden request. Although she didn't feel comfortable with the over eager manner he was grinning at her, Seika wasn't a person who would ever turn down a person in need of assistance. "What should I help you with?"

Upon hearing her reply, the junior burst out into a fit of high-pitched laughter, the dissonance left an uncomfortable ring in her ears.

"Is something wrong?" Seika furrowed her brows.

"Nah, no problem at all! It's just that I didn't think you will actually agree to help me." The junior rubbed tears out of his eyes as he replied. "I just need you to take this."

He lifted a clenched hand towards her, she couldn't tell what he held in his fist, but nonetheless, she raised her palm to receive it. She observed as he took his time to release his gasp on the small item, something light and smooth land on her palm. Just as she was about to withdraw her hand, the junior clasped onto her retreating palm.

For a few unsettling seconds, Seika froze as she tried to make out the situation.

What was he trying to do?

This is a new way to hit on girls?

It took awhile before she finally realised her priority and tried to pull away, however the junior refused to budge, and instead, tightened his grip on her hand. The increased pressure was starting to hurt, Seika knew she was no match for him in terms of strength, she could only will herself not to panic, but little beads of cold sweat were already forming by her temples.

"Let... go!" The junior snorted at her quavering voice. He had a mission, and he wasn't planning on releasing her until he had accomplished it.

Hanamiya-kun... She called out silently for her former captain. It was beyond her apprehension as to why Hanamiya was the person who came to mind, maybe he was the most probable person to show up, even so, she couldn't think of reasons him will want to help her, she wouldn't even be surprised if he just walks off seeing her like this. Why did she even call for him? The person she hoped for was not her boyfriend or a dependable teacher, it was Hanamiya.

She felt foolish for the wish, even if he cared enough to help, the coffee stand was quite some distance away and at a busy hour like this, it would be impossible for him to make it back in time and come to her rescue -

"Let go of her."

Natto's Notes:

Thanks for the reviews! c: random rumbling time. I made Seika older than Hanamiya purely for self-satisfaction. I just wanted to imagine the Hanamiya saying 'Senpai'. Seika will never survive in a zombie apocalypse.