Hello my fellow Hamburgers~ Many thanks to those who reviewed. I enjoyed reading your reviews, they all meant so much to me which is why I dedicate this chapter to you~ I hope you enjoy it!

Disclaimer: I do not own KnB

CONFECTIONERIES

The smallest things to one

Can be the biggest things to another


I must hurry. I must hurry. For once, her long legs have proven themselves useful as she was able to run longer distances for less amount of time. Nevertheless if she didn't pick up her speed she would be late. I can't be late; a person can only wait for so long! She brightened up as she saw that she was nearing Baker's Cottage, I won't miss him! Her legs sped up even more.

Many bystanders stared at the tall, pink haired girl with the conservative uniform as she ran frantically by them. She would cry out "Gomen" or "Excuse me" as she'd passed them by but she had not stopped nor slowed down her pace. Murasakibara would leave her behind if she didn't hurry, after all, and she really wanted to see him. Their rendezvous in the Sweet Shop has been becoming a sort of routine ever since their second meeting their and this day would count as their fifth meet up. Although it was fresh, Rose had found herself very content with their relationship. However she wasn't bold enough to say they were friends just yet — perhaps acquaintances.

Speaking (er- thinking) of the devil, Murasakibara has just exited the shop. His left arm had a paper bag, presumably full of pastries, being held in its crook while his left hand had a lilac spoon hovering over a large cup of ice cream that was being held with his right hand. She smiled at the sight of him whilst running she waved her arm at him and called out for him, "Murasakibara!"

A spoonful of ice cream was just stuffed in his mouth before he glanced up at her, "Oh, Maioda~"

The girl immediately halted as he mispronounced her name, again. "It's Madoka." She corrected, seemingly unperturbed. He had the knack of forgetting her name and was it a coincidence that every mispronunciation sounded eerily similar to Maiubo? (You know that one corn snack with the cat mascot?) Last time it was Madaibo and the time before that it was Maioko...

His thoughtful gaze lingered a bit till his expression was that of incomprehension, "Eh~ was that it?" Once more he plunged a spoonful of ice cream into his mouth and strode off. Dutifully she walked by his side, a pleased smile was etched onto her lips as the two walked together. "Neh, don't you think it's getting too chilly for ice cream, Murasakibara-san?"

"Oh? I don't know~ I just wanted some~" He looked down at said ice cream with content. "It's gooood~"

Autumn in Akita was no joke. While the southern prefectures were not getting even noteworthy low temperatures, Akita is already beginning to feel a quarter of what awaits for late-autumn and winter. The air has been getting windier and that very wind was more cool than normal. Seeing Murasakibara eat a frozen treat in weather like this was awe-inspiring and baffling as well as worrisome. Papa said people can get sick very easily if they do that… "I hope you don't get sick."

"Hey, you worry too much~ Here." His hand was outstretched with a spoonful of ice cream. She gasped and shook her head, "Murasakibara-san, you know I can't-" The spoonful of ice cream was getting closer and closer and instinctively she slapped the spoon (and his hand) away. His head did a whiplash to where the spoon has fallen, "Ah(!)- Gomen, Murasakibara-san, I swear I didn't mean to do that, It's just you were-"She stopped mid-sentence and nervously eyed the guy, "Wha- what are you doing, Murasakibara-san?!"

To her horror, the tall boy had bent down and picked up the spoon which somehow landed upright and still had some clumps of ice cream within it, " Five second rule~" He chimed as he wiped away dirt from the bottom of the spoon. The absolute abhorrence at seeing him stuff the spoon in his mouth was openly reflected upon Rose's face. She had instantly yanked the spoon away before he inserted it back into his clean, uncontaminated ice cream and threw it away in a nearby trash can.

Rose then swiveled back at him, bowing and apologizing repeatedly, "Get a new spoon, Murasakibara-san, please."

One would've expected him to get peeved but instead he remained calm, "You're weird y'know~~" His now unoccupied left hand grabbed her wrist and yanked her away to a nearby café, a café which Rose recognized, Wait this café is Ms. Kuroi's-

"Welcome- Oh, Rose, what a surprise!" Rose for some reason felt a bit nervous which was strange for she never feels nervous however as Ms. Kuroi shot her a sweet smile she could not help it. Please don't say it… "I see you brought company." Can she not get the hidden message? Of course not! She isn't psychic but just in case… It's not like that, Ms. Kuroi please don't mention anything- "You two look so cute together." Like that.

Murasakibara seemed unfazed. In fact he was more caught up with something else, "Eh~? It smells good here~ Oh!" after recalling his purpose for being there, "I want a spoon." Too dense...Great!

The old woman had found him funny and chuckled at his candid words till Rose introduced them, "Ms. Kuroi this is Atsushi Murasakibara, he's a companion." Her attention returned to Murasakibara who still seemed a bit enthralled with the smell of the café. Well it did have a nice, warm and sweet aroma, like pumpkin and cinnamon. "Murasakibara this is Ms. Kuroi, this café is actually where I bought that Strawberry Hot Cocoa."

Capturing his attention was never easier, it was definitely not her imagination when a glint came upon his eyes for a brief second, "Eh, really~? Can I have another one of those~~?"

Baffled by his sudden request it seemed almost like a child pleading to his mother, "You want a- Listen, I-" His dull stare that was pointed directly at her was for some reason very… "Sure!" Cute.

Ms. Kuroi having witnessed their interaction was frankly quite amused. Rose Madoka was a kind and giving girl but this time she seemed like she was trying to please the boy. A very unorthodox relationship where the girl spoils the boy however Rose was not a normal girl and her boyfriend was clearly not as well. Throughout the many years she's been around, she has seen many relationships but this one stuck out.

As Ms. Kuroi handed Rose a spoon and Strawberry Hot Cocoa, her eyes were transfixed on the two as they left with Rose telling him to finish the ice cream first though he argued that he wanted to eat both at the same time. Her hand pulled away as he made a grab for the Cocoa. "Have a good afternoon you two." Rose returned the words and her boyfriend replied with an "Ooh!"


So fun! Being with a friend is so fun! This time, before leaving, Rose treated herself to one of the pastries in Murasakibara's bag without his consent, she reached in and pulled out a Cherry Danish, "I'm going to take one, okay?"

The boy frowned, that was the last Cherry Danish. "Wait a second-" but she had already bitten into it. A sip of Strawberry Hot Cocoa was enough to console him.

"Goodbye Murasakibara-san, next time you should bring Himuro-san. The more the merrier, right?" Besides, I want more people around.

Sustaining to her request was for some reason unappealing. "Eh? You sure?" Himuro joining them did not sit right with him perhaps it was because he would scold him for taking advantage of Maioda...

"Well it's up to you. It'll be a Friday so I doubt he'll have much homework and a Friday afternoon is always the best time to just hang out and eat– of course."


During practice the next day, Himuro felt a stare hard on his back. While standing under the Blue teams' hoop, Murasakibara was not even paying attention to the ball but instead to Himuro. "Oi, Murasakibara! Pay attention!" Okamura berated the underclassman who was in his Blue team. On the Blue Team there was Okamura, Liu, Murasakibara and two other players that usually sat on bench while on the Red Team there was Himuro, Fukui and three other players.

Coach Masako watched the mock match intently and she had also noted the more than normal lack of effort and attention on Murasakibara's part, her hand twitched for the shinai but she decided against it. "Oi, Atsushi, keep your head in practice, or else…"

The Yosen team could fill in the blank with no trouble. Or else I'll whack you hard with my shinai.

Through the ordeal, Fukui dribbled passed Liu who had been blocking him and dashed to the hoop to shoot a layup but Murasakibara caught on and towered over him. Himuro was then behind the giant and Fukui did a fake before heaving the ball under Murasakibara's long legs, successfully passing it to Himuro. A simple toss to the hoop was all that was necessary to get a point.

Fukui and Himuro then ran back to the center all-the-while Okamura grabbed the ball and chucked it to a bench player in the three-point line, the player was quick to shoot however the ball hit the rim and bounced to the hand of a Red team player. The blow of a whistle halted the mock game, "Alright that's enough, Blue Team wins with a 3 point margin; everyone to the lockers."

The sweaty team members complied, throwing their blue and red tanks in a box before jogging towards the lockers. As they exited the locker rooms, Himuro caught up with the lethargic former GoM member, "Is something bothering you, Atsushi?"

Murasakibara thought back on Maiba's words, "…next time you should bring Himuro-san." He answered with a shake of his head, "Neh~ I'm hungry."

Himuro heaved a sigh, he expected him to say that. However he was unaware that Murasakibara was holding something from him. Being ever so keen though, he did feel something different from Atsushi. "Well I suppose I'm free today, wanna go out and grab some tempura and udon?"

"Oh~~ Tempura and udon~?" Pleasing him was too easy.

"…a Friday afternoon is always the best time to just hang out and eat- of course."

The second-year nodded and explained that there was a restaurant a few blocks north from the school, apparently some girls from Himuro's class mentioned it to him for some form of going out but he had declined. "What do you say, it'll be on me?"

"Well it's up to you."

Free food? "Okay~~" His former condescending aura had faded away and was replaced with his standard lumpish impression.

Okamura, Fukui, and Liu having overheard the other two dived in, "Oi, what is this I'm hearing about free tempura and udon?" Okamura popped up between the boys. Himuro knew where this was going.

"Muro-chin, is paying for Tempura and udon." Answered Murasakibara off-handedly, clueless to the others motives."Oi ,we want to go too! I'm pretty famished, Liu want some free food? You're a walking stick so perhaps it'd be for the best."

Ignoring the snide remark, Liu settled on going as well, "I am a bit hungry."

You guys weren't invited…Himuro analyzed the boys as they bickered. Memories of days when Kagami and he would go out to eat in America filled his mind. Murasakibara was similar to Kagami in which they ate a lot which was why he would treat the underclassman however perhaps he shouldn't spoil him for he is now in this mess.

My wallet will surely be empty by the end of tonight. Purple eyes once again were locked on Himuro as he silently thought to himself on how there was more people to feed.

"The more the merrier, right?"


"What did you say?" Fukui and the rest of the team all stared at the Yosen giant with some varied forms of a confound expression. He had just told them he didn't want to go anymore right when they were in front of the restaurant. "I want to eat somewhere else, not here~" He repeated.

Not waiting for their opinions, he turned around and walked back through the path they had just taken to get there. Himuro definitely knew something was wrong now since Murasakibara was never picky on where they ate, not even the skies limit him when it comes to food. The team debated on what to do; Fukui stated to just leave him behind and Liu agreed but Okamura was against it and said they should all be together as a team though the other two simply blew him off saying they should leave him behind as well.

Nevertheless, Himuro (the one paying for everything) followed his fellow ace and with that, the rest of the team followed since they didn't have enough money to buy much.

"This is ridiculous, what's up with Murasakibara anyways?" Fukui mumbled under his breath. "I'm wondering the same thing." Himuro piped in.

Many heads turned as they eyed the school uniform-clad team, walking together. It was a rare sight. A few girls blushed as they eyed the boys when they passed by. White button-ups, black sweaters, red ties, black pants and platforms; they all looked so handsome except the gorilla-looking one...

"Murasakibara-kun~! You came!" A cheery voice caught the boys off guard, much to their surprise there was a tall, pink-haired girl with some nice assets waving and running towards them- or Murasakibara to be more exact.

"Oh-Maiuda, sorry I came late~~" having been quiet the whole time, it was the first time Murasakibara had spoken up since their walk here.

The beauty halted her sprint and stomped her feet down on the ground ash she went on a fit, "Madoka! Mah-doh-kah! It's Madoka, Murasakibara!" Himuro recognized her as the germaphobe girl but was surprised that Murasakibara did as well although he did get her name wrong, the fact that he even remembered her very being was quite a feat. After all, the giant often forgets faces when he doesn't care for the person. "Eh- was that it~?"

They seem to be acquainted with one another. How is that possible? "Madoka-san, right?" Himuro popped in between the two before Murasakibara hurt the girl's feelings even more. "What a coincidence-"

"It's no coincidence," She cut in, "I told Murasakibara-san to bring you here. Didn't he tell you?" Not giving him time to speak, she continued on, "However I'm surprised by the extra company. Who are they?" She pointed to the other Yosen regulars who were just as confused as her until a sudden hand was wrapped around her very own and Rose gasped as Okamura gazed up at her whilst he was kneeling down, "You have beautiful hands."

"Excuse me?" Rose was frankly very baffled by this guys' sudden approach however she noted the fact that he along with the other boys had the same uniform on, it could be possible that he and Murasakibara were friends and that perhaps Murasakibara brought more friends to comply to her request. How sweet however… She yanked her hand away and disinfected it with some sanitizer that she keeps handy in her skirt pocket. "Sorry but you're dirty. I appreciate the compliment though, I actually moisturize it with this Aloe Vera lotion and my mom takes me to get manicures and pedicures every Monday so they can stay in great condition."

Himuro, Fukui, and Liu shook their heads in unison as they noticed that their captain was plunged into another depressed episode as he was unintentionally rejected by Rose. "You should have seen that coming, Muscle Gorilla."

"Fix your jawbone and shave off your sideburns, perhaps then you would have a better chance." Liu added in.

Fed up with the insults Okamura exploded into tears… "What kind of teammates are you all!"

Fortunately Himuro was there to save the afternoon, "Captain, it's nothing personal she's just very cautious of her surroundings. She's what some would call a germaphobe." Himuro whispered the last part so Rose wouldn't hear him. The others nodded in understanding and that managed to boost up Okamura's spirits, "I see so that's the case. I'm glad to hear that perhaps I still have a chance."

All three were embarrassed at their captains' optimism maybe Himuro didn't save the day, Please stop trying…

"I'm hungry~ Lets eat~~" Mursakibara cut in, placing himself besides Rose, she swiveled around towards him and nodded rigorously, "Yeah, I actually reserved a spot for us in a steakhouse! Although I didn't plan much people to come, the more the merrier right?! All right, let's go!" She pumped her fist up and Murasakibara did so as well though more leisurely, "Oh!"

Rose suddenly stopped as she realized something, "Gomen but I didn't introduce myself did I? I'm Rose Madoka, a friend of Murasakibara-kun." There was the "-kun" again, Himuro observed her transition from –kun to –san quite carefully, perhaps he missed a lot these past few days he's been doing homework.

Since the other two remained silent Fukui was the first to introduce himself, "Kensuke Fukui, nice to meet you." He said politely to the girl, while he liked to tease his teammates he was well aware that girls are not boys and should be treated diff-

"Aa~ you're so short!" Rose cooed as she bent down to be on eye level with Fukui. Compared to the rest of the team, Fukui was significantly shorter however technically he was taller than the average Japanese male. On the other hand, even this girl towered over him like the rest of team. Offended, was that what he's feeling? "Hey, watch your words!" Rose did a 180 degrees bow as she realized that she insulted the boy, "Gomenasai, please don't hate me!"

Liu followed suit and introduced himself as well for common courtesy, "Wei Liu", though not with much enthusiasm.

"Mou~ Are you a foreigner? Chinese, perhaps?"

"Yes."

"How cute~ your eyes are small, slanted and squinty like one! Do you speak Chinese? Can you tell me something in Chinese?! Does Ching Chong really mean anything in Chinese?" Being ever so naïve when talking with others, she offended one more person.

A familiar hand was clasped on her shoulder as a deep voice boomed, "Kenichi Okamura, I am glad to make your acquaintance." Rose grimaced and shrugged his hand away before spraying her shoulder with a handy, mini-disinfectant spray that she also kept in her pocket, "Please don't touch me, I don't really know you yet and you're dirty." The third offended person and perhaps this one wasn't accidental.

Himuro snorted back a laughter as he watched Rose meet the other Yosen Basketball members he now recalled why he found her so endearing. This girl has a way with words.

"I want food~"

Something about this moment was enjoyable for Rose, she felt very grateful that Murasakibara did more than what she asked for, "Hai, we'll be there soon~!" A smile was beamed his way but he didn't notice as he continued to complain about an empty stomach.


Apparently the steakhouse Rose reserved a table in was a western steakhouse. It had dark lighting and it smelled like nothing but meat; it was quite pleasing for these growing men.

A busty waitress smiled at them and led them all to a six-seated table. Rose had situated herself in between Himuro and Murasakibara on one side while Fukui sat across from her with Okamura and Liu at his sides. Okamura suggested switching seats with him but Fukui rejected the idea much to Rose's relief.

"Do you have your orders ready? Anything to drink?"

Everyone had their order already picked out, save for Rose who was still skimming through the menu. How the guys made a choice so fast was beyond her, perhaps it was a guy thing.

"Dr. Fizz and two 16 oz. medium-cooked Steak, please." Okamura ordered, shooting a glance at Rose to see if she was awed by his daring choice only to see that she was still looking through her menu. "A Dr. Fizz as well and I'll have some medium-well Ribeye." Fukui also glanced at Rose whom was still making a choice, it wasn't every day that the team went out together and it was new to go out with the team plus a girl.

Liu and Himuro both ordered a much less meaty plate, "A Diet Mist and Salmon."

"I think I'll get crusted chicken and some water."

Murasakibara ordered a way more meaty plate, "Steak, Ribeye, Salmon and Chicken~~ Oh, this looks good- with Tropical Margarita~?" and what he naively thought as a sweet drink. The waitress stopped her writing and raised an eyebrow at him, "A margarita-?"

"He means Tropical punch," Himuro cut in with a sigh. "Murasakibara that was an alcoholic beverage you cannot get something like that." Murasakibara seemed clueless as to what he was saying, "Eh~ but it looked good in the picture."

I've decided! Closing her menu Rose looked up at the waitress, everyone curiously wondered what a girl would order in a place like this, "Can I have a Tropical punch as well also I'd like a Cobb salad and tomato soup, please."

What a lady... They all thought. Of course she would order something like that.

After some moaning and groaning from Murasakibara about how he was hungry and wanted food, the waitress came in with the food along with Murasakibara's fifth cup of Tropical punch.

The Yosen team rolled their eyes as Murasakibara got plates full of meat, he really wasn't much of a meat eater but since he was famished he'll take it all. Rose who had sat beside him watched in awe as he began eating, it was like déjà vu. "Wow~ So amazing~!"

Okamura puffed out his chest and shot her a shining smile, "You think that is amazing, Ms. Madoka? I can do much better!" And then he began quickly eating his food in hopes that Rose would be impressed by his quick, skilled eating.

"It's bad to scarf down your food like that."(Fukui)

"You'll choke, captain."(Himuro)

"Let him."(Liu)

However Rose wasn't watching him as she was still awed with Murasakibara, "Although you eat a lot, you aren't fat, Murasakibara. Why is that?"

Once more, Okamura made another attempt at swooning the girl, "It's probably due to all the training and practicing I make him do, after all I am his captain." It actually grabbed her attention, "Eh? You're his captain? A-re, captain of what?" Now that she thinks about it, she never even realized that Murasakibara was in a club much less a sports club. "Yes, we're all members of the Yosen Basketball club. Didn't you know that?"

"Murasakibara-san never told me." A sudden flashback of when she met up with him the second time and in which he threw his milkshake cup into a trash can that was many feet away without even looking popped up into her mind. No wonder he can do that… "So you trained Murasakibara, how to shoot?"

The Yosen captain suddenly remained silent and sheepishly scratched his head, "Eh- well not exactly…"

Himuro explained to her, "Murasakibara is what you might call a prodigy or to be more exact— a natural." As he spoke about it, even he couldn't help but feel a bit amazed by his underclassmen. Someone who doesn't even love basketball beats even me…

"Question: Do you guys wash your hands every time after practice?"

The upperclassmen all laughed, chuckled or smirked at her phrase. She was definitely a germaphobe and as they answered with a "No" she began to give them an in depth speech (sermon) on how one should always wash their hands especially when playing sports. At first they took it as a joke but as she continued on they took it more seriously until Murasakibara interrupted her, "I want dessert~"

He ended up ordering a Strawberry and Chocolate cheesecake, Molten Lava fudge cake, and some Key Lime Pie.

"Are you really going to eat all of that?" "Why don't you just share some with us?"

Long arms surrounded the plates with dessert, the way he was defending the food would be very desirable on the court, "No way~ It's mine~~" If only he could put as much effort into basketball as he did with his food.

"Atsushi, give me a piece of that pie; it looks good." Himuro politely asked. "Okay~" He gave a small piece to Himuro while the rest of the table (Okamura and Fukui) complained about how bias he was. Rose smiled as she examined the boys and Murasakibara. She envied the fact that Murasakibara was surrounded with such people but she was also happy that he gave her the chance to experience an occasion like this with a group of people.


The team separated ways after their meal. Okamura left with a teary goodbye, Fukui and Liu said they appreciated her company while dragging Okamura away and Himuro walked with the remaining two halfway till he got a call and went to who-knows-where, leaving just Murasakibara and Rose.

Rose had taken that as her chance…

"Nani nani, what are you doing~~?" Murasakibara observed Rose as she tightly hugged him from upfront, "Arigato, Mura-kun. I honestly thought you weren't going to come in the end but you did and it was better than I expected. You see in my school I don't have much friends so I can't say I've had much fun so perhaps if I say that this was 'the most fun I've ever had', it won't mean much but I can't help but say it. This was the most fun I've ever had and thank you."

He continued to stand in her bus stop, with her hugging him. Her hair smell like sprinkled sugar cookies, "You smell good, Mado-chin~"

Her hold loosened, "A-re? Excuse me?" He pointed behind her, "Your bus is coming~" She then let go and grabbed her stuff from the ground, "Oh, it is. Well, it was a fun Friday afternoon. Have a good night, Mura-kun." She waved before entering her bus.

No crows were squawking today.

The smallest things to one

Can be the biggest things to another


To my reviewers: I have decided to add a little section of replies for those who reviewed, just as some entertainment and way of saying thanks and they'll be done by Murasakibara~ :D Alright now start, Muu-kun! (Murasakibara: Hai~)

To Yuu-chin: Eh~ You're just like Author-chin~~ I think Aka-chin is a nice person and I like to eat~ Arigato~~ ( ´ ▽ ` )ノ

To Dan-chin: A-re? Are you a boy or a girl~? You have a lot of ideas, it makes me tired~~ (*△*;)

To Moon-chin: Nani, nani, another fan~? Ano, Maiba is weird (ーー;) but she gives me food~~ (´∀`)

To Hflo-chin: ASAP? Eh~ But that's too much work~~( ´△`)

To Yuka-chin: Ah? You made Author-chin blush (Author-chin:(ノ)´∀`(ヾ)) , good job~

Murasakibara: Ah~ I'm tired~~ I'm going to eat now~ ( ´△`)


Have you ever done research on a character/show and just grow to love it more and more? Cause that's what's happening to me, the more I look on Murasakibara, the more love I gain for him. I've been reading Replace Novels, listening to Drama CDs, viewing clips with him in it and reading Manga chapters with him in it and I can't just hate him even with what he's done in around the 220th quarter to 221st quarter. I won't spoil it but to those who've gone further into it, can you believe it?

Nevertheless, I've been liking Murasakibara more and more.:) He's sweet like a sugar coated Candyman~ ;)

Well I hope you enjoyed the chapter, leave a review if you did or if you just want to comment about something. I really appreciate them, it makes me feel like people are actually reading my stories. I mean it's one thing seeing the views my story gets in my traffic stats but it's a completely other thing when I get to read the thoughts and opinions of my viewers.:)

Well that's all I have to say, have a nice day/night!

I love you all and see you later, Hamburgers~~ (^_-)≡(||]!