Author's Note: I hated this chapter. Sad giant = Sad me. T.T

belladu57: Thank you! I'm glad you like it!

Dina Sana: Thanks, I'm happy you find it cute! And yes, Hikari is very short. Their relationship will be romantic starting in this chapter and next chapter. ;O)

4/5: She Comforts Me When I'm Down

His head was buried in his pillow. The floor was clean and everything was in place. It was as if a hurricane of cleanliness passed by. Atsushi was beyond upset. Not even his precious food could take him out of his slump. In fact, it was in a pathetic heap in a corner of his room.

He lost.

There was only one thing he hated more than people who were passionate about basketball and that was losing in basketball. The door was locked and he still hadn't taken his jersey off.

He lost.

Murasakibara clenched a portion of the bedsheets in his hands. He wanted to cry and scream and punch something in frustration, but he didn't. It would make him no better because that would mean he was getting passionate about basketball. As if he would be like those idiots. It's funny how those 'idiots' won.

He lost.

A knock on his door took him away from his thoughts.

"Atsushi... You've been in there for 2 hours. Do you want something to eat?"

"No. Leave me alone."

"You have to eat something."

"No," he whined.

"I'm trying to help."

"Go away. I don't need your help." He picked up a pillow and angrily threw it at the door.

"That's it." A loud stomp echoed around the house. The door knob jangled and unlocked. She came in, disappointment clear in her expression. "Listen to me." He sat up and tried maneuvering around her, but she pushed him back on the bed and straddled the giant to prevent him from moving.

"Chi-"

"Let me talk." He stared at his hands, blushing, not wanting to look her in the eyes. "You're throwing a temper tantrum over one game?" Her face was scarily calm.

"I-"

"Not done yet. How many basketball games have you played in your life? At least a hundred. You have the record for scoring 100 points in a game. Now you have a scholarship to go to an elite basketball academy just because of your abilities. Losing one game to a bunch snot-nosed shorties doesn't mean anything." She suddenly grabbed his chin and forced him to look at her.

"..." His face red. His heart was pumping really fast for some reason he didn't understand.

"You are the coolest, purplest, giant center player I have ever met."

"I'm the only one you've ever met..."

"Great because meeting the other ones would be a waste of time." Hikari sighed and moved off of him. She gently gestured for him to lie on her lap. He did so and closed his eyes. She played with his hair. It did wonders and Atsushi was much more calm.

"Hikari, thanks a lot."

"For what?"

"Making me feel better."

"What kind of friend would I be if I didn't?" He felt a light pinch when she said friend.

"Yeah. A bad one." They stay in comfortable silence for a while, her stroking his hair while he played with the hem of her pants. No one had to speak for it to be a great moment.

"Are you up to eating yet?"

"No. Let me stay here longer."

"Of course."

"...Hey, Chibi-chin."

"Yes?"

"Purplest is not a word."

"Hmm? It's not?"

"Nope. Not even close."

"I think I've been around you for too long."

"There isn't such a thing as being around me for too long."

"That was vain of you."

Murasakibara lied on the couch, happy that he ate and felt better. For what seemed to be a slump he would never get over, it was over pretty fast. He peered over at his roommate who was diligently sewing his jersey back. Looking at his hands, he was slightly upset by how large they were in comparison to hers. The giant could probably break her hand. She was so small and delicate, like a doll while he was a giant, purple haired monster.

"What's wrong now?" She stopped her needlework. "I can feel you're upset. What is it?"

"Let's compare hand size." Atsushi grabbed her wrist and splayed her hand against his. It fit in his palm. The woman wiggled his pinky.

"We look so strange. Our hands are so different in size. Look, your pinky is bigger than my middle finger."

"I don't like it."

"Hmm? What's wrong with it?"

"We would look weird if we held hands." She shook her head.

"Why are you even thinking of that?"

"Because..." He couldn't finish. Facepalming, she lightly poked his hand with one of the needles. He winced. "Ouch."

"Don't be an idiot. It shouldn't matter how different we are."

"Mmm... You always make me feel better, Chibi-chin."

"That's kind of what I'm here for." She shrugged and poked him again. "Now, let me get back to fixing your jersey because if I don't, who will?"

"Well-"

"Don't get smart with me. Go eat some Poppin Cookin or something."

" 'Kay."