Kuroko no Basuke
Mad Love
Chapter Four: Kise IV
It was a breezy clear sunny after school. The kind of afternoon that Tora would prefer to go home and do nothing. But Tora had compulsory extracurricular activities that she needed to attend, and instead of being at the pool, right at this moment she was stood outside the gym where the basketball team was currently practicing.
It was a little nerve-racking as she's been asked not to come before, but practice hasn't technically started yet since there was supposed to be a practice game going on and the other team hadn't even shown up yet.
Kise had run out of the classroom earlier, screaming that he was going to play Kuroko's school today. He was in such a rush that he left his notebooks and textbooks behind. Knowing Kise, once forgotten, it'll stay forgotten. So Tora did the liberty of picking up his things and went to drop them off before swim practice.
"Ah, Kasamatsu-senpai," she peeked into the gym. "Have you seen Kise-kun?"
"…"
Like the other times they spoke, Kasamatsu only acknowledged her with a look then turned away to avoid any further contact. Tora was more curious than offended by his actions, they more he looked away the more she wanted to speak to him.
"Don't worry about him, Tora-chan," Moriyama waved. "He doesn't look it, but our Captain's actually really shy with girls… Ouch!"
"Idiot!"
Kasamatsu whacked a fist over Moriyama's head.
"K-Kise went out a few minutes ago," it took Kasamatsu some effort just to get those words out. "… He'll be by the main gate."
"Oh… I see," she nodded. "Um… I don't think I've got the time to wait for him, but here are his books that he left behind. Is it alright if I leave them in there?"
The boys made way for her when she walked towards the changing rooms. She paused outside the door and turned back around, her eyes begging someone to take over from this point. One of the older members immediately dashed over and picked the things off her hand.
"I'll take care of it, Ikeda-san!"
"Oh thanks," she grinned. "That'll save me the trouble."
The boy nodded back and turned away to hide his red cheeks. He ran into the changing rooms to put Kise's books away.
"Thanks for the help, senpai-tachi."
Tora flashed Kasamatsu and Moriyama a quick smile before slipping out of the gym. Almost all the boys watched her leave in a daze. Kise had introduced his little girlfriend to the club a few weeks ago, and no one was really that surprised to see such a pretty girl in his arm. Since then, whenever Tora showed up at the club half the members would always be too distracted to do anything – this included Kise. So Kasamatsu had to result to asking Kise to ask her to stop coming.
Tora felt a chill when she left the gym. She felt as if she might be catching a cold, and that's not good news as she's still got club activities to do now. Running a hand up and down her bare arms, she hurried along the path towards the pool.
"Eh, speak of the devil! Hey! Toracchi!"
Turning around, she saw Kise standing next to Kuroko, and behind them had to be the Seirin basketball team. They were exactly what she expected, tall and muscular on par with Kaijo's team.
"I was just telling Kurokocchi about you," Kise waved her over.
"Is that right?" she walked over with a smile.
"Oh, Seirin team," Kise called back. "This is my girlfriend."
"It's nice to meet you all," Tora bowed forward, strands of her long hair falling over her shoulder as she did. "I'm Ikeda Tora."
"W-Wow… as expected of a famous model…" a boy murmured. "Even his girlfriend is super cute…"
Tora blushed when she heard those words. Standing back up straight, she gave them all polite smiles before she turned to Kuroko.
"It's been a long time, Kuroko-kun," she greeted. "How are you liking high school?"
"It's been good," he nodded back politely. "What about you, Ikeda-san?"
"Hm, it's been great… but I've had to pick up after Kise-kun…" she tapped Kise on the chest. "You left your books back in the classroom, you know? I brought them to the club. A senpai took them in for you, okay?"
"Oh, sorry for the trouble," he chuckled, scratching the back of his head. "I'll make it up to you after I win. How about I take you out later?"
Tora felt very bad vibes coming from the boys standing in front of her. Eyeing her boyfriend closely, she let out a quiet sigh.
"Do what you like," she shook her head slowly, and then she leant close to his ear. "But you're being a little rude to them, are you not?"
"Aw… it's just a little boasting," he chuckled. "You're too sensitive, Toracchi!"
"If you say so… A-Achoo!"
The sneeze came as a surprise to everyone. Tora managed to cover her mouth, but she still jumped a little when she sneezed.
"Here, take this Ikeda-san," Seirin's female coach offered her a pack of tissues.
"Uh, thank you," she accepted it. "I'm afraid I don't know your name…"
"Aida Riko."
"Thank you, Aida-san."
Riko returned the same smile.
"Are you sure you're okay, Toracchi?" Kise held an arm around her and rubbed her shoulder. "You're not catching a cold, are you? Why don't you skip swim practice?"
"I think I should be alright," she shook her head.
"… Eh…"
"What's the matter, Kurokocchi?"
"Your relationship really has improved in the last few months…" he mumbled. "It's just really surprising since the last time we were together, Ikeda-san had punched you…"
"K-Kurokocchi! D-Don't bring up things like that…"
Kise waved his hand sideways with an awkward laugh as he eyed the rest of Seirin's team. The boys stared back at him knowingly and then turned to Tora. A taller boy stepped forward from the rest.
"Wait, so Ikeda-san… let me get this straight, you've punched Kise before?"
"Technically that did happen…" she chuckled slightly. "Um… and you are?"
"Kagami Taiga."
Tora looked the boy over; he was much taller than Kise was, which meant that he towered over her completely. His eyes were piercing, but they softened when they met with hers.
"It's nice to meet you, Kagami-kun," she smiled.
"You too," Kagami stared back at her closely. "… Oi, Kise are you sure a girl's never rejected you before?"
"A-Ah! Toracchi, I'll see you later! We've got to go now!" Kise suddenly called. "Let's go Seirin!"
Giving her a quick peck over the lips, Kise led the boys to the gym. The boys watched in immediate shock, but quickly recovered when the group started moving.
"I'll come watch you later," she waved.
Pocketing the pack of tissues, Tora headed towards the pool. She began to sneeze again as she neared the building. It frustrated her, as there was no reason for her to be sick when it was still so warm out. She hoped she wouldn't pass the sickness over to Kise.
Just as she entered the building, her cellphone buzzed.
"Hello?"
"Ikeda, it's Midorima."
"Hey, this is really unusual… what's up?"
"Has Kise's practice match begun yet?"
"It should be starting soon," she replied. "Seirin only just got here not long ago."
"… Is Kuroko there?"
"Yes… Are you coming?"
"I'm still far but I'm on my way."
"Oi, Midorima!" a voice snarled on the other end. "Get off the phone! Here I am slaving away for you and you've got the nerve to chat with your friend!"
"You've done nothing in these last five minutes while we've been stuck in traffic."
"Um… Midorima-kun…" she spoke quietly. "Who's that with you?"
"Nobody," he was upset now, Tora could tell by the way he hissed back at her. "I'll speak with you later, Ikeda."
With that, the line clicked off. Tora stared back at the device in her hand skeptically before stuffing it back into her pocket. She hadn't heard from Midorima since that time she yelled at him, so it had surprised him when she received his call. And now to hear that he was coming to Kaijo to watch the match between Kise and Kuroko; it also sounded like he wasn't alone.
Tora's nose tickled as she stepped into the locker rooms. She did her best to repress the incoming sneeze as she opened up her locker.
"You all right?" a senpai asked. "Looking a bit pale."
"Fine," she nodded back slowly. "… Just feeling a little- Achoo!"
A chain of sneezes broke out, her fellow teammates inched back as she continued with her sneezing fit.
"Oh sorry," she tried to shake the dizziness out of her head.
"You better take the afternoon off…" another senpai added.
"But I assure you that it's nothing serious," she insisted.
"Ikeda, you're taking the afternoon off," her captain instructed. "Even though it's something small at the moment, you'll just get even sicker than you are now if you swam. I'm not asking you to leave, I'm just asking you not to swim. By all means stay and help out if you want, I'd appreciate that."
The girls' swim team was captained by a third year by the name of Saito Umi. She was both stern and strict as expected from a captain as well as the student council vice-president. She's given Tora no leverages since she's joined the swim team, and it surprised Tora to hear her letting her off today.
"Yes, Saito-senpai."
The rest of the girls left ahead of her while Tora gathered up the things she just put out. She finally let out a sigh when all the others have left. One thing about Tora is that she's very sensitive to scolding; she's always hated being told off whether it's from her parents, her teachers or occasionally Midorima. She hated being told she was wrong, and hated the humiliation that came with it.
But she didn't hold it against Saito, she was being fair and she was just looking out for Tora. She was right, if Tora had gone in recklessly then she would have just left the pool feeling even worse than she felt right now.
Resting on one of the changing room benches, this gave Tora an opportunity to finally take a short break after her hectic day of school. Her daily routine was much too exhausting. From lessons to extracurricular almost everyday; Tora wasn't a lazy person but through the whole of middle school she's never signed up for any sports and it was a large change for her to be doing so much suddenly.
Just as she was about to doze off, her phone chimed again. With her eyes still half-lidded, she reached into her pocket.
"… Hello?"
A light mumble, but she couldn't catch what.
"Hello?"
Another mumble but this time just slightly louder.
"Whaat?!"
Pulling the phone away from her face, she saw that she's been listening from the wrong side and the phone was upside down in her hand. Almost smacking herself at her own idiocy, she quickly brought the phone back to her ear the right way around.
"… Hello?"
"Are you deaf or something, Ikeda? It's Midorima!"
"Ha-ha… no… sorry about that, Midorima-kun," she rubbed her eyes. "How strange for you to call me again… twice-in-a-row too…"
"… Are you alright?"
"A little sleepy," she stood up again. "What's up?"
"Are you doing anything right now?"
"… Why?"
It was obvious that Tora was suspicious by her tone of voice. Midorima usually never asked anything from her, but on the occasions when he did they were always taxing and incredibly annoying favors.
"I'm still stuck in traffic," he replied. "If you're free, can you go watch the first quarter for me?"
"I can just tell them to wait for you."
"No, don't do that. Just message me the scores as they're happening."
"What do I got in return?"
"… You want something?"
"Favor for a favor," she hummed. "Make the offer good."
"I'll treat you after the match, okay?"
"Can I bring my boyfriend?"
"No."
"But you have a plus one too."
"… Fine! Hurry up, okay?" a loud creak was heard from the other end. "I'm moving faster now so I should be there soon."
"W-Wait! Midorima! Where are you going?" another voice shouted. "You're not going to leave me behind, right? Oi~! Come back, Shin-chan!"
"W-What was that?" Tora asked.
"Nothing, I'll be there soon. See you… I'm heading there first! And don't call-."
The line went dead. Tora wasn't sure what to make of what just happened, but she now had something to do rather than just hanging around swim practice. Packing her things up quickly, she slipped out of the changing rooms and headed back to the gym.
The game had already begun once she reached the gym. She stood at the top balcony to get a better view of the court. It was strange because when she was at the gym earlier the whole room was split into two, but now the full court was open for the game.
No one seemed to have noticed her presence yet, and Tora wanted to keep at that way. From below her, she can hear girls cheering for Kise. It was usual and she may have gotten used to it by now, but that didn't mean it wasn't annoying. Flipping her phone open, she messaged Midorima the current scores and how many minutes it was into second quarter.
Kaijo was in the lead, but Seirin wasn't far behind either. As Kise had said, Seirin really wasn't that bad of a team; and not only just because they have Kuroko, but everyone else was fairly impressive as well, especially Kagami.
It wasn't until half time when she got a phone call from Midorima. Thankfully her phone was switched to silent mode, and she was able to take the call while the break went on.
"Ikeda, I'm by your school gate and I can't find the gym."
"I'll come get you, okay?"
"Thank you."
Tora shut her phone and headed to where Midorima was. As she neared the school gate, she immediately caught sight of the tall green-haired boy. He stuck out like a sore thumb. Especially with that large green frog that he held in his hand, no doubt his lucky item of the day.
"It's nice seeing you, Midorima-kun," she greeted with a smile. "Where's your friend?"
"Not here," he brushed it off easily. "Let's go."
"O-Oh, right."
It didn't seem like he had any interest in phatic talk, at the moment all he cared about was the match between Seirin and Kaijo. As instructed, Tora led Midorima to the gym. It wasn't a long walk but it was a little confusing navigating between all the sport facilities that looked virtually the same on the outside.
"Here we are."
"Not bad, all the equipment looks new," Midorima surveyed as they walked into the gym.
"Apparently equipment gets replaced every few years as a quality reassurance," Tora remembered what she's read in the school handbook. "Very costly."
"Also very necessary."
The two stopped at the balcony. The break was just about to end, and Midorima was watching both teams intently. Tora liked her friends, she really did, but sometimes she'll get completely forgotten over basketball. Now that Midorima was here, Tora can finally take it easy. Leaning towards the railing, Tora's eyelids drifted heavily as the buzzer went.
"A-Achoo!"
"Are you unwell, Ikeda?"
"A little," she sniffled, reaching for her tissues.
"Put your sweater on," he instructed as he turned away. "You're wearing too little."
"… I don't have it with me."
"Geez, Ikeda."
Midorima passed her his frog to hold with a sigh. He then pulled his school blazer off and passed it to her.
"Wear this for now."
"Thanks, Midorima-kun…" she slipped his giant blazer on before pulling another tissue out. "I-I think I'll go sit down over there."
"Hm."
Midorima was already lost in the game. Without giving her so much as a look, he patted her shoulder and shooed her away. Sauntering over to the bench at the back, she flopped down and waited for the game to pass. Placing the frog on her lap, she stared at it beadily.
It wasn't that Tora disliked basketball, she loved it in fact, but these boys were just too good at it and all they ever think about it competing. Even with Kise, these past few days have been 'training' this and 'Kurokocchi' that. It was a headache, but Tora never complained.
Suddenly, she felt a buzzing in her pocket. Reaching in, she pulled her cellphone out.
"Hello?"
"Tora-chan? Are you coming home for dinner tonight?"
"Don't think so, I have plans already."
"She's got plans, darling," she heard her mother whisper to her father quietly. "Oh and um, who are you going to be with?"
"… Midorima-kun actually," Tora sighed. "He's at my school at the moment and he promised to treat me."
"Midori-kun is going to treat her," another light whisper. "O-Oh! Your father wants to speak to you- wait."
"Tora!"
"Hai?"
"Make sure you go and have fun, okay?" he said. "If you want, you two can even come here and eat. Your mother and I don't mind."
"… Well, Kise-kun is supposed to come with us as well," Tora said. "So that's only if you include Kise-kun."
The other end grew quiet. After a long pause, Reicchii finally gave his reply: "Fine! Bring Kise too! It'll be just like how it used to be."
"Alright, thanks dad," Tora chuckled. "We'll see you later."
It seems like Midorima won't get a chance to treat her today, if she hadn't told them she was with Midorima then they'd make her come home but when she did of course her dad would take this opportunity to get them together in the same place. Though she doesn't see that happening any time soon as Kise would be there.
Tora eyes grew heavy again as she stared at the back of Midorima's head. She hadn't realized before, but his head sort of looked like a bush from the back… just a little. Rubbing her eyes, she let out a large yawn. She was definitely starting to see things now. As she closed her eyes, she lied back against the bench with a quiet sigh. It was already third quarter meaning that there was only about twenty minutes left, she can easily make it through twenty minutes.
'Easily.'
The match ended with unexpected results, it was close but it still came to Midorima as a shock. He watched as Kise wiped his tears before joining his team for the lineup. It was a shame Kaijo lost, but Midorima knew that they didn't lose just because Seirin lucked out. They were formidable, but they shouldn't give Shutoku any trouble.
"… Ikeda."
Midorima looked over his shoulder and saw her fast asleep lying backwards on the bench. Just how in the world did she manage to fall asleep in such a noisy gym? He was a little impressed over her ability to fall asleep in such a place, but it wasn't the time for that now, there was something more pressing.
"Ikeda," he called again, louder this time. "Wake up, Ikeda!"
She jumped a little, obviously startled by his calls. Opening her bright little eyes, she gave him a sharp glare as her fingers encircled the little frog sitting on her lap.
"What?"
"Come here," he waved her over. "The game's over."
"Finally," she got to her feet and stumbled forward. "Now we can- … Kise-kun lost?"
Tora rubbed her eyes slightly as she looked at the scoreboard again. The scores were tight, but Kaijo lost by a mere few points. Glancing around the gym, she searched for the blond boy.
"Yes, it was a tight match."
"Where is he?"
"I'll go get him," Midorima told her. "Ikeda, go wait for us at the school gate."
"But-."
"I have business with him."
Tora shook a little at his tone of voice.
"… Yes, I understand."
"We won't be long."
Giving her a small smile, he patted her on the shoulder lightly and picked the frog off her hand. She watched him go with a small frown but didn't utter a word back. By business, the only thing he could have meant was basketball. It was always basketball with these boys. Gripping the cuffs of the blazer, she bent down and picked her bag up.
If Midorima said so then they shouldn't be long. Tora slipped the bag over her shoulder and headed out of the gym. It got a little chillier; even with Midorima's blazer she felt the cold, she reached down to the buttons and did them up one by one.
Once she reached the gate, she rested on the wall as she waited for them to show. Tora really hoped they hurried up, she was feeling very lightheaded, as if she would topple over any minute.
Shutting her eyes again, she counted the seconds in her head. They were taking an awful long time, and she was getting both hungry and tired.
"Eh? Ikeda-san?"
That voice, she recognized it immediately.
"Hey, Kuroko-kun," she smiled. "Congratulations on the win, Seirin."
"Thank you!" Riko looked absolutely ecstatic. "Are you waiting for Kise-kun?"
"Yup," Tora grinned. "By the way, Kuroko-kun. Midorima-kun's here, he's speaking to Kise-kun right now."
"Did he watch the match?"
"Yes, are you playing Shutoku anytime soon?"
"In a few weeks time," he replied.
"… Well good luck, we both know how scary Midorima's left hand is," she smiled sheepishly. "It's all bandaged up even today."
"Thanks, Ikeda-san," he bowed slightly. "It's nice seeing you again."
"You too," she waved. "It's nice meeting you all."
The group exchanged goodbyes and smiles then left. They still had quite a distance to go to reach home so it made sense for them to leave first. Tora grumbled slightly as she began sniffling. It was probably a good thing that she was going home to eat instead of going out, she'll probably do better in her own environment than outside.
She looked on ahead, watched the cars come and go. It was then that she noticed something along the road. The shadow was going to slow to be a car and it was too big to be a bike, plus it was on the road.
Tora stared at the dark shadow looming closer and closer, when the figure finally got close enough she realized that it was just a boy on a hybrid bike-rickshaw. He was out of breath and bore a similar uniform to a certain green-haired boy.
The boy stopped in front of the gate and gave the school building an intent gaze. He then noticed Tora slumped over by the gate.
"Hey, this is Kaijo, right? The school that Kise Ryouta goes to?"
"Yeah," she called back. "Are you here for the practice match?"
"Yeah! Is it over?" he cycled over to where she stood, heaving the heavy wooden attachment over the bump and onto the pavement. "I didn't miss it, did I?"
"I'm afraid you did," she smiled lightly. "But Kise-kun's still here, I'm actually waiting for him if you're looking for him."
"… Are you a fan of his?"
"Ah… no, not exactly."
"Doesn't he have a girlfriend? I heard she's meant to be really cute…"
"… Really?"
He nodded back in response.
"Who did you hear that from?"
"Just some classmates," he shrugged. "Why do you ask? Are you a friend of hers?"
"No, I am her… Ikeda Tora, nice to meet you."
That no doubt surprised him, he almost slipped off his seat. She didn't mean to keep it from him, but she's gotten a little bored from standing around and waiting for Kise and Midorima.
"Oh… uh- Takao Kazunari," he turned to her slowly. "… Nice to meet you, Tora-chan."
"You too, Takao-kun."
"But wow, Tora-chan!" he recovered easily. "You really are just as cute as they say… a little pale maybe, but still cute."
"Hm… just where did you hear that from, Takao-kun?" she sniffled again, ignoring his comment. "I wasn't aware that I was well-known in other schools."
"You're fairly well known on our local net forums and stuff," he thought back. "A few girls in my class were on forums about Kise and pictures of you two popped up. I didn't see them but some of my friends did and told me."
"S-Seriously?"
"Apparently," he shifted the topic. "So you're friends with Shin-chan?"
"… You call him that?" she giggled.
"Only if I find him in a good mood," he smiled.
"That should be difficult," she mused. "And yes, Midorima-kun and I were in the same classes back in middle school."
"Yeah, that's what he told me," Takao nodded. "How was he in middle school? The same or-."
"The same," she nodded immediately. "Very uptight."
"I can imagine…"
It wasn't for another ten minutes before Kise and Midorima finally showed up at the gate. By the time they arrived, Tora and Takao had already treaded into the first steps of friendship. As the two were fairly outgoing, they were able to laugh and joke as if they've always known each other.
When Kise and Midorima reached the gate, the blond stopped in his step as he watched his girlfriend laughing with an unknown boy. Not only was he concerned about that, but he was riding the strangest makeshift bike carriage.
"Oh! Midorima!" the boy suddenly called out. "Over here!"
Ignoring Kise's pause, Midorima walked forward and greeted the two.
"Come on, Kise-kun," Tora looked over. "Why are you just standing there?"
He lightened up at the sound of her voice, and he walked over to them. She introduced Takao and Kise, but he noticed that while she spoke her voice was groggy and she sniffed every so often.
"Oh, Toracchi, I already told you not to swim today," Kise frowned slightly, putting a hand over her forehead. "Now you're all sick."
"I didn't swim, I watched your game… well a bit of it," she tried to shake away from him. "I'm sick, Kise-kun. Don't come so near!"
"Hai-Hai," Kise grinned. "And Toracchi, I'm afraid I've got some business with Kurokocchi, so I've got to go find him. I promise we'll do something next week, okay?"
"Oh, uh… that's okay," she nodded. "My dad actually invited Midorima-kun and a plus-one for dinner, but I guess Takao-kun can take that spot."
"Really, Tora-chan?" Takao asked.
"Of course," she smiled.
"Y-Your dad invited Midorimacchi?" Kise's spirits plummeted. "… Why…"
"Because Reicchi-san and I can actually engage in a proper conversation without a silly comment on my part," Midorima shrugged. "It's not difficult, really."
"What do you mean? Reicchicchi and I are completely fine!"
"Does he know that you call him that?"
"… Well no."
"My point exactly."
"Anyways!" Tora spoke up. "Don't worry about it, Kise-kun. You just concentrate on looking for Kuroko-kun. We'll definitely go out next week."
"… Okay then," he nodded. "I'll head off first then."
He gave Tora a quick kiss before dashing down the street. The trio watched him go wordlessly.
"He's definitely getting sick," Midorima scoffed. "Ikeda, dinner's not necessary but we'll drop you off home, okay?"
"What, really? My dad's really excited to see you again though."
"Yeah, Midorima! Let's go!" Takao agreed. "Plus, it's free food!"
"Exactly! It's free food!" Tora nodded. "Let's go, let's go! You know my mum makes the best food!"
There was no doubt about that. Midorima visited Tora's house quite often back in middle school. She had one of the largest houses out of everyone, so she usually invited friends over after school. There was this one week before mock exams when she begged him to tutor her every after school, he agreed reluctantly and helped. To repay him, Tora's mother asked him to stay for dinner each day and he was never disappointed with her food. Not to mention, Tora's father was very easy to get along with as well.
Everything seemed to shift to the favor of visiting the Ikeda household. Plus, it's been a long time since he's last been; he wouldn't be overstepping any boundaries by showing up now.
"Okay, let's go then shall we?" Midorima spoke as he climbed into the wooden box. "Let's go Takao."
"What? No fair! We're playing jan-ken again!" Takao cried, waving his fist around. "Let's go! Jan! Ken! Pon!"
"Pon," Midorima put out a pair of scissors. "I win, get on the bike. And come on Ikeda, don't just stand there."
Takao grumbled slightly as he climbed onto the bike. Even though it was he that suggested they play jan-ken to choose who pulls the other, so far he has never won once. Every game has always ended with him losing and pulling Midorima, and now not to mention he had to pull someone extra. He glanced over and watched as Midorima helped Tora into the box, she didn't look that heavy but looks can deceive.
"So, Tora-chan, where do you live?"
"Not far, I'll talk you through it," she told him.
XoXo
At the end of the evening, Takao left with a very satisfied stomach and Midorima with a little too much propositioning from Tora's father plus a light cold that he no doubt received from Tora.
The Ikedas have been very hospitable with the boys. Kuriko was always happy to receive any of Tora's friends, but it was a different case for Reicchi. Normally he'd be suspicious of any one of Tora's boy 'friends' but he's been super amiable towards Takao all evening considering he was one of Midorima's friends.
The boys walked down the street to where the bike was parked in silence. Midorima accepted that he's gotten sick from an afternoon with Tora, he wasn't pleased with it but he still accepted it. He wondered if Kise had gotten sick too; he better have with the amount of times he kissed Tora in ten minutes, if not then Midorima would curse him.
"But wow, that's really some house she lives in," Takao murmured, glancing back at the mini-mansion. "What does her parents do?"
"Reicchi-san is in banking," Midorima felt a sneeze coming along. "Kuriko-san is an advisor at a large corporate company."
"Whoa," Takao whistled. "I guess that makes sense."
"They're very accomplished people," Midorima spoke softly. "… Hence the large expensive house."
"And a pretty daughter," Takao added with a chuckle. "I'm surprised you didn't fall for her."
"My tolerance for Ikeda goes down when she's with Kise… and it was inevitable that those two fell in love with each other," Midorima eyed him carefully. "Only fools would fall for each other's foolishness… Do I have to add you to that list too?"
"Gee, that's a little harsh," Takao murmured. "Well, Tora-chan's super cute and everything but I've got no chance against Kise."
"Yes, that's true," Midorima nodded as he stepped into the wooden box. "And there are also others hiding in the shadows, waiting for their chance to come – they are also people you'll stand no chance against… again."
"… You make it sound like a horror movie or something," Takao shook a little. "Hey! And what do you mean I don't stand a chance?"
"It's nothing," Midorima shook his head. "Let's go now, hurry up."
"… We're playing jan-ken!"
"That's unnecessary, we both know what the outcome will be anyway."
"I insist."
"Fine," he sighed back. "Jan, ken, pon!"
If there was ever a moment when Takao felt truly happy, then it was now. Because not only did he win against Midorima but also it had to be on the day when he was catching a cold.
"Well, Shin-chan?" Takao grinned. "Get to it."
Yaay, that's chapter 4 done! Pretty linear to what happened in the story but at least we got Takao (guys, I like seriously love this guy I cant even – I was gonna add him in as another love interest but I thought that'd be waaay too much :P)
AND GUYS PLEASE REVIEW! I'D LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU GUYS! AND I MEAN YOU LURKERS TOO!
Thanks for the alerts and favorites!
Reviews:
hokkyokukou – haha, well you can bask in the cuteness of their relationship for now xD I'm really happy that you're enjoying the story and thank you!
animefan106 – A love square would be waaay too much for me xD The furthest I'd go would be a love triangle (I don't dare tread further less I make a giant mess out of this story). Akashi's pretty MIA for now, so we'll see when the time comes ;) thanks for your review! :D
D1N0 – hehe thanks! I'm glad you like them together! :D
– haha thank you! Glad you're enjoying this! Oh, I'm not telling ;) but I'll give you a hint, there's a reason why Tora's such close friends with Midorima ;D
mmteku123 – he so did it on purpose! He's not gonna give up setting up Midorima and Tora up, it's really fun to write actually :P thanks for your review!