Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa omg I know, I know, Hope World came out a while ago, but I'm typing this on March fourth so to present day me, it's a couple of days ago!... Or is it technically past me, since I'm not posting this now...?

Ugh. Time is confusing. *sticks with BTS 'Not Today' and 'Tomorrow'*

Anyvay *Yurio accent* Thank you to LightFun27 and Leticia Gx for following~ and TomBoyOfDeath98, Tick Tock Follow the Clock for favoriting dis story I wrote while dying to DayDream~ Also, thanks to KNIG for reviewing meh story~~~~ *sobs* Made me so happy, I could cry Blood Sweat and Tears~! (...Sorry for the BTS references. Ignore me if you must.)

Enjoy~

(Btw, any ARMYs~?)


Aida Riko wasn't your average high school girl. No, she was the coach of Seirin's Basketball team for the second year in a row, has amazing analytical skills, and proved to be very smart.

She might not be well-endowed physically, but her cute features made up for it, as well as part of her personality (The non-demonic part).

She didn't show it, but she cherished her team greatly. She loved every member of the team as brothers (apart from a certain someone—but that's beyond the point) and would do almost anything to help them; basketball-wise or personal-wise.

When Taichi showed up that day with Taiga, she had to say she was surprised by many things.

First would be the above average physical condition of the girl. It wasn't that great, but she could tell that the girl hadn't been playing for a while, so her skills would obviously be reduced during that time.

Second, the ridiculous pair of sunglasses she had, and that odd hair color.
Okay, she had seen colors odder than that (Aomine Daiki, Momoi Satsuki, Midorima Shintarou, heck, even Kagami-kun and Kuroko-kun!), but it didn't change the fact that her hair was a shade of blue even darker than the Touou Ace's mane.

Third her attitude. Riko really didn't like how she blatantly ignored them all and made herself comfortable, as if she owned the place. She didn't even bother introducing herself!
Of course, it was explained that she was 'not really comfortable around guys and generally doesn't want to be bothered', but that wasn't the only thing that irked the coach.
It was obvious that Taiga cared for the girl, but as far as she saw, Taichi was just being mean to him.

Like when he carried her into the gym.

"I… I made it! You can get down now, Taichi."

"Don't act like I'm heavy. You're just weak." She told him, as he tried to catch his breath. "Work on your stamina and stuff. Aren't you an athlete?"

Or when she took his lunch, totally dismissing his desires.

"As I was saying, I am the priority, Taiga. Food, now. You can just catch up at Maji Burger later!"

"I give up, have it your way." Taiga sighed and took the smaller bowl.

"Ah… I would've thought that Kagami-kun would take the bigger bowl." Riko commented.

"He would, but I took it. I'm kind of famished today." Taichi happily dug in and devoured the teriyaki meal.

"Huh? I mean, sure but Kagami-kun is a growing boy. Wouldn't it have been more reasonable to let him have the bigger bowl?"

"Ah? But I'm a girl growing in more ways than one too, besides, he has an endless pit for a stomach. May he eat a little or a lot, it doesn't change a thing." Taichi waved it off.

Fourth, the girl was just illogical.

She claims to be uncomfortable with boys but is so openly at ease with Taiga (mostly because he puts her at ease). She clings to him when other guys come around but pushes him around when no other guy is looking. Is it a way to show herself as a better person than she really is?

Perhaps she was faking it all, that it was all for attention. Taichi wouldn't be the first one to do so, and most certainly wouldn't be the last. It was very possible that Taichi was just using Taiga because he'd seemingly do anything for her.

Riko considered the basketball team as her family, and she wouldn't tolerate her family being treated in such a way. Of course, she could be totally wrong, and could even be ten thousand miles away from the truth, but just in case, she'd keep a close eye on the blue-haired girl.


Kuroko Tetsuya was intrigued by the girl who was called Taichi.

It was odd, really, how she seemed to be continually conflicted.

Let me explain. The first time he met Taichi, she seemed lively, happy, somewhat carefree yet very prudent in her ways of speech. She had this aura of affection and confidence around her as she spoke to Taiga, as she teased him, as she played. He hadn't heard the whole conversation, but he did get a glimpse of something.

"Come on, slowpoke. I can't go without you. That, and I don't want some guy to show up while we're still here—"

Kuroko couldn't understand that. She seemed very independent when he first saw her. She looked like she was ready to take on the world like she believed she could do anything, but as soon as he manifested his presence, all of that suddenly disappeared.

The happiness turned into fear, she went from carefree to lifting her guard completely. The affection and confidence that she seemed to radiate disappeared, replaced by terror.

She was trembling, holding onto Taiga like a lifeline.

What happened to the girl who stood proudly before him? How had she become the fearful person in front of him?
He doubted that his sudden appearance had anything to do with her anxiety; it wasn't his low presence; it was most likely him, as a person.

He noticed her eyes that became somewhat lifeless, how her knuckles turned white the harder she gripped on Taiga's waist, how she refused to even speak.

Fear does that to you, sometimes. Not the jump-scare type of fear, not the 'I'm alone in a haunted house' type of fear either.

Genuine fear, the true type that makes you want to run yet holds you back, that keeps your eyes wide open but blinds you, the type that makes you stop computing completely.

He couldn't see why seeing him would trigger such a reaction. He seriously doubted that they had met before, so he couldn't have offended her directly, and even if they had met, what action of his could create fear in a girl like her?

Perhaps, it was beyond what he thought. It could be he just startled her and that she had a certain phobia that had to do with his traits. It could totally be that.

His first theory was confirmed when she showed up to practice with Taiga. He never would've thought she was uncomfortable with boys; not after how she gripped onto Taiga. Not after how he comforted her.

However, it made no sense. Why would she be comfortable with just Taiga? Why not with anyone else? Was there anyone else at all?

It was intriguing. Not to mention Taiga saying they he'd follow her wherever and vice-versa. Taiga could exaggerate sometimes, but this exceeded what Kuroko believed Taiga would do, especially since he followed through with it. Ever since that day, apart from when they had class, Taiga would never be seen without Taichi. Like a love-sick dog. Or a tamed tiger, whichever fits best.

The more he observed the two, the more he noticed how close they were. It was obvious they were at first glance, but just how much was unknown. They seemed to know each other perfectly, to be constantly in sync, and it was terrifying sometimes.

For example, when they were having lunch once, Taichi, as usual, took the larger bowl and left the hungry tiger with a normal ration. They ate while staring at each other analytically (something Kuroko never thought Taiga capable of doing), not saying a word. Then out of nowhere, they both shouted in unison: "The shoes!"

To this day, Kuroko was unable to comprehend what transpired, but the fact that they thought the same thing and reacted to the thought in the same way at the same time was truly something to fear.

Then there were the small shows of attention that weren't so small (hugs, kisses on the cheek or forehead, holding hands, shameless physical contact and the like).

Everybody knew that Taiga was shy when it came to girls. He was so dense and naïve it kind of seemed innocent; so, for him to be so comfortable with a girl, publicly nonetheless, they had to be very close.

But just how close were they? Were there any limits between them?

Kuroko's thoughts were interrupted by the loud sound of his ringtone.

"Hello?" he picked up.

"Kurokocchi! You picked up!"

"Kise-kun." Kuroko frowned at the loud voice. "Please lower your voice."

"Sorry, sorry!" the blonde dismissed. "You'll never guess who I met today! Kagamicchi and his girlfriend!"

"Taichi-san?" Kuroko furrowed his eyebrows. "Was she okay with meeting you?" he couldn't help but ask. After witnessing two breakdowns of hers, he was a bit worried.

"Not too sure, she threw up at a moment… But never mind that? Did you know she was pregnant? Worse, it's not even Kagamicchi's child!"

"Kise-kun, please refrain from lying. Starting rumors isn't a good thing to do." Kuroko reprimanded.

"I'm not kidding, she told me herself, I swear! Ask Kagamicchi! He wouldn't lie to you."

"…" Kuroko didn't know how to respond. Taichi? Taichi, the girl who felt uncomfortable in male presence, pregnant with a child who wasn't Taiga's? It was so surprising, he couldn't believe it. "Are you sure you didn't misunderstand what she said Kise-kun? Taichi-san isn't like that."

"Mah, Kurokocchi! Why would you not believe me? If it's so hard to believe, just ask Kagamicchi! I'm telling the truth!" Kise replied.

Kuroko didn't know what to think at all. He was completely stunned by the news. However, if it were all true, he knew it wouldn't be good for Taichi to have the GoM aware of her condition. So, he did what seemed reasonable.

"Kise-kun… Would you mind not telling anyone else? Not even Akashi-kun. I'd like this to be kept a secret, for Taichi-san's sake."

"Eh? Why? It's not like she's hiding it. What difference would it make if I told everyone or not?" Kise asked a hint of distaste in his voice.

"Please, Kise-kun. I'm asking as a friend."

"Well… Since Kurokocchi is asking so nicely, I won't say anything! But if Akashicchi starts asking questions, I'm going to answer them!"

"That's fine. Thank you, Kise-kun. I have to go now."

"Eh? Already? Well, okay then! Take care, Kurokocchi!"

"Yes, you too."

Kuroko hung up and stared at his phone for a moment. Taichi pregnant?

He couldn't believe it. It couldn't be true.


Taichi sneezed. Then she sneezed again. And again, and again, and again.

"Taichi? You aren't sick, are you?" Taiga placed a hand on her forehead.

"Someone must be –achoo! Thinking about me—choo!"

"Huh? I thought the saying was talking about you."

"Nah. I'm sure—achoo! They're—achoo! Thinking of me…" she sniffled. "Taiga… What if someone is plotting against me?" she asked fearfully.

"Not this again…" Taiga muttered.

Taichi sneezed once more. She wondered who could be thinking of her…