Chapter 8: The Truth Comes Out

I sit on an old park bench squished in between Kise-kun and Aomine-kun. After having a shower I got ready, slipping into an olive coloured dress. I had to borrow it from Satsu-chan considering I hadn't brought any casual clothes with me. For once, I decided to let my vanilla locks down, running like a waterfall down my back. But I wasn't sure if you could count it since I had braided it loosely.

Now here I was, sitting beside a stunning Aomine-kun who was dressed in casual black jeans, a loose, sleeveless tank on top with matching converses. And then there was the opposite of that, Kise-kun. He wore black, almost dress type shoes to go with his beige, fitted slacks. His shirt was a neatly ironed, a soft, calming blue. A few of the buttons on it were undone. Revealing his toned physique underneath. He dressed just like a model.

It was awkward being with the two at the same time. If I talked to Kise-kun, Aomine-kun would be fighting for my attention and vice versa. If I wasn't talking to either of them, they wouldn't talk to each other. It was all a big competition and I was in the middle of it. Literally.

"How's your modelling going, Kise-kun?" I ask, as I turn to talk to him. I hadn't known that he was one until Satsu-chan had pointed it out before I left the resort.

"It's-"

"Y'know, I got offered a contract at his agency. But I turned-"

Shooting a dangerous look to Aomine-kun, I narrow my soft, crème coloured eyes at him hoping he got my message. The least that I wanted was for the other to finish their sentences without being interrupted.

Suddenly, I feel something warm and soft nudge the back of my legs. Jumping, I accidentally kick whatever it was that was there. Peering down at my feet, I cover my mouth in shock.

"Eh? What's-"

"Waaaaaah, look at it," I cry out in awe, as I pick up the black, fuzzy cat, cradling it into my arms. I try to coax it to sleep on my lap. Looking to my right, I notice Aomine-kun has a disgusted look on his face. His body had also grown quite tense with annoyance.

"What's-"

"Cat's are horrible," he mutters, as he shoots the helpless kitty a murderous look. In return, the cat begins to cry out.

"Aominecchi, don't say stuff like that," says Kise-kun, as I watch him gently take the little mess of fur into his hands, holding it up to his chest. He gently snuggles the little cat, as it relaxes into his warm, comforting touch.

Flushing red, it was so refreshing to see someone like Kise-kun all for love when it came to a stray, filthy cat. I squish closer to him, wanting to play with the kitty too.

"It's true. They're useless. All they do is act like they can do stuff but when it comes to playing around with them they're shi-"

Elbowing him in the side, I shut up his pointless explanation. Cats weren't like that at all. They just needed a motivation and the right person to be able to play and show affection too. Suddenly, the cat jumps out of Kise-kun's arms, scampering across my thighs. We both watch as the cat jumps on Aomine-kun, scratching the side of his face before running away.

Rolling my eyes, I grab Aomine-kun's arm and tell Kise-kun to stay where he was. That was karma for you.

Stopping at the water fountain nearby, I dab my sleeve into the cold pool of water and gently begin to wipe away the little bit of blood from his cheek. I grab his chin, pulling his face down to my level. "You'll need it disinfected when we get back if you don't want an affection," I murmur, as I concentrate my focus on wiping the blood from his face. I fail to notice the proximity between us and the red tint to Aomine-kun's face.

"Yu…Yukar-"

"Neh, I feel so left out!" buts in Kise-kun, as he pushes Aomine-kun out of the way. These two were seriously impossible.

"So, tell me honestly. How do you think I'll do in the preliminaries?" I ask happily, as the three of us begin to walk around the small town by the resort. I try to ignore the feeling of Kise-kun's hand bumping into mine.

Both Aomine-kun and Kise-kun remain quiet, their paces slowing down a little.

"W-what's wrong? Don't tell me you guys are worried about me? I'll do fine if I have everyone of Sei-"

"Yer' relying too much on them," says Aomine-kun, his voice blunt and confident.

Looking up at him, a nervous smile overcomes my plump lips. I push my hair back, confused at his words.

"You're not seri-"

"Aominecchi is right. It's true that you've got some skills, but seeing you play today, you rely on the plays of your team mates than making your own. It's on your face whenever you're given the ball. Hesitance," finishes a cautious Kise-kun, as he searches for the right use of words.

I stop in my tracks, looking at the both of them in utter shock, "So what, you don't think Seirin will win?"

"I-It's not Seirin we're concerned about, Yukitten. It's you."

I give Kise-kun a wide eyed look, his words causing a slash inside of me. He might as well have said that I sucked. Yes, I understood that my lay ups and dunks lacked quite a bit, but I was good at everything else. I could run faster than anyone for crying out loud! But…but then again, anyone could run. Anyone could use distraction. Anyone could day anything I could.

In all actuality, I was just an extra body on the court. I served no purpose on it. Nothing but a pretty face to watch.

"Yukari, don't give us that look," mutters Aomine-kun in annoyance, as he notices the solemn look on my face. How could I not when they basically slapped me in my face and told me I couldn't play ball? I slap Aomine-kun's hand away from me, pushing him back as well. I didn't need him to console me. I didn't need anything from these two. I was fine on my own!

"N-No! I've played against both of you and won. I-"

"Winning isn't the point, Yuki-"

I can't help but let my emotions get to the best of me in that moment. Crumpling up my face, the tears begin to spill down my cheek, dropping at my chin. I run away from them both as fast as I could without turning back. I couldn't cry in front of them. They already thought I was weak.

But, I did ask for the truth so it was partially my fault for my current condition. But that's because I had thought they'd have a little more faith in me. Seirin. My style of basketball. What did it all mean now that two of the best players I knew just bashed it?

Slowing down my pace considerably, I roughly wipe my tears away pulling out my phone. I call Satsu-chan.

"Yuki-chan! How's the- wait, are you crying?"

"N-No. I'm fine, really. I'm just a little upset. That's all," I say truthfully, as I rub my nose in irritancy.

"What- Please tell me they didn't do anything weird?"

"No! It's just…Satsu-chan?"

"What is it?"

"Do you think I rely too much on Seirin when it comes to playing?" I ask, as I come to a stop, wondering, no, knowing what she'd say. Of course I didn't rely on Seirin. How could I rely on others this whole time when I brought myself to the Championship League? To all my other games, tournaments, etc. It was because I trained hard to get to where I was. And it seemed Satsu-chan was the only one who understood.

"I…I don't think you rely on them."

"Thank-"

"But I do think you haven't been trying as much," she says, her voice a little cautious.

"What do you mean?"

"Look at yourself, Yuki-chan. You told me the reason why you came to Japan was so you could find some clarity and focus everything you had in perfecting your weaknesses in basketball. Now tell me, after almost 2 weeks, what have you accomplished?"

"I-I…I've managed to run with the ball now!" I blurt out, my voice course and persuasive.

"But what about the other things? Nothing, right? I hate to say it, Yuki-chan. But you haven't done a single noticeable thing to prove to the teams here as to what you are. I mean, your whole team is here practicing and you're-"

"No there not. Riko-senpai told me they were all heading out."

"Well she must've lied because they're all in the gym still practicing. I think she said that because she wanted you to go-"

"So what, I'm a little girl who needs to be given breaks to go out? I need to be pitied?" I yell, my voice beginning to crumble.

"…yes."

Shaking, I try to keep the phone steady in my hand, but I can't. It was too hard. Snapping it shut, I clench it tightly in my fist as I crouch down, crying at my own shame and guilt. Who was I

Why, why was I so pathetic? Here I was, talking all this talk from day 1 on how everyone would have a reason to be in fear. But what now, the preliminaries were in two days and I was still as shameful as I was, or even more than I was when I first came here. Satsu-chan was right. I'd been slacking off because Aomine-kun was the first boy to ever recognize me as a strong player, yet still liked me as a woman. That's why I was so drawn to him.

Yet here I was, alone. Helpless. Nothing special. I was a no one.

But I could make myself someone. Standing up, I wipe the tears off my face with my sleeve. I feel the vibration of my phone tingle up to my elbow. I had two days. Two days to work on my weaknesses and make them into strengths. In those two days, I'd swallow up my child side and finally play like a woman.

Frustrated, I throw the ball at the backboard as I squeeze my eyes closed. Why did I keep missing?! Running, I grab the ball and dribble it back to the other side of the court. A couple of times through my legs and in I go, trying to shoot for the first time behind the 3 point line. It spins quickly around the rim before falling off to the side. But before it hit's the ground, I watch as Kagami-kun grabs it in his hands.

"Kaga-"

"I could hear your anger from inside," he mutters, as he effortlessly throws the ball in.

"How?" I ask, as I stare at him intently. How had he mastered the sport in all almost everywhere?

"How what?"

"Never mind. It's all the practicing you do. That's why you always get it," I mutter, as I catch his hard pass. Dribbling the ball, I try to shoot from where I am but as always, the ball doesn't go in.

"Yeah, for me. What about you? You don't even have to practice like the rest of us and you'll always get it in."

I look at him with a confused look, crossing my arms over my chest. "Where were you this morning? The past practices? I haven't been able to get anything in!"

Kagami-kun dribbles the ball before he jumps up, almost flying up towards the sky. He slams the ball in, catching it before it hits.

"That's because you don't want it to."

"That's worse than what Kise-"

"You haven't noticed it yourself but everyone on Seirin has. You have the power of will."

"I don't-"

"If you want the ball to go in, it'll go in. If you want it that badly, it'll happen Yuki. That's why during practices you can't get anything in because it's practice. It doesn't matter. But in a game, it does. That's why you always get the ball. Think about it," he finishes as he walks towards me, his large frame casting a shadow.

What was Kagami-kun saying? That if I really wanted to do a good lay up, I could? He was so wrong! I've wanted to jump as high the boys since years ago. I've never been able to do it!

"Here. Let's make a bet. If you can get the ball in from that end of the court, to there," he pauses, as he points at the basket, "then I'll give you all my sports magazines."

Taking a step forward, I grab his shirt like a shy child. "E-Even this months limited edition 'International Idols' ," I gleam, my voice desperate and shaky.

He gently pushes me back, obviously not liking the close proximity. "Yeah. But, if you can only get it in. If you don't, you'll have to give me all your issues."

Greedily taking the ball from him quickly, I race down the court. The only sound you could hear were my urgent, hard footsteps. As I position myself to make the throw, I suddenly stop to stare at the orange ball in my hands. Was Kagami-kun right? If I wanted the desire badly enough, I could make anything possible then? Stowing my doubts in the back of my mind, I concentrate on my body. Feet shoulder width apart. Elbows in and straight. Wrists loose, but not too loose. Back straight and tall. The only thing left was the flick and jump. This was it. If I could get it in, all the issues of basketball magazines Kagami-kun had were mine. They'd be mine. Breathing a deep breath, I clear my mind before I jump, remembering what I'd be giving in return. I knew that I didn't want anyone else's hands on my possessions. Jumping as high as I could, I use all my strength and channel it into my wrist, flicking the ball high and hard. Touching the ground, I watch in astonishment as the ball travels in a high, almost calm, soothing arch before gracefully landing in the basket.

I stare at Kagami-kun, my mouth wide open. N-No, he couldn't be right. It must've been a lucky-

"Try again. But instead, you won't get anything in return."

He throws me the ball from the other side, giving me a smirk. Trying to do another shot, I redo the mental checklist before I let go. The ball barely touches the rim and falls to the ground.

"Now. If you get it in, I'll delete the embarrassing photo we took of you when you fell asleep on the couch. Your legs were wrapped around Kuroko if that helps," he laughs, as he recalls this embarrassing photo. I knew for a fact he wasn't lying because I had past pictures to prove it on other occasions.

Grabbing the ball, I put my heart into the throw and watch as it successfully goes in. Standing on the other side of the court by myself, my mind couldn't comprehend it. All this time I thought I was a bump in the road when I came to Seirin to play with them. But all along it was just what I wanted. But the thing that made me uneasy was as to why when all those times I practiced abroad, I was outstanding. Did it have to do with that time when I first stepped onto Seirin's gym? The fact that I didn't get any feeling from it?

"Now that you know, you can take that scowl off your face. The boys would find you more attractive if you smiled more often," he says, as he recounts that very time when I had told him the same thing.

Running to Kagami-kun, I hug his large arm ignoring the fact that he was trying to shoot.

"Idi-"

"Thank you, Kagami-kun," I whisper, as I hold onto the Ace of Seirin high.

"Am I interrupting?" asks a cool, quiet voice from behind. Turning around, Kuroko-kun stands with a ball in his hand and a blank expression.

"No. In fact, you came just in time. It's about time the three of us came up with some new strategies. We all vowed to beat the Generation of Miracles, right? So let's do it."

Patting the two on the back, we spend the rest of the day and later that night yelling, practicing, fighting and laughing together. And thanks to Kagami-kun and Kuroko-kun, they made me realize my strengths and help me conquer my weaknesses. The people at the Inter-High preliminaries were in for quite the show.

"About time you three came in. We were going to leave for dinner without you guys," says Hyuuga-senpai, as he and the coach were just about to leave the room.

Apologizing, we all take baths cleaning ourselves up from the new found power each of us had. We were ready all right.

Kagami-kun, Kuroko-kun and myself walk down the hall, talking about Kuroko-kun's new technique.

"But what if you hit someone?" I ask, as we make a left and continue to descend towards the smell of a freshly cooked meal.

"It's simple. Blame Kagami-kun."

"Like that's gonna work!" yells an irritated Kagami-kun, as he repositions his black shirt. I didn't blame him. We all had to run to get ready for dinner.

"It might actually. Kuroko-kun is invisible after all. The blame could easily be put on you," I muse out loud, as I poke my cheek in thought.

"Don't say things like that!" shouts Kagami-kun, as the look of panic over comes his face. He begins to yell at Kuroko-kun, telling him that if he did something stupid like that, he'd put his basketball days to an end.

"About time!" yells Riko-senpai up ahead, as she stands with the Seirin team.

"You're lucky there's plenty of food left!"

Walking towards the group, we all greet each other talking about what the three of us had been doing. We quickly change the subject, wanting it all to be a surprise at the Inter-High.

"H-Hyuuga-senpai, can I talk to you for a minute?" I ask quietly, as we're all about to head into our rooms. Hyuuga-senpai looks at me for a moment before agreeing. Looking over his shoulders, I see the other senpai's all staying behind as well.

"She meant-"

"N-No, I'd like to talk to my other anis (elder brothers) as well."

The rest of the team heads inside, not questioning the little talk we were about have. Waiting for the door to close, I then begin my apology.

"Lately I've been having…doubts. Mostly about myself. But I never brought them out because I thought that I had all these people around me believing in me. Turns out they were thinking the same things I had been shoving away. I spent majority of the day with Kaga-kun and Kuro-kun. They helped me bring everything out and I guess what I'm trying to say is that…in the next three days, I'll put out all the same things I had been feeling for myself in your heads' away. I'll prove to you all that I can play basketball. That I can help Seirin win. And-"

Hyuuga-senpai suddenly hits me on the head, very gently and almost child like.

"I'm glad you told us. We were getting a little worried you wouldn't talk to anyone about it."

"You could-"

"Tell? Of course. We are family after all?" he says, his voice light and airy. So calm and soothing.

"And we all know Hyuuga's the mother!" laughs Izuki-senpai, slapping him on the back. Hyuuga-senpai slowly turns around to pull on Izuki-senpai's hair. "And what are you? The red headed step child!?"

I watch the group in amusement, feeling a weight lifted off of my soldiers. This was it. If I lost myself in the preliminaries my excuse couldn't be "I didn't have anyone to talk to" because I did. I talked to these guys just now. I won't have an excuse for Seirin's loss because it'll never happen. We'll win. I was sure of it.

"I'm so glad to be going home!" cheers an over happy Koga-senpai, as we all begin to walk for the train station.

"And I can't wait to get my hands on your collection," I chant just as happily, as I jump onto Kagami-kun's back.

He mumbles something to himself, probably wondering why he had bet on something so meaningful like that.

I'm suddenly reminded of Aomine-kun, Kise-kun and Satsu-chan. After running away from them, I hadn't apologized to anyone for my rude behaviour. After all, they were just telling me things that ended up being beneficial for myself. I'd apologize to Satsu-chan as soon as I got home, but the boys were a different story. I had to find a way to meet them individually before Tuesday. If it came down to us facing off during the preliminaries, I didn't want an argument standing in front of us both.

It was Monday after school now, the Inter-High preliminaries were tomorrow. A rush of emotions were splurging inside of me. One being apologetic. So here I was standing in front of Kaijou, waiting for Kise-kun to come out. I watch him exit the school, with that forever friendly smile on his handsome face.

"Yukitten!" he yells, as he ruffles up my hair causing a large nest to form on my head.

"Kise-kun. I want to-"

"Yes, yes. It's fine. Come on, let's go-"

Kise-kun grabs my hand, beginning to drag me away while brushing my apology aside. But I needed to say I was sorry.

"I'm sorry. Really. You and Aomine-kun were just telling me the truth and like a helpless child I ran away."

Kise-kun stops, my hand still in his. "You've always wondered why I call you by that name, right?"

I nod my head in agreement, giving him a slightly confused look.

"It's because at times you're so weak, innocent and adorable like a newborn kitten. But then at other times you get that passion to play, to win, to fight. But yet you still hold onto the innocence of your personality, making you even more soft and kind as you grow," he says, as his voice turns into a hush whisper, murmuring his words into my hair. Kise-kun gently lifts up my chin, staring into my vanilla irises as I look into his. I crack a smile, gently pushing him away.

"Don't. It'll only make beating you in the preliminaries harder," I joke, as I poke him in the chest. He laughs in response, pulling my body into his. "I'll be rooting for you, Yukitten," Kise-kun says, his voice a gentle whisper.

One down, another to go.

Walking to Touou, I bump into Satsu-chan who was on her way home. I had already apologized to her when I got home from the train station that day.

"Aomine-kun? He didn't show up for practice."

"What about school?"

She gives me a side long glance before sighing out. "He did that. I tried to talk to him but he seemed more annoyed than usual. He won't answer my texts so I don't know where he is."

Luckily for me, I had a pretty good idea as to where he might be.

Telling Satsu-chan I'd see her at home, I run to the basketball cage that had become a frequent place to practice for both him and I. Surely enough, there he was. Still dressed in his uniform, shooting the ball by himself. Walking into the cage I set my bag down, slowly creeping up behind him.

"A-Aomine-kun?" I ask quietly, as I cross my hands behind my back, looking up at him shyly. I was so nervous. What if he forced me to apologize by doing something…weird?

He doesn't say anything. His back is still turned against me as he continues to shoot the ball in.

"I'm sorry-"

"Are you now?" he says, his voice careless and cold.

Giving him a confused look, I ask him what was wrong.

"I didn't say anything to you that day. Kise was the one pointing everything out yet he's the first one to get an apology?" he says unhappily, as he slams the ball towards the backboard of the hoop. It goes in, surprisingly enough.

"I'm sorry! You're right. Kise-kun did say a lot more things than you did but apologizing to whomever first shouldn't matter because I'm still-"

"Fine. Yer' sorry. Let's leave it at that. You draggin' it on right now is really annoying me," he says, the tone of his voice relaxed and icy. The worst two to be put together. By his lack of concern of my apology it showed me that he didn't care at all about what I had to say. And the coldness to it meant that he was furious inside.

"Y-You don't have to talk like I don't exist," I joke out nervously, as I rub the side of my arm in sadness.

"That's right. Yer' a nobody. On and off the court. Leave me alone," he mutters lazily, as he hands me back my lucky ball.

With that, I stand frozen as my chest begins to hurt, my head begins to pound. I've had worse things said to me, but hearing words like that from someone you really cared about couldn't compare. I suppose I did deserve the anger, considering that Aomine-kun hadn't said much during the time. In fact, I slapped his hand away when he was trying to comfort me. Kise-kun was the one who had broken me down the most. Yet he was the first to get an apology. I really was the worst.

"Y-You're right…haha…I really am nobody…special," I laugh out, as I squeeze my arm tightly, trying not to cry. I hear Aomine-kun's footsteps behind me stop, a silence filling the gap between us. Turning around, I continue to squeeze my arm as I pick my bag up the floor.

Before I leave, I wait by the entrance of the cage thinking Aomine-kun will stop me. Tell me he didn't mean it. Tell me everything I wanted to hear. Hold me tightly to his body like he did whenever we met. Kise-kun was my friend. The warmth and love from his body wouldn't ever compare to Aomine-kuns'. I just wish I had told him that before he told me he didn't want anything to do with me.

But Aomine-kun doesn't stop me because that part of him wasn't in his nature. He wasn't like Kise-kun who was so happy and could easily express his emotions. Aomine-kun liked to keep to himself and proved to be quite lazy. But I found glimpses and moments of him opening himself up. Satsu-chan told me that he used to be so happy and such a good friend to everyone back in the day. And I saw that in Aomine-kun when he was with me. But it seems I'll never get to see it again.

Waking up the next morning I walk down the hall of Satsu-chan's house, walking into her room. Sliding underneath her covers, I lay beside her sleeping form while staring up at the ceiling. Today was the start of the Inter-High preliminaries. The start of a new me. No longer would I cry, give up or walk away. I'd take everything that was handed to me graciously and move on towards a brighter path. Whether that be alone or with Aomine-kun.

"Yuki-chan?" murmurs a dazed Satsu-chan.

"Hm?"

"Are you okay?"

"…yeah."

That was the truth. Although it did pain me to say it, I had no right to be upset over something, or someone I never had.