Well, here is the next chapter like I promised. This one here is filled with love, though I doubt I describe it nicely. So please have your amazing imagination at work and picture the scenes at your own risks. Hopefully, there will be another chapter this week.
Pairings : Shina/Seijūrō
Warnings : AU Universe. Teikō Middle School Days. Overprotective Akashi.
Disclaimer : I own only the OCs.
Chapter 8 - an Older brother's love
Tensions can finally be felt in the air for the poor Hanazakari players who shivered as they stood opposite to Teikō's players.
The fact that their opponents are younger than they are, comprising of all first years and even a girl, escape their rational minds as only fears strike deep into their souls.
Due to the Hanazakari students' wolf-whistles and perverted cheers for the girls, their basketball players find themselves in a deep pit of a cauldron with laughing demons ready to cook them throughly.
Of course, that's only what on their minds. It's unlikely that the first year boys would throw them into a real cauldron and cook them under sizzling fire.
Shina's POV
These loud chatters are honestly starting to grate my nerves. I ignored them because there is simply no use in telling them to shut their mouths.
One reason why I find boys annoying are due to this situation. As an Akashi, boys of prestigious households make it their missions to get to know me further.
Only to be utterly deflected and defeated by Sei-nii.
This time, it is no different as I can see Sei-nii is very very irritated and he is boiling with fury.
I actually pity the boys who are trembling on their feet under Sei-nii's, and even Midorima-kun's, Murasakibara-kun's, and Aomine-kun's murderous glares.
Even Nijimura-san and Coach Sanada are giving disapproving glares at them.
Pity.
Coach Sanada crossed his arms, muttering under his breath. "..It can't be helped. Teenage boys are hormonal creatures..."
The match begins with Murasakibara-kun winning the tip off, obviously.
Need I say the boys are extremely spirited that I don't need to play if I want to.
And while that is what Sei-nii would want, I still find myself the need to play with the team.
Like usual, I spend my 1st Quarter for players' observation. Then I play my favourite techniques starting from 2nd Quarter.
That said, I am still getting the balls around and making shots even when I am not playing my style.
Sei-nii is merciless as he makes sure the opposite team had little to almost no chance of grazing the ball at his watch.
Midorima-kun makes all of his shots perfectly. He blocks the offense at bay, especially the three-pointer attempts, which is very few.
Aomine-kun beats down almost every players he came face-to-face with, he dribbled past them and scored.
Murasakibara-kun held the fort, no ball fell through the hoop under his watch and towering height.
In that manner, the game ends with Teikō's overwhelming victory of 128-0, the other team utterly and soundly defeated.
Considering the whole situations at hands, I believe it is an expected outcome.
Even at the handshakes, the opposite team can't stop trembling as the boys are still unforgiving for having them laid eyes on both Momoi-san and I.
This is bad... I can hardly feel my legs, not even my arms. I guess I overdid it after all..
The spectators are quiet as they are dumbstruck, unable to say a word as they are stunned speechless.
By now, they could feel those intimidating auras and glares. They belatedly decided the two girls wouldn't be worth the troubles that would come along.
I can tell my light footsteps, ready to fall any moment now. But I wouldn't worry. Because Sei-nii is with me.
Seijūrō's POV
I worriedly eye Shina's limping form as soon as the last whistle was blown. Her breathings ragged, and her babyblue orbs glazed.
She overdid herself.
I caught Shina just as she lost her footing, my arms reflexively reach for her and lift her in a princess-carry.
My action elicited a soft smile of gratitude from Shina, something we understand with no word involved.
Anyway, we left that rotten of a school. I am well aware of the attentions from all sides as we walked to the bus stop, and I couldn't care less.
No one in the team has the guts to ask or address said matter. Although, Momoi-san and the rest of the boys fuss over Shina's well-being.
"I will be your sunshade, Hina-chin~" Murasakibara spoke as he made efforts to walk in front of me, Shina in my arms, to shield her from the piercing sunlight. At least there are more advantages to his ridiculous height.
"Do you want me to help, Akashi?" Aomine asked, eyeing the redhead. He sincerely wants to help.
"No need, Aomine." I replied firmly. "I would rather not have someone else carry Shina."
Which is true. I can hardly stay put with Shina being stared at by males. Why would I let any touch her in less appropriate way?
Although, I am thankful for Aomine's resolve. He ends up carrying mine and Shina's bags, reducing the weights on me.
Midorima awkwardly adjusted his glasses as he offered Shina his lucky item for the day - thermos, filled with cold lemon water. "It's cold lemon-water. You can drink it if you like." he handed her the item.
Shina holds the thermos close to her face, enjoying the cold touch on her cheeks. "Thank you, Midorima-kun." she smiles slightly, prompting a light blush on said greenhead's cheeks.
I convinced myself that the slight tint is only due to Midorima being a Tsundere and no other reason.
"Uhh..! What to do, what to do...?" Momoi worried frantically, and finally decided to give her spare cardigan to use over Shina so she can keep out from the breeze that might get her sick.
"Here, keep yourself covered with this, Akashi-chan!" Momoi smiled brightly.
I can tell Shina is feeling greatly grateful to these people around us. There was never one before.
"Thank you. All of you." Shina smiled, taking her time to meet the eyes of the people around her. She frowned slightly. "I feel really babied, though."
"Hush." I dismissed my little sister with a smile. "Have a nice sleep, Shina." I told her softly.
Not long after I said that, I can feel Shina relaxing, and finally lulled to sleep. It relieves me.
For Shina, the best medicine is sleep as she is mostly fatigued and not ill.
As we board the bus, I gently slide Shina on the seat next to me, careful not to wake her. Her head resting on my lap.
Watching Shina sleep due to burning herself out in the match, I can't help but feel a tug at my guilty conscience.
Shina is my little sister, and I am supposed to keep her happy and healthy. I can see that despite her fatigue, she is happy. But certainly not healthy.
A way to keep my sister both happy and healthy proves to be quite difficult, and it worries me.
I need to, at the very least, reduce the burdens on her shoulders. To make sure, that there is a reserve player on the bench.
"Coach Sanada, Nijimura-san." I called out, lifting my gaze to meet their questioning looks. "I am thinking of recruiting another player to as a reserve. Would that be alright?"
Coach Sanada doesn't take long to answer, as if he expects this conversation. "I don't mind. If this player meets the standard, then he is more than welcomed."
"I also don't see any problem here." Nijimura-san added with a shrug. "Have anyone in mind? Or should I help look? Though, you, Momoi and Midorima are likely to have better chances." he offered.
I find myself smiling at that. "We have indeed found someone. However, I might just need to enlist Nijimura-san's help if we are to recruit the man."
As I rarely ask for help, it seems I have surprised the raven-haired Captain.
"I don't mind. I'm surprised, though.. I assume you're the kind of guy that got things done on your own, Akashi." Nijimura-san answered.
I smirk. He is right on the mark. "I am." But I sure would love to avoid the troubles and miss the times I could be with Shina if my Captain could handle it.
I must have unnerved the guy, because Nijimura-san looks rattled. "..Okay.. I don't quite like that. This guy you have in mind... must not be a commendable one.." he concluded.
My answer? A meaningful smile.
Third Person's POV
After arriving at school, the basketball club members scurried to class whether they like it or not. There's another 2 periods of class before the bell.
Seijūrō has earned permission for Shina to be excused from class and rests in the school's infirmary. Although, he can't stay with her.
The nurse has to assure him that she will keep watch and that his sister is alright before he left the room with a heavy heart.
?'s POV
I could hear distinct sounds of conversations as someone is laid on the bed next to mine.
I have been here the whole time, and yet I doubt the nurse knows that.
My curiosity is stirred when I picked up the familiar authoritative voice, only to detect the uneasiness in his tone.
I found my feet shifting to the next bed, which are separated with curtains. My curiosity got the better of me, and I quietly slide the curtain, slightly, just enough for me to see a sleeping petite girl.
Her soft, flowing babyblue hair that is identical to mine. Her twinkling babyblue orbs unlike my dull ones which are fluttered close at the moment. Her pale, alabaster complexion makes her look even more delicate.
I could feel the pause in my heart. Why must she looks so familiar that it hurts?
She looks just like her...
It's almost as if I'm seeing the grown-up version of the girl I used to know, and I still care for.
However.. This girl is not the one I'm longing for. She is an Akashi. Also, my fellow clubmate who belongs to the First string and had her first match today.
As much as I want to believe she is the one I'm looking for, reality clearly states otherwise.
No matter how much she looks like the person I want her to be, she is just not that person.
I know that. I'm so aware of it that it hurts so much. My heart is aching, my memories are involuntarily relieved.
Yet my body is acting differently. My fingers unconsciously reach for her sleeping form, and her soft, pudgy cheeks.
I have been watching her for quite a while now. But never have I been this close. Akashi-kun is quite protective of her that boys run in fear.
But that doesn't apply to me. I doubt my presence is even detected. Every time I laid eyes on her. I can see the shadow of the person I'm longing for.
And I can't help but wonder. If, I finally touch this girl.. will her shadow disappear? Then.. can I no longer relieve my memories of her in this sleeping girl?
In that split second, I made my decision. I retracted my fingers just in time before we touched.
It's okay if she's not her.
It's okay if I can't be with her.
My only wish... is to be able to see the shadow of her.. in you... Akashi Shina..
She looks so peaceful in her sleep. The match must tire her out. I heard that she is quite frail.
I feel my lips quirked into what I believe is a wry smile. This girl shares the same traits she has. It leaves me with mixed feelings.
I think I will just leave. She needs her rest, and it won't be appropriate to stare at an unmarried girl any longer than this.
I'm not even her acquaintance, much less a relative. I clenched my fist and let myself another peek before I close the curtain.
I left the room unnoticed. It's not like the nurse even realised I was in the room. No one did.
Shina's POV
I don't know how long have I been asleep. My consciousness have been floating and wondering around my motionless form.
There is a familiar scent in the air. One that I realise I know from somewhere far in the past.
It is comforting, without doubt. I can feel myself relaxing at the unknown yet familiar presence.
The only person I know, that can possibly make feel this peaceful is but one.
My eyes slowly fluttered open. And as I slowly adjust to the light, I can see a blurry figure sitting next to the bedside.
It is blurry, yet it is more than enough for me to know who it was. My lips quirked into a smile. I would never mistake his figure for anyone else.
Sei-nii is indeed sitting on a chair next to me. He is reading one of my classical literatures I recommended him.
"You are awake." Sei-nii noted as he snapped the book shut. He smiles at me, and I returned it.
My eyes scanned the room, shifting to the setting sun in the background. "How long have I been asleep?"
"A while." Sei-nii responded as he walked to my bedside. "The others are at practice. I asked for us to be excused."
Knowing Sei-nii, Coach Sanada must have realised he can't change Sei-nii's mind when I was concerned. A wise choice, if I say so myself.
Anyone who dares to try separating me and Sei-nii will have demons coming after them, ready to plunge them to the deepest Hell.
"Thank you, Sei-nii." I thanked him as I managed a smile.
Sei-nii caresses my cheeks, his hand feels so warm and relaxing. "I couldn't let my little sister participate practice in her condition, can I?" his tone sounds playful.
"..or even leave you alone for that matter." He kisses my cheek. The soft touch of his lips on my skin is reassuring, and it fills me with warmth.
I can't help but slip out little giggles at his action. Sei-nii is just such a loving older brother, I can never ask for more.
"Have you called for Aoi?" I asked. With no practice, we are going home earlier, so we need to notify him. I don't doubt Sei-nii did.
Sei-nii smirks. "Of course. Aoi should already be at the dropped-off point."
The dropped-off point is referring to the place where Aoi dropped us of for school, also where he picks us up.
I tried to get up, only to be directly scooped up by Sei-nii, like a little baby I was.
"It is to prevent your condition from worsening. Be obedient now." Sei-nii spoke softly but firmly. He makes it clear there will be no negotiation on this.
I could only smile and agree without complain. Who am I to deny Sei-nii's affections when I crave for it?
I help holding out bags as Sei-nii carries me out of school. There are almost no student in the hallways since it is club's time.
I hardly remember what happened then, because being in Sei-nii's arms is so comforting that I am lulled to sleep.
However, I have no doubt that Sei-nii must have carried me to the limousine, cradling me even when he sat on the car.
Then Sei-nii must have informed Father of my relapse, and thus all lessons for the day is cancelled.
I also know that he must be waiting by my bedside, reading a book or doing works in his laptop as I sleep.
I know. That Sei-nii will never leave my side.
Never in this lifetime.
Author's note:
So yeah, how is it?
Read and Reviews~
