Chapter 9: The Crashing Match
"I have come to accept the feeling of not knowing where I am going." - Joybell C.
Preview of the earlier chapter: "There's a match against Kaijo High, a powerhouse team like us, if you have free time this weekend, then come and watch." He stated uneasily, not entirely sure if the plan he had in mind would work. Anyway, this was something he did want her to see. Since the last time, she looked as if she enjoyed watching them play.
"Okay, I'll be there."
"I'll be there, alright."
It was easier said than done this time round.
Miyuki wasn't sure if the whole thing was a way for her to keep on imposing on Wakamatsu. He was too understanding, too knowing and far too nice to her ever since then. The hollowness of that day and him buying her snack from the snack shop next to the academy's cafeteria.
It all seemed too much.
"Stop spacing out everytime we're out, Miyu-chan!" Arata called her out, waving her hands frantically at her.
Snapping back in to reality, Miyuki blinked.
"Sorry, I was thinking."
"Well stop thinking now, we're here."
The two got off the bus and walked with the crowd to the stadium, where the match was going to take place.
The boisterous noise that filled the stadium, the endless cheers and screams and everyone anticipating the match made her smile. The familiarity of the setting was something she missed, coming to the match was probably a good thing. At least then, she'd somehow come to terms with her feeling for netball and the the team.
"How much do you want to bet they'll lose?" Arata had said for a joke, she knew that Tōō Academy basketball team was strong. If not more so, than anyone.
"They won by a lot when I came to the match last time?"
Miyuki glanced around the arena, it was packed. Every seat was taken and people were even standing up since there wasn't any left. It wasn't until the audience cheered some more, a lot louder than before, that Miyuki set her gaze at the court.
The players came in to the arena, all steady, serious and tensed. It was going to start.
Cheers erupting from the stands, as the supporters stood up clapping and shouting the players name.
"Hey, there he is." Arata laughed. "He actually looks cool like that."
Miyuki couldn't help but fight back a grin at the statement.
"You think so?" She couldn't help but stare at him. His serious aura, his furrowed brow in to a scowl and that sudden yeah! cheer he did with his members, which all seemed to be part of him that she wondered if it was because of all that, he became understanding to her.
"Let the second quarter final game between Kaijou High School and Tōō Academy, begin."
The first quarter of the game and the versing team, Kaijou were already in the lead. If only Wakamatsu had jumped a little bit higher then Tōō would've had the ball first. The versing team was strong. However, Tōō scored first giving them a small advantage. A small advantage that gave the other team a lead.
Because at the end of the quarter, Kaijou completely took over the control of the match with a lead.
"So much for a powerhouse team." Miyuki stated causing Arata to snort.
"It's all because of that blondie, he's too good. I almost fell for him if it was't for the coach. Our coach is so handsome. I'm glad I came."
"More like they have better teamwork than us." Miyuki commented. There must have been about their school sports team, and being bad at teamwork.
The blonde flashed through them again, another blinding technique awing the girls who watched in silence.
What awed Miyuki even more was Wakamatsu himself. He scored the first point of the second quarter turning the game round. Even though the game was mainly focused on their ace, that looked too familiar for Miyuki to guess. Wakamatsu was glowing coolly to her for some reason.
Once she stopped staring at him, at the far right of the hall, she spotted someone familiar from a first glance with another person that she definitely knew this time.
"Hey, Arata isn't that Keiko?"
"Where?" Arata asked looking at the crowd beside them.
Miyuki nudged Arata and pointed her fingers across the other end of stands. There she was with the captain and watching the game fully engaged.
"No way? It really is her and captain, Hanai. Holy shit."
Arata tilted her head. "But why are they here?"
Miyuki had no clue either and was just as baffled as her.
"Maybe they were invited, like me?" But who would invite them to a match, when all they ever did was practicing netball. Looking at them fully watching the game, made them look like normal highschooler, like every other highschooler that came to watch the match.
"Look down!" Arata grabbed Miyuki's head and pushed it down.
"I think she spotted us." She whispered, her legs shaking in thrill.
Miyuki peeked up a little from her bangs, her heart beating like crazy even though she could see the match still ongoing. "Can Wakamatsu-kun see us from here?"
"Huh?" Arata let her sit up back to their original position.
"Well, he didn't once look over here. I don't think the senpais can recognise us from here."
"Ah, I see." She opened up her hair bun and let it out loose. They wouldn't recognise a Arata with her short hair down. "But, whose to stay he doesn't look here. See!"
Miyuki looked at Arata and then followed her gaze, she was right. He was staring past the crowd looking at her with a gaze that fueled a lot of emotion. Not knowing what to do, she bit her lips and glanced down at her feet.
Arata nudged her, "Miyuki Anzai, the world's most dense person. You could've waved at him, you know?"
Miyuki shoved her arm back still fixing her gaze at her feet, "Whatever."
The buzzer beat rang signalling the start of the second quarter which made her return her gaze at the match. He knows, he saw and that was all. Miyuki took a deep breath in letting out her agitation.
This time round, Tōō managed to keep the ball giving them an upper hand at what they were best at, offence.
A pass, another and another, then a dribble before the versing team player got the ball. This rally of passing went for a quite while till it was passed to their ace. The ace that was the main reason why Tōō had the upper hand at today's game. The rude player, from way back was actually the best player in the team. It was no wonder h didn't go back and train that day. Who would if one was so talented at the sport?
They won. Again, but this time unlike the other, they didn't win by a large win. If anything it was a close evenly match.
"98-110" Tōō was much stronger than them only because of him.
"Ahh, he can barely stand up, poor guy." Arata stated clenching her heart. "For a pretty guy, he even sheds tear so beautifully."
Watching the game was fun, and a little far too intense. Miyuki sort of felt for the other team members, knowing exactly what it felt like losing just because your strength wasn't enough as you thought it'd be.
"They did well though. This is getting me fired up for our upcoming matches."
Arata covered her mouth, "I shouldn't have said that."
Miyuki got up from her seat, somewhat calm and composed with only one thought causing this sudden motivation, she had to thank him.
"Let's go Arata, we might make it in time."
"To the cafeteria?" Arata grabbed her bag and walked beside her out from the stadium. "Phew, I'm starving because of that extreme game."
Miyuki knitted her brows, "Well...y-yeah." Forgetting that they were meant to go grab something form the cafeteria before they went.
"It's jam-packed" Arata put her side bag over her head and took Miyuki's hand. "We're going in, hold tight."
Miyuki grabbed on as they pushed through the crowd, with each step they shoved themselves in to the small paths provided and stopped at the food area.
Miyuki chose a quick sandwich and a pop juice, whilst Arata chose an actual proper meal.
"The real trouble is finding a seat." Arata said looking around the cafeteria for some spare seats.
"Over there." Miyuki walked quickly to a spare seat knowing someone else was sure to take the spot if she didn't be quick on her feet. Holding on to that single sandwich package and pop juice she hurried her pace, not seeing someone else walking in to her.
"Watch out, Miyu-chan."
A/N: Updated! This part was actually hard to write after a months whole of writers block, welp! Also, I'm going to be re-editting the chapters from 3 and onwards after some tips. [For fun guess who she bumps in to. There's lot of options. ^0^ ]