Chapter X

Nyoko woke up and stretched like a kitty who is oh so pleased with the world. She got up and did her usual routine. Washed her face and her teeth after having breakfast, got dressed and then she was ready to go. As she glanced out of the window; all she could do was smile. She smiled because winter arrived. She smiled because she felt safe, warm and cozy in her thick coat that hugged her pleasantly like a mother's embrace. She smiled as she watched the dancing snowflakes gathering outside on trees and roofs. She smiled because she was happy.

As she stepped out she put on her bright green hat to force her messy curly locks under control and started walking towards her school. Humming was a habit of hers when she was in a good mood and so she hummed all the way. Only one week left until the winter break which also made her feel happy. Not to mention that her family would visit her for Christmas which news also brightened her day. All in all, there was nothing in the world that could break Nyoko's spirit. When she reached her classroom her friends greeted her with a high-toned cheer. She sat among them with a wide, bright smile and listened to her friends' conversation.

'So? So? So? So? Is he taking you out?' – Ah, that topic again. Nyoko flashed a grin inside. The girls were extremely hype about the local Christmas festival that was coming up. All of them were preparing their dates trying to outbid the others' plans. Yes, everyone was feverish and everything seemed so perfect.

After the lessons Nyoko walked out of the building sluggishly. She took a deep and heavy breath as she stepped out into the icy, but refreshing air. She looked up and closed her eyes as she enjoyed the touch of the snowflakes landing on her cheeks. Suddenly though the snowflakes stopped falling, they stopped caressing her skin. Instead, she felt the warmth of a pair of lips pressing against her nosey-nose. She giggled out loud and threw her arms up without ever opening her eyes. She did not need to, she knew exactly who was the only one who could stop the flow of snowflakes without receiving a punishment from her.

'Mi-do-ri-ma-ku-n!' – Nyoko tackled the man with her arms and locked him in a tight hug nuzzling the man's neck with her freezing cold nose.

'Nyoko, that's cold and wet and ticklish. Please, stop.' – The usual cold and indifferent tone, that usual deep voice that stopped time and that attitude which never radiated satisfaction. Yes, everything was in its place. Everything was perfect. As the girl let go she laughed softly winking up teasingly at Midorima. He sighed shaking his head.

'Why so happy? Did something happen?' – Midorima pushed up his glasses on his nose which slid down as he bent down to plant a kiss on the girl's nose.

'Nothing special, I guess. Just a normal day, I guess.' – She locked her fingers behind her back and rocked from side-to-side as she mumbled.

'On a normal day you would whine and complain about the teachers, your friends, school-' – He was cut off as Nyoko covered his mouth with her hand.

'Ssshhhh. Don't worry. Nothing special happened. Can't I just….smile and be happy for once?' – She held her head high pretending offence as she dropped her hand releasing Midorima's lips. The man just shrugged his shoulders not quite understanding the girl's behavior. Nyoko sighed unimpressed when she saw the man is still not up for these little games of hers. She was not surprised, so far she had not succeeded with these games. Not once.

'Fine, fine. Let's go, the practice is starting!' – She grabbed Midorima's hand and started pulling him towards the gym. When they entered the court everyone who had already arrived waved at them.

'Oi, Nyoko-chan! Good you came! This practice wouldn't be the same with out ya!' – Aomine grinned though he did not pay any glances to the girl. She always arrived with Midorima. Or at least ever since that date. Nyoko sat down down at her usual spot and glued her attention on the basketball team. Yes, everything was perfect.

Oh, the date? How did it go? I guess it should be told, so, this is how it proceeded:

Nyoko opened her eyes when she felt Midorima's lips part form hers. The air got trapped in her lungs she just stared up at the man lips moving without a sound. Midorima fixed his glasses but remained calm and just looked down at the girl with such ease as if he just shot a perfect three-pointer. He sighed deeply and nodded to himself.

'I misinterpreted...things.' – He paused to clear his throat and dropped his gaze at the ground. – 'I…When I…kissed…you I thought I felt nothing, but that was incorrect.' – He quickly held a hand up in front of him closing his eyes with a strict expression. – 'Do not get me wrong, I am not confessing my love.' – Nyoko's expression changed so fast as she tried to keep up with the man. From the shock she fell into heavenly joy which faded into confusion.

'I can't say, I am not interested in you.' – He continued considering the words, choosing them carefully. He remembered how one tiny sentence could destroy everything and set the happenings on a path that was not, well, so to say, pleasant. – 'However, not even I can put a finger on what I feel.' – He opened his eyes and fixed them on Nyoko. She stood motionless, listening, only listening. After all, he was finally speaking. Speaking to her. Finally explaining everything. Everything that had happened in the past few months. She sucked in the words; it did not matter if it was another rejection or a confession. Midorima was standing in front of her, explaining himself.

'When you left and I though because of me…I felt responsible, but first I did not realize it. So, I decided that a kiss was not enough to conclude what is wrong with me.' – Wrong? Nyoko stayed quiet, but tilted her head at the word. He thinks having such feelings is wrong? She looked puzzled, but not angry or unpleasant. – 'What I am trying to say is…this was not meant as a fake date. I needed to know and now I know.' – He stopped talking, but Nyoko's puzzled expression did not change. After long silent seconds she burst out.

'Know whaa-haatt, Miiidorimaaa-kun!? Ugghhh!' – She grabbed the man's shirt and shook him back and forth. No, not furiously, but laughing now. Such a long monologue and she found out exactly nothing. Say it, for the love of God! She screamed inside. She could not imagine going home like this.

'I know that I actually don't mind you around me. And even though these…kisses…feel weird-' – He coughed softly his eyes now observing his shoes with a fait blush spreading on his cheeks. – 'But, I think it would be nice if we…met…like…regularly.' – Nyoko blinked translating Midorima's words inside her head.

'So, you want me around you?' – A slight tilt of the head.

'Yes.' – A simple answer.

'And as friends?' – A raise of tone hinting the questioning purpose of the words.

'More than that…I guess.' – A mumble. Midorima wrapped an arm around his chest while he touched his glasses with the other mainly to hide his embarrassed face. – 'But-' – He suddenly looked at the girl with fierce eyes reflecting fear and uncertainty. – 'But no kissing…for now…it is weird…but…it is nice when…you are with me….so…' –He struggled to find the correct words and he began to mumble looking to the side. – 'I can't believe I'm saying this…' – He choked the words out which made Nyoko laugh, a laugh that rang so pure and clear from her heart even Midorima forgot himself as he admired the laughing girl in front of him from behind his hands still hiding his face.

'Mi-do-ri-ma-ku-n. Don't worry. I won't force anything. Just you saying you want to be around me makes me feel so happy!' – She still giggled as she breathed the words. Midorima nodded and with a slow motion he pulled the girl closer to himself. He watched her for a few seconds as Nyoko's giggle softened into a grin. The man smiled faintly, but gently back at the girl and leaned down to mark their agreement with a soft kiss, a kiss strictly planted on the girl's tiny and cute nose.