Just the Beginning

"Good job, Koto-chan!" Momoi congratulated as soon as I stepped foot in the room. Riko magically appeared beside her.

"Yup, but remember it's not over yet; you need to go through a few more adventures in this route to completely accomplish the game. It will put your relationship through a few obstacles to see how tough the bond truly is." Riko informed.

I nodded. I wonder what's going to happen next in this jacked up dream of mine, but now that I've got the hang of this game, I figured I'm ready for anything it has to throw at me.

"Okay, let the game begin then." I said confidently.

During practice no one had mentioned the hysterical scene made by me and Kise. They didn't ask a single question about my date with him and actually, they said almost nothing to me at all. The silence was almost palpable, making me want to get out of there right away.

"Um, Hyuga-senpai is it okay if I leave early; I don't feel so good." I lied. He gave a brief but funny look at me and then glanced over at Riko, who made a slight nod.

"Alright, go ahead and hit the showers." He replied simply. I made a small bow.

"Thank you." I acknowledged. I brisk walked towards the girls locker room and found Riko already there waiting for me.

"I wonder why the guys were giving me the silent treatment." I wondered as I slipped out of my white jersey and into my school uniform. Riko shrugged her shoulders.

"Beats me." she said simply. Momoi, in her chibi size, popped out of nowhere, next to Riko.

"Maybe they're finally taking notice that you are still a young lady that has appeal. They probably feel awkward." She explained. Then she looked up at Riko and sneered.

"But Aida-san wouldn't know because her appeal level is zero." She teased, making a little circle zero with her tiny fingers. Riko frowned and clasped her hands around Momoi, trying to suffocate her with her palms.

"Oi; let me out of here!" she said smothered.

"Never mind them Makoto-kun." Riko told, her palms still trapping Momoi. I kind of understand, I guess. They probably only saw me as an aggressive basketball player instead of just a girl, but I'd rather not have them consider me as the latter.

"Alright, I just really needed to get out of there." I stated, putting on my skirt. Once I was finished dressing I realized that nobody would be home until my practice was over, which was until six. It was only four.

"I have a couple of hours left. What should I do now?" I asked them. Momoi was finally released from Riko's grasp and tumbled down onto the bench.

"You could always visit Ki-chan!" she suggested. "I'm sure he would love to see you again. Plus it'll help you gain more experience points."

"Points?" I repeated.

"Yeah you should know Makoto-kun; lots of otome games and online sims have you gain experience points." Riko said. I do want to see him again.

"But, he's probably still practicing with his teammates; I don't want to bother him. He'll still want to practice." I protested. Momoi hopped onto my lap.

"Nonsense Koto-chan, of course Ki-chan wouldn't mind you dropping by for a visit!" she argued. The two's protesting wore me down.

"Fine, I'll go to him, but only for a little bit." I agreed.

"Oi, Kise you're movements are slow." His captain Kasamatsu noted. Kise stopped dribbling and held the ball.

"Sorry senpai, I didn't get any sleep last night." He explained but with a fresh smile.

"Oh yeah didn't you have a date with that girl from Seirin?" inquired Moriyama. Kise nodded and then continued to ramble on dreamily about Kotone.

"Yup, I'm so tired but I'm so happy! Kotonecchi was really, really cute last night. She's usually so aggressive and that's what makes her so cool, but her flustered vulnerable side is irresistibly adorable too. Her voice was all soft and shy, and she let me hold her tightly and everything—"Kise was cut short by Kasamatsu who was turning a soft shade of red.

"Okay, okay, don't go into any further details than that." He warned. His other teammates were flushed pink as well.

"Yeah, we don't need to know everything about your night with her Kise." said his teammate Kobori.

"Sorry, sorry, I didn't mean to rant on like that. But why are you guys blushing?" he asked. After taking a brief moment to think about his words, Kise realized the misunderstanding and his cheeks burned rosy red.

"You guys are perverts! I didn't do any dirty stuff with her, we just got dinner and talked!" he told.

"Then why are you going on about her acting cute and shy?" Moriyama asked.

"Because when I confessed she admitted she loved me back! She actually said she liked me! Ah, I'm so lucky that she does."

"Well… glad you're happy Kise." said Kobori.

"Yeah we're happy for you and all that but please don't let that interfere with practice, alright." Kasamatsu reminded.

The school's really big; it seems to have expanded last time I was here with my team for a practice match. I felt a pang of uneasiness sock me right in my stomach. I felt really bad knowing that I would interrupt their training session; it's not even three –thirty yet, so they might have just started. Now I understand why Midorima had said it would be inconvenient for us. I heard Riko's squeaky voice in the inside of my head.

"Just forget about that Makoto-kun. That's all behind you." She said. Then I heard Momoi's voice.

"Yeah, plus this is Kise we're talking about. He's a major deredere, he wouldn't be bothered by your visit." She reminded. I tugged on my sleeves nervously.

"Okay I got it; but I'm only staying for a few minutes then I'm leaving right away." I said. Then I heard Momoi scoff.

"Hmph, if Ki-chan will ever let you leave that is."

I retraced my footsteps to where the gymnasium was. I turned right and found the main entrance. I found that practice was still going on as I had expected. I saw the captain and all the other players, but no Kise.

"Uh… eh-excuse me." I said coyly in a soft manner. Kasamatsu-senpai noticed me.

"Oh, it's you Makoto-san; are you looking for Kise?" he inquired. I nodded my head.

"Yeah. I'm sorry for intruding like this." I apologized.

"It's alright." He said simply. "Kise left to go for a jog outside. Hopefully, he didn't go off to far, I'll call him for you."

Kasamatsu opened the back door and called out for Kise.

"Oi, Kise, your girlfriend Makoto-san's here to see you."

I cringed when he used the title 'girlfriend.' I still wasn't used to it and I don't think I ever will. When Kasamatsu called for him, he didn't show up.

"I guess he couldn't hear me." He figured. "You're welcome to stay here and wait for him." He said.

"I-it's okay senpai, I don't want to be a bother. I'll just leave and come again –"all of the sudden I heard fast-paced footsteps behind me. Then, out of nowhere someone got their hands on me and hugged me tightly. I knew who it was already. But… how did Kise get here so fast?

"Kyaaaa! Kotonecchi it's so kind of you to come all the way here to visit!" he exclaimed, squeezing me tighter.

"W-when did you get here?!" Kasamatsu-senpai asked, a little shocked to see Kise suddenly pop out of nowhere.

"I saw Kotonecchi walking in while I was jogging." He answered. He nuzzled his face into my neck.

"Let go already Kise! You're dripping with sweat!" I said with disgust. He pulled away.

"Oops, yeah I forgot about that." He said. "I'll take a quick shower and then we can leave."

"You don't have to do that." I protested. "You just started basketball practice."

"Don't be silly Kotonecchi." He said, then looking at his coach and captain. "It's alright if I go, right?" he asked.

"Okay, go ahead." The coach said.

"But it's double your laps when you get back." Kasamatsu added. Kise smiled broadly and hugged me tighter to the point I thought I was going to die of suffocation. Momoi and Riko were right; this is only the start…