The series has coming to an end! My plan is two more chapters, can be less can be more, and we'll have this series finished. I also have this idea to make a series of extras, when the chapters possibly happen in between the real timeline. Let me know if you want that! This chapter is quite short, happens after Teikou Arc, I think it's around 228Q. I'm going to make the next chapter longer with the appearance of Akashi. Please keep looking forward to the next chapter!


Totoro and Me: High School Romance

Chapter 11: A Long Night and A Broken-hearted Girl

Disclaimer: Fujimaki Tadatoshi, Miyazaki Hayao

By Minnie Haris

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Teppei says goodbye to Hyuuga before they walk separately. Listening to Kuroko's story makes Seirin boys get home late. That was important tale to hear before they face the former Teikou captain, Akashi Seijuurou. Seirin has gone beating strong teams, at final they will fight against what people called him as the emperor. Kuroko has tell his team earlier that Akashi, unlike the rest of the Generation of Miracles member, has two abilities. It won't be easy for them to stop the Rakuzan's captain, but they will do their best for the final.

On the opposite way, Tamara shows up. She must have just come back after leaving with Kaijou team. Their eyes meet. The Kaijou student is a bit surprised to see Teppei, at the time like this.

"Tamara," Teppei calls. "Going back home?"

"Yeah," the small girl says. "You come back late. Did something happen?"

"No," Seirin's Center shakes his head. "We stayed late at Kagami's house, getting what we need for tomorrow's final."

Tamara nods, her ponytail bounces behind her. "Have you met Kou?" Teppei walks next to her.

"Yes, I met him. We separated after I joined with my teammates. He looks good."

"He does. He's enjoying college life, I guess," the girl chuckles.

"How's Kaijou?"

Tamara shrugs. "They're fine, I think. Upset, of course. But they'll manage. They have moving on to get ready for the third place match."

Teppei remembers the third place match is tomorrow's noon, before the final.

"Which makes me remember," the mahogany haired girl mutters. "I probably can't watch the game."

"Why?"

"The music festival is tomorrow."

"So soon?"

Tamara nods. "The organizer texted us that the festival will be held tomorrow. They said tomorrow's a good day. The preparation will start in the morning and the festival in the evening. That said, I maybe can't see your game too."

Teppei gazes at his girl friend's round eyes that look disappointed.

"I'm sorry," Tamara speaks softly, sounds guilty for telling him that.

"Nah, that's okay," Teppei assures. "That means I also cannot see you perform, so we're even?"

Seeing the man before her seems does not mind, Tamara feels uneasy. The tall guy is always this carefree and… clueless. She sighs.

"Oh! About the kiss," Teppei suddenly says. The girl gulps. He is going to bring that up.

"Did we really kiss?" He inquires.

Tamara turns, gazes at him, furrow her brows. Teppei looks at her flustered. She closed her eyes and tittered. "Well, I did."

Teppei cracks up. "So we did, huh?" he says lightly.

The violinist bites her lower lips. It's the exact reaction she has anticipates. The tallest guy in Seirin is a klutz. His final match is a day away, certainly he doesn't have time to think anything else, particularly love. He may never return her feelings. It's agonizing. She wants him to know what she really feels for him.

"Because I like you, that's all."

Teppei blinks at her, seeing the hazel eyes that stare at him gently. "I like you, Teppei," Tamara confesses.

She turns away, waiting for a respond from the man next to her. A moment later, Tamara notices her upper head is ruffled, by Teppei's big hand.

"Well, I like you too," he smiles. "I like everyone, so of course you too."

Like hitting by a rock, the small girl turns pale. Tamara looks at him in shock, mind still digesting on Teppei's respond. She should have known he would say something like that. She should have known.

Tamara smiles wryly. "Sure you do," she mumbles. The girl takes a deep breath and puts her bosom front.

"Then, you should go home and take some rest," she advices. "There's something I forgot."

"This late?" the tall man looks at her flustered. Tamara nods. "Good night, Teppei."

Without looking back at him, she turns and nips her feet quickly, hoping that the girl can run faster to leave that place in seconds.

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TAMARA: I stop in front of the hoop near there, grabbing the net while catching my breath. I've never ran off that fast unless it's PE, but I have just run. Runaway from him. Runaway from his answer. I suppose I must have been realized he would give me that kind of respond. He's Teppei, for god's sake. The man who is nice to anyone and always laughs it off everything's bad. He will fight for what he cares, but it's not me. I never cross his mind. I shake my head furiously, convincing myself that it's not the time to think about that.

My phone rings. Kise is calling.

"Hello."

"Hello, Kannoucchi?" Kise's voice sounds heavier. "I was wondering if it's alright to call you right now."

"Yes, Kise, it's okay," I quickly remark. Half of my heart relieved Kise calling me.

"Thank goodness. I don't know who else should I talking to, so I've been thinking to call you. Well, seeing today's performance, I have a hunch that I may not be playing in tomorrow's game. You know, my injury-"

Kise is lively talking on the other side. I'm listening to him. Even beyond Kise's voice, I still can hear Teppei's words, saying he likes me too, but the same 'like' he does to anyone. His friends. His love ones.

I'll never be special.

Why would I want to be special? He likes me. Just like anyone, he cares about me. Teppei cares like Kou does. And apparently that's not what I want. I feel a slight pain in my chest when I think of this: He doesn't love me.

Seconds later I realize I've been sobbing on the phone, with Kise's worried voice calling out my name. As much as I want to speak to him, the pain inside my heart grows and I don't think I can hold it any longer. I'm crying in the long, winter night that freezes my heavy breaths into the thin air.

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