Author's Note!
:3 Dramas. I. Love. Dramas. ;) You'll see more actions soon. Hope you guys liked it! Plus, I added something below. :3 Please click this link and support these the owners of the song, Konomi Suzuki-san and Raon Lee unnie. :3
(youtube link: watch?v=HXNOLsqirHo)
[or copy the link to another window and play it when you reach to THAT part. :3]
Reviews and Criticism is highly appreciated.
Warning: May have a little bit of OOC but nevertheless, it is how I envisioned it.
*Italics are thoughts of the characters. *
Now, ONNNNN TO THE STORYYYY~
This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, organizations, events portrayed in this story is used fictitiously or products of the author's imaginations.
The Strategist Empress. Copyright © 2016 by Cordelia Michaelis. All rights reserved.
Disclaimer: I DO NOT own Kuroko No Basket nor the song used. I only own the Plot and the OC.
Chapter 13
A week passed and I was back at school, taking it easy and I see the scattered thoughts of my team thus giving an unsatisfying practice and performances, Kuroko and Kagami aren't on speaking terms, I'm still recuperating and Chiaki is worried about the two friends' behavior. I sighed before I decided a break from everything will be a good way to de-stress. I told Chiaki the plans to start calling for a rental bus company and book one of their buses while I got up and went to the principal's office and talk about our break and I persuaded him that if we want to win the Winter Cup, the basketball team will have a one week break from school and just get special classes after.
The Principal nodded and issued a permit for the whole team and I bowed in gratitude before going out and traced each and every teacher we have and inform them of the absences before smiling gently at my team. Chiaki appears and gave me a thumbs up sign and I nodded my head in gratitude. "All Right! Everyone gather up. I have some important things to discuss."
They gathered with question in their eyes. I took a deep breath and exhaled slowly before looking at them straight in the eyes. "I know you all did your best in our match against Touou." They looked down with obvious sadness before I spoke up. "Don't let that get in your head. The reason why I didn't tell you guys… is because you will only be discouraged more. The way I saw it, I saw everyone trying their best and that made me happy. I don't care if we lost in the Inter- High championship league… What matters is that everyone did their best with their limited capabilities."
I see some hope in their eyes before smiling at them sincerely, the first sincere smile I've given after two years. "I've already arranged a break, a one-week break and of course once we get back, we'll have special classes. I'll teach you what you need to do. You guys need to forget the bitter feeling of defeat. LEARN from that experience, grow from that and nurture yourselves into better players. I didn't regret my decision in playing half of my abilities even though I knew the risks."
"Why? Why would you sacrifice your arm even though you knew we would lose?" Captain asked.
I looked at him and said, "That is because this team can grow. I've seen improvements but we need more than those little improvements. I see talents and I cultivate them, even when the cost is dangerous." I softly gazed at the team, Kuroko's eyes held shock as I've shown my other attitude. "It is to show you that limits are meant to be broken. Walls that are needed to overcome. Trust to be nurtured."
"We all can't just sulk and remember the bitterness. We need to show them that it will take a lot more than this single loss to break us down. I'll show you what you need to do. I'll help you grow into the players that you were meant to be. Though, my methods are a bit harsh but are you willing to give it a shot? It will be a slow process but we'll get there."
"Yuki-chan's right guys! Let's work hard and enjoy our games that we play." Kiyoshi said while ruffling my hair with his big hand and gave me a goofy smile in which I lightly tapped his arm away. They contemplated first before they looked at me seriously in the eyes and nodded. "OSU!" I put my hands on my waist and nodded in approval. "I may seem cold to you guys but this is my normal attitude. The cold personality was just to make you guys get used to harsh trainings and more mental views."
"Yuki-chan's real personality is just like a mother's. She treats you harshly at first, knowing the real life scenarios that will happen, to prepare you guys mentally. She's really a softie and I see that you've gotten her to go back to her other personality." A voice said and everyone turned to the speaker, only to see that it was Ishida with tears in her eyes and Ichinose leaning against the wall. "We missed this Yuki even though we acknowledge her dual personality."
"Stop it, you two. I am merely stating facts." I huffed and softly glared at the duo before they came running at me and hugged me for dear life. "C-can't… B-breathe… ACK!" With that they let me go and I ruffled their heads and looked at my team again. "We'll be going on the place that I really loved to train at."
"Where?" They asked and I just grinned while my two best friends just shook their heads at the bluenette's antics.
The next day, we arrived at my villa at the mountains. "This is the smallest and favorite villa of mine. I remember my tennis days where we used to run around this place. Welcome to my humble abode." They were gaping at the size of my home before yelling. "YOU CALL THAT SMALLEST?!"
"How many houses do you own?!" and many more comments that I gladly ignored and pushed open the doors to let them in.
"No need to be shy everyone. Just take off your shoes and I'll give you a tour. Tetsu, you know where your room is. Share with Kaga-kun and Dai-kun. Riko-san, Chiaki and I will bunk with each other. I'll let you guys take your pick on the rooms but make sure you get a partner. Though I do suggest that Captain and Kiyoshi-senpai will bunk." The brunette four eyed captain had tick marks on his head before he slumped in defeat.
"Leave your bags on your rooms, you can have three people in one room so it wouldn't be a problem. Just go up these set of stairs." I pointed to the staircase and then pointed to the right. "First right corner that you see will be the guest rooms. The last two doors are shower rooms or bathrooms. My room is on the first left corner and first door to the right." I turned towards the two other girls and nodded my head, indicating that they unpack. "Oh! And no one touches my bed. It has a blue duvet. If you did, I'll personally kill you and feed you to my Dobermans."
All of them sweat dropped and nodded before unpacking. I started on some light lunch and cooked our food until I heard them scampering and looking for me. I set the food down on the table and walked towards the entrance of the kitchen while wiping my hands on my apron. Kuroko being Kuroko, he was already on the table patiently, or impatiently, waiting for his teammates to come.
"Tetsu, behave." He looked at me, mischievously before eating a tempura.
I gave him a look and he childishly munched on the food, earning a chuckle from me. I leaned on the doorway and called out to the players that are slowly going down the stairs. "Food's ready. Come and eat up." They nodded before giving me thankful smiles. "You guys go on ahead. I'll make a few calls and clear up my schedules." They did and yelled, "Thanks, Yuki! Itadakimasu!" before they scarfed down the food that I made.
I called Aomine first and he instantly picked up. "Yuki?" he said in a half asleep voice.
"Hi there, sleepy head. I'm calling you and informing you that I'm with Tetsu for a week somewhere out in the woods." I heard shuffling and flesh hitting a hard surface and a groan came after.
"WHERE?!" He yelled and I sighed. "Dai-kun's with me as well. In fact, the whole team is with me. We need this break, Mine-kun. Let us be for a while and if it makes you better, I'll text you every hour and in detail."
I heard a muffled groan before he let out an annoyed sigh. "Fine, you promise to text me every hour. Satsuki's been nagging me that I shouldn't leave you alone at all."
"Tell her that I'll be alright. Tetsu's with me and Chiaki as well. You both don't need to get worked up. I'll see you later. Gotta make my other calls." I said.
He sighs and replied, "Yeah, take care of yourself."
"Bye and don't stress out Momo-chan. I'll text ya later." I mumbled before I ended the call and called another person and said person instantly picked up.
"Empress."
"Don't call me that Seijuro. It's annoying. I'm calling you that I'll be out of the city for a week, in case you didn't know but I doubt it." I heard a light chuckle before he replied. "That I do, Yuki. I believe that you have a lot of explaining to do." I sighed before I hesitantly answered him. "I'll explain once I'm back from my rest. Please excuse me, I'll have to inform my father as well."
"I'll do it for you. You just rest there and explain once you are back."
I rolled my eyes at his command before agreeing and ending the call and swiftly pocket my phone before heading towards the room that I haven't used in a long time. I smiled at all the equipment and they were still good to go.
I gently placed my hands on the unused instruments me and my friends used to play. I stopped at one particular instrument and it was a left handed bass. I picked up the said instrument and strummed once before tuning it again and strummed it, hitting the perfect tunes. My phone vibrated and I absentmindedly answered it only to pull it away from my ear. "YUKIIIIII. OPEN THE FRIGGIN DOOR!" I scrambled towards the entrance with my bass on my back and slammed the door open in horror.
I glared at them coldly before interrogating them. "WHY ARE YOU HERE?!"
They just laughed and proceeded to shove me out of the way and entered my house. "Well, we can't very well leave your highness in times like these." The blonde said before her gaze zeros in my hidden bass. "I missed our band. Let's relive the moment again." She directly went to the music room and cleaned her guitar before plugging it in and Ichinose just grabbed her drum sticks and experimented on the drums.
I sighed, knowing that they wouldn't stop at any cost and just plugged my bass in and looked at them. We started off playing one of our favorite songs by One OK Rock – the Beginning. Soon we finished playing the song and laughed out loud. We all missed these types of moments and right after our laughs died out, claps can be heard behind me and I blushed.
"You did not just hear us play." I muttered, horror can be seen in my face.
Riko and Chiaki smiled like a Cheshire cat before Chiaki proceeds to set up the keyboard and plugged it in. "Let's give them a show." She then whispers to me. "Let's unwind for a bit, yeah?" I gave her a look and smiled before agreeing. "All right. Let's do This Game by Konomi Suzuki."
I turned around at our audience and said, "Take a seat. We'll do one song for you guys." I nodded to Chiaki and she started playing.
Ishida:
Mawari tsuzukeru haguruma ni wa narisagaranai
Heikin enjiru tanjou kara hajimatta jigoku
(We refuse to become a gear that spins in a rhythm of monotony
Conforming to society's expectations is like a living hell)
Yuki:
Asobi hanbun de kami ga michibiita banjou no sekai
no no no game no life
Nurui heion wo bassari kirisutete
Eikou e no kaidan ni sonzai kizamunda
(And while we were playing, God brought us into a world ruled by games
no no no game no life
In an instant, our lives of peace and tranquility changed
Into a journey up the stairs of glory, carving our names in history)
Ishida:
Me ni utsuru no wa kanzen shouri no unmei
Nani mo kamo keisan-doori
Kaete yaru somaranai kuuhaku de
(Before us lies a future of ultimate victory,
With everything proceeding as planned
Now's our chance, let's cleanse this world together)
Both:
We are maverick kyuusai nante iranai
Donna rifujin osoou tomo
Kateba ii dake no hanashi darou
Kakehiki to sainou ga muhai izanau
Umare naoshita inochi de tanoshimu sa
Jibun dake wa jibun shinjiteru
(We are maverick; assistance is unneeded
No matter how unfair, or difficult our challenge may be,
Success is only a victory away
We'll challenge the undefeated using our wits and talent
And soak in the exhilarating joy of victory
All we need is faith in ourselves)
Ishida:
Kokoro ni hisomu yami yori tsuyoi aite wa inai
Kujikenu kagiri soko ni haiboku wa arienai
(There is no foe stronger than the darkness that lurks within our hearts
As long as we're determined, we will not be defeated)
Yuki:
Uwabe no kosei de anshin to hikikae ni PURAIDO korosu na
no no no sense of life
Yaban na zatsuon wo kippari ketobashite
Dare yori junsui na koe agerunda
(We'll not exchange our pride for such a shallow sense of assurance
no no no sense of life
Let's expel the savage noises that pollute this world
And replace it with the serene voice of humanity)
Ishida:
Tatakau koto wa kitto machigai ja nai
Tegotae ga oshiete kureta
Subete ushinatte mo kachinokore
(Our choice of fighting is of no mistake
Because we've learnt that even if we lose everything we have,
The outcome will always be a victory)
Both:
We are maverick joushiki nante iranai
Mae e narae mukau saki ni
Matteru no wa taikutsu darou
Ii nari ja tsumaranai idonde yaru
Umare naoshita inochi mo koma ni shite
Jibun dake no michi wo saigo made
(We are maverick, logic is unneeded
Having to wait for others before moving on
Makes our journey much less interesting
So rather than following them, let's do this on our own
With a load off our shoulders, we'll pave our own path
And press forth together, to the very end)
Ishida:
Mayowanai erabareshi mono
Makka na unubore demo
Hokorashiku ikinuku tame no houhou wo
Hitotsu shika shiranai kara
(Do not hesitate, for this is the path we've chosen
Even during the times when we're at a loss,
And feel like they've stripped us off our pride
There's only one honourable way for us succeed)
Both:
We are maverick kyuusai nante iranai
Donna rifujin osoou tomo
Kateba ii dake no hanashi darou
Kakehiki to sainou ga muhai izanau
Umare naoshita inochi de tanoshimu sa
Kono sekai te ni shite waraunda
(We are maverick, assistance is unneeded
No matter how unfair, or difficult our challenge may be,
Success is only a victory away
We'll challenge the undefeated using our wits and talent
And when we finally have the world in our hands,
We'll smile with renewed spirits)
Yuki:
We are maverick saikyou no maverick gamers
Kuuhaku naraba nanimono ni mo nareru
Jibun dake wa jibun shinjiteru
(We are maverick, the strongest maverick gamers
As long as we're together, we can face any obstacles
And with faith in ourselves, anything can be achieved)
We finished the song and the last chord still hung in the air before I turned to my team mates. "We'll get stronger. After all, we have one goal and that goal is to win the Winter Cup and for Kaga-kun's case, beat the miracles and I'll be there to guide all of you." My eyes that was once cold and calculating are now emitting warmth and determination. "We'll need this one week to de stress and we'll be back in no time." I nodded to Chiaki, Ishida and Ichinose before thanking them silently before I ordered them to rest up.
The next few days was fun and stress free. We did do drills and trainings with practice matches to improve all the hidden talents that the players had but didn't realize it. I silently made mental notes before scribbling down their stats and taught them some of the basic fundamentals that they seemed to miss. In my case, I was still recovering but I've started to run with the group and at the same time, take notes.
Before we all know it, it was time to go home. We all separated and Kuroko and I immediately went to our apartment to rest up. I was shocked to see a male sitting on the front of our apartment and my cousin and I looked at each other before he called out to the said person. "Aomine-kun?" The said guy looked up and he immediately stood up before grabbing my bag away from me and looked at me. I tilted my head and noticed dark bags under his eyes and pulled him in our apartment that Kuroko opened.
I pushed him down on the sofa before grabbing my small bag and changed clothes in my room before grabbing his hand and pulled him on to bed with me, knowing the tan male was too worried to actually sleep properly. I may have been straight forward with my actions but if it is to help him actually get some sleep, then anything is possible.
He was frozen for a bit before I snuggled closer against him and relish his heat and soon, I felt him wrap his arm around me and he fell into a much needed sleep. I smirked at how he managed to worry over me like a kid that needed taking care of. I followed him to dreamland after a few minutes of listening to his heartbeat.
Little did I know, a quiet snap was heard and a bluenette boy, mischievously took a picture and sent it to Chiaki, Ichinose and Ishida along with the team and decided to not include his former team mates since they will get mad at the navy haired teen. He quietly chuckled before slipping out of the room and let the two rest.
A/N
Hi there! I know that I brought back ze bottom Author's notes but How'd you like the song? I admit, it is a spot on song for this chapter. I did warn you about a bit of OOC. :3 I'm a little excited with the upcoming chapters. Yuki finally softened up to the team. :3 Had a bit of writer's block and yeah… xD
Stay tuned for the next update!
This is Cordelia Michaelis signing off!