April 29th

The day of the basketball game arrived at last. The past two days had been raining off and on all day, today had proven to not be any different. With news of the upcoming game, the soccer team, who usually laid claim to the gym on rainy days, had generously donated their claim to the basketball team for practice.
I wonder if Daisuke's 'enhanced persuasion' techniques figured into their decision at all, Michael thought to himself when he had first heard the news.
The other school's team had been stretching and warming up tirelessly since their arrival. Yosuke stood there, fiddling with his new jersey, having since been drafted onto the team.
"Remind me again, why am I doing this?" Yosuke groaned.
"Sorry bro, but a few of the guys were no-shows, so we're short on players." Kou explained.
"Yeah, this shit happens all the time. That's why I'm here. Just do your best!" Daisuke encouraged him.
Yosuke looked over to Michael, "This must be cake for you. I always wanted to be that tall."
"Is that your way of asking for a piggyback ride?" Michael smirked.
"Hell no!"
Chie was setting up recording equipment as Ai marched up to her. Yosuke nudged Michael and pointed at the imminent exchange.
"Meow!" He grinned.
"Never make that noise again. Ever. For the rest of all time." Michael growled.
And yet, I find myself intrigued, he thought and watched them out of the corner of his eye.
Ai stood right in front of the camera Chie had been adjusting and glared down at her.
"Listen, you may be helping out for this one game, but I want you to know that you are not welcome here!"
Chie looked up at her in annoyance, "What do you care? You never show up anyway!"
Yosuke snickered and turned to Narukami who had been practicing his passing with a fellow player.
"It's hard being a ladies' man, huh, Narukami?"
"Huh?" Narukami replied, dumbfounded.
They were interrupted by the screech of the referee's whistle. The teams lined up opposite each other and bowed.
"Let's play fair!" They said in unison.
I'm a long way from LA, Michael thought dryly.
Kou and the other team's captain jumped for the ball, a duty that was first offered to Michael due to his height advantage, but passed it along to Kou. Unfortunately, as far as the game itself was concerned, this was an error. The other captain was able to knock the ball to one of his teammates and they took position. Narukami attempted to steal it, but was faked out by a pass to an unseen adversary who had snuck up on his flank. The game continued on in a back and forth fashion as Ai and Chie took notes. However, it would appear Ai was focused more on glaring at Chie from across the bench.
"Seeing you up close just pisses me off even more," Ai finally said, "I can't believe I lost to a dumpy-looking dog like you."
Chie stared daggers at her opponent, "What are you even talking about?!"
Daisuke tried to pass the ball to Kou, but it was stolen.
"Don't act like you don't know!" Ai snapped, "I'm going through Hell right now because of you!"
Kou stole the ball back and passed it to Michael who immediately was swarmed.
"Fuck off, you gits," Michael growled lowly and, in a rage, swung around and slammed his elbow into the chest of one of his adversaries. It was, of course, ruled a foul.
"Well as long as we're sharing, I've got something to tell you!" Chie turned on her angrily, "I've seen the way you push Narukami around, it's horrible!"
Ironically, Narukami had attempted to steal the ball back and, after some roundabout passing by the other team, was rewarded with dizziness for his efforts.
Ai looked taken aback, "No way, you have the hots for Narukami, don't you?"
"He's my friend!" Chie rebutted.
Ai looked off to the side, "You're loved AND you've got a lot of friends to boot, great." she said bitterly.
Kou was able to steal the ball back and slowly advanced up the court.
Ai jumped to her feet. "You've got everything, you bitch!" Ai screamed and slapped Chie across the face.
Kou attempted a shot, but it bounced off the rim.
"What the Hell?!" Chie cried, holding her cheek, "All I was saying was that if you're gonna be Narukami's girlfriend, then treat him better!" Chie then slapped Ai back.
Kou attempted a lay-up, but the ball was fiercely contested and knocked out of his hand.
Ai squealed and slapped her back.
Followed by yet another slap by Chie.
Michael was no longer enjoying the game. That is, not for the game's sake. The adrenaline within him had translated into rage and he found himself performing every bit of physical violence he felt he could get away with. The passive looks of determination on the opposite teams' faces just fueled the fire.
By this time, Ai and Chie's slap fight had turned into a collection of pushing and hair-pulling, causing Yosuke to stop playing entirely just to watch the spectacle.
"Ah, to be young and in love," He sighed dreamily.
Narukami stopped and looked too, "What the..."was all he could manage.
"Less than a minute left!" Kou called out in desperation.
Kou had stolen the ball and quickly made his way down the court.
This announcement did not stir Ai and Chie from their vicious engagement.
"Hey, knock it off!" Narukami shouted, "This could be Kou's last game, so enjoy it!"
Ai broke her head free from Chie's grip on her cheek and turned to look at him in shock.
"His last game?" She mumbled through Chie's fingers.
Kou made it midway up the other side of the court, right into the arms of a defender. In a split second, Kou faked him out and took the shot. The ball hit its mark with a 'swoosh' just as the buzzer went off.
Drenched in sweat, Kou leaned over, placing his hands on his knees, and breathed heavily. Despite making the shot, Yasogami High did not come out victorious. The other team went around high fiving each other, many giving dirty looks to Michael who had a smug grin, and a bloody lip, on his face to show for his efforts. Narukami and Yosuke were able to break up Chie and Ai's spat. Ai sat alone, staring at Kou with a deep, legitimate concern in her eyes.

After the game, the group met up at Aiya for a post-game dinner. The different varieties of meat bowls steamed at their tables as they raised their glasses in unison for a toast.
"We did our best!" They cried together.
This place might just be growing on me, Michael thought to himself warmly, surveying the tired, yet contented faces of his peers.
A blue-haired girl dressed in the Aiya diner's uniform walked up with another beef bowl on a tray.
"Beef bowl with rice?" The girl asked.
"That would be mine," Kou said, raising a finger.
Yosuke's eyes widened, "Wait, Aika?! Your family runs this place?"
The girl identified as Aika nodded, "Yes."
"We've been classmates this whole time and I didn't know this?"
Aika shrugged, "Guess so."
Kou picked up his bowl and brought it to his face, "Boy, let me tell ya, I am ALWAYS starving after a good workout! I'm digging in!" He said gleefully, shoveling the food into his mouth.
Boy howdy, Michael thought, suddenly feeling like a culinary light-weight.
Narukami and Daisuke stared at Kou with concern in their eyes at the apparent bliss that Kou was exhibiting.
"Yep, really good!" Kou confirmed, his mouth full of beef and rice.
"Ichijo...I'm really sorry, bro." Daisuke said apologetically.
"I let you down too," Narukami said, head bowed.
"I should've focused on the ball rather than the brawls," Michael sighed.
Kou looked at all of them, stupefied.
"And it was your last game too," Narukami quietly lamented.
"Oh yeah, that." Kou said, taking a sip from his drink, "I decided I'm not quitting."
Everyone turned to look at him.
"I've realized something after playing that game. I love playing basketball, I hate losing, and I refuse to let it end like this." Kou explained, a determined look on his face.
"We were only able to take on those guys because you two joined the team," Kou said, looking to Narukami and Michael, "I owe you guys, big time. Thank you both."
Michael and Narukami grinned.
"It was nothing man, but I didn't do much." Narukami said.
"Turns out height ain't all it's cracked up to be," Michael admitted.
Kou leaned across the table.
"And when our team does win a game, THEN I will tell her how I feel," he whispered.
Oh good, I was so concerned my fan art would all be for naught, Michael thought dryly.
"Yeah, you do that..." Narukami groaned.
"So what do you guys say? You gonna stay on the team, help us win some games?" Kou asked.
"Yeah, sure," Narukami nodded.
Michael gave an affirmative nod, unable to answer with his mouth full.
Chie stretched, "I'd love to stick around too, but I can't. It would seem I don't mix well with a certain someone."
Ai gave Chie the most contemptuous look Michael has ever seen.
"Really, you're bailing?" Kou asked, dejected.
"So, um, Ichijo," Ai began nervously, "Do you mind if I stick around with the basketball team?"
"Of course you can!" Kou replied excitedly.
Ai flushed in satisfaction, and Michael noticed a smirk appear across Narukami's face as well.
Did he plan this? Michael thought in disbelief, Nah, that's impossible. No one is THAT good with people.

As afternoon turned to evening, the group took their leave of Aiya.
"So did you see that last shot I made? I mean, did you really see it?" Kou bragged confidently.
Michael and Narukami had been talking amongst themselves until Ai caught up to them.
"Hey, Yu, wait up!" She said.
Michael immediately felt uncomfortable, pulled out his phone, and stepped away from Narukami and Ai, Narukami's pleading look that seemed to say "Please don't leave me alone with her" going unanswered.
Michael glanced up from his phone. Kou and Daisuke were speaking to one another, Chie and Yosuke had paired up, and he was not about to return to what he just escaped.
Hello, 'standing in the background awkwardly', my old friend, he thought to himself.
Suddenly, as if by divine intervention, his text alert went off. It was Yukiko.

Yuki: Hey, how was the game?
Michael: We lost, but good times were had. I missed you there.
Yuki: I'm sorry. Mother felt that it would be improper for me to say I can't attend classes, but show that I am well enough to attend school games.
Michael: Yeah, I can see how that would be frowned upon.
Yuki: So you lost?
Michael: Not for lack of trying. I could've used your cheering.
Yuki: Hahaha, G. O. YASOOOGAMI GO. TO. HELL!
Michael laughed out loud at this.
Michael: That's the ticket.
Yuki: Hey, are you hungry?
Michael: Why? Am I performing my maiden voyage as a taste-tester today?
Yuki: Goodness, no. The chef wants to know if you're gonna need a big dinner?
Michael: No, we ate at Aiya. Want anything while I'm out?
Yuki: I'd hate to put you out.
Michael: I'd hate for you not to.
Yuki: Well if you're going by Shiroku, could you get me one of those instant fried tofu bowls? I haven't had one in ages.
Michael: Your words are my actions.
Yuki: You are too kind.
Michael: Be back soon.

Michael stuffed his phone back into his pocket and did a complete about face in the direction of Shiroku. By the time he caught back up with the group, Narukami was walking alone and Ai, who had bedeviled Narukami for the past few days, sported a much softer expression on the arm of Kou.
"Whoa, wait, was she into Kou all along?" Michael asked incredulously.
Narukami shrugged and smirked.
"So that's why in the equipment room when Kou said he has a thing for Chie, she tried to off herself."
"Yeah, she's an emotional person."
They walked a few more meters before Michael spoke once more.
"So what do you have against him?"
Narukami raised an eyebrow, "Nothing, I think he's a great guy."
Michael chuckled, "You have a funny way of showing it."
Narukami's features softened and the two friends shared a laugh as the sun set on the eventful day.