The training continued on in earnest for the next few days, having only one week to train before a team of formidable foes was incredibly difficult, therefore Kagetora and the three managers focused only on their teamwork and reading each other in the heat of the match. Team Jabberwock despite being arrogant in nature, they did spent a lot of time together with each other, have an absurdly high level of teamwork, all holding up on their own in terms of skill, and having a strong leader, Gold, to look upon.

Even after training has ended, Kagetora, Akashi and the three girls often stayed late together working to better their gameplay and team cohesiveness. Even though the Generation of Miracles had come to terms for their shared past; a year apart and school rivalry still splintered the group. Each of them were still unconsciously holding back, despite knowing better that this should not affect them.

For every failure in practice, the pressure of needing to win increases, slowly suffocating each of them.

On the third day, Kagetora unfortunately was not around on that day, needing to attend to Team Jaggerwock's whims and demands. Tensions in the team had finally bubbled over, it was over something really small, a missed pass between Kagami and Aomine. It would have ended between a few usual jabs at each other, but the intense pressure and needing someone to blame turned this into a full blown argument, Aomine being Aomine, stormed off with Momoi following thereafter. Kagami was red with anger, though he did not physically leave the court, he was as ineffective and distracted as is in practice thereafter.

After practice finally ended, Setsuna looked at the boys as each of them left the court one by one. They acted normally, however she knew better, especially for the remaining Generation of Miracles. Aomine walking off had brought the painful memory of that fateful rainy day in Teiko back to the forefront.

Doubt and mistrust haunted them once again, and Setsuna know the team as is now, a viciously sharp but cracked Vorpal Sword will have no chance against the Jabberwocks.

As only Riko, Akashi and Setsuna were left to pack up and head for their usual strategy meeting at Maji Burger, Momoi returned looking hurt like a kicked puppy. All of them did not need to ask how it went down between Aomine and her. She quickly seek Setsuna for comfort, and the two girls walked off briefly talking. When they went back down to meet up Riko and Akashi at Maji Burger, Momoi was slightly back to her normal self. Nonetheless, the real issue was still looming above their heads.

"Is this a common occurrence for Aomine?" Riko asked, draining the last bit of her drink. Setsuna knew Riko did not meant to ask this as an insensitive question, but as a genuine concern. This does ultimately concern the survival of the team.

"…He never practice in Too, so the act of walking off had never occurred." Momoi replied sadly," I'm aware of his growing anxiety over the match, however I didn't think it weighed so heavily in his mind. He's still seething, but he knows he shouldn't have done that."

"I can see the strain in the team… I'm not sure if further practicing right now could bridge the teamwork gap." Setsuna spoke up honestly, not wanting to put the entire blame on Aomine, even if he was the first to snap," Is there anything else we could do? If their heart is not in it…"

The four of them thought through in silence. Momoi started fidgeting with her handphone in hand and Setsuna could not help but noticed her handphone strap; a brown bear and it would have been a really cute accessory, if not of how pissed it looked with a punky metallic eye patch over its right eye.

"…Satsuki…" Setsuna asked, squinting her eyes as it dawned upon her," Isn't that the bear that Tetsu won in one of the booths during a summer festival we all end up going together?"

Momoi beamed up, showing off the strap to her friend," YES, it is! I'm amazed you still remembered! The bear is still in my room! I found this strap while I was shopping. It reminded me how much fun we had together, so I bought it and never took it off…"

"Ah, that's it!" Momoi shouted, surprising the trio," There's a summer festival tomorrow! Let's ask everyone to go together!"

That came out of nowhere and Riko did not immediately see the merits of going on an impromptu outing. However, the last person whom she thought will agree to this, Akashi was inadvertently the first one who nodded his head in agreement," The one at Ueno Park tomorrow evening, isn't it. …It's a good idea."

Riko turned to look at Setsuna, and the amethyst girl had smiled in return meaningfully.

From the earlier conversation between her and Momoi, Riko finally understood that this is another one of the Teiko memories that they want to draw upon. The Seirin coach can see there is more to it than Aomine walking out, disrupting the practice.

This is another deep seated issue that the Teiko team have to work it out themselves. The meeting shortly adjourned, each of them tasked with informing the rest regarding the outing, Momoi and Riko walked off together while Akashi and Setsuna left the opposite direction.

As Akashi and Setsuna walked side by side on the pathway next to a road, the childhood friend could tell that the former have things on his mind. Just like the rest, the earlier practice must have brought out emotions and thoughts buried within Akashi.

"Sei kun…" Setsuna gripped his hand in assurance. Before Akashi could ask why, Setsuna continued," This isn't your fault. This isn't a repeat of what happened in Teiko."

Akashi stood there, looking at her for a moment before turning away, looking up to the night sky,"…Yes. I know. Thank you."

Even though Akashi had said he know, it was only meant to reassure Setsuna and thank her for her concern. His eyes betrayed his thoughts. He look tortured, and Setsuna knew he was still blaming himself for what happened in Teiko and Rakuzan. Even when Sei kun is not responsible for the things that happened after the other persona, Seijuro took over, it was nonetheless a fact that he still hurt many people around him, especially the team mates that had meant so much to him.

"…Remember what I told you that day?" Setsuna asked, stopping in front of him, holding both of his hands," You are strong, Sei kun. But there are times when you need to… take a break. I'm here for you."

Rely on me, Setsuna pleaded wordlessly, gazing at the seemingly indifferent Akashi. She did not want to push him if he does not want to.

Much to her relief, though Akashi shook off her hands initially, he quickly pulled her into an embrace by her elbow, holding her tight, nestling his head on her shoulders. He closed his eyes, shakenly taking a deep breath, as if he was slowly putting down the weight of his mask, his sins and responsibilities.

Setsuna felt more than hear his next words. He chuckled dejectedly," I can't keep anything from you, can I?

Setsuna smiled sadly, returning his hug earnestly, giving him comfort as well as seeking his," A man like you need a mind reader like me. …We will make it right this time. Together."

Akashi hum in acknowledgement, deeply inhaling again, desperately holding on. Allowing Setsuna to be his much needed anchor. His heart ached out of the intense love for her. With his eyes closed, he could almost see the faint image of his heterochromatic-eyed doppelganger chuckling, said something, before fading back into the deep recesses of his mind.

I won't apologize for what I have done.

Akashi smiled once again, channeling his thoughts in reply to his 'twin'.

.

.

There's no need to. We have her.

Later that night…

"Suna~! You will be wearing yukata for the summer festival tomorrow right?" Momoi asked as Setsuna balanced her handphone to her ear while sitting on her bed reading magazines.

"I'm not sure… It's kind of troublesome and difficult to walk in it. I need to dig it out of my wardrobe as well."

"But it will be strange if only I wear it…" Momoi said and Setsuna could almost hear her pout over the phone.

"You can choose not to wear it, you know…" Setsuna teased.

"That's not an option, you know that! I want to dazzle Tetsu-kun as much as possible!"

There was a brief knock on Setsuna's door, and the girl could hear her Auntie Naomi shouted out," Suna~~~ There's a package for you! I leave it outside your door alright?"

"Alright, thank you!" Setsuna shouted in reply while she made her way to her door, "Ah… Just a minute, Satsuki."

"Mmm… Sure."

Setsuna brought the package in, gently lowering it down to her bed. It was a huge rectangular box slightly less than a metre in length, wrapped in brown kraft paper. It was addressed to her name with Kuroko's address and nothing else. However, the care and the beautiful calligraphy of her Kanji name already gave her a good idea who sent her this package.

She picked up her phone again, not wanting Momoi to wait too long.

"Sorry, a package came and I went to pick it up. Sei kun didn't mention anything earlier to me though…" Setsuna half replied her, half talking to herself while she slowly opened up the package.

"Oooooooooh! A gift from Akashi kun! Tell me what it is!" Momoi asked excitedly, while she could hear some paper rustling and a box being popped open. It was then quickly followed by a sharp intake of Setsuna's breath and that reaction drove Momoi's imagination to her limits," Hurry up and tell me!"

"W-Well…" Setsuna picked up a small note in the box while her eyes admired the beautiful gift before her," Guess I will be wearing a yukata with you in the end tomorrow…"

While Momoi was fawning and demanding all the details over the phone, Setsuna brushed her hand gingerly over the neatly folded yukata and a hairpin that resembled a beautiful yellow Tsubaki in full bloom.

"Hey, Satsuki… Do you know what a yellow Tsubaki meant in flower language?" Setsuna blushed, her ears and cheeks tinged red.

Her friend giggled," I don't know… But I have a feeling you do, don't you?"

Setsuna smiled while she read the note again.

"…Longing for you."

A/N: Thank you so much for everyone's kind words! A short delay since the Last Game movie finally showed in my country and I wanted to catch it before I continue.

Only Akashi could get an expensive gift like this to his beloved at such short notice.