I'm very happy to read your comments on who Sayumi-chan should be with. I will try harder on adding more details into facial expressions and feelings. Thank you for your advice!

I will also take hint and insert other KnB characters into this, but they, unfortunately won't be appearing just yet. But the idea is a great one and they'll be showing up so don't worry.

Sayumi: Mina-san! Thank you for supporting by favoriting, following, reading and reviewing!

Midorima: I was the only one with no supporters...

Murasakibara: Aww. Mido-chin. Don't be glum. No one supported me either.

Midorima: You were mentioned on several occasions.

Takao: I haven't even debuted! Will I ever serianri?

Kuroko: *slurp*

Kagami: Stop hogging up my chapter. Let's start.


Chapter 29

"Where's Kagami?" Riko wasn't looking too happy with the team ace missing from the group. Her team was the visiting school and it didn't look all too good for Seirin to have missing players. She didn't want the opposing team to feel that Seirin didn't consider them worthy opponents by not bringing the rising basketball star to a mere practice game. The girl coach looked frantically at the boy whom she sent to search for the missing redhead.

Furihata Kouki sheepishly approached and relayed his futile search result to the disappointed girl coach. The sour expression on her face caused the panting boy to tremble. Captain Hyuuga stood up and reminded the tough coach of the time. Riko temporarily gave up on hunting down Kagami to prep the remaining team members. She called the team in for a huddle, but the boys remained glued to their bench. No one dared to approach their tomboy coach. The boys gulped when her eyebrow twitched.

"Where's Kuroko?" Riko's murderous aura caused not only her team, but the opposing team members to shudder.

... a little earlier ...

Kagami arrived earlier than the rest of the Seirin basketball team. The tall redhead casually browsed the opponent school's campus, unsure of where the school gym was located. He was unwilling to ask the girls who giggled quietly in their little groups as he passed by. After around ten minutes of aimless wandering, Kagami stumbled upon a conversation happening behind the building he believed was the gym.

He didn't want to interfere and was originally planning to walk on the other side of the building, but upon hearing a certain name, he stopped. The redhead hid himself perfectly behind the wall, unable to be seen but also close enough to hear.

"Meiko-san. I really like you." A boy's voice shouted as if he was reporting a message to a general. "Would you accept my feelings?"

"You don't have to be so loud." The sound of a little giggle followed. "But I'll accept." Meiko brushed her curly hair to one side and smiled at her new boyfriend.

"Sayumi-san. Thanks for introducing Meiko-san to me. I'm really grateful."

Kagami slowly stuck out his head to see a boy in a basketball jersey bow to a girl with long flowing golden-brown hair. The redhead's eyes settled on the back of the girl.

"Sayumi-san. We have a practice home game today." The happy boy relayed to the basketball enthusiast.

"Sayumi-chan. You should come. After all, the vice president of the basketball team just personally invited you." Meiko curled her arm around the boy who was overwhelmed with excitement.

Kagami's ears pricked up. He remembered that Sayumi liked that boy. It must have been difficult to witness the vice president confessing to her best friend. He then shifted his attention to the unmoving Sayumi. He couldn't see her face since she was facing the other two whom he saw clearly.

When Sayumi finally opened her mouth to speak, the words came out weakly, worrying Kagami who was accustomed to her energetic voice.

"I...I actually have work today. I don't think I can make it." Upon seeing their smiles transform into sad looks, Sayumi added, "Meiko would be enough to support the team."

"I guess so. The basketball team has a new charm now." The boy looked at the blushing Meiko.

Kagami's face was overtaken with gloom. The vice-captain was terrible with words. The redhead pitied Sayumi for having to face the clueless boy with a fake smile, or at least that was what he pictured.

"Yeah...Meiko is a charm." Sayumi swiftly combed her hair back with her right hand. "I don't need to be there anymore," the girl laughed off.

Kagami unconsciously clenched his fist after hearing those words coming from his friend.

"The game is going to start soon. I have to get ready. Meiko-san. No. Meiko-chan. Let's go." The vice-captain excitedly grabbed Meiko's hand and led her towards the gym.

When the couple left the area, Kagami stepped out to greet Sayumi. Before he was able to reach her, the girl fled quickly to the main building.

"Kineno!" Kagami roared, but Sayumi wasn't able to hear the tiger over the howling wind. She forgot to wear shorts under her school uniform that day. The girl picked up her pace to avoid the cold wind from blowing up her short skirt. Kagami ran after the girl, but accidentally bumped into another group of students. After apologizing, he dashed into the building where he saw Sayumi enter.

...

After ascending another flight of stairs, Kagami saw the girl rush into the bathroom. The redhead stopped right outside to wait for her.

Sayumi pushed open the door to her favorite bathroom stall, but found a girl curled up on the seat. Sayumi jumped back when she saw the girl look up. Dark makeup stains covered her crying face.

"Yumi-chan! What's wrong?" Sayumi yelped.

Kagami, who was waiting anxiously outside, heard the sudden high pitch sound.

"I...I just had my heart broken." The sounds of painful sobs filled the bathroom which echoed all the way outside where the redhead stood.

Kagami, believing the cries were from Sayumi, gathered the courage to step into the bathroom to comfort his hurting friend. But before he could take a step forward, a cold hand stopped him. His furious eyes landed on the shorter blue-haired boy in the red, white, and black jersey.

"Kagami-kun. We have a game." Kuroko noticed the pained expression on his friend's face, but they had the responsibility to play a game.

Kagami bit down on his lip. After inhaling a deep breath, he forced his body to follow Kuroko down the stairs to the gym where the rest of the team was waiting.

"Yumi-chan. Don't cry." Sayumi took out some tissues from her bag and handed it to the pitiful girl. "I'll take you home after we wash you up."

...

As the overbearing figure of Seirin's tallest first year entered the courts, all heads turned. No one even noticed the small shadow that accompanied him. Riko sensed the sudden rage in Kagami and didn't press any questions. She lined the boys up.

As the two teams were being introduced to each other, everyone was intimidated by the distorted expression on Kagami's face. The opposing team worried as they felt the menacing aura emitted from the redhead. Kagami gritted his teeth when he exchanged eye contact with the opposing team's vice captain. Looking at the clueless boy caused the rage to bubble inside him. Though he was on the courts, he recalled the soft echoes of crying. He was ashamed that he couldn't stay by his friend's side when she needed companionship the most. Resolution burned inside the ambitious redhead. He was determined to win.

The whistle sounded and the game commenced. In less than a minute, Seirin's ace scored his first basket.

...

Kise looked at the exhausted and tired girl running errands nonstop for the demanding lady in the gray business suit. Sayumi didn't even have the slightest chance to look at the relaxed model sitting comfortably on his chair as he awaited the setup for another shoot. The blonde model leaned his head on his hand while watching Sayumi make her usual rounds. The girl approached him last.

"Kise-san. What may I get you this time?" Sayumi pressed her pen, ready to write on her packed notepad. She flashed a fake smile at the boy who took his time to think.

"Kinenocchi. What's with the formality?" The blonde chuckled when Sayumi's face reflected her true feelings. He got a kick out of watching the multi personalities of the girl in front of him. Work became a little more entertaining ever since she began working near him.

"Fine. Kise. If you can't decide. You're going to drink milk." Sayumi happily scribbled milk down on her notepad.

"Kinenocchi. Can you even read your own writing?"

"No. But this makes it look like I'm trying." The sparkle in her eyes caused Kise to smile. "I have to go get drinks for everyone now. Want anything else?"

"I'll go with you." The tall model got up from his chair.

"You can't. That's my job." Sayumi looked sternly at the playful boy.

"I'll just help you hold the stuff."

"It's really okay..."

"I don't want you to slip like last time. There's no need to rush when you're carrying so many things." Kise's kind eyes fell on the girl.

"You saw that? Don't tell the manager I bought the things twice. She'll kill me."

"Then let me go with you this time." Kise looked at his watch. "I have time."

Sayumi nodded and pulled out a beanie and a pair of accessory glasses from the prop basket in the corner of the room.

"Wear this."

Kise gladly slipped the gray beanie over his eye-catching blonde hair. He wore the black no-lens glasses.

"How'd I look?"

"The same." Sayumi frowned.

"And what is that?"

"Still flamboyant." Knowing that the boy would attract attention no matter what he wore, Sayumi gave up. Kise smiled smugly and followed the weary girl out of the room.

...

"You should be ashamed, Sayumi-chan. How could you drag our prized Kise to buy and carry our drinks for us?" The furious woman continued to blabber on.

Kise was humored by Sayumi who feigned guilt in front of her boss. After watching his fill of amusement, the boy got up to clear the misunderstanding, but stopped to look at the text he just received from Kagami.

{Text from Kagami Taiga}: I went to Kineno's school today. I saw the vice president of the basketball team confess to another girl in front of Kineno. After that, she ran into the bathroom crying. I had a game so I couldn't talk to her. Keep an eye on her.

{Text from Kise Ryouta}: Already on it.

After the long lecture, Sayumi trudged over to the worried model.

"What's with that look, Kise? You weren't the one scolded."

"Kinenocchi...I'm sorry."

"If you're sorry, then next time, go with me again." The surprised model looked up at the smiling girl. "Kise, that was the first time I actually liked getting drinks for everyone. It's also funny watching my boss get mad. That'll give her a taste of raising a child." Sayumi triumphed and already forgot about the long scolding she suffered earlier.

"Kinenocchi..." Kise felt bad for putting the girl through so much. "Are you playing basketball today?"

"I want to, but it doesn't seem like I can tonight. Boss would probably kill me if I ask to leave earlier." Sayumi scrunched up her face at the boss who didn't see her. "Don't worry Kise. I'm fine." Sayumi nodded at the concerned boy. "Seijuurou told me he was busy today too so don't worry about an uneven number."

"Are you fre-"

"Ah. Boss is back. I have to get back to work. She keeps accusing me of distracting you." Sayumi scrambled to the side of her demanding employer ready for the next back-breaking task waiting for her.

...

After moving another load of heavy boxes, Sayumi walked back into the studio where she found Kise chatting amiably with her boss. Kise smiled when he saw her. The boss decided to give her a ten minute break before starting her on the next task.

"What you two talking so happily about?" Sayumi asked Kise curiously.

"Kinenocchi. Let's go somewhere tomorrow after school."

"Huh? We have work though."

"I just talked to your boss. She's going to excuse you for tomorrow since you already fulfilled most of your responsibilities." Kise smiled. "And I don't have any plans scheduled. You up for it?"

"Okay," Sayumi responded quietly. She didn't know how to interpret the invitation. Was it as a friend or was it...

"Then it's a date." Kise waved Sayumi goodbye as he jogged to his manager who was waiting patiently for him by the exit.

"Sayumi-chan!" Sayumi learned to recognize her boss's sharp voice from anywhere. "I need you here!"

Sayumi served her boss for the rest of the day.

...

Basketball was unusually relaxing that night. There was no Sayumi who would complement her own "amazing" shots. There was also no Akashi to judge all their actions. After the boys had their fun, they disbanded.

"Did you see Kineno today?" Kagami asked when it was only him and the blonde.

"Yeah. What happened?" Kise wanted to clarify.

"I heard her cry in the bathroom. She had her heart broken when the vice president confessed to that...girl. Forgot her name." Kagami thought a little harder.

"Meiko-san." Kuroko slipped in.

"Yeah. Meiko or something. Thanks." Kagami jumped when he realized that Kuroko also lingered behind.

"How's Kineno-san?" Kuroko asked. He was worried too.

"She's working very hard, but still the same. She's a really good actor. I couldn't tell that she was sad at all. Just very tired. Either way, I'll cheer her up," Kise assured his friends before heading home.

As Kagami and Kuroko accompanied each other home, the bluenette looked at the taller boy.

"No wonder you were so fired up during the game."

"I had fun. The vice-captain, despite being a really clueless guy, isn't too bad when he actually plays." Kagami shared before heading a separate direction back home.

...

{Text from Kise Ryouta}: I'll pick you up in front of your school tomorrow.

{Kineno Sayumi}: I can just meet you wherever you're planning to take me.

{Kise Ryouta}: You don't want me to pick you up?

{Kineno Sayumi}: I'm scared people would write about you.

{Kise Ryouta}: I don't mind. I like Kinenocchi anyways.

Sayumi, sitting on her bed, couldn't concentrate on her homework after reading Kise's latest text.

{Kineno Sayumi}: I'll see you at the gate then.

Kise plugged in his phone to charge and then fell fast asleep. Tomorrow would be an interesting day.