A/N: Thank you for your comments - Cutejboo, Alejandra Rosicky, Leaffeather, tiara calla, SakuraKoi, Farhana Azrina! Here's another well deserved chapter.
Kikuro moment present.
Ofuro – japanese bathtub
Chapter 29
At last, it was finally the day of the training camp. The boys were assembled at Seirin, a seemingly gloomy atmosphere hanging over them. All that was on their minds was the fact that they would be spending a month with their Coach, some guests whom she invited, and her cooking. Kise shivered remembering the tasting session. He then made a vow to himself that he'd never make his beloved Tetsucchi subject to such torment.
When Kagami saw the boy shivered, he became worried. Despite he knew that this was Kise and not Kuroko, he treats like how he would have done to Kuroko.
"Kise, are you alright?"
"Yeah, I just remembered that tasting session that's all."
Kagami blanched. "That was mortifying, and I didn't even taste it."
"Oi brats," Hyuuga started as he walked over to them, seemingly in clutch mode. "Make sure you remember your duties at this camp. We're all counting on you guys and Mitobe."
"Yes, Captain." They answered. Due to Riko's terrible cooking abilities, Kagami, Kise and Mitobe were elected as the camp's chefs.
"But where's the Coach?" Izuki asked looking around. "I don't see her."
"And our guests. Who do you think they are?" Tsuchida asked. When Kise heard that a smile crept onto his face. Two days ago, Kuroko had called him and asked if he knew about their joint training camp which the former blond had replied in a negative. It was then that Kuroko realized that Riko maybe wanted to surprise her boys.
"I have no idea." Koganei joined in. "But to think she invited people and her cooking is…" he trailed off. Everyone nodded in agreement.
"Senpai, what's this 'Teppei' like?" Kagami asked the captain suddenly, wanting get off the topic of Coach's cooking.
Hyuuga froze. He then looked at Kagami with face. "Teppei is…weird."
"Weird?"
"I can't explain it. You'll have to experience it firsthand. And another thing about him is that he's the one who created the basketball club."
"What?!" the redhead shouted causing everyone to stop what they were doing and look at the two. "This school never had a basketball club?!"
Hearing that outburst, Kise paled. "Seriously?"
"Yes," Izuki answered. "Kiyoshi is the one who created it."
"Kiyoshi?" Kise asked. "First there's Teppei now Kiyoshi? How many people are missing from this club?"
"No, they're the same person. His name is Kiyoshi Teppei."
Hyuuga then continued. "He's extremely weird, goofy but he's one hell of a centre."
"Seriously?" Furihata asked.
"Then…where is he?" Kise asked. The seniors' face all became sullen, the mood seemed a bit saddened. "Sorry if I asked something ―"
"No, it's not that." Tsuchida answered.
"Last year, before we faced the three kings, we played Kirisaki Daiichi." Hyuuga started. "They had a player named Hanamiya Makoto."
Kise's eyes widened at that. When he was in Teikou, they had faced that Bad Boy before. Hyuuga then recounted the incident to them, poor Kise felt awful.
"In middle school, we played against Hanamiya's team as well. He was still as dishonest as ever." Kise said. "However, we didn't get such serious injuries."
"How come?"
"Well, Aominecchi's speed made them unable to stay on him, Tetsucchi is always doing his disappearing acts, Murasakibaracchi never moves from under net, and well…Akashicchi is just untouchable."
No one said anything. They could stare at Kise with shock.
"Just what are you Generation of Miracles?" Koganei asked.
"Monsters." was Kise's blunt answer. He even smiled with it.
"It's been a long time," a voice said from behind them. Slowly everyone turned around to see Riko with someone behind her.
"Kiyoshi!" Koganei shouted with glee.
"Oh good, he's here." Kise heard Hyuuga groaned out. Looking at the captain's face, he saw that Hyuuga looked a bit…pale.
"First years, this is Kiyoshi Teppei! He was one of our regulars last year as well as our best centre!" she announced.
"Hello!" he greeted almost in a sing-song voice. His eyes then locked onto Hyuuga. "Hyuuga! I've heard all about how you've become an unstoppable shooter! I can't wait to see it in a match." he then turned to Izuki, "And Izuki, I hear your passes are becoming quite lethal."
"Of course, my passes ―"
"Die!" Hyuuga interrupted, knowing that the raven would have said some sort of pun. He knocked the point guard on his head, almost knocking him out. They then went into a series of conversations, laughing and chatting. No one even realized when Riko had disappeared once more.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
"I'm so excited!" Moriyama sang in a falsetto. "Aren't you Kasamatsu?"
"When training starts I think you'll be singing a different tune." He replied.
"I think Moriyama-senpai just want to hit on Coach." Kuroko deadpanned.
"Come to think of it…" Nakamura joined in. "…that may be right." They all paused to look at Moriyama. Ever since he heard of the camp, he was the only one in a good mood (minus Kuroko who gets to spend time with his original team).
"Whenever he's so happy, there's always a woman behind it." Kobori sighed. The boys were walking towards Seirin in a leisurely pace as they knew that they were more than early. Kuroko had been the subject of their conversation when they first arrived, as they spotted the billboard.
After a couple of minutes, when they finally made it to the school, they saw the coach waiting on them.
"Welcome Kaijou!" she greeted.
"Ah ~" Moriyama started, "I'm very happy that ―" he broke off as Kasamatsu elbowed him in the side. This made the others snicker with amusement, including Kuroko.
She then headed to Kuroko, "Good to see you Kuroko-kun." She smiled.
"You too Coach." He replied.
"Well, let's get going. I can't wait to see their faces of surprise!" she chuckled. She then walked off, the boys following suit. As they neared the gate, they heard chatter and laughter and immediately, they knew that it was Seirin. When they finally entered the schoolyard, none of the players noticed their presence due to their heated conversations.
"Men!" Riko then called. Immediately all chatter ceased and everyone looked in their direction. When Seirin (minus Kise) saw the Kaijou regulars, they immediately let out a screech.
"KAIJOU?!"
"You were our guests?!" Hyuuga asked.
Kasamatsu nodded. "Thank you for having us."
"Kuroko!" Kagami shouted as he made his way to the blond. "I want a one-on-one with you!"
Kuroko made a face. "Tsch, as if." He replied rolling his eyes as well.
Everyone drew back in shock. Seirin (minus Kise) were appalled at the show of expression. Kise bust with laughter and made his way to Kuroko.
"That's a good one!" he laughed.
"I know." Kuroko replied.
"Oi, what was that just now?" Hyuuga asked.
"I was just being playful." Kuroko answered. "That and I think was too much into Ryou-kun's character."
"That's right. You reminded me of Kise a while ago." Kagami joined in. "Don't do that again, it's creepy. I prefer your usual deadpan self."
"It's not what you prefer Kagamicchi." Kise smirked.
Knowing Kise, Kuroko knew where this argument was going.
"What's going on here?" Kiyoshi asked. The Kaijou boys looked in his direction. But while the five didn't have so much of a confused look, Kuroko was absolutely lost.
"Who are you?" He asked in his usual blunt manner.
"Ah sorry, I'm Kiyoshi Teppei." He greeted with a smile.
"I'm ―"
"He's Kuroko Tetsuya." Riko answered. "Teppei remember what I told you on the way here?"
"Oh," he replied. He then looked to Kise and then back to Kuroko. "So you're Kuroko," he said pointing to the blond, "…and you're Kise." He then looked to the blue-haired boy. Both boys nodded in confirmation. "What a strange circumstance to be in."
"Tell me about it." Kuroko sighed.
"I find it quite fun." Kise grinned.
"Yeah, because God knows the things you do in my body when I'm not around."
Kise looked at him innocently. "Oh, whatever could you mean?"
"Now that we've all gathered…" Furihata started. "…can we get going now?"
"Oh right," Riko chuckled. "Let's go boys!"
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
The two teams finally arrived and slowly made their way inside the building.
They walked through the halls; it was as though she was giving them a tour of the place as well.
The first place she showed them was the kitchen and breakfast area. They entered the breakfast area first, which consisted of four small marble-top tables with four chairs on either side. Looking towards the swinging door, they saw that there were three more seats present but unlike the ones around the table, these were high stools.
Riko then headed through the swinging door to show them the kitchen. Strangely, the atmosphere felt tranquil. The first thing they noticed was that the kitchen was airy and spacious with the natural light illuminating the room. The next thing that caught their eyes was the table in the centre. Its top seemed to be made of granite, while the rest of it seemed like black wood. To the left of the table, there was a black refrigerator and next to it were the L-shaped light wood double-door cabinets which were left slightly open. Inside, the boys could see various kitchen utensils.
Beside that was the counter which extended to the window that was directly above the stove. To the left of the stove and right of the table, there was a dish rack and next to that was a sink. And finally, a wooden cupboard that seemed to be made of out the same wood as the floor. It had framed panel doors.
Kasamatsu whistled upon seeing the sight. "This is not bad. It makes me feel like cooking." He said.
"Me too." Nakamura agreed.
Riko stopped at that. She then asked, "Can you boys cook?"
"Yes, I can live on own and I won't starve or live on fast food." Kasamatsu answered.
"I make my little sister's lunch every day." Nakamura responded.
"Yes!" Hayakawa shouted with pride.
"I cook dinner sometimes at home." Kobori added.
"Of course," Moriyama smiled. "What is a man that cannot cook for his goddess?"
"No one makes a meaner boiled egg than me." Kuroko answered. Everyone stared at him when he said that. The way he spoke made it seem as though boiled egg was gourmet food and add to that, his blank face.
"That simply means you can't cook." Kagami said. "Right?"
"I won't starve if eggs are left in the fridge." Kuroko replied. Kasamatsu and Hyuuga felt the urge to face palm.
"Well, this is unfair." Izuki said.
"What is it?" Koganei asked.
"All of Kaijou's regulars can cook."
"Look on the bright side," Tsuchida smiled. "We've got eight boys here who can cook." The moment Tsuchida said that, there were grins on all of Seirin's faces.
"Let's go, I'll be showing you the baths next!" Riko chirped, oblivious to the conversation. They filed out and walked down the hallway and reaching where the hallway broke off into two directions, left and right. They turned right and after making a couple steps, they arrived at the door.
"Here we are." Riko said as she slid the door opened.
Inside was tiled with beautiful jade green tiles, both the floor and the walls. The large and rectangular ofuro soaking tub was to one side of the room surrounded by the tiled walls and floor, while fixed to one wall was the shower that had a flexible hose.
"Now seeing this makes me want to take a bath." Moriyama said.
"I know." Kobori agreed.
They then exited the room and turned in the direction which they were coming from. But instead of going back to the direction of the kitchen, they continued straight ahead. After passing a couple doors, Riko then opened a double door, to reveal a large room.
"This is where you all will be sleeping." She smiled.
"Every one of us?" Kasamatsu asked.
"Yep! I thought that since Kuroko-kun was originally one of us he may want to sleep with us but also, he's become quite attached to you guys as well."
"I see." The boys then entered the room but before they could unpack, Riko announced.
"Now isn't the time to unpack! Change into your training clothes; we're going to the beach!"
Without hitch, the boys began undressing and redressing, and within a couple of minutes, they were fully dressed. When they were about to exit, Riko blocked their path. She looked at all of them and then shook her head.
"Kuroko-kun, Kise-kun, you may go." She said. The two boys exited, leaving the others confused.
"Coach, why did you let those two go on without us?" Kawahara asked.
"Your weights. You know we don't do training without them."
Everyone cringed. "We're doing this again?" Kasamatsu asked.
"Of course Kasamatsu-san." She smiled.
"But we don't have any." Moriyama said. "So could we just ―"
"I have extras."
The boys paled.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Kise and Kuroko decided to jog towards the beach, to get their bodies warmed-up. At first, they didn't talk to each other as Kise didn't know what to say. He was always the one to start conversations with Kuroko but recently, every time he's with the blond, he found himself unable to. His heart constantly raced out of control, and there is a swirl of emotions swelling within him. And this whole thing started when he and Kuroko had kissed in the hospital.
His eyes then trailed upwards to the boy's face. He then wondered about how Kuroko felt when he did that, but so far nothing changed about their relationship. Kuroko still spoke to him as though nothing had happened but Kise couldn't help but feel like a love-struck teenager.
"Mou ~" he whined to himself, which Kuroko heard.
"What's wrong Ryou-kun?" he asked.
"Ah, it's nothing! Nothing at all!" he answered hurriedly.
"It's something. The way you answered is a dead giveaway."
"You know me too well Tetsucchi."
"Of course."
Kise then stopped. Kuroko stopped a couple more steps ahead due to Kise suddenly stopping without saying anything. His head was hung down, the hair hiding his face. Seeing Kise like this, made Kuroko fill with worry.
"Ryou-kun?" Kuroko asked cautiously as he stepped closer to the boy.
"How do you feel?" he asked in a soft voice.
"About what?"
"About me. And what I did to you in the hospital."
Kuroko was taken aback. He didn't know what to reply as he had a whirlpool of emotions to deal with. Just like Kise, ever since that kiss, he couldn't look at Kise without blushing, or without having the overwhelming urge to embrace him in a hug.
Kise then looked up at him. Seeing how long Kuroko took to answer, he figured that the boy didn't want to say anything to hurt him. "It's fine. I'm sorry that ―"
Kise didn't get to complete his sentence. Instead, he felt arms pulling him into an embrace.
"Have you forgotten what I said in the hospital room?" Kuroko whispered in his ear. He then released Kise but his arms were still around the boy. "Well if you did, let me remind you."
"What?"
Kuroko didn't reply. Instead, Kise felt himself being pulled forwards once more and before he could even utter a syllable, he felt Kuroko's lips on his. Kise thought that he was in heaven at the moment. As if moving on instinct, Kise draped his arms around Kuroko's neck and returned the kiss fervently.
After couple seconds, Kuroko broke away from Kise, both boys panting for air. He then said,
"If we should do this in such a public space, we may create ourselves a scandal."
"Oh shit," Kise said in realization as he looked around. Thankfully no one was there. He sighed a relief. "But, that escalated quickly. I didn't expect that at all."
"Now you know how I feel." He muttered.
Kise chuckled. "I heard you. Let's go before Coach catches us." He then dashed off, "Race you!"
"That's not fair! You have a head start!" he shouted at the boy. "Get back here!"
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Kise and Kuroko had reached the beach in record time due to their race, they then collapsed on the sand.
"Let's never do that again." Kise panted. "Racing with weights on is a killer."
"Look on the bright side, the more we do this, the faster we'll be when we're on the court." Kuroko said, facing the sky. "I'll do this as many times as possible."
"You're right about that."
It was then that they realized the pair of basketball nets a little further away from they were. There was a man standing there as well, seeming as though he was testing their sturdiness. Both boys then exchanged glances before heading over to where the man was.
"Hello." Kise greeted.
The man looked at him and jumped, "Uwaah!" he put a hand on his chest. "Where'd you come from?"
Kise pointed. "We're having a camp here."
"Camp?" the man then asked. "Basketball?"
"Yes," Kuroko then joined in.
He saw the man smiled. "Aida Riko is your coach right?"
"Yeah, how'd you know?" Kise asked.
"You'll find out soon enough." He then walked off, leaving the two.
A minute or so after, they saw the group coming towards them. Riko had on a smile, while the rest looked like they were dying. Kise paled at the sight. Just then, a black car drove up beside the group.
"Oi, brats," the man said as the window was lowered, he lowered his glasses as well. "Lay a hand on my daughter and I'll kill you."
"Yes sir!" they answered.
"Thanks Papa!"
He then drove off, Riko waving.
"The coach's Dad…" Hyuuga started, looking like he was fretting.
"He's as scary as ever." Koganei added.
"That was Aida-san's father?" Nakamura asked. "I hope he isn't coming back."
"Yeah, but I don't wrong him. His daughter is going to be alone with seventeen healthy high school boys." Kasamatsu said. "I wouldn't be surprised if he came to check up on her every day."
"So what are those?" Izuki asked Riko. This gained the attention of everyone else.
"Fufufu," she laughed. "My dad brought them here for me."
"Don't tell me we're going to…" Izuki trailed off.
"We're going to play basketball." She answered. They then walked towards the nets. "Imagine the teams' power as an equation, if the individual numbers are low, we'll never make a big number. That's why Kise-kun and Kuroko-kun came up with all those training regimen for us." There was unison groan; however, she knew that her boys were glad for it.
"True, if it weren't for that, God himself would have had to help us in that Touou game." Hyuuga said. There were unison nods of agreement.
"Shooting, passing, dribbling," she then continued, "In order to further improve your actions, we have to start with the foundation of your legs and hips. That's why we're practicing on the beach."
"This is going to make us twice as tired." Kagami said.
"Don't forget the addition of the weights." Moriyama said.
"We can do it! Let's go!" Hayakawa shouted.
"Oh my God!" Kuroko shouted from the shock.
"What's wrong?" Kobori asked.
"I understood what he said! He spoke clearly!"
"Well he does, sometimes." Moriyama said. "It isn't every time he's incomprehensible."
"We'll start by doing three times the amount of normal practice." Riko said as she took off her shirt. "Let's get this training camp from hell started!" she blew her whistle.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
After they were finished, they then went into mini-matches. The first match was Kaijou vs. Seirin regulars, 6 vs. 6 (Mitobe was used as the centre and not Kiyoshi).
The boys found it extremely difficult to move, Kagami and Kuroko sliding all over the sand; Kise, Kasamatsu and Izuki's passes were reduced to typical basketball passes that excludes bounce passes. Hayakawa wasn't as explosive as before, and he didn't get as much rebounds like always. But this just made him louder. Not all of Nakamura, Moriyama and Hyuuga's threes went in as they couldn't get their preferred jump height due to the sand, so they was reduced to making mostly layups and bank shots. Kobori wasn't that much affected by the sand, just sometimes he misstep and slides.
At one point, Kagami attempted a dunk but due to being on the sand, he didn't get as much height as he should and thus ended up crashing face-first into the sand.
"Is dunking the only thing you can do, you moron!?" Hyuuga had barked at the redhead.
The match continued on for twenty minutes, Riko crackling like a witch as she watched from the sidelines. The others who weren't playing as blanched at the sight before them.
At the end of the twenty minutes, Riko blew her whistle, signaling the end of that match. The boys were panting heavily but they were relieved that it was over. But as soon as they had cleared the way, she sent them running.
The next match was 3 vs. 3, Tsuchida, Koganei and Kiyoshi on one team, while the three freshmen were on the next. This match was similar like the previous.
When everything was done, the boys lay on the sand, panting for air. They drank water like their lives depended on it and within a minute or two of rest, no one had water left.
"Good work!" Riko announced. "We'll move to the gym next!"
"You've got to be kidding me." Kobori panted. Even Hayakawa lay in the sand unable to move.
"Oh no, I'm quite serious." She grinned. She then went over to Kiyoshi. "Are you okay?" she asked.
"Yeah, I'm fine. This will be perfect for whipping my body into shape." He replied.
"Good," she smiled.
After a couple more minutes, they then headed to gym and sadly for them, they jogged there. Once more, they started off with the Kaijou vs. Seirin match and the boys noticed a huge change.
Nakamura, Moriyama and Hyuuga all got a better grip of the floor than when they used to.
Izuki noticed that his legs weren't flopping around anymore.
Even Kagami, instead of going for a dunk, he did a layup.
Hayakawa got all the rebounds but this time, instead of having his usual explosiveness, he timed it right and jumped normally.
But one thing that Riko noticed that they didn't, they're speed has improved. If this continues, they'll be frightening! She couldn't help but grin.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
It was evening when they reached the guesthouse, clad in their orange jersey.
"This place is a dump." One of the players said. "Are we really staying here? I feel like I'm going to see a ghost."
"Shut up, Takao." Another said.
"Come Shin-chan, I know you feel the same." Takao said playfully.
Midorima looked at him. "Hmph."
They were at the back of their group, so the older players didn't hear their conversation. Passing couple doors, they heard shouting and things being thrown. By the time they reached a big double door, they heard a shout,
"Oi Kagami, move from that spot or I'll kill you!"
"Maa, calm down Hyuuga."
Then they heard a horrified gasp, followed by a screech. "My pillows! Give them back Kagamicchi!" this voice made Midorima's eyes widen with shock. Kuroko?
"You bastard! You can't hog all the pillows to yourself! That's too much! Are you building a mountain or something?!"
"It's his mount ever rest."
When they couldn't take anymore, curiosity got the best of them and they slid open the door with force. Immediately, all activities ceased. All eyes locked onto their coach who hasn't even said anything yet. But then, Kagami spotted someone.
"Midorima?!" He shouted while pointing a shaking finger at the green haired shooter.
"I can't believe I'm in the same place with such a brute like you." Midorima retorted.
"Seirin?" the Shutoku players said in shock.
But then Takao's eyes caught Kasamatsu. "Kasamatsu-san? Wait, Kaijou is here as well?"
"I don't believe this." Nakatani said. He then smiled. "This is will be quite interesting."
"Coach, did you invite them as well?" Furihata asked.
"No, this is entirely coincidental." She smiled. While she made her way Coach Nakatani, Midorima then walked in and headed over to Kise and Kuroko.
With a serious tone, he asked, "What was that?"
"I'll pardon your intrusion." Kise said. "What was what Midorima-kun?"
"When we were passing I heard you screech and call Kagami…you added –cchi to his name. More so, the way you spoke reminded me of you Kise." He said looking at the blond.
Kise paled. Kuroko sighed. "He did. But Tetsucchi was just being mischievous. He's starting to show expressions these days you know."
Midorima narrowed his eyes at the two. "Fine." He then exited. But they knew that Midorima didn't believe either of them. The moment the door was closed; Kuroko turned to Kise and said, "better him than Akashi-kun."
"Any day." Kise agreed.
Thank you for reading! Don't forget to leave a review!
