Chapter 36 - Betrayal

As the game came to a close, the two watched breathlessly as the violet haired boy caught Himuro's pass and ran to make the final basket. Yuri's eyes darted to the blue haired boy who followed and wondered what it was but one look and she knew. She turned away from the court and sat down against the wall while palming her face.

One look at Atsushi's legs and she knew it was over. As much as he had practiced, it still wasn't enough. His legs hadn't been able to catch up with him.

There was a reason why Yuri had always held secret admiration for the green haired boy of the GoM. It was because Shintaro Midorima would always be ready. It was why he had been the only player who was able to stay on his feet at the end of a game. Because the boy practiced and never took a break. No matter how strong he got, how much better he became, however unbeatable and untouchable his shots became- he continued.

When the GoM was in chaos, when they were fighting about wanting to skip practice, when the matches got boring and the games weren't interesting - he practiced. He refused to be a part of their silly challenges but he was always a part of the team and played his part perfectly.

The boy practiced even though he thought he couldn't be beaten. He practiced even though he was stronger than the rest. It was an obsession, it was downright crazy and ridiculous but it worked for him. Because when all else failed- he would be able to stand up and accept the loss that came his way.

Midorima's body would always be ready to handle any challenge that came his way. Aomine's didn't, Kise couldn't but Midorima always would.

It was because he teamed talent with practice he had come close to a draw while the others lost. It was why Yuri believed in Himuro because he too would always be ready.

People like Himuro and Midorima- they practiced harder than the rest and that is what made them different from the rest.

The other boy Kagami had it all. His talent, the determination and the practice. But that wasn't just why he won- it was because he was playing for more than himself here. When it came to Seirin High, everything was at its peak. They were the dark horse in this tournament and were headed for victory.

But Yuri wasn't concerned as much about that. Because she knew the significance of the game. Himuro had finally realized it, Atsushi had found it too.

This loss, was beautiful because of what it did to the two people Yuri loved.

Alex turned away as well and looked at Yuri one last time before walking away.

"You knew but you still supported him huh?"

Yuri looked up and answered with a smile.

"Knowledge brings objectivity. It helps me analyze and understand the game and tell who's going to win... But to hell with objectivity! I made a promise and I'm always going to cheer for him."

Alex didn't have anything more to say to the girl and walked away.

...

Yuri stood up to leave as well. Her objective had been fulfilled, her job was done. She had seen the two play together - they weren't playing by themselves anymore and Atsushi was awake.

"Yuricchi! You came and didn't find me again?!"

She turned around warily to the voice of the golden haired boy.

"Leave me alone Ryo. Not today."

But when did the boy ever do as he was told? He caught up with her easily and looked at her face.

"Woah! Yuricchi, you look terrible!"

"Tch. Leave me alone you dog. I don't need beauty tips right now."

Kise scratched his head and spoke.

"I wasn't talking about your beauty.. Yuricchi always looks beautiful. But you do look terrible. Is it because Murasakibaracchi lost?"

But she only ignored him and began to walk away. Kise followed her and began asking her dozens of questions.

"Kagamicchi and Kurokocchi are amazing aren't they?"

She turned a corner just to evade him and stopped immediately. She gaped at the sight of a boy with dreadlocks holding Alex by the neck. She stopped herself from running to him at the sight of Himuro.

Kise joined her as well and saw what she was looking at.

"Haizaki?"

She nodded as Kagami threw himself into a fight and Himuro stopped him.

Cool head, hot heart.

Just as she had expected Himuro to behave. She knew he could fight but he wouldn't throw that punch. As Kise stood watching, she pulled the basketball in his bag and threw it at Haizaki.

"Yuricchi!"

She then pushed him forward and Kise understood quickly. He stumbled but regained posture as he introduced the boy with dreadlocks as Haizaki to the three people. Yuri threw an arm around his neck and spoke.

"Haizaki! You're as troublesome as ever."

The boy turned to Yuri with an annoyed look as she interrupted.

"I'm in the middle of something here. Could you piss off?"

"Oi oi. I'm just here to talk to an old friend. Why don't you come with me and Kise? Lets leave these people alone."

"And why in hell would I do that?"

Himuro cursed Yuri for her presence at such a time. Yes, he had realized a few things during the game and had wanted to talk to her but here she was. He swore Yuri's permanent residence was 'wrong place, wrong time'.

"I dunno... Lets play a game- you know, for old times' sake."

She wasn't asking- she knew the boy wouldn't refuse. He scoffed and spoke tauntingly.

"You're challenging me in basketball? You're as reckless as ever."

She put her hands around her neck to face him fully.

"Ah. But I do win, don't I? Ryo can be the referee.. It'll be a little warm up. What do you say?"

He looked at Yuri and then at Kise but everyone knew it was already decided.

"Alright. Its your funeral."

He walked with Kise as he said this and Yuri mock saluted him. She was about to follow but Alex stopped her.

"You didn't have to step up like that. It was under control."

Yuri smirked before scoffing at the woman.

"Sure, Wonder Woman. While you can imagine things, that's Haizaki. Nothing's ever under control when it comes to him. How far would you have gotten with a boy who won't punch and another who can't punch?"

She glanced at Himuro and then at Kagami as she said this. It angered Himuro at the way she spoke to them and even Kagami wanted to scream. But she was quick to wave goodbye and leave.

"Who is she?"

Kagami asked awkwardly because clearly, he was the only one who didn't know her. Alex answered even though she wasn't fully sure.

"I think she was this girl they used to talk about while we were back in L.A. She played in various challenge matches and had quite a reputation. But she disappeared before I had the chance to watch her play."

Himuro looked questioningly at Alex.

"She watched the match with me. She could see things happen in the game.. and she knew me."

Himuro couldn't understand completely. He knew Yuri had seen him play in L.A but he had no idea it was more than one match.

"But she's terrible at basketball."

Kagami had been quiet the whole time but answered quickly.

"Wah! I remember now! I had a strange feeling the moment I saw her eyes. I heard about her when I was playing those challenge matches this winter."

Kagami recalled a boy speaking about a girl with strange eyes who was fabulous at the game. The three walked outside but something held Himuro back. He turned around once and then excused himself. Before the two could say a word, he was off running in the direction where Yuri had left.

Himuro reached the court to see Kise standing outside and looking unsure while Yuri held the ball in the middle of the court.

"Oh Himurocchi is here to watch the match? You reached just in time then! Yuricchi just got the ball after tip off."

Himuro was surprised at what he was hearing. Yuri getting the ball against this boy? The physical advantage alone made it impossible. But he only nodded as he watched.

He understood what Yuri meant when she spoke about Haizaki to Alex. Aggression dominated his play style as he lunged at Yuri instead of the ball. But like a lithe tiger, Yuri slipped under him with ease and managed to move. Something about her movements were similar to the ones he'd seen earlier today. He narrowed his eyes and pursed his lips as his mind answered who it was similar to.

"Himurocchi hasn't figured it out yet? Yuricchi and I share a gift- its what got me interested at first."

Himuro looked confused at what the golden haired boy was speaking.

"Yuricchi's running isn't her only gift- its actually a talent she developed. Her gift is like mine- she can copy any new thing she sees."

Himuro's lips formed an 'oh' as he watched Yuri look a little bored and caught the ball after Haizaki made a basket and jumped to shoot with her left hand. Just as the high projectile shot flew in perfect angle and made it through the hoop, Himuro's mind clicked.

He figured it all out at once.

Himuro felt betrayed.