"For better or for worse, we only have three games left," Koganei sighed.
"The Winter Cup preliminaries went by in a flash," added Furihata. I guess Hyuga didn't like what he heard since he interjected, "What are you idiots talking about? It's just the opposite. We're just getting started." I smiled, feeling the familiar rush of adrenaline.
"Have you forgotten? Only eight schools out of over three hundred from the summer have been allowed to participate. In other words, the Winter Cup preliminaries began with the Inter-High preliminaries," Riko reminded us. The words rolled around in my mind before I spoke up, "So it's one long qualifier that's been going on since this summer, right?"
"Yeah. Our first opponent in the championship league is Senshinkan," Hyuga continued. "We've lost to them twice already. Let's win this time!"
"Hai!" We all chorused. I felt Kuroko tap my shoulder, gaining my attention before calling out to Kagami.
"Kagami-kun, will you help me practice my new drive?" A new drive? Since when?
The two of us followed Kuroko to an empty basketball court, piping my curiosity.
"What the hell? You still haven't finished that?" Kagami retorted, surprise expressed on his face.
"Wait, since when?" I asked. "Since when did you have a new drive, Kuroko?"
"I've been working on it for some time. Just before the Winter Cup preliminaries." Kuroko's monotonous voice responded casually. I narrowed my eyes at him, feeling a bit hurt that he didn't show me before-hand. I shouldn't feel neglected…I have been pretty busy with everything, so I can't really complain.
"Masami-chan," Kuroko called out, bringing me out of the depths of my mind. "Can you watch and give me some pointers?" I nodded my head. I watched as Kuroko bounce the ball with his right hand as Kagami positioned himself in front of the shorter male, defending the basket. Seeing Kuroko switch the ball over to his left, Kagami crouched down, arms spread.
The same feeling dawned on me – my heart stuttered for a moment as I felt something extraordinary was going to happen. My pink eyes focused in on Kuroko and his posture. The blood rushed to my ears as I couldn't hear anything but the pounding in my ears. Then, it happened. Kuroko rushed forward, determination blazing in his calm, blue eyes. It happened in a flash, causing me to doubt myself if it really had happened, but I knew it did.
Kuroko appeared on the other side of Kagami, continuing his path towards the basket, leaving the red-haired giant frozen behind. Amazing, if he can pull this off, it will be an unstoppable drive. Even if the opponents can see him coming, there is no way they can stop Kuroko. However, I was broken out of my trance when the ball slipped from Kuroko's hand.
"E-eh?" I blinked, noticing the ball was right in front Kagami's feet.
"Don't give me that! 'Done everything', my ass! You lost the ball!" Kagami shouted in disbelief.
"I lost the ball," Kuroko repeated. Kagami whirled around, facing the bluenette.
"I just said that!" He stared down at the ball as if he just noticed it before bouncing it over to our teammate.
"I need a new ball." Kuroko's usual stoic expression was morphed into something that had a tinge of pity as he looked at his ball. "I wish I could use the gym more. This was the sixth one."
Huh? The sixth ball? He really has been practicing a lot. I need to practice more too! I can't lose to them! I softly let out a sigh. But I only have a couple more months to practice and perfect my technique to play the piano for the Prime Minister. I can't believe they keep pushing the schedule back further. It's annoying. If it wasn't for my future, then I would've just cancelled.
"Oi, Masami." Kagami's deep voice caught my attention. "What did you think of Kuroko's new drive?"
I lifted my eyes up to meet his fiery red ones and Kuroko's light blue orbs, smiling. "I think it really will be unstoppable once you perfect it, Kuroko." I saw his mouth tilt upwards slightly before he concealed his expression.
"Iku, Kagami! Iku!" I shouted from the bench, jumping up to do it.
"Jam it in, Kagami!" Hyuga hollered. Jam…it…in? I thought while watching Kagami. Shouldn't it be "put it in"? No wait, it still sounds wrong either way… I quickly shook my head, clearing my mind of the dirty thoughts that threatened to take over. Kagami easily evaded the three opponents and scored.
"Alright!" Riko screamed with joy. 76 – 61 in Seirin's favor. Riko and I jumped up and hugged each other, jumping with happiness before rushing out to the court to hug the others. I pounced onto Kuroko's unsuspecting back, wrapping my arms loosely around his neck.
"Yata! You guys did it!" I crowed. Kuroko almost lost his balance if it wasn't for Kagami supporting Kuroko by placing his large hand on my back.
"Sheesh, couldn't you have greeted us to normal way?" Kagami muttered, scratching the back of his head with the hand that wasn't supporting us. I craned my head up, grinning cheekily at Kagami.
"It wouldn't be me if it was a normal greeting, Kagami," I winked at the teen. I almost didn't hear him mumble under his breath due to the loud cheering from the audience.
"No, it wouldn't be."
"Ah, looks like Shutoko also won," Riko commented. "We both have one win. If we win the next game, we'll have secured a spot in the Winter Cup." I glanced over at the other team and my eyes widened in surprise – they were already staring at us. Noticing my gaze, Kagami followed it and grunted in mild surprise.
"Ah-ha! Mido-kun!" I shouted, waving my hand at him. "Good job on winning the game!"
"Tch." Midorima huffed, pushing his glasses up. I just grinned at the other team.
"Don't let your guard down, Mido-kun. We'll be sure to beat you," I laughed.
Just as we were all leaving, I saw Kiyoshi eyeing something in the shadows of the hallway. I paused in my steps, watching how Kiyoshi would react to it – it being that one despicable boy I knew. Kiyoshi reacted exactly how I thought he would.
"Sorry guy, I think I left something behind. You guys go ahead, I'll catch up," Kiyoshi sheepishly apologized. Do I want to confront the bastard? Hell yes. But did I want to do it in front of Kiyoshi? Not really. Besides, it was a grudge I held on after all these years. I'll confront him later.
I stayed behind with Kiyoshi, watching the others hesitantly leave. Kiyoshi quirked an eyebrow at me. "Did you forget something too, Masami-chan?" He joked. I sent him an even stare.
"Don't joke about that stuff with me, Teppei-kun. I need to deal with that piece of shit sooner or later, and I'd rather not see him in this lifetime," I bit out. Kiyoshi's eyes widened before they closed.
"Ah, so you saw him too," the gentle giant sighed. I turned around, facing the way the rest of the team went.
"Yup. Ne, sempai," I paused. "Tell him that I said I'll crush him. Tell him I'll make him regret the day he met Kaname-nii and me." I glared at the floor, clenching and unclenching my fists. I twisted my head to the side, watching Kiyoshi out of the corners of my eyes. "Oh, and once you're done with him, tell the others I went on home. I have ballet and piano practice that I can't afford to skip anymore."
With that, I walked away, feeling relieved yet bitter.