ALEX IS BACK!

I am back!

I'm going to update regularly to finish this. (⇀‸↼‶)

It's so hard to write again after being so idle for so many, many months!

Keep supporting! (ノヮ)


Chapter 53

The Perks of Athleticism


Alex is back!

I have this feeling that it's because of me.

And I don't know if I'll be happy or not.

To everyone's surprise, she actually visited the club. I mean, I was expecting her to be partial with Seirin and Yosen so this visit was kind of unexpected.

And then I'm the first one she greeted.

That's when I knew it.

She's here to check me out.

You know, because Tatsuya and I are now together.

Not that I mind.

Okay.

I DO MIND.

I'm freaking-out!

Naturally, the boys were happy seeing her again. I mean, it's not every day that a blonde goddess descends upon the midst of a group of adolescent young males. The first years were in awe of her and were a bit envious of their Kagami-sempai. Aside from being his teacher, Alex is staying at his place after all.

"Are you just visiting?" Aida-sempai asked her warily, making sure she's out of distance for an unnecessary kiss.

"Hm? What's up with the question?" Alex asked. She seemed amused with Aida-sempai's reaction, she walked closer. Aida-sempai stepped back.

"Alex…" Taiga warned.

"We are finding a coach for the basketball club next year." I answered her.

I posted an advert in the net and even asked Toru for a space in the local newspaper. Unfortunately, no one seems to be interested. Take note that I'm really helping Aida-sempai but I can't help but feel relieved that no one answered the ad. I'm starting to suspect that I'm beginning to suffer from separation anxiety disorder. It came to a point that I actually wished that all of them repeat a year which I took back eventually.

"Why can't Riko continue being the coach?" Alex asked.

"Priorities. I'm aiming my uni-days at Todai." Aida-sempai declared. Tokyo University have the hardest entrance exam in the whole country. I don't think I can pass there even though I now have confidence in my Japanese.

"Wow. That's awesome." Alex said, impressed.

"You can be Seirin's coach." Aida-sempai casually suggested. She was serious.

Alex smiled.

"I can't. As much as I love Taiga, my life is in LA. I'll try to help and look for someone available though. I might have acquaintances that would take the job." Alex offered.

"That would be great, thanks." Aida-sempai said.

She observed the club practice, offering a few advices to Aida-sempai, who took it to heart. She was after all an ex-WNBA player. And the whole time, she remained by my side.

I tried my hardest to be in my best behavior. I wanted to impress Alex so much it's the first time I performed the club manager job at my best. I am not kidding! I have this feeling that if I didn't get her approval then I don't have the right to be Tatsuya's girlfriend. She's his mentor after all. The one who help him master the most important thing in his life – that is basketball. Also, she's like the stand-in for Tatsuya's parents (and Taiga). Just imagine the pressure! Ugh.

"Maya, I heard you don't know how to play basketball." Alex said, out of the blue. The practice has ended and the boys were resting for a bit before cleaning-up. I was happy to relieve the pressure, but then this. I looked at Taiga accusingly.

"I didn't tell her." Taiga said defensively.

"Don't take offense, Kagami-kun. It's a logical conclusion." Tetsu said placatingly.

"Waa?! What do you mean by that!?" Taiga yelled.

"Haha! Taiga, don't yell. Tatsuya mentioned it to me." Alex explained.

"See! It was Tatsuya! And I'm not yelling." Taiga said loudly. We ignored him.

"Well, to be fair. I don't know how to play any sports. I'm not really good with it." I confessed.

"What do you say if I teach you?" Alex beamed a smile, I shuddered.

"T-teach me?"

"Teach her?!" Taiga and Tetsu looked affronted on my behalf. I rolled my eyes. Hmp!

Alex nodded. "Yup. Right now."

"R-right now?"

I feel like an idiot stuttering, but I really don't understand what prompt her to do this.

"Why?!" Tetsu, Taiga and I cried at the same time.

Alex looked at us funny. The three of us has been synchronizing pretty well lately, but that's not the point. I'm starting to think she doesn't like me. I don't have any intention in learning basketball but if I told Alex that, I might as well volunteer myself for death penalty. To these people, basketball is BASICALLY their life. I mean, I don't really hate it, but I can't play even if I want to!

"Just because." She smiled at me prettily.

"Alex, I am not really good with anything involving body coordination." I pressed. I'm starting to get nervous.

"C'mon, it wouldn't hurt."

"I could hurt you or myself. I'm that bad." I pleaded.

"Don't say never until you've tried."

I shrugged dejectedly. Ugh, so much for impressing her. That would be impossible now.

"I'm already warning you, I'm not good at it. I've played with Tatsuya and Atsushi once and I REALLY suck."

She chuckled. "Let's try to play a game."

My eyes widened at her.

A game.

She wanted me to play a game. My heart started to palpitate. I can't do this! I'm starting to think she lost her mind for being over-protective.

"Aida-sempai!" I called for help. My voice squeaked.

"Hm, I think this is a good opportunity to learn basketball." She encouraged me.

Alex started to walk toward the court, taking a ball from Hoshino-kun (Eight-pack Abs #1), who gave it to her as an offering.

This isn't going to end well. I just know it.

"So I heard you're Tatsuya's girlfriend." She started dribbling. I awkwardly lifted my hands to defend.

This is just stupid. She's 5'11'' to my 5'2'' for Pete's sake!

"Yes, I am." I answered.

"How did it happen?"

"Err. I'm not sure. It just did." No way in hell would I tell her I demanded a kiss from him or told him to take my body and soul to impregnate me with our children - and I'm putting that mildly!

"Ahaha! Well, I was just kind of curious. You aren't like the others." She said bluntly.

"Alex!" Taiga roared in defense of me. I appreciate that.

"What?! I'm just saying!" She said innocently.

I flushed in embarrassment. She's asking me this in front of everyone! I know she doesn't mean to insult me but I just can't help but be offended. I heard of Tatsuya's ex-girlfriends from Taiga. There were only two but I was hesitant to ask Tatsuya about them when I learned they are the VERY opposite of me.

"Hahaha. So I heard. Love is a strange thing." I tried to reason it out for my sake.

"It is." Alex agreed. "You are also the reason why he and Taiga are talking right now."

"I don't think so." I denied. I just pointed out how stupid their reason is.

She smiled and then started to move. God, she's fast! She scored a point before I was even aware of it. I didn't have the time to defend. The guys applauded her skills. Alex gave me the ball for my turn. I took it begrudgingly and started dribbling with two hands.

"Don't slap the ball with your palm. Try to handle the ball with the tips of your fingers." She instructed. I blushed, aware that's it's the freaking basic of the basic.

"Uhm, okay." I did as I was instructed; focusing on it as if my life depends on it.

"And try to look at the basket and the opponent." She added kindly.

I find the task extremely difficult. I know what to do but my body just can't do all those things at the same time. I still used two hands for dribbling as I walked and looked forward.

My kohais started to cheer me on, but I can't hear anything. I thought I heard Tetsu's voice telling me to relax. Taiga was instructing me but I don't understand. Graa!

I was so nervous. I couldn't think. I don't usually play this bad! I'm not like this the last time I played this stupid sport. Ugh!

The ball hit my foot and I stumbled in the process. Panicking, I tried to score before I fall. The ball flew forward hitting, not the basket (I aimed for it, I swear!), but Alex.

Oh god.

I HIT Alex.

In the FACE!

I heard her glasses crack.

I finally fell flat on my face.

Everyone gasped in horror.

I hit her.

I HIT her with the ball.

IN THE FACE.

"Oh my god! Alex, I'm sorry! I told you this isn't a good idea!" I wanted to remain sprawled on the floor but I struggled to get up. She covered her face with her right hand.

It was barely my fault. I did warn her.

I whimpered.

Oh. No.

I took a step to take a closer look to the damage I inflicted. She held her left hand up to me to keep me away. I thought I saw a vein popping at the side of her head. I looked at Taiga for help and he shook his head. I bit my lip to prevent my tears from falling.

I wanted to die. I should probably call Tatsuya right now to say my goodbye.

"I think that's all for now." She said in monotone.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean it. I was just… I don't know how… Alex…"

Silence.

I gulped.

Everyone's eyes were on us.

"I blew it didn't I?!" I finally said in a wobbly voice.

Alex finally looked at me.

"What…"

"But Alex, I want you to know that I my feelings for Tatsuya are real. I mean, I might not be like his other girlfriends in the past, but I'm trying to be a good, if not the best partner for him! I might be hard-headed, stubborn and selfish. I exasperate him… sometimes. Ok, most of the time. But I know he is happy. He tells me so. So, please…" I sobbed. I'm probably having a nervous-breakdown. Blame it to my female hormones. I wanted Alex to like me!

PLUS, I was so guilty hitting her in the face. What if she cannot get married because of that!?

"Please don't take him away from me just because I can't play basketball! And don't make me hate you! I like you Alex!" I finally wailed.

Everyone looked at me with their mouth wide-open. Jeez. I don't want to show my kohais my emotional tantrum this early but, damn it. I couldn't help it! UGH!

"What the hell are you thinking I'm doing to you?" She shouted, dumb-struck.

The boys started coughing awkwardly in the background.

"Err, t-testing me if I d-deserve him?" I answered hesitantly, hic-cupping.

She looked at me. Actually, she stared at me for a full-minute, her brows in furrows.

Finally, she said: "Why would I do that?"

I would have said 'you're the sub-mother', but Alex, I remember, was sensitive when it comes to age.

"I'm not sure. Aren't you supposed to do that?" I told her honestly.

She released a breath and then she started laughing.

"Is she always like this?" She asked Taiga and Tetsu, pointing at me.

"She is." Tetsu confirmed.

"It's annoying, really." Taiga complained.

The other boys nodded in agreement, even Aida-sempai.

Alex laughed more until she finally wiped the tears from her eyes. "I see. That brat finally saw what's good for him!"

I frowned. "I'm sure you're referring to Tatsuya but Taiga fits that description more."

"Taiga is the good boy." Alex corrected.

Taiga blushed. "Alex, shut up!"

"Maya, I want you to know that I'm glad that you are his girlfriend. I do think you are too good for him."

"Really? I think we are perfect." I started to smile.

We finally ended the game with Alex concluding that if I practice every day, I can, at least, dribble the ball properly and we all know that isn't going to happen.

Ever.

I've come to terms that I can never be the sporty-type of girl.

I asked Taiga and Tetsu to come with me to buy materials for the Golden Week Training. I need them to carry all the things needed. And, Alex, with lack of better things to do, decided to come with us. I welcomed my… err, future teacher-in-law.

It was a typical Sunday.

Or I thought it was.

"Alex! Tiger!" Some sultry voice called amidst the overpopulated streets of Tokyo. I was surprised that we heard it, actually.

All of us turned around and saw Miranda Kerr. Or at least I thought she was, only ten years younger. She's older than us, surely, and younger than Alex. She's with two equally pretty girls but she stand out the most. They are all so pretty and tall. How did Taiga meet these girls?!

"Kate!" Alex said a little too nervously.

Taiga paled and kept darting warning glances at me. I gave him a look so he could stop and instead smiled prettily at Kate Kerr. I've never been friends with Hollywood-kind-of-people and since she's friends with my friends, why can't we be friends too. Haha! Applaud for my logic. UGH.

Alex and Taiga introduced me and Tetsu to them as Kate did the same with her friends. It's all in English.

"Where's Tatsuya?" She suddenly asked. Innocently, I might add.

My pretty WIDE smile slowly turned into a THIN line. Taiga started to fake a cough.

"Uhm, err…" Taiga stammered.

"He's not here in Tokyo." Alex said and explained that Tatsuya is in another prefecture.

"Oh, I see. I was hoping to see him here." She said sadly.

And then she explained that they're here to experience the Japanese culture as part of their course in Asian Studies in UCLA.

I stopped listening.

Holy shit.

I've never sunk so deep.

I pretty much have an idea who she is but my brain just can't accept it.

Shit.

I feel like falling in a bottomless pit.

I'm drowning.

Oh, god.

What is this heavy feeling?!

I probably turned green because Kate finally turned to me.

"Uhm, are you okay!? Maya, right?"

I would have smiled at her, really. I don't want to be impolite or something, but I just frowned more.

"I'm sorry, I suddenly felt ill." I reasoned.

"Oh, would you like to sit there." She pointed at some vacant tables of a coffee shop.

Before I could answer, she stirred me toward it followed by the others.

I don't know what happened next but minutes later she was giving me something to drink. I saw Alex, Taiga and Tetsu looking at me worriedly.

"Here, have something to drink." Kate Kerr smiled. Genuinely.

I've sunk lower, if that could even be possible.

What is this?

She's so pretty and kind and perfect! She's in a different league from me.

I took the drink with shaking hands.

I finally managed a smile. "Thanks."

Why the hell did Tatsuya break-up with a wonderful girl like her!?