Author's Note: I am SOOOO sorry about this wicked late update! I was piled up heavily with assignments this year and the homework comes first before this, unfortunately. I also struggled with writing this chapter since I was unsure if I wanted to make this into two parts or a really long chapter, where I decided to break it up. Also, I had a hard time deciding on how well this would go so writer's block took control of me! Anyway, thank you guys for sticking around and keeping the favorites and follows coming in! I really appreciate it! Let me know what you guys think! And have a great weekend! P.S. The next chapter may also take some time to write too so please be patient! Thank you!
I do not own Kuroko no Basket.
Hair
Chapter 43: First Date (Part 1)
The day arrived before they knew it and both teens' hearts were racing at what day it was. Emi and Atsushi glanced at each other as they were still left waiting for the school day to end even though they had only gotten through with half of it. The giant's face was annoyed that he had to wait through school to go out on their first date but he knew Emi wouldn't skip out. Emi was focused on the class but still glanced over at the giant with a small blush on her cheeks, excitement working itself through her.
If only time could move a little bit faster, she would internally grateful!
"Ms. Kiyoshi, what is the answer to the question?"
Emi blinked out of her thoughts and looked up to the board, seeing that a question was written in English. She blinked at it and stood up with a small smile on her features.
"Yes, Sensei." She said and cleared her throat a little, "The correct usage of the English terms would be C. Or as said, The manager said his team would win the soccer league and they actually did the next season."
The teacher was impressed about her knowledge of English and gave her a smile, nodding at her for being correct.
"Good job, Ms. Kiyoshi." He said and she sat back down, glancing over at Atsushi who gave her a small smile too. Her heart soared at this and she played with her hair, happy with the length it has remained since she cut it a week ago.
She couldn't wait for class to end so they could go out on their first date.
Emi watched as the team practice against each other and she sat down on a bench, observing their decisive moves and plays. Her gaze sorted through the team to see the first strings gathered round each other and looked at her with interest.
"So, you are here today."
The statement from the coach caught her attention and she looked up to her, giving her a small nod at this along with a smile.
"Hai, I'm waiting for Atsushi-san." She said and the coach narrowed her eyes at this before nodding too.
"Since you're waiting, you wouldn't mind helping me with something real quick, would you?" The coach asked and she blinked at this, slightly confused but nodded anyway.
Surely, it would be no issue to help out the coach.
"What do you need help with, Sensei?" Emi asked with folded hands and Araki nodded for her to follow. Emi gulped at this as she walked side-by-side with her and glanced back to the court, seeing that Atsushi happened to be gone for the moment. She gulped and continued before the coach directed them in a room, flipping the lights on. She stared at the small kitchen and noticed some food out like honey and lemons along with a few mason jars.
"Would you mind helping me cut up some of these up for the game Monday?" Araki asked and Emi blinked at this before a small smile placed onto her face at this, giving a small nod at this.
"I don't mind at all, Araki-san." Emi said as she walked over to the counter with the coach who unlocked a cabinet kick, pulling out two knives and set them down on the counter. Emi reached over and grabbed the few mason jars they had and put them in a the sink real quick, pouring in some hot water to disinfect it. She then emptied each one individually while the coach stood next to her, drying them out.
"Sensei, would you mind fetching the lemons?" Emi asked in a polite tone that the coach nodded at, collecting them all and bringing them to the counter as Emi washed them off and Araki dried them with paper towels.
"Are you dating Murasakibara?"
The sudden question had Emi almost let the lemon slip out of her hand and into the sink. Her gaze snapped towards the coach who awaited her question with narrowed eyes and Emi's eyes turned down at the comment, readying herself to begin slicing the lemons.
"What would make you question that, Araki-san?" Emi asked as she sliced them thinly and began to pick out the seeds, trying her best to focus on the task at hand.
"Because Murasakibara has been far more obedient and easy going with agreeing to do anything the team needs." Araki answered as she too cut up the lemons and Emi gulped at this as she continued her way.
"…Is that so." She mumbled and placed some of the lemons in the jar then honey after one layer and continued to do so alternately.
"I'm not complaining. I'm glad he's working together with the team and staying until practice is over. I was curious since when he is near you, he does act differently. Perhaps like he is trying to impress you." Araki said and a smile appeared on the brunette at this, impressed that he was trying to make himself a better person.
"I'm glad he's trying to put his best self forward." Emi said in a soft tone as the two females finished sealing off the lids and Araki opened the fridge, opening it up and placed the jars in there.
"…If you do decide to say anything, I would be careful. You never know what other people can be thinking." Araki said as her final advice to her and shut the fridge, walking out of there with Emi trailing behind her. Once arriving back at the gym, Emi noticed that Atsushi was now playing on the court, glancing at the gym doors.
He was probably curious where she went.
She gave him a small wave which brought plenty of attention to the brunette and giant. He turned back to the player he was facing and dunked over his head, causing the other player to stumble a little and only hit the wall from being pushed back.
Emi winced at the small impact the other boy gave and a whistle was blown from Araki, alerting the team that practice was over. Their coach called them over and placed a hand on Emi's shoulder, unwillingly causing her to jump at the touch. She tried her best to reassure herself it most likely meant nothing as the coach then began to say something.
"Alright, practice is over but I expect all of you here tomorrow sharp and ready at seven AM. Also, give a big thank you to Kiyoshi here for preparing some Honey Lemon for you guys for the match Monday!" Araki shouted and Emi blinked at this, surprised at how honest she was giving her all the credit.
No one has ever done that for her before.
"THANK YOU, KIYOSHI!" The crowd of high school boys shouted and she jumped at their thankfulness, her heart swarming at their voices. A smile graced her features at this and eyes softened at this, glad that she decided to go help.
It was like a wish come true that people were happy to have her around and be glad of even a simple task.
She nodded at this and Araki gave a small smile of approval towards the teens being considerate to the girl.
"Head home now, everyone! I'll see you bright and earlier at seven!" Araki yelled and the students made their way to the locker room, changing into their regular outfits while Araki looked towards Emi, "Thanks again, Kiyoshi. Will we be seeing you, Monday?"
Emi rubbed the back of her neck at the question and answered, "Unfortunately not, Araki-san. I only managed to get today off from work so I can do something."
Araki nodded at this while keeping an eye on Atsushi as he entered the locker room and said, "That is unfortunate but I do hope you will be cheering from wherever you are."
Emi nodded at this and a soft blush poked onto her cheeks, her hands folded together. Her eyes looked towards the lockers and hoped that Atsushi would be coming out soon so they could leave.
"Let me know if any of the boys bug you too, Kiyoshi. I'll put them back into shape."
The soft whisper was said as Araki pushed by with her kunai in hand and made her way to her office, black hair swaying in her footsteps. Emi gulped at this as her gaze turned away to not think about the length of the coach's hair and her statement.
Not many people would be willing to stand up for her and that made her heart rest easy.
"All set, Emi-chin?"
The sudden voice of Atsushi caught her attention and she looked up, the giant staring down at her now wearing his school uniform but his hair was now tied back.
She nodded as she swiped her school bag off the bench and smiled at him, awaiting for him to be at her side as they left the gym but no one seeming to notice.
"Is it alright that I go to get changed, Atsushi-san?" Emi asked Atsushi as they approached the apartment complex and he blinked at this before nodding, realizing that his brothers had suggested he get changed to take her out.
"That's fine, Emi-chin. I was going to get changed too." He said and interest sparked in her eyes at this, wondering what the giant would wear out.
"Alright. I'll meet you outside your apartment then we can go." She said and he nodded at this as the two teens went their separate ways for a little bit of time. Emi skipped up the stairs as she unlocked the door and announced that she was home but her aunt was away for work at the moment. She rushed into her room and shoved the door open, moving past it to her closet.
Her eyes scanned through before finding the dress that her Zio Gino got her and she picked it through before she removed her own clothes, stripping to the bare minimum before unzipping the back of the dress and stood in it. She zipped it back up and stared down at the dress, noticing that it didn't cling tightly to her body but did give away to some of her figure. She reached further into her closet before she pulled out a light white cardigan to cover up her arms. She slipped the cardigan on and grabbed her purse on the desk while her phone out of her school uniform, staring down at it for a second then flipping it open.
Masami-san, I'm about to head out with Atsushi-san for a date. I am unsure when we'll get back but I'll text when we head back.
She sent the text and snapped the phone shut before stuffing it in her purse and she headed out, slipping on shoes and exited the apartment. She made no choice to add makeup and left herself natural, not feeling up to so much trouble of adding blush or mascara or eye shadow. She shut the door behind her and locked it before walking down the staircase, noticing that Atsushi wasn't done yet.
She was very curious as to what he was going to wearing.
Her feet kicked a little at this thought and her smile returned to her face, happiness filling her at the eagerness to see him. The sound of a door closing caught her attention and looked over, seeing that Atsushi had indeed changed into something. His attire consisted of blue jeans and a simple gray top covered by a purple sweat shirt. He glanced over to her and blinked before blushing at Emi wearing and adoring such nice clothes while also looking amazing in them. She tilted her head at this and moved in front of him, giving each other more of a view of the other.
"Is something wrong, Atsushi-san?" She asked and he glanced away before he scratched the back of his head.
"No, I'm surprised that you're wearing the dress." He said and she blinked at this while a smile flooded over her features at this, eyes narrowing at the comment, "Emi-chin, you look really pretty in it."
Her cheeks then flushed at the later comment and brushed back some of her and hair behind her ear, not hiding the fact that she both embarrassed and happy at the comment.
"…Perhaps we should get going? We don't want to be out too late." She said and he nodded at this before holding his hand out to her. She stared down at it for a second before she slowly put her own on his, intertwining her fingers in his and her heart skipped a beat at this.
Then the two teenagers made their way onto their first date.
"So, where exactly did you choose, Atsushi-san?" Emi asked as she walked next to him, her hand still wrapped around his. He pointed out a small restaurant that loomed brightly in the middle of the stores and peeked Emi's interest as to what exactly it was. As the two teens approached, Emi could easily read what the restaurant was and her smile softened, glad with his choice.
"Are you ok with it, Emi-chin?" Atsushi asked as they approached the front door, seeing many but not too many people in the restaurant through the window with simple decorations and backdrop.
"Hai, I'm positive that I will enjoy it, especially you accompanying me." She said as he reached over and opened the door for her. She thanked him and walked in, seeing a host smile at her in a casual outfit.
"Good evening, miss. How many will it be?" The host asked as Atsushi had to duck down to enter, giving the host a small scare at how tall the giant was.
"Just two, please." Emi said with a smile and the host nodded at this while still glancing up at the giant, grabbing two menus and Emi looked to Atsushi with a smile on her face. The host made his way around other tables that were filled and people looked at them in interest and confusion. Emi smiled as the host seated them away from others and he placed the menus down while pulling the chair out for Emi, who thanked him at as she pressed her dress on her legs as she sat down so it would not show more skin. Atsushi sat down too and stared at her, trying to process everything that was happening.
What exactly brought him to be dating a girl that at first annoyed him?
"Atsushi-san, have you eaten from here before?" Emi asked and snapped him out of his thoughts, causing his gaze to note the soft glow of candle shine on her face and that her fingernails were painted a light pink also.
"…no, Fumio-nii, suggested this restaurant. He said that you would be able to find something to eat." Atsushi answered back and she nodded her head at this, chocolate eyes glowing at this and her smile still plastered across her lips.
"Ah, that's nice of him." She said and slung a little at looking through the menu that had plenty of food to offer while Atsushi already planned on what he was going to eat.
"What are you think of getting, Emi-chin?" Atsushi asked her and she looked back up to him before scratching her cheek.
"Well, perhaps the Udon." She said and he blinked, slightly confused that she wanted such a small meal.
"You can get more food if you want, Emi-chin." He told her and she waved her hands at this.
"It's fine! I don't want to spend a lot!" She said and he tilted his head at this.
"You don't have to worry about it. It's my treat. I'm suppose to pay for everything." Atsushi replied and she blinked at this, confusion writing itself onto her face at those words.
"Eh, are you sure?" She asked back as she seemed to insisting that she could pay for her half of the meal or even more.
"…Men are suppose to pay the bill when going out on a date." He said and she stared at him for a second, thinking that Kenshin has done the same thing for her too. A light blush crossed her cheeks at this and looked down to the menu, now realizing she could get perhaps a little more than she had planned.
"Ok, well, if you want Atsushi-san, we can share the harumaki (1)." Emi suggested and Atsushi nodded at this, already craving for food to be in front of him. Suddenly a young male waiter appeared before the teens with a bland expression on his face before blinking at the sight of them and Emi realized that the waiter looked familiar but she couldn't place her finger on it.
"Good evening, madam and sir. My name is Inoue and I will be your waiter for the night. Can I start you two off with drinks?" The waiter asked and Emi made the connection as to why the waiter looked familiar with his close up dark hair and dark brown eyes.
He had to be related to one of the first-years that was around Atsushi.
"I'll get a water." Atsushi said and glanced to see Emi holding the menu closer to her body now, as if she was trying to hide.
"I'll get a water too and a lemon in it, please." She said and the waiter nodded at this as he recorded their orders and went on his way. She lowered the menu now that the waiter was gone and she bit her lip, leaning towards Atsushi with concern knitting into her.
"I believe our waiter is Inoue-kun's relative, Atsushi-san." Emi told him and he blinked at this, now connecting the dots.
"I don't think he knows who we are, Emi-chin." Atsushi stated and she gulped at this before nodding in agreement but still worried.
"If you're sure, Atsushi-san." Emi said as the appearance of the waiter returned with their drinks and his notepad, ready to record what they would be getting for dinner. He placed the drinks down on the table, in the correct places and set the tray down on the table behind them as he has a pen in hand to write down their orders.
"Alright, so do you want, miss?" The waiter asked and Emi gulped as she decided to order her original meal.
"I would like to have the Udon please. If we could get a side of the harumaki that would be great." She said as she tried her best to avoid any gaze with the waiter and she handed him the menu while he turned his attention to the giant after writing down her request.
"How about you, sir?" The waiter asked and Atsushi stared the menu again before he started to order plenty of food that would be far too much for two people if it was someone else besides him.
"Eh, I want the Cream Stew, Tonkatsu, Onigiri, and Tempura." Atsushi told the waiter who raised an eyebrow at the order but continued to write everything down without another say.
"I will go put those in. Your appetizer will be out shortly." The waiter said and walked away while Emi released a breath, bringing herself back to her normal height and sitting more properly.
"Are you ok eating here, Emi-chin?" Atsushi asked and she looked up him, noting his concerned gaze before she brushed back some of her hair in attempt to calm down her nerves.
"I'll be ok, Atsushi-san. I just didn't expect to know someone here." She responded and he nodded at this while the two remained silent, unsure on what to say.
"…You can ask me a question, Emi-chin." Atsushi suggested and Emi blinked at this before giving a small smile at this and nodded.
"Would you mind telling me a little bit about our childhood?" She asked with interest and he gave an innocent blink at this as she placed her elbows on the table to lean closer to him and in interest to what he would possibly say. He nodded and began to think of what he could tell the brunette as his childhood wasn't very thrilling or anything.
"Eh, nothing really happened…" He said and scratched his cheek while Emi still looked interested in anything he could say.
"You can tell your basic day as a child, Atsushi-san." Emi suggested and he noticed the still strong interest in what he could say from such a simple thing in her eyes.
"Eh, well, Histoshi-nii, would wake me up to go to school but I didn't move for a while until my mother would come get me up. He was annoying trying to get me up while my mother was nicer about it…after getting up, I would eat the breakfast my mother would make." He explained and Emi's eyes twinkled at this, picking up on every detail.
"What would she make you, Atsushi-san?" She asked and he scratched his head as he thought about the meals she would prepare for them.
"We would all eat the same thing but I remember having toast, sausages, eggs, yogurt, and a fruit she would leave out for one of us to hopefully eat it." He said and Emi giggled a little bit at his response. He didn't realize but a small smile was making its way on his lips and her laughter was like an angel's.
"How about school, Atsushi-san? Did you enjoy it as a kid?" She continued to ask and the smile that was making its way onto his features disappeared, unwanted memories flooding back to him both involving his mother and school itself.
"…No. I only went because my mom told us to. I would rather have stayed with her." He stated and Emi's eyes softened at this before her hand arched over the table, moving to grab his own.
"Atsushi-san, I'm sorry that I brought up a sour topic." She told him and he stared down at her hand, laying on top of his own before he shrugged at this.
"It's alright, Emi-chin." He said and a shadow loomed over them, causing Emi to look up and see that their appetizer was ready and held out by the waiter. He stared down at them with his still bland expression and Emi pulled away from Atsushi's, her eyes now wide as if she were a deer caught in the headlights.
"Your appetizer is ready." The waiter said and placed the harumaki down, before leaving the two to their appetizer. Atsushi glanced over to Emi to see what her reaction was and saw the look of fright crossing over them.
"Are you alright, Emi-chin?" He asked and she looked away, avoiding his gaze as she looked shaken up.
"…I'm alright, Atsushi-san." She said before glancing behind her, noting the restroom, "I'm going to use the restroom real quick. Please don't wait for me to enjoy the harumaki."
He opened his mouth to ask something else but she had already stood up and walked to the restroom, turning the doorknob and entering.
Atsushi stared at the door before glancing down the harumaki and his eyes narrowed, thinking about the waiter that Emi did not want to see. He looked over and saw him talking with another couple with his bland expression on his face, tapping a pen against his paper as he waited for them to order.
So it his fault.
Emi grasped a hand to her chest as she tried to calm herself down and her thoughts were becoming more and more scattered in worry.
What if someone found out? What would they do? What could happen?
Her head felt heavy and she didn't want to close her eyes as she thought it would bring her closer to terror. She didn't realize that her body was shaking as she sat down on the cold tiled floor of the bathroom, hoping that no one would want to come in and use it.
She couldn't even tell if it had been only a few minutes or hours before she looked to get her phone and talk with her brother but she left her purse outside. She bit her lip at this fact and pressure felt like it was piling up on her chest.
Why couldn't she have a nice date with Atsushi? Why was that not allowed? What could she-?
Before she could finish her next line of thought, a soft knock came from the door and she looked up to it.
"Emi-chin?"
The voice of Atsushi brought her relief that it was just him and she cleared her throat she hopefully didn't sound like se was strained.
"Yes, Atsushi-san?" She called back and waited for his response, her trembling slowly fading away at the sound of his voice.
"…I got us a new waiter. So you don't need to worry about the other one. He won't say anything." He said to her from the other side of the door and she felt relaxed at this but still her mind teased her.
"Are you positive, Atsushi-san? That he won't say anything?" She asked more softly and the door frame created a little, as if the giant was leaning against it in support.
"He doesn't even know us. I asked him if he knew who I was and he said no. And he doesn't have a brother either so he just looked familiar to Inoue." He told her and her eyes grew wide at this, instantly the weight on her mind eased off and she felt a smile break back onto her features at knowing this.
Why didn't she even think that Inoue was a common last name? Many people shared it but were not relatives.
She slowly stood up and walked towards the door before glancing at herself in the mirror, seeing that her eyes weren't rimmed red but her hair was slightly misplaced but otherwise looked alright.
She reached towards the doorhandles and released a few still unease breaths before she felt her heart beat calm down, feeling confident in Atsushi's words. She opened the door and came face to face with the giant and his expressed looked relieved at seeing her as his body leaned against the doorframe.
"We can leave if you want to, Emi-chin. I don't mind." He said and she smiled up at him, feeling like she was now floating on air.
"I believe I will be fine now, Atsushi-san." She said and grabbed Atsushi's hand, intertwining it with her own, "Thank you for doing that for me."
A blush spread across his features at her words and he looked away, slightly bashful at her statement while she led them both back to their table to enjoy their food. Her heart was soaring at his act and the nervousness drifted off into the back of her mind as the appetizer was still there awaiting for the two of them to eat it together.
Harumaki= Crispy Japanese spring rolls
