So with everything crazy happening in the world right now, we're definitely stuck in quarantine. While rewatching some favorite shows I decided to try my hand on a knb fanfic. Don't get me wrong, Akashi will still be my #1 knb boy, but I feel like this blonde is overrated yet underrated at the same time. Anyway, here it goes, please bare with me as I try to entertain my sanity while being stuck at home.
Practice has just recently ended for Kaijo High's volleyball club. Being the captain when she was at Teiko, Aimi Takamoto was surely accepted without a doubt the moment her application form was passed to the team. Months have already passed since school started, yet being a person of few words didn't really attract her a lot of friends which is why she was relieved when she heard that a former school mate attended the same school as hers. The feeling was short-lived though the moment she found out who it was.
"Kyah! Have you guys seen Kise kun earlier? Good thing our gym is adjacent to theirs, I mean we get to have a glimpse of him up close during their practice!" Yui, a teammate and a fellow first year exclaimed giddily while they were done getting changed in the locker room.
"Yeah, if only those fan girls of his would scramble, then we'd definitely have a better view. Why are they allowing non-athletes to hang around the gym during practice hours anyway?" Pouted Maika, a second year from their club.
"Aw, come on, senpai! Can't you leave him to us first years? He's too young for you anyway!" The former shouted.
Maika slapped the short haired girl at the back of her head, clearly irritated. "Baka! Are you saying I'm that old? We're just a year apart!"
The two continued bickering as always. Yui was a loud and care-free kind of girl. She may look outspoken and a bit clumsy most of the time, but once in the court her moves are very much refined and unstoppable. She might also be the only person from her year that Aimi could consider as a friend up to date.
"That's enough, both of you!" As if right on cue, Rina, the current captain of the club came to the rescue.
As always, Aimi stayed out of the discussion. She couldn't help but find the topic of the argument ridiculous. Hearing her teammates fight over the blonde, she couldn't help but chuckle softly.
"Why can't you girls be like Aimi? She's known Kise before any of you, but you didn't see her gawking and clinging to him like a fan girl." Rina lectured.
"It's because they're friends!" Yui countered.
It's because I liked someone else. She thought.
Sighing, Aimi closed up her locker and grabbed her gym bag. "We're not friends, senpai. We just know each other."
Yui raises an eyebrow at her team mate before catching up to her as they head out the door.
"Seriously, Aimi-chan. A lot of girls would kill to be acknowledged as a friend by Kise kun you know."
The girl rolled her eyes at the proclamation. "Well, lucky me I guess?"
Yui sighed, feeling hopeless for her team mate. "I don't know what's wrong with you. You have easy access to the most handsome boy in our year, yet you don't feel anything?!"
As if to prove that fact, the basketball team has just left the gym as well. The tall blonde in question was obviously the center of attention with a lot of girls lining up to get a chance for an autograph.
Aimi and Kise have known each other since middle school, both being not in just any sports club, but in the strongest teams that ever graced Teiko Middle School. They say they were prodigies in their field of sport, and for that they were well known among the athletes throughout Japan, together with others from their respective teams. Kise was without a doubt a talented player, and with his good looks which allowed him to be a model outside his basketball hours, there's without a doubt an obvious reason as to why girls flock over to him wherever he went. Because Aimi is the opposite of Kise's nature- cheerful, outgoing and being a bit dramatic on the side, she can't understand why someone would suggest that she should be attracted to that sort of person.
There was one person, however, from the Teiko Basketball Club that Aimi had once liked. In fact, they sort of had a thing going on back then— or so she thought. But then that person changed. Actually, all of them did. That was probably the reason why she changed as well.
"Aicchi! There you are! Let's stop over the convenience store before heading home!" Kise clings to her like a lost puppy, pleading with his eyes to save him from the crowd of girls.
Aimi could hear girls whispering about her again. Although it was annoying that this happened everytime because of Kise, she did not actually care for such trivial things. No one dared to question her with her relationship with the blonde, thank goodness. Aside from the piercing cold stare she tends to give, everyone knew that both of them came from the same school thus the reason why they were 'close'.
Slipping her arm away from the blonde's grasp, she continued to walk away as if ignoring him. "Go there yourself, Ryota."
"Aicchi rejects me now!" Kise sobs in his usual dramatic way.
"As his former school mate, I apologize for his obnoxious behavior senpai." Aimi bows sincerely to the basketball club's captain.
Kasamatsu blushes a bit before stammering a response. He has heard of the girl from Kise. She was famous and a strong player in volleyball in their Middle School. It was a surprise she attended this school, after all she was more than qualified to attend Rakuzan. Her family was rich too, which had been no problem if she had chosen to attend the said institution. It was a mystery she decided to come here instead. It was definitely not because of Kise however, since the blonde was actually surprised as well when he learned that Takamoto san was in the school's volleyball club.
Not to mention she was actually kind of pretty. She wore no make up on, yet her face gives out the very definition of how simplicity is beauty. As she raised her head up, she tucks her long white hair to the back of her ear and smiles softly.
"U-uh. You don't need to apologize, Takamoto san. That idiot's actions are based on his own arrogance."
"Stop scaring our captain, Aicchi! He has girl phobia." Kise says in a failed attempt to make it come out as a whisper.
The dark haired senior kicked Kise hard on the back upon hearing this, causing the blonde to fall face flat on the ground.
"Stop hurting our Kise kun!"
"Oh, my! Our Kise is hurt!"
It seemed that his fan girls are still planning on lingering around.
Feeling that the situation is useless, Aimi starts to leave.
"Treat me to a popsicle." She says to what seems like no one in particular, but a certain blonde knew all too well who she was talking to.
Perking up, he happily ran over to join the girl with long white hair, muttering something about what flavor is the latest available in the market and whether or not she has already tried it.
"That doesn't look as 'not friends' to me." Rina, the volleyball team's captain says as all of the remaining members from both clubs observe the two walking ahead.
"They're not? But Kise knows her too well based on his stories from middle school." Kasamatsu scratches his head, confused.
"Aimi's definitely a tsundere, if no one has noticed by now. She also likes to keep things to herself. The fact that Kise knows a lot about her and she doesn't really ignore him completely, there's definitely at least some level of friendship there no matter how hard she denies it all the time." Yui explains.
Realizing that the volleyball team is with them, Kasamatsu blushes once again. "R-right. Uhm."
"Oi! For goodness sake, Yukio. They're not gonna bite you. We've known each other for so long, yet you still haven't gotten past talking to other girls casually!" Rina exclaims while slapping Kasamatsu at the back of his head.
"Huh, but Rina senpai is a girl too yet you don't seem to get nervous around her?" The ever so outspoken Yui speaks up.
"Rina? A girl? Since when?" The dark haired captain had the nerve to ask amidst the pain on his back head.
Rina was about to give the boy another beating when another senior from the basketball team stops her.
"Now, now. Rina chan. It's been a while since we got together like this. Why don't you two stop fighting like old lovers and let's join those two for some after school snacks?" Hayakawa says.
It was now the volleyball club's captain's turn to blush. "What the hell are you talking about, Mitsuhiro?! Like I would fancy a guy as hopeless like him!"
Ignoring the outbursts of both captains, Hayakawa calls out to the two first years walking up ahead.
"Oi! You two! Wait up, we'll be joining you!"
Having heard his senior, Kise waves in acknowledgement to the group behind.
"I didn't know that our club's seniors were quite close." Aimi says, having heard the loud conversation that took place.
"That's because you never cared enough to pay attention as always, Aicchi. Besides, doesn't this feel like old times? We used to hang out like this back then as well." Kise answers knowingly.
He was right. Aimi knew Teiko's first string basketball team all too well, especially the Generation of Miracles. They would always go out to convenience stores after practice. That's when she first met the only person who has probably caught her attention.
"But I guess it's probably not the same as well. I mean, with Akashichhi and the others not here."
"You're talking too much again Ryota."
That's right. The only person who Aimi Takamoto has probably liked was non other than the captain of the Generation of Miracles, Akashi Seijuro. After what happened however, she didn't know if she'd ever learn to like someone again.
Scanning over the variety of flavors in the freezer, she settled for her favorite.
"Aww, but I wanted mango too!" Kise whined, scratching his head while rummaging through the contents of the small container.
"Then go get one yourself." Aimi deadpanned.
"But that was the last one, Aicchi." He pouted.
She simply gives out a shrug and places the popsicle on top of the counter, silently giving him a look that signals him to hurry up.
Grabbing a random flavor, he still had his pouted expression while begrudgingly paying for both popsicles.
"You know, I'm curious. How come you two seem well acquainted with each other?" Yui asks, having appeared behind them together with the rest of the volleyball and basketball group.
"Because he's always a show-off and keeps on pestering everyone for his attention." Aimi says without hesitation.
"You're so mean, Aicchi!" And with that, the blonde fakes a sob once again.
"I would appreciate it if you would quit your dramatics even just for a while, Ryota kun. I'm trying to enjoy my popsicle" She sighs while breaking the popsicle in two and giving the other half to Kise.
"Wuhoo! Thanks so much Aicchi!" He grins happily while taking the popsicle and munching it down happily, clearly not bothering to open his own anymore.
"What do you mean 'thank you'? You're giving me your whole popsicle in return." The white haired girl says menacingly as the blonde had no choice but to hand her over the unopened treat.
The group continued to watch their exchange, clearly waiting for a proper response to Yui's question.
"Aicchi was our club's co-manager." Kise simply answers, sensing everyone's thoughts.
"Ehh?!" Everyone chorused, clearly not expecting that new bit of information.
"But you were captain of Teiko's volleyball club, were you not Aimi chan?" Rina asked.
She didn't want to go over with the explanations. Luckily Kise did not bother to be the one doing the talking.
"She was. She was also the manager of the Generation of Miracles. Momoicchi was manager for the whole basketball club. That includes second and third string. Since our club is huge, she had a co-manager who was in charge solely of us." He explained thoughtfully.
Moriyama, one of his seniors let out a low whistle. "That's quite impressive considering you were captain of your own club. I heard Teiko's volleyball club was on par with the basketball club when it came to achievements. Too bad you aren't single. "
"Excuse me?" Aimi blinked upon hearing the last statement.
"Come on, you don't expect us to buy the whole friends thing between you two?" The senior presses.
"Yeah, Aimi chan. You always tell us even that you're not friends with him, yet whenever our practices coincide with each other you always end up walking home together." Maika butts in.
Aimi can't believe where this discussion is heading. Clearly irritated, she pinches the bridge of her nose and lets out a deep sigh before glaring at Kise.
"This is why I always tell you to stop pestering me you ungrateful, overly dramatic idiot."
"That was cold Aicchi! What did I do?!" The blonde whines before addressing the rest of the group, scratching his head.
"Now, now, senpais. It's really true that we're just friends. Besides, she was with A—"
"That's enough, Kise."
The sudden use of his last name sent chills down everyone's spine. It was the way she said it: low, cold and piercing that prompted Kise enough to seriously stop the discussion.
She didn't want to talk about anything about him being related to her that way. As soon as she dreaded why, no matter how much she wanted to stop it a sudden flash of memories came rushing in.
"Those types of emotions are a sign of weakness. You'll just be a hindrance to me."
Not wanting to press the topic any further, she threw her now finished popsicle in the trash and walked past the group.
"I'm going home, senpais, everyone." She says, not bothering to look at them.
Kise knew better than to annoy her more, so he stayed behind and let her walk home alone for today.
"Is Takamoto san always that scary?" Kasamatsu finally managed to ask after a moment of silence.
"I've known her for the past couple of months. She may be a bit quiet and keeps to herself most of the time, but this was the first time I saw this kind of reaction." Rina said, still looking at the direction she disappeared to.
A sudden low chuckle from Kise caught everyone's attention. He scratches the back of his head and gives them a lopsided grin.
"That was probably my fault. Aimicchi probably doesn't want to talk much about our middle school days. She wasn't always like that though. She gradually changed the moment we all did..." He faltered for a moment, but then resumed back quickly to his cheerful self.
"Anyway! I don't think it's in my position to say anything." He adds cheerfully, but the finality in his tone was quite evident.
"Still... To be captain of the strongest middle school volleyball team and a manager of the Generation of Miracles, that's quite a heavy responsibility to handle." His senior Nakamura said for the first time.
"That's just a piece of cake for her. Aimicchi is just like us. Her skills and talents are on a different level." The blonde boasted before earning another kick from his captain.
"Would you stop being so arrogant all the time?!" Kasamatsu scolded.
"Ouch, senpai! I was just telling the truth..." He says while scratching his butt from where his captain's foot hit him.
"I have no doubt with what Kise said. She's actually a genius in the court. Her skills are just frightening. We would actually have a chance against Rakuzan this year at the Winter Cup. I guess that's expected for an athlete from the main team of Teiko." Rina says thoughtfully.
"I agree! Aimi chan's amazing when she plays! I wish I could reach a level as hers... Oh but anyway, Kise kun! Since we're all already here, do you mind if I take a selfie with you?" Yui suddenly asked, eyes sparkling at the blonde. There was no way she would pass up an opportunity like this. It's not everyday after all that you get to hang out with the current most popular guy in school.
"Ah.. Hehe, sure. Yui san is it?" Kise says smiling, not wanting to disappoint the girl. He always saw her with Aimi when she was not alone to herself reading somewhere. He could only assume that she was one of the few friends the girl had made in school.
As the short haired girl happily snapped the photo, the seniors from the basketball team couldn't help but groan and roll their eyes at what seems to be another fan girl of their newest team mate.
"This is too unfair. How come I cannot get a girl to like me? I'm not ugly, aren't I Rina chan?" Moriyama asks the volleyball team's captain.
The fiesty brunette rolled her eyes at the question of her school mate.
"Don't ask questions you already know the answer to, Moriyama." She answered, earning a snicker from all the seniors in the group as they proceed to pack up and prepare to go home.