"1-2-2 Zone huh… So they want to protect the inside. Then Midorin, it's your turn." After hearing news about Murasakibara's newly gained strength, it was no surprise that their opponents would be wary of the battle underneath the hoop. But that left them open to Midorima's threes. Although Sanada and the managers were dissatisfied with the lack of teamplay on the team, they knew they'd still have to see the games to the end.
"Tch. Mido-chin is going to score his twenty points before me today."
"You got a problem with that, Murasakibara?" Himeragi sighed, as this twenty point minimum was starting to become a reason for the two of them to argue even more than usual. Kuroko didn't say anything and Akashi didn't look at them, as their game plan was unchanged.
"I won't stop you two if you want to fight but I'm not giving these madeleines to Mukkun or this chapstick back to Midorin at the end of the game then." They immediately straightened up since one wanted his snacks and one couldn't bear to lose his lucky item for the day. The team they were facing focused primarily on defense, as they attempted a screen against Akashi, who was running to obtain the ball from their point guard. But with his Emperor Eye, it was futile, as he dodged the attempt and cut the ball out of the rival point guard's hands, with Kuroko curving it into Midorima's hands. The managers could see the improvement in Midorima's reaction time, as the ball left his hands even faster than it did before. With the exception of Kuroko and Akashi, the rest of the starting members did not pass when they obtained the ball. Whether it be Kise and his fast dribbles in between a double team, Murasakibara just opting to throw the ball into the hoop or Midorima giving himself space to shoot, the game ended with a final score of 91-18. Himeragi looked at Momoi's pained expression and turned her head, watching Akashi. He didn't seem to be enjoying himself and just sent automatic passes to whoever was free. Everything was robotic, to the point where it was unsettling. When they returned to the First String gym, Akashi dismissed the players, as the practice game functioned as practice for the day. Just before he left, Himeragi stopped him, knowing he didn't want to talk to her.
"I know you don't want to talk like we used to, Akashi-kun. But, would you spare me some time?"
"No, I will not grant that request. I have a fiancé now so I cannot spare time alone with another girl." Her eyes blinked at the quick turn of events. Hadn't it just been three weeks since the start of the new semester? What happened at the end of summer, besides his second personality awakening?
"I can promise her that this is a strictly work related conversation. I wanted to ask you something because I can't seem to come up with an answer, myself." Given her personality, he already knew it wouldn't be anything like what he verbally insinuated her intentions to be.
"Shall I break her mentality? So that she can't come near me anymore?" He asked himself, still not wanting to look at her. But even this Akashi wasn't completely in favor of the idea, as he would have scared her further the first night he awakened, given the perfect opportunity to do so.
"No." His former personality that had been suppressed still put up resistance against that idea. Himeragi took this chance to ask her first question.
"I see the respect that you've gained from all the people around us. I know that victory is what you care most about. But is it the same thing as your pride?" Although they had the time, Akashi didn't expect her question to be so theoretical. Of course his answer was that they were the same. His victories proved to himself that he was worth it.
"I don't see the reason why you continue reading into my actions. Victories are an extension of self-worth, in my opinion."
"Why did you become our friend if victory was your sole goal?"
"Because it was necessary to test the waters, to see the best relationship that would benefit me in the future."
"No. You didn't see them as objects back then and you still don't. What is making you push away everyone now?" If he was truly honest, the answer would be her, who always meddled in his business. He didn't want her close to him, when he could easily direct her efforts elsewhere. Now was not the time to advocate for him; he didn't care if he was alone, as long as the balance he preserved between his academics and extracurriculars continued. His emotions could cause a huge problem to arise in matters pertaining to the basketball club so he chose not to create any interpersonal relationships. That incident with Murasakibara would not be repeated. Intimidation was just an extension of this goal.
"After two years, I've realized it is much more efficient to lead with subservience in mind. If it means that I am not friends with the team, so be it."
"A saying comes to mind when you say that." Himeragi smiled bitterly. " 'It is not necessary that whilst I live I live happily; but it is necessary that so long as I live I should live honourably.' " Akashi slightly turned his body toward her when he heard her recite one of Immanuel Kant's quotes. Indeed, it was fitting for his current mindset.
"Why are you so against my actions? I take this as undermining me, Vice-President."
"Please look at me, Akashi-kun." Himeragi didn't care if it seemed weak to revert back to their past dynamic or be the first to try and do so. Akashi stood there, wondering what her intentions were now.
"Why?" His tone felt even colder than usual and she knew that he was against showing any signs of his past persona. But that was why she had to push for it. She had to continue pushing to see his smile again.
"I apologize for continuing to ask you questions you don't want to answer. But I still want to make this selfish request of you." What was she talking about? Selfishness, at this time? "I want you to treat me the same way as before. Is that not okay?" The more the conversation continued, the more she was asking things of him that he refused to allow himself to do. As his eyebrows furrowed, he still didn't turn around. "Am I no longer a friend to you?" He noticed that she used "nakama"* instead of "tomodachi,"* as if to signify that she wanted to be more than just a friend but a comrade to him, even if she couldn't play basketball with him.
"Enough." There was a warning tone in his voice.
"I'm no longer needed, am I? Is that why you won't look at me anymore?"
"Vice-President."
"Tell me that I'm wrong then."
"Why do I need to do that?"
"You don't seem to believe in anything anymore. Am I wrong?"
"Yes, you are wrong. My moral alignments, my reasons for carrying out my duties, my view on relationships, they've all changed." When he finally turned around to look at her, he didn't show any emotion on his face. His posture, his gaze and his words, they all felt so foreign to her. "I already told you that I wouldn't allow anyone to stand in the way of my goals. If you persist in these useless conversations, it'll only hurt you." But she wasn't scared of getting hurt.
" 'The mission of a person is to achieve excellence through freedom.' Can you really say that you're free to do as you wish when you're afraid to be backed into a corner again?"
"But that is a personal choice. Because I have a choice, I made my decision. Anything that can become a hindrance to my goals is discarded. I've always been a person that will destroy others' mentality if I see it fit."
"Why must you continue to shoulder all of your responsibilities alone, without saying any word of protest?" Although it was a frightening experience to be engaged in a staring contest with Akashi, Himeragi needed to know why he couldn't speak with his father, who clearly imposed the most pressure on him. It was because he had his father's ideals looming in his mind that Akashi couldn't forgive one mishap. Although she understood the fear of disappointing a parent, if no one was by his side, who was he going to turn to when he inevitably needed support? For that purpose she needed to test his reaction: if someone were to try to get close to him, how would he stop them?
" "Protest?' Do you really believe that speaking up will yield results?" Himeragi knew it was a direct attack at her own family situation, where although she was granted one freedom, she was still shackled to rest of their decisions.
"Have you tried?" Himeragi asked, knowing that he wouldn't answer. Their conversation came to a standstill with Akashi being pessimistic about the results of a conversation with his father and Himeragi knowing that she had no right to force him into speaking with his father. "It's not my place to enforce that so I won't bring it up again. I'll continue treating you the same way I always have, with the exception of the way I address you. Since you're adamant about calling me 'Vice-President,' I'll continue to call you 'President.' " Himeragi wanted him to react to her pettiness but this Akashi did not joke and he was in a foul mood because of the reference to his father.
" 'We are not rich by what we possess but by what we can do without.' Do I need to repeat myself? Friendship is not necessary. My ends are the same, with or without it."
"You can interpret that same statement to mean not to desire anything out of your reach and to appreciate the blessings you currently have. Even if all six of you have strong personalities that will clash, hasn't our time together shown that even with disagreements, it is enjoyable to spend time together?"
"Why let conflicts arise when you can get rid of the possibility altogether?"
"But isn't that life? Will you always avoid being close to others in fear that they will not respect you?" Himeragi caught herself after she asked the question she wasn't supposed to ask. The phrasing of the question was exactly what would get on Akashi's nerve as he refused to fear anything. They both knew she wasn't trying to purposely provoke his anger but asked the question because she couldn't grasp his reasoning. "I won't give up. I'm going to make you smile again."
"What if I were to tell you that your strong willed actions only bring more pain to me?" Himeragi wanted to ask for his reasons immediately but knew he wouldn't and bit her lip. Was his happiness really something to be put on the back burner?
"Then don't ask roundabout questions that aren't like you and just tell me that you don't want me to be by your side."
"I don't want you to be by my side anymore." She didn't ask any further questions, stepping away, knowing that if she fought with his decision right now, he would negate his own wishes even more.
"I apologize, I'll tone down my behavior." They both filled in the blank: she was still going to try to open his heart then. "But I'm partially stepping back because I don't know what you want anymore, Akashi-kun." After this conversation, Himeragi could see Akashi's mind being made up to throw away everything to be stronger than anyone else. At the moment, she had no remedy for his extreme decision so she was going to have to meet him halfway.
"Why are you so certain that I don't know what I don't want?"
"Basketball will just feel like work to you if you want to be stronger not for yourself."
"What if basketball has already become that kind of existence?" Her eyes widened; everything about him right now felt impatient. It was as if all of these decisions were made to stabilize his life when in actuality, they were throwing his emotions into disarray. After recalling that he even got himself a fiancé in the last few weeks, Himeragi felt annoyed by all of these extra walls he created, just to deny his own feelings.
"Then do something about it!" In the same manner she scolded Kise and Aomine, she glared up at him. He was surprised by her outburst and stood there. "You're Akashi Seijūrō! Are you some puppet that gets bent left and right and can't say anything to stop whoever is messing with you?! Of course not; you're not a weak person! You're so capable but the ironic thing is that you don't know how to make yourself happy!" She looked so exasperated with him, as Akashi blinked his eyes. "The teammates you want to be with… you can be with them! So wake up and figure out what you want so you can take control of your story!" Himeragi picked up her school bag and took out the review of their last game and gave it to Akashi, still angry with him. "With this, I'm going home, President. See you at practice tomorrow." Himeragi was still pouting and walked away, not waiting for his next words. He didn't have anything to say back and didn't even feel like frowning at her words. It was a strange feeling, being scolded by a person that was angry, for him. When he replayed the words she just yelled in his mind, Akashi brought his hand to comb back his bangs, knowing his face was feeling warm.
"What a truly unyielding girl." He remembered her asking him to look at her and imagined that her expression was brimming with sincere concern. Akashi didn't expect that someone would say that to him, especially after his display of intimidation.
"Why must you make it so difficult to turn away?"
"Azu-cchi! Let's go home!" Himeragi was in the middle of scolding herself for randomly citing Kant and for not sticking to her plan to gracefully speak with Akashi. Perhaps it was a good thing that fellow didn't know how to joke. Taking a deep breath, she peered up at Kise.
"Kise, wanna go to the basketball courts?" He smirked. As expected of a manager; she knew he wasn't out of gas yet and wanted to still play.
"Are you going to go against me, Azu-cchi?" She wasn't sure yet but she figured it would end up as a one-on-one. They walked at the same pace, as Kise glanced over at her. It fascinated him that she hadn't changed, even when so many of the players were doing the opposite of what she supported. Seeing the unchanging side view of her pretty black hair made him smile. He would never tell her (because she'd probably change the way she acted with him just to annoy him) but she was his rock. Her scoldings, the way she would choose the objective route when she deemed it necessary and her acceptance of his personality; they all made him happy. "What do you think of the team, Azu-cchi?"
"Are you asking because you have concerns?"
"It just doesn't feel exciting."
"Well you still get badly beaten by Aomine during one-on-ones."
"That's only now! I'll beat him soon!" Himeragi nodded her head.
"Yeah Kise, get stronger!" she exclaimed, making him recoil for a second because the yell was sudden. But when he saw the smile on her face, he nodded his head. The basketball courts were surprisingly empty as Himeragi readied herself to take on Kise, who was no pushover. Kise laughed, not because it was funny but because it was so interesting that Himeragi wanted to put in as much effort as she could, even when she didn't need to. That work ethic was one of the main reasons he admired her so much.
"Well then, I'm not holding back!" he said, suddenly jumping for a three pointer. But she was quick to react, jumping upward in a stance that made him afraid that she'd fall on him. When their eyes met, Kise was surprised enough to miss his shot. With her reflexes, Himeragi didn't fall on Kise and side stepped, now that the ball was in her possession. Her persistence made him just as fired up. When Himeragi dribbled the ball, Kise was ready to steal it at any point, knowing that she wasn't as skilled, before realizing that she was imitating him. When she jumped for a three pointer, he jumped to block it before realizing that her legs had already straightened by the time he jumped, giving her time to dribble the ball past him. Her lay-up was the first score of the unofficial game, making Kise's eyes light up. He returned the favor with a dunk. When Himeragi held the ball again, she immediately jumped for a three pointer, catching Kise when he was unprepared to defend. Luckily, the shot went in but they both knew it was a lucky shot. Now that it was her turn to defend, Himeragi concentrated on the ball's movements, knowing that if she could get her timing down, she could stop it. Although he admired her tenacity, Kise already saw a way to break through and passed her on her left side. When he scored another dunk, Himeragi laughed.
"You got me, Kise. Since you'll have a lot of people double teaming you in games, shall we change the set-up to me trying to steal the ball from you?" He agreed, grabbing the ball. Their eyes met again, before Himeragi focused her attention on the bouncing ball. It switched from his right to left hand and he even threw in a crossover but still didn't try to charge past her. Himeragi figured she'd take his bait and chased him a circle, before she noticed something about his feet. Taking the chance, she cut the ball out of his hands with her left hand.
"Wha—! How?!" He watched as she put too much power into the cut and was running after the ball. "At least grab the ball since you got it, Azu-cchi!" It was already out of bounds and he sighed.
"It was your right foot, Kise. You unintentionally face your dominant foot in the direction you intend to go."
"But you shouldn't have been able to adjust to my change in dribbling speed!" Having noticed that she grasped his rhythm, Kise purposely amped up his tempo to throw off her predictions. But that was another prediction she made that she couldn't really prepare for.
"That's why my cut was too strong." she said, knowing that because he was a strong adversary, her plans wouldn't be fulfilled perfectly either. "You also have a habit of not dribbling with one hand for too long. So the only opportunity was in between the switch." Kise sighed, knowing that he couldn't beat her analysis. They sat on the bench for a few minutes, as she gave him a rundown of the quirks she saw from the previous game that could help him improve. He nodded, understanding that his weaknesses were mainly stamina and his tendency to put strain on his feet.
"Say Azu-cchi, do you feel like everyone is running in different directions?"
"You're all starting to move in different directions. If you had to note the direction, you'd all be running forward, but in very different aspects."
"Are you worried?" She asked the same question back to him, as this mainly concerned the Generation of Miracles. "Yeah I'm worried. We're a team right now but it's like we don't even want to look at each other." Himeragi didn't expect to have this conversation so quickly with Kise, the most easygoing of the bunch but understood that he was anxious for the future. It wasn't necessarily a bad thing, though.
"What do you think of the other five, Kise?" Himeragi didn't want to jump the gun and label the five of them for Kise, as there was the possibility that he didn't see them in the same light she did.
"Nakama deshou?*" She didn't expect to hear that and when she did, she couldn't help but smile. Even though he was still maturing, Kise was someone that believed in a team. "I mean they're all scary as hell sometimes but they're nice people."
"I want to go to Baagan Dazs as a group again." Himeragi mused and Kise agreed, watching the sunset with her.
"But I'd rather Akashi-cchi not come along." She couldn't contain her surprise, worried that all of the friendships were already on the brink of collapsing. When Kise saw how panicked Himeragi became, he felt even more strongly about what he said.
"Did Akashi-kun do something to offend you?" Kise couldn't just say exactly what he meant but it did ruffle his feathers that she lost her composure because of someone other than him. It was also not pleasant, remembering how she dived into the frightening match between Murasakibara and Akashi and emerged hugging Akashi.
"No, I'm just not planning to lose to Akashi-cchi!" Kise figured Himeragi was having all the wrong misunderstandings about the scenario and chuckled internally. Because he could, he wanted to be a little mean.
"You mean one-on-one? I thought you two never battled before."
"Well it's kind of like a one-on-one. Don't worry Azu-cchi, just be the way you always are."
"I worry because I feel like Akashi-kun is purposely pushing everyone away. I don't want to see him intimidating others to the point where he loses all of those by his side." She must have been talking about that incident with Murasakibara that triggered Akashi's heterochromia. It was quite a shocker but then again, Akashi was always deemed reliable without any other context.
"Akashi-cchi probably did what he thought was best. No one likes to be looked down upon, right?"
"But it changed your perception of him, no?" If the Generation of Miracles saw Akashi as some absolute force, they would only continue putting pride before their friendships. She didn't want that but she couldn't just tell them to stop being competitive. It wasn't that simple.
"No?" Kise was surprised that she would think of the worst case scenario and smiled at her. "I mean I'm guilty of it too. If someone is not strong enough to keep up with me or catch my eye, I will ignore them. So I get why Murasaki-cchi was fed up. But only Akashi-cchi can handle us." When Kise thought back to when he first met Akashi, he recalled that he told himself he'd obey the latter, because he looked scary (and also somehow knew everything he shouldn't have known about Kise). And back then, Akashi didn't even try to assert his dominance. "I think they'll lighten up at some point since we're all teammates, even if they're kind of annoying."
"In your mind, the easiest thing to say is 'Let's play basketball together' so I'm not surprised that you think they're overly serious about this." Kise could feel that it was a backhanded compliment and didn't ask her to elaborate. "The power struggle won't ever end but as long as you have that unchanging mindset, you'll be fine, Kise." It wasn't to say that Kise wasn't mature. Himeragi just felt comforted that he wasn't bogged down with as much emotional distress as others in their friend group.
"Well I'm not saying that I don't respect others regardless. Like that's important, outside of basketball right?" Himeragi nodded her head. Being prideful is one thing but looking down on others because they were not born prodigies was only going to incur more trouble. "I'm not looking to bother Akashi-cchi or Midorimacchi even so tell them not to look at me with such cold eyes!" She imagined that they looked at him with uninterested eyes because they probably thought he was too much work to deal with.
"Don't provoke Kuro-kun too much either, Kise." she said, not wanting to tell Kise that his words cheered her up.
"But I didn't do anything to Kurokocchi!"
"Kise-kun is very flamboyant in my opinion." Kise recoiled and his face paled when Kuroko appeared behind him, as Himeragi smiled at his appearance. It was reassuring to see Kuroko not moping around and continuing to treat his friends the same way. "With that said, will you be my opponent, Kise-kun?"
"That's not a follow-up…" Himeragi shrugged her shoulders, as she enjoyed Kuroko's uncharacteristic behavior of challenging Kise to a match. Himeragi watched them from the bench, glad that the two of them were still smiling and laughing together. Even if Kuroko couldn't shoot the ball, Kise laughed and showed him a dunk, just to fool around. If it were up to her, she'd want them to continue being happy but given the transitions in place, it'd be hard to always be purely happy. They still had a year and a half together but it was a possibility that some of them thought of it as more of a countdown.
"Azusa-san." the basketball rolled over to her feet, as she looked up at the two of them smiling.
"Have you ever wanted to make a dunk, Azu-cchi?" Perhaps this was the reason why Midorima always avoided Kise when he could. When she looked at Kuroko smiling along, she wondered how Kise persuaded him to allow such an idea.
"Are you sure about this?" Kise beamed, crouching down in front of her so she could climb on his shoulders. He looked like an excited puppy that she couldn't say no to, as she told him to put her down the second he felt his shoulders cramping.
"Don't worry Azu-cchi. I've carried Kurokocchi on my shoulders before too." Although it was likely to allow Kuroko to dunk too, she couldn't think of a rational situation that could lead to that outcome. When Kise stood up, he commented that Himeragi was very light and was about to spin around with her on his shoulders, before Kuroko stopped him, for their safety. "Azu-cchi, go ahead!" The hoop was literally in arm's reach. Kuroko nodded his head, watching Himeragi smile before throwing the ball into the hoop with power. "Nice dunk!" Kise said, winking up at her as she laughed.
"Azusa-san, please continue—" The two boys took a moment to admire her laughing expression before they heard a yell.
"What are you all doing…?!" Midorima was horrified to see Himeragi sitting on Kise's shoulders. Murasakibara also looked at them, noting that they were taller than him now.
"Midorima-kun, Murasakibara-kun, hello."
"Don't greet us like normal and explain this situation!"
"Why are you so angry, Midorin?"
"I wonder why~" Kise said, flashing a smug look in Midorima's direction, as if to tell him that he won this round. Their looks of animosity toward each other didn't pique Kuroko or Murasakibara's interest as Midorima challenged Kise to a one-on-one.
"What are you all doing…" Aomine looked like he stumbled upon chaos and frowned. Just like Midorima, he couldn't fathom why Himeragi was sitting on Kise's shoulders.
"Azu-chin if you wanna be so high up, next time just ride on my shoulders~"
"That's not the problem here, Murasakibara. And don't encourage this behavior." When Himeragi's feet touched the ground, he inspected her for any injuries, as Kise was in the background complaining that he wouldn't allow anything to happen to Himeragi. Aomine and Kuroko made eye contact and looked away, confirming that they had an argument.
"Since you're all here, why not have a two on two match? Aomine, being the slacker that didn't come to practice, will sit on the bench with me."
"No way, I'm going home if I can't play basketball!" Midorima was surprisingly the one to stop Aomine.
"You're truly a difficult one." When Aomine looked back, Midorima pushed up his glasses. "I can't understand your haphazard behavior anymore."
"So don't!"
"What is truly frustrating is that the head coach will still put you in games, despite your behavior. It's bothersome, Aomine." The way they glared at each other, sent shivers down Kise's back, as he asked Himeragi to do something. But if they were going to battle it out on the court, she didn't mind. In fact, she was all for it.
"Aren't you going to say anything, Azu-chin?" Murasakibara asked, watching the two of them continue to glare at each other on the court, ready to throw down.
"This is Midorin's way of showing that he cares for Aomine. I told you all already right? You face the consequences if you skip. Teikō won't enforce it but with time, you'll want to practice." Unsurprisingly, Midorima's defense was giving Aomine some problems. They also expected the formless shot, before Midorima returned it immediately with a high trajectory three pointer, putting him in the lead. "Go Midorin! Score more points than Ahomine!" Aomine told her to be quiet as the three boys around her wondered why she was also provoking Aomine when it looked like if anymore veins popped out on his forehead, he'd die of anger.
"Do you want us to come to practice, Azu-cchi?"
"If you want to practice, then yeah come." Since the other three couldn't even enter the court without being told off, Himeragi got ready to go home.
"... I just don't want to lose to anyone." Murasakibara said, as Himeragi noted that it was just like him to say that. If he stayed true to that resolve, then Murasakibara would also be just fine. When Kise volunteered to walk Himeragi home, the bickering duo stopped fighting to tell him off.
"Don't take advantage of the situation, idiot blonde!" they yelled in unison, as Kuroko commented that they were more alike than they seemed. Thinking back to how Himeragi handled the situation with Akashi, Murasakibara realized she saved him from more than just intimidation at the hands of their captain. Even if he got scolded in the process, she didn't forget to remind him to take time to cool off. Not pushing an ideal on him but staying true to her beliefs; he couldn't help but think about her. Murasakibara swiftly put a pocky stick in Himeragi's mouth, making her look up at him.
"I'll come to practice, Azu-chin." From the moment she didn't treat him differently, Murasakibara already made his choice. He then bidded everyone good night before anyone could say anything back. Kuroko smiled at Himeragi's side view, knowing that she had the power to make those that didn't even seem to care, want to do something. Himeragi chomped on the Pocky stick, smiling to herself.
"Who knew Mukkun could be so smooth?" She mused out loud, shocking Midorima and Kise, who were quick to suggest otherwise.
"No way! Murasaki-cchi probably ate too much and needed to finish the box to buy another one~"
"No, Murasakibara probably felt ashamed of his actions in front of Himeragi."
"Yo Midorima! If you're not going to look over here, don't challenge me to a one-on-one!"
"Now then, shall we leave, Azusa-san?"
"Hey! You're just going to leave us?!" Aomine and Midorima yelled, as Kuroko and Kise both decided to walk Himeragi home.
"Hello? Is something wrong?" she answered her cellphone, after checking the caller ID. Wondering what a disciplinary committee member needed, she listened, noticing the softness of her tone.
"I apologize for disturbing your night, Vice-President. I understand that to bring up a topic of interest I need to compile a proposal for an alternative and at least some evidence but…"
"That is the case if it's an issue that affects a large percentage of the student body. Is this issue you're worried about, that concerning?" Her committee members were handpicked; they would never spout nonsense without reason or speculate based on scarce evidence.
"Yes I'm afraid so. And it is a sensitive topic." When she ran her meetings, she always categorized the meeting topics into two categories: the readily punishable misdemeanors and the sensitive cases. "The reason I came to you first is because it involves athletes of the school."
"... Harassment, huh?" She didn't ask many questions when a female student transferred to another school, in a totally different prefecture because it was only one but the timing was certainly strange. It was right after there was an increase in misdemeanors, although the involved parties were let off with just warnings. "How many perpetrators?" she asked, knowing that if they wanted to pass some sort of reform that cracked down on this unsightly and offensive behavior, they would need the President's and board of directors' approval.
"Five. They are also all from male athletics clubs." Mentally rebuking herself for not realizing this sooner, Himeragi entered the flower shop she frequented. After telling the fellow student to give her a moment, she asked for the florist's recommendation on a bouquet with white roses as the centerpiece.
"White roses? Not your typical yellow roses?"
"Today's recipient is different. He likes white roses the most." She was speaking about her father. After she was left to check the other flowers in the store while she waited, another customer came in. "What is the proposal you'd like Akashi-kun to consider?" She asked, as the other visitor looked over at Himeragi smiling at a pink rose. His eyes widened; she looked just like her younger self.
"I believe part of the issue is the favoritism given to high-performing athletes. Some no longer need to attend practice, leading to more of these cases." Himeragi nodded her head, not hearing the other customer also ask for a bouquet of white roses.
"Unfortunately that is very common at any school that prides itself in its sports. What is your take on dealing with this favoritism, if at all?" It was a loaded question and the listening man smirked.
"I'd like for these athletes to, foremost, be ousted from their clubs, using the testimonies of the girls involved."
"Of course that depends on whether or not they are willing to testify, correct?" She heard an affirmative answer on the other end and smiled. She already knew from the beginning of the call that there were already measures in place to begin this project. As she thought about how the situation would pan out, she heard her name being called by the florist, who presented her with a bouquet of white roses and baby breaths. After nodding at it, Himeragi clenched her fist. "Now then, we're going to nip this thorn before it causes any more problems."
"Yes Vice-President! Thank you for accepting this proposal so quickly!"
"It must have been hard to be confided in and not know how to help them, right?" Himeragi didn't pry any further since it was indeed a sensitive topic and they would revisit this when they spoke with the victims themselves.
"How do you suppose we go about writing the proposal?"
"I will get started on it immediately after finishing my homework. It will be split into three parts: overview of the problem, evidence of the problem and then reform, with the last part likely needing multiple sections." The more the man heard of her thought process, the more he was intrigued about her personality and how it truly didn't suit a mere middle school student.
"So this is the girl Seijūrō…"
"Oh, why is that? Isn't there only one reform?"
"This will be a gamble and we can discuss more about this later on but if we play our cards right, we can enforce a stricter protocol for all athletes." Since she foresaw that this would take a few days to properly flush out, Himeragi was going to make more than one desired outcome happen.
"Just wait Aomine…! You're gonna regret making me angry!"
"Do you think the President will be onboard with this as well?"
"Haven't I told you that you shouldn't be afraid to discuss matters that better the school with him? That person is quite fair and always listens to the end."
"It's reassuring that the Vice-President and President get along so well."
"Although I do enjoy working with Akashi-kun, I wouldn't conclude that so fast. I do wish he would smile more, even with the amount of pressure he is under."
" 'Smile'? I suppose so…" After Himeragi paid for the flowers and bowed to the florist, she exited the store, not realizing that Akashi Masaomi had been listening to her conversation.
"Seijūrō's smile…" Just from her conversation, he could surmise that she considered all factors when making a decision, including how his son would fit into the scenario. Even if he would later make sure to tell his son to continue upholding his duty to the Akashi family's honor anyways, hearing that Himeragi's priority was to make her son smile was quite interesting. He needed to confirm the nature of their relationship, himself.
*Nakama deshou? - "They're friends right?" - I intentionally chose "nakama" instead of "tomodachi" because they convey two different meanings, especially in this scenario