Chapter Twenty-Three

Standing before me, though I could hardly believe it, was the ace of the Seirin Basketball team. One of the victors in the last Winter Cup. And team mate of the Phantom Sixth Man, Kuroko Tetsuya. Upon processing who this person was, my first thought was for Akashi. Would he be angry to see him, despite his obvious intent to bring him here? Or would he be the normal cool and logical Akashi I know?

My gaze flew to Akashi, helpless not to analyze his reaction to the latest prodigy in the room.

Kagami spoke up again in an annoyed tone. "Akashi. I thought I was coming here to talk. Not teach a newbie how to play basketball. What's the deal?"

Akashi inclined his head. "I understand. I apologise for wasting your time. However, we are in sore need of your skills for the situation we find ourselves in at present."

Guess it's the latter. I couldn't be surprised that he was keeping his composure.

Kagami tilted his head. "We?"

"Setsuna and myself, since I agreed to train her."

Well, I couldn't contain my surprise at that. Was he actually siding with me? What's with this sudden show of empathy, Akashi?

Kagami squinted at both Akashi and I, as though trying to figure out what was really happening. I felt a bead of sweat roll down my forehead. Don't ask questions, please, don't ask any damn questions – He shrugged. "Whatever. Let's just get this over with." I breathed a sigh of relief.

"Just a minute," Midorima interjected. He frowned at Akashi. "I was also under the impression that I was here to discuss something with you, Akashi-san."

"I understand," he replied in a mild tone. "And I appreciate your patience. However, if you are both needing my help with a personal issue you are having, I expect your assistance in one of my own. Is that unreasonable?"

"'Personal issue'?" Kagami echoed incredulously, advancing on Akashi. "You know the only reason I'm here is for Kuroko. You used to train with him, remember? You were his captain. What's happening to him should be your issue, too!"

I watched the proceedings with keen interest, and found I wasn't the only one doing so. While Kise was visibly concerned at the mention of trouble with Kuroko, Midorima seemed to be watching Akashi, taking note of his every reaction. Akashi met Kagami's eyes and said, "Tetsuya has learned all he can from me. There is nothing more I can teach him now. Whatever battle he is facing, he must learn to fight with his own power."

Kagami scowled fiercely, evidently unsatisfied with his answer. "I think you're just saying that 'cause you lost to him in the Winter Cup, and you're still fuming over it!"

There seemed to be mixed reactions to Kagami's outburst in the gym. I, personally, settled with an appropriate gape – across the way, Kise's eyes had gone very round, and the lines around Midorima's lips were especially white. Clearly, this was still a touchy subject. The only one who seemed to be handling it remotely well was Akashi himself.

Yeah, handling it on the outside.

Kise chose that moment to speak up. "Uh, Kagamicchi, let's just… calm down a little, okay?" When he just responded with a sullen, "Hmph", Kise tried again. "Will you at least tell us what's going on with Kurokocchi?"

Kagami glared at him for a moment, but then released a pent-up breath, rubbing the back of his neck. "There's nothing wrong with him, exactly. He's just… off, I guess. Ever since we won the Winter Cup, he's been different." He fixed that intense stare on Akashi again. "I think it has something to do with Akashi-san."

"What exactly is the matter with Kuroko?" Midorima asked patiently.

"Hmmm…" Kagami thought for a moment, squinting so hard I concluded it must actually hurt. "His passes are different."

Kise blinked. "His passes?"

"Yeah. They're not nearly-painful like they usually are. They're actually pretty lame. And whenever we're playing basketball, he seems totally out of it. Like he's a million miles away –" he pointed to his head "– in here."

Midorima sighed in annoyance, as if to a child who was testing his patience. "Have you not considered that perhaps he is just distracted or bored? There is no reason to believe any of this is because of the Winter Cup."

Translation; there is no reason to believe Akashi is responsible.

Kagami shook his head. "No. It's definitely from that time. I think seeing Akashi-san's basketball defeated by ours messed with him. The only other time I've seen him this way was back during the Inter-High, when we lost to Aomine." He scrubbed a hand down his face, as though trying to wipe away a bad memory. "He's… missing."

"Missing?!" Kise suddenly exclaimed. In two seconds flat, he was up and beelining for Kagami, grasping his shoulders to shake them repeatedly. "Where? Where has Kurokocchi gone? Did he say anything before he disappeared?! Hurry up and tell me, Kagamicchi! We have to –"

"Let me go, you idiot!" Kagami yelled, pushing on the blonde's face until he stumbled back. "I didn't mean he actually went missing!" While Kise stammered in confusion, he angrily pulled his shirt back into place. "I was trying to say that when he used his misdirection, he would keep missing his target."

Kise blinked. "Oh… Sorry… But seriously, don't scare me like that…"

"Despite your reasoning," Midorima began pointedly, "I still fail to see how Kuroko having difficulty with his own game is because of anyone else."

"Because, you green-haired bastard, you all knew him before high school. You know how dedicated he is to basketball – or, at least, he used to be." Kagami sighed and rubbed the back of his head. He seemed to be deciding whether to continue speaking for a moment. "He… doesn't play anymore. Hardly even turns up for practice."

I paid special attention to the reactions this brought about. Kise visibly blanched; Midorima pushed his glasses up his nose; and Akashi – cool, infallible Akashi – simply stared at him. It seemed nothing Kagami was saying was moving him at all.

Akashi abruptly bent over and seized a ball from the ground. With movements so quick I almost missed it, he straightened and threw the ball in my direction at lightning speed. Surprising even myself, I caught it, but regretted it almost instantly from the way the wind was knocked from me. Kise immediately stepped forward to grab my shoulder; he turned and glowered at Akashi despite my mumbles of reassurance.

Akashi spared me a quick glance before turning to Kagami. "We will discuss this matter in private later. For now, you will assist Setsuna in her training."

Kagami looked like he wanted to continue arguing, but movement from Midorima prevented it. He strolled towards me, assessing the course and playing field available with a keen gaze. "Kagami, form up. I think we should show Setsuna what an authentic one-on-one match looks like up close, don't you?" He turned and looked meaningfully at Kagami, who scowled once at Akashi before sighing and stripping off his jacket.

"Whatever. But just so you know, it's way too early in the morning for this crap…"

Midorima ignored his comment and instead turned back to me. "Setsuna-san, it's best if you simply observe for now. I don't think you properly grasp just how intense a one-on-one match can be, despite the training you've had with Akashi." I frowned at that, tempted to argue, but instead nodded and tossed the ball to Kagami. Midorima glanced behind him. "Kise, you're on defense. Try your best against Kagami."

Kise frowned offendedly. "Shouldn't you be telling him that?"

"Oh, I think he meant what he said." Kagami grinned, and I could practically see him swelling with energy before me.

In response, an equally keen glint sparked in Kise's eyes. "You're pretty confident for someone who's about to embarrass himself in front of a girl."

"That's what you think?"

As they continued to bicker back and forth, I inched closer to Midorima. "That was pretty cunning of you."

He continued gazing ahead as they began to play, Kagami dribbling the ball steadily as he sized up his opponent. "I don't know what you mean."

"I think you do." I glanced up at him, and I saw his green eyes flick down to me. "I don't know why you need Akashi's help, but I think you'll make a great captain."

He paid attention to me then, and I could see the surprise on his face. "How do you know about that?"

I grinned and shrugged. "Why else would you need Akashi's help? It can't be school work, since you seem pretty smart yourself. Not to mention independent. So, unless you're planning on running a business soon, there's only one other thing you would need his advice for –"

"Setsuna."

I jumped and turned to face Akashi. "Yes?"

"Pay attention." He was gazing at me steadily, but I could sense the underlying frustration at my distraction.

I rolled my eyes and turned my attention back to Kise and Kagami. Geez, can't stray an inch around here…

The two players were now fully into the swing of the game, Kise sporting a wide grin at the challenge he was facing, while Kagami seemed to be concentrating intently. They countered back and forth, Kagami occasionally scoring hoops and Kise blocking for the most part. It was wonderful to watch the two powerful players going at it, although I knew I would never be able to play with the same intensity. Here were two well-trained, extremely fit boys who had a level of mastery over the game few would ever accomplish in their lifetimes.

Yet, to my surprise, I had no difficulty keeping up with their movements. The yellow-haired prodigy seemed to be holding his own, but I could see Kagami gearing up to make his move. Without even meaning to, I found myself becoming engrossed in the play.

Feint to the left, switch-back to the right –

He feinted left –

Travel wide to the right –

Kise followed as he made his break –

Spin and pivot left, back-step –

Kagami spun, and Kise instinctively moved to intercept him. I could see the triumph in Kagami's eyes.

Shoot for three.

He stepped back and jumped, rising into the air… And rising. And – rising.

I gaped in wonder at the impossible height of the jump, disbelieving. But instead of maintaining his form, he began to sink back in midair, duplicating what had to be the blue-haired Generation of Miracles members' formless shot. When he was nearly parallel to the ground, he shot the ball. Kise was helpless to stop it.

We watched as it sailed through the air, hit the lip of the basket, and bounced off.

There was silence as the ball bounced repetitively on the ground, but only for a moment.

Kise burst out laughing, throwing his head back and hugging his midsection. "Kagamicchi, I can't… believe you… tried to copy –!"

"Shut up!" Kagami whirled around and pointed an accusing finger at Kise. "You do it all the time, so why can't somebody else try it?"

"Because," he wheezed, still clutching his stomach, "You have to practice it… more before you… whip it out against an opponent like that!"

Kagami's face turned red. "Well how am I gonna practice it when I've got no one to practice with?"

"It seems to me," Midorima abruptly chimed in, "That this is obviously a technique you could've practiced on your own before using in a one-on-one match. Regardless, it's not something that will benefit Setsuna in her training." He pushed his glasses up his nose. "Please try to stay focused from now on."

Kagami began to splutter indignantly, which only made Kise laugh harder. I struggled to mask my own amusement, calling on hours of poker-face training with my Aunt to do so.

Kise whipped out his phone. "I'm calling Aominecchi! He's gotta hear about this!"

"Don't you dare, copy-cat bastard!"

Midorima sighed as he watched Kagami begin to chase Kise around the room, clearly losing patience with the two boys. "Setsuna, did you learn anything from them?"

I nodded. "It was strange. At first, I couldn't really see what was happening, but towards the end… It's like I could predict what was going to happen." I paused. "That is, until Kagami shot the ball like that."

Kise erupted into another bout of laughter, and I saw Kagami's already-red face go the colour of beetroot. Huffing, he marched over to the neglected ball at the end of the court and bounced it to me. "Why don't you have a go then, instead of standing there pointing fingers?"

I bristled at his tone, but instead of reacting to the jab, I exhaled a calming breath and went to stand before Kise. He smiled encouragingly, and I grinned back at him as I began methodically dribbling the ball.

Beside me, I could feel Midorima and Kagami staring, waiting to see what I would do. Behind me, I could feel the weight of Akashi's fathomless eyes boring into my back. I swallowed once; a bead of sweat rolled down my temple. Trying to ignore the butterflies now swirling in my stomach, I instead pictured a multitude of possible scenarios, my brain quickly analysing my opponent, creating and discarding plays faster than I thought possible. Most of them hinged on the insights I gained from Kise's movements; if I feinted slightly, he would move almost in sync with me, and if I cast my eyes towards my intended path, I could see his foot move slightly to intercept. After a few such tests, it seemed that nothing I could do was going to break through his defence, and time was beginning to run out… Dammit, what do I do…?

It came to me quite suddenly, something so bold and outrageous it shouldn't work for someone of my current level, but I decided not to overthink it. Instead, I pivoted my feet to the right, towards my intended path, and bounced the ball in that direction. Kise was fast, faster than I could have imagined, but it didn't matter; he was also fooled. As quickly as I could, I planted my feet and then jumped back. He seemed to realise what I was doing, and I saw him try to change his current path, but his weight distribution was not where it needed to be. Instead, the abrupt change in direction caused him to overbalance on his right, and before I could blink, the yellow-haired prodigy was on his butt in the middle of the court.

I was so surprised, so dumb-founded at what had happened, that instead of making the intended shot for a three like I'd planned, I just stood there with the ball still in my hands and mouth wide open. Kise seemed to like that expression, too, because he was also gaping up at me.

I concluded that we must have looked like a pair of startled cats who'd stumbled across each other's paths but didn't know what to make of what we'd found.

I'd just begun to notice the general lack of noise throughout the gym when a guffaw sounded to my left. Incredulously, I looked over at Kagami, only to find him struggling to keep his mirth covered with one hand, and the other wrapped solidly around his midsection. When Kise turned to him, he released a loud, barking laugh, and pointed his finger. "You just got ankle-tied by a girl! Guess you'll be the one embarrassing yourself today, pretty boy!"

As he howled with laughter, Kise turned completely red and hastened to his feet. "That's not fair! Akashi's obviously been teaching her some dirty tricks on the side! How was I supposed to know I'd be facing the female version of the Captain?"

I stiffened at the accusation and glared up at him. "I haven't been practicing any dirty tricks!"

Midorima cleared his throat, drawing my attention as Kagami continued to chuckle beside him. "Then how do you explain that move? Clearly Akashi has been teaching you some simple yet effective high-intensity manoeuvres."

I fisted one hand on my hip, balanced the ball on my other, lifted my nose, and assumed the most indignant stance I could muster. "I'll have you know that Akashi doesn't teach me any underhanded tricks but prefers to torture me through endless circuit training and fundamental skills development. Occasionally some stretching exercises that make me want to cry with pain. But never has he allowed me to take shortcuts." Glaring at them all, I grudgingly admitted, "He pulled that move on me once, and it left a bruise big enough that I never forgot it."

They all seemed surprised at that, but their expressions quickly became impressed. Kise whistled and rubbed the back of his head. "I guess you've had it a bit rough, huh Setsunacchi? Sorry for accusing you of cheating. Your hard work is finally starting to pay off!" He beamed down at me, and although I was surprised by his chance in mood, I mustered a crooked smile in return.

Before I could reply, however, a smooth voice cut in from behind me. "It's not cheating, Ryouta. She beat you fairly. You simply underestimated her abilities." I turned, but Akashi was gazing past me at Kise. Crossing his arms, he said simply, "Be sure you do not make the same mistake twice."

A flare of something – pride perhaps? – began to swell inside of me. Akashi, telling a Generation of Miracles member not to underestimate me? It was almost too much to take in. Have I really gotten good enough at basketball… that Akashi is beginning to acknowledge me? The thought let loose a flood of emotions so profound I was momentarily staggered by the butterflies streaming into my stomach.

Before I could process them, Kise spoke up in a voice that had my ears pricking with alarm. "Don't worry Captain. I won't disappoint you." When I glanced up at him, Kise was smirking down at me with such a challenge in his eye that I had a moment of indecision. He must've seen this, however, because he immediately let out a playful snort. "Geez, calm down, Setsuna-chan. I'm not gonna go full-power on a girl. I'm not the sort that hurts women. What do you take me for?"

I processed two things as he said this. One, Kise Ryouta could be really, really dumb sometimes; two, I didn't like the way he'd said 'girl', and I was about to educate a member of the Generation of Miracles in some proper manners. I let my thoughts show in my eyes as I met his, the challenge in them blatant.

"Let's do this, pretty boy."

A half hour later, I was in the same position I'd started in; Kise was in front of me, crouched and ready for my play, while I was slowly dribbling and frantically trying to decide which avenue to take. The only thing different, however, was the fact that my knees seemed to be debating if they wanted to keep me upright, and I was fast running out of arguments to keep them that way. My whole body seemed to be trembling with fatigue, even my fingers; apparently, dribbling and shooting a ball for thirty minutes straight took some serious hand strength. Who knew?

The opportunity I'd been waiting for came with the blink of a yellow eye. I shot the ball between his legs, allowing it to bounce through, and bolted around him, beelining for the ball. He was quicker than I'd anticipated – obviously – and almost reached it before I could. Not allowing my opportunity to pass, I ran as fast as I could for the hoop, and as Kise caught up with me on the inside, I gritted my teeth and braced myself for my next move.

As his momentum carried him past me, I forced my feet to plant hard on the court, jolting my ankles and causing a flash of pain in my legs. I grunted but didn't let up; instead, I launched myself into the air, as high as I could, releasing the ball at the apex of my jump. My breaths came in frantic gasps as I watched it sail through the air…

And bounce off the ring of the hoop.

Frustration welled up. I braced my hands on my knees as Kise jogged over to collect the ball. My hope was quickly diminishing. Even with Kagami and Midorima yelling instructions at me from the sidelines, my body hadn't been able to keep up with the demands I'd set upon it. Several times I'd had to stop myself from screeching at them unintelligibly, the anger I was feeling at my plight seeming to build with every hoop I missed and Kise gained. I'm twenty points behind. How can I hope to defeat Chinami with my current skill level?

Suddenly, Akashi's voice rang out. "Enough. Ryouta, swap with Midorima."

I glanced back at him. "What is it?" I asked through my furious panting. "We're not… done yet…"

Akashi fixed me with a level gaze. "You can't go on."

"I can… keep playing." I coughed, holding my midsection. I shook my head and continued. "I need to… keep going…!" Another coughing fit seized me, and I cursed my lack of endurance. He'd just acknowledged my skill earlier, and this is how you repay him? I was disgusted at myself.

He cocked his head at me. "You've done well, Setsuna, but it's time to change the pace. Midorima will show you how to keep your accuracy while at the end of your physical endurance. I'll not hear any further objections."

I was so surprised at his words that I couldn't summon a reply to Kise as he jogged past. "Nice work, Setsuna! It's not often I'm pushed so hard. Your hard work is definitely starting to pay off!"

I managed an appreciative smile and wave – even though I knew he was lying through his teeth about the 'being pushed' thing – and then Midorima was there. He caught the ball Kise threw at him and waited for me to stand upright. When I did, albeit reluctantly, he nodded with approval and asked, "Do you know why you missed that last shot, Setsuna?"

I shrugged helplessly. "I must've been too exhausted to focus properly?"

Instead of contradicting me with something more technical – like I'd expected – he nodded once. "You are correct. It is not any more simple or complicated than that. Unfortunately, you're going to wish it was. Attempting to hone your accuracy while in the throes of exhaustion is one of the most difficult techniques to master when playing basketball. Since you have no natural talent either, this will make things more difficult for you. However, if you have the necessary willpower, you can achieve this." He held out the ball, and I took it from him. "You will start from the three-point line, then the free-throw line and work your way around the court. At the end, you will throw from the center line. Remember everything I've taught you up until now. In order to finish this training, you must make three consecutive shots on each line before you advance." He pushed his glasses up his nose. "That is all."

I was already glaring at him when I replied in a snarky tone, "You know, I was totally lying when I said you'd be a good captain. Now I see you're even more cruel than Akashi-san. You're a total sadist!"

A vein popped on his forehead; across the way, Kise and Kagami were both snorting behind their hands, and even Akashi seemed to have a certain light in his eye. I huffed. Let them laugh. They're not the ones being slowly and systematically tortured to death!

He seemed to inhale for patience. "I seem to recall a certain desperation for you to win an impossible bet. I see now I overestimated your determination. Is that correct?"

Instead of replying, I whispered, "Sadist," under my breath and started for the free-throw line. He sputtered in indignation, but I was now focusing on my shots. I inhaled for focus and began the arduous task of attempting to get the ball in the hoop – three times in a row.

As I labored, I heard Kise strike up a conversation with Akashi, but couldn't hear them over the blood pounding through my head. It took another twenty minutes before I was done, and when I turned to face Midorima triumphantly, I saw him also engrossed in the conversation. A vein popped in my own forehead this time, and I cleared my throat for attention.

Midorima glanced up in surprise. "You're finished already?"

I cocked a brow. "It's been twenty minutes, Midorima-san. How long have you not been paying attention?"

He cleared his throat uncomfortably while I glared at him and nodded once in approval. "Well done. If you can achieve fifteen consecutive shots in that time, there's nothing more for me to teach you." He glanced down at Akashi then. "It's time to make good on your promise, Akashi."

"But Midorimacchi, he's helping me with something right now," Kise said, pouting at him. "You'll have to wait."

"Idiot, he called me first," Midorima said simply, glaring at him. "Besides, I arrived here before you."

"No, you didn't!" Kise argued. "We got here at the same time! You just got in the gym first!"

Midorima started to reply, but Kagami cut in. "I had to come all the way here from Tokyo; if anyone's leaving here with answers, it's me."

Midorima transferred his glare from Kise to Kagami. "You're not the only one who has to put some effort in to get what he wants. I suggest you fall in line, rookie."

At that, an argument fired up between all three prodigies, and I could only look on in wonder as they bickered amongst themselves like children. All of them want something from Akashi. No wonder he doesn't like doing things for people… At the thought, my eyes wondered over to him; he was gazing on at the proceedings with infallible eyes. As though sensing my gaze, those red-and-orange eyes met mine, and a mutual understanding passed between us. I couldn't help but smile a little at the exasperation I saw there. It seems there's more to being Captain than just being good at basketball.

Akashi tolerated their bickering for another few minutes, but soon grew tired of the noise. "Enough, all of you. I said I would assist each of you, and I shall."

Midorima made to say something, but Kagami beat him to it, marching over to stand before him. "So, you'll help Kuroko, then?"

Akashi gazed up at him with inscrutable eyes, seeming to debate something for a moment, before sighing once in resignation. "I will do something, though I doubt it will benefit him at all. I'll decide when the time is right. That is all."

Kagami stared at him for a moment, and then nodded. "I guess I can deal with that. But don't wait too long. I'm worried what might happen if we do." He turned and fixed his penetrating stare on me then, and I immediately stood a little straighter. His eyes narrowed a little, as though assessing something, and I suddenly realized how strange it was that they were so red. Not like Akashi's, but darker, more mysterious. It was enough to send a shiver of unease down my spine.

"You managed to sit Kise on his ass – even if he was going easy on you." My brow twitched at that comment, but before I could retort, he continued, "You might not be the best at basketball, maybe not even close, but you've got some fire in you. And in the end, that's all you really need to win. The rest is just a bonus."

He nodded once at Akashi – completely ignored Kise and Midorima – and walked out of the gym.

I blinked at the space he'd just occupied, bemused at what just happened. Had he just, kind of… complimented me? At the thought, my cheeks got with the program; I quickly cleared my throat and shook my head to dispel my blush. When I glanced over at the others, they were gazing at me weirdly.

"What?" I huffed, crossing my arms. "You look just as shocked as I am. Is it so strange that I should deserve some recognition for all my hard work?"

"Well…" Kise began, but then paused, considering. "It wasn't exactly a compliment though, was it?"

I glowered at him menacingly. "It sounded like a fitting compliment to me!"

"I have to agree with Kise," Midorima interjected, pushing up his glasses. "Despite my better judgement. I'd say it was more of an observation rather than a compliment."

I rolled my eyes at the both of them. "You know what? I think you two are being petty because the conqueror of the Generation of Miracles decided to praise me instead of you, despite the obvious gap in our talents." I pouted. "I bet you've been anxiously hoping he would notice you all this time…"

Kise sputtered indignantly; Midorima crossed his arms and glared down at me. "That's absurd. And last I checked you were still lacking on your shooting control. If I were you, I wouldn't want to upset the one person who can help with that."

I cocked a brow at that. "Last I checked, you had nothing more to teach me if I could make fifteen consecutive shots, right? What makes you think I can't do that now?"

"Logic. And years of experience." He glared at me, a blatant warning in his eyes. Fair point. I shrugged nonchalantly and went back to my shooting.

Midorima huffed and turned back to Akashi – only to find Kise had snuck in front of him while he'd been distracted by me. I didn't even bother to hide my grin.

"Akashicchi, I need your help with something really, really important, and this time it's not solely for my benefit. Promise you'll help me!" When Akashi simply stared at him, he groaned. "I promise it's important this time!"

"What is it, Ryouta? Stop stalling and tell me."

Kise fidgeted for a moment, clearly nervous, but then took a steadying breath and said, "Well, it's about a charity for kids that I've been helping to organize with the school… Kids from an orphanage in Kanagawa. We decided it would be good if maybe they saw how good basketball can be, ya know? Then they might want to go outside more!" He gazed at Akashi with pleading eyes. "I don't need you to help me set it up or anything, only to help get the kids interested in the game. Won't you help me, Akashicchi?"

As Akashi considered him, I gaped at Kise, floored by his statement. "Kise, you're helping out at an orphanage? That's so amazing!" I hurried over and, beaming, patted him on the arm. "It's a wonderful thing that you're doing. For such a noble request, I'm sure Akashi will give you his full support." I narrowed my eyes at Akashi. "Right, Akashi?"

Akashi just fixed me with an flat stare; before I could pursue the issue, Midorima suddenly piped up. "Kise… Isn't that the orphanage you were texting me about the other day?" We all turned to him, puzzled, and he frowned at the blonde-haired prodigy. "Yokohama; the orphanage where your girlfriend volunteers?"

I gasped, turning to Kise accusingly. "Your what?"

He began fidgeting nervously, eyes shooting between the three of us. "W-well, she's not exactly my girlfriend –"

"No," Midorima interjected again, pushing his glasses up his nose. "You've got a one-sided crush on her and have been trying to gain her affections for weeks. Clearly, you're not above using orphaned children to do it." He shook his head reproachfully. "You want to use Akashi to make you look good in front of the kids – and by extension, the unfortunate subject of your obsession."

I crossed my arms and glared at Kise. "That's just sick. You've got serious issues, Kise."

He began to babble uncontrollably then, insisting that he was most definitely not using children to gain brownie points from his crush – ugh – but Midorima used the distraction to insert himself in front of Akashi. "Now, before we waste any more time, I need your opinion Akashi."

I immediately tuned into the conversation, but before he could say anything more, Akashi stopped him with a raised hand and turned to me. "Setsuna, don't you have more training to do? Get back to it, now."

I grumbled at him petulantly but eventually lumbered over to the free-throw line to continue my shooting practice. As hard as I strained to hear their conversation, I couldn't make anything out over the squeaking of the ball on the court. I resigned myself to being left out of the conversation – again.

Before I knew it, Midorima had finished up his conversation with Akashi and was readying to leave. As I jogged over, Kise once again attempted to gain sympathy, but Midorima sighed once and began dragging him unceremoniously from the gym. Kise struggled. "Wait, Midorimacchi! We haven't even said goodbye to Setsunacchi!"

"Baka, there's no need; we'll see her again soon."

I blinked. "You will?"

"We will?"

Midorima looked over his shoulder at me as he reached the door with Kise in tow. "Yes. We will be there for your match against your rival next week."

For the second time that morning, I was completely floored; Midorima and Kise were going to show up to… support me? What did that even mean? The only person who had ever been there to cheer me on in a similar – yet drastically different – scenario, was my uncle. And even then, it had been one time. I wasn't sure how to feel about this new and very sudden development.

But… the unexpected fluttering and lightness in my chest told me it couldn't possibly be bad.

Midorima gazed at me a moment longer, and then with a final nod of his head, continued dragging his protesting team mate away.

Barely managing a final wave, I turned to Akashi, but seemed unable to break out of the trance that was pure shock. "Did… Did you tell them to come?"

Akashi merely shrugged once. "Shintarou makes up his own mind at all times. If he decided to be there, then rest assured that it was entirely his own choice."

I nodded, but was still almost entirely speechless. After all, why would Midorima waste his time travelling halfway to the other side of the country for me? Just to see me verse Chinami in a one-on-one? That seems unlikely… I frowned, completely perplexed.

Akashi sighed. "Stop questioning it. We both have more important things to do today." He glanced at his watch. "I have several meetings to attend this afternoon."

Still distracted, I asked, "Oh, really? What time is it?"

"Nine o'clock."

I nodded. "Nine o'clock… NINE O'CLOCK?!" I grabbed his wrist so quickly he never had time to avoid it. "No, that can't be right! There's no way…" I groaned when I saw he was correct, head falling back in despair. "Oba-san is going to kill me… She usually wakes up at eight on a Saturday to make sure I've started the washing… Oh, she is so going to kill me!" I grabbed my face, fighting my panic.

Akashi sighed. "Stop being so dramatic. You know you can tell her you were studying with me and she won't question it; there's no need for you to lose your mind."

I stared at him drolly. "You're right, that could probably work… Oh, except for the fact that she thinks that I'm a pathological liar!"

Akashi shrugged. "That's not my problem. I'm sure you'll work something out."

I scowled at him, for some reason still blown away by his persistent rudeness and wondering what I was going to say to my aunt, when it came to me… Of course; that will work! Suddenly feeling very reassured, I fixed the sweetest smile I could muster on my face and batted my lashes expectantly at him.

He narrowed his eyes at me, wondering at my sudden change in mood. It didn't take long before he put the pieces together.

"Absolutely not."