WARNING: THIS CHAPTER CONTAIN SOFT IMAYOSHI

English isn't my first language, so please be kind!

2

Playmaking

I woke up the next day with a headache. My pillows were on the floor, I didn't have a peaceful night.

I didn't need an alarm that morning; my brain was electric all night, so I ended up getting dark circles under my eyes. I got up and gathered my pillows like a zombie, then threw everything on the bed, without bothering to fix it. Half the walls of my room were covered with rock band and idol posters and the other half were painted purple with some polaroid pictures hanging in the wooden wardrobe.

I rubbed my eyes and pushed the curtains away from the window a little. It was already clear, but it was still too early for school.

I took out my cell phone that spent the night on charger, I was so nervous last night that I didn't let it go, hoping that Aomine would send me a message, but nothing happened.

When I finally turned on my cell phone, feeling as agitated as I was the night before, I crossed my fingers hoping that he had sent me something, anything...

- Ah! - I covered my mouth to contain my scream when I saw the first notifications.

The last thing I needed now was for my parents to come to my room and find me lovesick.

Most of the messages were from Momoi, saying something about meeting me to go to school in a few hours. Others were from the dance group, we'd have rehearsal today after class. I checked the last message and had a surprise.

- Imayoshi? - I said while recognizing his profile photo. He looked almost innocent, with his glasses and a serious face.

Did you sleep well?

- Why is this happening? - I moaned as I went back to bed. I took the blanket and covered my head, hoping it would all be over.

"Wait... But wouldn't it be rude not to answer it? After all, I had already read the message".

I sighed to my own thoughts and looked at the time that Imayoshi had sent that... Half an hour ago. Did he have a rough night too?

"Of course he had," I thought, "they lost the game and Imayoshi is no longer playing with them."

- Aomine also must be tired and sad - I whispered to my pillows - that must be it.

I picked up my cell phone again and typed something quickly for Imayoshi.

I'm fine, I only got scolded for coming home late

How are you feeling?

Maybe I shouldn't have asked that question, but it was too late. Imayoshi was already typing.

Just thinking about what I could have done differently in the game...

But I'm feeling better now ...

Cause I'm talking to a pretty girl :)

- And that's why I shouldn't be talking to you right now - I said.

I turned off the phone when my alarm went off and put a cd playing in a volume that wouldn't wake the whole neighborhood, I think.

Before leaving the room I thought one last time about the kiss Aomine gave me last night and how excited I was about going to school that day.

If I didn't hurry I would end up being late for class.

XXX

- There you are! - Momoi said when she met me at the door. She was impeccable as always, wearing our uniform with a green jacket over it.

- You are too excited for someone who lost a game the night before - I said, trying to get my hair back in place.

- You look beautiful already - said Momoi.

I smiled, if she had said that then it was true. Unlike Momoi, I wore our uniform jacket and white knee-length socks.

- You are already the second person who told me this morning - I tightened the straps of my backpack that was heavy today because of the clothes I had to wear for the dance club - but you're the only one I believe.

- Second person... - Momoi thought a little, then opened a smile - It means that Aomine...

- I haven't spoken to Aomine since last night, but Imayoshi texted me… I didn't even remember that he had my number.

- That boy - Momoi rolled her eyes and showed the tongue - stop talking to Imayoshi, and don't worry about Aomine, he'll be fine

- I can't ignore him - I said - it would be mean.

- Anyway... - Momoi raised her pitch voice, as if she didn't want to hear anything else about Imayoshi - Did you know that Aomine invited me yesterday to go shopping? We haven't done that in a long time, it's obvious that he wants to impress someone.

- Only you?

- Don't be sad, please - Momoi hurried to say - Aomine doesn't know how to talk to other people properly, I'll use this moment to make him invite you next time.

I nodded, unable to hide my anxiety and discomfort while we walked.

"He told me to go see him on the roof," I thought, "That must mean something to him."

- Look - Momoi handed me her cell phone - this is the guy I like, isn't him handsome?

- Isn't the guy from the game? - I asked.

That guy, I think his name was Kuroko. Momoi used to talk about him a lot since I came to the school and we become friends. Momoi was always stunning, Kuroko didn't stand out at all for me, but if she likes him then I imagined that he must be a special guy.

- Why does he look surprised in the photo?

- Because I took it by surprise, he doesn't like photos.

- Okay - I started going through the photos in the phone gallery, there were hundreds of pictures of that guy and none seemed spontaneous.

- It looks like stalker pictures - I said, unable to contain my laughter.

- He has a dog now – Momoi's face was red, I don't think she heard me - twice as cute!

XXX

The morning passed more slowly than usual. Aomine didn't go to class, it was awful to see his chair empty, and even Momoi couldn't hide her worried expression. At least I finally had the courage to send him a message.

Momoi didn't leave my side during the break, probably because Imayoshi kept texting me and she wanted to make sure I didn't answer him. I confess that there were so many messages that I had to turn off my cell phone before a teacher asked me what was happening to me.

- Remember that you promised that you'd go for Aomine - she told me before we parted that day. Momoi had to go to the basketball team training and I needed to go to the dance club on the second floor - I'm counting on you.

- All right - I answered, a little discouraged.

I went to the bathroom to change clothes and checked my cell phone for the last time before going to the dance club room. There were still few girls in the room, I was not late. Aomine still hadn't answered me, so I decided to read Imayoshi's messages.

Are you already at school?

Do you want to eat with me at lunch today?

Can I see you?

I ended up smiling when I saw the picture of a sleeping kitten he found on the street, so I hung up the phone. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. "No more Imayoshi for today, I need to focus."

- Hi.

- Shoichi! - I said a little too loudly when I opened my eyes.

Imayoshi was right in front of me, his torso tilted a little forward so his face was a few inches from mine.

- What are you doing? - He asked.

- Concentrating! - I pointed at him, then hide my hands.

- You are so focused today that couldn't even answer my messages - he sighed – I'm in pain.

- That's not it - I shook my head - I'm just a little worried about... Never mind.

I sighed. Imayoshi leaned a little more towards me, his forehead touched mine.

- I know who you're worried about and knowing that makes me even more hurt.

When Imayoshi tried to lean even more towards my face I took a step back. His gray eyes looked into mine too intensely and it scared me. I saw when some girls passed in the direction of the dance studio and felt my cheeks burn.

- What will others think when they see us like this? - I thought too loudly.

- That I like you, that's all - Imayoshi leaned against the wall - can I watch your rehearsal?

I blinked. Did he have any idea what he had just said?

- Don't have basketball training now?

- Aimi ... - Imayoshi sighed - I retired, for now, did you forget?

Of course he had free time, the third-years had retired after the Winter Cup. It was only now that I was away from his face that I noticed that Imayoshi was still wearing the school uniform.

- You know you can't come in, right?

- I'll watch from there - he pointed to the glass window that was just after the door, so that people could see what was happening inside the dance studio - my favorite spot.

- Sure - I finally put the phone in my backpack.

When I tried to pin my hair up in a ponytail I ended up forgetting a lock. Imayoshi took it and put it behind my ear.

- I'll wait for you - he smiled slyly - so we can go home together.

XXX

It was difficult to dance with Imayoshi at the window, not that he hadn't done that before. There were days when, while distracted, I looked at the glass window, and he was there. Sometimes just time enough to wave at me and run back to the court, but today he made sure to watch the entire rehearsal.

The dance club performed at all school festivals, so we had to learn different choreographies, but today's choice was from a female idol group. When I looked at Imayoshi, before the end of training, he was smiling a lot, his eyes focused on me.

- You don't have to carry it all by yourself - I told him when we were on our way home. Imayoshi made sure to hold my backpack and even bought me a bottle of orange juice.

- Just say 'thank you, senpai' - He replied, then took the straw he had put in the bottle to my mouth - and drink it all.

Imayoshi waited for me to drink a good amount of the juice before talking again.

- Why is Momoi insisting that you have to like Aomine? Is she forcing you?

I swear that for a second the straw reached my throat.

- What? - I turned my face a little to catch my breath. I can't believe I almost died from a plastic straw.

Why was I being so clumsy?

- No! It's not that!

- Then why doesn't she leave you alone? Why is she keeping you from talking to me?

- Momoi is overprotective towards Aomine, she's afraid of going away and left him alone...

- So she wants you to replace her as a nanny?

- I'm not that - I replied - I really like him, that's all.

I wish I could have found better words to express what I was feeling, especially in front of Imayoshi. For the first time I noticed that his playful face shuddered a little. He had confessed to me and I had just said that liked someone else...

- How do you know you like him if he's not even here by your side?

- He missed school one day...

- Look - Imayoshi took a step towards me, we were in the middle of the street, but still far from my house, I could hear the cars and some students passing by, but I couldn't concentrate on anything else - I'm just asking for a chance to demonstrate what I feel, please.

- A chance... - I swallowed - And how do you want to show it?

- Let's go out on a date - he said - you and me, this weekend.

- Just the two of us...?

Imayoshi nodded, looking more confident than he was moments ago.

I thought about the kiss Aomine gave me the night before and Momoi's words. I had accepted the proposal she made to me, hadn't I? To stay with Aomine. But at the same time Imayoshi seemed so honest about his feelings... I just wanted nobody to get hurt.

- Can I think about it? - I said, thinking it would still hurt Imayoshi.

But he reacted contrary to what I imagined. Imayoshi smiled, grabbed my shoulders and pressed his lips to mine so quickly that I couldn't even predict what he was up to.

- Of course you can think about it - he said, still with a smile on his face. It was the second time that I could see his eyes so close to mine that day - think about my proposal and the kiss, while I wait for your answer watching the videos of your rehearsal.

- Did you... - I pushed Imayoshi away - Did you record my rehearsal?!

- Of course I recorded it - Imayoshi started to walk again - I always record you dancing so I can have you around all the time.

- Delete this! - I shouted at Imayoshi, who started running.

Okay, so, I am now completely in doubt about who Aimi will end up with... It wasn't my intention to write such a soft and fluffy Imayoshi... I really want to ask to you guys now which one do you prefer? (please help me!)

I already anticipate that there will be a small clash between Aomine and Imayoshi in the next and last chapter... See ya!