Another day, another belated chapter. Sorry about that.

Big thanks to...

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Phew, I thought I'd finally get a break but my coming days are filled with stuff. I hope the next chapter won't be updated this late. I struggled a bit this chapter...I don't know if I'll edit it or not - but I hope you'll enjoy it anyway.

Once more thank you for all the follows, favorites and reviews!

DAY THIRTY SEVEN

Mia never believed she'd step onto the school ground like this. She didn't wear her school uniform, it was break and the campus was empty. No student would visit the building voluntary although she guessed that people who had clubs did do that. Or lived in a dorm here. She wouldn't know that, the girl wasn't part of any club in school and she still lived at home.

Nanami tied her long hair into a ponytail as both of them approached the gym of Tōō Academy. It was a great relief that her friend had offered to come along as well - who knew how the members of the club would be like? She barely knew Sakurai, the nervous brown haired boy from her class. However, she had to confess that she was curious indeed.

"Maybe I'll finally see why you're suddenly so into basketball." Her friend said.

Mia glanced at her while their goal slowly came into sight.

"You will, it is fun. Really."

The taller girl beside her, returned her look ever so calmly before she shrugged with her shoulders. But the orange-head was optimistic about the whole situation. Or at least the part where she'd show Nanami how to play the game, it was fun. Even if you weren't as good at it as the team who played it on daily basis, the only thing which could ruin it was the summer heat.

Right before the closed entrance of the gym, they stopped for a moment to exchange their sandals for a pair of sneakers. Even though the school was closed, it didn't mean they could just forget about its rules and regulations. And to play a sport in sandals wasn't really a good idea to begin with.

Carefully the orange haired girl pushed the door open, sticking her head through the gap as the sound of voices, squeaking shoes and bouncing basketballs filled the air. There were a handful of people, although much less than she expected. Probably only the team was training for an upcoming match, the rest of the basketball club chose to enjoy their well earned break instead.

She was about to announce her arrival as a certain person noticed them. Momoi's face brightened and quickly she turned around to them, the clipboard in her hands nearly slipped out of her grasp as she rushed towards the entrance.

"Nidori-san you came!"

Slightly startled Mia pulled the door closer, ready to slip back outside but after she saw the broad smile on the face of the pink haired girl she found herself smiling shyly in return.

"Yeah..." She breathed, pushing the door open to reveal herself and her friend. "Good to see you Momoi-san."

"Oh you can call me Satsuki! Can I call you Mia-chan as well? I never asked, did I?"

Momoi quickly ushered them inside, going on and on about how happy she was that they could make it. Never leaving enough room for a reply. The dribbling slowly came to a halt as the three girls stood there, mostly still listening to the club's manager who couldn't find a stop to the waterfall of words which slipped out of her. She only came to a sudden halt as someone appeared behind her, one of the few other students.

"Nidori-san. I'm glad you came."

Mia's eyes lifted towards the visitor, a basketball player who was taller than them - although that shouldn't surprise her anymore, she guessed. His grey eyes nearly disappeared behind the pair of glasses he wore, although his smile was still present nevertheless. He looked like he had been running around enough for a day.

"Oh...Ima...Imayoshi-san, right?"

The dark haired teen nodded, his hands on his hips as his lips formed an impish smile. "We're right now doing a few practice shots, you two want to try as well?"

Quickly the orange-head turned towards her friend who carelessly shrugged with her shoulders. She still wasn't as thrilled as her but Mia was confident it would change quickly. She had lost all the time against Aomine when they had played after school, but it still was really fun, she thought. And if the tall teenager couldn't destroy her enthusiasm yet with his unbelievable skills then she surely wouldn't lose it now.

Imayoshi guided them towards the hoop on the other side; passing two other teens who were busy themselves playing against each other. Although they surely glanced curiously towards their guests, they couldn't be first years, her mind hushed. She had never seen them before in their building or at the entrance ceremony, maybe they were second or third years? Imayoshi was older than her for sure as well.

The dark haired basketball player greeted Sakurai who stood in front of the hoop, offering him a smile which made the nervous boy lift the basketball in his hands slowly. A shield from whatever scared him, that much was obvious. But the brunette was apparently scared of so many things it was hard to find something which didn't make him uncomfortable.

"Sakurai can surely help you, I need to discuss something right now, please excuse me." Imayoshi pushed the glasses against his face before he walked off to who knew where.

The girls watched his form retreating, feeling a bit odd for intruding their practice just like this. Nanami crossed her arms in front of her chest, tugging on her bracelet thoughtfully as she leaned towards Mia.

"He's weird."

"Pretty weird." The girl agreed immediately.

"Uh...Nidori-san? Amori-san?" Sakurai asked carefully as the guests were busy to discuss whether or not this person was better suited as the shady friend of Aomine. Maybe Momoi wasn't the drug dealer, it could be him? There was just something off about the older student and his unwavering expression.

"Sorry, Sakurai-san." Mia mumbled in the end, offering her classmate her full attention. "It's funny to see each other on a day off, right?"

The shy basketball player finally smiled and nodded, it was rare for him to not frown at someone in fear he could have insulted anyone with anything he did. It was a relief that his mood seemed to be actually rather bright in contrast to the few times they had talked in the past.

"Do we just play then?" The black haired girl next to her wondered which caught the eyes of the club member.

"I, I could give you two a basketball as well. It's easier then, right?" Sakurai offered carefully.

"That'd be great."

If anything ever discouraged Mia, then it was that her dear friend got the hang out of it a lot faster than she did. It was a surprise alone that Sakurai really was a good player, he maybe didn't look like it but he was able to make one shot after another. He shied away when the girls pointed it out; too self-conscious to accept the compliments but it didn't change the fact that he really was good.

Nanami, however, quickly understood the certain need of strength and aim which was needed to make a shot. The orange haired girl could complain and curse while her friend would barely quirk an eyebrow at the sight of the point she had made. Only as she looked Mia right in the eye she'd dare to smile slightly.

"It isn't too bad." She commented, picking up the ball which rolled against her feet.

"Oh, shut it. I can feel your ego grow over my head."

Nanami did laugh at that, only short and quiet because she never had been a loud person before. But it was enough to make the orange-head scowl at her more, her grimace trying to fight off the smile as well which was trying to crawl onto her lips. She knew her friend would have fun, but it was satisfying to actually see her enjoying herself. Next week she'd have to survive without her while Nanami was visiting her grandparents, so it was nice to have now fun while they could.

Sakurai was still rather quiet, apologizing sometimes when one of them missed the hoop entirely. Why he did that, no one knew. But it was hard to make him stop. Imayoshi finally returned after a while, keen on joining their...well, Mia called it free style basketball. It was more or less dribbling, running around while spouting nonsense. But with the captain, the other two basketball players she had seen before, came as well.

Wakamatsu, she reminded herself as she passed the ball to him. The blond one was called Wakamatsu while the other was named Yoshinori. She'd probably forget it soon enough, the upperclassmen tended to talk more with each other than with them but it was nothing she minded because honestly, Mia didn't need to talk with so many people at the same time. She didn't know them and invaded their practice. Well, yes. She was invited, but nevertheless, who knew if the others really agreed to that?

Momoi eagerly caught the ball Nanami threw towards her, somewhere in between she had joined their rather silly game as the entrance door was pushed open once more. Surprised the pink haired girl turned towards it, the other heads of the students following her example with ease.

"Aomine-kun!" Momoi called out, staring at the tall teenager whose expression told of horrifying tales.

Even from the distance it was easy to see that he didn't appear to be in a good mood, nothing new, but it was still a sight someone could go without with. Imayoshi grinned at the new arrival, choosing to slowly approach the blue haired basketball player as he lifted one hand in greeting.

"Aomine, I'm glad you could make it to practice after all."

"The fuck are you talking about." Aomine hissed in return, his frown aimed at his captain.

"No need for the hostility."

"I don't know why but, hell - what are you trying to pull here?" Aomine lifted his hand, showing something which could be a mobile phone to the other teenager. Their voices were barely loud enough for the others to hear them but Mia and Nanami exchanged a look of confusion if not caution anyway.

"I only informed you, what else?" Imayoshi replied calmly, shrugging with his shoulders. "I thought that maybe you would want to practice with us today?"

Aomine's gaze flickered into their direction for a second before the glare returned to his dark haired upperclassman. If they said anything else, the others couldn't hear it. They all only stood there, glued to the ground while watching the two basketball players arguing. Suddenly though, Aomine chose to stuff his phone back into his cargo pants sneering at Imayoshi in an impolite fashion.

"You wanna play? Tch. You're not worth my time." Her tall classmate brushed past the third-year.

"Oh? But you came anyway?"

Her table neighbor approached them, ripping the basketball out of Momoi's hands as his gaze wandered from one face to another. "What a pain..." He grumbled quietly to himself while he weighed the orange ball in his right hand. Mia furrowed her brow, puzzled by his sudden arrival and sour mood but as their eyes finally met his expression froze.

"Nidori, what're doing here."

"Wha-? Well...Imayoshi-san invited me...?" She replied perplexed.

His nasty glare was aimed once more at his captain who still seemed rather pleased with the outcome of the situation. Momoi quickly chose to step into the space between the teenagers. Successfully creating a wall.

"I thought it was a great idea, Aomine-kun! I wanted to see Mia-chan as well."

"Why do always have to be so nosy, Satsuki?"

"I'm not nosy! You're just rude." Momoi huffed. "You didn't want to go to practice in the first place!"

The blue haired guy scoffed at her argument. The rather scary look in his eyes slowly disappearing as his usual annoyed expression took its place instead. That was the only relief to be honest. For Mia and Nanami the whole situation became suddenly complicated and unsettling. Neither of them knew what had gone wrong, Wakamatsu however, seemed to know what was to do.

"Just shut up and practice with us, Aomine."

Well.

Or maybe not.

"I told you already, didn't I? Beat me first."

The blond shook his fist at his teammate, gritting his teeth. "That doesn't matter! You should just practice with us!"

"I don't wanna."

"You damn-"

"-come on, guys. Calm down." Imayoshi muttered beneath his breath. He waved his arms slightly around to signal the two teenagers to leave the topic be. Wakamatsu already looked like he was ready to rush into a fight while Aomine only looked annoyed by his never ending antics.

"Can't we just play?" Nanami deadpanned.

Mia stared at her surprised; she hadn't been able to bring out a word. The black haired girl, on the other hand, merely lifted an eyebrow as she glanced at the little group in front of her. It was horrifying how brave she could be. Or maybe only how amazing her poker face was.

"Yeah." Momoi quickly agreed. "How about we play and you practice all you want? We can go outside."

As if she had already decided it, she quickly left to pick up a ball. Imayoshi followed her figure with his gaze as the pink haired girl walked towards the exit, urging the girls to do the same thing. Nanami shrugged with her shoulders, following the female student while Mia still stood a little overwhelmed by the turn of events on the spot. What exactly had happened right now?

"Nidori."

Her body finally reacted as Aomine called her name. Her classmate had already pushed her forward with his hand, forcing her to move as his familiar expressionless face stared straight ahead. The girl had known that he wasn't really a social butterfly, but it was puzzling how difficult the relationship between the basketball team members appeared to be...

"I thought you always skipped practice?" Mia finally asked him on their way outside.

"Shut up." He drawled. Although the sound of his voice suggested a lot less hostility than it did before. Thank god. The orange-head became quiet just like him; it took the basketball player a few seconds before he suddenly asked her something else.

"How did that guy invite you?"

"You mean Imayoshi-san?" Mia wondered quietly as they stepped out of the gym. "He called me with Momo-...uh, Satsuki-san's phone."

"Aah..." His blue eyes narrowed slightly.

"Why don't you just practice with them?" She asked him carefully while her gaze searched for the two girls.

"I don't need it."

"Yeah, but...it wouldn't hurt to practice sometimes...right?"

Finally he looked at her, his heavy gaze colliding with hers.

"I play with you sometimes."

Mia opened her mouth to retort that it surely wasn't helping him any way. She wasn't nearly as good as the other guys who were still in the gym, hell; a five-year-old could surely beat her without even trying. Even Nanami had grasped the sport faster than she did. But maybe she should take that as some kind of compliment instead of denying it. She didn't want his mood to darken again, not after the grimace from before had finally slipped off his face.

"Imayoshi-san is weird." She replied instead to change the topic.

For the first time since Aomine arrived he started to grin slightly. He snickered at her comment, his shoulders relaxing as they continued to walk into the direction the voices of the other two came from.

"He's a creep, stay away from him."

Mia's face scrunched up in distrust, it was hard to believe that he was able to say something like that about his own captain. But the dark teen was hard-headed. He stuffed his hands into the pockets of his cargo pants, his gaze still locked with hers as he nodded.

"I'm serious...and if you wanna play basketball just message me."

His eyes finally moved away, it felt like as if he was trying to look anywhere but her. Something the girl actually welcomed because even though she maybe got used to it partly, his gaze still felt heavy with the intimidating atmosphere he carried around him.

Mia clasped her hands behind her back together, slightly smiling at the thought of playing with him in the park again. It was fun, her mind reminded her. Strangely. She had nothing against Sakurai or the others, really they were nice and everything. But she couldn't help but think that she did enjoy it more when she played with her table neighbor.

"Okay."