Another day, another chapter.

Right.

This is awkward...I'm splitting it up again. Haha. Sorry, guys! But I really want to give this event attention because it is so important...! And all the character development! I LOVE character development and I hope you can bear with me and the never-ending day, haha. A little fluff, a lot of bad description because who in the hell knows how to describe a basketball match and the next and a semi cliffhanger.

I hope you are prepared!

Thank you for all the lovely follows, favorites and reviews!

DAY ONE HUNDRED SIXTY ONE II

"Ah!"

Mia jumped up from her seat as Kagami actually stopped Aomine from throwing the ball. She could feel the eyes of her neighbors on her but she was way too involved in the happenings on the court to care. Just like she remembered, he jumped high, his hand touching the orange orb before her classmate could have landed a hit.

Maybe they were really able to stop him after all? Even the blue haired teen seemed surprised, his blue eyes focused on no one else but the ace of the other team. The moments where Mia struggled to keep up with nothing but her gaze, Kagami was able to follow. His hands always close to the ball. His feet were keeping up with the unbelievable pace of Aomine.

And to see that brought nothing but excitement into her veins. The guy who had told her that there was no challenge out there for him, that there existed nobody who would be able to beat him - had now maybe met someone who could show him that it was possible.

Basketball was amazing.

It took her a few seconds before she sat down once more, her feet fidgeting on the spot as she watched the teenagers playing against another. Trying to pass and aiming for the hoop with such energy that even she could feel the intensity from the distance.

"We will now be taking a break." A voice announced through the speakers after the buzzer resounded. "The third quarter will begin in ten minutes."

Ah, another break?

Mia looked at the ceiling a bit surprised because she hadn't expected a longer pause. Although it was obvious that even the players needed a little breather after all the running they had done. The orange-head leaned onto the railing in front of her whilst her dark eyes travelled towards the basketball team of her school. The teens had all gathered around the bench where they were given a last few words before they were allowed to leave.

The girl would have probably waited on her seat, she didn't know where the lockers were to look for Satsuki anyway, but as she saw Aomine's head turn towards her very direction she wondered if she should head out. Her classmate did nothing, no gesture or movements which could have suggested that he had tried to get her attention in any way.

But Mia couldn't help but wonder what he thought right now. Did he feel excited? Did he have fun? Did he know she still wished him good luck even though she really thought that someone had to kick him off the cloud he had crawled upon?

Grabbing her bag, she had pushed beneath her seat, she quickly stood up and made her way towards the stairs. Quietly she apologized to the other visitors who had to withdraw their legs for her before she reached the certain staircase she needed. She wasn't the only one who used the chance to leave the hall, many other strangers left as well to buy something or move their legs a bit after all the sitting.

She rushed down the steps, dodging a few people here and there on her way. Following the hallway towards her right this time, because she was determined to catch them before they reached the back area. The lockers were definitely only accessible for the high school teams.

But all her ambition wasn't needed, she realized, the moment she reached the entry way. In between the people who were scattered around the wide room stood no one else than the blue haired basketball player, wearing already the jogging suit instead of his uniform.

"I wanna go outside." He drawled; unfazed by her sudden appearance.

That guy had probably already expected her. The orange-head felt a bit flustered because she acted like a silly puppy rushing to him without thinking. Forgetting everything else from one second to another but she hadn't talked to the team before the match at all. The atmosphere around the members had been tense while they collected their thoughts for the coming match - it had felt wrong to invade that.

Now though it seemed to be alright, the blue haired teen waiting here for her showed that. Mutually sharing her idea of seeing another before the second half of the match started. Pursing her lips she turned towards the exit, shouldering her bag properly to try and appear nonchalant.

"Sure."

Grudgingly accepting that the heaven decided to be rather cruel today, she glanced towards her left where her classmate fell into step with her. Aomine leaded her easily towards a quiet place outside, the great building offered many of those and somewhere around a corner was a very small practice court attached to it. The hoop on the wall looked a bit lonely and simple but it sufficed its purpose either way.

"Are you having fun?"

The teen didn't face her as he dribbled the basketball he had taken with him. Mia set her bag aside, rummaging through it to fetch her scarf. In contrast to the walking fireplace in front of her she was already regretting it that she had taken off her jacket earlier, leaving her in nothing but a sweater behind.

The orange-head watched him as she wrapped the soft fabric around her neck, blinking at his broad back while slowly but surely she became uncertain if he had heard her at all.

"You were right."

What?

Mia wanted to voice her confusion but Aomine was faster, he stopped dribbling the ball, holding onto it with one hand as he turned around to her. The grin on his lips was broad. Filling his dark expression with some sinister happiness she couldn't relate to. His eyes were nearly glowing with a new found spark.

"It ain't boring at all."

Aomine glanced at his free hand, flexing his fingers a few times as if he had to make sure it was really happening.

"I can go all out; I can crush him without holding back."

"You sound scary." Mia deadpanned, earning a puzzled glare of Aomine.

"Hah?"

The orange-head rubbed her hands against another. Her forehead set in wrinkles as she stared at the basketball player anxiously.

"I asked you if you had fun and you go on about crushing others..."

Aomine's grin faltered a bit, his narrow gaze blinking at the girl in front of him who obviously tried to hide behind her scarf the best she could to seek more warmth against the cold. But then the lines on his face softened, a breathless laugh rising in his throat. With ease he abandoned the ball in his hand, approaching Mia with a few long strides.

The girl looked up as he stood in front of her, craning her neck to see him better.

"It's...fun, kinda." He muttered beneath his breath.

"It is?"

"It is." Aomine agreed in a mumble.

"It's fun." Mia repeated softly.

The blue haired teen scowled at her, the unsettling grin finally slipping from his lips. And that relieved her to be honest because it had felt like he had been suddenly far away with his head. His mind keen on letting his opponents fall in the worst way possible. She had wanted him to be looking forward to this match, of course, but not in that way...

"I'm glad it is..."

It was nothing but a whisper. The words leaving her silently though her tall classmate heard them anyway. Aomine leaned forward, his forehead bumping against hers as he forgot for a single second what for turmoil was going on around them. All what his navy orbs saw were her dark eyes, the color sucking him in as he took a deep calming breath.

"I'm gonna win this." He grumbled, his lazy drawl filling her ears.

I'm afraid you will.

Mia couldn't say that. However, if he did win this match...wouldn't he slowly return to his old ways? Calling the other basketball player nothing but flies, refusing to take part in matches? She didn't like that. Not a single bit. All those trophies in his room weren't there for nothing. The way he had spoken of Kuroko and their friendship which had bloomed thanks to the sport shouldn't be cast aside like that again.

However, in the end she was nothing but a viewer. A part of the audience which could do nothing but watch from the sideline...

The orange-head closed her eyes, cherishing the burning skin of his forehead which pressed against hers. He was really the best heater someone could ever wish for and her fingertips were itching to just reach out and touch him. It was tempting to hug him, abusing his warmth and taking it all in. But that action would be too bold, the gesture too intimate and she was too afraid of the consequences to really try it.

Instead her fingers played with another, her face softly grimacing at her own stupidity.

"The break is now over. Please return now to your seats."

Mia jumped, bumping her forehead harshly against his as she opened her eyes. The announcer's voice had startled her, even more because those ten minutes had run past by her so fast she could hardly believe that the second half of the game was starting already. Another handful of minutes filled with intensity and tension.

The blue haired teen in front of her turned around to pick up the abandoned ball, his familiar stoic expression landing on her as he faced her once more.

"Let's go."

The orange-head nodded absent-minded, her thoughts still astray before she realized what he meant. Quickly she picked up her bag, shouldering it as Aomine brushed past her. His long strides slow and lazy, giving her enough time to catch up to him without rushing.

"Aomine."

The teenager glanced over his shoulder as her hand darted out reaching for his. It was her first time, demanding to hold hands without feeling like a nervous wreck. Something which made her a little bit proud. But it felt like this day was so much more important than her silly antics. Mia gave his hand a squeeze.

"Good luck."

She meant it. And the blue haired teen could clearly read it in her eyes. Cracking a lopsided grin he tugged her forward, back towards the entrance of the building where they'd have to part ways because he had to return to the court while she had to go back to her seat in the audience.

He never really replied in the end.

But in truth, Mia was too afraid to hear his answer anyway.

Tōō Academy was still leading.

That fact alone made her guts swirl in a mix of happiness and disappointment. Mia never realized how weird emotions could be and how hard it was to cheer for one side alone if you knew members of both teams.

Basketball was such an intense sport, something the orange-head had never realized before but her fingers twitched with every attack of the players. Official matches were really exciting, nothing like the practice match or the street basketball tournament she had seen. The cheers of the audience around her, the encouraging yells of the reserve players on the bench...

It all came together, filling the huge room with noise and warmth. She felt forced to push her scarf soon after her return back into her bag, her gaze glued to the game. The air was dry and warm, burning in her throat as the huge countdown on the screen continued to count down the time they had left.

Seven points difference.

Seirin High was still seven points behind Tōō Academy and Aomine only became faster and faster with every moment. Mia bit the inside of her cheeks, her hands balled into fists as she watched her tall classmate attack smoothly. His agile body easily stepping around his opponents, bending and reaching at unbelievable angles...Aomine wasn't comparable to any other player. Not to Kagami or Imayoshi.

And the time continued to fly by. The seconds passing with every loud screech of the sneakers the basketball players wore.

He wouldn't lose.

That stubborn guy just wouldn't lose.

'I can go all out, I can crush him without holding back.'

"Come on, Kuroko-san. Kagami-san..." The orange haired girl whispered, her feet tapping against the ground impatiently. Mia could remember the way he had looked as she had mentioned the InterHigh for the first time, before she had really come to known her classmate as summer came around...

Aomine loved basketball.

She knew he did.

Someone just had to knock that feeling back into his thick, stupid skull. The orange haired girl liked the Aomine who was actually laughing while playing. Who would grin at her when she tackled him out of desperation. It were such rare seconds when his eyes glinted in amusement. But it all came down to the sport and his past.

'It's...fun, kinda.'

Mia narrowed her eyes as she cupped her hands around her mouth. The loud cheers and clapping hands around were her easily smothering her own voice but not her spirit. It was for the best. The girl was so certain that the blue haired teen needed this painful kick.

Definitely.

"Go Seirin!"